Buffalo Rumblings - Buffalo Bills face Detroit Lions: playing for prideBuffalo Bills news, notes, discussions, opinions and analysis. 24/7/365 since 4/7/2007.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48063/buffalorumblings_fave.png2018-12-21T09:00:00-05:00http://www.buffalorumblings.com/rss/stream/179030722018-12-21T09:00:00-05:002018-12-21T09:00:00-05:00Fanpulse: It seems Bills fans want wins
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<figcaption>Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Our voters aren’t fans of tanking.</p> <p id="cllmPW">Some <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> fans have been saying the team should lose in order to secure a higher <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft">NFL Draft</a> pick in 2019. But according to our voters in this week’s <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/fanpulse">FanPulse</a> poll and previous polls, more people are confident in the direction of the team when they are winning. It’s not necessarily a surprise, but still something to track.</p>
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<p id="C3SAJ6">After the Bills’ win over the <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a>, the fan confidence rose 11% back to 64%, where they were prior to losing to the <a href="https://www.ganggreennation.com/">New</a><a href="https://www.ganggreennation.com/"> </a><a href="https://www.ganggreennation.com/">York Jets</a>. Let’s compare that to the other times the score went up:</p>
<ul>
<li id="AJCeKn">Victory over <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a>: 40% jump</li>
<li id="7fo86f">Victory over <a href="https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/">Tennessee Titans</a>: 13% jump</li>
<li id="unZuKo">Loss to <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a>: 3% jump</li>
<li id="i9kX98">Victory over New York Jets: 19% jump</li>
<li id="LP0Xcy">Bye week: 1% jump</li>
<li id="ygMAb5">Victory over <a href="https://www.bigcatcountry.com/">Jacksonville Jaguars</a>: 15% jump</li>
<li id="A8KQtK">Loss to <a href="https://www.thephinsider.com/">Miami Dolphins</a>: 8% jump</li>
<li id="MCnUVi">Victory over Detroit Lions: 11% jump</li>
</ul>
<p id="7AaF8n">If Buffalo can beat a playoff-bound Patriots team in New England on Sunday, they might need to make a new metric to measure Bills fan confidence. As long as we see positive signs from <span>Josh Allen</span> and the rest of the young players, fans should be pretty content.</p>
<p id="UefFVc">Bills fans are actually the most confident in the division right now. Dolphins fans are 39% confident, Jets fans 32%, and the Patriots fans bring up the rear at 28%.</p>
<p id="z3AgIn">Looking around at other rookie quarterbacks, Buffalo is in near the top: <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a> fans (97%), Bills (64%), <a href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/">Baltimore Ravens</a> (58%), Jets (32%), and <a href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a> (3%).</p>
https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2018/12/21/18151450/fanpulse-it-seems-buffalo-bills-fans-want-wins-fan-confidenceMatt Warren2018-12-20T10:00:08-05:002018-12-20T10:00:08-05:00All-22 analysis: Checking in on Dion Dawkins
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<figcaption>Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>With most of Buffalo’s offense having a question mark or two, we check up on Dion Dawkins against the Lions to see how the left tackle spot is looking</p> <p id="1vlx8i">With the off-season only weeks away for the <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills,</a> it’s time to think about the future. Rookie sensation <span>Josh Allen</span> has quarterbacked his way into our hearts, but will need a stronger supporting cast for the Bills to realize their potential on offense. One of the anticipated building blocks has performed below his 2017 level. Let’s see what’s happening in the world of left tackle <span>Dion Dawkins</span>. </p>
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<h3 id="VJfwCR">Play 1</h3>
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<p id="u760EO">On 3rd-and-1 it’s all about straight forward. There’s no time for anything fancy. Using concepts similar to the <a href="https://www.ancient.eu/article/110/the-greek-phalanx/">Greek Phalanx</a>, the offensive line works together to win what amounts to a highly strategic shoving match. <span>Dion Dawkins</span> and <span>Wyatt Teller</span> squeeze together to give <span>Josh Allen</span> a backup plan if he can’t extend over the falling <span>Russell Bodine</span>. <span>Allen</span> gets behind the Dawkins/Teller shove and gets the one yard needed for the first. </p>
<h3 id="2ATDrS">Play 2</h3>
