Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

‘Sal’s prediction: Ravens 23, Bills 17.’

‘The game will be available locally via the following stations: WHEC channel 10 (Rochester area), WGRZ channel 2 (Buffalo area), WSTM channel 3 (Syracuse area), WKTV channel 2 (Utica area), WETM channel 18 (Elmira area), WNYT channel 13 (Albany area), and WBGH channel 20 (Binghamton area).’

‘Things began to solidify in 2023 when Spencer Brown, in his third season, began to excel at right tackle, left guard Connor McGovern was signed to shore up that spot, and rookie second-round pick O’Cyrus Torrence played every snap in all 17 games and grew immeasurably through the season.’

‘This comes on the heels of edge rusher Greg Rousseau winning the AFC defensive player of the week in Week 1 for this three-sack effort against the Cardinals, and running back James Cook winning the offensive award for his Week 2 game against the Dolphins when he scored three touchdowns.’

‘Forget Baltimore’s 1-2 record; this is one of the best teams in the league, even though it somehow found a way to blow a 23-13 fourth-quarter lead and lose to the Raiders in Week 2.’

‘The Bills put together a stunning display of football in the first half Monday night at Highmark Stadium, scoring touchdowns on all five of their possessions in opening a 34-3 lead on the Jacksonville Jaguars, then coasted for the final 30 minutes on their way to an easy 47-10 victory.’

‘The bulk of Jacksonville’s 92 yards came in the second half when the Bills were just trying to get the game over. The Jaguars managed just 19 yards in the first half as the their offensive line could not get much push against the Bills’ front. Travis Etienne finished with 68 yards, 22 coming on one carry in the second half.’

‘Sal’s prediction: Bills 26, Jaguars 17.’

‘Play-by-play: Chris Fowler. Analysts: Louis Riddick, Dan Orlovsky. Sideline reporter: Laura Rutledge.’

‘“If you’re focused on stats it’s frustrating,” Allen said Wednesday when he was asked about the low passing numbers he has compiled. “In terms of winning football games, it’s not. It’s just whatever helps us move the ball and score when it matters. That’s all we’re caring about right now.”’

‘”The six, seven-year-old kid that is me is going crazy right now because it’s such an honor,” Allen said Wednesday, according to Buffalo TV station WKBW.’

‘“Yeah, they are tough to replace,” McDermott said of the three standouts. “(Lewis, Williams and Spector) just got to go in and be themselves and we will play well around them. They did a nice job last week, but they’re focused on this week and again today’s practice and just really learning the game plan for this week here.”’

‘Then in 2021, when Allen was no longer a rookie and had ascended into the upper echelon of NFL quarterbacks, the Bills suffered one of their most inexplicable losses ever, a disgraceful 9-6 clunker to the 1-6 Jaguars who were coached by Urban Meyer and quarterbacked by rookie Trevor Lawrence. This game was so egregious, it will hold a spot in the top 10 of worst Bills losses for quite a while.’

‘They blew a 14-0 lead to Miami and lost 20-17, and Sunday in their home opener, their defense allowed Cleveland quarterback Deshaun Watson to produce scores on four of his first five drives for a 16-3 lead, and the Jaguars were never able to claw back and fell 18-13.’

‘If it wasn’t so grossly hot and humid, Allen would have barely broken a sweat as he attempted only 19 passes, completing 13 for 139 yards, and running just twice for a grand total of two yards.’