Buffalo Rumblings: All Posts by Dan LavoieBuffalo Bills news, notes, discussions, opinions and analysis. 24/7/365 since 4/7/2007.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48063/buffalorumblings_fave.png2023-02-25T08:00:00-05:00https://www.buffalorumblings.com/authors/dan-lavoie/rss2023-02-25T08:00:00-05:002023-02-25T08:00:00-05:00Who’s the Buffalo Bills’ most entertaining defensive player since 1994?
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<p>Using math to determine the most entertaining Bills defender</p> <p id="5QfjvI">The NFL offseason is the perfect time for frivolous debates and discussions, and I saw a great topic come through author <a href="https://joeposnanski.substack.com/p/lets-have-some-fun">Joe Posnanski’s blog</a> on Wednesday, referencing baseball statistician <a href="http://tangotiger.com/index.php/site/article/who-is-the-most-fun-player-in-mlb-outside-of-ohtani">Tom Tango’s formula to determine the “most fun” player in MLB</a>. Essentially, Tango’s trying to mathematically decide who’s “fun” through awarding points for exciting events like triples, home runs, and stolen bases.</p>
<p id="FOR26L">It’s a neat idea, and I figured I’d try my hand at this for the <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a>. <em>Pro Football Reference</em> has play-by-play data going back 29 years to 1994, just after the peak of the Jim Kelly-era Bills, and I’m using that to calculate “fun-ness” for Bills players in that span. We’ll cover both defensive and offensive players in this lookback, but since NFL players are more specialized than baseball players, I’m separating the two roles in this comparison.</p>
<p id="n5DeUG"><strong>Here’s how I came to rate the defensive players</strong>: The most exciting defensive play is a defensive touchdown. I’ll award <strong>8 points</strong> to every time a defender scores one of those. Forced fumbles and interceptions are also huge — an interception is a guaranteed change of possession, and while a forced fumble doesn’t necessarily end that way, the drama of watching the ball skitter across the turf makes it equally entertaining. Both plays are worth <strong>3 points</strong>. If a player manages to recover a fumble, they created a turnover — that’s exciting, but a little less thrilling than the player who started the process, so it earns <strong>2 points</strong>. Sacks are also worth <strong>2 points</strong>. They don’t necessarily generate turnovers, but they might as well be the signature impact play on a defense. Tackles for loss and pass breakups are both worth <strong>1 point</strong>. They play second fiddle to other, more exciting play outcomes, but it’s still enjoyable to see a linebacker blow up a play in the backfield or a defensive back slap a pass to the turf.</p>
<p id="LGylbC">I also added two bonus multipliers to celebrate rarities with defensive positions. Defensive backs (safeties and cornerbacks) are given double points for their TFLs and sacks. The idea being, it’s thrilling to see a pass defender successfully abandon their turf with a surprise play in the backfield. For the same reason, defensive linemen (tackles and ends) are given double points for any interceptions. You love to see a 280-pound defensive lineman go up and catch a pass from the other team, so we’ll celebrate it when it happens.</p>
<p id="OxXz1N"><em>(Pass breakups aren’t given the same point multiplier for defensive linemen, because they can earn the points by just throwing up hands at the line of scrimmage. It’s effective, but not FUN in the same way a defensive back would do the job.)</em></p>
<p id="ypiphP"><strong>Finally, I tally up every player’s points, remove anyone who played fewer than 16 games for the Bills, and divide by games played to calculate their “fun” score</strong>. This normalizes for players who had long careers with the team, and it also rules out anyone who had an outlier result with a very small sample size. For instance, Josh Norman would’ve topped the list, but he only played nine games with the team in 2020. During those nine games, he had a pick-six, a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, four passes defended, and two TFLs. A ton of impact plays, but a bit of a fluke compared with someone who plays three or four seasons with the team.</p>
<p id="a4ryBv">Without further ado, the ranking!</p>
<h3 id="fPcl8V">1: Bruce Smith (5.40 points per game)</h3>
<p id="qwm1vS">Bruce has a few things working against him on this list: first, due to the limitations of the play-by-play data, he didn’t get any credit for his pre-1994 career, which tallied 106 sacks and 19 forced fumbles. He also receives limited credit for TFLs, a stat which wasn’t tracked before 1999.</p>
<p id="LkeMDJ">And yet he still blows away the rest of the pack, nearly doubling up the score of the second-place player. Averaging 11 sacks and three forced fumbles per season will do that. It’s no surprise that the best defender in Bills history is also the most entertaining.</p>
<h3 id="ngZtvw">2: Aaron Schobel (2.93 points per game)</h3>
<p id="RC1wQs">In second place due to outstanding efficiency sustained over his nine-year career is Schobel, who retired on the heels of a 10-sack season rather than take a trade or play in Buffalo’s nascent 3-4 defense. Schobel ranks second all-time on the franchise sack list, he racked up the TFLs, and he had 21 forced fumbles during his career with the Bills. He was also the rare player who played well against the early <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a> dynasty; in 16 games against Brady and Belichick, Schobel had 12 sacks and 11 TFLs. He also had a memorable pick-six of Tom Brady in 2009, his only NFL touchdown.</p>
<h3 id="gOEJd1">3: Jordan Poyer (2.82 points per game)</h3>
<p id="dHTxnD">No one should be surprised to see Poyer up here — he’s the only player in the NFL to notch 20 interceptions and 10 sacks over the past six years. He always finds thrilling ways to blow up plays, whether it’s up at the line of scrimmage or deep down the sideline.</p>
<h3 id="VqQmfN">4: Nate Clements (2.81 points per game)</h3>
<p id="JSGik5">Go ahead and argue that Clements should move up this list, because he wasn’t just a dynamic defender, but a deadly punt returner as well. I’m willing to listen. The five interceptions that Clements returned for touchdowns were a major factor in his final ranking on the list. But if I also awarded him eight points for each of his two punt return TDs, then his efficiency score would bump up above Schobel’s.</p>
<h3 id="tlYwNq">5: Jairus Byrd (2.68 points per game)</h3>
<p id="Ab0UjG">Byrd’s rookie season probably rates as one of the top ten “fun” seasons in Bills history, along with another player who we’ll mention later. He memorably came down with five interceptions in a single game against the Jets, finishing the year with nine in total and a <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-pro-bowl">Pro Bowl</a> selection. Byrd, the ballhawk, finished his five-year Bills career with 22 interceptions, 33 passes defended, and 11 forced fumbles.</p>
<h3 id="2Oignv">6: Mario Williams (2.65 points per game)</h3>
<p id="vERMpw">Williams, the $100-million man, didn’t reach the end of his contract in Buffalo. But for three of the four seasons he played with the team, he set up a vacation home in the opposing backfield. From 2012 to 2014, Williams racked up 38 sacks, 46 TFLs, five forced fumbles, and nine pass breakups.</p>
<p id="xnU93V">In 2015, playing in Rex Ryan’s scheme, Williams lost his mojo. He played 15 games, but only managed five sacks and seven TFLs — without any passes defended or fumble action. That season was the reason Williams fell behind Byrd on the list.</p>
<h3 id="2qQ8o8">7: Takeo Spikes (2.60 points per game)</h3>
