‘“These last two weeks have been hard,” Bills coach Sean McDermott said. “We’ve got a lot of competitive guys in that locker room and they want to win, and to come up short the last two weeks, against two good football teams, especially with a chance to win it in the fourth quarter, those are tough. So hopefully, down the stretch we will have learned from those situations and gotten better as a football team.”’
Archives for December 20, 2021
Observations: Gabriel Davis shows why calls for more playing time were justified in Bills’ big win
‘In the meantime, fans have been clamoring to see more of Davis, who impressed as a rookie in 2020 with 35 catches for 599 yards and seven touchdowns. Playing time this season, however, has been limited by Sanders’ addition. Davis, though, has made the most of his opportunities. He now has touchdowns in three consecutive games and has increased his season totals to 29 catches for 470 yards and six touchdowns.’
Bills defensive end Efe Obada no longer has to let up on ex-teammate Cam Newton
‘“When I was playing with him, he used to have that red jersey, so that was the quickest ride to go home if you hit him,” Obada said. “But no, it just felt really good to hit him now. I asked for his jersey, so I’m putting that out here now, so I can hold him accountable.”’
Q&A: Are the Bills back? Call it a win and move on to New England
‘Was it an impressive win? Not especially. Let’s call it a decent win. The Bills were dealing with a significant handicap with the loss of left tackle Dion Dawkins to a positive Covid-19 test. So the offense wasn’t able to pick up where it left off in the second half of the game in Tampa last week, when it marched up and down the field. Presuming Dawkins comes back, there is no reason the offense shouldn’t make amends for its disappointing performance in the first meeting with the Patriots.’
Plays that shaped the game: Bills offense adjusted against Panthers speed rushers
‘The Bills also made heavy use of play-action passes to slow the Carolina rush and let Allen loose on numerous bootlegs and rollouts to prevent him from being a stationary target for Brian Burns and Haason Reddick.’
Quarter by quarter: Offense finds its footing after slow start in 31-14 win over Panthers
‘Dependable Davis: Gabriel Davis logged his third consecutive game with a touchdown, this one a solid 20-yard catch. Davis had a 29-yard catch earlier on the drive to move the Bills down the field.’
Report Card: Bills get the job done against Panthers with solid all-around effort
‘Credit the offensive coaching staff for adjusting to a pair of starters on the offensive line going on the Covid-19 list ahead of the game. Offensive coordinator Brian Daboll’s group got off to a slow start in the first quarter, but stuck with a game plan that included more running than has been the norm.’
Another Voice: Commuter rail to Southtowns should accompany new stadium plan
‘During the 1996 stadium lease negotiations between the Bills and Erie County, a proposal gained traction to build a commuter train from the stadium to downtown Buffalo. Eventually, it was tabled due to costs, but with New York receiving $10 billion for mass transit through the bipartisan infrastructure package, now is the time to tie these projects together.’
Instant analysis: Bills take care of business against Panthers but must clean up offense
‘This was not easy, though. The Panthers defense was good, and they were also aided by the fact that Buffalo trotted out an offensive line minus Dion Dawkins and still minus Jon Feliciano. A line, mind you, that isn’t very good even with those two on the field.’
Maiorana: Bills’ win over Panthers sets up colossal game against Patriots for AFC East
‘It was exactly the type of performance the Bills needed, particularly after having lost their last two games which plummeted them to the brink of the dreaded “in the hunt” playoff category.’
Bills report card: Gabriel Davis sparks offense; defense hounds ineffective Cam Newton
‘On offense, it was good to see Brian Daboll find some running calls that worked, and he stayed patient with it as the Bills finished with 27 rushing attempts. And credit has to go to offensive line coach Bobby Johnson who had to deal with the last-minute changes of Dawkins and Feliciano going on the COVID list in the last 48 hours.’
Bills give themselves a chance
‘If the Bills beat the Pats and both teams then win out, Buffalo, at 11-6, would repeat as division champ based on the better AFC East record. However a loss to New England would leave Buffalo desperately seeking a wild-card playoff berth.’
Bills got win but it wasn’t a ‘statement’
‘And the Bills played in workmanlike fashion, rather than wound-up mode to issue a warning in Foxboro. That was fine against Carolina, but the mood will be different next Sunday in Gillette Stadium, the day after Christmas, when Buffalo (8-6) must win to avenge its 14-10 home loss to the Pats, and retain any hope of repeating as division champ.’
Allen and Newton each sacked four times
‘Three of Carolina’s four sacks of Allen were recorded by end and Penn State alum Yetur Gross-Matos, giving him four on the season. He also caused a fumble on the first one, though Buffalo tackle Spencer Brown recovered. The Panthers’ other sack was logged by end Brian Burns, his ninth of the campaign.’
Trust me: Bills’ Gabriel Davis explains chemistry with Josh Allen
‘As of late, no receiver on the Bills is hotter than Davis. He entered Sunday’s game against the Panthers with touchdowns in back-to-back games. He extended his streak to three consecutive games when he hauled in a 20-yard TD in the back of the end zone on a 3rd and 12 play in the third quarter. He tacked on another score to put the game away late in the fourth quarter for his fourth score in three games and sixth touchdown of the season.’