Tag: Emmanual Sanders

Instant analysis: Bills shift power in AFC with win over Chiefs

Instant analysis: #Bills shift power in AFC with win over #Chiefs (via @jdiloro):

The landscape of the AFC took a seismic change into early Monday morning, as the Buffalo Bills defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 38-20 in Week 5 action.

The Bills defense made a concerted effort to keep the Chiefs from completing big plans. For most of the game, safeties Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer positioned themselves deeper on the field, forcing Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes to look underneath for passing options.

In addition, the additions that Buffalo made to their defensive line paid off today, as the Bills kept their front four fresh throughout the evening. Greg Rousseau recorded a sack and an interception during the game. Rousseau batted a Mahomes pass into the air and made the pick. Boogie Basham and Jerry Hughes split a sack as well.

Micah Hyde also picked off Mahomes in the third quarter. Hyde returned the takeaway back to the house, giving the Bills a three-score lead.

Buffalo’s defense held strong late in the first half, as the Chiefs elected to attempt a fourth-down conversion just after the two-minute warning. In a crazy sequence, Mahomes moved around and bought time to the tune of eight seconds, when he finally ended up releasing the pass. The Bills defense kept him pinned in the backfield, and Mahomes could not scramble for the first down, as he did multiple times earlier in the game. The secondary kept all receivers covered, and the pass was deflected away.

Buffalo’s special teams unit joined the party, as Siran Neal forced a fumble on a kickoff. Andre Smith recovered the fumble. Unfortunately for Buffalo, this was one time that the offense did not take advantage of this opportunity and the drive ended with a punt.

Whereas the Bills limited the Chiefs big plays, Buffalo’s offense was connecting on deep passages. Allen extended plays all night, giving his receivers a bit more time to find space. This turned out well for the Bills, as Stefon Diggs was the recipient of a 61-yard pass. Dawson Knox added a 53-yard touchdown score, while Emmanuel Sanders snagged a 35-yard throw from Allen for a touchdown.

After Kansas City clawed its way back into the game 31-20 early in the fourth quarter, Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo applied the head on Allen and the Bills offensive line.

It didn’t work.

Allen picked up the pace with his passes and through the driving rain, moved the Bills offense on a 12-play, 85-yard drive culminating with another Sanders touchdown reception.

Allen ended the night 15 of 26 for 316 passing yards and three touchdowns. Allen was effective on the ground as well, rushing nine times for 61 yards and one score before the victory formation kneel-downs.  Sanders and Knox were the big winners from Allens throws. Knox caught three passes for 117 receiving yards and a score. Sanders added three receptions for 54 yards and two touchdowns.

For a game matching up two of the top teams in the league, there was quite a bit of sloppy play. The refs were busy, as Buffalo ended up with 10 penalties for 103 yards. Meanwhile, Kansas City ended up with seven penalties for 55 yards.

Buffalo is in the driver’s seat toward a No.1 seed AFC with this victory. Next week, they travel to Tennessee for a Monday night matchup against the Titans.

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Game balls: 6 standouts from the Bills’ win over Washington Football Team

Game balls: 6 standouts from the #Bills’ win over the Washington Football Team (via @jdiloro):

For the second consecutive week, Buffalo completely dominated their opponent. The Bills started quickly, jumping out to a 21-0 lead over Washington and ending with a 43-21 victory. The Bills ended up outgaining Washington 481-291 in total yards. Buffalo’s defense also recorded three takeaways, leaving little doubt at who was the superior team Sunday afternoon at Highmark Stadium.

Here is who earned game balls from the Week 3 dominant performance:

Instant analysis: Bills overwhelm Washington in dominant Week 3

Instant analysis: #Bills overwhelm Washington in dominant Week 3 (via @jdiloro):

When Bills fans envisioned the ideal performance of their football team, it probably resembled how the team played in their 43-21 victory over the Washington Football Team Sunday afternoon.

