‘Beane’s batting average and big hits are a key reason the Bills claimed their fourth consecutive AFC East division title. It’s especially impressive considering the Bills were 28th in the NFL in salary cap space (at $16 million over the 2023 cap) just two weeks before the start of free-agent shopping in March.’
Archives for January 2024
‘A young Superman in training’: Rookie Dalton Kincaid gives Bills offense an advantage
‘Kincaid’s 73 receptions are the most by any Bills rookie or first-year player in a season, passing wide receiver Sammy Watkins’ 65 catches in 2014. The 73 are also the most by any Bills tight end in a season, with Pete Metzelaars’ 68 in 1993 the previous high.’
Twelve defining moments from the Bills’ regular season
‘More than 2,000 plays from scrimmage and a combined 122 punts, 57 field-goal attempts, 76 point-after kicks, 46 kick returns and 10 two-point plays later, the Buffalo Bills are back in the AFC playoffs for the fifth consecutive year.’
Jim Nantz reflects on a Buffalo Bills journey that is as amazing as Tony Romo’s prediction
‘When they work their fifth Buffalo game Sunday as the Bills host the Pittsburgh Steelers in an AFC wild-card playoff game on WIVB-TV (Channel 4), Nantz is sure to bring up the super-optimistic comment made by Romo after the Bills defeated the Kansas City Chiefs to go to 7-6.’
For recent arrivals to Buffalo, the Bills started as a curiosity. But the passion found them
‘Jack Harry Elder, an exchange student at the University at Buffalo, originally from northern Scotland and a law student at the University of Glasgow, echoed my sentiments. After he moved to Buffalo in August, he kept seeing signs by the road that said “Allen Diggs.” “I had no idea what it meant,” he said. “I thought it was like a wall for something. I started passing more and more to the point where I’m like, ‘OK, why is this?’ and then I had it explained to me.”’
Bills have hosted few playoff games in bad weather. That’s about to change
‘Obviously, there have been many inclement weather regular season games but that’s because the pool to choose from is exponentially larger as the Bills have now played exactly 100 home games in December/January.’
Will weather impact Bills’ playoff hopes?
‘I guess it shows you can’t count out a Mike Tomlin-led team, even one that’s on its third quarterback of the season. Trusting the “hot hand” of Mason Rudolph, Tomlin is sticking with the 2018 second round pick — the sixth quarterback taken in Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson’s class — over second-year Pitt product Kenny Pickett, who returned from injury two weeks ago, and Mitchell Trubisky.’
Bills face Steelers in ‘Bradford Bowl’
‘Situated along the Buffalo-Pittsburgh Highway — otherwise known as Route 219 — Bradford is home to fans of both the Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers, in just about equal measure.’
Weak sauce? Pittsburgh restaurants boycotting buffalo sauce ahead of Bills-Steelers game
‘“You can order ANY other flavor, but we will NOT be selling Buffalo Sauce all week long!!!!” their Facebook post read.’
Bills believe the right type of adversity has grizzled them to peak in the playoffs
‘“This year we rode a roller coaster a little bit as far as having wins and having losses,” Bills receiver Stefon Diggs said. “I’m not going to say we got hot at the right time, but we start winning at the right time towards that (time) in a year when you start finding yourself, what kind of team you got, the character of your team, too, as far as — when we were losing, nobody really kind of jumped out of the wheelbarrow.”’
Bills-Steelers outcome hinges upon team who controls the clock in inclement weather
‘The Bills are 11-2 this season when rushing for 100 yards and they are 18-5 since 2019 when rushing for 150. And it may be wise for Buffalo to control the clock, considering the risk of fluke plays induced by the weather.’
Local restaurant owner ‘manifesting’ a Bills Super Bowl win ahead of NFL playoffs
‘Outside Flyby Cafe in the town of Wheatfield, owner Herminio Cruz Jr. has his prediction for the Bills to win the Super Bowl on full display, predicting they beat the Dallas Cowboys with a final score of 17-10.’
Saturday’s Pittsburgh Coverage
Steelers face Bills for 5th season in a row with 4th different QB, but run game could be the difference (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)
Steelers land T.J. Watt, Miles Killebrew on AP All-Pro teams (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)
Gerry Dulac: Steelers had the smartest play I’ve ever seen (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)
Steelers-Bills weather: Blizzard-like conditions threaten AFC wild card game (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)
Steelers rally in Downtown Pittsburgh brings fans together ahead of AFC wild card game vs. Bills (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)
Steelers prepare for perhaps unprecedented cold, snowy, windy conditions against Bills (Pittsburgh Tribune Review)
When ‘silent killer’ Isaac Seumalo speaks, Steelers locker room listens (Pittsburgh Tribune Review)
Steelers Pro Bowl S Minkah Fitzpatrick officially to face Bills, but how will secondary line up? (Pittsburgh Tribune Review)
Bills WR Gabe Davis, S Taylor Rapp out, 2 other starters questionable for playoff vs. Steelers (Pittsburgh Tribune Review)
Steelers’ T.J. Watt, Miles Killebrew named 1st-team AP NFL All Pro (Pittsburgh Tribune Review)
Steelers’ T.J. Watt, Miles Killebrew make AP All-Pro First Team (KDKA-TV)
“Here we go Isaac!” Steelers QB Mason Rudolph sends personal message to child recovering at UPMC Children’s (KDKA-TV)
Heavy snow and high winds will make travel to New York for Steelers-Bills playoff game tricky (KDKA-TV)
Snow shovelers needed ahead of Steelers-Bills playoff game on Sunday at Highmark Stadium (KDKA-TV)
‘We’re with you Isaac’: Mason Rudolph sends message to fan inspired to walk by Steelers playoff run (WPXI-TV)
Steelers pep rally ahead of playoff game vs Buffalo (WTAE-TV)
Steelers injuries-only TJ Watt ruled out, 2 out for Bills (KDKA-FM)
Steelers react to crazy weather predictions in Buffalo (KDKA-FM)
New York Governor warns Steelers fans that want to travel to Buffalo (KDKA-FM)
See the Steelers in Buffalo for under $100, but you’ll have to deal with the snow (KDKA-FM)
Wild Card Injury Report (Bills) (Steelers.com)
Bills are talking about Mason, Cam, RBs and more (Steelers.com)
Watt, Killebrew earn first-team All-Pro honors (Steelers.com)
Bills make plea for snow shovelers ahead of playoff game with winter storm looming
‘The Bills have partnered with Jani-King, an American cleaning company, to hire anyone over the age of 18 (or under 18 with proper working papers) at a rate of $20 per hour, starting Saturday at 10 p.m.’
Help wanted: Bills offer fans $20 an hour to shovel snow ahead of playoff game vs. Steelers
‘“Be part of the team to get the venue ready for the hometown Bills Wildcard Playoff game vs. the Steelers!” the franchise wrote on Friday. “Shovelers can shovel snow throughout the night on Saturday into Sunday morning if needed.”‘