Archives for December 19, 2023

‘“It’s a beautiful thing when things go right,” Dawkins said. “If my guard wasn’t doing what he was doing, I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing. If Mitch wasn’t making the right calls, I wouldn’t have anything. It’s always good when we can (impose) our physical abilities and physical momentum on them instead of the opposite way. You’re asking this question because ‘Cybo’ did his job, Mitch did his job, Spencer did his job and Connor did his. It allowed me to do what I did. It’s a testimony to my quarterback, whole line. I want to put that shine on all five of us because when one of us wins, we all win.”‘

‘Head coach Sean McDermott announced Monday that Phillips underwent wrist surgery following the Bills’ 31-10 victory at Highmark Stadium. Phillips was hurt during a game in which he finished with one sack and one pass defensed. With DaQuan Jones still on injured reserve, the Bills are down to four healthy defensive tackles – Ed Oliver, Tim Settle, Poona Ford and Linval Joseph. Ford has been a regular inactive in recent weeks, but that could change with Phillips out, unless General manager Brandon Beane looks outside the organization for a reinforcement. McDermott said Beane was looking at options in that regard Monday afternoon.’

‘Obviously, the Bills go to six defensive backs most often when it’s third-and-long or obvious passing situations. But Dallas’ three-receiver attack is dynamic, and the Bills’ assignment-sound defensive backfield did a great job of discouraging Prescott from threatening deep.’

‘Buffalo Bills interim offensive coordinator Joe Brady threw an impressive variety of runs and personnel groupings at the Dallas Cowboys in Sunday’s 31-10 victory. The Bills ran well out of their favored, 11-personnel group. But Dallas insisted on sticking with its light-bodied nickel defense, with 218-pound linebacker Markquese Bell in the middle.’

‘“With everything going on in the world today, you would think there would be a decline, but sales are strong and they’re even stronger when Buffalo teams are doing better,” Marasciulo said. “When there is an ugly loss, the topic of conversation with people at the store is, ‘It was a rough game, I don’t know if I should buy this?’”’

‘Burkhardt had a great enthusiasm level on all the Bills touchdowns, an incredible one-handed catch by Bills receiver Stefon Diggs and the James Cook run in which he was “chugging” for “7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 yards.” He used descriptive words such as “revelation” and “haymaker” to describe the Bills’ play.’