Buffalo News

‘The Bills scored 10 points in the final three minutes to win, 30-27. It was their latest comeback needing seven points or more since at least 1994, which is as far back as Pro Football Reference’s Play Index goes.’

‘The Bills’ 30-27 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a 36.7 rating on WUTV (Channel 29), the local Fox affiliate. It peaked at a 40.6 rating at game’s end.’

‘Tailgaters on Sunday parked their cars alongside a “FOR SALE” sign for Thomas J. Johnson Realty, whose website is listing the property for $375,000.’

‘The video shows the man leaping onto the table, hitting the ground and then quickly standing up only to realize a portion of the back of his jersey was covered in flames. In addition to undertaking the “stop, drop and roll” technique, a couple onlookers tried to douse the flames with their beverages.’

‘The lessons in the art of the takeaway are paying off, because Bills defenders, young and old, are generating turnovers in droves through the team’s 4-2 start. Takeaway No. 10 of the season came with 2:20 left and the score locked at 27-27 in Sunday’s game.’

‘“I almost cost us the game again,” White lamented in the locker room. “Gave up another touchdown. If it weren’t for the offense, we would have lost because of me again.”’

‘But this team seems to be different. McDermott talks endlessly about the process, next man up, every guy being one-eleventh, all that team-building stuff. We roll our eyes at times, but it’s ringing true. There’s a sense that every guy on the roster is ready and willing to shine, and that the no-name guys are pushing the guys ahead of them even harder.’

‘But the Bills didn’t panic; they persevered. They showed the character of a winning team, one that rises above its own flaws in key moments in a league of imperfect teams. After blowing the lead, they gathered themselves in the critical moments and beat the Bucs, 30-27, on a 30-yard Stephen Hauschka field with 14 seconds left.’

‘”There’s a whole bunch of guys in here that other teams didn’t want,” Thompson, whose stall was adjacent that of Taiwan Jones (who?) in the Bills’ locker room, said after the game. “We all feel like that, but this is a great team. This team is going to do some special things this year. We believe in one another.”‘

‘Tyrod Taylor threw more than 30 passes and won for the second time in his career. LeSean McCoy scored his first two touchdowns of the season, including a 7-yard jaunt through a big hole up the middle with 2:28 remaining.’

‘The win, which improved the Bills’ record to 4-2, was a sign of growth for a retooled team that still is finding its way and still learning how to play four full quarters of football collectively. It also was a major moment for McCoy, who finally found his way into the end zone six weeks into the season.’

‘With the game seemingly slipping out of reach, McCoy sliced his way up the middle, slithering through traffic, and stepped over the goal line. It was a fitting moment of redemption for a veteran back who had put so much pressure on himself to be better and who almost gave the game away.’

‘We’d grown numb from all those who’ve passed through and promised it would be different under their care.’

‘Are the Bills a legitimate contender? With the NFL being as wide open as it has been so far, they’re as legit as almost anyone else. It’s their defense that allows them to rise above the mediocrity of opponents such as the Bucs, but when the strength of their offense — the running game — gets rolling as it did Sunday, the Bills are capable with competing with anyone.’

‘The defense gave up big play after big play in allowing Jameis Winston to throw for 384 yards and three touchdowns, but they also forced three turnovers: An interception and two fumbles.’