<p id="X4g37U">Spikes was every bit the talented linebacker the Bills were hoping for when they signed him to a six-year deal in 2003. He made his first Pro Bowl that season, and then had a campaign for the ages in 2004: five interceptions (two pick-sixes), four forced fumbles and a fumble recovery, an incredible 18 passes defended, three sacks, and eight tackles for loss amid his 98 total tackles. That rightfully earned him a first-team All-Pro selection. But his fortune turned three games into 2005, when he tore his Achilles tendon. Returning in 2006, Spikes started the year with a strip sack on Tom Brady that his teammate, London Fletcher, returned for a touchdown, but he didn’t force another fumble or land another sack for the rest of the season. He and the team mutually planned to part ways, and he was traded to the <a href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/">Philadelphia Eagles</a> for the 2007 season.</p>
<h3 id="7bZGcN">8: Kiko Alonso (2.38 points per game)</h3>
<p id="vtDANZ">He only played one season for the Bills, with a torn ACL preventing his sophomore season and Chip Kelly trading for him before his third year in the league. But what a year that was. Alonso was a tackling machine, racking up 159 takedowns in 2013, though I don’t award any credit for those. He did, however, have 11 TFLs and two sacks. Alonso kept coming up with game-changing plays, catching four interceptions and two fumble recoveries, and he finished as a runner-up for Defensive Rookie of the Year. He only played six seasons in the NFL, but in Buffalo, the legend lives on.</p>
<h3 id="h7OwpL">9: Tre’Davious White (2.36 points per game)</h3>
<p id="Y9M4Jv">White is the most prolific Bills pass defender this side of Nate Clements, getting his hands on a whopping 83 passes in his 78 career games: 17 interceptions and 66 passes defended. He’s also happy getting into the dirty work of defending, with 11 TFLs, five forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries in his career. He didn’t quite land in the top tier of this list because of quiet seasons in 2021 and 2022, but he’s one of the most reliable playmakers in the league when he’s playing at his full capacity.</p>
<h3 id="0E3PSL">10: Drayton Florence (2.26 points per game)</h3>
<p id="S3H0fn">While Florence played with the Bills, he was a solid, not spectacular, starter who helped elevate the team’s secondary when others like Terrence McGee, Leodis McKelvin, and Aaron Williams weren’t reliable enough. But he also had a certain flair to his time with the team. Florence, known as a physical man-coverage corner, was always in position to make a play on the ball, and he tallied 38 pass breakups in his three seasons. He had three defensive touchdowns, the biggest being a pick-six in Buffalo’s upset win over the Patriots in 2011. That landed him on the cover of <em>Sports Illustrated</em>.</p>
<h2 id="LdjZZv">Final thoughts</h2>
<p id="hCJHD5">I wanted to call out a few names who missed the cut.</p>
<p id="towDgH">Lorenzo Alexander came in 11th, a reminder of how he rose out of obscurity to be a serious defensive weapon (and a team captain, to boot) during the Rex Ryan and early Sean McDermott tenures.</p>
<p id="UmAc8U">Bacarri Rambo, remember him? He rated 17th on this list. He only appeared in 19 games, starting eight, but the reserve safety had two picks against <a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a> quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the same game.</p>
<p id="BlSrC8">I wanted to look for a few other players who, in my memory, registered as “fun” or exciting playmakers. George Wilson rated 26th. Antoine Winfield came in 33rd; most of his most entertaining moments were tackles and pass breakups, and that doesn’t necessarily translate to a high score. Kyle Williams was down in 48th; by total score, he was the sixth-highest, but when you divide that across his 12-year career, other players had a brighter impact in a shorter timespan.</p>
<p id="8Uz2V4">Were there other metrics I should’ve looked at? Maybe it was more important to highlight a player’s peak performances (standout singular games or seasons) as opposed to averaging their career? Were there stats I ignored that I shouldn’t have, or should I have weighted my scores differently? Maybe there’s a way to quantify the off-field entertainment from these players?</p>
<p id="ROQWcE">Weigh in below!</p>
https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2023/2/25/23611418/who-was-the-most-fun-buffalo-bills-player-to-watch-defense-edition-opinionDan Lavoie2023-01-22T18:14:12-05:002023-01-22T18:14:12-05:00Buffalo Bills 10, Cincinnati Bengals 27: Rapid recap and notes
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<img alt="AFC Divisional Playoffs - Cincinnati Bengals v Buffalo Bills" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/UUc1s7hAbEU20TOyQ-o9BFVv_Qg=/1x0:3000x1999/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71894704/1458602288.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Season over</p> <p id="PfbcrS">The <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> wilted under the spotlight of a playoff game with immeasurable stakes, losing their redux of a highly anticipated showdown with the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a> 27-10. The Bengals dominated the Bills from the get-go, and while the Bills clawed back some points to keep the game to a seven-point gap in the third quarter, they spent most of the afternoon playing like the younger brother who inevitably loses every single wrestling match in the house.</p>
<p id="AYcWjI">Joe Burrow was surgical early and avoided mistakes late. Joe Mixon ran for a 100 yards and a touchdown. And above all else, the Bengals’ offensive line made Buffalo’s defense look like a JV squad on this snowy day, knocking them around and keeping the pocket clean for Burrow to do his work. Buffalo’s defense had no answers. Their best work came in the red zone, where they held the Bengals to two field goals and two touchdowns — but we’re still talking about a team that allowed their opponent to drive deep for 20 of a possible 28 points.</p>
<p id="lI04cB">Meanwhile, on offense, the Bills looked lost. You could tell this game was settled from the very first quarter, as the Bengals confidently zoomed to the end zone over and over, while the Bills tentatively tried to gain four yards on every play. Whatever creativity or individual talent the Bills had earlier in the season seemed to wisp away into the snow today — Allen couldn’t find a single teammate to help him make a highlight.</p>
<p id="PEZlin">The end result, a clear and total domination by the Bengals, is the end of Buffalo’s season. Three outstanding regular seasons end with three consecutive playoff losses before tasting the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/super-bowl">Super Bowl</a>. Maybe it just wasn’t their year, and maybe this team doesn’t have the killer instinct to win it all. Either way, there’ll be a lot of soul-searching around One Bills Drive for the next couple of months, because this team didn’t pay enough dividends and the rent is coming due.</p>
<h2 id="tGPDRb">Injury notes</h2>
<ul>
<li id="xUrJds">The Bills had to line up their fourth-string safety, Cam Lewis, in the second half of the game, because Dean Marlowe suffered a groin injury that took him out of the game. Micah Hyde and Damar Hamlin were, as you already know, not available.</li>
<li id="IXe7T6">Jordan Poyer and Tre’Davious White managed to (apparently) concuss each other in the fourth quarter, on a play where White was flagged for defensive pass interference. The two were closing in on Tee Higgins deep downfield, but Higgins lost his footing, and the Bills collided with a sound audible from the broadcast booth. Both players jogged into the locker room. White returned before the end of the game.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="i9yUNX">Quick hits</h2>
<ul>
<li id="N93gZG">The game could scarcely have started worse for the Bills. The Bengals opened up with a 14-point lead, gaining 10 first downs as the Bills gained a mere eight yards in the entire first quarter. Buffalo outscored Cincinnati 7-3 in the second quarter, to keep the game close through halftime, at least.</li>
