Buffalo Rumblings - All our coverage: Buffalo Bills travel to desert to take on Arizona CardinalsBuffalo Bills news, notes, discussions, opinions and analysis. 24/7/365 since 4/7/2007.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48063/buffalorumblings_fave.png2021-07-11T09:03:35-04:00http://www.buffalorumblings.com/rss/stream/213263442021-07-11T09:03:35-04:002021-07-11T09:03:35-04:00Cardinals’ “Hail Mary” win over Bills is ESPY Play of the Year
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<img alt="Buffalo Bills v Arizona Cardinals" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/pOqD9ttQ8xmwXlBJjFUtVMGKGHs=/0x368:2470x2015/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69567180/1285869245.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="qpRSrB">The <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> were on the receiving end of the ESPY’s Play of the Year. The awards ceremony was held Saturday night in New York City and voted on by fans. This year, the <a href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a>’ game-winning touchdown was the winner.</p>
<p id="oMDmXp">With 39 seconds remaining in the game, Bills QB Josh Allen delivered a beautiful strike to Stefon Diggs in the end zone for a touchdown, giving Buffalo a 30-26 lead late in the game and ensuring that the Cardinals would have to drive the length of the field in order to score the go-ahead points. </p>
<p id="yOpTQ1">After plays of 14, 9, and 9 yards with the Bills keeping the Cardinals pass catchers in front of them, Arizona sat on their own 48-yard line. Kyler Murray took the snap, drifted left and out of the pocket being chased by Mario Addison. Meanwhile, DeAndre Hopkins was running down the sideline toward the end zone. Murray heaved it and Hopkins came down with it in the middle of the trio of Bills defenders. Tre’Davious White, Micah Hyde, and Jordan Poyer were outmaneuvered for the score. </p>
<p id="JzbAZ6">The two-point conversion attempt failed and the Cardinals now had a 32-30 lead with just two seconds left on the clock. </p>
<p id="wVN6pF">The loss ultimately fueled the Bills’ finish to the 2020 season. They flew home and went on their bye at 7-3 and didn’t lose again until the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/afc-championship-game">AFC Championship</a> Game. </p>
https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2021/7/11/22572435/arizona-cardinals-hail-mary-win-over-buffalo-bills-is-espy-awards-play-of-the-yearMatt Warren2021-02-07T08:55:00-05:002021-02-07T08:55:00-05:00Arizona Cardinals win “Clutch Play of the Year” for Hail Mary game-winner
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<figcaption>Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Sad Bills fans.</p> <p id="ZPpnYf">The <a href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a> won the Bridgestone Clutch Performance Play of the Year at Saturday night’s NFL Honors ceremony, but that’s not going to make <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> fans happy. Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins connected on the so-called “Hail Murray” touchdown pass to win the game and defeat the Bills with seconds left on the clock.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Hail Murray is the 2020 <a href="https://twitter.com/Bridgestone?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Bridgestone</a> Clutch Performance Play of the Year! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NFLHonors?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NFLHonors</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/K1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@K1</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/DeAndreHopkins?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DeAndreHopkins</a> <a href="https://t.co/T5NoRsOdDh">pic.twitter.com/T5NoRsOdDh</a></p>— NFL (@NFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1358253917134536704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 7, 2021</a>
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<p id="Se9Wpg">The remarkable play overshadowed a great clutch performance by the Bills. A nice drive was capped with a gorgeous Josh Allen to Stefon Diggs go-ahead touchdown pass. They gave the ball back to the Cardinals who won the game.</p>
<p id="QfAddY">We broke down the play ad nauseum when it happened. Defensive end Mario Addison, safety Jordan Poyer, safety Micah Hyde, and cornerback Tre’Davious White all had shots to disrupt or prevent the play from happening. Sometimes, great players make great plays and Hopkins plucked it from the air on the pass from Murray. </p>
<p id="GllHH1">It was Buffalo’s only loss from October 25 to January 24, preventing them from earning a 12-game winning streak. </p>
https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2021/2/7/22271039/arizona-cardinals-win-clutch-play-of-the-year-for-hail-mary-game-winner-buffalo-billsMatt Warren2020-11-26T09:55:00-05:002020-11-26T09:55:00-05:00Jamie D and Big Newt: Bye Week Blues and Thanksgiving Dinner
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<img alt="Jamie D and Big Newt podcast art" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/rxKvWoGj1Ug49BdJ7zVdAir1jMo=/664x0:3625x1974/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67986638/JamieDandBigNewt-Blog-Final.0.0.png" />
<figcaption>Podcast art for Jamie D and Big Newt | Josh Rawdin</figcaption>
