Tag: James Cook

Bills’ Terrel Bernard breaks down matchup vs. Chiefs’ Travis Kelce

Bills’ Terrel Bernard breaks down matchup vs. Chiefs’ Travis Kelce

The Bills beat the Chiefs 30-21 at home on Sunday.

The contest that saw the teams’ final scores roughly on average for the season so far also had significant takeaways on and off the field.

But the biggest one belonged to Buffalo linebacker, Terrel Bernard.

With 1:07 left to play in the fourth quarter, the Bills’ defensive captain and play caller took away a Patrick Mahomes pass intended for Kansas City tight end and MGMT “Electric Feel” fan Travis Kelce for an end-game interception.


The entire Buffalo defense ran down to celebrate with him in the end zone after getting in front of Kelce to grab the ball out of the air.

“The main thing is just having awareness of him, “ Bernard said about covering the Chiefs TE to WIVB. “Pre, post-snap, trying to get guys around him as much as possible, playing within our scheme and our system still but understanding he’s going to be one of the first options every pass play.”

It was the second interception for KC’s Mahomes, whose first and last throws in Sunday’s game were caught by Buffalo.

Bernard, who was out during the last meeting between the clubs in January’s divisional round of the playoffs, also had eight tackles and a sack on the day to go with the big-time turnover.

“I think having that awareness, [defensive coordinator] Bobby [Babich] did a great job in the gameplan, all the coaches did, putting him in our minds all week and knowing where he was at and where he was going to be, what he likes to do in certain spots. I think that was a huge factor, and everybody playing to the details of the defense.”

Everything has changed for Kelce since his last matchups against the Bills in which he seemed unstoppable.

He may just want to shake it off, knowing all too well that Bernard and the Bills defense held him to only two catches for eight yards receiving.

But with the win the Bills now have a better shot at a No. 1 seed and a first-round bye, the Chiefs do as well although they are not out of the woods yet.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid was complimentary of the Bills when asked what his takeaways off the field were from the loss.

“Things you can learn, the main thing is that they’re a good team and, if you have a few mistakes in there, they can capitalize on them,” Reid said.

The teams could face off again in the postseason, and time will tell which club will play host to the other if they do.

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Bills’ Josh Allen plays it cool after Chiefs: ‘It’s another Week 11 win’

Bills’ Josh Allen plays it cool after Chiefs: ‘It’s another Week 11 win’

Buffalo beat Kansas City in exciting fashion on Sunday.

The club topped the Chiefs 30-21 at home in Orchard Park in front of Bills Mafia on the same field where KC ended its postseason run last year.

Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen put his superhero cape on for the Bills offense when it mattered most, breaking tackles and shaking off defenders for a 26-yard touchdown run on 4th-and-2 with 2:17 left in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach.

After the game ended thanks to a win-sealing interception by Terrel Bernard on defense, Allen was asked about his scoring play by CBS sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson.

“Yeah, appreciate Coach McDermott for trusting the offense going out there,” he said. “We had a man play, they dropped out to zone and they had something good for it. I was just trying to make a play and help our team win a football game. You know, some things we need to clean up, some throws I wish I had back, but we’re going into the bye week 9-2…we’ll take it.”

Allen was sacked zero times for the first time against Kansas City since the 2021 regular season, and the team put up their 30 points without key players on offense in receiver Keon Coleman, tight end Dalton Kincaid, and offensive tackle Spencer Brown.

He finished the day Sunday 27-for-40 with 262 yards, a touchdown, and an interception passing to go with another 55 ground yards with the TD.

The scoring rush was his latest in a career highlight reel of making little-to-no/probability plays.

In fact, per NFL Next Gen Stats, there was only a 1.2% chance of scoring a touchdown on the play once he tucked the ball to run.

The Bills hosted their AFC rivals for their fifth regular-season meeting with the QB under center.

The club is now 4-1 in those matchups, becoming the only team in the NFL to log four victories against Chiefs QB and State Farm insurance enthusiast, Patrick Mahomes.

The squad improves to 9-2 overall headed into their bye week. It’s the franchise’s first time at 9-2 since the 1992 NFL season.

The Bills have treated division games as “counting double” but had previously struggled to translate that in conference matchups that could have a bearing on No. 1 seeding and a first-round bye come playoff time.

But not this time.

The final points were roughly on average for what the two teams have put up throughout this season thus far, and it was the Chiefs’ first time giving up more than 28 points in 31 games and the first time allowing 30 points on offense since 2022.

