Tag: Buffalo Bills

Bills at Dolphins: Game day inactives

Game day inactives for Week 11, Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins.

Here are the game day inactive lists for both the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins ahead of their Week 11 meeting at Hard Rock Stadium:

Buffalo Bills (6-3)

  • RB TJ Yeldon
  • S Dean Marlowe
  • OL Ike Boettger
  • OL Ryan Bates
  • WR Duke Williams
  • TE Tommy Sweeney
  • DT Vincent Taylor

Notes:

DE Jerry Hughes was listed as questionable with a groin injury on Friday but will play.

 

Miami Dolphins (2-7)

  • CB Ken Webster (ankle)
  • CB Xavier Crawford
  • LB Raekwon McMillan (knee)
  • OL Shaq Calhoun
  • OL Chris Reed
  • OL Isaiah Prince
  • DE Taco Charlton (elbow)

Notes:

S Reshad Jones (chest) and DE Avery Moss (knee) were listed as questionable on Friday but will play.

Game previews:

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Report: Bills did not attend Colin Kaepernick’s workout in Atlanta

The Buffalo Bills were not one of eight teams to attend Colin Kaepernick’s weekend workout in Atlanta.

The Buffalo Bills were not one of eight teams to attend Colin Kaepernick’s weekend workout in Atlanta, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Schefter initially reported that the Bills were one of the eight teams to attend, later retracting the report through a tweet.

Kaepernick, a 32-year-old quarterback who last played in the NFL in 2016, held his own workout for scouts late Saturday afternoon. The NFL had initially organized the workout for the signal-caller, but Kaepernick instead opted to hold his own workout at an alternate location, a way to make the event open to media and fans.

Over 24 teams were initially slated to attend Kaepernick’s workout, but just eight ultimately sent representatives after the workout was moved from the Atlanta Falcons’ training facility to a high school south of Atlanta.

Kaepernick’s three-year absence from the NFL has been a tumultuous saga of controversy. The former NFC Championship-winning quarterback went unsigned in the 2017 offseason, this after sparking a national debate by kneeling during the singing of the national anthem throughout the 2016 season.

The veteran felt as though the league made a concerted effort to keep him unsigned, prompting him to issue a ‘collusion grievance‘ against the NFL in August 2017. The case was settled in February 2019.

Kaepernick is “an unrestricted free agent eligible to sign with any club,” per the NFL.

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ESPN tabs Josh Allen 2nd best 2018 QB

Josh Allen is ranked as the second-best quarterback from the 2018 draft according to ESPN’s Matt Bowen.

The Buffalo Bills Josh Allen may have been the third quarterback who heard his name called at the 2018 draft. However, he’s moved up a spot in the position, according to ESPN.

ESPN currently ranks Allen as No. 2 on his list of quarterbacks from 2018 cohort, settling in behind Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson.

Comparison of quarterbacks drafted in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft through November 15, 2019, via Pro Football Reference.

According to ESPN there isn’t much to differentiate between the middle portion of the grouping behind the electric Jackson.

Here’s how ESPN explains that middle grouping:

“Let’s be honest here – Nos. 2-4 on this list are extremely close, and it’s not because they’ve all been excellent. After a season’s worth of starts, Allen, Mayfield and Darnold all have major issues and rank near the bottom of the league in multiple statistical categories. But this is my ranking, and I have Allen just barely ahead of Mayfield because of his development in a Bills system that has highlighted his natural tools.”

While several pundits have questioned the offensive identity for Buffalo’s unit, ESPNfeels the staff has done well with Allen, adding “the Buffalo coaching staff continues to put the former No. 7 overall pick in favorable positions that cater to both his arm talent and movement skills.” In addition to his arm, Allen has been lethal in the run game, leading this group with 14 rushing touchdowns to date.

He’s also the best among these quarterbacks with respect to QBR in the red zone.

ESPN also tabbed Allen’s arm strength as his best trait. Allen is completing 64.4-percent of his passes traveling 10-20 yard range, which ranks seventh in the NFL.

Allen, while still a work in progress, is inching his way up the rankings among his contemporaries. Being No. 2 is not a bad thing at this point and his play could get even better.

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Three bold predictions for Dolphins’ Week 11 contest vs. Bills

What happens when the Bills and Dolphins take the field today? What kind of unexpected might we expect?

The Dolphins enter Week 11 as a 2-7 football team, which typically indicates a rough season with little optimism. But this isn’t your typical 2-7 football team — these Miami Dolphins are riding a two-game win streak entering Week 11 against the Buffalo Bills. And the Bills? The Bills were embarrassed by the Cleveland Browns last week in poor showing all around, which dropped the team to 6-3.