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<p id="Ey7vM7">Ideally a lineman ends up shoving forward or to the front while move-blocking. Dawkins is faced with blocking <span>Romeo Okwara</span> who is trailing behind him (check out my <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2018/12/16/18139203/opponent-preview-detroit-lions-defensive-end-romeo-okwara-vs-josh-allen">opponent preview</a> of Okwara if you haven’t already as I’ll reference it shortly). For a big man, that’s a pretty good amount of agility and coordination to slow Okwara down while turning and ultimately backpedaling. The camera angle makes it hard to tell that this is a really nice gain in large part thanks to Dawkins. </p>
<h3 id="4zum5s">Play 3</h3>
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<p id="0dhG3X">Dawkins is on the move again—this time to the second level to try to open up a hole. Dawkins makes a nice cut to seal off his man. While Marcus Murphy gets a decent gain here, it’s a couple extra yards if he sees the hole Dawkins made. If he had, he’d be on course for a head-on collision with Quandre Diggs. Despite Murphy being known as a bit of a bruising runner, he’s listed as five pounds lighter than Diggs. You gotta like his chances of getting some push, though, with a full head of steam and low stance. </p>
<h3 id="9VDYlB">Play 4</h3>
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<p id="5mpAZg"><span>Dion Dawkins</span> has started getting a reputation for penalty flags, with ten assessed this season and three declined. He’s been a bit lucky in the declined department with two holding calls not counting in the stat book. Both were in this game. This wasn’t one of them, but could have been called. A lot of offensive holding calls aren’t technique as much as they are timing. Letting go before twisting or tackling an opponent is critical in avoiding the call. As Dawkins demonstrates here, he likes to hang on as long as he can. While it can get him in trouble, he actually recovers from an early loss on this snap. If it weren’t for <span>Wyatt Teller</span> becoming airborne, this is probably going to be a positive play. </p>
<h3 id="bMbn61">Play 5</h3>
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<p id="k0GiA3">You might have asked yourself why <span>Josh Allen</span> didn’t log his fourth 99+ yard rushing game in a row. The <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit </a><a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Lions</a> were prepared for it and had their linebackers stay back to contain the running threat more than the last few opponents. Dawkins was left blocking no one on a good many plays—initially at least. Dawkins <em>always</em> finds someone to block and with a heaping ton of physics on his side whenever possible. </p>
<h3 id="hfs4Fn">Play 6</h3>
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<p id="ngUjcY">Dion Dawkins threw a couple cut blocks in this game and he’s certainly not been shy about it in other games either. Keep an eye on this tendency as it’s gotten him in trouble several times this season. Against the <a href="https://www.ganggreennation.com/">New York Jets</a> he performed a cut block on an opponent that was already engaged with Wyatt Teller. That turns it into a chop block penalty, one which <span>Jordan Jenkins</span> didn’t appreciate. Dawkins also has three flags this year for rolling and hitting opponents with his leg while cut blocking. Not only do these plays hurt the team directly via penalty yardage, Dawkins’s reputation around the league likely isn’t being helped. There’s nothing to suggest Dawkins is a dirty player and it’s a safe bet he’ll be working with coaches to clean up these plays. </p>
<h3 id="nvc7v6">Play 7</h3>
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<p id="hYGwyd">In my preview of Romeo Okwara I noted that he lacked a good enough bull rush to get through Dawkins that way, and I suspected his hand fighting wouldn’t be sufficient either. Lateral agility was another story however. Okwara is likely going to pushed away from <span>Allen</span> until he dips and uses his feet to cut in. Dawkins was doing a respectable job despite the awkward positioning from the initial contact. Okwara looks off-kilter, but his footwork leads to a quarterback hit. </p>
<h3 id="AdOlIw">Play 8</h3>
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<p id="bBcO4Z">This was a large chunk of the day. Okwara leads the Lions in sacks, but Dawkins was able to keep him from adding to his total. Okwara rarely got a good push and his hand fighting didn’t produce either. Against the Lions—and Okwara specifically—Dawkins provided good pass protection for <span>Josh Allen</span>. </p>
<h3 id="2jLmW5">Play 9</h3>
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<p id="tojQMR">And here’s that sidestep. Dawkins was noticeably worse in run support where defenders look to pull of these kinds of moves. A shimmy to the left followed by a quick change of direction completely freed Okwara to make the tackle. </p>
https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2018/12/20/18147418/all-22-analysis-checking-in-on-dion-dawkins-year-two-progression-buffalo-bills-left-tackleSkarekrow2018-12-19T21:49:21-05:002018-12-19T21:49:21-05:00Q&A: Is Josh Allen “the man” at quarterback; attacking the Buffalo Bills’ off-season
