‘“Off the Couch!,” proclaimed safety Jordan Poyer. “He was on the couch! Coming in and taking over the defense, that just says a lot about the type of guys we have in our locker room. AJ’s been a part of this system two, three years. Literally off the couch last week and coming in and playing ‘Mike’ linebacker for us. He’s a guy we trust going into the game, a guy who’s seen a lot of football. He helped us big today in a victory.”‘
Archives for January 17, 2024
Injuries forced several Bills backups into big roles against Steelers
‘Second-year cornerback Kaiir Elam played 52 defensive snaps (80%). Linebackers A.J. Klein and Dorian Williams played 43 (66%) and 21 (32%), respectively. Damar Hamlin played 13 (20%).’
Position grades: Bills’ defensive line put halt to Steelers’ rushing roll
‘Lead running back Najee Harris averaged 24 carries and 104 rushing yards a game over the Steelers’ final three regular-season games. The Bills held Harris to just 37 yards on 12 carries, a 3.1-yard average. Of Harris’ 12 carries, only two were “successful,” meaning they gained 40% needed on first down, 60% on second or converted on third down.’
Ryan O’Halloran: Kansas City Chiefs finally visiting Buffalo in playoffs. Make them hear you
‘“It will be a great challenge at home,” Morse said. Bingo. At home. Not in Kansas City. Here. Not there. Finally.’
Long list of injured Bills players day to day; RB Leonard Fournette released
‘When he met with reporters on Tuesday, head coach Sean McDermott said he still needed more information. He listed a number of players as “day by day”: linebacker Terrel Bernard (ankle), cornerback Rasul Douglas (knee), cornerback Taron Johnson (concussion protocol), wide receiver Gabe Davis (knee), cornerback Christian Benford (knee), punter Sam Martin (hamstring), linebacker Baylon Spector (back), linebacker Tyrel Dodson (shoulder) and safety Taylor Rapp (calf).’
Alan Pergament: Jim Nantz, Tony Romo on top of many of the Bills’ ‘Shining’ moments
‘After working five Bills games this season, they showed again Monday that they know about as much about Bills players as hometown announcers.’
Bills Super Bowl quest moves on as Chiefs up next in AFC playoffs: What to know
‘The last time the Kansas City Chiefs visited Highmark Stadium, the circumstances could not have been much weirder.’
Bills have a lengthy injury list as they prepare for Chiefs; Leonard Fournette released
‘Tuesday, coach Sean McDermott said that all of those players, plus four others who were hurt in the Week 18 game at Miami and missed the wild-card game – wide receiver Gabe Davis, cornerback Rasul Douglas, linebacker Tyrel Dodson and safety Taylor Rapp – would all be evaluated on a “day-to-day” basis.’
Bills withstand the cold, set up rare Chiefs visit
‘“That’s a heck of an opponent,” McDermott said. “We’ll have to regroup as a staff and I know some of our staff has already been working on the Chiefs and that’s kind of what you do as a position coach, you’re able to look ahead a little bit. We’ll just have to sit down with Nate tomorrow and just try and see who’s healthy and when they’ll be healthy (if) they’re not healthy and then see what jersey numbers we have and kind of go from there.”’
Buffalo Bills release Super Bowl-winning running back after just 2 games
‘He had 12 carries for 40 yards in action during the Bills’ December games against the Los Angeles Chargers and Miami Dolphins.’
And… Scene: Daily News reporter recalls experience at Highmark Stadium during Bills wild-card win over Steelers
‘Throughout the tailgate, Bills fans were jumping through tables, screaming the ‘Shout’ song, playing in the snow, consuming beverages, wearing speedos and most importantly – they were there to support their team to see if they could make a Super Bowl run. It seemed gloomy when this team was 6-6 going into their Week 13 bye, but they have turned it around, winning six straight games entering this Sunday’s matchup.’
Bills schedule could be disrupted with another lake-effect snowstorm forecast to hit region
‘McDermott said the team, for now, is still scheduled to practice on Wednesday and Thursday, while monitoring a forecast that projects a lake-effect storm dumping nearly 2 feet of snow on the Buffalo region.’
Mahomes vs. Allen 3rd playoff showdown features a twist. This time the setting is in Buffalo, not KC
‘Fittingly, it’s Buffalo, where the Bills (12-6) and their fans have long fantasized over how home-field advantage might turn the tables after two of their past three playoff runs ended in Kansas City.’
Patrick Mahomes vs. Josh Allen: Five reasons why this QB rivalry is best since Tom Brady-Peyton Manning
‘They meet a lot and their head-to-head battles are incredible. That meets the basic standard of any great rivalry. This is the seventh time they’ve met in the last four years, despite not playing in the same division! Sound familiar? They join Peyton Manning vs. Tom Brady as the only QB rivalry from different divisions to meet seven times in a four-year span.’
Bills will take it day-to-day with a number of injured players
‘One storyline to pay attention to will be the health of Bills linebacker Terell Bernard who was carted off with what was later reported as an ankle injury. On Bernard, McDermott said they are not sure yet what his week will look like and they will learn more tomorrow to see how he responds to his injury.’