<li id="HwETKU">Cincinnati set a franchise playoff record for most first downs gained in this game. They punted twice and never turned the ball over.</li>
<li id="X2HD5G">The disparity between Buffalo’s defensive line (minus Von Miller and DaQuan Jones) and the Bengals offensive line (minus three starters) was as gaping as the Grand Canyon. The Bengals ran for nearly 6 yards per carry. Joe Burrow was hit only three times in the entire game.</li>
<li id="JxKsIw">Meanwhile, the Bills offensive line turned in a pathetic performance against Cincinnati’s defense. Josh Allen was hurried on half of his dropbacks and hit eight times. The team only had 58 rushing yards on 18 carries.</li>
<li id="jMTIW9">Josh Allen was supposed to avoid turnovers and his team would be fine — that’s what every analyst said this week. Well Allen didn’t turn the ball over until the final minute of the game, and his team still lost by 17 points. Maybe there’s a lesson to take away from that.</li>
<li id="fmA1Wb">Allen was held without a touchdown pass for only the second time this season.</li>
<li id="h7AuZF">Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis all but vanished in this game, combining for six catches and 69 yards. Dawson Knox practically outgained them by himself.</li>
<li id="qTGDon">Credit to Cincinnati’s defensive scheme, and coordinator Lou Anarumo, for a masterclass on disguised blitzes that crippled the Bills again and again.</li>
<li id="iee46c">Tremaine Edmunds and Matt Milano were the leaders on the Bills defense again today, combining for 22 total tackles, 2 passes defended, 2 TFLs, and a sack.</li>
<li id="pqREC9">No one else on the Bills’ defense had a real positive impact on the game. Dane Jackson broke up a deep pass. Shaq Lawson almost injured Joe Burrow when he was blocked into the QB as he tried a pass rush. That’s... about it.</li>
<li id="7UtdOg">Damar Hamlin and his family were present for this game in a box suite. It wasn’t the result they hoped for.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="YJSUbn">Next week</h2>
<p id="KqbgtU">It’s the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/afc-championship-game">AFC Championship</a> between the <a href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com">Kansas City Chiefs</a> and the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bills can watch from home. Again.</p>
https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2023/1/22/23566792/buffalo-bills-10-cincinnati-bengals-27-rapid-recap-and-notes-another-playoff-loss-huhDan Lavoie2023-01-22T16:26:48-05:002023-01-22T16:26:48-05:00Buffalo Bills 7, Cincinnati Bengals 17: Second-half open thread
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<img alt="AFC Divisional Playoffs - Cincinnati Bengals v Buffalo Bills" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/h0IvUZCcbGk8Xe2_JWyCYel9XRY=/0x0:7837x5225/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71894370/1458570801.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Bills have their work cut out for them in the second half</p> <p id="wOKB0h">The <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> are, somehow, clinging to life against last year’s AFC champions, trailing 17-7 at halftime in a game that feels like it could have twice the scoring margin. The <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a> hammered the Bills in the first quarter, outscoring them 14-0 while gaining more first downs (10) than Buffalo’s total yards from scrimmage (8). In the second quarter, the Bills closed the gap. They were able to force Cincinnati’s only punt of the game, found their footing for a touchdown drive, and somehow strung together a goalline stand on defense that held the Bengals to a field goal near the end of the second quarter.</p>
<p id="s1LUoj">The Bengals are missing three starting offensive linemen, and a fourth (Ted Karras) is dealing with an injured knee today, but you wouldn’t know it from watching the game. Joe Burrow’s only been hit twice on 26 dropbacks, and the Bengals as a team are rushing for 5.8 yards per carry. The Bills did, smartly, start incorporating more man-to-man defense and QB spies into their scheme in the second quarter, and that’s created some opportunities for Matt Milano and Tremaine Edmunds to break up plays and knock the Bengals off balance.</p>
<p id="hHpCBs">While the Bengals drove through Buffalo territory like it was the Autobahn, the Bills spent much of the first half driving through a school zone. Their first two possessions were three-and-outs, and it took 15 plays for the Bills to move 75 yards and score their only touchdown of the game. Even their patented two-minute drill pumped the brakes. Allen was able to gain 41 yards on the team’s first four plays near the end of the half, but from the Bengals’ 34-yard line, he had a pass batted down, had another throw bounce off his receiver’s hands, and had to escape the pocket and throw a deep incompletion on third down (with his teammate flagged for a holding penalty, to boot). The team, collectively, has 27 rushing yards gained on ten carries.</p>
<p id="fxGLM9">The Bills will take possession to begin the second half, thankfully, giving them an opportunity to close the gap before Cincinnati can stretch it further. They have their work cut out for them to come back and escape today with a win.</p>
<p id="Wz8Sw1">Here’s your discussion thread for the rest of the game. Go Bills!</p>
https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2023/1/22/23566716/buffalo-bills-7-cincinnati-bengals-17-second-half-open-thread-discussionDan Lavoie2023-01-08T16:29:10-05:002023-01-08T16:29:10-05:00Buffalo Bills 35, New England Patriots 23: Rapid recap and notes
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<img alt="New England Patriots v Buffalo Bills" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/3tYKhJHjAMWtus1g6Gj_AmsiGGM=/0x0:3600x2400/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71841164/1455087617.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Bills locked up the second seed with an emphatic win today</p> <p id="pLEL8U">After the past week, overflowing with emotion, expressly the ways that the NFL extends beyond the game of football, the <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> returned to the sport with an emphatic 35-23 victory over the <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a>. It was an exciting win filled with gestures of love and solidarity for Damar Hamlin, who watched the game while recovering from cardiac arrest at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. Nyheim Hines paved the way with a historic two-touchdown performance as a kick returner, and Josh Allen and the Bills’ defense took care of business in the second half, outscoring the Patriots 21-9 in the final two quarters. </p>
<p id="LYgNCq">Hines gave the game a storybook beginning, running back the opening kickoff for a 96-yard touchdown as the announcers were still discussing Hamlin’s impact on Buffalo. Anywhere the cameras panned you could see the elation on faces as they celebrated one of football’s rarest plays. Hines didn’t end things there — he brought back another kick for a 101-yard touchdown in the third quarter, which meant that the Patriots (who’d just taken the lead) were only in charge for all of 13 seconds.</p>
<p id="7rREqK">Allen couldn’t find many openings against the Patriots in the first half, but threw for 158 yards and two TDs after halftime to help close out the win. Mac Jones, throwing for the other side, had a lot of success tossing the ball to his top five targets, and threw for three touchdowns against Buffalo’s defense. But the Bills got to him in the second half — first, Tre’Davious White caught an interception over the top of Nelson Agholor down the left sideline. Later, Jones tried a seam route to the end zone, but overthrew it and it bounced into the arms of Matt Milano. Finally, Jones had a throw tipped as he was hit, and it bounced off the fingertips of his checkdown target, into the arms of Tremaine Edmunds.</p>
