Category: Bills News

Bills LB Terrel Bernard named AFC Defensive Player of the Week

Bills LB Terrel Bernard named AFC Defensive Player of the Week

Buffalo Bills linebacker Terrel Bernard has been named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week following his team’s win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 12.

Bernard is the second player from Buffalo the win the DPOTW honor in as many games as cornerback Taron Johnson won it seven days ago.

In total, the Bills (9-2) have had six player win a weekly honor so far this season.

Bernard led the Bills with eight tackles, including one for loss.

More importantly, Bernard notched a sack on Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and intercepted him. The latter takeaway was the final play of the game for Kansas City’s offense as Bernard iced the 30-21 win.

Bernard’s impact stood out even further considering he missed this team’s postseason loss to the Chiefs last season. .

In total, Buffalo has taken home six total “Player of the Week” honors so far in 2024. The team record for the Bills in a single season is eight.

Bernard’s pick can be found in the clip below:

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Bills vs. Chiefs will only be fifth game of its kind since NFL merger

Bills vs. Chiefs will only be fifth game of its kind since NFL merger

Every time the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs do battle, it’s must-watch television.

In 2024, we have a layer further adding to that.

When the Bills and Chiefs link up, the two teams will have records of 8-2 and 9-0, respectively. One of the two being undefeated adds to the matchup, but that’s not it. This one involves both sides.

According to ESPN, it will only be the fifth time since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970 that two teams will play and both will have have eight or more wins before Week 11.

And in the good news department, the home team has won the previous four. Buffalo will host Kansas City on Sunday.

Regardless, two talented teams are set for a fun showdown:

Bills CB Taron Johnson named AFC Defensive Player of the Week

Bills CB Taron Johnson named AFC Defensive Player of the Week

Buffalo Bills cornerback Taron Johnson has been honored by the NFL for his efforts in Week 10 against the Indianapolis Colts.

In that 30-20 win for the Bills (8-2), Johnson played a big role. His game was highlighted by a pick-six interception and a sack against Colts quarterback Joe Flacco.

Following the outing, Johnson has been named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week for Week 10:

In recording a pick-six and sack, the 28-year-old became the first defensive back in team history to put together such an outing.

In total, Johnson had three tackles including one for loss against the Colts. The DPOTW honor is the first in Johnson’s career.

The Bills have five total Player of the Week honors so far in 2024. Most recently, kicker Tyler Bass won the Special Teams Player of the Week Award last week against the Miami Dolphins.

Colts will be without key offensive starter vs. Bills

Colts will be without key offensive starter vs. Bills

The Indianapolis Colts’ offensive line won’t be at full strength when they host the Buffalo Bills in Week 10. They’ll be missing a major piece to their puzzle up front.

On Tuesday, the team placed veteran center Ryan Kelly on injured reserve, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

Kelly, a Pro Bowler in four of the past five years, will miss at least the next four games for the Colts after suffering a knee injury.

Colts running back Jonathan Taylor will be looking to get back on track on the ground this week despite the loss of their team captain at center. In last week’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings, he was held to 3.7 yards per carry and totaled just 48 yards.

Taylor will attempt to right the ship while running behind rookie center Tanor Bortolini on Sunday. But, even with a fourth-round rookie handling the snaps, the Bills defensive line will still be tested.

Bortolini, a former Wisconsin Badger, will start at center for Kelly for the third time this year. He has fared well while at center so far. In 160 total snaps, his 66.3 Pro Football Focus grade ranks 18th among 57 qualifying centers. Bortolini has given up zero sacks on just one pressure allowed and has committed just one penalty.

The Bills’ defensive line has seen its struggles as of late and they recently lost defensive linemen DeWayne Carter and Dawuane Smoot to IR. They did bring back free-agent defensive tackles Jordan Phillips and Quinton Jefferson on Wednesday, but they are a unit on the team that has left a lot to be desired.

How the Bills’ front, particularly Ed Oliver and DaQuan Jones, perform going up against the rookie is now a key matchup to watch in Week 10.

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Bills’ Tyler Bass named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week

Bills’ Tyler Bass named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week

Buffalo Bills kicker Tyler Bass was named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance in Week 9’s win over the Miami Dolphins.

In the win, Bass accounted for one-third of the Bills’ points (10). He was 3-for-3 on field goal attempts and 1-for-2 on extra points.

The most crucial kick, and the kick that played the biggest role in him receiving the award, was a 61-yarder which proved to be the game-winner with five seconds left.

Along with the game-winner, Bass also connected on field goals from 40 and 49 yards out, an area which he has struggled in.

The 61-yarder was not only a career-long for Bass, but it was a franchise record for the Bills. It is the only 60-yard field goal in Bills history. He surpassed Steve Christie, who connected on a 59-yarder in 1993.

Following the game, Josh Allen told CBS Sports, “I’m emotional for him. He’s been battling his butt off, fighting adversity. You saw that today. To be there in the biggest moment and nail that for us… I’m so proud of him. I love that man.”

That support from his teammates is what led to Bass getting emotional while receiving the game ball after the game.

Here’s another look at the new record for the longest field goal in Bills history.

