Olean Times Herald

‘Last April, the Bills had eight draft picks, no fourth-rounder (Stefon Diggs trade), and three in the sixth. Seven of those selections remain as seventh-rounder Jack Anderson, a guard from Texas Tech, was plucked off Buffalo’s practice squad by the Eagles. Cornerback Rachad Wildgoose, from Wisconsin, and the third of those three sixth-rounders, is on the practice squad. The other six are on the Bills’ roster in some capacity, two of them heavy contributors.’

‘Only seven players on Buffalo’s 53-man roster were part of the Jaguars’ playoff game: safeties Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde, cornerback Tre’Davious White, linebacker Matt Milano, defensive end Jerry Hughes, offensive tackle Dion Dawkins and long-snapper Reid Ferguson.’

‘As McDermott pointed out, “It reminds me of Jim Johnson who I worked with in Philadelphia. He would always say, ‘You need a little bit of luck.’ Luck comes in different forms and staying healthy is one of them … the ball bouncing your way at times in pivotal moments and in pivotal games. You need some of that.”’

‘After a lousy opening 30 minutes in which Miami dominated the offensive statistics as quarterback Josh Allen endured a miserable half – 10-of-17 through the air for 80 yards and a dismal 70.7 passer rating – Beasley got his QB going.’

‘With barely 3 1/2 minutes to play, this was a 6-point game and Miami was desperately trying to get the ball back for a potential game-winning drive.’

‘The game’s first turnover came when Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa couldn’t control an off-target snap with Bills safety Micah Hyde recovering, his first of the season. Later, fellow safety Jordan Poyer got his third interception of the year, tying him with Hyde for the team lead.’

‘Not only did Buffalo have the week after the Tennessee game off, Bills coach Sean McDermott is 4-0 the game after a bye during his Buffalo career, and his team will now face its softest stretch of the season.’

‘Now Baltimore, Cincinnati, Las Vegas and Tennessee are tied atop the conference at 5-2 with their bye weeks still to come. Buffalo and the Los Angeles Chargers are a half-game back at 4-2 with their byes already over.’

‘Two debates evolved from that defeat, one, the decision to go for the winning touchdown rather than opt for OT, and two electing to go for a pair of field goals in the red zone early in the game.’

‘It’s likely he considered, if the Bills took the field goal but the Titans won the toss in overtime, they might go right down the field and score the winning touchdown without Buffalo ever getting the ball.’

‘However, analytics say that McDermott’s decision, given the circumstances, was the right one. But the reality is, in sports, the wisdom of a decision is decided almost solely on its success.’

‘“They out-performed us, they out-coached us, they out-played us,” he admitted. “We weren’t very disciplined in that game, we didn’t take care of the football. They’re a good football team, their offense (has) a great combination of skill in the backfield (and) skill outside. They’ve got weapons, for sure, which makes them very hard to defend.”’

‘And though the Titans had one of the NFL’s top rushers in 247-pound Derrick Henry and Tennessee was without its top two receivers – Corey Davis and Adam Humphries, both out with Covid – and No. 3 wideout A.J. Brown was playing hurt, coach Mike Vrabel opted to attack Buffalo through the air. He reasoned that the Bills’ starting cornerbacks were out injured – All-Pro Tre’Davious White and Levi Wallace – as was their best coverage linebacker, Matt Milano.’

‘“I think, more than anything, it’s a step in the right direction,” Bills coach Sean McDermott said of the emphatic win. “They’re a good football team. To see the contributions that were made from everyone, in particular a couple of the young players that are new to our team this year, that we acquired via the draft, is a good sign. It doesn’t mean we’re where we need to be … but it is a good sign at this early stage of the season.”’

‘But only the most myopic Buffalo fan would have even suggested that the Bills would go into Arrowhead Stadium and eviscerate the defending conference champion before a national TV audience.’