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<p>The Bills have lots of questions. We try to answer some of them.</p> <p id="agjPBY">The <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> beat the <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> to move to five wins on the season last weekend but, with the playoffs out of reach, most of the questions this week focus on the off-season and the plans general manager Brandon Beane and head coach Sean McDermott are making. Let’s get to the answers.</p>
<h2 id="XYcytO"><strong>Question I’m getting a lot</strong></h2>
<p id="RxdYES">“Can Robert Foster be the Bills’ number-one receiver?”</p>
<p id="Bt4Ob9">The short answer is “no.” I don’t think Foster can be the team’s top receiver or the guy who is thrown to even when he’s covered. That doesn’t mean he can’t be a receiving threat for the team, but I think he’ll be much more successful as a second through fourth receiver. If they can get one or two plays out of him every game, that’s good.</p>
<p id="vkmVuo">When I think of a number-one receiver, I think of an <span>A.J. Green</span> or <span>Julio Jones</span>, who is thrown to even when they are single- or double-covered. They can be trusted to make a play every time the ball is near them. Foster doesn’t feel like that guy.</p>
<p id="aI4VfM">Foster is a player who gained fewer than 400 yards in college. He would have to develop in a way we’ve never really seen before to be that player.</p>
<p id="BQPQCs">Sure, he’s been a great piece to the offense, and he can be very successful long-term in a supporting role on the offense. Buffalo still needs to sign a stud number-one receiver or at least another pair of number-two receivers. Going at it by committee like multiple teams in the NFL have done and are doing now will work, and Foster can be part of that committee.</p>
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<p id="Qnsfkc">Subscribe to our podcast:</p>
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</h4>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="BbP2On">
<p id="GzRVHP">We also answer questions about whether <span>Josh Allen</span> has done enough for us to be convinced he’s the guy for the next ten years, pursuing a free-agent running back, trading for <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati </a><a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Bengals</a> superstar receiver <span>A.J. Green</span>, trading up or down in April’s draft, and of course, we discuss the Bills’ win over the <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a>.</p>
<p id="a8l2oV">Here are some helpful links for the show:</p>
<ul>
<li id="87nJtG"><a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AlleJo02/gamelog/2018/">Josh Allen’s 2018 stats</a></li>
<li id="n2AGTv"><a href="https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/free-agents/all/running-back/">The list of free agent running backs in 2019</a></li>
<li id="nYj5f4"><a href="https://www.newyorkupstate.com/expo/sports/erry-2018/12/501b72522bc54/being-beane-turning-bills-into.html">Ryan Talbot’s article at NYUpstate.com where he suggests trading for A.J. Green</a></li>
<li id="68Brn0"><a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2018/9/2/17810772/buffalo-bills-have-10-draft-picks-in-2019-aj-mccarron-ej-manuel-josh-allen-nathan-peterman">2019 NFL Draft: Buffalo Bills have ten selections in April (right now)</a></li>
<li id="7BHrjO"><a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2018/12/13/18139031/buffalo-bills-face-detroit-lions-playing-for-pride-josh-allen-matthew-stafford">All our coverage: Bills play for pride against Lions</a></li>
</ul>
<p id="FJ6cOL">If you have a question for next week’s episode, give us a call at 716-508-0405 or send us a question on Twitter at <a href="http://twitter.com/RumblingsQandA">@RumblingsQandA</a>. You can also email us at BuffaloRumblings@SBNation.com. We love interacting with the fans and it’s boring unless I have audio.</p>
https://www.buffalorumblings.com/buffalo-bills-podcast-news-notes-analysis-radio-itunes-google-play-stitcher/2018/12/19/18148597/q-a-is-josh-allen-the-man-at-quarterback-attacking-the-buffalo-bills-offseason-podcast-mailbagMatt Warren2018-12-19T08:30:08-05:002018-12-19T08:30:08-05:00Rookie report: More big plays for Foster, no turnovers for Allen
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<img alt="NFL: Detroit Lions at Buffalo Bills" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/P9a9RFLIElCXKR5Ibl5acqEYRbE=/0x0:3573x2382/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62707239/usa_today_11857344.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Six UDFAs see time against the Lions</p> <p id="VTvFrj">The youth movement marched on in the <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> latest victory on Sunday, this time against the <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a>. Injuries, ineffective play and a desire to see what the team has for the future have forced One Bills Drive to turn to new players. Eleven first-year players, including six undrafted free agents, saw the field on either offense or defense, with the 12th seeing the majority of his snaps on special teams. More about the performance of each rookie below.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="ZCOlGA">