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2024 NFL trade deadline: No deals from Bills but there is room for moves to come

2024 NFL trade deadline: No deals from Bills but there is room for moves to come

The 2024 NFL trade deadline has come and went for the league, the Buffalo Bills included.

The Bills (7-2) opted not to made a deal. The 4 p.m. deadline on Nov. 5 came and went–Buffalo was not involved in any reported trades as that time passed.

That doesn’t mean something couldn’t be brewing.

On deadline day, two moves that were seen on the horizon ended up happening.

Reportedly safety Mike Edwards asked for a trade in recent weeks. After failing to stay on the field due to injury this offseason, Edwards became a backup option at safety and ended up being a healthy scratch on most game days.

Because of Edwards’ desire to play, general manager Brandon Beane respected his feeling and the team has released him. That freed up a roster spot for Beane.

Then another already confirmed move officially happened. Defensive end Dawuane Smoot was placed on injured reserve as he’s set to have wrist surgery. That’s a second roster space.

For those counting, that means the Bills have 51 players rostered. Could an addition via free agency or the waiver wire be on the way? What about the retirement route?

The latter brings Micah Hyde to mind.

Hyde, 33, was a free agent at the end of the 2023 season and never returned to Buffalo. The safety has been a free agent and said he would only return to the Bills if he decided to play in the NFL again following a neck injury last season.

It remains to be seen if Hyde or anyone else ends up signing in Buffalo. Regardless, eventually, those roster spots will be filled.

Bills Wire will provide future updates.

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Bills grant Mike Edwards his release, barring a last-minute trade

Mike Edwards asked the Bills to release him and they will do so, barring a late trade before the deadline

Buffalo Bills safety Mike Edwards has only played seven defensive snaps this season, so he’s looking for an opportunity elsewhere. According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, Edwards has asked the Bills to release him and the team is granting him that.

Buffalo will waive the veteran safety unless the team is able to make a last-minute trade before the 4 p.m. ET deadline. So either way, Edwards’ tenure with the Bills is coming to an end.

After playing all 17 games and starting five last season with the Chiefs, Edwards signed with the Bills this offseason. His role has been non-existent, however, playing only three games and making just one tackle.

WATCH: Bills award 2024 Fans of the Year to ‘The Chefs’

WATCH: Bills award 2024 Fans of the Year to ‘The Chefs’

The Buffalo Bills announced their 2024 Fans of the Year on Friday and used a couple of old friends to help surprise the award’s recipients.

Jim Kelly and Thurman Thomas took some time to honor longtime Bills fans, ‘The Chefs’, for their dedication to the Bills over the years.

Season ticket holders since 1999, The Chefs have been a staple at Bills games and tailgates and have been known by their nicknames Chef Poo and Chef Norm.

Before being honored by the Bills as Fans of the Year, Norm and Poo were asked to enter a Bills trailer at Highmark Stadium and share their best Bills memories. A surprise knock at the door from Hall of Famer Jim Kelly changed the course of their day.

Watch the full video below of The Chefs being honored by the Bills:

Bills back kicker Tyler Bass with latest roster move

Bills back kicker Tyler Bass with latest roster move

The Buffalo Bills showed they still have faith in kicker Tyler Bass.

The team announced on Thursday that they have released kicker Lucas Havrisik from the practice squad. Havrisik was brought in to compete with Bass in practice just two weeks ago. It turns out there wasn’t much of a competition.

In nine career games in the NFL (all in 2023), Havrisik is a 75% percent kicker, having connected on 15-of-20 field goal attempts. He is also 19-of-22 on extra points. Not ideal numbers to start his career.

So, for now at least, Bass remains the guy for the Bills.

So far in 2024, Bass has made 12-of-15 field goals (80%) which is good for 30th in the NFL. He is 26-of-28 on extra points (92.9%) which ranks 32nd.

With the open spot on the practice squad after the release of Havrisik, the team brought back wide receiver Deon Cain.

Cain rejoins the Bills after being released from the team this preseason. He appeared in 15 games across 2019 and 2020 and has just nine career catches.

Learn more about Cain below: 

Report: Bills’ Mike Edwards would like to be traded by team

Report: Bills’ Mike Edwards would like to be traded by team

The Buffalo Bills and veteran safety Mike Edwards could soon be destined for a split with the 2024 NFL trade deadline looming.

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Edwards wants to be traded and the team has made him available.

“Veteran Buffalo safety Mike Edwards is available and would like to go somewhere he can play (he has been a steady inactive).”

The 28-year-old was signed earlier this offseason by the Bills to be a veteran presence in the team’s secondary as a past Super Bowl winner. Prior to his addition, holes were left vacant by Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde on Buffalo’s defense.

Over the summer, Edwards ended up rarely practicing due to various injuries. He was once viewed as a projected starter and even general manager Brandon Beane said as much.

However, after missing time during both spring practices and training camp, the Bills decided to eventually roll with Damar Hamlin and Taylor Rapp at the safety position.

That left Edwards as a healthy scratch on most games days so far, as noted in the report.

The upcoming trade deadline is slated for Nov. 5.

Bills Wire will provide updates as information is made available.