Buffalo’s offense was completely in sync, overwhelming the Washington defense in every aspect of the game. Josh Allen looked exactly like the player who was a finalist for NFL MVP. Allen was decisive and accurate throughout the game. Allen, who signed the most lucrative contract in Buffalo history, had a field day against Washington, going 32 for 43 with 358 passing yards and four passing touchdowns. Allen extended plays when necessary and picked apart the Washington defense. He was quick with his decision when called upon, throwing strike after strike to his receivers.

Oh, and when his receivers were covered, Allen strolled in for a rushing score.

Allen’s supporting cast was featured on the day as well. Emmanuel Sanders had his best day in a Buffalo uniform, catching five passes, two of them for touchdowns, and 94 receiving yards.

The wealth was spread among the receiving corps. Cole Beasley was the big winner of the short passing game, reeling in 11 catches on 13 targets for 98 yards. Stefon Diggs had another solid game, with six catches for 62 receiving yards. Dawson Knox made another circus catch, twisting around to score on a back-shoulder pass.

The backfield held up their end of the bargain, battling for positive yards when called upon. Zack Moss rushed 13 times for 60 rushing yards. His big contribution came through the air, as he caught a touchdown reception from Allen.

The defense kept Washington quarterback Taylor Heinecke in his place, forcing several questionable decisions by the signal caller. Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde recorded interceptions. the Bills defense also forced a fumble from the hands of Logan Thomas. To top it off, the Bills defense slammed the door shut on a fourth-down attempt by Washington’s offense in the third quarter. This gave the ball back to the Bills offense in prime field position.

Bills defensive tackle Star Lotulelei recorded the game’s only sack. Matt Milano was a pest for the Washington offense. In addition to the fumble recovery, Milano recorded six total tackles. He has been Buffalo’s best defender over the first three games of the season.

Buffalo allowed only 291 total yards to the Washington offense.

It was another impressive performance by the Bills as a whole. The playcalls and execution were stellar today. There were a few minor missteps (three defensive penalties called on one play, special teams turnover), but this was quite the day for the entire Buffalo staff and roster. The Bills reaffirmed that they are the top dog in the AFC East and the top candidate to challenge the Kansas City Chiefs for the AFC crown.

Buffalo takes on the Houston Texans at Highmark Stadium next Sunday. The Texans fell to 1-2 after a 31-21 loss to the Cleveland Browns.

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Bills’ Cole Beasley describes impact of QB background in the NFL

#Bills’ Cole Beasley describes impact of QB background in the NFL:

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The Bills have been known in recent years to bring in players with certain traits in their playing background. One of those common traits among personnel is experience playing multiple positions.

The versatility of players has allowed coordinator Brian Daboll to be creative on the offensive side of the ball in how he attacks opposing defenses. Since 2018 he’s run successful trick plays using receivers like John Brown and Isaiah McKenzie for scoring tosses.

On the difference playing quarterback in high school made, wide receiver Cole Beasley was asked this week how players use that in the NFL.

“It’s just a basic understanding of coverages and then once you get that you understand how they work,” Beasley said while addressing the media. “You understand each position plays it and what their responsibilities are, so then you can learn how to use their responsibilities against them to get open.”

The receiver made a trick play this past season on a toss from Josh Allen, which he threw to Gabriel Davis for a touchdown:

Quarterback Josh Allen remarked that Beasley “sees things through the eyes of a quarterback,” and the slot receiver certainly sounds like he does.

“For me it goes a lot deeper than a lot of people think into,” Beasley added. “If I don’t know what coverage their in I’m not going to play as well, and I’ve gotten really good at diagnosing it and narrowing it down to one or two coverages before the snap, and then once the snap happens usually I immediately know right now what it is, and then I react off that. That not only allows me to run fast not only running routes, but then after I catch the ball I know where they should be coming from, and it helps me for after the catch as well.”

His SMU and Bills teammate Emmanuel Sanders played receiver, running back, and safety, and threw a touchdown at Bellville High School in Texas. So he too could find his way into one of Brian Daboll’s trick plays in the future.

“Daboll is probably the best in the league in putting his guys in the best position to succeed at what they do best. Guys have the flexibility to be themselves in this system and he’s constantly diversifying this offense,” said Allen. “That’s why guys play so hard, they know at any point they can get the ball.”

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