Buffalo News

‘The third-year slot receiver leads the Bills with 27 catches and is second with 314 receiving yards after a strong performance in Sunday’s 34-10 victory over the Tennessee Titans.’

‘“I think we just went back to playing and being who we are,” rookie defensive tackle DeWayne Carter said. “It’s just fundamental football, sound fundamental football. That’s we have to do to win in this league. You know, (in) my short time, coach McDermott always preaches it. I think the coolest message he ever told us was, ‘You’ve just got to keep hitting good shots on the fairway, just keeping getting shots on the fairway. That eventually leads to success.’ We had that mentality, that mindset. I think it showed in the second half.”’

‘Trust in Kincaid was reflected in the team’s snap counts. The second-year tight end played 40 of the team’s 55 offensive snaps, 73%. It’s the second straight game Kincaid has played at least 73% of the offensive snaps. That comes after a run of four games in which he didn’t top 63%. Perhaps not coincidentally, Kincaid has nine catches for 103 yards during the Bills’ two-game win streak.’

‘The Bills ran their three-wide-receiver set on 18 of 20 plays in the first half against the Tennessee Titans. Mixing personnel worked a lot better in the second half. Josh Allen was only 3 of 10 passing out of three wides (“11” personnel) in the first half. In the second half, the Bills ran bigger personnel, with multiple tight ends or an extra lineman on more than half the plays (18 of 34). Allen was 17 of 22 passing for 258 yards in the second half.’

‘Allen now has played in 111 games, including playoffs. Kelly played in 177 games counting playoffs. The NFL game is more pass-oriented than when Kelly played in the 1980s and 1990s. Allen has attempted 332 more passes in his first 100 starts than Kelly did in his first 100 for the Bills.’

‘Nobody knows the Bills better than CBS’ play-by-play announcer Andrew Catalon, who works Bills preseason games for WIVB-TV (Channel 4) alongside Steve Tasker.’

‘Cooper’s first play was one to forget. He checked into the game on Buffalo’s second play from scrimmage and was targeted on the next play, but the on-target pass from quarterback Josh Allen was dropped on third-and-1, and the Bills punted.’

‘The Titans game was Exhibit A of the New Bills Passing Game, an aerial circus that should scare the heck out of future opponents.’

‘It was fourth-and-2 for the Tennessee Titans on their first drive of the second half. Carter, the Bills’ rookie defensive tackle, broke through and spearheaded a massive stop, and the Bills defense tallied back-to-back tackles for loss.’

‘There’s two that have key relevance going forward when the Bills face good teams. One, the passing game has an important matchup winner in new receiver Amari Cooper. That’s obvious. Two, Josh Allen continues to play the most efficient football of his eight-year NFL career.’

‘The Bills’ defense set the second-half tone on Tennessee’s first possession. Linebacker Terrel Bernard helped stuff running back Tony Pollard for a 1-yard loss on third-and-1, and rookie defensive tackle DeWayne Carter stuffed Pollard for a 3-yard loss on fourth-and-2. Suspect game management by Titans coach Brian Callahan, whose team led 10-7, and opting to be aggressive in his own territory.’

‘The last time the Bills got TDs from three backs was a 45-17 win over the New York Jets in 2021, with Devin Singletary, Zack Moss and Matt Breida scoring. The previous time it happened was way back in 1991 in a 42-6 rout of Indianapolis, with Thurman Thomas, Kenneth Davis and Carwell Gardner scoring.’

‘The Bills’ slow starts are troubling, but credit the coaching staff for making the necessary adjustments that allowed for 34 straight points to close out the win. This isn’t a Titans report card, but let’s point out that Tennessee coach Brian Callahan did the Bills a favor by settling for a 25-yard field goal on fourth-and-2 in the first quarter, then making a total abomination of the clock before halftime. It seems in some cases, NFL teams would be better off hiring a 12-year-old who plays Madden to run the clock for them.’

‘Bills nickel back Taron Johnson was fined $11,817 for his unnecessary roughness penalty in the third quarter – a low block.’

‘“When you draft a franchise quarterback, it’s hard to get it right,” Bills coach Sean McDermott said.’