<h3 id="ilT3sA">QB <span>Josh Allen</span>
</h3>
<p id="JIiciB">For those fans looking to be encouraged by <span>Josh Allen</span>’s continuing development, the rookie’s first half against the Lions provided quite a bit of encouragement. Allen’s stats in the half—9 of 14 for 99 yards—don’t jump off the page, but it’s how the rookie accumulated those yards that mattered. With a few exceptions, <span>Allen</span> was making the correct decisions and was content to take what the defense gave him. He was throwing the ball away, instead of risking a tight throw. Best of all, he was calm in the pocket and got the ball out of his hands quickly. Some of that consistency wore off in the second half, where Allen was much more likely to force balls or unnecessarily lock onto reads, but Allen still came away with a win thanks to a 42-yard dime to <span>Robert Foster</span>. </p>
<h3 id="duJrcd">LB <span>Tremaine Edmunds</span>
</h3>
<p id="LnSAgr">Considering the amount of snaps <span>Edmunds</span> saw, he failed to make his presence felt more than a handful of times. Thanks to missed blocking assignments by Detroit, the rookie was able to single-handedly blow up a few run plays. His ability to get invade passing lanes and his sheer size meant that he was a nuisance to <span>Matthew Stafford</span> in the passing game. Still, he’s not as powerful at the point of attack as you would expect for a player of his size. Unless he makes some big strides in the next couple games, it should become an improvement area for the 20-year old during the off-season.</p>
<h3 id="0BEDEO">DT <span>Harrison Phillips</span>
</h3>
<p id="HhQ92A">Unlike with Allen, Phillips’s stat line—two tackles—really does effectively sum up his day. You love the rookie’s hustle against the run, but he’s just not providing much of a spark with his limited time on the field. Time and again, Phillips was easily handled by a single blocker in the passing game, or simply avoided in the running game. This late in the season, Phillips is running out of chances to prove he deserves more time on the field.</p>
<h3 id="RaxuY1">OG <span>Wyatt Teller</span>
</h3>
<p id="VwR7un">Blocking on the run continues to be a problem for the rookie from Virginia Tech. Whenever <span>Teller</span> was asked to pull or get to the second level to block linebackers, he struggled to get his hands on his assignment. He just seems to lack the agility or awareness to handle smaller, quicker targets. There was one play, late in the first quarter, where Teller didn’t even see <span>Jarrad Davis</span> coming at him and was promptly pushed off his feet, giving up a four-yard loss. On the other hand, Teller was able to hold his ground in the passing game against both <span>A’Shawn Robinson</span> and Damon Harrison, two massive defensive tackles who are usually able to overpower lesser guards. </p>
<h3 id="cWEjpV">WR <span>Ray-Ray McCloud III</span>
</h3>
<p id="cXG726"><span>McCloud</span> only had eight offensive snaps on the day and his sole highlight was a jet sweep that gained seven yards. </p>
<h3 id="GpN7oS">S <span>Siran Neal</span>
</h3>
<p id="9bzJL7"><span>Neal</span> saw his highest amount of special team snaps of the season against Detroit, and didn’t make any mistakes when covering the opposing gunner. It is becoming worrisome that he is still not seeing any snaps on defense.</p>
<h3 id="r26CvS">WR <span>Robert Foster</span>
</h3>
<p id="ij5UEq">It was more big plays for Foster, who had his third 100-yard game of the season against the Lions. Thanks to his natural speed and some clever play design by offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, Foster found himself open on a couple of corner routes and a nice deep crossing route. Foster came down with huge completions on two of those plays and the third resulted in a pass interference call. Foster continued to show that he has evolved into a legitimate threat for which defenses must account.</p>
<h3 id="jEmllt">CB <span>Levi Wallace</span>
</h3>
<p id="yie2cn">Since he became a starter, <span>Wallace</span> has somehow been able to avoid getting targeted by opposing offenses, but that was not the case against the Lions. Thanks to some poor press technique, the rookie gave up a touchdown to <span>Andy Jones</span> on a simple out route early in the second quarter. Then, later in that same quarter, Wallace was lined up in zone coverage and noticed <span>Kenny Golladay</span> running open behind him. Deciding to fall off his coverage and attack the ball, he came tantalizingly close to an interception before <span>Golladay</span> snatched the ball away at the last second. The rookie needed to show more fight. On the positive side of the ledger, Wallace ran down running backs from the backside of the play a few times.</p>
<h3 id="V4ZBNe">OG <span>Ike Boettger</span>
</h3>
