In today’s edition of the Buffalo Bills daily links, we offer up early thoughts and breakdowns of Buffalo’s (13-3) Wild Card clash with the Indianapolis Colts (11-5).
We provide positional grades and analysis from the drubbing of the Miami Dolphins, examine how offensive coordinator Brian Daboll is drawing interest for several of the NFL’s head coaching vacancies, read a poignant letter from left tackle Dion Dawkins to #BillsMafia, discuss why special teams coordinator Heath Farwell has become an unsung hero this year, break down the news that Cornelius Bennett and Steve Tasker came up short in their quests to make the Hall of Fame, and much more!
Early Thoughts on the Matchup vs. the Colts
Bills-Colts: Everything you need to know about playoff game – The Athletic
While Jonathan Taylor has the potential for big plays, the Colts will have their work cut out for them against Josh Allen. (Subscription required).
Drawing the Colts seems like a nice matchup for Bills - Democrat & Chronicle
The Colts won 11 games and won’t be a pushover, but it seems as though the Bills caught a break drawing them in the Wild Card round.
Vic Carucci: Bills have learned from crushing playoff loss at Houston | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“By almost any measure, this is a better Bills team than the one that demonstrated its lack of postseason readiness a year ago,” writes Vic Carucci.
Bills are a ‘rampaging wrecking crew’ entering playoffs (End of regular season power rankings) - newyorkupstate.com
The Bills’ blowout over the Dolphins helped Buffalo move up in a few power rankings.
5 things Bills fans should know about the Colts - Democrat & Chronicle
The Colts enter the playoffs with a revamped roster, and a coach who is well known to Bills fans.
Bills vs. Colts | Numbers to know + score predictions | Super Wild Card Weekend - BuffaloBills.com
“Here’s everything you need to know before the Indianapolis Colts take on the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Wild Card Game of the 2020 NFL season.”
Seven Burning Questions Entering the NFL Playoffs - The Ringer
“Will the Bills challenge the Chiefs for AFC supremacy? Can the Browns win their first postseason game since the mid-’90s? Let’s break down the league’s biggest story lines now that wild-card weekend is set.”
Colts’ HC Frank Reich, admitted Bills fan, has immense respect for Sean McDermott - newyorkupstate.com
Reich played nine seasons as a backup quarterback for the Bills from 1985-1994.
Final Thoughts on Drubbing of Dolphins
Position grades: Bills pass protectors shine again vs. Dolphins | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
Here’s a position-by-position grading of the Bills’ 56-26 win against the Miami Dolphins in Sunday’s regular-season finale.
Jim Kubiak: How Josh Allen, Bills used sorting to solve Dolphins’ latest amoeba defense | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen opened the offensive fire hydrant valve on the Miami Dolphins in the second quarter, throwing for three touchdowns and lifting the Bills to a 28-6 halftime lead,” writes Jim Kubiak.
Bills’ John Brown returns with a bang, says ‘I’m still here and ... not trying to go home early’ | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
The Bills’ No. 2 wide receiver, dogged by injuries for much of the season, had four catches on four targets for 72 yards and a touchdown in the team’s 56-26 win over Miami.
Brian Daboll Drawing Head Coaching Interest
Bills OC Brian Daboll: Jets request interview, reportedly high on Jaguars wish list - newyorkupstate.com
Brian Daboll is going to have some head coaching opportunities this offseason.
Report: Daboll asked for coaching interviews with NYJ, LAC - WGR 550
Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll is gaining some interest from around the NFL on “Black Monday.”
Petition Seeks to Ban Gov. Cuomo from Bills Playoff Game
Bills fans petition to ban Gov. Cuomo from playoffs - Democrat & Chronicle
Tens of thousands of fans don’t want to let him into Bills Stadium for the playoffs.
Petition seeks to ban Gov. Cuomo from attending Buffalo Bills playoff game - newyorkupstate.com
Less than 7,000 fans will be allowed to attend due to Covid-19.
Petition calls to ban Gov. Cuomo from Bills playoff game | News 4 Buffalo
Fans have waited 20 years for a chance to attend a home playoff game.
Odds and Ends
A Letter to Bills Mafia, Pt. II - The Players Tribune
“It’s time for my second annual Players’ Tribune letter to y’all — and I’ve got a lot on my mind,” writes Dion Dawkins.