The last showing between these two teams featured 52 points in a 31-21 victory for the Bills in Orchard Park — but the Dolphins dictated the pace of the game for the first 40 minutes of game action. What twists and turns will the game bring us this week? Here are three bold predictions for the Dolphins’ home showdown with the Bills.

Dolphins sack Bills QB Josh Allen four times

Four sacks would be a season high. Miami totaled 5 sacks through the team’s first 5 games — and has tallied 8 in the four games since. That progression? It’s pretty promising. And the Dolphins have found success in dialing up their exotic blitz packages to create confusion for opposing teams. Miami will bring the heat on Josh Allen — and after getting him twice last time these two teams played, the Dolphins will get home more this time around. 

The Dolphins have no turnovers

Miami last accomplished this feat two weeks ago against the Jets — but it is the only time this season the Dolphins have protected the football for 60 minutes. The Dolphins finished 5 games in 2018 without a turnover — for a little bit of context here. 

But Miami’s point of emphasis coming into this game has to be the fact that Miami had the Bills where they wanted them last time until turnovers did them in. The end result? Extra focus on ball security to give the Dolphins the best chance possible to win the game.

Kalen Ballage breaks a 20+ yard run

This may not be the most bold prediction in the book — but Ballage could really use a big play to hopefully kickstart his play. Ballage was fed 20 carries last week against the Colts and totaled 43 rushing yards, he needs to start creating some missed tackles and getting extra yards out of his runs.

A downhill run directly at the Bills’ defense could produce some nice results, especially considering how much success the Dolphins had running the ball on the Bills the last time out. Look for Ballage to break a big gain and have more room to work today against the Bills.

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Who should Chargers fans root for in Week 11?

While fans are gearing up for the Monday matchup against the Chiefs, Chargers’s Wire Gavino Borquez gives you the rooting guide for Sunday.

Playoff hopes are still alive for the Los Angeles Chargers, despite sitting at an underwhelming 4-6 record. Depending on how some of the games go today, it could help their postseason aspirations.

With that, here are the teams that Chargers fans should be rooting for on Sunday, leading up into the Monday night matchup between the Bolts and the Chiefs.

Early games of note

Texans at Ravens

A loss to Houston would put them at 6-4 and would only open up the Wild Card situation a little bit more. The Texans currently hold the No. 3 seed in the AFC, but would be pushed down if the Colts defeat the Jaguars.

Jaguars at Colts

With quarterback Nick Foles back under center, a win by Jacksonville would put both teams at a 5-5 record and would give some leeway for the Chargers with the Wild Card standings.

Bills at Dolphins

Coming off an upset victory over the Colts, Miami will look to make it two in a row. If they beat Buffalo, it would drop them to 6-4. Again, it would affect the Wild Card standings.

Later games of note

Bengals at Raiders

Cincinnati has yet to win a game, but getting their first against Oakland would be huge for the Chargers, who are still in tight contention for the AFC West. A loss to the Raiders would drop them back to .500

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Bills-Dolphins odds: Buffalo enters as huge road favorite

Previewing Sunday’s Bills at Dolphins NFL matchup with NFL betting odds, picks and best bets

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The Buffalo Bills (6-3) travel to Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla., for an AFC East tilt with the Miami Dolphins (2-7). Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET on Sunday. We analyze the Bills-Dolphins sports betting odds and lines, with NFL betting picks and tips for the Week 11 matchup.

Bills-Dolphins: Week 11 preview, betting trends and notes

Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM.

  • The Bills are coming off a loss in Cleveland in Week 10, while the Dolphins surprised the Colts in Indianapolis last week.
  • Buffalo topped Miami 31-21 on Oct. 20 in Western New York, although the Dolphins did cover.
  • The Bills are 5-2-1 against the spread in their last eight against AFC foes, while the Dolphins are a perfect 4-0 ATS in their past four vs. AFC.
  • Buffalo has posted a 4-0-1 ATS in the past five road games, but is 1-6-1 ATS in its past eight on the road against teams with a losing home mark.
  • The Buffalo defense ranks third in total yards allowed (304.2), passing yards allowed (188.7) and points allowed (16.7) per game.
  • The Dolphins rank 31st in scoring (13.2 points per game), but they are averaging 18.7 PPG across the past four.
  • Miami enters on a 5-0 ATS streak, too.

Bills at Dolphins: Key injuries

Bills: DE Jerry Hughes (groin) did not practice Friday and is considered questionable, while TE Dawson Knox (knee) practiced in full Friday and is off the injury report.

Dolphins: DE Taco Charlton (elbow), S Reshad Jones (chest), LB Raekwon McMillan (knee) and DE Avery Moss (ankle) are questionable, while CB Ken Webster (ankle) is out.

