‘Allen, accompanied by fiancée Hailee Steinfeld, became the first Buffalo Bills player since running back Thurman Thomas in 1991 to win MVP and third Bills player overall (running back O.J. Simpson won in 1973).’
Archives for February 7, 2025
Joe Burrow wins Comeback Player of the Year; Damar Hamlin places fourth
‘Burrow, who recovered from wrist surgery, won in a landslide, taking 31 first-place votes and 370 points. Hamlin received three first-place votes and 86 total points.’
Joe Brady finishes fifth in voting for NFL Assistant Coach of the Year
‘That honor went to Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. Brady finished fifth in the voting among the five finalists – a group that also included Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, who finished second behind Johnson, followed by Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. Johnson received 29 first-place votes and a total of 364 points. Brady finished with 73 total points, including two first-place votes.’
Ryan O’Halloran: Kansas City Chiefs explain how they made fourth-down stop vs. Bills
‘Safety Justin Reid: “There was a pressure earlier in the game we set this play up for, and I actually (rushed) free on that play, too, and Josh was able to scramble around and still get the football off. We just gave him different looks throughout the game, and sometimes you show it, and sometimes you rush.”’
Around the Super Bowl: Prop bet, numbers to know, key matchup
‘Katherine Fitzgerald: I’m on the NFLPA’s side here – seeing what players go through in the grind of a 17-game season is already so much. Eighteen games is a huge ask, and I think they need to be firm in their negotiations. An extra bye week feels like it should be a given. Owners also should budge on other health- and safety-related things. The turf-versus-grass debate is ongoing, and should be brought up. Pie-in-the-sky ask is to lobby for more expansive health care.’
Postcards from New Orleans: King cake, king cake, king cake
‘I also have had just one (1) beignet, and I am looking to rectify that as soon as possible. I am a messy eater when it comes to powdered sugar, having once spilled an entire powdered waffle on myself at Seabreeze Amusement Park during Bills training camp, so I will be wearing a napkin as a bib accordingly. That’s growth.’
No Bills, but Super Bowl still puts spotlight on Buffalo brands
‘Just imagine what it would have been like for companies looking to engage with fans and customers had the Bills made it to the Super Bowl. When the Bills were eliminated from the playoffs, opportunities were lost both on the brand and media sides in Western New York.’
Buffalo Bills are on an elusive quest for a game wrecker on defense
‘It would not be fair to pin Buffalo’s inability to reach the Super Bowl over the past five years solely on the defensive line, but in each of the five elimination games – four losses to the Chiefs and one to the Bengals – the defensive line has fallen far short of controlling the play and it has led to some gory numbers.’
Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen named 2024 NFL MVP
‘Allen thanked teammates, coaches, Bills staff, his parents, and fiance Hailee Steinfeld. Allen finished his acceptance speech: “Be good, do good. God bless and go Bills.”’
Bills’ Josh Allen wins MVP over Ravens’ Lamar Jackson: How close was final vote?
‘The final tally saw Allen receive 383 points to Jackson’s 362 points.’
Buffalo Bills set to make intriguing hire on defensive side of the ball
‘Nielsen, 45, served as the Jacksonville Jaguars’ defensive coordinator in 2024. Before his stint in Jacksonville, Nielsen served as the Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator and defensive line coach (2023) and served in multiple roles with the New Orleans Saints from 2017-2022.’
NFL commish, referees, Chiefs stars and owner address favoritism heading into Super Bowl LIX
‘“Officiating crews do not work the same team more than twice each regular season. It is insulting and preposterous to hear conspiracy theories that somehow 17 officiating crews consisting of 138 officials are colluding to assist one team,” NFL Referees Association executive director Scott Green said in a statement.’
Bills QB Allen awarded 2024 NFL MVP after record-breaking season
‘Allen’s receipt of the award ends a months-long saga that saw two fan bases — the Bills and Baltimore Ravens — at one another’s throat as the debate surrounding the honor swirled into a toxic state of discourse. But in the end, despite many believing Ravens QB Lamar Jackson was on his way to earning his third-career MVP, it was Allen who was left as the last man standing with the trophy in hand on Thursday night.’
Coaching Report Card: Sean McDermott ranks among NFL’s elite coaches, but he still needs a Super Bowl
‘Bill Belichick, Mike Ditka, Tony Dungy, Andy Reid, George Seifert. Toss in Sean McDermott.’
Fair evaluation of Bills’ season
‘“No Goal,” you’ll recall, is from a Stanley Cup finals game during which the Buffalo Sabres’ opponents received — not scored but received — a goal that wasn’t a goal. It just wasn’t. Now the two new phrases are “No Catch” and “The Spot.”’