<p id="sOFTSn">The Bills finally decided to give <span>Boettger</span> a bit of a test drive, and the early returns against the Lions were positive. Only in for a single complete series, <span>Boettger</span> held his own. In contrast to Teller, the rookie from Iowa is much quicker and far more natural blocking on the move, but might struggle when asked to anchor against a physical tackle.</p>
<h3 id="0kRptY">LB <span>Corey Thompson</span>
</h3>
<p id="F9lZjN"><span>Thompson</span> was another player who saw his first defensive snaps of the season on Sunday. His play was much more muted than his teammates, as the defensive staff only brought him in when the team was in base defense. Thompson managed to show some decent speed to the ball carrier, but not much else in the way of flash plays. We’ll see if the coaching staff changes their tune next week against New England.</p>
<h3 id="uS8RsR">DE <span>Mike Love</span>
</h3>
<p id="R0xEXw">Only on the field for a handful of snaps, <span>Love</span> was involved just enough to remind fans of the juice he brought in the preseason. His burst off the line as a pass rusher is above-average and he got a fair amount of pressure against <span>Stafford</span>. Moving forward, there may be some concerns with Love’s ability to hold his ground against the run, but he should earn more time as a situational pass rusher. </p>
<h3 id="epM4ok">RB <span>Keith Ford</span>
</h3>
<p id="9ymipG">After <span>Marcus Murphy</span> dislocated his shoulder in the first half, <span>Ford</span> became the stater for three series before going down with an injury himself. In that span, Ford seemed to follow in the footsteps of his quarterback: taking what the defense gave him. He was content to put his head down and settle for a short gain instead of attempting to bust a run outside. Ford also broke out a jump cut move that the rookie didn’t seem to have in the preseason. It was a debut that clearly left fans wanting more.</p>
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<h3 id="NaF4uG">Notes</h3>
<ul><li id="u7iOM1">Cornerback <span>Taron Johnson</span> underwent shoulder surgery and is out for the rest of the year.</li></ul>
https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2018/12/19/18147661/buffalo-bills-rookie-report-week-15-big-plays-robert-foster-no-turnovers-josh-allen-keith-fordgrif2018-12-19T07:00:09-05:002018-12-19T07:00:09-05:00Bills Links, 12/19: Isaiah McKenzie making a difference for the Bills
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<img alt="Jacksonville Jaguars v Buffalo Bills" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/RpRnoE8L5nlQYJWg6tuDFub1QGM=/0x0:4300x2867/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62706614/1065213952.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The speedy wideout is making his presence felt in Buffalo</p> <p id="CxowxX">The <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> have been getting contributions from wide receiver <span>Isaiah McKenzie</span> since claiming him off the <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Denver Broncos</a> waiver wire earlier this season. Today’s links are highlighted by a profile of McKenzie, thanks to our friends at <a href="http://Cover1.net">Cover1.net</a>. There are also plenty of updates below on <span>Josh Allen</span>, <span>Keith Ford</span>, <span>Robert Foster</span> and much more.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="eQ3pJI">
<p id="wgvkDi"><a href="https://www.cover1.net/isaiah-mckenzie-seizing-opportunity-wide-receiver/">Isaiah McKenzie Seizing the Opportunity | Cover 1</a><br>Isaiah McKenzie has made an immediate impact on the Buffalo Bills offense since he was acquired from the Denver Broncos.</p>
<p id="Wh44Yg"><a href="https://www.newyorkupstate.com/buffalo-bills/2018/12/buffalo-bills-josh-allen-on-sealing-win-with-qb-sneak-im-going-to-get-it.html">Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen on sealing win with QB sneak: ‘I’m going to get it’ | newyorkupstate.com</a><br><span>Josh Allen</span> just wanted a helpful hand or two from his teammates.</p>
<p id="tBZ6Z4"><a href="https://www.newyorkupstate.com/expo/sports/erry-2018/12/04710944977948/buffalo-bills-banged-up-at-rb.html">Buffalo Bills banged up at RB: Bo Scarbrough, 9 other options for end of season | NewYorkUpstate.com</a><br>Buffalo could look at <span>Bo Scarbrough</span> and other practice-squad running backs, or sign a free agent veteran. <em>Note: </em><span><em>Scarbrough</em></span><em> was signed by the </em><a href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/"><em>Seahawks</em></a><em> on Tuesday.</em></p>
<p id="qEavWY"><a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1641776&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheathletic.com%2F720931%2F2018%2F12%2F18%2Fwood-with-this-years-bills-practicing-like-they-play-its-clear-the-culture-is-changing%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.buffalorumblings.com%2F2018%2F12%2F19%2F18147230%2Fbills-links-12-19-isaiah-mckenzie-making-a-difference-for-the-bills-josh-allen" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Wood: With this year’s Bills practicing like they play, it’s clear the culture is changing – The Athletic</a><br>McDermott has been completely blown away with his team's practice attitude lately, which says a lot about how this team will be for years to come. (Subscription required.)</p>
