Olean Times Herald

‘Three of Carolina’s four sacks of Allen were recorded by end and Penn State alum Yetur Gross-Matos, giving him four on the season. He also caused a fumble on the first one, though Buffalo tackle Spencer Brown recovered. The Panthers’ other sack was logged by end Brian Burns, his ninth of the campaign.’

‘If the season ended today, the Bills would have a playoff spot but, and this is bizarre, there are scenarios in Week 15 where Buffalo could win Sunday and still be knocked out of the seven postseason qualifiers due to tiebreakers.’

‘The 2019 lottery might have been Beane’s worst in the early rounds. The Bills constantly praise defensive tackle Ed Oliver, but any pro football observer with functioning eyes can see that he’s been inconsistent three years in. And, second-round offensive guard/tackle Cody Ford ranks as one of the team’s most ill-advised high draft picks in franchise history. Third-rounder Devin Singletary still hasn’t established himself as the feature running back he was supposed to be, while tight end Dawson Knox, the other third-rounder, has grown into the position, ditched the drops and become a genuine touchdown producer.’

‘However, the rushing stats are more troubling. Of Allen’s 12 rushes, only two were scrambles when protection broke down, the other 10 were designed runs. Buffalo’s two running backs — Devin Singletary and Matt Breida — by contrast, had seven carries combined.’

‘Had Buffalo lost 38-10, the season, in effect, would be over. But that second half proved what this team can be and, despite the loss, Buffalo, is still hanging onto that seventh and last AFC wild card spot.’

‘Tom Brady’s game-winning touchdown pass, a 58-yarder to Breshad Perriman, was the 700th of his illustrious career. It was also his 33rd victory over the Bills (32 of them with the Patriots), an NFL record against one team. He had already broken Drew Brees’ record for both career completions and passing yards.’

‘As for what it takes for Buffalo’s offense to get back on track, Allen maintained, “It’s 11 guys going out and executing … it’s not the plays, it’s how we execute those plays … decision-making on my part … being smart about when to and not take a sack … when to throw the ball away and ultimately give our guys a chance to make a play.”’

‘Among Buffalo’s seven victories, the only one over a winning team was a 38-20 decision at defending AFC champ Kansas City (8-4), back in early October. It was the last of a four-game streak that had Bills nation convinced its team was Super Bowl-bound.’

‘The sad fact is, the Bills aren’t a tough team, McDermott’s contention to the contrary. They have a talented roster at the skill positions, but the lines, not so much. They rely on finesse and are, sadly, way too soft.’

‘And as safety Jordan Poyer noted after the game … “we knew they were going to run.” Left unsaid was … the Bills still couldn’t stop them. It’s been a season-long problem and couldn’t have come at a worse time.’

‘Of course, if the weather forecast is right, the passing game might not be much of a factor tonight.’

‘“Number 1, it’s going to be decided by the players more than anything,” he said, “(but) Bill has x-amount of years experience as a head coach, many more than I do. So, at the end of the day, there’s a lot of experience and wisdom (that Belichick has) and I’m just hoping to grow and learn and see where it takes me.”‘

‘With Buffalo having already lost to the Titans and trailing them by two games including the punitive head-to-head loss, you can bet the Bills coaches and players will be rooting hard for the Patriots.’

‘The reality is, the one-sided win came against a flawed team, albeit on the road in a short week.’

‘Following a 4-1 start, including an impressive 38-20 win on the Chiefs’ home turf, Buffalo is 2-3 with two of those losses unexpected. The 9-6 defeat at Jacksonville, 2-8 and tied for last in the AFC, could be a season-killing loss, and last Sunday’s 41-15 pasting by the Colts at Highmark Stadium was surprising in its one sidedness.’