Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

‘ Really, it’s not that the Bills (5-3) lost to the Jets (4-5) by a score made somewhat respectable by some garbage time heroics by Taylor, it’s how they lost that is most disappointing after the way they had conducted themselves in impressive home wins over Tampa Bay and Oakland.’

‘“He really only had a short amount of time to get up to speed,’’ McDermott said after the Bills lost 34-21 and could’ve used Benjamin’s presence against an inspired Jets defense that played a lot of eight-men fronts, not that fearful of Buffalo’s passing game. “The guys that did play put in the time during the week and so we wanted to do things the right way as far as that goes.’’’

‘Sean McDermott and his staff had its worst game of the season. On offense, Rick Dennison never found anything to counter the Jets stacking the box to stop the run, nor did he have a way to combat the relentless pass rush. On defense, the Bills’ normally reliable run defense was gashed, and missed tackles were a major reason for that. The Bills haven’t had a game all year where they were outclassed, but it happened in this one, and it’s simply stunning than the below-average Jets were the team to do it. McDermott admitted it was a clunker, and how he has to make sure it doesn’t happen again.’

‘ “The thing with Sean is that he has coached a lot of football, coordinated some talented defenses, gone to Super Bowls,’’ said defensive tackle Kyle Williams, the most tenured Bill at 12 years. “He’s prepared for this opportunity. He has a philosophy and a process and he sticks to that. Now he’s got us adhering to it and so far, so good.’’’

‘“It’s a great opportunity,” said quarterback Tyrod Taylor. “Night games give you just a different feeling. Of course, when you know everyone’s watching you, you look forward to those moments. Even with the short week, guys are preparing hard and looking forward to this opportunity to show the other team what we can do, but as well as show the people that are going to be watching — everyone’s going to be tuned into Thursday Night Football — to show that this team is real.”’

‘Jim Nantz, play-by-play; Tony Romo, analyst, Tracy Wolfson, Jay Feely, sideline reporters.’

‘The Panthers picked up Benjamin’s fifth-year option, so the Bills can retain him in 2018 before he’s eligible to hit free agency. They will absorb a salary cap hit next year of $8,459,000 if they decide to keep him. The option is guaranteed against injury only.’

‘There was a time when this seemed like a no-brainer, meaning no way the Bills would consider it. What else were people to think when it became obvious the Bills were stockpiling as many 2018 draft picks as possible, presumably to make a run at one of the upper-echelon quarterbacks due to be coming from the college ranks?’

‘I should admit that my faith in respecting the process doesn’t mean that I’m exactly sure what the process is.’

‘“It’s such a different experience,” Dareus said of being traded. “I thought that Buffalo was home and I’m just extremely happy for everything I’ve done there and everything they’ve done for me in the organization. I appreciate everything. I appreciate my friends that I’ve made since the time I’ve been there. The guys I left back just close, dear family and life-long friends. At the same time, it’s a business and this is where I am and I am thoroughly happy just to be a Jag. It feels good to be wanted.”’

‘“We can do it without any of us,” Williams said. “That’s the great thing about any of us. We’re a team, you know? If I go down, somebody steps up, we win a football game. We have a safety go down, a guy steps up … we win a football game. So, next guy up.”’

‘Well, the underachieving Raiders are flying down to Miami to spend a week working out in preparation for their game against the Dolphins with a 3-5 record thanks to a 34-14 flogging at the hands of the surprising 5-2 Bills.’

‘That’s perhaps the most redeeming quality of this bunch. The Bills lack for star power, and who knows, maybe that will catch up to them in the second half of the season when they play the Patriots twice, and Kansas City on the road, but for right now, let’s enjoy the ride. Halloween is Tuesday, and that’s been a far-too-often demarcation line for the Bills in relation to their playoff chances. Usually, it’s trick and not treat for the Bills.’

‘I recommend Mack and the Raiders wear two eye patches for this game film review. Because what they’ll conclude is that yes, they weren’t very good, but they also got whipped by a Bills team that isn’t like any Bills team of their last 17 non-playoff years.’

‘ “It’s an honor to pass the baton for a forever brother and friend, who most deservedly joins the other men (on the wall),’’ Edgerson said. “Cookie always respected the Buffalo fans for their enthusiasm and they respected him on and off the field. Cookie was a very colorful person. … He was loved by his teammates and feared by his opponents.’’’