Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

‘Sal’s prediction: Bills 31, Raiders 17.’

‘But Josh Allen essentially handed New York that game, and now the Raiders come to Orchard Park, an improved team from last season but also a team that is not expected to be playing postseason football come January. The Bills are the clear-cut favorite and they need to take care of business and get their season headed in the right direction.’

‘One of the popular theories was that Josh Allen’s propensity for turning the ball over was going to continue because he simply can’t – or won’t – pull back the reins on some of his reckless decision making. In turn, that would lead to the Bills’ narrow Super Bowl window closing even further.’

‘Benford’s all-out hustle saved the Bills four points because the defense stiffened and forced a field goal which tied the game at 3-3. It didn’t end up mattering in the final result, a 22-16 overtime loss, but plays like that can often determine the outcome of games.’

‘Gabe Davis played 94% of the snaps and was targeted just four times, catching two for 32 yards. This was not the start Davis was looking for as he begins the final season of his rookie contract looking to either earn a possible contract extension with the Bills, or get paid as a free agent in the offseason.’

‘However, after Week 1 – unlike the Bills who inexplicably lost Monday to the Aaron Rodgers-less Jets – the Raiders will arrive at Highmark Stadium Sunday afternoon 1-0 and all alone in first place in their division.’

‘The Bills have a Super Bowl-caliber squad, but it’s predicated on the offense being much better than what we saw at MetLife.’

‘About a month later, in September 2020, another NFL Media reporter described a conversation he had with Pegula about social activism by NFL players and support for Black Lives Matter. According to Trotter’s complaint, this reporter shared his account in a Zoom meeting with other NFL Media employees and alleged that Pegula said, “If the Black players don’t like it here, they should go back to Africa and see how bad it is.”’

‘Folks, we’ve all lived through some gruesome losses with the Bills, and there’s another to add to the ignominious list.’

‘As I said, Allen was awful. He was under duress, yes, because the offensive line struggled mightily with the Jets’ tremendous front line. They registered five sacks, nine QB hits and forced a killer fumble. But even when he had time, Allen just made too many bad decisions and it killed his team.’

‘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.’