‘“You want to peak at the right time,” Allen said. “I think this football team, we still got our best ball to play, but we’re trending in the right direction. We’re very fortunate to be playing another game.”’
Archives for January 11, 2024
Mark Gaughan: Taron Johnson, NFL’s top tackling CB, braces for Steelers onslaught
‘Pittsburgh has played 11 personnel – three wide receivers – on 75% of its snaps, among the league leaders. That means the Bills have to stay in their nickel defense.’
Bills notebook: Gabe Davis, Rasul Douglas sit out Wednesday’s practice
‘Meanwhile, other Bills who did not practice included safety Taylor Rapp (calf) and defensive ends Von Miller and Leonard Floyd (both veteran rest).’
Jim Kubiak: Bills QB Josh Allen continuously pours himself into ‘middle of the violence’
‘The script of this game reads like the arc of a movie in which the hero hits rock bottom, before rising to right the wrongs. Allen’s performance was an astonishing feat to watch. He left Bills’ fans aghast with two interceptions and a sack-fumble that marked three difficult turnovers while, in the same game, making plays that only he could make. His performance was a tale of two cities, much like the year these Bills have experienced.’
Bills and Steelers injury concerns among questions heading into playoff game
‘Five players were hurt during Buffalo’s physical 21-14 AFC East-clinching victory over the Dolphins, and they will all most likely carry some sort of designation on the way to kickoff Sunday.’
4 Bills starters aren’t practicing Wednesday; will they play Sunday?
‘Bills coach Sean McDermott said that all four players are considered day-to-day, which means there’s a chance all four could play on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card matchup.’
Buffalo Bills’ free agent trio shine in AFC East winning matchup vs. Dolphins (Encouraged/worried)
‘Harty is a big reason why the Bills will host a playoff game on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers.’
Davis, Rapp, Dodson, Douglas miss Bills’ Wednesday practice; Others limited
‘Wide receiver Gabe Davis (knee), safety Taylor Rapp (calf), linebacker Tyrel Dodson (shoulder), and cornerback Rasul Douglas (knee) were set to be non-participants during the Bills’ Wednesday walk-through practice, per head coach Sean McDermott, who spoke to reporters before the session. Each player is recovering from respective ailments, which forced them from action during Buffalo’s win over Miami this past week.’
Bills backups seizing opportunities when presented offers big help heading into playoffs
‘The Bills love to use the “next-man-up” phrase, but this year it’s not just patching holes and hoping to hide them. Buffalo has found unlikely performances throughout its five-game winning streak and it has been a big reason for the late-season turnaround.’
Positive Vibes: The positivity of resilience and the Buffalo Bills
‘Five weeks ago I didn’t have a lot of faith. The Bills had lost three out of four games and sat with a record of 6-6. They needed to win out to assure a playoff spot. I actually said, “I think the Sabres have a better chance of making the playoffs than the Bills do.” The Bills had lost earlier in the season to the lowly Jets and Patriots. I went on to rank how Allen has tons of talent but his decision making can be suspect or rather poor at times.’
