‘But that Allen-to-Doyle connection seemed to be a subtle, almost subliminal message from McDermott to Belichick, the Patriots and the AFC East: “There’s a new sheriff in town …”’
Archives for January 18, 2022
Observations: Mutual respect shown as Bills and Chiefs prepare for Round 4
‘“They’re the defending AFC champs, and it’s tough to play them anywhere, let alone at their place,” Bills coach Sean McDermott said. “So we’ve got to put in a good week of practice and get ourselves ready to go perform at our best.”’
Brian Daboll, Leslie Frazier balance potential life-changing interviews with playoff preparations
‘The timing of the entire process isn’t ideal. Not for the Bills, who surely would prefer every ounce of Daboll’s and Frazier’s time and energy be spent preparing for Sunday’s AFC divisional playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Not for the teams with openings, who may have to wait to hire their desired candidate. Not for Daboll and Frazier, who are forced to juggle prepping for a job interview to be one of just 32 coaches at the pinnacle of their profession – the ultimate career goal – while doing their current jobs to the best of their abilities.’
Position grades: First-down calls demonstrate the big gap between Bills and Patriots
”Quarterback (5.0): You may have expected Bill Belichick to heat up Allen with blitzes after the Bills’ QB sliced and diced New England’s zone defenses in Week 16. Nope. The Patriots rushed five or more men just five times, according to Buffalo News charting. Historically, Belichick’s preference is to live in a man-to-man world. But New England’s coaches apparently didn’t trust their secondary to hold up. Allen was 4 of 5 for 69 yards against the blitz. On deep balls – throws 20 or more yards downfield – Allen was 4 of 4 for 141 yards and one touchdown. Jones was 2 of 5 for 73 yards, which included the 43-yard catch-and-run by Kendrick Bourne late in the third quarter.’
Buffalo fans headed to Kansas City can find barbecue, Bills backers and chicken wings
‘Al’s Bar & Grill will host a “tailgate party” from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday with raffles and Bills memorabilia on sale. Because the Bills crowd is expected to be so big, there will be a second party also taking place downtown at Taps on Main, an independently owned craft beer bar also started by a Buffalonian.’
Buffalo Bills view Chiefs playoff rematch as another milepost moment on their journey
‘But hey, think of it this way. To get to Los Angeles, site of Super Bowl 56, Kansas City is on the way, and if the Bills have to also take a detour through Nashville, so be it.’
Stefon Diggs remembers iconic photo after Bills loss to Chiefs last year; Here’s what McDermott told him after
‘“As far as being in the moment and embracing that if things don’t go your way, you kind of still have to deal with them. I didn’t want to run from defeat,” Diggs said. “I’ve lost before, and I’m gonna still look at it the same way. I’m gonna keep my chin up, and I’m gonna keep my head high. So for me, I just felt you be still, you be in it. You embrace the moment, take it for what it is, and move forward. So for me, I took it as a moment as you came up short, get back in the lab, and you’ve gotta get back to the grind.”’
When Bills face Chiefs ‘all the cameras come out’: KC players react to facing Buffalo
‘“It’s gonna be a great battle in the midwest. Every time we play them it seems to be big lights – all the cameras come out. Really you say the best of the best of young guys. … You say the two best young quarterbacks in the league today, and I’ll say 99% of the people in the world are gonna say Pat Mahomes and Josh Allen. It’s always good when you got those two guys competing against each other. … Us as a defense it’s going to be a great challenge. We’re going to go out and compete against one of the best in the league, on both sides (of the ball).”’
A sideline view of frigid fan joy in Buffalo
‘The 55-year-old Foxcroft has worked on the sideline “chains” crew at Bills games for 30 years. He’s responsible for the downs-box marker. As an extension of the NFL officiating staff, the chain gang must remain absolutely impartial. “I’m so neutral,” he says. “That’s something we’ve learned being in a refereeing family.’
A shirtless Ryan Fitzpatrick was roaring for the Bills during playoff win over Patriots
‘In the meantime, Fitzpatrick appears happy to serve as a Bills superfan. He played for the Bills from 2009-2012, making Buffalo one of nine stops the peripatetic quarterback has made in his 17-year career. But he stayed there the longest and has since made clear he retains a particular fondness for the experience.’
RPI student’s shirtless Ryan Fitzpatrick pic at Bills game goes viral
‘“I honestly didn’t feel the cold because I was just so happy,” Fisher said to USA Today. “The adrenaline rush got me through it.”’
‘Heat of the moment’: Fan describes viral photo with shirtless Ryan Fitzpatrick at frigid Bills game
‘“He’s Fitzmagic,” Billy says. “I mean — that beard. Everyone around us knew who he was.”’
Allen vs. Mahomes revisited as Bills face Chiefs once more
‘The Bills were questioned for trading up five spots to select Allen at No. 7, and ahead of Josh Rosen. Of the five quarterbacks — starting with Baker Mayfield going first — chosen in the first round in 2018, the strong-armed Allen was considered one of the bigger risks. He had issues with accuracy and was so overlooked on the college recruiting front the central California native wound up at Wyoming, of all places.’
What to know before booking your trip to Kansas City
‘”We had to go – to make the trip. It wasn’t a question in my mind. I made my mind up before I even got to the car after the game,” said John Lang, known for his cult-like following and frequent appearances on the jumbotron as “Bills Elvis.”‘
Bills fans book their tickets to head from Buffalo to Kansas City for playoff game
‘Tickets to the game range from $150 to $700 depending on where you sit.’