In today’s edition of the Buffalo Bills daily links, we spotlight how linebacker A.J. Klein has turned around his season and why the defense, in particular the pass defense, is returning to playing at an elite level over the last few weeks.
We also reflect back on the key moments that fueled Buffalo’s win over the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 12, address why the Bills have been a resourceful squad in 2020, discuss how offensive coordinator Brian Daboll has dialed up trick plays to kick-start the offense, analyze the snap counts searching for important takeaways from the win, break down the latest news on how COVID-19 is affecting Buffalo’s Week 13 game vs. the San Francisco 49ers, hear why former quarterback Tony Romo thinks Buffalo will be a difficult out in the playoffs, identify a guard in college football who could steady Buffalo’s offensive line, and much more!
A.J. Klein, Defense Rounding Into Form
Bills final thoughts: The defense is turning a corner – The Athletic
There could be no better outcome for the Bills’ 2021 defensive line than Epenesa and Oliver developing into impact players. (Subscription required).
Bills’ pass defense is trending back toward elite level | News 4 Buffalo
It’s been fashionable to bash the Bills’ defense this season, and with good reason. But after a slow start, the defense is heading in the right direction.
Upon Further Review: Playing ‘more free’ has unleashed Bills linebacker A.J. Klein | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
Yes, the same guy who was widely thought to be a free-agent bust during the first two months of the season has become one of the biggest playmakers on a resurgent defense.
Bills’ A.J. Klein has turned his year around - Democrat & Chronicle
How A.J. Klein has turned his season around; and he was the Bills’ best player vs. Chargers.
Analysis: Bills’ pass defense looks like old self in shutting down Keenan Allen | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
The Bills led the NFL in fewest 20-plus passes allowed and fewest 40-plus passes allowed each of the previous two seasons.
Buffalo Bills’ battle-tested defense playing best football during stretch vs. NFL’s elite offenses - newyorkupstate.com
The Chargers were the fifth offense ranked in the top eight the Bills have faced in last seven games.
Column: Defense might be trending up after rescuing offense following turnover spree | Buffalo Sports | buffalonews.com
Buffalo allowed just three points in the fourth quarter, despite its offense committing three turnovers in a span of seven plays.
Reflecting on the Win Over the Chargers
The Big Picture: Bills excelling at being resourceful - WGR 550
The Buffalo Bills are 8-3 for the second straight season, and one of the big reasons for that is their ability to be resourceful and use their roster to their advantage.
Jim Kubiak: How Bills QB Josh Allen got Stefon Diggs involved, and about that late fumble | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
Allen’s overall quarterback performance grade was 90%, in spite of a scary-looking leg injury in the first half and back-to-back mishaps in the fourth quarter that could have swayed the outcome.
What we learned from Bills’ snap counts in Week 12 win, game ball and more | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
Jay Skurski offers five takeaways from the snap counts in Sunday’s win.
OC Brian Daboll: run/pass balance only important if it’s working - newyorkupstate.com
Bills ran for 172 yards and averaged 5.7 per rush in a 27-17 win over the Chargers.
Disappointment following a win means progress - WGR 550
Following the Buffalo Bills’ 27-17 win over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, Bulldog discusses how the tables have finally turned for the Bills.
The Buffalo Bills Outsider: A Win is a Win - Buffalo Fanatics - Buffalo Bills
It was a somewhat sloppy ten-point win over a Chargers team that is more dangerous than their record indicates. But it was still a win.
The Buffalo Bills defeat the L.A. Chargers: 10 Things I Think I Think - Buffalo Fanatics - Buffalo Bills
Reflecting on Buffalo’s 27-17 win over the Chargers.
Breaking Down Buffalo’s Trick Plays
Brian Daboll makes trick plays part of Buffalo Bills' creative attack - Buffalo Bills Blog- ESPN
Since Dboll's 2018 arrival, Buffalo has four TD passes by WRs and two TD catches apiece by quarterback Josh Allen and tackle Dion Dawkins.
Beasley throws first touchdown pass in latest trick play - WGR 550
The veteran wideout looked comfortable unleashing a scoring strike on a nifty-looking gadget play—the types of which are becoming the calling card of offensive coordinator Brian Daboll.
'It's a players' game' | How the Bills' success on trick plays stacks up against the rest of the NFL - BuffaloBills.com
Plus notes on the two A.J.'s, Tyler Bass, and more to wrap up Week 12.
COVID-19 Impacting Schedule
Bills to return to Arizona for game vs. 49ers - Democrat & Chronicle
Buffalo will travel to Arizona to play the 49ers Monday night. The game location had to be moved due to COVID-19 surges in Northern California.
Bills to play 49ers in Arizona in Week 13 and four more observations | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
The Bills will play their Week 13 game against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
Bills will play in Arizona on Monday Night Football vs. 49ers - newyorkupstate.com
49ers can’t play home games in Santa Clara until Dec. 22 at earliest because of COVID-19.
Bills will play 49ers in Arizona on Monday night - WGR 550
The Buffalo Bills will play the San Francisco 49ers at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, home of the Cardinals, next Monday night.
Odds and Ends
Bills Today | Why Tony Romo likes Buffalo as a dark horse contender to make a run in the playoffs - BuffaloBills.com
Here are three things to know about the Bills for Tuesday, Dec. 1.
Bills mock draft analysis: Could Wyatt Davis steady O-line? – The Athletic
Wyatt Davis sounds like a guard who could come in and noticeably change what the Bills do up front. (Subscription required).
Like the Bills victory, CBS broadcast was a little messy at times but entertaining | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“It was a comedy of errors by the players, the officials, CBS’ graphic team and, yes, even the announcers at times,” Alan Pergament says.
Featured on Buffalo Rumblings
Circling the Wagons: Bills hold off Chargers, 27-17 recap - Buffalo Rumblings
Listen to this recap of the Bills’ victory over the Chargers!
Buffalo Bills snap counts vs. Los Angeles Chargers: Zack Moss is RB1 - Buffalo Rumblings
Who contributed in an unusual victory?
Playoff Picture: Buffalo can clinch AFC East as early as Week 14 - Buffalo Rumblings
Let’s take a look at a scenario.
Eight Buffalo Bills in top ten at their position in Pro Bowl voting - Buffalo Rumblings
Four of them are in the top five.
Buffalo Bills will play against San Francisco 49ers in Arizona on Monday night - Buffalo Rumblings
Due to COVID-19, the game can’t be played in Santa Clara County.
Pittsburgh Steelers’ schedule altered prior to Buffalo Bills game due to COVID-19 - Buffalo Rumblings
The Bills will benefit.
AFC East Roundup: 2020 home stretch - Buffalo Rumblings
We look at the schedules the rest of the way.
2021 NFL Draft: College football recap, Week 13 - Buffalo Rumblings
Syracuse makes a dumb mistake, Patterson’s performance is the talk of the town.