Thursday’s Pittsburgh Coverage
Steelers veterans out to exorcise ghosts of playoffs past (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)
Ron Cook: Mike Tomlin stepping away from Steelers could be a best-case scenario (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)
Joe Starkey: Can Pittsburgh hand Buffalo yet another all-time heartbreak? (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)
How much credit goes to Mike Tomlin for the Steelers’ late turnaround? (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)
Mark Madden: Without T.J. Watt, Steelers’ coaching strategy will be key to containing Josh Allen (Pittsburgh Tribune Review)
Tim Benz: Steelers’ QB depth chart debate is self-made distraction (Pittsburgh Tribune Review)
Without T.J. Watt, Markus Golden going to ‘keep hunting’ at outside linebacker for Steelers (Pittsburgh Tribune Review)
Cameron Heyward not thinking about ‘nonsense’ of Steelers being 10-point underdogs to Bills (Pittsburgh Tribune Review)
Change in practice venue chance for Steelers’ Mike Tomlin to get week off on right foot (Pittsburgh Tribune Review)
Pro Bowl safety Minkah Fitzpatrick a full participant at Steelers practice (Pittsburgh Tribune Review)
Damontae Kazee back on Steelers’ active roster; fellow safety Trenton Thompson to IR (Pittsburgh Tribune Review)
Steelers’ T.J. Watt named AFC defensive player of the week (Pittsburgh Tribune Review)
Buffalo v. Pittsburgh: What sets the two cities’ culture apart? (Beaver County Times)
Mike Tomlin brought the 2023 Steelers back from the brink (ESPN)
Steelers’ Damontae Kazee activated for playoff showdown vs. Bills after three-game suspension (CBS Sports)
2024 NFL playoffs: Three reasons why Steelers will beat Bills in Super Wild Card Weekend (CBS Sports)
J.J. Watt to the Steelers? Retired NFLer jokes about replacing T.J. Watt for playoff game (KDKA-TV)
Bills Mafia co-founder explains what Steelers fans can expect from Buffalo fanbase (KDKA-TV)
“Won’t you guide us to the Super Bowl?” Oakmont Bakery reveals specialty Mason Rudolph cupcakes (KDKA-TV)
Steelers practice at Acrisure Stadium ahead of Sunday’s playoff game (WPXI-TV)
‘Dynamite’ Nick Herbig could make huge impact for Steelers (WPXI-TV)
Steelers dealing with 5 significant injuries (WPXI-TV)
Steelers re-sign punter Brad Wing to practice squad ahead of playoffs (WPXI-TV)
Oakmont Bakery serves up Mason Rudolph cupcakes to celebrate Steelers in the playoffs (WTAE-TV)
Heyward-being 10-point underdog is a lot of nonsense (KDKA-FM)
Practice report as the team moved to Acrisure Stadium (KDKA-FM)
Watt Player of the Week, but not First Team All-Pro (KDKA-FM)
Pittsburgh is being affected with Mason Mania (KDKA-FM)
Bills sideline reporter dooms Buffalo’s chances after Terrible Towel comment (KDKA-FM)
Rudolph taking same approach into playoffs (Steelers.com)
Wild Card Injury Report (Bills) (Steelers.com)
Steelers restore Kazee to active roster (Steelers.com)
Steelers sign Wing to practice squad (Steelers.com)
Another honor for Watt (Steelers.com)
Asked and Answered: Jan. 11 (Steelers.com)
Rookie tight end Dalton Kincaid provides Bills another option after nearly giving up on football
‘“I’d probably be selling real estate or traveling,” Kincaid told The Associated Press on Wednesday, in preparing to make his playoff debut when the Buffalo Bills (11-6) host the Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7) on Sunday. “Yeah, that’s something I think about often. It’s crazy to me, too.”’
Can Bills win a title in QB Josh Allen’s most polarizing season yet?
‘Allen accounted for 412 (345 passing, 67 rushing) of the team’s 473 yards of total offense. He threw two touchdowns. And he managed the fourth quarter with his legs in a way I’ve seen few quarterbacks do, with a conversion on third-and-13 where he scrambled for 15 yards and short rushes that ended with in-bounds slides to keep the clock running. The scramble was the most crucial play on a drive that burned 4 minutes and 21 precious seconds. Those runs and slides were a display of smart football — but not the traditional quarterback play we see in late-game situations.’
Peyton Manning Says Josh Allen, Bills Are Team No One Wants to Face in Playoffs
‘”I’m not sure anybody wants really to play the Bills right now because they’re not sure what they’re going to get. They are hoping to get the inconsistent. If they get hot Josh Allen, look out,” Manning said.’
Deonte Harty named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week
‘Harty was named the Week 18 AFC Special Teams Player of the Week on Wednesday after returning a punt 96 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of Buffalo’s 21-14 win over the Dolphins.’