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<p>Plus predictions for the final six games of the season!</p> <p id="HPlKc8">2020 has been a trying year for many, but one reason to give thanks is the <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a>’ 7-3 record! Another is the weekly podcast from Jamie D and Big Newt.</p>
<p id="Gvh8gf">In this episode you’ll find out why, despite the loss to the <a href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a> before the bye week, D’Amico and Big Newt expect the team, and quarterback Josh Allen, to be competitive down the stretch.</p>
<p id="RzYMk9">They break down how the Bills defended the the much-discussed final play against the Cardinals, when Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray hit DeAndre Hopkins in the end zone, and why it wasn’t designed to be a typical Hail Mary-style jump ball.</p>
<p id="2Fmhat">There was also some intrigue to discuss as head coach Sean McDermott made a strange statement about the reason center Mitch Morse didn’t play. Your hosts speculate on what it could mean for him and future shuffling of the offensive line</p>
<p id="A9BFOb">Big Newt discusses the largest eight grade football players he’s seen. Also, let us not forget that Thanksgiving is upon us, which means Big Newt has plans to gorge himself with sweet potato pie.</p>
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<p id="oudrlu">The hosts want to hear from you! Get involved on Twitter at @TheJamieDamico and @Big_Newt.</p>
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https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2020/11/26/21721043/jamie-d-big-newt-bye-week-blues-and-thanksgiving-dinnerJamie D'Amico2020-11-22T09:30:00-05:002020-11-22T09:30:00-05:00Buffalo Bills’ fan confidence stays steady after Hail Murray loss to Arizona Cardinals
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<img alt="Miami Dolphins v&nbsp;Buffalo Bills" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/pY-A8jS4Qkz8fDhMY6NwOX58gpk=/0x0:5760x3840/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67841870/1182697279.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="rZCrub"><a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> fans didn’t overreact to their team’s loss to the <a href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a> this past week. A late offensive explosion put the <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Bills</a> ahead with 34 seconds left only to see Arizona mount a drive and win on a last-second Hail Mary. Bills fans still think things are going okay on the whole. After a week back to 95 percent from a previous high of 100 percent earlier in the season, confident fans fell to 92 percent after the loss.</p>
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<p id="q295GB">Even with 92 percent of Bills fans in SB Nation Reacts polls saying they are confident in the direction of the franchise, Buffalo comes in eighth in fan voting. Fans of the <a href="https://www.silverandblackpride.com/">Las Vegas Raiders</a> and <a href="https://www.bucsnation.com/">Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a> are at 100 percent with <a href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com">Kansas City Chiefs</a> fans right behind at 99 percent. </p>
<p id="Y6mm2i">In the AFC East, fans of the <a href="https://www.thephinsider.com/">Miami Dolphins</a> are 98 percent confident, followed by Buffalo’s 92 percent, <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a> fans rebounded from 35 percent a week ago to 71 percent this week, and <a href="https://www.ganggreennation.com/">New York Jets</a> fans keep climbing despite not winning and stand at 21 percent fan confidence. </p>
https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2020/11/22/21589700/buffalo-bills-fan-confidence-stays-steady-after-hail-murray-loss-to-arizona-cardinalsMatt Warren2020-11-22T09:15:00-05:002020-11-22T09:15:00-05:00Buffalo Bills’ offense back on track, scoring in ten straight quarters and counting
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<img alt="Buffalo Bills v Arizona Cardinals" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/JEzxkHU6aRVPUS8erkvV3aLG894=/0x0:1831x1221/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67841823/1285839026.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="ivqfKt">The <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> had a blistering start to their season, with MVP candidate <span>Josh Allen</span> leading the offense to more than 30 points per game on average and a 4-0 start. After a lull for the middle portion of the season, the offense has kicked it back in gear. They’ve scored in each of the last ten quarters and could extend that streak next week against the <a href="https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/">Los Angeles Chargers</a>.</p>
<p id="2kiPBQ">In those ten quarters, Buffalo has 91 points—a pace that would average more than 36 points per game. The league leaders are hovering just under 32 points per game for the 2020 season. </p>
<p id="CNVPAJ">The last quarter they were held scoreless was the second period against the <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a>. In that quarter, Buffalo had two meaningful drives. One stalled after five plays gained 12 yards. Later, the <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Bills</a> drove down and had 2nd-and-3 on the <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">Patriots</a>’ 36 when a holding call knocked them out of field goal range. On 3rd-and-long, <span>Allen</span> threw an interception. </p>
