‘“Well, my first impression of Leonard was that he is extremely competitive,” assistant head coach/defensive line coach Eric Washington said Monday. “And whatever is motivating or driving that, you know, that’s for him to respond to, but I just know that he’s very competitive, which is a great trait to have for a person that has to win one on one. He’s been the same from day one, very focused, very intense at practice.”’
Archives for December 22, 2023
PlayAction column: Three more good years may seal Khalil Mack’s HOF résumé
‘Mack enters Saturday’s game against the Buffalo Bills with 99.5 career sacks, which puts him 43rd on the official career list for sacks. (He’s 63rd on the unofficial list, which counts all players dating to 1960, thanks to the work of researcher John Turney.)’
Bills-Patriots to remain at 1 p.m., won’t interrupt your New Year’s Eve plans
‘The league said there would be no changes to the schedule for Week 17. The Bills-Patriots game will air on CBS locally.’
How we see it: News writers pick Buffalo Bills vs. Los Angeles Chargers
‘Looking at the schedule at the start of the season, this loomed as a potentially dangerous game. Not now. Justin Herbert is out, and the Chargers just fired their general manager and head coach. The Chargers’ pass rush is potentially dangerous with Khalil Mack and Nick Bosa coming off the edges. But Bosa is out. The Chargers’ run defense is slumping. The pass defense ranks 30th in the league. The crowd should not be a factor at SoFi Stadium, where Southern California Bills fans should out-shout the few remaining Chargers fans who show up. When the Raiders fired Josh McDaniels at midseason, they got an emotional lift because McDaniels was not well liked. And interim head coach Antonio Pierce is a charismatic guy who’s very well liked. I don’t see the same dynamic happening with the Chargers. Bills, 31-14.’
View from Vegas: Teams coming off blowout losses have been dangerous for Bills
‘Prediction: Bills by 6.’
Assault after Bills game leaves victim seriously injured with broken bones
‘The incident occurred near 3892 Abbott Road at around 7 p.m. as many people were walking back to their vehicles after the Bills defeated the Dallas Cowboys, police said.’
Bills S Hyde, EDGE Epenesa not expected to play Saturday vs. Chargers
‘Hyde was later ruled out, per the team’s Thursday injury report, along with wide receiver Justin Shorter (hamstring), whose 21-day practice window to return from injured reserve remains open. Epenesa, who was marked as questionable to play Saturday, and Hyde each missed the team’s Week 15 win over the Dallas Cowboys due to their respective injuries, while Shorter has been on IR since the preseason.’
Health and unique versatility make Taron Johnson the Bills’ most indispensable defender
‘But it’s Johnson’s versatility that makes him the most important player on the defense. His combination of coverage, physicality and tackling allows the Bills to substitute scarcely without teams being able to exploit a mismatch.’
Bills place Jordan Phillips on IR, rule out Micah Hyde vs. Chargers
‘Phillips said he hopes to be back for the playoffs, but this is the latest injury on a long list over the last four seasons. The 31-year-old had played in all 14 games this season, making 2 ½ sacks and two tackles for a loss, but he missed 15 games over the previous three seasons.’
Friday’s Los Angeles Coverage
Cameron Dicker the attorney? Chargers kicker makes Pro Bowl case (Los Angeles Times)
Chargers WR Keenan Allen ruled out for 2nd consecutive game (Orange County Register)
NFL receptions leader Keenan Allen will miss second straight game when Chargers host Bills (AP)
Chargers rule out receiver Keenan Allen (heel) vs. Bills (ESPN)
Why a disconnected Chargers team was Brandon Staley’s downfall (ESPN)
Look: Chargers put together hilarious Pro Bowl ad campaign for Cameron Dicker (CBS Sports)
Dicker the Kicker video: Chargers go viral for hilarious ‘don’t be a d—’ Cameron Dicker Pro Bowl vote campaign (The Sporting News)
5 Final Thoughts: Bolts Look to Rally Around Giff Smith in Week 16 (Chargers.com)
Week 16 Injury Report | Chargers vs. Bills: Keenan Allen Ruled Out Against Buffalo (Chargers.com)
Bills place DT Phillips on IR because of wrist injury and safety Hyde ruled out against Chargers
‘Phillips’ spot on the roster is likely to be filled by defensive tackle DaQuan Jones, who has resumed practicing and eligible to be activated off injured reserve after missing nine games with a torn pectoral muscle. Jones was listed as questionable to play Saturday, when Buffalo (8-6) travels to face the Los Angeles Chargers (5-9).’
Josh Allen, playoff-contending Bills hope to take care of business against free-falling Chargers
‘Cook will be facing a Chargers run defense that has allowed an average of 146.2 yards over the past six games. Buffalo has also used Latavius Murray near the goal line, while also working in Ty Johnson as a change-of-pace runner.’
Cook, Bills aim to continue late-season surge in visiting reeling Chargers
‘Key Matchup: Chargers QB Easton Stick vs. the Bills defense. Stick threw for 257 yards and three touchdowns in his first career start, but the majority of that production came after the game has been long since decided. Now he will have to deal with a confident Buffalo group which smothered Dallas, allowing 3.4 yards per play. The Bills cruised while only forcing one turnover, so the Chargers could be in trouble if Stick cannot protect the ball better. He lost two fumbles and threw a pick-6 in the rout in Las Vegas.’
Saturday night’s Bills-Chargers game on Peacock will not have commercials during fourth quarter
‘Rob Hyland, the coordinating producer for NBC’s “Sunday Night Football,” said there have been discussions about this game since June about how to make it unique and distinct from a regular NBC broadcast.’
Is it safe to believe in the Buffalo Bills again?
‘But with the Bills discussed among the best teams in the AFC while also sitting outside of the playoffs, have the problems of midseason truly been put in the past? Is this team back and primed for a run? Let’s take a look at the woes from midseason and see how they are trending.’