‘“We played them toward the end of the season (barely two weeks ago) in a short time frame,” Buffalo’s offensive coordinator Brian Daboll said. “Obviously we’re going to be matched up against them Saturday night so there’s some familiarity with the players and the matchups, but schemes change and each game is its own game particularly against a team like (the Patriots).”’
Archives for January 11, 2022
Upon Further Review: Secondary’s show of solidarity after division-clinching win speaks volumes
‘”I grind out for these guys on and off the field any day of the week and even No. 27 right here. So it just goes to show, Micah and I’ve been here five years, Levi, four, Taron four, Dane two. We’ve just been putting the work in ever since we stepped foot in this building, so it’s extremely special to win this thing at home, win the AFC East at home, and we definitely wish 27 was here. But you know, we know he’s going to bounce back.”’
Thanks to third-down defensive prowess by Bills, Jets ran just 46 offensive plays Sunday
‘That’s the second-fewest amount of plays the Bills’ defense faced in a single game during the 2021 regular season, trailing only the 42 ran by the Houston Texans in Week 4. A big reason the Bills faced so few plays is because the defense held the Jets to just 1 of 14 on third downs, forcing 11 punts, one of which was blocked.’
Analysis: Extra offensive lineman giving Bills running game some added punch
‘The Bills used a sixth offensive lineman to help overpower New York on the line of scrimmage in springing Singletary. Rookie Tommy Doyle lined up at right tackle. Spencer Brown moved to the other side of the line and set up outside of left tackle Dion Dawkins. The Bills used a sixth offensive lineman on 15 plays against the Jets, their most in any game this season.’
Observations: ‘Nothing official yet’ in regards to Leslie Frazier interviewing for Bears’ coaching job
‘“I really don’t know anything about it,” Frazier said Monday, a day after the Bills wrapped up the regular season with a 27-10 victory over the New York Jets at Highmark Stadium, a win that secured a second straight AFC East title. “We’ve been in meetings all day and you can imagine on a short week, just finished a ballgame yesterday. It’s almost like you’re in a cave working as hard as you can to get up to speed on whatever changes you want to make, and with the team that we’re facing. I have not really followed any news reports or really don’t know a whole lot about what’s going on around the league right now.”’
Jim Kubiak: How naked bootleg play-action passes got Allen, Bills’ offense back on track vs. Jets
‘Allen sold the run first and then got excellent depth as he attacked the perimeter. The Jets defense, like a school of hungry piranhas, swarmed to the fake and left themselves immediately vulnerable down the field. Credit Daboll with another great bootleg concept to start the Bills’ drive, giving Allen options to create with his legs or to complete easier throws to open receivers.’
Alan Pergament: The enthusiasm of CBS’ Kevin Harlan helps Bills fans party like it’s 1995
‘Harlan, who may be even better calling NBA games, was sharp on the big fourth-quarter plays and also offered his unique take on a couple of altercations between the two teams that were initially out of camera view.’
Erik Brady: ‘Fandemonium’ broke out last time Bills beat Jets for AFC East, thanks to one very large paw
‘As for the goalpost-storming day in 1988, Bills fans can thank one Frederic Charles Smerlas that the game got to overtime at all. The score was 6-6 with 25 seconds to play when New York lined up for a surefire field goal from 40 yards. Jets kicker Pat Leahy had made 47 of his last 49 field goals from 40 yards or closer.’
Bills vs Patriots, round 3: Make no mistake, this rivalry takes on a new look for playoffs
‘How delicious is that? A third game against everyone’s favorite team to hate in the span of 41 days.’
Leslie Frazier’s Bills defense was best in the NFL and he’s a head coaching candidate again
‘“I’m super proud of those guys, but let me just make sure I’m clear here; Leslie Frazier runs the defense and I want to give credit where credit is due,” said coach Sean McDermott. “This is not Sean McDermott’s defense, this is Leslie’s defense, and those defensive coaches and players have done a phenomenal job.”’
Is home field actually an advantage for the Bills in the playoffs?
‘The crowd advantage is definitely something to consider, especially when it comes to the Patriots’ rookie quarterback Mac Jones. He’s struggled at times during the second half of the season. He’s thrown five interceptions in his last four games, including a pair against the Bills in a Week 16 loss.’
Boston analyst doesn’t think Bills’ Josh Allen can best Bill Belichick, Patriots again
‘“I think familiarity is actually a better thing for the Patriots,” Johnson said. “Josh Allen, I mean he just torched the Patriots just a few weeks ago–his best game ever against the Patriots not that long ago–but I think Josh Allen had to play a perfect game in that game and I think the Patriots will adjust and do something different.”’
Bills’ Brian Daboll & Leslie Frazier drawing HC interest, Joe Schoen requested for GM interview
‘While there are only 32 GM jobs in the league, Schoen may be hesitant to take the Giants’ job as New York has committed to bringing Joe Judge back as their head coach for the 2022-2023 season.’
Sabato: Bills need to beat Patriots in playoffs to be true beasts of the East
‘As long as Allen is pulling the trigger, the offense is always going to be potent. But it seems unlikely the team will have a better window to win a championship with this defense. Sure, the Jets looked more like the faux-Bills offense in the made-for-TV movie Second String, but they still had NFL players who received a paycheck and were held to 53 yards from scrimmage.’
Bills fans rise up after $3,000 worth of equipment stolen from Lockport tailgaters
‘Within five hours, the fundraiser not only raised the $3,000 needed to replace the equipment, but it surpassed $5,000 and Roman was able to order a new grill. All equipment should be replaced and the Romans will be ready for their first playoff game when the Bills host the Patriots in the AFC wild-card round Saturday night.’