Tag: Buffalo Bills

NFL odds: Broncos are 3.5-point underdogs against Bills

The Broncos are considered underdogs on the road against the Bills this week.

The Denver Broncos (3-7) are considered 3.5-point underdogs on the road against the Buffalo Bills (7-3) in Week 12, according to BetMGM. The over/under line for combined points scored between the two teams has been set at 37.5.

Last week, the Broncos scored 23 points in a 27-23 loss to the Minnesota Vikings (8-3). The Bills scored 37 points in a 37-20 win over the Miami Dolphins (2-8).

Denver is scoring an average of 17.2 points per game this season and Buffalo is averaging 21.1 points per game. Combined, that’s an average of 38.3 points per contest, which would be slightly over this week’s over/under line.

The Broncos and Bills have faced each other 37 times dating back to 1960 and Buffalo leads the all-time series 20-16-1, including a 13-11 record at home. These two teams last met in 2017, a game the Bills won 26-16.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

[vertical-gallery id=627475]

Power rankings: Dolphins beatdown helps Bills in polls

Buffalo Bills in national media power rankings polls heading into Week 12.

The Bills got back to their winning ways in Week 11, topping the Miami Dolphins 37-20.

Buffalo jumped to 7-3 on the year and in the process, saw their stock rise in national power rankings polls.

Here’s a look around those national polls and media outlets and where the Bills sit, heading into Week 12:

USA Today

15. Bills (17): For a change, let’s discuss their impressive attributes … like one turnover in past five games or WR John Brown on pace for 1,300-yard year.

Touchdown Wire

9. Buffalo Bills

(7-3. Last week: 11)

Over his past five games, Bills quarterback Josh Allen has thrown eight touchdown passes and no interceptions. Buffalo is 3-2 in those games, but it’s another indicator that this is an under-the-radar team determined to be taken seriously. Not only was Allen accurate on deep throws in a 37-20 win over the Dolphins in ways he’s struggled to be before, but he’s also gained a command of the offense that could have been called into question in previous stretches. This 40-yard touchdown pass to John Brown was a rocket to exploit a clear hole in zone coverage …

CBS Sports

8. Bills (9)

They rebounded nicely against Miami. Josh Allen had one of his best games. As he improves, so will this team.

ESPN 

12. Buffalo Bills (7-3)
Week 11 ranking: 13

Most underrated player: Jordan Phillips, DT

Phillips is a known commodity among the Bills fan base, but the rest of the league likely will get to know him this coming offseason, as he has played himself into a sizable payday. Despite initially taking a backseat to 2019 first-round pick Ed Oliver, the upcoming free agent trails only Aaron Donald in sacks among defensive tackles with seven and has been a much-needed presence in Buffalo’s interior pass rush.

Sporting News

14. Buffalo Bills, 7-3 (15)

The Bills are good at ripping through bad teams, and they did just that in whipping the Dolphins to stay ahead of surging group of AFC wild-card contenders. They need to beat up on the Broncos next with the Cowboys, Ravens and Patriots around the corner.

Bleacher Report

14. Buffalo Bills (7-3)

High: 11

Low: 18

Last Week: 17

Week 11 Result: Won at Miami 37-20

The Buffalo Bills were one of last week’s biggest droppers, sliding out of the top half of the league after a listless loss to Cleveland.

The Bills got back on the right track Sunday in Miami, demonstrating just the kind of performance the team needs to not only make the postseason but do some damage once there.

The run game was clicking to the tune of 168 yards on 34 carries. The defense allowed just 303 yards and sacked Ryan Fitzpatrick seven times. But quarterback Josh Allen’s performance was most promising.

Allen had one of the better games of his career, completing almost two-thirds of his passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns without an interception.

“Don’t look now, but everyone’s favorite whipping boy, Allen, is playing extremely well,” Sobleski said. “The second-year signal-caller became the first quarterback since Russell Wilson in 2015 with five consecutive games of two touchdowns and zero interceptions. If Allen continues to play well alongside a stout defense, Buffalo goes from pretender to actual contender.”

Of course, Sunday’s performance came against a bad Miami team, but this is Buffalo’s recipe for success against good opponents as well. The defense and run game will probably be there, but Allen will have to make the plays that will win or lose the game.