<p id="LTU4dq">With the win, the Bills end their season with a 13-3 record and the No. 2 seed in the AFC. Next stop: the playoffs.</p>
<h2 id="vLGi3D">Injury report</h2>
<ul><li id="ttJXFn">Spencer Brown seemed to hurt his ankle or lower leg in the second quarter, and came out for a handful of plays, but was able to play through the injury to finish the game.</li></ul>
<h2 id="bErnI1">Quick hits</h2>
<ul>
<li id="X9ViEe">Anytime you have a day as rare as two kickoff return TDs, you’re the star of the show. Nyheim Hines did something only ten other players in NFL history have managed, and his electric scores galvanized Buffalo’s heart in this win.</li>
<li id="hsiAq0">Hines was so dangerous today that the Patriots opted to send one kickoff out of bounds and take the penalty rather than give him another opportunity today.</li>
<li id="eD1Xqo">Two receivers also charged up the Bills when they were stuck in the mud on offense. John Brown’s 42-yard TD catch was a blast from the past and showed that the Patriots were vulnerable over the top. Stefon Diggs’ 49-yard catch put the Bills up by 12 in the fourth quarter.</li>
<li id="Q2G8ln">Diggs went over 100 yards for the seventh game of the season. He also tied a franchise record with his 11th TD reception of the season.</li>
<li id="S94mA4">Credit to the Bills for forcing mistakes out of Mac Jones and finding the winning edge in the second half. Tre’Davious White, Matt Milano, and Tremaine Edmunds each had interceptions. White and Milano picked off the ball in the red zone, which prevented potential touchdowns on each occasion.</li>
<li id="dKQJEt">Similarly, credit goes to Josh Allen for his second half — he avoided mistakes, hit two huge deep touchdowns, and turned a tie game into an easy win for the Bills.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="GURSb7">Next week</h2>
<p id="jT2Aom">Super Wild Card weekend! Because the Bills won, they’ll be the second seed and host the seventh seed. The way the afternoon shook out, with the <a href="https://www.thephinsider.com/">Miami Dolphins</a> narrowly winning over the <a href="https://www.ganggreennation.com/">New York Jets</a>, it’ll be Miami coming to Orchard Park, NY.</p>
https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2023/1/8/23545199/buffalo-bills-35-new-england-patriots-23-rapid-recap-and-notes-nyheim-hines-josh-allenDan Lavoie2023-01-08T14:32:27-05:002023-01-08T14:32:27-05:00Buffalo Bills 14, New England Patriots 14: Second-half open thread
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<img alt="New England Patriots v Buffalo Bills" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/cFJyfyApp0OMCmYHKjWCozM9MWk=/0x0:3600x2400/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71840748/1455071162.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>A tie game after two quarters</p> <p id="jQKDzI">The <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> and the <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a> are engaged in a close back-and-forth football game with high stakes for both sides, and the teams are tied at 14 at halftime.</p>
<p id="pohkpr">For New England, a win would earn them their second consecutive playoff berth, while a loss puts them at the mercy of other AFC teams. The Bills could clinch the No. 2 seed for the playoffs with a win, but above that, they’re fighting through the nerves and trauma of seeing their teammate go into cardiac arrest on the field less than a week ago.</p>
<p id="AW8jk3">Nyheim Hines wrote the game a fairy tale beginning with a picturesque 96-yard kickoff return touchdown, and the Bills forced a three-and-out on New England’s first possession, but the Patriots wouldn’t go quietly. They have a pair of nine-play, 74-yard touchdown possessions, mixing play-action passing with run plays to keep Mac Jones clean and his targets wide open. To his credit, Jones is a perfect 12-of-12 passing on the two TD drives.</p>
<p id="jod6yB">Josh Allen hasn’t had easy sledding against New England’s defense, which leads the league in interceptions. He’s 12 of 20 for only 96 yards, with a touchdown and an interception. He’s had to hang in the pocket and throw some passes away, he’s had a couple receivers catch passes out of bounds, and he’s been sacked twice. The Bills have 13 carries for 67 yards, a 5.2 average that shows promise but doesn’t show a clear advantage.</p>
<p id="AD48Q0">The Patriots will receive the opening kickoff of the second half. Buffalo needs to find an edge in this game, or another piece of their playoff destiny will fall out of their control.</p>
<p id="36pOYs">Here’s your open thread for the second half. Go Bills!</p>
https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2023/1/8/23545038/buffalo-bills-14-new-england-patriots-14-second-half-open-thread-discussionDan Lavoie2022-12-24T16:28:47-05:002022-12-24T16:28:47-05:00Buffalo Bills 35, Chicago Bears 13: Rapid recap and notes
<figure>
<img alt="Buffalo Bills v Chicago Bears" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/3iQ66iqzCxTvM8rulAmGtD8UkDs=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71790617/1452231001.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>It took some time, but the Bills eventually stomped the Bears into submission.</p> <p id="nNpcUG">For two quarters, the <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> stepped on enough rakes against the <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a> that it looked like there might be an upset to worry about. After three quarters, they only held a one-score lead. But although they trailed 10-6 at halftime, the Bills outscored the Bears 25-7 in the second half, coasted to victory, and won their 12th game of the season. For one more week, the Bills maintain their position as the top seed in the AFC.</p>
<p id="jyImEr">The Bears ran out the gate with confidence, buoyed by their close game with the league-leading <a href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/">Philadelphia Eagles</a> last weekend. They averaged eight yards per play on their opening drive, and quarterback Justin Fields finished it off with a touchdown pass to wide-open wide receiver Dante Pettis. Buffalo overcame a pair of penalties, aided by running back James Cook’s 24-yard run, and quarterback Josh Allen hit wide receiver Gabe Davis (also wide open) for a 19-yard touchdown. Kicker Tyler Bass, however, missed the extra point, and the Bears led 7-6 as a result.</p>
<p id="loQIa8">A 40-yard kickoff return gave the Bears impressive starting field position, and after a first down conversion, they were in Buffalo territory. The Bills were able to hold them back, though, and while Chicago tried for a fourth-down conversion instead of a long field goal, Ed Oliver tipped the pass and ended the drive.</p>
<p id="7Pr5cq">As the Bills took over possession and the first quarter rolled to a close, they strode to Chicago’s 19-yard line. But another offensive penalty pushed them backward, and when Allen tried going for a deep touchdown, Chicago’s defense was prepared — rookie cornerback Kyler Gordon dropped deep and intercepted the pass. Although the Bills were able to force a punt, Nyheim Hines made a poor choice to let the ball roll, and the result was a 63-yard kick that ended at the two-yard line. Buffalo couldn’t get out of their own way on that possession, gained two yards, and punted, and with a good return, the Bears were already in field goal range. The Bills held them out of the end zone, but kicker Cairo Santos scored a 37-yard field goal and the Bears led 10-6.</p>
