Niagara Gazette

‘“If rush and coverage aren’t working together, it doesn’t matter,” Bills defensive coordinator Bobby Babich said. “… They complemented each other well. There were even a lot of non-statistical things that the D-line did that was really, really a major factor in the outcome of the game.”’

‘McDermott wasn’t interested in daring Patrick Mahomes to beat them, bypassing a 43-yard field goal on fourth and 2 with 2:27 left to give the ball to his franchise quarterback, essentially telling him to go win the game. He put the ball in Allen’s hands and Allen never relinquished it.’

‘Khalil Shakir is currently Allen’s most trusted option, but if Cooper is also sidelined, the Bills will once again play with a receiving corps that includes Mack Hollins, Curtis Samuel, Tyrell Shavers and Jalen Virgil. Chiefs standout cornerback Trent McDuffie has moved from the slot to outside this season, but it wouldn’t be a shock if he matched up with Shakir.’

‘“We focus on what we focus on, and our controls are things that we can control,” Bills coach Sean McDermott said. “We don’t focus on things we can’t control. We certainly understand the situation and respect it, two good teams, and the most important thing we can be is consistent with our preparation, and that’s really the main thing that’s within our control.”’

‘But despite his interceptions and injuries to receivers Keon Coleman and Amari Cooper and tight end Dalton Kincaid, Allen’s production has increased the past five games. He’s averaging nearly 80 yards more per game, his completion percentage is up six points and his nine touchdown passes are one more than the first five outings.’

‘While the Bills have called him day-to-day since the injury, Cooper said he feels like he can play against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday and it would provide a major boost. Bills coach Sean McDermott already ruled out receiver Keon Coleman (wrist) for Sunday and tight Dalton Kincaid (knee) did not practice for a second consecutive day.’

‘When the Bills entertain Mahomes and the Chiefs Sunday, they know he can’t be worn down and the game will be a test of mental and physical endurance. Mahomes might be stopped on one drive and score the next, but his opponents can never declare victory until there is no time left on the clock.’

‘Coach Sean McDermott announced Monday that All-Pro linebacker Matt Milano’s 21-day window to return from injured reserve opened. Milano will not play against the Chiefs Sunday and the Bills have until the day after the Dec. 1 game against the San Francisco 49ers to activate him to the active roster and keep him on IR for the remainder of the season.’

‘On the Johnson interception, the Bills showed two-high safeties (Cover 2) and then brought safety Damar Hamlin on a delayed blitz while shifting to a Cover 3 (three defensive backs high) zone. Flacco was so sure of his decision that he released the ball quickly, but almost immediately after it left his hand, he knew it was a mistake.’

‘This is nowhere near coach Sean McDermott’s most talented team, but it may be his most resilient. A team thought to be in rebuilding mode is now 8-2 for the first time since 1993, set to embark on a four-game stretch that could reveal just how good they are.’

‘“For him to have that trust in me so early,” Allen said. “That’s obviously something that we’ve talked about, and we trust each other and feel good about, and our relationship’s only growing. So, I appreciate and respect him for that and trusting me in those types of situations, but ultimately, again, whatever he calls, I’m going to go up there and try to execute to the best of my ability.”’

‘“We try to work on what we feel like we’ll be in a game doing the most that maybe we may have not gotten to at practice,” Douglas told the Gazette. “We always just try to get extra. So that’s every day after practice where for maybe 20-30 minutes, just whatever we feel like. … If we mess up at practice, we try to look over what else to do.”’

‘Hollins and Samuel wore red non-contact jerseys, but both have been nursing injuries for a while and played last week. But the last update from coach Sean McDermott on Coleman, who injured his wrist on a hit by Jordan Poyer late in Sunday’s win over the Miami Dolphins, was not wearing a cast or brace while he worked with trainers during practice, ranged from the potential to play this week to the possibility of missing multiple games.’

‘Indianapolis benched last year’s No. 3 overall pick Anthony Richardson in favor of 39-year-old Joe Flacco as the Colts currently rank 22nd in points and total yards. The Colts have surpassed 200 yards passing once all season, which means the focal point of the game plan is to do something the Bills have been spotty at this season: stopping the run.’

‘Miami’s 149 yards rushing marked the fifth consecutive time it has surpassed 100 yards against the Bills and the Dolphins have lost all those games. In fact, the one time Mike McDaniel’s Dolphins have defeated the Bills since he became head coach was when they ran for 41 yards in 2022. That’s because, despite averaging 5.6 yards per carry in those losses, there has always been a moment when McDaniel gets skittish, feels the pressure and gets away from the run. Though quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has hit 250 yards passing and threw six interceptions once in those games.’