Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

‘Buffalo Bills coach Sean McDermott announced Friday that cornerback Christian Benford, defensive tackle Jordan Phillips and wide receiver Jake Kumerow have already been ruled out of Sunday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens. He also added that newly-signed cornerback Xavier Rhodes, who was on the practice squad but was seemingly set for an activation to the 53-man roster against the Ravens, now has a hamstring injury and probably won’t be able to play. Just another chapter to a rather unbelievable injury situation early in the season.’

‘The National Weather Service said that rain is expected to begin late Friday night in the Baltimore area and continue until Tuesday and it will be in the light-to-moderate range with chances of heavier showers and thunderstorms possible throughout that time frame.’

‘In the first three games, the Bills have faced 27 plays where they needed to make one or two yards for a first down, and they’ve converted 15 of them. That’s not terrible, but for an offense like Buffalo’s, you’d think the numbers should be better.’

‘The good news is that players such as offensive tackle Spencer Brown and wide receivers Stefon Diggs and Isaiah McKenzie, all of whom suffered problems because of the oppressive heat down in Miami, were able to participate in full.’

‘▶ QB Lamar Jackson: He gets a little better every year, and while he’s always a major threat as a runner − and really, he is the Ravens run game at this point − Jackson has become a much more refined passer. That was the part that everyone thought would always hold him back, but he’s dropping dimes these days and it puts him into that Josh Allen category as a true elite dual threat.’

‘That they nearly won it using players you would normally only see in a preseason game speaks volumes for not only how deep and talented the Bills are, but the rather enormous amount of grit and guts that they have.’

‘The Bills have to figure out a way to run the ball because Allen can’t be asked to throw 63 passes every week, let alone tack on his eight runs for 47 yards. He needs help, and right now, the running game is not doing it.’

‘So this leaves the Bills with this starting group in the secondary to go against the prolific Miami pass catching duo of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle: Rookie cornerbacks Kaiir Elam and Christian Benford, and young and mostly unproven safeties JaQuan Johnson and Damar Hamlin.’

‘Sal’s prediction: Buffalo Bills 35, Miami Dolphins 27.’

‘If that isn’t enough to give you the shakes, both Buffalo safeties – Jordan Poyer (foot) and Micah Hyde (neck), who form perhaps the best duo in the league – did not practice Thursday and their status seems questionable at best. If they can’t play, it’s JaQuan Johnson and Damar Hamlin as the last line of defense.’

‘“Once you and your opponent were in the end zone near the tunnel, you confronted him and immediately swung at him with a closed fist, striking the head of a Tennessee coach. Your aggressive conduct could have caused serious injury and clearly does not reflect the high standards of sportsmanship expected of a professional.”’

‘Buffalo also lost safety Micah Hyde (neck), defensive tackle Jordan Phillips (hamstring) and linebacker Matt Milano (stinger), and it is uncertain what the status of any of these players will be for the showdown in Miami. Sean McDermott had no updates on Tuesday.’

‘The Titans have just been a physically tough matchup with their powerful ground game and stout defense. That is, until Monday night as the Bills ran them out of the stadium in a memorable home opener that featured yet another virtuoso performance from the firm of Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs, and a dominant defensive effort that throttled Derrick Henry and forced four turnovers.’

‘The Bills have been one of the most fortunate teams in the NFL the past two years when it comes to injuries, but these things always seem to even out and two weeks into a season filled with Super Bowl aspirations, the Bills are already facing some trouble.’

‘Sal’s prediction: Buffalo Bills 30, Tennessee Titans 17.’