Bills at Dolphins: Odds, betting lines and prediction

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Sunday at 1 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Bills 21, Dolphins 17

Moneyline (?)

The Bills (-295) should be able to ease by the Dolphins in South Florida, but a few things concern me about this game. One, the Bills will be playing in the heat and humidity of Miami, although it won’t be blazing hot. And, the Dolphins (+240) suddenly have a belief in themselves after two straight wins against the Jets and Colts.

New to sports betting? A $10 wager on the Bills to win outright returns a $3.40 profit.

Against the Spread (?)

The DOLPHINS (+6.5, -110) were the laughingstock of the league earlier this season, getting their doors blown off in two straight games to open the season. However, they’re 5-0 ATS across the past five and look like an NFL-caliber team again with QB Ryan Fitzpatrick under center. The Bills (-6.5, -110) are a risky play on the road against a team which covered against them in Buffalo in October.

Over/Under (?)

The UNDER 40.5 (-106) is the way to go, although I’d go super light on this one. Miami’s defense is still not a juggernaut, and the Bills are much stronger running the football than slinging it around. As such, running teams equal under results.

Want action on this game? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. Looking for more sports betting picks and tips? Visit SportsbookWire.com.

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

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Bills given fourth-highest odds to sign Colin Kaepernick

The Buffalo Bills have been given 7-1 odds to sign controversial quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

If one sports-betting outlet is to be believed, Colin Kapernick’s long-rumored return to professional football could commence in Western New York.

BettingOnline.ag has given the Buffalo Bills 7-1 odds to sign the 32-year-old quarterback, the fourth-highest odds amongst all NFL teams.

The Cincinnati Bengals, who recently benched Andy Dalton in favor of rookie Ryan Finley, have the league’s highest odds at 7-2. The Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens are the only remaining teams who top Buffalo on the list.

The odds were released after the NFL announced a weekend workout for the former San Francisco 49er, giving Kaepernick, who has not taken a snap in a professional football game since the 2016 season, an opportunity to impress scouts in attendance. According to ESPN, over 24 teams are expected to send scouts to Saturday’s workout.

Kaepernick’s controversial absence from the NFL has been well documented. The veteran kneeled during the singing of the national anthem throughout the 2016 season, his way of protesting racial inequality in the United States. His decision sparked a national debate, prompting the NFL to approve a new national anthem policy in the 2018 offseason.

Kaepernick went unsigned following his protest, ultimately causing the quarterback to file a grievance against the NFL for what he felt was ‘collusion.’ The grievance was settled in February 2019.

Still a free agent, Kaepernick will have the opportunity to play himself onto a roster with a strong performance at his workout this weekend. Once one of the NFL’s most electric players, Kaepernick’s talent level is undeniable. In a league in which teams employ at least two signal-callers, it’s hard to argue that there are 64 professional quarterbacks more talented than Kaepernick.

That being said, Kaepernick has been removed from the game for three years. Now older and lacking recent in-game experience, how Kaepernick would perform in NFL action remains to be seen.

Though the Bills have been given strong odds to sign the former NFC Championship-winning quarterback, a Buffalo-Kaepernick marriage does not seem likely.

With Josh Allen and Matt Barkley on their roster, the Bills are set under center. Though offensive coordinator Brian Daboll could likely make something out of Kaepernick’s athleticism, a return to the NFL as a third-string quarterback and gadget player would likely be far from appealing for the veteran.

Buffalo fans, as a whole, are mixed regarding their opinions on Kaepernick, as well. Though some feel as though he’s a talented player who could improve the team’s struggling offense, others are vehemently against the idea given his past. Kaepernick has previously stated that it was “very evident” that Buffalo fans were against his protest.

Kaepernick would undoubtedly improve some of the quarterback rooms around the NFL. The Bills, however, do not possess one of those rooms. Kaepernick would not be an upgrade over Allen or Barkley, and thus, it’s difficult to imagine the team bringing him in, regardless of betting odds.

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Shaq Lawson on possibly starting: ‘I’ve been ready’

Buffalo Bills defensive end Shaq Lawson could play a more prominent role this Sunday against the Miami Dolphins.

Buffalo Bills defensive end Shaq Lawson could play a more prominent role this Sunday against the Miami Dolphins. With a lingering injury hindering starter Jerry Hughes, Lawson would be the next man up to fill the void.

“I’ve been ready for the opportunity,” Lawson said to NYUP. Hughes, who is currently dealing with a groin injury, is questionable for Sunday’s contest. Hughes did not practice on Friday.

Lawson is looking forward to the possibility of getting the start this weekend.

“I prepare every week like a starter. I was a starter here before and started a lot of games here last year. I hope he can go but if he can’t go, I just be ready, Lawson said.