<p id="38uwHZ">Buffalo’s patented two-minute drill sure seemed promising to start — four consecutive carries gained a whopping 46 yards and brought the Bills to the Chicago 20 with more than a minute remaining. But then they misfired on three consecutive passes, and Tyler Bass’s 38-yard attempt flew wide right. The half ended with that Bears lead in place, and head coach Sean McDermott surely laid into his players at halftime.</p>
<p id="vYFdcl">Something clicked for the Bills after halftime, because they scored two touchdowns on their first two drives, while the defense forced a fumble, then two three-and-outs. With three minutes left in the third quarter, the Bills led 21-10 and had possession at Chicago’s 44-yard line. They were set to put the game away, but Gabe Davis fumbled away the ball on his next catch. One play later, Justin Fields made a beautiful 44-yard throw to wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. and it looked like the Bears wouldn’t go away without a fight. The Bills played a superb red zone sequence, forcing a 4th & 3 at their 16-yard line. The Bears seemed to move the chains with a short pass, but after a coach’s challenge, it was confirmed that Tre’Davious White made the tackle just shy of the yardage to gain.</p>
<p id="FqFPT1">Still, the Bills couldn’t close out the game. It took two plays for Allen to overthrow James Cook and make another interception. Buffalo held Chicago to a total gain of one yard on that possession, but the field position enabled a field goal that brought the situation back to a one-score game.</p>
<p id="Ci5VGx">Both teams traded three-and-outs in the fourth quarter, and then Allen and his running backs put the game away for good. An eight-play, 56-yard drive, with 55 of those yards gained by running backs, ended with a touchdown and a 28-13 score. After the Bears failed a desperate fourth-down attempt on their next possession, the Bills had great field position for one more touchdown. On four plays, gaining 20 yards, the team wrapped a bow on their win when tight end Dawson Knox leaked free for a 13-yard touchdown catch on fourth down.</p>
<p id="1hrAQP">The game ended with a vintage Nathan Peterman appearance, featuring a game-ending interception — his first in favor of the Buffalo Bills; Happy Holidays, Bills fans!</p>
<h2 id="cZhtCN">Injury report</h2>
<ul>
<li id="vnEy3p">Dawson Knox landed hard on his shoulder after a leaping catch on Buffalo’s opening drive. He stayed down for a while and temporarily came out of the game, but it seemed like he was mostly just sore from landing on the frozen turf.</li>
<li id="bnLH7A">Ryan Bates came out of the game for a handful of plays in the second quarter, but returned to action at the start of the third quarter.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="HxEGur">Quick hits</h2>
<ul>
<li id="2ilacK">The commentator’s curse is undefeated in the kicking game. Right as Greg Gumbel was finishing his narration about Tyler Bass’ field goal streak, Bass botched a 38-yard attempt.</li>
<li id="9C5st6">When running back Devin Singletary broke free for a 33-yard touchdown run today, it gave him a new longest play for the 2022 season. His previous long was a 30-yard carry against the <a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a>.</li>
<li id="Mum1sa">Singletary ended up breaking the century mark in this game. It was the first time the Bills had a 100-yard rusher in 15 games, and only the third occurrence in Singletary’s 59-game career.</li>
<li id="bA9EuD">James Cook came so close to a hundred yards, but finished with 11 carries for 99 yards. That’s a new career high for the rookie.</li>
<li id="TkAD6R">Overall, the Bills pounded Chicago into submission with their running game. They had 31 carries for 254 yards and three rushing TDs today.</li>
<li id="PdYnd5">Some of that gameplan came at the expense of wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who was only targeted twice today. He caught two passes for 26 yards, which did bring him above 100 catches on the season.</li>
<li id="XEvWy7">On Chicago’s first drive, David Montgomery had a 28-yard run. The rest of the game, the Bears carried 28 times for 52 yards — an average gain of 1.86 yards per carry.</li>
<li id="Q1Oqkd">Justin Fields, the thousand-yard rusher, gained 11 yards on seven carries.</li>
<li id="LyYqIe">Ed Oliver had a tremendous day today, with a sack, two TFLs, four tackles, and two passes defended.</li>
<li id="Cxt1hm">Defensive end Kingsley Jonathan, cut earlier this year by the Bears, was promoted for his first Bills game today, and he ended up pretty useful for his new (old team). He had a TFL and played well in containing Justin Fields on the edge when he had the chance.</li>
<li id="qYWvvo">Reggie Bush watch: Running back Nyheim Hines gained two rushing yards today, which now has him tied with Bush at -3 rushing yards on the season.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="xXFAUr">Next week</h2>
<p id="j9NHtx"><em>Monday Night Football</em> against the red-hot <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a> who defeated the <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a> today, winning their seventh straight and nine of their last ten games. The loser of that game is out of contention for the top seed in the AFC. No pressure!</p>
https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2022/12/24/23525415/buffalo-bills-35-chicago-bears-13-rapid-recap-and-notes-josh-allen-justin-fieldsDan Lavoie2022-12-24T14:25:51-05:002022-12-24T14:25:51-05:00Buffalo Bills 6, Chicago Bears 10: Second-half open thread
<figure>
<img alt="NFL: Buffalo Bills at Chicago Bears" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/AIsehqCQzng4mVUXpOfYtonO4zQ=/0x0:3081x2054/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71790362/usa_today_19677611.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Bills aren’t playing well enough against the Bears today</p> <p id="QBlJIl">The <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> can’t get out of their own way against the <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a> today, trailing 10-6 against their opponent at halftime. A game that seemed like an easy win is instead putting the team back on their heels amid frigid conditions at Soldier Field.</p>
<p id="UzK1sM">Buffalo’s really suffered in field position today, attributable to poor tackling in the kicking game and poor returning decisions by running back Nyheim Hines. An interception by Josh Allen in the end zone, with a healthy return by rookie cornerback Kyler Gordon, also contributed to the cause.</p>
<ul>
<li id="VZhIGL">Chicago’s drive starts: CHI 36, CHI 42, CHI 34, BUF 38</li>
<li id="Oxm79N">Buffalo’s drive starts: BUF 29, BUF 34, BUF 2, BUF 34</li>
</ul>
<p id="dfoYgI">Adding to their special teams woes, Tyler Bass missed an extra point on Buffalo’s only touchdown, and he missed a 38-yard field goal attempt in the final minute of the half.</p>
<p id="1w9TG1">It’s not like the Bills’ offense is struggling all that badly: the team has 10 carries for 94 yards, and Allen is 7-of-12 for 89 yards and a touchdown. But situationally, they keep screwing up. Allen misread the Bears’ defense on one deep throw, leading to that interception on a promising drive. Another drive started with a botched snap and didn’t get any better. A drive that seemed like a promising two-minute drill stalled out in the red zone, with three straight incomplete passes while the running game was clicking.</p>
<p id="RBjhMz">Buffalfo’s defense allowed Chicago to march down and score an easy touchdown drive at the opening of the game, featuring a 28-yard David Montgomery run, a 20-yard Byron Pringle catch and a wide-open Dante Pettis closing the drive in the end zone. But outside of that, they clamped down: the Bears are only gaining 4.2 yards per play, and they’re 2-of-6 on third down.</p>
<p id="6RYh2a">The two differences in this game are Bass’s missed extra point, and the sequence that led to the Bills punting from their own four-yard line, which set up the Bears in position for a field goal that extended their lead.</p>
