Buffalo News

‘“I want to make sure that we talk about these things and not forget them,” Baskin said. “I don’t want to appear to be contentious, as much as I want to be a reminder that there is still a lot of work to do and a lot of targeted groups out in Erie County that deserve to have an understanding and clear access to how they can participate in the benefits of the agreement.”’

‘Don’t notice Benford much during a Bills game? That’s a good thing. He isn’t giving up big completions (career-best 8.0-yard average) and isn’t missing tackles (none, according to The Buffalo News’ game charting).’

‘James Cook early and often. The Bills’ running back is coming off his second game this season with 100-plus rushing yards. A huge portion of that came on one play against San Francisco. What was offensive coordinator Joe Brady’s favorite part of Cook’s 65-yard touchdown run last week against the 49ers? “My favorite thing was not having to call another play,” Brady said Monday. “You know, I like that.” A one-play touchdown drive is no guarantee, but if the Bills can get Cook some chunk plays on first downs, that will keep the offense on schedule and will keep Brady’s play calls open. Even without the snow-based rushing calls of last week, the Bills can stay balanced if Cook gets things going against the Rams.’

7 – The Bills are shooting for a seventh straight game with 30-plus points. It only has happened eight times within a single season in NFL history, the last by Denver, which hit eight straight in 2013. Eight straight is the record, done four times.’

‘The bills are favored by 3 1/2 points, which seems a little low to me. What does Las Vegas know? The bills’ offense needs to stay on a roll this week, because the defense has a slightly tougher matchup. The rams’ pass rush is dangerous. The bills need to stay on schedule and out of third-and-bad situations. If they do that and protect the ball, they should have a good day. The bills need to attack the linebackers in coverage and hit some passes outside the numbers to the wideouts. On the other side of the ball, the rams have elite skill-position talent, but the offensive line is not elite. Matthew Stafford has been facing quick pressure and doesn’t like to get hit. It would be nice to see Von miller flash speed on a fast track indoors. Bills, 30-24.’

‘In the short term, I see Hyde getting into football shape on the practice squad. I’d be surprised if he was activated for a game this week or next. In fact, there is the possibility Hyde never gets activated and remains on the practice squad. He is here for a reason, though, and it’s not just vibes. He provides the Bills with veteran insurance that head coach Sean McDermott knows he can rely on. I’d be surprised if Hyde unseated either Taylor Rapp or Damar Hamlin as a starter, but let’s say one has an injury. Would McDermott rather rely on Hyde or rookie Cole Bishop in a playoff game? That’s a fair question.’

‘The case for Allen becomes more crystalized each week because the Bills have won seven consecutive games (10-2 record), clinched the AFC East title with five games remaining and Allen has two of the most eye-popping/fun plays of the season. Allen sealed the Week 11 win over Kansas City with a 26-yard touchdown run on fourth down, and last week against the 49ers, he threw a pass to receiver Amari Cooper, received Cooper’s lateral and scored a 7-yard touchdown, on which he was credited with a scoring pass and catch (but not an official reception).’

‘We convened a panel of five influential Bills fans to decode that culture and articulate the rules: Buffalo natives turned Los Angeles filmmakers Addison Henderson and Kevin Polowy, who are shooting a docuseries on Bills fans called “Just One Before I Die”; Kristen Kimmick, founder and president of the nonprofit organization Bills Mafia Babes; Del Reid, the co-founder of Bills Mafia and owner of 26 Shirts; and Leslie Willie, a co-founder of Bills Mafia and treasurer of Bills Mafia Babes.’

‘“Dawson enjoys ‘Mr. Brightside,’ and at Utah, they would play it whenever we were winning and that was always something I looked forward to, singing that with the crowd,” Kincaid said.’

‘“It means consistency,” Dawkins said Thursday. “I think that it means someone knows their true self and who they truly are. I think also it means that, to the core, that what’s going on is not fake, for it to be the third time.’

‘“His experience of being around the league, his mentality stepping into the role that he’s done, he’s done a phenomenal job,” Allen said of Edwards. “Even going back to last year, he was one of those guys in the locker room you just trusted. You can feel how much he cares about what he does.”

‘The Bills’ defenders are preparing to see them deployed out of a lot of condensed formations. Lots of teams do it, including the Bills, but Rams coach Sean McVay has incorporated tight wide receiver splits into his offense as much or more than anybody over the past four or five seasons.’

‘“Yeah, it was really right at where we thought, with the amount of plays, and kind of the plan we came up with, it was right at about the amount of plays that we wanted to see him get,” Babich said.’

‘With Josh Allen toggling between Clark Kent’s calm and cool, and Superman’s heat and heroics − while 10 voracious receiving eaters gobble up chunk yardage to red zones and end zones − the team is cocksure, scoring 30 or more points in six straight games.’

‘McDermott said Hyde’s leadership piece is “for sure” part of it, and they’re now going to “see where it goes.” Hyde served as a captain in the past and was a major leader on the defense.’