Lawson has been lauded for his production against the run. However, he’s been disruptive against the pass, leading the Bills with 11 quarterback pressures. He has registered 16 total tackles and two sacks on the season as well.

No matter what role he participates, the fourth-year-pro recognizes that he needs to play well for the Bills.

“It don’t change nothing at all,” he said. “Just an opportunity to show some more of me. Getting an extra few plays. I just have to go out there and do my job, do my 1/11th, affect the run and affect the run game.”

Lawson entered this season understanding that it would be significant in his career, calling the season a “do or die” year for him when interviewed in June. After all, Buffalo declined to pick up the 2016 first-round pick’s fifth-year option, leaving his future in a bit of uncertainty.

Lawson is stuck behind Jerry Hughes and Trent Murphy on the defensive end depth chart. Hughes has played 42.5-percent of snaps thus far for the Bills.

Lawson could make a major statement and in turn, push Hughes and Murphy for snaps moving forward.

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Dolphins final injury report for Week 11 versus Buffalo

Will the Dolphins be without key starters against Buffalo in Week 11? The team has released their final injury report for this week.

The Miami Dolphins’ lack of depth is starting to get tested, but you’d never know it based on the product the team has fielded over the last two weeks. Miami is playing tough, scrappy football — they’re never going to blow anyone out but they’ve very much embraced the “next man up” mentality on both sides of the football.

There may be a few men up next this week against the Buffalo Bills — because the Dolphins’ injury report for Week 11 against Buffalo is extensive. And that’s putting it mildly.

All things considered, it is a win for the Dolphins to see just one confirmed player out in CB Ken Webster. And after several weeks of inactivity, the expectation for both DE Avery Moss and S Reshad Jones is that they’ll both dress and be ready to go this week against Buffalo.

But there are some important Dolphins included on this report, several of which would be killer losses for Miami in their hopes to secure a third consecutive win. Among them is LB Raekwon McMillan, who was limited all week at practice and is formally a game-time decision. So, too, is DE Taco Charlton, Miami’s sack leader through nine games this season.

And with offensive absences like WR Preston Williams (ACL) and RB Mark Walton (suspension), the Dolphins are strained on both sides of the ball. No NFL game is easy — but being stretched this thin with injuries after already having a roster devoid of talent is a pretty brutal development. In order to absorb the blow, Miami must continue to do the little things right: tackle, protect the ball, don’t get penalties and stay ahead of the chains.

How effective will they be in doing so with the “next man up”? We’ll find out tomorrow.

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Dolphins Dive: Storylines for Week 11 versus the Bills

What are the key storylines to watch this week for the Miami Dolphins in Week 11?

The Miami Dolphins have gone from a winless tank job (or so many would have you believe) to holding back-to-back victories. And if the Dolphins can come back home this week and prevail in their second matchup of the year against the Buffalo Bills, the Dolphins will officially be streaking with three straight wins for the first time since the beginning of the 2018 season.

The Bills represent a winnable game for Miami, based on each team’s play at this time. In fact, in the 31-21 decision on October 20th earlier this year in Buffalo, they played each other fairly close. The Dolphins were better on third down with fewer penalties. But unfortunately, the Bills didn’t give the ball away — while Miami had two turnovers. Step one to achieving streaking status will be protecting the football.

Ball security will be something to watch — but here are three more storylines in this week’s Dolphins Dive for NFL Week 11.

Mike Gesicki heating up

While critics have called tight end Mike Gesicki a late bloomer, since the departure of running back Kenyan Drake the second year tight end has become more involved when quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick needs to check down from a primary target.

In this past two games, Gesicki has caught 9 passes for 123 yards — but he also logged a fumble against the Colts. Can we see Gesicki log a touchdown next?

 Jerome Baker has been on a roll

There have been signs of improvement from the Miami Dolphins as the year has gone on. This is in part thanks to the consistency of linebacker Jerome Baker.

Turning in eight tackles and a forced fumble last week against the Colts, Baker recorded his third straight contest with seven or more tackles posted. His communication and versatility are proving to be key as the Dolphins bank on him to cover a lot of ground and fill a lot of roles. Continuing this pattern would be helpful in securing the ‘W’ over Buffalo.

 Frank Gore needs 73 more

 In addition to facing his former team for the second time this season, future Hall of Fame running back Frank Gore is close to beefing up his resume for gold jacket glory. Should he gain 73 yards on Sunday in South Florida, Gore will have passed former Detroit Lion and NFL Hall of Famer Barry Sanders for third-highest career rushing yard total. Gore has slowly been phased out of the Bills offense in favor of Devin Singletary — but he’s one big run away from third place on the all-time rushing list.

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