And while Buffalo continues to have success against Kansas City during the regular season, Allen knows they need to beat them in the playoffs and spoke to that while answering whether it was just another Week 11 win for Buffalo.

“It is, it’s another Week 11 win,” he added. “Knowing how things usually play out we’ll probably see this team again at some point. We’ve got to get there first so like I said, we’ll enjoy this bye week and go into the next week after that and put together a good game plan and try to go 1-0.”

Bills vs. Chiefs: 3 key matchups to watch in Week 11

Bills vs. Chiefs: 3 key matchups to watch in Week 11

The Buffalo Bills will host the Kansas City Chiefs in their upcoming Week 11 matchup.

Even though these two teams are extremely familiar with one another, it will still be the games, within the game, that will make all the difference.

Here are three key matchups to watch during Sunday’s Bills-Chiefs contest:

Bills running backs vs. Chiefs front seven

USA TODAY Sports

The Bills have enjoyed a resurgence in their running game this year. James Cook has had 80 or more rushing yards in three of his last five games, and he has five rushing touchdowns over that stretch. Buffalo has found a true complement to Josh Allen’s passing game. But, rushing yards should be tougher to come by this week.

The Chiefs allow the third-fewest rushing yards per game this year (83.2). And, advanced metrics back up their play, too. Kansas City ranks second in the NFL in defense rushing DVOA.

Whoever wins this matchup will play a big role in the game. If the Bills can run the ball effectively, it will open up anything they want to do on offense. If they can’t, they’ll have to rely on the arm and legs of Allen.

DE Greg Rousseau vs. LT Wanya Morris

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Kansas City’s left tackle has had his struggles this year, and he’s coming off a knee injury in Week 10. Rousseau, on the other hand, is having his best season as a pro.

Morris ranks as the 62nd-best offensive tackle in the NFL according to Pro Football Focus, while Rousseau grades as the eighth-best pass rusher among edge defenders.

Rousseau has just 5.5 sacks through ten games, but he has been consistently getting after the passer. He ranks fourth in the NFL with 19 QB knockdowns and is tied for 10th in the NFL with 22 pressures.

Patrick Mahomes vs. the second level of Bills’ D

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The Chiefs quarterback loves to get the ball out quickly in head coach Andy Reid’s offense. They put a lot of trust in their skill players to catch underneath passes and produce yards after the catch. In turn, this puts a lot of stress on Bills defenders to make plays in space.

More specifically, Buffalo’s linebackers (and slot corner Taron Johnson) will have their hands full while trying to stop the run, cover the pass, and make sound tackles in space.

When these teams met in the divisional round of last season’s playoffs, the Bills were without Terrel Bernard in the middle of the defense. They had trouble on defense in that game, so we will see what kind of difference Bernard can make in this rivalry.

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3 keys to a Bills victory vs. the Colts in Week 10

3 keys to a Bills victory vs. the Colts in Week 10

The Buffalo Bills will play the Indianapolis Colts on the road at Lucas Oil Stadium in Week 10.

The Bills (7-2) are looking to build on a four-game win streak, the latest being a nail-biter against the Miami Dolphins. The Colts (4-5) are on a two-game losing streak, dropping close games to the Houston Texans and Minnesota Vikings.

Buffalo is favored by four points in this one but recent history suggests otherwise. The team hasn’t won in Indianapolis since 1999 when Doug Flutie was under center. They have lost in their last six tries.

When the Bills try to end that streak on Sunday, they’ll be going against a very competitive ball club. All nine of the Colts’ games this year have been decided by one score or less.

The Bills will need to execute their game plan to pick up their eighth win of the year.

With that, here are three keys to a Bills win in Week 10:

Limit big runs from Jonathan Taylor

USA Today Sports

Many are now doubting the Bills’ ability to stop the run after they were gashed by Dolphins runners De’Von Achane and Raheem Mostert. But, even though both averaged over five yards per carry in the game, the Buffalo didn’t allow them to have big runs.

After allowing a run of 20 yards in four of their first six games this year, the Bills haven’t allowed one in their last three games.

Enter Jonathan Taylor. In his one career game vs. the Bills in 2021, he ran for 185 yards and five touchdowns in a Colts blowout win.

After Taylor had a rough outing last week against the Pittsburgh Steelers, you know he is looking to get back on track. He will most likely get chunks of yards at times, but if the Bills can make sure none slip away for big gains, it will help their chances on the road.

A balanced attack

Imagn Images

The best teams in the NFL are labeled that way because they can attack you in different ways. The Bills are no exception. They have leaned into a balanced approach under offensive coordinator Joe Brady and they have reaped the benefits.

