Two Bills Drive

‘“That’s what built me, made me who I am,” Bernard told The Buffalo News. “It’s a blue-collar, hardworking town. You don’t really get anything. You earn – you have to earn everything. So I love La Porte. … That’s a place that I hold very dear to me.”’

‘“They are extremely talented guys that the more touches you can get them, probably the better that you’re gonna play as an offense,” Allen said of his running backs. “Typically matchup wise, they’re gonna be favorable matches because of how talented and how quick they are and how smart they are.”’

‘Samuel has also been used on kickoff return this season, meaning the Bills will be a bit shorthanded at that position. It’s possible that both backup running backs, Ray Davis and Ty Johnson, are back for kick returns against the Texans.’

‘The Bills coaching staff had high praise for the Texans’ defense, and for good reason. The Houston unit leads the league in yards allowed per game (258.1) and points allowed per game (16.3). “Very talented,” Bills head coach Sean McDermott said. “They put together a good defense with different spots, critical positions. … (Texans coach) DeMeco (Ryans) knows defense … and he’s got a good defense there for just about every year.” Added offensive coordinator Joe Brady: “It’s going to be a battle out there. They’re the best defense in the league for a reason. It’s going to be a great test and a great opportunity.”’

‘The Texans’ defense ranks first in the NFL in yards allowed per game (258.1), points allowed per game (16.3) and, according to Next Gen Stats, expected points allowed per pass play. They have allowed just 10 passing touchdowns, tied with Buffalo for fourth-fewest, and Houston is tied for fourth in rushing yards allowed per carry (3.9). Its defense has given up fewer than 20 points in five of its last seven games.’

‘The Bills are the better team, but this is going to be a tough game. Bills, 24-17.’

‘I’ve not noticed Hairston a lot, and that’s not meant as an insult. In fact, it’s the opposite. When you don’t hear a cornerback’s name called much, it usually means he’s not being targeted a lot by the opposing quarterback.’

‘Tasker excelled on coverage of punts and kicks, recording seven blocked kicks and catching nine TD passes as a receiver on offense. He helped Buffalo win four straight AFC title games before losing in the Super Bowl and made seven Pro Bowls in his 13-year career.’

‘As remarkable as Allen’s performance was in this game, the Bills shouldn’t try to replicate the model this game followed. Surprisingly, the Bills as a team won this game while losing the turnover differential (minus-1), rushing for fewer yards (202-98), and while possessing the football for 10 fewer minutes than the Buccaneers (35:07 to 24:53). The Bills also had more penalties (seven) than the Buccaneers (two).’

‘The Bills already have raised $245 million by selling PSLs at the new stadium – almost 10% more than the $225 million the team expected to raise – and there are still plenty of PSLs left to sell, which will further increase the final tally.’

‘And it doesn’t appear likely to happen anytime in the coming years, either. To extend the Metro Rail from Buffalo to Orchard Park would also likely come with a cost of more than $1 billion.’