<p id="8XvNnD"><a href="https://www.wkbw.com/sports/bills/joe-b-buffalo-bills-all-22-review-week-15-vs-detroit-lions">Joe B: Buffalo Bills All-22 Review - Week 15 vs. Detroit Lions - WKBW</a><br>The Buffalo Bills collected a victory in Week 15, but what does the film show about <span>Josh Allen</span> and his team? 7ABC's Joe Buscaglia brings you his weekly detailed look at the game, complete with takeaways, player grades, rankings, and season-long grades.</p>
<p id="tSiRsM"><a href="https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-sign-wr-victor-bolden-off-49ers-practice-squad">Bills sign WR Victor Bolden off 49ers practice squad - BuffaloBills.com</a><br>On Tuesday, the Bills added a new member to their wide receiving corps.</p>
<p id="AVFD78"><a href="https://www.buffalobills.com/audio/keith-ford-it-was-good-to-be-out-there">Keith Ford: “It was good to be out there” - BuffaloBills.com</a><br>Bills running back <span>Keith Ford</span> joined One Bills Live to discuss his first NFL game, his time on the practice squad, how living on an Army base as a child prepared him for life in the NFL and being undrafted out of Texas A&M.</p>
<p id="ECGYe4"><a href="https://buffalonews.com/2018/12/18/buffalo-bills-pro-football-focus-robert-foster-josh-allen/">Pro Football Focus: Inside the numbers of Robert Foster’s rise – The Buffalo News</a><br><span>Robert Foster</span>’s performance over the last several weeks has put him in elite company. (Subscription required.)</p>
<p id="qQJwrP"><a href="https://buffalonews.com/2018/12/18/buffalo-bills-mike-montler-electric-company-obit/">Bills’ Electric Company center Mike Montler dies at age 74 – The Buffalo News</a><br>"Mike Montler, the center on the Buffalo Bills Electric Company offensive line that blocked for O.J. Simpson in his 2,003-yard season in 1973, has died in Grand Junction, Colorado."</p>
<h3 id="PxPAzE">Featured on Buffalo Rumblings</h3>
<p id="dAjZQ0"><a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/buffalo-bills-podcast-news-notes-analysis-radio-itunes-google-play-stitcher/2018/12/18/18146293/billieve-podcast-buffalo-bills-detroit-lions-josh-allen-2nd-4th-quarter-comeback-week-15">Billieve Podcast: Josh Allen’s second fourth-quarter comeback leads Buffalo Bills over Detroit Lions - Buffalo Rumblings</a><br>Allen proves he can win a game with his arm as Buffalo knocks off Detroit, 14-13.</p>
<p id="KYI9Gx"><a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2018/12/18/18144517/one-stat-recap-buffalo-bills-vs-detroit-lions-robert-foster-one-of-leagues-best-rookie-receivers">Buffalo Bills vs. Detroit Lions one stat recap: Robert Foster’s big day helps Josh Allen - Buffalo Rumblings</a><br>Robert Foster rapidly rising up the rookie receiver rankings.</p>
<p id="gSGCZy"><a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2018/12/18/18145402/marcus-murphy-has-dislocated-elbow-buffalo-bills-will-evaluate-if-he-can-play-injury-news-notes">Marcus Murphy has dislocated elbow; Buffalo Bills will evaluate if he can play - Buffalo Rumblings</a><br>Buffalo’s top three runners are working through injuries.</p>
<p id="1EfFUH"><a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2018/12/18/18143229/singing-bills-dad-dick-degroat-falsely-accused-of-inappropriate-advances-social-media">Singing “Bills Dad” Dick DeGroat falsely accused of inappropriate advances - Buffalo Rumblings</a><br>We’ve all been told to be cautious on social media and take certain posts with a grain of salt. Sometimes, however, even the best of us get caught in a situation that someone with poor intentions created.</p>
<p id="PCUaSV"><a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/buffalo-bills-podcast-news-notes-analysis-radio-itunes-google-play-stitcher/2018/12/17/18144176/circling-the-wagons-buffalo-bills-hold-off-detroit-lions-14-13-podcast-josh-allen-robert-foster">Circling the Wagons podcast: Buffalo Bills hold off Detroit Lions, 14-13 - Buffalo Rumblings</a><br>Post-game Recap Podcast of the Bills defeating the Lions, 14-13</p>
<p id="JpmRYo"><a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2018/12/18/18147503/2019-pro-bowl-zero-buffalo-bills-selected-for-squad-snubs-lorenzo-alexander-kyle-williams">2019 Pro Bowl: zero Buffalo Bills selected for squad - Buffalo Rumblings</a><br>That sucks.</p>
https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2018/12/19/18147230/bills-links-12-19-isaiah-mckenzie-making-a-difference-for-the-bills-josh-allenAnthony Marino2018-12-18T19:01:05-05:002018-12-18T19:01:05-05:00Bills fantasy football recap: Allen leads again