<p id="6Ozihe">Buffalo will look to add to the scoring streak next week when they play the <a href="https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/">Chargers</a>, who have given up points in each of their last ten quarters of play (before they play the <a href="https://www.ganggreennation.com/">New York Jets</a> this Sunday). </p>
https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2020/11/22/21589682/buffalo-bills-offense-back-on-track-scoring-in-ten-straight-quarters-and-countingMatt Warren2020-11-22T09:00:00-05:002020-11-22T09:00:00-05:00Tyler Bass is first kicker in NFL history with three 50-plus field goals in one quarter
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<img alt="Buffalo Bills v Arizona Cardinals" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/D9Oi7HPVmJrWqb7bQ02PxQ8V5Ys=/0x0:3721x2481/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67841749/1286025275.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>He’s coming around</p> <p id="4lcJ0H">At the end of the <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a>’ offseason, the team released kicker Stephen Hasuchka and fully committed to rookie sixth-round draft pick Tyler Bass. We knew it would be a little rocky, but last Sunday, Bass recorded three 50-yard field goals in the second quarter, becoming the first player in NFL history to accomplish the feat.</p>
<p id="CicirD">In August, <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2020/8/28/21401855/analytics-is-tyler-bass-the-right-choice-at-kicker-for-the-buffalo-bills">we did a statistical analysis of rookie kickers</a>. We looked back on a bunch of them to show how they’re usually inconsistent in year one before settling in beyond that first season. We saw that inconsistency early on for Bass. He was 2-of-4 in Week 1, missed an extra point in Week 4, missed one of his two field goals in Week 6, and hit six of eight field goals in Week 7. (In that last game, he tied the team record for attempts in a game.)</p>
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<p lang="es" dir="ltr">Anótenle 3 puntos a Bass y récord personal ‼️<br><br>58 YARDAS <br><br> <a href="https://twitter.com/FOXSportsMX?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FOXSportsMX</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NFLMX?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NFLMX</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BillsMafia?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BillsMafia</a> <a href="https://t.co/4kyfErMnAr">pic.twitter.com/4kyfErMnAr</a></p>— NFL México (@nflmx) <a href="https://twitter.com/nflmx/status/1328103817276252160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 15, 2020</a>
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<p id="8BgGmg">But last week, he was a perfect 3-for-3 on field goal attempts with all of them over 50 yards and all of them in the second quarter. He hit from 54, 55, and 58 yards. Head coach Sean McDermott hasn’t been shy about sending out the rookie’s booming leg to take long tries, even trotting him out for a 61-yard attempt against the <a href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a>. That’s the main reason they went with Bass over Hasuchka, general manager Brandon Beane said this offseason.</p>
<p id="TIv6En">While Bass hasn’t been asked to make any game-winning kicks yet and handle the pressure-packed situation, he’s done about as well as most <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Bills</a> fans could have hoped to this point. </p>
https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2020/11/22/21589631/tyler-bass-is-first-kicker-in-nfl-history-with-three-50-plus-field-goals-in-one-quarterMatt Warren2020-11-19T09:05:00-05:002020-11-19T09:05:00-05:00The Bruce Exclusive: Third-Quarter Pounder with Geez
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<img alt="The Bruce Exclusive podcast Cover Art" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/PsKUYS6JDKDHxuERzFowsDh6EYc=/0x27:4300x2894/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67816459/Bruce_Exclusive-blog-logo.0.0.png" />
<figcaption>The Bruce Exclusive podcast Cover Art | Josh Rawdin</figcaption>
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<p>What happened?</p> <p id="fu6Apz">On this episode of “The Bruce Exclusive” Bruce dives into the third-quarter offensive woes for the <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> that reared their ugly head against the <a href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a>. Mitch Morse and the confusion with head coach Sean McDermott’s press conference, aggressive timeout usage, and some housekeeping for the pod round out the topics.</p>
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<p id="atfNO6">#<a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Bills</a> #goBills #BillsMafia</p>
<p id="DXtoaV">Subscribe to the <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/buffalo-bills-podcast-news-notes-analysis-radio-itunes-google-play-stitcher">Buffalo Rumblings podcast channel</a> featuring Billieve, Blitzed <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Bills</a>, Buffalo Rumblings Q&A, Breaking Buffalo Rumblings, Code of Conduct with J. Spence, The Bruce Exclusive, The Buff Hub, Jamie D. and Big Newt, The Mafia Mavens, and Circling the Wagons:</p>
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https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2020/11/19/21574340/the-bruce-exclusive-third-quarter-pounder-with-geezBruce Nolan2020-11-18T09:00:00-05:002020-11-18T09:00:00-05:00What the heck is going on with Buffalo Bills center Mitch Morse?