<p id="AN5YLy">The Bills, who deferred to start the game, will receive the opening kickoff of the second half. They need to quit making mistakes and tighten up their quality if they don’t want to waste a winnable game against the Bears.</p>
<p id="Bvygnu">Here’s your open thread for the rest of the game. Go Bills!</p>
https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2022/12/24/23525412/buffalo-bills-6-chicago-bears-10-second-half-open-thread-discussionDan Lavoie2022-12-18T00:15:22-05:002022-12-18T00:15:22-05:00Buffalo Bills 32, Miami Dolphins 29: Rapid recap and notes
<figure>
<img alt="NFL: Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/p6vCo0akIkk_ttwLSu6TnG16xZg=/0x0:4410x2940/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71763637/usa_today_19644884.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>They’ll celebrate the playoff berth with snow angels</p> <p id="KNgdjL">The <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> are playoff-bound for the fourth straight season, after a 32-29 win over the <a href="https://www.thephinsider.com/">Miami Dolphins</a> set them up with the right results to qualify with three weeks remaining in the season. This was an exciting game, even if it didn’t feature any thundersnow, and the Bills closed it out in style with a punishing final drive and a game-winning field goal as time expired.</p>
<p id="L20nRm">Although the Dolphins opened the game with a 13-yard run, their drive quickly fizzled with the help of a false-start penalty. The Bills started similarly, gaining 27 yards on their first two plays, then one yard on the next three plays before punting right back.</p>
<p id="pOPGay">Miami’s next drive lasted 14 plays and nearly eight minutes, and it seemed like every time running back Raheem Mostert touched the football, they moved the chains. But on 3rd & 1 at the Bills’ 11-yard line, Miami called a passing play, and defensive end Shaq Lawson screamed around the edge for a strip sack. The Dolphins fell on top of the ball, but Lawson’s play forced a field goal when Miami could’ve been running plays at the goalline.</p>
<p id="IJv67i">It didn’t take long for the Bills to respond. Set up by a 45-yard reception for tight end Dawson Knox, then a 13-yard checkdown to running back Devin Singletary. Tight end Quintin Morris finished the drive with an athletic leaping catch behind a defender in the end zone, and Buffalo took a 7-3 lead.</p>
<p id="Y6EVxA">Mostert ripped off, arguably, the highlight of the game on the next drive with a 67-yard rumbling run that was only stopped by Taron Johnson’s horsecollar tackle. That penalty literally saved a touchdown, as the Dolphins couldn’t reach paydirt from the 4-yard line, and settled for their second field goal.</p>
<p id="2JsyzB">The Bills had their own clock-controlling drive on the next possession, running 12 plays and converting two third downs (including a 3rd & 17). Allen finished it with a 10-yard swing pass to running back Nyheim Hines, who scampered into the end zone. The Dolphins hit right back, with wide receiver Jaylen Waddle showing some zip on a 32-yard catch. Wide receiver Tyreek Hill’s six-yard catch was just enough to convert a 3rd & 5, and later on the drive, Hill had a 14-yard catch on 3rd & 9. The next play was an 11-yard TD run by running back Salvon Ahmed.</p>
<p id="YqSrpG">With three minutes left in the half, Allen led another impressive touchdown drive that used every single second of clock. On the final play, it seemed like Allen might have run out of time to either score or throw the ball away, but he rolled right, stayed patient, and saw running back James Cook open up, where he delivered his third touchdown of the game to give Buffalo a 21-13 halftime lead.</p>
<p id="pW1lrU">Buffalo didn’t double-dip their halftime score, instead coming out flat with a three-and-out. And Miami seized the momentum immediately. Waddle broke free on a deep post and outran safety Damar Hamlin for a 67-yard touchdown after only three plays from scrimmage. A failed two-point conversion left the Bills leading 21-19.</p>
<p id="2oqWUB">Allen started Buffalo’s next drive on the right foot, running for 13 yards and finding Dawson Knox for a 21-yard catch on the next play. A James Cook run and a short catch by wide receiver Stefon Diggs gave the Bills 3rd & 2 at the Miami 33-yard line, then the drive unraveled: a holding penalty, a false start, and an incomplete pass (plus another holding penalty, declined since the Bills were already out of field goal range and it was fourth down). A promising drive ended with a punt.</p>
<p id="EDtWp3">The two teams traded punts, and it was a consequential game of field position: Miami’s punt rolled to the one-yard line, where Buffalo couldn’t make any headroom before punting back to the 50-yard line. Buffalo’s defense played tremendously to hold the Dolphins without a gain on the next three plays, but when Miami punted, cornerback Cam Lewis rammed into their punter and was flagged for a personal foul. That gave the Dolphins more life and fantastic field position, and they seized the lead a few plays later when Hill caught a 20-yard touchdown.</p>
<p id="u8bsjA">Trailing 26-21, Buffalo was still scuffling. It seemed like wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie might have a deep catch at one point, but the officials ruled it incomplete, and that was upheld after a challenge. Stefon Diggs, already frustrated with missed opportunities in the game, came wide open deep downfield, but Allen’s throw was way off target, and they punted for the fourth consecutive time.</p>
<p id="e5CD4i">Entering the fourth quarter, the Bills’ defense forced a three-and-out, but the offense tripped over another rake on their next play from scrimmage: Allen was hit from behind as he wound up to throw, fumbling the ball into the arms of defensive tackle Christian Wilkins. Miami started in Buffalo territory and opened with an 11-yard gain by Mostert, but the Bills’ defense held stout once again — especially defensive back Taron Johnson, who notched a critical TFL on 3rd & 1. The Dolphins kicked a field goal to extend their lead, 29-21, to eight points.</p>
<p id="uDjgfe">As Buffalo opened their next drive, Allen gained two yards on a QB keeper and fumbled the ball — again — but this time his teammate recovered it.</p>
<p id="z1VHn3">Then, for the first time all night, snow flurries began to fall. The atmosphere changed, just a little, and it favored the Buffalo Bills.</p>
<p id="6XBaZ1">James Cook took a handoff for 16 yards.</p>
<p id="dZaKQi">Allen galloped 44 yards through Miami’s defense, the second-longest run of his career.</p>
<p id="6pjn5Z">Allen carried for 5 more yards, and drew a personal foul penalty when Elandon Roberts tackled him out of bounds.</p>
<p id="dDKj78">After Miami stopped the next two plays, Allen rolled right and threw to Dawson Knox for the touchdown. On a two-point conversion try, Allen made a Superman leap and, just barely, stretched the nose of the football across the goalline to tie the game.</p>
<p id="6mIf74">Miami wasn’t done fighting yet. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa hit a 13-yard pass to Hill, then wide receiver Cedrick Wilson made a fantastic 21-yard catch with Taron Johnson in tight coverage to put the Dolphins in Bills territory. But defensive end Greg Rousseau stopped Mostert for a one-yard gain, cornerback Kaiir Elam had a phenomenal TFL on Hill (that was nearly an interception), and Tagovailoa couldn’t connect with Waddle on 3rd & 12. Miami punted back to Buffalo with six minutes remaining.</p>
<p id="Dtb4QQ">The snow fell heavier and the winds began to gust as the Bills took possession, and the team in red was oozing confidence. Allen’s first pass gained 14 yards. Then Allen was sacked, but he hit a 15-yard pass to make up the lost yardage and then some. On third down, Allen connected with Diggs for a six-yard gain to move the chains.</p>
