Dunkirk Observer

‘Rather than looking like the team its record defined it as, the Bills showed signs of heading toward a similar trend. After a 5-1 in 2008, the Bills finished 7-9 and missed the playoffs entirely. That year, the Bills were 4-1 headed into a Week 6 bye, then won the first game after the bye week at home, but then lost four straight contests after that and seven of the next eight. This year, the Bills once again started 4-1, had a Week 6 bye, won the next game, then lost immediately after that. Performances like this past Sunday’s are reminiscent of the tortured recent history of the Buffalo Bills. Even though the next four games are all against bad teams — just like all but one of the games prior to this week’s game were — it’s hard not to be alarmed by what the Bills showed against the Eagles on Sunday.’

‘Sunday represented a lot of what the Bills have been all season. The offense didn’t make things easy, which made the result a lot closer than it should have been. The defense, though it looked worse than in any game this season, made plays when it mattered and helped lead the team to a win. And most of all, just like the rest of the season, the Bills end with an ugly win. That’s becoming the identity of the Buffalo Bills.’

‘When a team is on a roll like the Buffalo Bills have been to start the season, it seems odd to think that time off would be a good thing, but that’s exactly what is the case for the Bills this coming week. From an offense that needs to figure things out to a defense that desperately needs a breather after carrying the team the first five weeks of the season — with plenty of injuries that need healing, as well — the Bills get their break at the right time. Now, the team can relax before preparing for three straight home games, starting with the lowly Miami Dolphins in Week 7.’

‘From boneheaded decisions to force the ball into bad spots to awful footwork and holding onto the ball too long, Allen looked to be proving his critics right on Sunday.’

‘Though the record couldn’t be any better through three games, something alarming so far is how the Bills are not pulling away from bad teams.’

‘After four turnovers a week ago, Allen’s performance in Week 2 was as good as any Bills fan could ask for.’

‘Sunday was a win for the Bills — but it wasn’t easy by any means. The Bills defense proved it is still the highly underrated force that it has been in recent years, but the offense showed it is still the deficiency of the team.’

‘Contrary to the first two games where the Bills looked great early on, this time around, Buffalo really struggled early. However, the final drive of the first half was as good as it gets. If that is a sign of things to come, especially in a two-minute offense when the pressure is turned up, Bills fans can certainly be excited. For now, the focus turns to which players earned a spot on the 53-man roster, which will be finalized a week from today.’

‘Friday night in Charlotte, the Buffalo Bills came ready to play.’

‘All in all, Thursday was just the first of four preseason games. But that’s not what matters. To paraphrase what Josh Allen said on the television broadcast, it’s just good to have football back.’

‘It wasn’t only the offense of the Buffalo Bills that underwent changes this offseason. The defense has a few new faces too, with the most notable addition as first round rookie Ed Oliver. The ninth overall pick in this year’s draft, Oliver will replace longtime stater Kyle Williams on the defensive line. Oliver has star potential and has Bills fans excited in a way that interior linemen usually don’t achieve, especially this early in a career. It will be interesting to see how he deals with the pressure of being a top 10 pick at a position that doesn’t dominate the stat sheet.’

‘Although his time in the NFL was cut short by injury, Butler spent a total of 20 years in the Buffalo area, before bouncing around to Cleveland, Denver, and Chicago in various stints within those organizations. Even after his NFL career ended, Bulter was still tied to the area. In addition to marrying a Buffalo girl, Butler was the partner in a contracting company based out of Springville, as well as the owner of a nightclub right down town. It is an area he’s still very proud to be a part of.’

‘Oliver is the latest in a long list of acquisitions who have gone above and beyond to praise the environment around the Buffalo Bills. From the organization and the coaching staff, to the locker room and to the fans, players are proving the narrative that no one wants to come to Buffalo dead wrong.’

‘After a free agency spending spree that saw the Bills address many of the team’s biggest needs, tonight is less about filling a need and more about finding the best talent out there. The Bills organization, especially general manager Brandon Beane, have said as much throughout the long process leading up to tonight’s draft.’

‘While the Buffalo Bills are putting pen to paper today to finalize the deals they have agreed upon so far this offseason, it’s easy to see the contract figures and feel skeptical — but that’s how free agency goes. Year after year in the NFL, teams pay a high price tag to fill their needs. The positive for Bills fans to take so far is that Buffalo has been aggressive, motivated and focused on filling the biggest holes on the roster. That’s something Bills Mafia should be excited about.’