Niagara Gazette

‘During Sean McDermott’s tenure as head coach, the Bills have gone 31-16 over the final eight games of the season, including a 7-0 stretch last year — the Bengals game, of course, was canceled after Damar Hamlin’s injury — and a 7-1 in 2020. Buffalo can’t afford to wait so long to turn on the jets this time, but McDermott has also guided the Bills to a 14-2 mark during regular-season games in December and January the previous three seasons.’

‘Shaq Lawson (toe), Oliver (toe) and Rousseau (foot) all missed games during the last five weeks, while Floyd has been nursing an ankle injury for most of the season, and that doesn’t include a pectoral injury that landed DaQuan Jones on injured reserve and Miller’s recovery from a torn ACL. The injuries have been overshadowed by major losses to Matt Milano and Tre’Davious White, but the ramifications have been significant.’

‘One of those concepts is the use of motion before the snap. Not only does motion give an offense free information because the defense typically tips its hand when an offensive player moves from one side of the formation to the other, but it also can create mismatches before the ball is even snapped. The Bills used motion on just 17 of their 55 offensive snaps, compared to the Bengals, who motioned on 31 of 67 plays. More puzzling is that the Bills were more successful when they used pre-snap motion.’

‘The Bills have surrendered 40 plays of more than 20 yards thus far, after never giving up 30 through the first nine games dating to 2020. Meanwhile, the offense has 27 of those chunk plays and hasn’t had fewer than 30 over the last four seasons.’

‘The Bills went without a huddle on 11 of 21 plays during their two touchdown drives and four out of nine plays on a drive that reached the Cincinnati 11 before tight end Dalton Kincaid fumbled. Those three drives netted 212 yards, while they went no-huddle on seven plays over seven other possessions, accumulating 105 yards.’

‘The 24-18 Bengals win might show a closer score, but the Bills failed to rise to the occasion offensively.’

‘There are so many questions about the Bills offense that have been asked repeatedly for the last month with no one capable of finding the right answer.’

‘A loss won’t end any postseason dreams but it would put a dent in hope and push the Bills against the wall during the final half of the season. Their last eight opponents have a combined record of 33-20, with four ranking in the top-10 in total offense and four in the top-10 in total defense.’

‘Even though Allen has averaged more yards per attempt with two tight ends than three receivers, other areas of the offense declined. Since Kincaid was injured for the New York Giants game and Knox went on injured reserve last week, the Bills have reverted to 11 personnel — one running back and one tight end — on 78.6% of plays and overall tight end production has increased to 10.7 yards per catch.’

‘Prior to practice, Bills coach Sean McDermott said that Allen would have a normal day of practice, but wasn’t sure how much throwing he would do. The Bills designated him as a full participant on the injury report released after practice.’

‘The Buffalo Bills general manager had been searching for a cornerback since Tre’Davious White tore his Achilles tendon in Week 4 and was interested in acquiring Rasul Douglas from the Packers. After director of player personnel Terrance Gray reached out to the Packers in regards to Douglas, Beane contacted Green Bay general manager Brian Gutekunst last week.’

‘“Obviously, unfortunate when it’s your throwing shoulder,” Allen said. “As a thrower, you don’t like feeling any sort of, I wouldn’t even call it pain, just discomfort in there. So we’re just trying to stay on top of it and get ahead of it when we can. Obviously, I hate not practicing, I hate not being involved in what we’re doing, but at the same time I know this is probably what’s best and putting myself in the best situation to make sure that I’m ready to go tomorrow and for Sunday.”’

‘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.’