It is no longer quarterback Josh Allen dropping back and trying to create something for the majority of the time. According to FTN Fantasy, the Bills rank seventh in the NFL in rushing DVOA while ranking third in passing. They are elite in both categories.

The Colts’ defense, on the other hand, is lacking in both categories. They rank 28th in passing DVOA and 17th in rushing. The Bills will have opportunities on offense, but tipping your hand and neglecting either the pass or run would make things more difficult than necessary.

Stay close to Josh Downs

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Joe Flacco loves to throw it to slot receiver Josh Downs. In he four games with Flacco under center, here are Downs’ numbers per game:

  • 9.75 targets
  • 7.5 catches
  • 69.25 receiving yards
  • 0.5 touchdowns

In a run-heavy offense for Indy, Downs has been the most targeted wide receiver on a per-game basis, and he has the most receiving yards per game. He also adds an average of 5.0 yards after the catch, per Fantasy Pros.

It would be a big boost if the Bills’ defense could hold Downs to minimal gains after the catch.

He likes to sit underneath in the holes of defenses, with an average depth of target of 6.6 yards. He’ll be a focal point of the Bills coverage in Week 10, and he draws a tough matchup with Taron Johnson in the slot.

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Report card: Bills top Seahawks, 31-10

Report card: Bills top Seahawks, 31-10

The Buffalo Bills put together a nearly flawless road performance against the Seattle Seahawks in NFL Week 8 action. The Bills won easily 31-10.

The Bills (6-2) broke the spirit of the Seahawks (4-4), as the home team saw their frustrations turn inward with on-the-field fighting.

Buffalo opened the scoring with a two-yard touchdown reception. The Bills added a second score just before halftime, a 12-yard pass from quarterback Josh Allen to tight end Dalton Kincaid.

Buffalo’s defense suffocated the Seattle offense. The Bills only allowed a field goal in the first half.

The dominance continued into the second half, as Buffalo added two more touchdowns to expand the lead. Running back James Cook scored a pair of rushing touchdowns to put the game away for the Bills.

The Bills were in complete command all game. Buffalo outgained the Seahawks by a nearly two-to-one margin (445-233 yards). Buffalo had 29 first downs to Seattle’s 17.

Here’s how Bills Wire graded the win over the Seahawks:

Allen had himself an afternoon. He was efficient and effective, going 24-of-34 for 283 yards and two touchdown passes. The only blemish on Allen’s solid performance was that he threw his first interception on the season.

Rookie wide receiver Keon Coleman was impressive, reeling in a short contested-catch touchdown in the first quarter. He continues his ascent with Buffalo, catching five passes for 70 yards. Khalil Shakir had another impressive game, leading all receivers with nine catches for 107 receiving yards.

Kincaid found the end zone as well, topping off a solid four-catch afternoon. Both of tight end Dawson Knox’s receptions went for longer than 20 yards.

Cook had a tremendous afternoon, averaging 6.5 yards per carry. All told, Cook rushed 17 times for 111 yards and two touchdowns. Rookie Ray Davis added 29 yards on six carries. The offensive line was impressive, as they continually won the battle at the point of attack all afternoon. It was an overwhelming performance by the group, as they completely wore down the Seahawks in the trenches.

The Seahawks entered the game leading the NFL in passing yards. The Bills kept the Seattle offense from getting into any meaningful rhythm.

While quarterback Geno Smith was efficient with a 21-of-29 day, the Seahawks signal-caller never really had a chance to push the ball down the field. The absence of receiver DK Metcalf was noticeable, but even Metcalf would’ve had trouble with the way Buffalo’s secondary played. Buffalo gave up 90 passing yards during garbage time, which makes their performance even more remarkable.

Buffalo’s defensive line smothered Seattle’s runners all game long. Seattle’s running backs managed only 16 yards on 12 carries. Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet were complete nonfactors throughout the game. This was an exceptional performance by the unit.

Kicker Tyler Bass was perfect on the afternoon, hitting all four PATs successfully. He added a short 27-yard field goal to his ledger as well. Punter Sam Martin averaged 49 yards on three punts. Both Bass and Martin were solid through rainy conditions.

Mack Hollins recovered a muffed punt late in the game. The play effectively sealed the game for Buffalo, as the Bills moved into victory formation shortly after.

The unit did take two penalties on returns, which hurt a bit. However, with such a dominant game in other aspects of play, the miscues did not cause massive harm.

