Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

‘Sal’s prediction: Bills 24, Jets 20.’

‘The Jets have done a lot of talking throughout the summer and now they have to start backing it up by taking on the Bills in the Monday Night Football season opener.’

‘The locker rooms were tiny with sometimes-functioning showers. The neighborhood was rough. Parts of the field froze. Girders used in the construction made it difficult to see the action on the field.’

‘It would be unlikely to be wandering through the parking lot and come upon a lovey-dovey couple, one in a Bills shirt, the other in a Patriots shirt. Indeed, I can’t believe that would happen without years of counseling.’

‘Beyond them, it’s also proving time for A.J. Epenesa who heads into the final season of his rookie contract needing to at least match the 6.5 sacks he had last season. And the pass rush can’t all come from the edge – the Bills need more from their tackles, not necessarily sacks but pushing the pocket with the intent of funneling the opposing QB into the arms of the edge rushers or blitzing defensive backs.’

‘The Bills invested heavily in what has been a troubling position for them. They signed left guard Connor McGovern to a three-year, $22 million contract and they used their second-round draft pick on right guard O’Cyrus Torrence. Both will start Monday against the Jets.’

‘That said, there are excellent players at all three levels with monstrous tackle Quinnen Williams up front, C.J. Mosley making plays all over the field from his middle linebacker spot, and defensive backs like Reed and Sauce Gardner locking up receivers.’

‘Most surprising was Bernard beating out Tyrel Dodson, not because Dodson outperformed him but because Bernard missed the entire preseason with a hamstring injury. Still, despite no exposure in live game situations, Bernard gets the nod.’

‘The game will be shown in all markets with an ABC station, a Charter Communications representative said Tuesday. This includes 13WHAM in Rochester, an ABC affiliate. However, those living in the New York City area will not have access to the game as ABC 7 is included in the blacked out stations.’

‘For the Bills, it’s about as tough a Week 1 assignment as they can have given all of the above, plus the fact that the Jets gave the them two of their toughest games in 2022, splitting the two-game set, and that was with Mike White quarterbacking one game and Zack Wilson the other. Neither of them will ever be confused with Rodgers, even a 39-year-old Rodgers.’

‘The contest runs through Oct. 16 and is open to residents of western and central New York who have a valid driver’s license. Specifically, the contest is open to residents of the following counties: Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Wyoming, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Wayne, Yates, Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego, Seneca and Tompkins counties.’

‘He was not drafted in 2021 but he signed with the Kansas City Chiefs and he has spent the past two seasons on their practice squad. Because he was on the team last season, Buechele is the proud owner of a Super Bowl championship ring.’

‘Sean McDermott said a couple times this summer that the competition between Tyrel Dodson, A.J. Klein, Terrel Bernard and Baylon Spector was not yielding the results he was hoping for, meaning none of those players stepped up and outright won the job.’

‘The other two available spots, general manager Brandon Beane said Wednesday afternoon, are expected to be filled by a pair of outsiders.’

‘Giving up on a 2021 second-round draft pick after just two seasons and 4.5 sacks represents quite a whiff on the part of general manager Brandon Beane and his college scouting staff.’