Olean Times Herald

‘Over the season’s first 16 games, the Bills have played only half at the standard NFL 1 p.m. starting time. The other eight featured two Monday nighters, three on a Thursday, one of those on Thanksgiving, a Sunday late afternoon national telecast and a Saturday nighter.’

‘What’s certain is that Miami wasn’t bothered by the conditions. The Dolphins scored 29 points, amassed 405 offensive yards and were leading 29-21 with just over nine minutes to play.’

‘The betting line opened at Bills minus-9 and has dropped two points, but, given the conditions, even a touchdown seems a bit much.’

‘“Playing in Buffalo in December is not the easiest task. We get to practice in it, that’s one advantage that we do have, something we’ve played in before and we’ve got to use (that edge).”’

‘Over those first seven games, Buffalo averaged 31 points and outscored the opposition by 20 on average, excluding the loss at Miami. During the current four-game win streak, the Bills offensive point production is down and points surrendered are up, with the average margin of victory at eight.’

‘And, at 10-3, the Bills remain on top of not only the division, but also the entire American Football Conference. If form holds, with four to play and wins them all, Buffalo will host every playoff game as long as it’s alive in the postseason.’

‘Oddsmakers favor the Bills by 10, seemingly too much for a team battling major health issues on defense.’

‘Sunday’s results also gave Buffalo some breathing room in the AFC as the Jets and Titans are both 7-5 and the Chargers and Patriots are each 6-6 and flirting with missing the playoffs with five games to go. But alas, two days later, that mini-celebration was derailed.’

‘And, two, New England, 6-6, is undeniably average … indeed its offense is substandard. Belichick’s crew has won six games because of its defense. The Pats have lost every game where the opponent scored at least 20 points. In a win over the Jets, his offense never did score a touchdown. It took an 84-yard punt return for a score in the closing minutes to secure a 10-3 victory over the Jets two weeks ago.’

‘It wasn’t the Bills’ most polished effort, but a true workmanlike victory.’

‘The telling statistic for the Bills is that they are 0-2 in the AFC East, and a loss tonight would severely damage their hopes of a third-straight division crown, to say nothing of possibly jeopardizing a spot in this year’s playoffs.’

‘Resurgent Miami is on top with the same 8-3 record as Buffalo, but with the advantage of a head-to-head victory. The vastly improved Jets are 7-4 but have lost twice to the 6-5 Pats, who are very much alive in the playoff race. That’s why tomorrow night’s game at Gillette Stadium is so important for the Bills, who are 0-2 in the division.’

‘Speaking of defense, Buffalo got a big lift from linebacker A.J. Klein, who’s had a bizarre 2022. After the Bills signed him as a free agent from New Orleans, he played with them for two seasons before being released last March. The Giants signed him to their practice squad in October and shortly thereafter he was picked up by Baltimore. Just 25 days after that he was part of a trade to Chicago for linebacker Roquan Smith. In barely two weeks, the Bears released him and Buffalo signed Klein the next day. A week after that, he was starting against the Lions with middle linebacker Tremaine Edmunds out injured. Klein’s response was a solid effort with nine tackles, six of them solos, one of those a key one for loss.’

‘A loss would have virtually dashed their hopes of recapturing a shot at homefield throughout the playoffs and, indeed, might well have jeopardized their postseason chances in a cluttered conference.’

‘Defensive tackle Ed Oliver recorded Buffalo’s initial safety of the season when he dumped Lions quarterback Jared Goff for an end zone sack. It was the first Bills’ safety since wide receiver Jake Kumerow logged one, on special teams, in last season’s finale against Atlanta. Oliver has 1.5 sacks on the season.’