Olean Times Herald

‘The neck injuries suffered by two defensive starters – cornerback Dane Jackson and safety Micah Hyde – were subjects of concern as it prepares to face the Dolphins on Sunday afternoon at Miami Gardens.’

‘Those losses left Buffalo with Jackson and rookie draft choices Kaiir Elam (first round) and Christian Benford (sixth) as the top three corners until White returns, with Cam Lewis and kicking team specialist Siran Neal in reserve. Buffalo also has two rookie corners on the practice squad, Kyler McMichael and Ja’Marcus Ingram.’

‘However, the Titans come in as surprising 10-point underdogs mostly because they blew a 13-point second-half lead in their home-opener and lost a 21-20 decision to the Giants behind their rookie head coach, Brian Daboll, the former Buffalo offensive coordinator.’

‘Reflecting on the loss to the Giants, he added, “When we’re playing the game well and operating how I think we should operate … we’re running the football, we’re stopping the run, our quarterback’s efficient, we effect their quarterback and neither of those two things did we win in those matchups.”‘

‘Then, last October at the same site, the Bills lost a 34-31 heartbreaker when Allen slipped on 4th-and-1 from the Titans’ 2-yard line in the closing seconds. That play decided the game, but the reason Buffalo was behind at that point was Henry had his way with the Bills’ defense, running for 143 yards on 20 carries with three touchdowns, including a 76-yarder.’

‘To be sure, he’s a quarterback of extraordinary toughness and elusiveness. But he’s also not the slippery Lamar Jackson when on the move. Allen, while a big man, is still a mix of flesh, bones, muscle, cartilage and ligaments and isn’t immune to being hurt.’

‘Allen’s performance overshadowed an extraordinary effort by Buffalo’s defense. General manager Brandon Beane and coach Sean McDermott, for the last two seasons, have vowed to upgrade the pass rush. Against LA it materialized.’

‘If this is the way the Bills are going to play on the road against a quality opponent, then maybe the oddsmakers have been right all along.’

‘From the time the Rams held off Cincinnati, 23-20, to win Super Bowl LVI last February, speculation began that this season’s perfect NFL opener for Los Angeles would be hosting the Bills at SoFi Stadium.’

‘Buffalo’Ss first seven games are brutal with a capital ‘B’.’

‘Still, cornerback is Buffalo’s most vulnerable position, by far, at least early.’

‘If White’s return is delayed, next up is Pittsburgh in Orchard Park, at Kansas City and, after the bye, home with Green Bay, meaning matchups with the Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes and Packers’ Aaron Rodgers. It’s a stretch where a team desperately needs its top cornerback, especially one who’s among the best in the league.’

‘It’s near impossible to conjure a more devastating public relations gaffe for a team that over the years has endured its share of image management issues (aligning itself with the ethnically insensitive phrase “Bills Mafia,” for instance).’

‘Did Baltimore and the Buccaneers know something the Bills didn’t?’

‘But for the fans, there was little to criticize in Buffalo’s 10th straight preseason victory. Well, one thing. With the Bills’ offensive dominance, they only punted once, that honor going to incumbent Matt Haack. Thus, “Punt God” Matt Araiza, the rookie who unleashed an 82-yarder against the Colts, was limited to holding for extra points.’