Let’s give it up for the staff on this one. The entire game plan worked smoothly Sunday afternoon. Buffalo took control of the game early and imposed their will on the Seahawks.

Offensive coordinator Joe Brady put together another game plan that saw success both through the air and on the ground. The Bills kept drives going, completing 8-of-15 third downs. Multiple receivers were involved in the passing attack, which gave Allen several good options in the aerial attack. The run game controlled the point of attack, and the run calls were effective.

Defensively, coordinator Bobby Babich and head coach Sean McDermott put together a plan that stunted the Seattle offense. Without Metcalf, the Seahawks were without their most dynamic player. The Bills shut down all other options on offense. After Buffalo gained the lead, the run game was out of the equation.

The only flaw for Buffalo was their issue with flags. Once again, the Bills saw plenty of time with the refs. In this game, the Bills took 13 penalties for 85 yards.

Ray Davis earned himself a new nickname from Bills teammates

Ray Davis earned himself a new nickname from Bills teammates

Buffalo Bills rookie running back Ray Davis has burst onto the scene over the past few weeks.

He far exceeded expectations in Week 6 while filling in for an injured James Cook, and with a healthy Cook in the lineup in Week 7 Davis still impacted the game.

His play has not only impressed NFL media and fans, but more importantly he has impressed his coworkers at 1 Bills Drive. His teammates have enjoyed his running over the past few weeks so much that they coined a new nickname for the rookie: “The Stallion.”

Bills center Connor McGovern was quoted as saying, “We love when he gets in [the game].” And how could the offensive line not love him? He finishes runs with power and he squeezes the most yardage out of every run. He has maximized his opportunity thus far.

Davis’ coming out party was Week 6 against the New York Jets when he ran the ball 20 times for 97 yards and added three catches for 55 yards. 152 yards from scrimmage in your first extended action in the NFL… not too shabby.

When Cook came back in Week 7, Davis reverted to his supporting role. On just five carries against the Tennessee Titans, he still posted 41 rushing yards and an impressive touchdown:

Davis’ play through seven weeks has the football analytics world taking notice. According to Pro Football Focus, Davis is the highest-graded rookie running back in the NFL with a grade of 76.4. That grade is good enough for 17th among all NFL running backs.

The fourth-rounder out of Kentucky will look to build on his recent play during Week 8’s road trip to face the Seattle Seahawks.

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Here’s what happened for James Cook to end up on Bills injury report

Here’s what happened for James Cook to end up on Bills injury report

The Buffalo Bills had a bit of a surprise injury ahead of facing the New York Jets in Week 6.

The Bills (3-2) did not release an official injury report just yet. The first of the week will come on Thursday because the upcoming contest is on “Monday Night Football.” With a Sunday game, injury reports are released on Wednesday but now it’s pushed back a day because the game is.

Regardless, running back James Cook was out of practice. Head coach Sean McDermott confirmed that.

McDermott said on Wednesday that Buffalo’s top running back has a toe/ ankle injury.

“We’ll see where it goes,” McDermott said via video conference. “We’ll know a little bit more coming off of today and into tomorrow.”

Backup Ty Johnson did get more snaps as Cook left the Bills’ Week 5 loss to the Houston Texans in the later stages. Cook landed awkwardly after being tackled.

Here’s what exactly happened.

On a tackle, Cook’s foot and toe slammed down. It didn’t look pretty.

The play can be found below:

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3 keys to a Bills victory vs. the Texans in Week 5

3 keys to a Bills victory vs. the Texans in Week 5

The Buffalo Bills hope to get back in the win column Sunday when they visit the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.

Both teams enter the Week 5 game with a record of 3-1. The Bills will look to right the ship after losing to the Baltimore Ravens last week, while the Texans hope to prove further that they belong among the best in the AFC.

For the Bills to win on the road it will need to take execution from everyone, but there are a few important factors that can help the Bills walk out of Houston with a win.

Here are three keys to a Bills win in Week 5:

Get the running game going

Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

The Texans are 25th in the NFL in yards per rush allowed, and they are 26th in yards before contact per rush. The Bills went away from the ground game last week, and it didn’t bode well for them. Due to the Texans’ speed on the perimeter of their defense, the best way to attack should be right up the middle. Running behind left guard David Edwards, center Connor McGovern and right guard O’Cyrus Torrence could pave the way for James Cook to get back on track. Cook is currently averaging 4.5 yards per carry and already has three rushing touchdowns this year.

