Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

‘It has become a theme in this 2020 season, but for the fourth week in a row, I believe the Bills are the better team in this matchup. That was obvious against the Jets and Dolphins, not so obvious against the Rams, and this time it’s somewhere in between. The Raiders have talent on both sides, but I don’t think they can match the Bills on either side and they’re missing a few key players, too.’

‘If the spread doesn’t end this weekend, the Titans will not be allowed to open their building or practice, and that would mean a new date will have to be found to play the Bills.’

‘“He’s very intelligent, not just … you know he’s book smart, but he’s also very football savvy for a young player,” said offensive coordinator Brian Daboll. “He understands the game. He understands leverage and angles and stems. We’ve put a lot on his plate since he’s been here. He’s done a really good job.”’

‘Yes, it was easy to see that Allen had a great chance to be the best version of himself that we’ve seen since the Bills made him the No. 7 overall pick in the 2018 draft. Easy to see that he would take the next step forward, one that anyone who is being counted on to be a franchise quarterback, must take if he hopes to reach that pedestal.’

‘It’s too early to call what happened last Sunday afternoon the start of a trend, but given the running backs the Bills will be facing the next two weeks, it could become one and the Bills know they need to nip in the bud the problems that cropped up against the Rams when they yielded 167 yards.’

‘“We’re not really paying attention to it at all. We’re focusing on what we got over here in Buffalo and what we got on Sunday against a really good Raiders team,” Allen said. “I honestly don’t know what’s new with that situation.”’

‘”It’s something we’re looking at. I spoke with the commissioner. I understand the plans they are working on,” Cuomo told reporters on a conference call to discuss the latest COVID-19 data.’

‘However, the key word there is “most” because after opening a seemingly insurmountable 28-3 lead seven minutes into the third quarter, then falling apart in inexplicable fashion to the point where they were on the brink of one of the most deplorable losses in team history, they somehow managed to pull out a 35-32 victory at empty Bills Stadium.’

‘Here’s another indication of how poorly the Bills’ defense played: It didn’t force the Rams to punt once on nine possessions (not counting the last one after Buffalo went ahead). The only highlights were Levi Wallace’s interception to kill one LA drive, and then early in the third the Bills stopped a fourth-down play, which essentially is a turnover.’

‘“We haven’t asked a bunch from our tight ends, so to kind of step in and catch two touchdown passes for us … ” Allen said of Kroft. “And you look at Lee Smith, he suits up today for the first time this season, comes in, scores a touchdown. This team is just made up of selfless guys that are just trying to do their job when their numbers called.”’

‘My pick: Bills 29, Rams 27.’

‘This means Devin Singletary will get the bulk of the work at running back with T.J. Yeldon as his backup. Yeldon has been inactive the first two weeks. In place of Knox, Tyler Kroft will likely step in, and one would expect that Lee Smith – inactive the first two weeks – will get his first playing time.’

‘“The toughest part, in my opinion, I think he does a good job of reading the quarterback’s drop,” said Allen. “His eyes are really in the backfield, and he’s able to tell if a quarterback’s speeding up his drop and trying to get it out quick, ready to jump a route. He’s a very aggressive corner, plays man, zone, very good at route recognition. It’s gonna be tough to win some matchups versus him, but at the same time it’s not time to shy away from anybody or anything.”’

‘“Yeah, in particular in that second half, it seemed like they started targeting him, and one of the last drives or couple at the end of the (first) half,” said defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier.’

‘Next up on his path of destruction are the Bills Sunday afternoon at what will be an empty Bills Stadium. Buffalo’s offense is off to an outstanding start and Josh Allen leads the NFL in passing with 729 yards. But that came against the Jets and Dolphins, and he knows things are going to get a whole lot more difficult this week.’