In Week 11 at least, the young gunslinger came through.

Yahoo! Sports

14 Buffalo Bills, 7-3 (15)

The Bills are good at ripping through bad teams, and they did just that in whipping the Dolphins to stay ahead of surging group of AFC wild-card contenders. They need to beat up on the Broncos next with the Cowboys, Ravens and Patriots around the corner.

NFL.com 

14. Bills (7-3)

Previous rank: No. 16

That was a game the Bills needed. Go on the road, against an AFC East foe, and rip them up. Buffalo rolled up season highs in total yards (424) and points in a 37-20 win over the Dolphins. Josh Allen led the Bills to points in six of their first eight possessions, quickly taking the drama out of the proceedings — a welcome change of pace for a team that has too often been asking the defense to close out tight games late in the fourth quarter. It’s a good look for Bills head coach Sean McDermott, who let it be known in the week leading up to the game that he was seeking more from the Bills’ offense, which entered Week 11 ranked 23rd in the league. The question now becomes whether or not the Bills can sustain this offensive boom. Their playoff hopes might ride on it.

[lawrence-related id=48812,48849,48895,48695]

By The Numbers: 6 important figures to know from Bills’ win over Dolphins

Six numbers to know from the Buffalo Bills’ Week 11 win over the Miami Dolphins.

So you wanted a statement game? You wanted style points? Done and done.

The Buffalo Bills played their best game of the season – led by what was arguably quarterback Josh Allen’s best game as a pro in a 37-20 thumping of the Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday in Week 11.

The win bumps Buffalo’s record to 7-3, its best mark after 10 games since 1999.

Here are six numbers to know from the win:

117.1

For better or worse, this team will go as far as Allen can take them. Despite having a borderline elite defense, it’s going to be the second-year signal caller that is going to determine whether or not Buffalo’s hunt for the postseason is a success.

On Sunday, Allen did nearly everything right. He threw for 256 yards and three touchdowns on 21-of-33 passing and ran for 56 yards and a score on seven carries – all without a turnover. His 117.1 passer rating was the highest of his career.

Detractors are going to say he failed to hit the 300-yard passing mark, or that it was a muted performance based on the opposition, but Allen was downright exceptional in South Beach.

137

The beat just goes on and on for John Brown. Brown turned in his best game as Bill, hauling in nine receptions for 137 yards and two scores. He extended his streak of consecutive games with at least five receptions and 50 yards to 10 games and is now at 56 receptions for 817 yards and four touchdowns on the season.

Brown is on pace for 90 receptions, 1307 yards and six touchdowns. His three-year, $27-million contract is looking more and more like a steal.

16

Fans have been pleading to get running back Devin Singletary more involved in the offense. The Bills did just that Sunday; Singletary led the team with 75 rushing yards on a team-high 15 attempts and finished with 16 total touches and 79 yards of total offense. It was the fourth-straight game in which Singletary led the team in rushing attempts.

Frank Gore finished with 11 carries for 27 yards, and the changing of the guard that Buffalo fans have expected may finally be upon us.

0

Robert Foster’s season-long struggles continued Sunday; he failed to see the field in the victory. While Brown, Cole Beasley and Isaiah McKenzie each played at least 78 percent of Buffalo’s offensive snaps, and Andre Roberts seeing nine snaps, Foster was the odd man out after playing just 16 snaps a week ago.

In seven games this season, Foster has just one reception for 20 yards – signaling the Bills are likely moving on from the second-year receiver.

7

Buffalo’s defense recorded a season-high seven sacks and tallied 14 quarterback hits. While the lone turnover Buffalo forced came via an Allen Hurns fumble, the Bills were equally disruptive against the Dolphins ground game — holding Miami to just 23 rushing yards.

-5

After two straight games away from home, Buffalo returns to New Era Field in Week 12 to take on Denver. The Bills opened as five-point favorites over the Broncos (3-7), who squandered a 20-0 lead in a 27-23 loss to Minnesota Sunday.

