Niagara Gazette

‘In the three games following his absence against the Miami Dolphins, Poyer was used as a blitzer 14 times after doing so twice during his first three games. And against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Poyer was used as a hybrid linebacker in a new three-safety look in the 24-18 win.’

‘He is currently rated as the eighth-best cornerback in the NFL in coverage, according to Pro Football Focus, which has given him a 79.6 grade. Douglas ranked 26th last season and 10th in 2021.’

‘Throughout Thursday’s win, Buffalo had opportunities to deliver knockout blows, but instead allowed the Buccaneers to hang around until it became dangerously uncomfortable. It’s a habit that’s persisted for a while, and with a seemingly brutal stretch of opponents, close games could quickly turn into blowout losses.’

‘Twice the Bills led by double-digits only for the lead to wither away against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Josh Allen connected with Gabe Davis for a touchdown pass to take a 24-10 lead on the opening drive of the second half.’

‘The plodding, fun-sucking offense that has taken the Bills hostage at times this season suddenly shed the albatross. It looked like a callback to the dangerous weapon that made the Bills one of the best teams in the NFL.’

‘An injury to one of those players — perhaps two — would be reasonable to overcome, but all three of them are daunting. Mix in injuries to starters Christian Benford, Dane Jackson, Ed Oliver and Greg Rousseau that have cost each of them a game over the last three weeks and the toll has been evident on the defensive production.’

‘The Bills have been outscored 30-10 in the first half over the last three weeks, only to turn it on during the second half to win or come close. At some point a slow start is going to result in an ugly blowout. And while a 4-4 record isn’t typically when changes are made to coaching staffs, if the Bills suffer another slow start and lose, it could happen.’

‘Starting with tonight’s home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, I’d like to see “high positive” or “positive positive” Josh Allen again.’

‘“The last few weeks, really after Week 2, I’ve been trying to find a zone where I get myself into throughout the game, try to stay as low as possible because I feel like I perform better that way,” Allen said. “Maybe I’ve got to be more upbeat and be a voice and be a little bit more loud — let my emotions show a little bit more.”’

‘Over the last three weeks, the Bills seem to have cinder block feet that won’t let them get rolling, only to flip a switch at halftime to become the offense they have become over the last four seasons. Buffalo has been outscored 30-10 in the first half over the last three weeks, while outscoring opponents 49-33 in the second half.;

‘Knox being out means that rookie Dalton Kincaid should get a more prominent role. After missing Week 6 with a concussion, Kincaid returned to the lineup to post career-bests in catches (8) and yards (75) and is currently second on the team in catches (25) and third in yards (193).’

‘And after allowing the Patriots to stroll down the field with the game on the line, the Bills have now allowed 30 fourth-quarter points over the last three weeks and 43 in their three losses.’

‘Lather, rinse, repeat.’

‘“Every time we touch the ball we want to score and that hasn’t happened the last couple weeks,” Allen said. “We know as an offense we’ve got to be better. It comes down to the guys on the field, myself included, on executing the plays that Coach Dorsey calls.”’

‘When Phillips is healthy, he’s more explosive than any 340-pound man should be. Players his size are typically used to eat blocks to spring teammates for big plays, but Phillips is the penetrator, the guy who gobbles up ball carriers in the backfield.’