‘If they beat Atlanta, a loss by Baltimore (home against the Rams) or a loss or a tie by either the Chargers (home against Denver) or Raiders (at Indianapolis) would put them in.’
Archives for December 31, 2021
PlayAction: Bills’ defense is playing lights out on third and long
‘The Bills have been sensational on third and long. Opponents have converted just 15.5% on third and 7 or longer. That’s best in the league. Second is Tennessee at 17.6%, and New Orleans is the only other team lower than 20%. That speaks first to the Bills’ great coverage on the back end, led by safeties Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer.’
Q&A: Why Falcons linebacker Steven Means, a Buffalo native and UB grad, hates the Bills
‘“Definitely, it’s always been something I’ve been thinking about,” Means said Thursday during an interview with The Buffalo News. “And now, this game, I’ll be able to show them what they could have got if they would have picked me up.”’
Bills have no players on Covid list for first time since Nov. 2
‘“Oh man, it’s been chaos. It’s been chaos in the sense that you never know what to expect,” Hyde said. “We learned a lot last year, as all this stuff is going on, and guys were in and out because of Covid and all that. This year, just the next-man-in mentality like the boys had, and guys have been stepping up. You never really know what to expect, so all you can do is just put your head down and keep working.”’
Steve Tasker falls short of being named a finalist for Pro Football Hall of Fame
‘Beginning next season, Tasker will be considered by the seniors committee, which was established to assure that players who have been retired for at least 25 years receive proper consideration.’
How we see it: News writers predict Bills vs. Falcons
‘From what we’ve seen out of the Bills this season, it’s entirely possible they lose this game to the Falcons, who are desperate for a victory because their season is on the line. Atlanta is on the outside looking in at the NFC playoffs but has not been eliminated. The Falcons trail the final two wild-card teams by one game with two to play. They have a savvy veteran quarterback in Matt Ryan, a rising star in rookie tight end Kyle Pitts and Cordarrelle Patterson is a constant home run threat both on the ground and as a receiver. But can they keep up with the Bills? Atlanta ranks 28th out of 32 teams in scoring defense, and Buffalo’s offense seems to have found a groove since the team’s second-half comeback against Tampa Bay. When the Bills win, they tend to win big. And I expect the Bills to win. But I’m not sure they’ll cover the massive spread. Bills, 31-21.’
View from Vegas: Beware of Patriots’ hangover before laying double digits on Bills
‘Prediction: Bills over Atlanta by 11.’
Voice of the Fan: Setting the 9-6 record straight after win against the Pats
‘Bills Mafia always knew Buffalo was the superior team, despite the fluke New England win played in a twister in the Antarctic three weeks ago.’
‘We call him Rick’: No matter what teammates call him, Ryan Bates helped Bills beat Patriots
‘Unfortunately for Bates, his versatility is actually the reason why he hasn’t played that much for the Bills. He has been active for 39 of a possible 47 regular-season games including every one since Week 12 of 2019 but has played only 223 snaps on offense before last week. Why? Because the 6-foot-4, 302-pounder can line up at every position on the offensive line and coach Sean McDermott has been reluctant to give him chances to start essentially because he is trying to keep him out of harm’s way.’
Just call him Rick: Bills’ Ryan Bates creating buzz, having time of his life
‘With several offensive linemen on the Reserve/Covid list last Sunday, Bates started the first NFL regular season game of his career. He played all 79 offensive snaps and had to move from right guard over to left guard halfway through the game when Ike Boettger suffered a season-ending injury (ruptured achilles). Bates gave up just one pressure on the day and Allen was barely touched all afternoon against the league’s no. 1-rank Patriots defense.’
Why Falcons star says Bills’ Stefon Diggs is ‘blowing smoke’ up his a**
‘“I think he’s just blowing smoke up my ass,” Patterson said with a chuckle. “I appreciate that though. Diggs… That’s my guy. We reach out here and there. We don’t talk everyday but that’s my guy, man. I appreciate him. He’s an animal.”’
Bills bring NFL’s top-ranked defense into matchup vs. Falcons
‘The Bills’ defense, which allows 287.9 yards per game (No. 1 in the league) is led by linebackers Tremaine Edmunds and Matt Milano. Edmonds leads the team with 97 tackles.’
Bills’ Josh Allen presents last running QB challenge for Falcons
‘“He’s a great athlete,” Oluokun said. “He likes to get out of the pocket and throw it. But if you let him run around he can definitely do that on you. Over the years, you see how he likes to run the ball. He likes lowering his shoulder and all of that. He can make people miss in the open field. Just because he’s a little bigger, I think he’s a great athlete.”’
Friday’s Atlanta Coverage
Bills bring NFL’s top-ranked defense into matchup vs. Falcons (Atlanta Journal Constitution)
Bills’ Josh Allen presents last running QB challenge for Falcons (Atlanta Journal Constitution)
Falcons place Franks, Grant on reserve/COVID-19 list (Atlanta Journal Constitution)
Hester, Seymour and Young named finalists for Pro Football Hall of Fame (Atlanta Journal Constitution)
Atlanta Falcons player Mike Davis named nominee for ‘Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award’ (WXIA-TV)
‘Generational talent’: Stefon Diggs gives Cordarrelle Patterson high praise, compares Dalvin Cook, Adrian Peterson (AtlantaFalcons.com)
Falcons injury report: Updating Fabian Moreau’s participation level as Bills practice week progresses (AtlantaFalcons.com)
Falcons placed another player on reserve/COVID-19 list (AtlantaFalcons.com)
Bills Have Their Swagger Back In Preparing To Host Falcons
‘It’s a 10-quarter run in which the Bills have outscored their opponents 88-44, won consecutive games for the first time since Weeks 2-5, and reclaimed their edge atop the AFC East with a 33-21 win at New England last weekend.’