Buffalo is 6-3-1 against the spread, but just 2-3 ATS at home, while Denver is 6-4 against the spread and 3-2 ATS on the road.
The Over/Under is set for 36.5; Las Vegas expects the Bills to grind out a close, low scoring game.

[lawrence-related id=48895,48740,48886,48695]

Stock up, stock down following Bills’ win over Dolphins

Stock report for Buffalo Bills Week 11 win over the Miami Dolphins.

The Bills had their way with the Miami Dolphins for most of their Week 11 meeting as Buffalo secured a 37-20 victory.

All three phases of the game for the Bills made an impact in this one – mostly for better, but at times for worse.

With that, here’s Bills Wire’s Week 11 stock report following Buffalo’s win:

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen. Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Stock up

QB Josh Allen

Still no 300-yard outings for the Bills quarterback. Allen finished with 256 yards passing against the Dolphins, but he undoubtedly had a heck of a day. Overall, Allen was 21-for-33 passing with three TD passes, plus another rushing score. He also had 56 yards rushing.

Somehow, the Bills should convince Allen he’s playing the Dolphins every week. In his brief career, he’s brought some of his best stuff against them. And while opening this with a 300-yard joke, Allen would surely hit that mark, perhaps even consistently, if he treated every team like the Dolphins. Aside from a quick series that saw him toss three straight incompletions, there was a lot of good from the QB in Week 11. Allen continues to not turn the ball over as well, as he hasn’t tossed a pick in 163 straight passes.

WR John Brown

Allen’s successes wouldn’t have been there if it wasn’t for Brown, though. In his best game with the Bills, Brown caught nine passes for 137 yards and two touchdowns against the Dolphins. Brown had 14 targets as well, so Allen was certainly looking for him a lot.

Brown’s 82.9 overall grade from Pro Football Focus gave him the team’s highest grade on the day and he’s in line to be one of the team’s most consistent playmakers in about two decades. No one expected that when he signed on the dotted line, but no one is mad about it, either.

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5, Page 6

PODCAST: 3 takeaways from Bills’ dominant win over Dolphins

Kyle Silagyi is joined by Rich Kowalski and McKenna Middlebrook to discuss three takeaways from the Buffalo Bills’ Week 11 win.

The Buffalo Bills took care of business in their Week 11 matchup with the Miami Dolphins.

The prospective playoff team was supposed to dominate its lowly division rival. The struggling defense was supposed to refind its form, making it difficult for Miami’s offense to make any sort of progress. Quarterback Josh Allen was supposed to pick the Dolphins’ 29th ranked defense apart, leading the team to a ‘statement’ game that would reaffirm its status as a legitimate contender.

In untypical Buffalo fashion, all of these events played out as planned, as the Bills dominated Miami en route to a 37-20 victory. On this episode of The Kyle Silagyi Variety Hour, host Kyle Silagyi is joined by BillsWire staff writers Rich Kowalski and McKenna Middlebrook to discuss their three takeaways from the Bills’ Week 11 victory. They also talk about the Los Angeles Chargers’ rumored move to London.

Subscribe:

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Google Podcasts

RadioPublic

RSS

[protected-iframe id=”0062c8fd43fa01d1967c787cd1c6b163-105974704-98603886″ info=”https://embeds.audioboom.com/posts/7427647/embed/v4″ width=”100%” height=”300″ frameborder=”0″ style=”background-color: transparent; display: block; padding: 0; max-width: 700px;” scrolling=”no”]

[lawrence-related id=48740,48814,48715,48721]

What we learned from Bills’ Week 11 victory over Miami

What we learned, Buffalo Bills vs. Miami Dolphins, NFL week 11

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

With questions starting to creep in about the Bills and the overall outlook of their 2019 season, a comfortable, yet fun win, in Miami, was just what the doctor ordered for Sean McDermott’s team.

The Bills rebounded from a tough loss in Cleveland and got back on the winning track by lighting up the scoreboard at Hard Rock Stadium. Buffalo produced its highest-scoring output of the season in a 37-20 trouncing of the Dolphins.

The Bills offense got up off the canvas after a week of taking punches in the form of criticism from fans and local media for numerous subpar performances since September. Any offensive shortcomings the Bills have been experiencing this season were forgotten for most of the day Sunday as the Bills posted 424 yards of total offense and seven different scoring drives.

