‘ The NFL doesn’t have a draft lottery – worst team gets the top pick (unless it has traded it like Carolina has for next year). But the physicality of football has showed how the struggling teams still play hard and still win games. A front office might be hoping for L’s, but the coaches and players are still trying for W’s. A good compromise would be moving it to Nov. 14 following the Week 10 games – enough time for a .500 team to believe it should stay the course and enough time for a team at say, 4-6, to pivot toward 2024.’
Archives for November 4, 2023
Bills notebook: Josh Allen a full participant again Friday; Sam Martin makes his mark
‘After Josh Allen (right shoulder) did not practice on Wednesday, he was a full participant both Thursday and Friday and does not have an injury designation. Head coach Sean McDermott said on his weekly WGR550 appearance that Allen “looked good” at practice Thursday.’
Buffalo Bills midseason grades: Offense productive, defense has been hampered by injuries
‘The loss of Tre’Davious White (again) is huge and that propelled Dane Jackson into a starting role. Jackson is a decent player, but he’s not White, and he’s not Douglas, who I would assume will become the starter once he’s comfortable with the scheme. Christian Benford has been a pleasant surprise, while primary backup, Kaiir Elam, remains a disappointment and has been a healthy scratch in five games.’
Snow excuses: Tyler Boyd claims Bills used weather as excuse for playoff loss to Bengals
‘The temperature was 34 degrees at kickoff on Jan. 22 in the AFC wild-card round and it fell below freezing with a persistent snowfall for most of the game. The field crew used leaf blowers to blow snow off the turf during timeouts.’
Bills must prove they can measure up to Bengals to maintain Super Bowl-contender status
‘A loss won’t end any postseason dreams but it would put a dent in hope and push the Bills against the wall during the final half of the season. Their last eight opponents have a combined record of 33-20, with four ranking in the top-10 in total offense and four in the top-10 in total defense.’
Saturday’s Cincinnati Coverage
‘He’s all over the map’: How the Bengals made it even tougher to stop Ja’Marr Chase (Cincinnati Enquirer)
‘Super excited’ Damar Hamlin practices ahead of Buffalo-Cincinnati Sunday Night Football (Cincinnati Enquirer)
Bengals at full strength as they get ready to take on Bills (Cincinnati Enquirer)
Bengals find success moving Chase all around offensive formation (Dayton Daily News)
Bengals place safety Anderson on injured reserve list (WKRC-TV)
Injury report: Bills’ Josh Allen set to play vs. Bengals on Sunday Night Football (WLWT-TV)
Bengals place Tycen Anderson on injured/reserve ahead of Sunday matchup (WLWT-TV)
Bills Mafia and Damar Hamlin will return to Paycor Stadium Sunday after traumatic event (WXIX-TV)
Ja’Marr Chase wants to recreate Chad ‘Ochocinco’ Johnson’s famous camera TD celebration (WXIX-TV)
Local woman gets to sing the National Anthem at the Bengals-Bills game Sunday (WXIX-TV)
Bengals Roster Moves: CB Placed on Reserve/Injured List (Bengals.com)
Linebackers Klein, Spector ruled out for Bills against Bengals
‘Everyone else on the active roster is healthy and available for the game, including cornerback Christian Benford, who was a limited participant at Friday’s practice dealing with a hamstring issue.’
McDermott: A veteran presence will help Bills locker room
‘”Our veteran players, Rasul and also Linval – in this case – experienced players, us getting a feel for them, how much do they know? Can they pick up the system? I think they’ll be good additions for us. I think what remains is what level of impact are able to make for us,” said McDermott with Sal Capaccio and Joe DiBiase.’
Bills record run of being betting favorite likely ends Sunday vs. Bengals
‘But for Sunday night’s game, betting markets see the Bengals as small favorites at home. As of Friday morning, FanDuel was giving the Bills 1.5 points against the spread, and DraftKings listed the Bills at +2. The line could be had a 2.5 at some of New York’s smaller sportsbooks.’
Bengals fan still “Billieves” after viral support for Damar Hamlin
‘“I love Buffalo; it’s my third home,” Collins said. “Damar calls Cincinnati his third home. Well, Buffalo is mine.”’
Bengals’ Boyd: The Bills used snow as an excuse for their home playoff loss
‘”Going back to the playoff game, when we won in the snow, a couple of their players were saying if it wasn’t snowing they would’ve beat us. We’re here now, so we’re going to see what the outcome is,” the Bengals wide receiver said earlier this week, ahead of a Sunday Night Football game with the Bills on Channel 2.’
Carucci Take 2: Plenty of memories and plenty at stake as Bills prepare to face Bengals
‘For both teams, a win would go a long way toward restoring elite status, while a loss would intensify doubts about belonging in the conversation about being among the AFC’s best.’
Bills enter Bengals matchup as underdogs for first time in 27 games
‘But the biggest part has been the fact that Cincinnati’s star quarterback, Joe Burrow, finally seems healthy after injuring his calf earlier this year.’
Bills vs. Bengals has more emotion than usual in wake of Damar Hamlin’s collapse
‘Once the games gets going, it probably wont take center stage, but it’s been a topic leading up to it.’
Bills injury report at Bengals | Week 9 SNF
‘Bills head coach Sean McDermott said on WGR550 Friday morning that linebackers Baylon Spector (hamstring) and A.J. Klein (back) will not play in Sunday night’s game against the Bengals.’