<p id="SnGNSE">Devin Singletary gained eight yards on the ground, then Allen found McKenzie to convert another third down with another short gain.</p>
<p id="M1LUaK">Back to Singletary, who carried three times for 19 yards. Meanwhile, the clock ticked down, and when Allen tried a quick throw on an RPO (which Miami tipped away), there was only a minute left in the game.</p>
<p id="8cfm8K">At the Miami 34-yard line, the Bills were just barely in field goal range, but on the next play, third down, Isaiah McKenzie drew a 21-yard pass interference penalty to keep the drive going</p>
<p id="Ziv0tf">Back to Singletary, a two-yard gain and a timeout. Again to Singletary, a seven-yard gain (the Dolphins tried to let him score, hoping to take back possession, but he took himself to the turf), and a timeout.</p>
<p id="Uqfzzn">Allen kneeled the ball at the seven-yard line and, as the clock expired, kicker Tyler Bass sealed the deal with a field goal.</p>
<p id="r9SAar">The Bills hold onto the first seed for another week, moving up to an 11-3 record, and officially qualified for the playoffs. They can clinch the AFC East with one more win, or the right combination of losses. This was an exciting game, an enjoyable response to the first game these two played, and a storybook ending for the fans in Buffalo.</p>
<p id="nXvGtU"></p>
<h2 id="psDryb">Injury report</h2>
<ul>
<li id="jEty2u">Linebacker A.J. Klein was injured on the opening kickoff. It wasn’t immediately obvious what the injury was, or how long Klein would be affected, since he usually only lines up for special teams plays.</li>
<li id="7D4OQq">Center Mitch Morse went into the locker room with a concussion in the third quarter. With Ryan Bates already inactive for the game, Greg Van Roten had to play center, and David Quessenberry stepped in at right guard.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="wXSBWM">Quick hits</h2>
<ul>
<li id="Ce4jAA">Congrats to Quintin Morris for scoring the first touchdown of his career! The second-year tight end opened the scoring for Buffalo with a leaping, diving catch of a skyscraping pass in the first quarter.</li>
<li id="JxIFZg">A strange tactical sequence played out late in the first quarter, when Raheem Mostert ripped off a 67-yard run. Taron Johnson horse collared him to the ground, saving a touchdown for the cost of four yards advanced toward the end zone. The Bills held the Dolphins to only a single yard gained on the next three plays, and Miami kicked a field goal on fourth down instead of another try at a TD.</li>
<li id="zHidu1">Billa Mafia came <em>this close</em> to being called for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in the second quarter. No really. The amped-up fans had tons of snow resting on their seats, and quickly turned the game into a snowball fight, pelting Dolphins, referees, camera operators, and anyone else they could hit. The officials had to put a stop to it, and the flag in their pocket was the last resort.</li>
<li id="vK8wD0">Where has this role for Dawson Knox been all season? Knox had a team-leading six catches for 98 yards and a TD on eight targets, and he could’ve crossed the century mark but for dropping the other two targets. He was a game-changer tonight.</li>
<li id="CCkyr3">Also a game-changer: Josh Allen (duh), who had 381 total yards and four TDs tonight, with only a single turnover.</li>
<li id="E7JIcW">The rushing attack was too dependent on Allen’s scrambling tonight, and that can be chalked up to the absences of Morse and Bates, but kudos to the o-line and Devin Singletary for closing out the game when it mattered.</li>
<li id="LlPRKn">Jaylen Waddle came away with 114 yards and a TD on only three catches, but credit to the Bills for turning Tyreek Hill into a possession receiver: 9 catches for an average gain of only 7.7 yards.</li>
<li id="4vA0yF">It feels like the Dolphins really missed an opportunity to wreck the Bills with Raheem Mostert tonight. At halftime, Mostert had 12 touches for 128 yards. In the second half, he gained eight yards on five carries. Something fundamentally changed.</li>
<li id="APBufv">Taron Johnson, Kaiir Elam, and Tre’Davious White all individually deserve credit for their splashy success tonight, combining for five passes defended and two TFLs. Each of them was beaten at least once for a big play, but overall they held up well.</li>
<li id="GUt0o3">Reggie Bush Watch: Nyheim Hines didn’t take a carry tonight, and still sits behind Bush on the “leaderboard” of rushing yards. He did have a 10-yard touchdown catch, though. Great job, Nyheim!</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="q1Raye">Next week</h2>
<p id="R7AbwJ">A Christmas Eve trip to Chicago to take on the Bears (3-10). Chicago, who plays tomorrow, has been dragged through a six-game losing streak, averaging 33.5 points surrendered per defeat in that span.</p>
https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2022/12/18/23514721/buffalo-bills-32-miami-dolphins-29-rapid-recap-and-notes-josh-allen-is-goodDan Lavoie2022-12-17T21:56:08-05:002022-12-17T21:56:08-05:00Buffalo Bills 21, Miami Dolphins 13: Second half open thread
<figure>
<img alt="Miami Dolphins v Buffalo Bills" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/XMBtmjZdXVDihQrZmrImEVMSd6Q=/0x0:4380x2920/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71763411/1449955399.5.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Bills played with a lot more confidence to start this game.</p> <p id="285pA8">It’s been two quarters of the long-awaited rematch between the <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> and the <a href="https://www.thephinsider.com/">Miami Dolphins</a>, and the Bills head into the locker room with a 21-13 lead.</p>
<p id="5G9sEc">Josh Allen’s had a nearly flawless first half, aside from one head-scratching throw that flew well beyond his target and through the hands of a Dolphins defender. He’s placing passes right on the mark, making a good mix of deep throws and checkdowns, and once again transformed into a Super Saiyan in the two-minute drill to throw his third touchdown of the game as the clock expired. The Bills haven’t had much happen in their ground game, and tight end Dawson Knox dropped a few passes, but there’s not much to complain about at the turn.</p>
<p id="aFywet">On the other side of the ball, the Bills need to find an answer to running back Raheem Mostert. The running back’s touched the ball 12 times and gained 128 yards. He’s slicing through gaps and breaking tackles, and generally making Buffalo’s defense look like a JV squad. Mostert aside, the Bills have played well holding quarterbak Tua Tagovailoa and Miami’s passing offense in check. Tagovailoa’s 8-of-16 with 101 yards and no touchdowns, and defensive end Shaq Lawson strip-sacked him in the first quarter (although the Dolphins recovered the ball). It’s a best-case scenario on wide receiver Tyreek Hill, who’s caught four of seven targets for only 29 yards. But wide receiver Jaylen Waddle has a 32-yard catch, and both Waddle and Hill could explode at any moment, so the Bills can’t let up.</p>
<p id="NIfUSS">The Bills will receive the opening kickoff of the second half, giving them a great chance to double dip and extend their lead before the Dolphins’ offense take possession. Here’s your home for the second half of the game talk. Go Bills!</p>
https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2022/12/17/23514720/buffalo-bills-21-miami-dolphins-13-second-half-open-thread-discussionDan Lavoie2022-12-11T16:26:25-05:002022-12-11T16:26:25-05:00Buffalo Bills 20, New York Jets 12: Rapid recap and notes
<figure>