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<img alt="Detroit Lions v Buffalo Bills" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/EcIAbVWbUGDVBHUdvRo7y5enPsQ=/0x0:3178x2119/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62703858/1074128372.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The rookie continues to score big in fantasy football</p> <p id="IeAkyL">The <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> held on to defeat the <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> in a low-scoring affair on Sunday, gutting out a 14-13 victory at New Era Field. With such a low score, it’s no surprise that the fantasy football scoring was low for most players in the game, as well. </p>
<p id="rgaT5M">Even though the overall points totals were low, there were still some players who may have helped you to advance in the fantasy playoffs while you enjoyed a Bills win. Here are Buffalo’s top fantasy scorers from Week 15.</p>
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<h2 id="h5MJTZ">QB <span>Josh Allen</span>
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<p id="kizAXt">If you followed my advice and played <span>Allen</span> this week (looking at you, Matt Warren and Dylan Zadonowicz), then you reaped the rewards from a performance where he totaled 220 yards (204 passing, 16 rushing), one passing touchdown and one rushing touchdown. If you didn’t follow my advice (looking in the mirror here), then you started <span>Drew Brees</span> and left Allen on your bench, only to lose your match-up in excruciating fashion. Yuck. Allen scored 19.76 fantasy points this week, which was the fifth-highest total among quarterbacks for the weekend. This is the fourth consecutive week in which Allen has scored among the top-ten in quarterbacks, and he leads all fantasy quarterbacks in both total points (97.14) and average points per game (24.29) in that span. If he’s available in your league, you might want to pick him up. Don’t be like me!</p>
<h2 id="Gp7zuK">WR <span>Robert Foster</span>
</h2>
<p id="5IqX6K">Speaking of Bills players to pick up, <span>Foster</span> has quietly emerged as a legitimate fantasy starter over the last few weeks. His average of 13.08 points per game lands him thirteenth among all wide receivers in fantasy football over the last month, one spot behind <span>Julian Edelman</span> and one spot ahead of Robert Woods. While Edelman and Woods appear on 96% and 98% of <em>Yahoo!</em> fantasy rosters, respectively, Foster is only rostered in 14% of <em>Yahoo!</em> leagues. He caught four passes for 108 yards and one touchdown last week, good for 18.8 fantasy points. At this point in the year, he is beyond worthy of adding as a flex, and he may even creep into WR2-territory depending on your confidence in Buffalo against the <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a> this weekend.</p>
<h2 id="CWmL9X">WR <span>Isaiah McKenzie</span>
</h2>
<p id="kIbGiV">The drop-off from the top two players on the list to the third was a big one, as <span>McKenzie</span> put together a day based mostly on volume, which had not yet happened for him in his young career. Detroit worked hard to take rush lanes and deep shots away from Allen, allowing McKenzie to find some open space in short zones. He led the Bills in targets (seven) and receptions (six) on the day, managing 53 receiving yards on the day. He also added one carry for four yards, bringing his fantasy scoring total to 8.7 points. </p>
https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2018/12/18/18146156/buffalo-bills-fantasy-football-recap-week-15-josh-allen-leads-again-robert-foster-isaiah-mckenzieSean Murphy2018-12-18T19:00:05-05:002018-12-18T19:00:05-05:00Bills opponent fantasy football recap: Kenny Golladay’s big day
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<img alt="Detroit Lions v Buffalo Bills" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/wt0gIq891i7ibrF12eeV6xBbGcQ=/0x0:3277x2185/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62703840/1074128488.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The big receiver went off in the first half before Buffalo was able to contain him </p> <p id="wVDlhD">The <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> defeated the <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> on Sunday, gutting out a 14-13 victory at home. While the game ultimately ended with Buffalo on top, there were moments where it appeared the outcome would be different. In the first half, especially, the game had the feel of one that Buffalo was bound to lose.</p>
<p id="ZRSlgN">Much of that feeling had to do with the team’s inability to slow one key player on the Lions’ side. While that receiver had a career day, it was the Bills who came out ahead. </p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="QIEAcX">
<h2 id="aCKNOv">WR <span>Kenny Golladay</span>
</h2>
<p id="vmz22F">The 6’4” wide receiver is a match-up nightmare for any cornerback, and Buffalo’s defenders struggled to contain the hyper-athletic <span>Golladay</span> throughout the day. In the first half, <span>Golladay</span> was unstoppable. He caught four passes—all of which went for at least 20 yards—for a total of 115 receiving yards. Had he not caught another pass, Golladay would already have set a career-high in receiving yards for a game, with his previous high-water mark having been 114 yards in a game. The Bills managed to slow him down in the second half, allowing him only three more receptions for 31 yards, giving him a total of seven catches for 146 yards on the afternoon. Golladay was Detroit’s highest-scoring fantasy football player, though, notching 18.1 fantasy points on the day.</p>