Bills’ Josh Allen the NFL’s Mandalorian? Rich Eisen says so, makes this MVP prediction - newyorkupstate.com
Much like Din Djarin, Josh Allen has been collecting bounty tokens all season.
Heath Farwell, special teams stud turned Bills unsung hero – The Athletic
Farwell, who gained respect over nine years playing in the NFL, now oversees some of the league’s best special teams units with the Bills. (Subscription required).
Buffalo Bills say ‘Hail Murray’ loss fueled torrid end to regular season - Buffalo Bills Blog- ESPN
Instead of derailing Buffalo, the crushing road defeat in Week 10 against Arizona galvanized the Bills, who have been unstoppable since.
Former Bills Cornelius Bennett, Steve Tasker don’t reach finalist list for Hall of Fame | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
Tasker and Bennett had made the list of 25 semifinalists that was announced in late November.
Bills fortunate to have avoided major COVID-19 outbreak - Democrat & Chronicle
As the Cleveland Browns experience a nightmare scenario with the virus before their playoff game, the Bills have avoided an outbreak to date.
Bills’ Stefon Diggs, Isaiah McKenzie listed as limited for walk-through practice | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
Diggs was listed with an oblique injury and McKenzie with an ankle injury.
Bills Today | GM Brandon Beane receives national recognition - BuffaloBills.com
Here’s three things to know about the Bills for Wednesday, Jan. 6.
Bills Notebook: Christie set for virtual tailgate; Diggs, McKenzie on injury report | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
Bills great Steve Christie will appear at a virtual breakfast tailgate party for the Buffalo History Museum on Saturday.
How Josh Allen plans to carry his MVP-worthy success into the playoffs - BuffaloBills.com
Josh Allen shattered Buffalo records in 2020. Now he has his focus on postseason success.
Bills reportedly schedule workout with QB Chad Kelly: Why it’s interesting timing - newyorkupstate.com
Kelly is the nephew of Bills legendary QB Jim Kelly.
Erik Brady: Steve Champlin would not trade a Bills Super Bowl win for $1M. (He already did that with the Colts.) | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“Steve Champlin was sure the Buffalo Bills would win Super Bowl I. They didn’t. And he’s spent much of his life since chasing Super Bowl dreams,” writes Erik Brady.
Chippewa businesses to host outdoor viewing of Bills’ game Saturday | Local News | buffalonews.com
Some small businesses on Chippewa are working with the City of Buffalo to provide outdoor dining and large-screen televisions.
Featured on Buffalo Rumblings
Pro Football Hall of Fame: Tasker, Bennett don’t make cut as finalists - Buffalo Rumblings
Tasker will have to wait at least another year.
Revisiting five Miami Dolphins to watch at the Buffalo Bills - Buffalo Rumblings
Not a good day for the visiting squad.
Revisiting five Buffalo Bills to watch against the Miami Dolphins - Buffalo Rumblings
Man alive, what a beatdown...
Penalty recap: Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills is a snoozefest - Buffalo Rumblings
Well, when it comes to penalties at least.
Buffalo Bills vs. Miami Dolphins: Rookie review - Buffalo Rumblings
Several rookies shined with additional playing time.
Buffalo Bills snap count notes vs. Miami Dolphins - Buffalo Rumblings
Another wild week.
One Stat Recap: Buffalo Bills rack up the points on the lifeless Miami Dolphins - Buffalo Rumblings
The Bills beat the Dolphins like it was Miami’s first year in the league.
Beasley not back yet, Diggs and McKenzie limited in Buffalo Bills walkthrough practice - Buffalo Rumblings
Not too many injuries, but multiple wideouts feature here.
Buffalo Bills finish 2020 regular season in top three of NFL power rankings - Buffalo Rumblings
Most outlets have the Bills in the top three at the end of the regular season.
Code Of Conduct: A Buffalo Bills Family Reunion - Buffalo Rumblings
In the latest episode of the Code of Conduct podcast, J. Spence is joined by a family member who loves the wrong team.
Buffalo Bills Mailbag Q&A: Kenny Stills, Indianpolis Colts, and pasting the Miami Dolphins - Buffalo Rumblings
This week, we discuss the addition of Kenny Stills, break down the Indianapolis Colts, and take a look back at the game against the Miami Dolphins.
Report: New York Jets, Los Angeles Chargers request interview with Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll - Buffalo Rumblings
The Buffalo Bills’ OC figures to be in high demand for head-coaching gigs.