Buffalo News

‘Even if the Seattle defensive line is strong, the team’s run defense leaves quite a bit to be desired. The Seahawks have allowed 1,023 rushing yards this season – fourth-worst in the NFL. They’re allowing teams 5.0 yards a carry, and they’ve given up nine runs of 20 or more yards. The Bills, meanwhile, are continuing to find ways to use all three of their running backs. “Our line’s opening up the holes for (our running backs), as well,” Allen said. “It’s vital for our offense in terms of being able to move guys, create running lanes, our play-action game is very much predicated on how well we can run the ball.”’

‘36.2% – How well has Geno Smith played? He ranks No. 1 in the NFL in passing, despite facing the 11th highest pressure rate in the league (36.2%). Seattle also has allowed the fifth most sacks in the league (20).’

‘Calling all Bills defensive linemen: Stop the Seattle run game and you’ll be able to work over a Seahawks offense that has allowed 20 sacks in seven games. The Seahawks are averaging 4.5 yards per carry and are tied for fourth with 10 touchdowns. Get Seattle into third-and-long, and the Bills’ defense will have an advantage; opponents are 11 of 40 vs. the Bills on third down when needing 8 or more yards. Offensively, the Bills should have success exploiting Seattle’s 28th-ranked rush defense. A lot of James Cook. Some Ray Davis. A little bit of Ty Johnson. Especially in rainy conditions, take the air out of the football and fly home 6-2. Bills, 34-27.’

‘A compelling case can be made for each, but I’d rank them this way: 1. Cooper, 2. Hopkins, 3. Adams. We’ve seen in just one game what Cooper means for the Bills’ offense. In addition to making big plays against the Titans, Cooper opened things up for the rest of the Bills’ receivers. It remains to be seen what Hopkins will do for the Chiefs, although they had a need that was similar to that of the Bills. Adams is a solid player, but it feels like the Jets’ season is too far gone for him to make the type of impact New York would need him to make.’

‘But seven weeks into 2024, the AFC East is the worst division in football. Only the Bills sport a winning record, and the aggregate record of the four teams is a woeful 10-17.’

‘The town of Bellingham, Washington, where Rapp grew up, is about an hour and a half north of Seattle. Eventually, Rapp would end up at the University of Washington in Seattle, but he first was shaped by the town of about 94,000 closer to the Canadian border.’

‘Since 2005, it is the Bills’ largest division lead through seven weeks. They led by 1½ games in 2020-21, a half-game in 2022 and one game last year.’

‘Bernard has not practiced this week, and was listed on the injury report with ankle/pectoral/personal reason. He is back with the team on the personal reason front. Bernard missed two games earlier this season with a pectoral injury.’

‘“That was probably the single differentiating factor in why I was able to pick up the game plan so fast, just putting in the extra time with him inside of here,” Cooper said. “Him going over it and over it and over it. Him being a good teacher in that regard, putting it in a way that I can understand it. It’s been huge for my progress.”’

‘For a second straight day, Buffalo Bills linebacker Terrel Bernard (ankle/pectoral/personal) did not practice Thursday, casting doubt as to whether Bernard will be available for their next game at Sunday at Seattle.’

‘“The last couple teams we’ve played run very similar systems, kind of from the same tree,” quarterback Josh Allen said on Wednesday. “Obviously they have their own nuances and their own game plans. But in terms of a base game plan, it’s very similar. Again, no easy task. It’s a tough defense, and that’s why you see a lot of them out there, this type of defense we’re playing.”’

‘The Bills lead the NFL in turnover differential at plus-10. That is in part due to their defense forcing 12 turnovers. But it is also in large part due to Allen cleaning up his play, an issue that plagued him in the past.’

‘After leading the NFL the past two seasons in third-down conversion rate (50% both years), the Bills find themselves 25th in the league, converting just 34% of third-down opportunities.’

‘Multiple factors affected the Bills’ first-half efficiency, including a drop by Cooper on a third-and-1, a deep shot on a third-and-10 and a pass that was high and knocked away on a third-and-6. The Bills’ offense punted five times on six possessions. Credit the Titans, who early in this game achieved 13 first downs and nearly doubled the time of possession in the first half, 19:49-10:11. The Titans ran 38 plays to the Bills 20 and gave them a significant advantage in total yardage, 218-90.’

‘Piccone, who turned 75 this summer, lives in Williamsville. Even now, if he closes his eyes, he can still hear the echoes of you-know-what. Sometimes, when he is out and about, someone will serenade him as of old. “They have to be of a certain age, though,” he says.’