<img alt="NFL: New York Jets at Buffalo Bills" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/plTm_HHH_M_7_x6SGNHaXKK5Bt0=/0x0:5301x3534/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71737757/usa_today_19606901.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Bills played well enough to hold back the Jets and take the win</p> <p id="zCOOIY">The second meeting between the <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> and the <a href="https://www.ganggreennation.com/">New York Jets</a> was another defensive war, but this time around, the Bills emerged victorious. Unlike last meeting, when Josh Allen pushed too aggressively to make plays that weren’t there, Allen and his teammates avoided turnovers and steadily built a lead over the Jets. The Bills’ defense, aided by some returning starters, tightened up their coverage and gap integrity for most of the afternoon. It ended with a 20-12 win for the Bills.</p>
<p id="4a4GrW">The first half was, depending on your perspective, a 27-minute slog or a showcase of defensive players and playcalling. The weather was certainly a factor, but the Bills and the Jets ended up punting five times each. The Bills were only 2-of-8 on third downs, while the Jets were marginally better at 3-of-8. Both defenses did a great job controlling the line of scrimmage, and the Jets’ secondary did well on contested catch attempts, and the rain and sleet contributed to some misfired throws for both teams.</p>
<p id="bVesPb">With three minutes remaining in the half, after the tenth punt of the game, Buffalo took over at their 30-yard line. Their first three plays gained nine yards and took 1:46 off the clock, and so the Bills lined up at their own 39-yard line on a 4th & 1 attempt. The announcing crew knew what was coming: an attempt to draw the Jets offsides. But, perhaps set up with a deceptive pre-snap motion, the gambit worked: C.J. Mosley leaped across the line of scrimmage and his encroachment sustained the drive. Allen completed two consecutive passes to Isaiah McKenzie, then he scrambled for 11 more yards. McKenzie drew a defensive holding penalty call on the next play, and then Allen hit Dawson Knox in the soft spot of a zone defense. Knox did the rest, hustling down to the end zone and making a leaping, somersaulting hurdle that earned him the touchdown.</p>
<p id="eul0VC">After halftime, the rain turned to snow, and both teams found a little offensive momentum. The Jets were up first, and picked on Dane Jackson to set up their first touchdown. Jackson was the closest defender on two successive passes that gave up 37 yards, and he was also flagged for defensive holding (which the Jets declined) on another play. Riding Mike White’s arm, the Jets made it to the Bills 17-yard line, the first time either team made it to the red zone in this game. After two carries from Zonovan “Bam” Knight, the Jets hit paydirt and tied the score at 7.</p>
<p id="BmnmzW">But then the Bills came right back to take the lead. Stefon Diggs had a 32-yard catch-and-run, Gabriel Davis caught a six-yard pass, and Khalil Shakir drew a 20-yard pass interference penalty. Nyheim Hines and Gabe Davis had short gains that brought the Bills into a goal-to-go situation, and Allen’s QB keeper put them up 14-7.</p>
<p id="dqVtYg">On New York’s next drive, Matt Milano laid a wicked hit on White’s ribs, the second massive hit he’d taken in the game. This one sent White to the locker room, and on the very next play, Joe Flacco was sacked by Greg Rousseau and fumbled, which DaQuan Jones recovered. Although Davis gained 17 yards on Buffalo’s next play from scrimmage, an offensive holding penalty was too much to overcome, and the team settled for a field goal.</p>
<p id="OJdTcQ">With Flacco still in the game, the Bills forced another Jets punt, which Hines was able to bring back 17 yards to midfield. Once again, Buffalo had a solid drive-starter (a 16-yard run by Singletary), then sputtered in Jets territory, but Tyler Bass nailed the 49-yard field goal attempt and extended the team’s lead to 13 points.</p>
<p id="YVr2o5">White returned from the locker room on the next drive, but the Bills were still able to force a punt, which landed at the eight-yard line. They couldn’t make any meaningful progress, though, and on their own punt attempt, Jets rookie Jermaine Johnson blew threw the line to block the punt and force a safety. It seemed like a potential game-changer for the trailing Jets, but then a few plays following the free kick, Damar Hamlin forced a fumble that Matt Milano scooped up.</p>
<p id="JHngAo">Those themes continued throughout the closing minutes of the game: in the fourth quarter, the Bills’ offense ran 14 plays, gained 22 yards, and punted three times (with one safety). Meanwhile Buffalo’s defense closed out the game, allowing a field goal score, forcing a fumble and a punt, and a turnover on downs.</p>
<p id="Od7pan">The 10-3 Bills remain the top seed in the AFC for one more week. They now have six days before their next game, a rematch with the 8-4 <a href="https://www.thephinsider.com/">Miami Dolphins</a>.</p>
<h2 id="pL6muE">Injury report</h2>
<ul>
<li id="rg4u68">The Jets were hurt harder than the Bills in this game. They lost Corey Davis to a concussion, Quinnen Williams to a calf injury, Mike White to a ribs injury, and George Fant to an ankle injury. As each injury stacked up, it was too much for them to overcome.</li>
<li id="JgNEeI">The Bills weren’t totally unscathed. Ryan Bates injured his ankle in the third quarter. Greg Van Roten stepped into the lineup for Bates.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="yUKsTT">Quick hits</h2>
<ul>
<li id="cwFq4Z">John Brown, the 32-year-old veteran receiver promoted from the practice squad this week, came <em>this close</em> to a 49-yard touchdown in the first quarter. Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner was able to close in and break up the pass, which arrived in Brown’s arms at the goalline.</li>
<li id="yAFLvu">Dion Dawkins, who was gutting through an ankle injury, returned to action today, but he would’ve benefited from another week of rest. He was called four three holding penalties in this game.</li>
<li id="L9gdcr">HUGE day for Matt Milano, who led the team in tackles, had a TFL, two passes defended, a QB hit, and a fumble recovery. He might make the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-pro-bowl">Pro Bowl</a> for the first time this year.</li>
<li id="hPDtLM">Jordan Poyer and Tremaine Edmunds had nearly identical stat lines, and both were critical in using their range and physicality to dominate the Jets today.</li>
<li id="Mw0KPV">Greg Rousseau had a tremendous day, notching his sixth and seventh sacks of the season and forcing a fumble.</li>
<li id="bcwT0v">A.J. Epenesa and Shaq Lawson also stepped up with sacks today, plus some solid play against the run.</li>
<li id="SMX8Lu">Dane Jackson continues to struggle in man-to-man coverage, at least on broadcast film. The Bills keep rotating their cornerback lineup, but at what point will they seriously bench him for someone else?</li>
<li id="4xogmI">It was the worst receiving day of the year for Stefon Diggs, with three catches for 37 yards, but the weather conditions were an obvious factor.</li>
<li id="RNCtsU">Although the Bills’ offense was held in check today, they avoided the most important mistakes: turnovers. The Jets had two, the Bills had none — and that’s a big factor in today’s win.</li>
<li id="mjkuxB">Reggie Bush can rest easy for one more week: Nyheim Hines gained three rushing yards today, but that still leaves him at -5 for the season.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="TeF77y">Next week</h2>
<p id="qwK9eF">It’s only six days away, but on Saturday night, the Bills host the Miami Dolphins (8-4) hoping to avenge two losses in two weeks. The Dolphins play the <a href="https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/">Los Angeles Chargers</a> tonight. Regardless of the result, if the Bills win Saturday, they’d have (at least) a two-game lead in the division with only three games remaining. It almost locks up their playoff spot.</p>
https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2022/12/11/23504279/buffalo-bills-20-new-york-jets-12-rapid-recap-and-notes-matt-milano-josh-allen-mike-whiteDan Lavoie