Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

‘“One hundred percent,” McDermott said Wednesday during an appearance on WGR-AM (550) radio in Buffalo when asked if he expects his two coordinators to get interviews. “And I would recommend them. I think they’ve both done a phenomenal job. They’ve shown they can lead and do the coordinator job at a high level. I’d hate to lose those guys but understand that when you win and have sustained success like we’ve had the last two seasons, that’s what happens.”’

‘The plan, which has yet to receive final approval, would involve using rapid COVID-19 tests, which can return results within 15 minutes, for every fan entering the stadium.’

‘“A few weeks ago I was asked about Ed and how he was performing,” defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier said Monday. “Although he may not have the statistics to show how disruptive he’s been for our defense, he’s played really well throughout the season. The splash plays haven’t been there, but that’s not because he hasn’t given the effort.”’

‘But in 1980, everything changed in Chuck Knox’s third year as head coach. He built an outstanding defense led by the Bermuda Triangle of Fred Smerlas, Jim Haslett and Shane Nelson, and the offense thrived with quarterback Joe Ferguson, receivers Jerry Butler and Frank Lewis, and running back Joe Cribbs.’

‘“It’s hard to remain humble when the team hasn’t been good since I was 11,” he said. “What’s the saying — act like you’ve been there before? Pretty hard to do when you haven’t been there in a generation.”’

‘Poyer lost out to Pittsburgh’s Minkah Fitzpatrick and Denver’s Justin Simmons, both fine players, though it would seem interceptions are the primary reason. Fitzpatrick and Simmons each have four, Poyer has two.’

‘“It’s gonna be a party. There might be more fans out there than ‘17, you think?” Hyde said to reporters on a Zoom call. “It might be. I want to challenge them to have more fans tonight than ‘17 when we made the playoffs. We wish they could be with us, but it’ll be a party tonight.”’

‘Not since Jim Kelly was handing off to Thurman Thomas and throwing to Andre Reed, Bruce Smith was terrorizing quarterbacks, and Marv Levy was quoting Churchill, have the Bills been able to break out championship T-shirts and ball caps.’

‘I hated how the first half ended. Yes, the Bills got totally jobbed by the officials with a ridiculous roughing call against Milano, but the defense has to overcome that and the Bills playing so much soft coverage throughout that drive against an offense that is far from explosive was just a bad job. As for complaints, that, Roberts’ fumble, and the spate of penalties the Bills committed on offense in the red zone were the only negative things about the game, and none of it mattered as the Bills won by 29 points.’

‘My pick: Bills 26, Broncos 24.’

‘In the first eight games, the Bills were allowing third-down conversions at an alarming rate of 50% (44 of 88), and not surprisingly, their point differential was minus-1 despite their 6-2 record. In the last five games (four wins and that horrific Hail Murray loss to Arizona), the numbers have changed dramatically. The Bills are allowing a 29% conversion rate and correspondingly, their point differential is plus-39.’

‘“It was unreal, to be honest,” Milano said when he was asked to share his feeling after seeing the video, and also of the Zoom call he and Davis had with the little boy from Buffalo who was born without fully-formed legs which were promptly amputated. “I almost started crying a little bit, just to see how happy he was and how he was in another world. You could tell how much of a difference it made for him. It really touched my heart.”’

‘“Diggs is so special that as I see him play, I just want to rip off my captain’s ‘C’ and throw it on his chest, because he’s a stud, man,” said the always entertaining Bills left tackle Dion Dawkins. “He’s been grinding. He’s come in and he just continues to outperform, outshine and prove to us day in and day out that he’s a different guy and he’s our guy.”’

‘After looking grisly on offense – and we’re talking circa 2018 offense – for most of the first half against a tremendous Steelers defense, the Bills were energized by a game-changing play from their defense and used that sudden momentum swing to roll to a 26-15 victory over Pittsburgh in front of a national TV audience in empty Bills Stadium.’

‘As for the Bills’ playoff chances, they received all they help they needed around the league as the Dolphins, Patriots and Raiders all lost. If the Bills win and Baltimore loses to Cleveland Monday night, the Bills will clinch their third postseason berth in four years under Sean McDermott.’