<h2 id="vw49vq">QB <span>Matthew Stafford</span>
</h2>
<p id="oB9ji0">Detroit’s veteran quarterback was under duress all day, as the Bills came after him and hit him hard all afternoon. <span>Stafford</span> was very successful when targeting Golladay, but not at all when targeting other players. On passes Golladay’s way, <span>Stafford</span> was seven-for-eight, totaling 146 yards. On all other throws, he was 15-for-21 with 62 passing yards and a short touchdown throw to Andy Jones. <span>Stafford</span> scored 12.32 fantasy points on the day, which was second among Lions players, but only nineteenth among all quarterbacks on the weekend.</p>
<h2 id="SU9aDk">RB <span>Zach Zenner</span>
</h2>
<p id="q0DLRW"><span>Zenner</span> was Detroit’s most successful running back from a fantasy football perspective on Sunday, carrying ten times for 45 yards and a touchdown in the loss. He also caught three passes for zero yards on the afternoon. His stat line gave him 12 fantasy points, which was solid given the low-scoring nature of the game, but wasn’t much to celebrate in terms of overall fantasy success.</p>
https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2018/12/18/18146174/buffalo-bills-opponent-fantasy-football-recap-week-15-kenny-golladays-big-day-matthew-staffordSean Murphy2018-12-18T18:00:02-05:002018-12-18T18:00:02-05:00Patrick DiMarco breaks off career-best run vs. Detroit
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<img alt="Detroit Lions v Buffalo Bills" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/rpQWlhrXjzj8R6kHgV2A65-lB5Q=/0x0:3722x2481/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62703817/1074137536.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The veteran fullback can now play <em>Final Jeopardy</em> thanks to his nine-yard run!</p> <p id="om6ZId">The <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> (5-9) held on for a gritty 14-13 win over the <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> Sunday at New Era Field in a game that, by its conclusion, saw the Bills with exactly zero healthy running backs available for action. </p>
<p id="VkPabE">While rookie <span>Keith Ford</span> (14 carries for 46 yards) and <span>Marcus Murphy</span> (11 carries for 35 yards) enjoyed some success against the Lions, there was one run that really made a difference in the game, and helped a current Bill avoid a dubious distinction. </p>
<p id="xPwiyo">Trailing 13-7 on their first possession of the second half, the Bills faced a second-and-eight situation from their own 39-yard line. </p>
<p id="VsYitS">Already missing the services of running backs <span>LeSean McCoy</span> and <span>Chris Ivory</span> (ruled out before the game), and <span>Murphy</span> (who left the game a dislocated elbow), the Bills lined up in the shotgun formation. <span>Josh Allen</span> took the snap and handed off to... fullback <span>Patrick DiMarco</span>, who entered play with three career carries for negative-two yards. </p>
<p id="YshBif"><span>DiMarco</span>, who didn’t have a rushing attempt in Buffalo’s first 13 games, took the ball and ran off right tackle for a nine-yard gain. Not only was it a career-best rush for <span>DiMarco</span>, he is now eligible for <em>Final Jeopardy</em>, as the run brought him back into positive yardage for his career with a whopping seven career rushing yards. </p>
<blockquote><p id="cLGCrB">“I’ve got to know all the fullback stuff, all the tailback stuff, and most of the tight end stuff, just in case something happens.... We only had two tight ends up, so if one of them goes down, we can’t lose personnel groups.... I prepared for everything this week, and the preparation helped out,” DiMarco told <a href="https://buffalonews.com/2018/12/16/jay-skurskis-10-observations-bills-overcome-running-back-injuries-in-win/"><em>The Buffalo News</em></a>. “I think I finally got myself out of a negative average. Shoot, I can probably retire now.”</p></blockquote>
<p id="a7n4Wg">By the end of the game, even DiMarco and <span>Ford</span> missed time with minor injuries. Hopefully the Bills will have their full stable of running backs available for the Week 16 showdown in Foxboro with the <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a> (9-5). </p>
<p id="WfVjNv">For those who are curious, the last Bills player to end a season with negative rushing yards was <span>Reggie Bush</span>, who ran 12 times for negative-three yards in 2016 (although Bush did have a touchdown run that year). </p>
https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2018/12/18/18146372/buffalo-bills-patrick-dimarco-breaks-off-career-best-run-vs-detroit-lions-gets-into-positive-yardageJohn Boccacino