‘All seven of his punts Sunday were into the wind, averaging 33.9 yards per punt, with a long of 53. After the game, McDermott said he thought there were multiple factors at play, and that Haack “had a bad day, combined with the wind.” Monday, McDermott added how the wind affected every detail of the punt.’
Archives for January 13, 2022
Mark Gaughan: Bills-Pats, Round 3; it’s going to be so sweet – or so bitter
‘But after two decades of being dominated by the greatest coach of all time – and, let’s be honest, we could stretch it to three if we include the Super Bowl XXV loss to the New York Giants – it would be so tough to swallow. Bills fans are used to losing to the Patriots. Having the season ended by Belichick, at home, when the Bills have the better quarterback? Ouch.’
Injury report: Two key Patriots did not practice Wednesday
‘Eleven Patriots were limited. They included standout defensive tackle Christian Barmore (knee), who was carted off the field in Miami on Sunday; safety Kyle Dugger, who missed the Miami game with a hand injury; and linebacker Dont’a Hightower (hamstring), who also missed the Miami game.’
Frigid cold, Covid-19 rules seem to limit demand for Bills playoff game
‘Further, the government policy requiring Canadian visitors to take a Covid-19 test before returning to their home country is putting a chill on interest from the thousands of fans in that country.’
Rod Watson: Public confidence takes a sack in stadium site process
‘And not only were taxpayers kept in the dark until it was too late, but now it turns out that the Bills’ own internal study rated the South Park site just off downtown higher than the Orchard Park location the team – with the acquiescence of elected officials – is shoving down the public’s throat.’
Erik Brady: Weather was a factor too in only other Bills-Patriots postseason meeting
‘Bills Mafia can only hope the next playoff game goes better than that first one, in 1963: Patriots 26, Bills 8. You think this season’s Bills struggled to run at times? Those Bills gained all of seven yards on the ground on that snowy day at War Memorial Stadium.’
Players don’t like cold-weather games. Who has the advantage for frigid Bills-Patriots?
‘“But truthfully, it’s tremendous pride, especially in the fact that this year in particular, I don’t think besides maybe the Washington game, we haven’t had very good weather, and the fans have not deviated from showing their support and coming out and having a good time, and being loud and being very supportive.”’
Bills game Saturday may be the second coldest in team history. Here are the 3 chilliest.
‘“My toes were so numb, I couldn’t feel the ball,” Christie said. “You know where the ball is, you hope you know where your foot is, and hopefully the two will meet. I knew it was going to be a tough day and unfortunately for Blanchard, it was harder for him than it was for me. But that’s our advantage playing at Rich, we’re used to the frozen turf.”’
Why Bills’ Ed Oliver says Sean McDermott saved his career
‘“I just think for me, with McDermott bringing me here… I just can’t say enough about that right there,” Oliver said. “I could have been a whole bunch of other places and would not have been in this situation. I’ve been in the league going on three years now and every year I’ve been to the playoffs. The coaches here are just good. They say a lot of other places around the league, just talking to older guys, it’s just not like this. So for me, I wouldn’t say he saved my life but he damn sure saved my career coming to a place where there’s a good atmosphere and me learning to be a pro here versus somewhere else where it’s not so family oriented and things like that.”’
Jerry Hughes uncertain of future with Bills, wants to go out on top
‘“I want some hardware. Everybody in this building wants some hardware,” Hughes said. “We were close to getting that last year. So now we know what it takes to get back to that stage. And if this is my last opportunity being a Buffalo Bill, I want to go out on top.”’
From the Valley: The Buffalo Bills: just Joshin’
‘It may not always be pretty, but Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen gets the job done. Put simply, Allen carries an arsenal of tools whenever he takes the field, and uses whatever necessary to address any given situation. And not least in that bag is unflinching determination. A Jim Kelly mindset is a fair comparison. Ergo, as today’s title suggests, the Bills are just Joshin’ … their way into, and hopefully through, the playoffs. (You’re welcome, Bills Mafia, for the suggested mantra.)’
Simmons: Is this the year for the Buffalo Bills?
‘It was Belichick then. It is Belichick now. It seems forever that way for the Bills and any possible Super Bowl journey. You have to go through Belichick. But this time, just as they were in Super Bowl XXV, the Bills are the better team. Now all they do is perform that way.’
In playoff matchup with Patriots, Bills’ defense hopes to get the last word
‘“That first matchup, we’re just going to be frank with it, they came out there and they punched us in the mouth,” said defensive end Jerry Hughes. “So we knew going back to their place, we had to return the favor. But we’ve got to do it our style, our way. I think guys rose up to that challenge, and we were able to do that.”’
Patriots-Bills Wild Card battlegrounds: Can the Patriots contain Josh Allen?
‘In that second game, the Patriots went with a pass rush that’s best described as unplugged, trying to keep his rush lanes closed and keep him in the pocket. It didn’t work.’