It was a big day for quarterback Josh Allen. Allen had his best outing of the season, completing 21 of 33 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns. He also added 56 yards rushing and a rushing touchdown. Meanwhile, receiver John Brown had his biggest and best day yet for Buffalo with nine catches for 137 yards and two touchdowns.

The Buffalo defense had an overall strong day, even though Ryan Fitzpatrick passed for 323 yards. The Bills sacked Fitzpatrick seven times and produced a takeaway for the first time since October. The run defense rebounded in a huge way by allowing Miami just 23 rushing yards. It was a major change for a run defense that had been gashed in recent weeks.

The Bills now sit at 7-3 and have to feel a bit more comfortable than they did last week about their playoff outlook. They can get to 8-3 this coming week back at home against the 3-7 Denver Broncos before they make their Thanksgiving trip to Dallas.

Here are four things we learned from the Bills’ win Sunday in South Florida:

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5

John Brown sets 3 Bills records in win vs. Dolphins

John Brown’s big day saw him grab nine catches for 137 yards with two touchdowns. 

The Bills have gotten a heck of a season from wide receiver John Brown and after a heck of a game from him in their 37-20 win over the Dolphins, he’s continuing to set team-records in his breakout season.

Brown’s big day saw him grab nine catches for 137 yards with two touchdowns.

After that outing, Brown holds three team records.

His 817 receiving yards is the most in team-history for any player after 10 games. His consecutive 50-plus yard games (10) is also the most in team history.

In those 10 games, he’s also had at least four passes, another record for Brown.

As one of the NFL’s most consistent targets this year, Brown current sits as the No. 8 wide receiver in terms of receiving yards this year in the entire league.

The Saints’ Michael Thomas leads the NFL with 1,141 yards already, but Brown ranks ahead of guys such as Seattle’s Tyler Lockett (793), Houston’s DeAndre Hopkins (745), New England’s Julian Edelman (716) and Cleveland’s Odell Beckham Jr. (692).

[lawrence-related id=48841,48695,48721,48653]

The good, the bad and the ugly from Dolphins’ 37-20 loss to Bills

Which Miami Dolphins showed up this week to play against the Buffalo Bills? And who failed to provide the needed performances?

The Miami Dolphins entered Week 11 riding a two game win streak and left with a hefty serving of humble pie. This surely wasn’t the way the Dolphins envisions their second go around with the Buffalo Bills going — but yet here we are. The Dolphins could hardly stop Buffalo on defense, the Bills exploited shaky pass protection with uncharacteristically aggressive blitz calls and the game itself was even more lopsided than the final score would indicate.

It was easy for a moment to forget that this Dolphins’ team doesn’t really have a lot of talent that will be fixtures for years to come. Let this serve as the reminder.

And in the aftermath of yesterday’s loss, it’s fairly easy to paint an ugly picture. We’re going to try to paint a complete one.

The Good

QB Ryan Fitzpatrick

Fitzpatrick has done his best in recent weeks to make the best of the offensive situation in Miami. And against the Bills, “Fitz” kept plugging away — 45 pass attempts for 323 yards and no turnovers. Fitzpatrick has played surprisingly within himself in recent weeks, with just 1 turnover over the Dolphins’ last three games combined. There have still been peaks and valleys and with 18 sacks taken over the last four contests, Fitzpatrick continues to be challenged by the situation around him. But he played well with all things considered against the Bills.

WR DeVante Parker

Parker went off for 7 receptions for 135 yards and what would have been a receiving touchdown if Mike Gesicki had the anticipation to peel back and throw a block. Parker has really come on and is making the most of his second chance with the Dolphins — putting up a big performance in his second game against the Bills this season serves as further evidence that Parker is a long-term fixture for this team.

CB Nik Needham

Needham played a scrappy football game. He got busted in zone coverage playing Cover 2 against WR John Brown and was constantly tested, but you have to admire Needham’s ability to bounce back and how he was able to make some plays on the ball. This UDFA has the look of a guy who will hang around for quite some time.