Use the tight ends

(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Tight ends Dawson Knox and Dalton Kincaid are primed for some increased opportunities Sunday. Khalil Shakir’s targets in the middle of the field are up for grabs. And, the Texans’ nickel-based defense should funnel chances inside for the Bills. Running 12-personnel with two tight ends could expose the Texans’ undersized defenders, much like the Ravens did to the Bills last week. Whether it’s run-blocking or running a route, the tight ends could be heavily involved.

Pressure C.J. Stroud

 (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)

It’s no secret the Texans have stellar offensive weapons to spread it around to. Nico Collins, Stefon Diggs, Tank Dell and others all pose a threat at all times. The best way to take them out of the game is to make it difficult to throw on time. Pressure from the defensive line or a blitz could prove to be a major key for the Bills. According to ESPN win rate metrics, the Texans’ pass-block win rate ranked 22nd in the NFL. It will be a big opportunity for guys to step up on the defensive line for the Bills with he injury to Ed Oliver and the suspension of Von Miller.

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Ravens put the entire NFL on notice with dominant 35-10 win over Bills in Week 4

Baltimore Ravens put the entire NFL on notice with dominant 35-10 win over the Buffalo Bills in Week 4

The Ravens were a 0-2 team searching for an identity and were heading to Dallas for a must-win matchup against the Cowboys.

After holding on to defeat Dallas, Baltimore took another big step and put the entire league on notice with a dominant 35-10 win over the Buffalo Bills at M&T Bank Stadium on Sunday night in front of a raucous crowd.

Josh Allen was 16-29 passing for 180 yards but was sacked three times on the night and finished with a 73.9 rating before exiting midway through the fourth quarter as Baltimore had a 25-point lead.

For the Ravens, it was all about the running backs as Derrick Henry logged 24 carries for 199 yards (8.3 avg) and one rushing touchdown.  Henry also had a receiving touchdown.  His running mate, Justice Hill, had six catches for 78 yards and a receiving touchdown.

Overall, Baltimore allowed 237 yards on 57 offensive plays and held the Bills to 3-13 on third downs.

Bills at Ravens: 3 key matchups to watch in Week 4

Bills at Ravens: 3 key matchups to watch in Week 4

The Buffalo Bills will visit the Baltimore Ravens for an AFC clash on “Sunday Night Football” in Week 4.

The Bills (3-0) and Ravens (1-2) have had different starts to the season, and a desperate Ravens team hoping to avoid a 1-3 start could make this a back-and-forth affair. The games within the game will make the difference on Sunday.

Here are three key matchups to watch during the Bills-Ravens contest:

DE Greg Rousseau vs. LT Ronnie Stanley

(Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)

Ravens’ Ronnie Stanley is a former All-Pro left tackle, but he will have his hands full on Sunday night. With most of the Ravens’ offensive line being banged up going into Week 4, the healthy Stanley will be leaned upon even more so by the Ravens. The bad news for Stanley is he is going to be tasked with stopping the penetration of Greg Rousseau.

Rousseau moves to both sides of the defensive line, but when he is matched up with Stanley, it will be power vs. power. The winner of this matchup could prove vital.

QB Lamar Jackson vs. Bills secondary

 (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

If Bills head coach Sean McDermott and defensive coordinator Bobby Babich have one thing on their mind going into the game, it’s stopping the Ravens’ rushing attack.

Last week against the Dallas Cowboys, the Ravens led for much of the game and only threw 15 total passes. This week should be different. Lamar Jackson will be forced to pass more often, and when he does, the Bills secondary will most likely be lurking in zone coverage. The Bills are eighth in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game, and corners Christian Benford and Rasual Douglas are performing like one of the league’s best outside duos.

RB James Cook vs. LB Roquan Smith

 (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)

The Ravens are the best in the league at stuffing the run, allowing just 50 yards per game. Their defensive line, ranked third in the NFL by Pro Football Focus, has a few high-level players in Michael Pierce, Travis Jones, and Nnamdi Madubuike. These three, in the Ravens’ 3-4 base defense, should eat up blocks at times and allow their linebackers to come downhill.

This will set up Cook against a linebacker in the hole. Roquan Smith is struggling in run defense. He’s ranked 42nd in run defense grade for linebackers by PFF. On the contrary, James Cook is averaging 4.6 yards per carry. If running with Cook gets bottled up but the Ravens’ front, the Bills should be able to find success in targeting their backs and slot receivers in the passing game. Ravens’ linebackers Trenton Simpson and Smith rank 35th and 50th in PFF coverage grade for linebackers, respectively.

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