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<img alt="New England Patriots v Buffalo Bills" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/E1Tow6Xpx3KALNst_fIHEbfhN4s=/0x140:2776x1991/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67810236/1283380951.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>He’s healthy but not playing?</p> <p id="CDzQUO">On Sunday, <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> center <span>Mitch Morse</span> was fully healthy. He didn’t appear on the team’s final injury report and wasn’t listed as questionable. So why didn’t the high-priced veteran play against the <a href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a>? Head coach Sean McDermott said it was a coaches’ decision. </p>
<p id="sbjdvp"><span>Morse</span> was sidelined early in the team’s game against the <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a> with his fifth documented NFL concussion and missed the following week against the <a href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a> working his way through the concussion protocol. But he cleared the protocol and was in uniform Sunday, but never saw the field.</p>
<p id="XzgkNB">“He was healthy, coach’s decision right there,” McDermott said Monday. “We know Mitch is a good player and just felt like for that week, meaning last week, we felt like we had at least some momentum with the group we had had in when Mitch went down and wanted to take a look at it one more week there.”</p>
<p id="kie5qz">Excuse me, what?</p>
<p id="iDTceY">“Strictly a football decision,” McDermott followed up, doubling down. </p>
<p id="vVqPD0">Frankly, this explanation makes zero sense. </p>
<p id="IOGJEG">Against the <a href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a>, the <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Bills</a> allowed seven sacks and had just 19 yards rushing on ten carries from running backs. (1.9 yards per carry is pretty terrible.) How is that positive momentum? </p>
<p id="QjQLxH"><span>Morse</span> is better than starting guards <span>Brian Winters</span> or <span>Ike Boettger</span>, so I guess you could make the argument they wanted to keep Feliciano at center to make the calls and set the tone but didn’t feel comfortable playing Morse at guard. But that is certainly grasping at straws. </p>
<p id="bmUGpT">The other possible explanation is that McDermott was covering for a non-football decision. Maybe Morse didn’t feel comfortable playing so close to his most recent concussion or maybe the coaching staff felt that way and only wanted to use him in emergencies. (Then why was he active?) Maybe. Why not say that when asked? “We care about the long-term health of our players” isn’t exactly a negative stance to take. </p>
<p id="UTtgLQ">It will definitely bear watching as the Bills come out of the bye. With Cody Ford likely to return from his injury and re-take one guard spot, Morse could jump back into the center position and Feliciano return to guard. That would get their best five linemen all on the field at the same time.</p>
<p id="Ir078q">Cutting Morse after this season would only leave $5.5 million in dead cap space and save the team roughly $5 million in 2021 and more than $8 million in 2022. Feliciano is a free agent after this season.</p>
<p id="TBHNm2">With how the Bills have been struggling running the ball, they need to do something different on the offensive line. I’m not sure taking out your four-year, $44.5 million center is the right way to do it. </p>
<p id="Cf69Pl">McDermott indicated that the move was only for one week and they would re-evaluate over each and every week going forward. </p>
https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2020/11/18/21573087/what-the-heck-is-going-on-with-buffalo-bills-center-mitch-morseMatt Warren