‘The Bills have not blocked particularly well in the run game and that has been an ongoing problem because this simply isn’t a mauling, physical front. They do things with finesse, and that doesn’t usually work against a stout front seven. Among the starters, PFF has Brown graded as the best run blocker and Dawkins by far as the worst.’
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
Bills’ decision to go for win vs. Titans was correct. Here’s why the play call cost them
‘So, it was the right decision to go for it. But here’s where I disagree with offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, and by extension McDermott who, as head coach, would sign off on a critical play call like this: It was the wrong play call for the situation.’
As they head into their bye week, here are 7 observations from the Buffalo Bills 4-2 start
‘For the season, both guards, Williams and Jon Feliciano, as well as Brown have poor pass blocking grades per Pro Football Focus and Ford was off the charts bad which is why he’s no longer playing. In run blocking, PFF has LT Dion Dawkins as the weak link, and that certainly showed up on the final play against Tennessee.’
Instant reactions: Bills can’t solve kryptonite Titans, lose on failed fourth-down gamble
‘Bad loss. A really bad loss to a Tennessee team that was terrible banged up on defense.’
Bills report card: Buffalo loss to Titans was brutal, but going for win was right call
‘Like I always say with the running game, though, it’s usually not the fault of the backs. The running game is all about winning at the line of scrimmage and the Bills did not do that. It looked like rookie RT Spencer Brown had a rough night, I know LG Jon Feliciano did, and I’ll have to see what else went wrong when I re-watch the game. I’m going to guess that not a lot will look good as the Titans’ talented front won the night.’
Here are five keys to the game and Sal’s prediction for Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans
‘Sal’s prediction: Buffalo Bills 31, Tennessee Titans 21.’
Bills’ Taron Johnson is shutting down receivers, becoming a top nickel corner in the NFL
‘According to Pro Football Focus, in the first five games last year Johnson allowed 27 pass completions on 34 attempts into his coverage responsibility, a 79.4 completion percentage, and those plays totaled 306 yards.’
Cole Beasley may be off Twitter, but he’s not out of the Buffalo Bills offensive plans
‘I suspect he cut the cord on Twitter because he’s realizing that almost every time he tweets something – typically to preach on his anti-vaccine platform – he gets lambasted, so what’s the point?’
Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans: Here’s what McDermott, players are saying
‘“We have been talking for a couple weeks, my agent and (GM Brandon) Beane, and we just finally came around to the numbers that I saw fit, and I wanted to be here, I love this place, so that was really it,” Johnson said. “I saw the numbers and I said, ‘Let’s do it. Let’s go for it.’ With that it’s just I want to be here, and I kind of wanted it and it’s a load off my back.”’
Bills’ top-ranked defense handled Mahomes but now face another star in Titans RB Henry
‘Once again, through five weeks, Henry leads the NFL with 640 yards and he has soared past 100 yards in each of the last four weeks to give him 24 such games in the 83 he has played since coming to the Titans as a second-round pick out of Alabama in 2016.’
Bills rookie first-round pick Greg Rousseau made some flashy plays against Chiefs
‘McDermott isn’t off base, though. Rousseau played his best game yet in Kansas City. He was in on five tackles including two excellent plays where he moved down the line toward the sideline while engaged with a blocker and was able to shed and take down the ballcarrier; he had a zero-yard sack of Patrick Mahomes; and then he made one of the plays of the night, his interception of Mahomes at the Buffalo 8 to take certain Chiefs points off the board late in the third quarter.’
When the Bills needed him most, Josh Allen delivered a dagger of a drive
‘To be a championship team, you need to do special things in a moment like that and Allen was masterful, surgical, and awe-inspiring as he marched the Bills 85 yards in 12 plays to his clinching eight-yard TD pass to Emmanuel Sanders with 5:51 remaining.’
Instant reactions: Bills statement win over Chiefs ranks among best in Sean McDermott era
‘The Bills managed to pressure Mahomes with four rushers, enough that he never really got into a comfortable routine. He was running around behind the line or forced to scramble because what was really impressive was the outstanding coverage in the secondary. There were numerous plays where Mahomes simply had no one to throw to, and that’s rare for him.’
Bills say beating the Chiefs was no big deal, but it really was
‘On defense, Leslie Frazier put together another great plan and he had Mahomes confused and frustrated much of the night. Nothing came easy for Mahomes, and in many ways that’s the best you can do against him. The defense forced three turnovers (two picks and a fumble recovery late by Tre’Davious White).’
Bills getting lots of league-wide love, but Chiefs are still kings of the AFC, for now
‘I just think this is going to be a tough one on the road in perhaps the most hostile environment in the league going against an electrifying offense that seems impossible to stop. Until the Bills prove they can beat the Chiefs, I have to pick against them in this spot.’