WR Jakeem Grant

Grant had his best game of the season and made an impact play in the return game. It was great to see him get some room to run, open up his strides and show the electric qualities that earned him a contract extension with the Dolphins.

The Bad

The Pass Rush

…what pass rush? Exactly. The Dolphins left QB Josh Allen unbothered in the pocket all day and the end result was the second year quarterback dissected the Dolphins defense. Miami needs to get much more dynamic on the edge and also sorely missed DE Taco Charlton’s presence as a pass rusher.

LB Raekwon McMillan

Boy, did the Dolphins miss Raekwon McMillan on Sunday. There’s nothing bad that McMillan did — he was just injured and unavailable to play. But the eye opening reveal was just how poorly Miami’s run defense played without him on the second level. The silver lining? McMillan’s value to this team is further reinforced by how they played without him on Sunday.

TE Mike Gesicki

As previously noted, Mike Gesicki cost DeVante Parker a touchdown on Sunday — we hope he sends drops Parker an apology card in his locker or something!

We’re not really sure what Gesicki was seeing or thinking on this play. But when contributing 4 receptions for 18 yards, you’d sure help your team a lot more by throwing a block in the open field.

The Ugly

The offensive line and RB Kalen Ballage

7 sacks. 23 rushing yards. It was about as ugly as you could possibly imagine. The offensive line struggled with their calls and protection and they also struggled to reset the line of scrimmage thanks to lateral quickness by the Bills’ defensive front.

Ballage? He managed to scrap out a touchdown against Buffalo, but he again struggled to find room to run in the backfield and had another ugly drop on a screen pass early in the game. His struggles are frustrating — but not surprising based on his body of work this season.

[protected-iframe id=”6e8b8892e9038fd158063dda352df4de-105974726-152780023″ info=”https://art19.com/shows/e34d7967-9a7d-4b90-9a57-ec61905a7e96/embed?playlist_type=playlist” scrolling=”no”]

 

Report: Jags sign Nick O’Leary after injuries at TE position

The Jags sustained another big injury at tight end and has signed former Florida State TE Nick O’Leary.

[jwplayer 6Q40ShvH-ThvAeFxT]

With the Jacksonville Jaguars taking several hits at the tight end position, the team has decided to bring in some help. Per NFL insider Ian Rapoport, they signed former Florida State alum Nick O’Leary Monday.

O’Leary, 27, was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the sixth-round of the 2015 NFL Draft and was with the team until 2018. Afterward, he was with the Miami Dolphins from September of 2018 to October of this year. While with both organizations, he managed to accumulate 44 catches for 596 yards and three touchdowns.

The Jags entered Week 11’s game with just two tight ends active in Josh Oliver and Ben Koyack. However, Seth DeValve was amongst the team’s inactives after sustaining an oblique injury in practice. To make matters worse, Oliver sustained the back injury mentioned by Rapoport while hauling in his only reception of the day.

Heading forward, it appears the Jags may be in a bind at the tight end position because they’ve simply had bad luck there. Earlier in the season, the team placed both Geoff Swaim and James O’Shaughnessy on injured reserve, and if Oliver has to join them, the Jags will be left relying on whatever free agent they can find down the road.

WATCH: John Brown tosses pass to fan wearing his jersey

Video of Buffalo Bills WR John Brown throwing ball to fan in crowd wearing his jersey.

The Bills won in front of their own fans on Sunday in Week 11, sort of, and wide receiver John Brown appreciated one of them for wearing his number.

Down in Miami against the Dolphins, Bills Mafia made their presence known. There was a lot of red, white and blue in the crowd.

Brown highlighted the day for the Buffalo’s offensive output with nine catches for 137 yards and two touchdowns. Maybe his next trick is to get his arm involved, he looks the part.

WIVB-TV caught a video of Brown celebrating one for his catches against the Dolphins. To celebrate, he shared the moment that fan wearing his number and he drilled the target. Swoosh. Between the numbers. However you want to put it.

Pointing to a group of Bills fans, Brown tossed the ball. This fan wasn’t in the first row, though. He was pretty deep into the crowd but… Brown’s pass found him.

Check out the arm on the Bills’ No. 1 receiver:

[lawrence-related id=48814,48695,48735,48653]