Thursday’s New England Coverage
There’s been nothing special about the Patriots’ special teams this season (Boston Globe)
Exploring the withered branches of the Bill Belichick coaching tree: What will it take for them to succeed? (Boston Globe)
Patriots coach Bill Belichick more concerned with the Bills than the Buffalo weather (Boston Globe)
In playoff matchup with Patriots, Bills’ defense hopes to get the last word (Boston Globe)
The Patriots believe in Mac Jones ahead of his first NFL playoff game (Boston Herald)
Guregian: It’s time for the Patriots defense to get off the field in the 4th quarter (Boston Herald)
Patriots-Bills Wild Card battlegrounds: Can the Patriots contain Josh Allen? (Boston Herald)
How the Patriots are preparing for potentially the coldest game in franchise history (Boston Herald)
Patriots CB Jalen Mills not ruled out yet for Wild Card playoff game at Bills (Boston Herald)
Patriots-Bills injury report: Kyle Dugger, Christian Barmore limited, two players out (Boston Herald)
Patriots’ Jakobi Meyers still hungry despite career year: ‘Left a lot of meat on the bone’ (Springfield Republican)
Devin McCourty: William Allen commutation ‘greatest team victory that I’ve ever been a part of’ (Springfield Republican)
Patriots’ Bill Belichick: ‘More worried about the Bills’ than frigid forecast in Buffalo (Springfield Republican)
Christian Barmore at Patriots practice, but 3 key players missing ahead of Bills game (report) (Springfield Republican)
Patriots injury report: LB Jamie Collins misses practice with ankle injury (Springfield Republican)
Patriots Playoff chances: How computers, oddsmakers rank New England’s Super Bowl, AFC title potential, heading into Wild Card Weekend (Springfield Republican)
Patriots Fully Behind Rookie QB Jones Heading Into Playoffs (AP)
How embracing ‘the Patriot Way’ turned into a career year for Matthew Judon (ESPN)
Look: Julian Edelman bets $100k on Patriots-Buccaneers Super Bowl, gets his parents’ reaction (CBS Sports)
How Will Mac Jones Play Vs. Bills? Take Look At How Each QB Has Fared (NESN)
Patriots Injury Report: Kyle Dugger, Christian Barmore Among 11 Limited (NESN)
Patriots-Bills Forecast Looking Increasingly Brutal, But Which Team Does It Favor? (NESN)
Matthew Judon Reveals Patriots’ No. 1 Priority Vs. Bills In Playoff Rematch (NESN)
Can Patriots Overcome This Potentially Fatal Flaw During Postseason? (NESN)
Patriots Practice Notes: Five Players Absent Ahead Of Bills Playoff Game (NESN)
Here’s Where Bill Belichick Got ‘Danger Zone’ Hoodie From Press Conference (NESN)
Rob Ninkovich Delivers Prediction For Patriots-Bills Playoff Game (NESN)
This Patriots Exec Reportedly Received GM Interview Request From Bears (NESN)
Could Brian Flores Return To Patriots? Why Reunion Probably Is Pipedream (NESN)
Here’s How Julian Edelman Expects Bill Belichick To Lead Patriots Past Bills (NESN)
Why Josh McDaniels Believes This X-Factor Won’t Affect Patriots’ Passing (NESN)
What Patriots, Mac Jones Reportedly Were Thinking On Failed Fourth Down In Miami (NESN)
Patriots Bring Back Receiver On Futures Contract Before NFL Playoffs (NESN)
Where Colin Cowherd Ranks Patriots Among Top-10 NFL Playoff Teams (NESN)
Why Jalen Mills’ Move To COVID List Is Big Problem For Patriots’ Defense (NESN)
Why Alabama Losing National Title Game Is Good News For Patriots (NESN)
Curran: Assessing Mac Jones’ late-season struggles (NBC Sports Boston)
Next Pats: Kurt Warner compares Mac Jones to Tom Brady in 2001 (NBC Sports Boston)
Patriots Talk: Is Flores firing a cautionary tale for McDaniels and Mayo? (NBC Sports Boston)
What Mac Jones said ahead of first NFL playoff game (WEEI-FM)
Kyle Dugger among 11 players limited for Patriots Wednesday (WEEI-FM)
Gap between Mac Jones, Josh Allen not as wide as you think (WEEI-FM)
Davis: Bills win over Patriots would prove a changing of the guard in AFC East (WEEI-FM)
Trent Brown: ‘Embarrassed’ Bills tried to ‘make a point’ in last meeting with Patriots (WEEI-FM)
Does Jalen Mills (COVID list) have chance to play Saturday vs. Bills? (WEEI-FM)
Rob Ninkovich explains why Patriots will beat Bills on Saturday (WEEI-FM)
Bears reportedly interested in key member of Patriots front office (WEEI-FM)
Patriots missing two players at Wednesday’s practice (WBZ-FM)
What does history tell us about the Patriots in playoff rematches? (WBZ-FM)
Mac Jones Ready For Added Pressure That Comes With NFL Playoffs: ‘That’s What Makes It Fun’ (WBZ-TV)
Josh Allen Has A Very Real Concern About The Frigid Temperatures Expected For Patriots-Bills Playoff Game (WBZ-TV)
Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick Is In The Danger Zone (WBZ-TV)
Christian Barmore Among 11 Patriots Limited At Wednesday’s Outdoor Practice (WBZ-TV)
Julian Edelman Made A $100,000 Bet On A Patriots-Buccaneers Super Bowl (WBZ-TV)
Four Reasons For Patriots Optimism In Playoff Matchup With Bills (WBZ-TV)
Saturday’s Playoff Opener Against Bills Could Be Third Coldest Game In Patriots History (WBZ-TV)
Secondary matchups a primary concern for Patriots (Patriots.com)
Notebook: Mac readies for playoff debut (Patriots.com)
Transcript: Bill Belichick Press Conference 1/12 (Patriots.com)
Wild Card Playoffs: Patriots – Bills Injury Report (Patriots.com)
Patriots sign defensive back Cre’Von LeBlanc to the practice squad (Patriots.com)