Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

‘No doubt, the Bills showed some mettle, especially coming off such a deplorable performance last week in Miami. They survived a track meet in which there were nine lead changes because their quarterback rekindled some of the magic that has been missing this season, and the defense – after playing poorly most of the day – came up with some huge plays in critical moments.’

‘Buffalo’s run defense continues to struggle as it allowed 202 yards to a team that didn’t have its best RB, Bucky Irving. Rachaad White has been the primary fill-in for Irving and he had 51 yards on just 10 carries, but the Bucs leaned on Tucker because he had the hot hand and he finished with 106 yards and a 5.6 average per carry with two TDs.’

‘So it was not a surprise that when Josh Allen took off on a mad dash through the Kansas City defense and scored on a breathtaking 26-yard run to put a capper on Buffalo’s victory over the Chiefs, Nantz finished his call by proclaiming, “Oh, the play of the year in the NFL.”’

‘Scott Norwood’s 47-yard miss to the right prevented the Bills from winning Super Bowl XXV in January 1991 and obviously carried more significance, but Lindell’s botched field goal dropped the Bills to 5-5 and it pretty much killed any chance they had in 2008 of getting into contention for a playoff berth.’

‘Sal’s prediction: Bills 26, Buccaneers 20.’

‘These teams have played just 13 times overall and in a weird scheduling blip, the first eight were in Tampa Bay between 1976 and 2005, and Buffalo lost eight of those games. The Bucs finally came north on Sept. 20, 2009, and the Bills rolled to a 33-20 victory, one of the few high points in the final season of the Dick Jauron coaching era. He was fired midway through that season with the Bills on their way to a 10th straight absence from the playoffs.’

‘In a year where the Bills’ lack of production from their receiving corps continues to be a major issue, Kincaid has been one of Josh Allen’s most trusted targets as he has 29 catches while his 448 yards trail only Khalil Shakir (457) and his four TDs have already matched the number he scored in his first two seasons combined.’

‘Several players have been on the injury report this week, but all appear set to play including wide receiver Khalil Shakir who has been in a red non-contact jersey due to ankle and ribs issues. But McDermott said he’s, “Heading in the right direction and should be in a good spot for the game.”’

‘“Overall, we can all do better in some ways,” McDermott said Wednesday. “It has been, at times for the whole group, working through some injuries, working through the continuity piece when guys have been out. You want to be playing next to the person that you worked with in practice and that’s been a challenge. Beyond that, we can all do some things better.”’

‘Wide receiver Joshua Palmer, who has not played since the second quarter of the Week 6 game in Atlanta, returned in full and McDermott believes he’ll be ready to play Sunday when the Bills host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.’

‘“I’m going to remember this one forever,” said Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell, and it was abundantly understandable why because years later, it’s still difficult to process how the Bills blew it.’

‘He was right to burden the blame, but the players have to be accountable, too, particularly the wide receiver group which continues to drag the offense down with its collective lack of playmaking ability.’

‘We are now approaching the middle of November and the Bills’ chances of earning the No. 1 seed in the AFC are miniscule, their chances of winning the AFC East shrink by the week, and now sitting at No. 6 in the conference standings, they’re going to be in a fight the rest of the way just to make the playoffs.’

‘If he joins the team, Hardman immediately becomes Buffalo’s fastest receiver, a skill that was on display during parts of the six seasons he spent playing for the rival Kansas City Chiefs.’

‘It’s hard to remember the last time the Bills looked so uninspired, but Allen wasn’t just spewing a cliche about Miami wanting it more. That certainly looked like it was the case and that’s inexcusable.’