Two Bills Drive

‘The goose egg ended the Bills’ streak of 27 consecutive regular-season games with at least one sack. In coach Sean McDermott’s 127 regular-season games, it was only the 14th time the Bills had no sacks, including only the second time in 51 games.’

‘Bills defensive coordinator Bobby Babich thinks his defense will come out Sunday with the right mindset to make corrections after last week’s poor showing. They’ll need to. “Don’t fl inch,” Babich said Monday on the team’s approach. “We didn’t play well enough. I think the guys would tell you the biggest thing for us is our off ense was scoring and getting us back on the fi eld and we couldn’t get a stop. … So, our response, I expect our guys’ response to be exactly what we all think it is. They know what our standard is here in Buff alo. We need to live up to that standard.”’

64-29 – That’s how much the Bills have outscored opponents in the last two minutes of each half. The Bills have scored 44 points at the end of the fi rst half, and 20 points in the last two minutes of the second half.’

‘The Bills are just 3-3 in their past six road games. The Lions are riding an 11-game win streak, but four of those wins have been by three points or less, including their last two games. Detroit has looked a bit vulnerable lately, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy for the Bills. Detroit’s running attack is a big mismatch against the weakest part of the Bills, which is their run defense. Cornerback Rasul Douglas’ absence due to injury also is a concern. The Lions have scored at least 40 points four times this season and topped 50 twice, so they are obviously explosive. This is a gut-check game for the Bills’ defense, which was outclassed last week against the Rams. Josh Allen likely will need another Superman performance to lift the Bills. Lions, 35-31.’

‘The case is simple – just turn on the video from Allen’s tour-de-force performance against the Rams. He rushed for a season-high 82 yards; his previous high was 55 against Kansas City in Week 12. He threw for a season-high 342 yards; his previous high was 323 against Tennessee in Week 7. The three rushing touchdowns were a career-high, and he posted his 26th regular-season game of at least three touchdown passes.’

‘McDermott has learned from the things that have gone wrong while managing the clock in tight situations. If you’re a pessimist, you’re likely to believe that the head coach is destined to turtle again in the biggest moments, because the reality is, that’s what he’s done. I’m filibustering a bit on this answer, because I’m genuinely not sure. Until McDermott shows he’s capable of rising to the moment, it’s entirely fair to be skeptical. If the Bills flame out in the playoffs again and the coach’s clock management contributes to the loss, the sentiment that he will never be able to get the team over the hump will only intensify.’

‘“The hope that is established in communities when two great teams like this do as well as they’re doing this year just changes the culture of community and the desire to see things move forward in the right way,” said Dave Egner, president and CEO of the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation, which financially supports both Western New York and Southeast Michigan.’