Tag: Levi Wallace

Here is the full list of the Bills’ upcoming free agents

List of the Buffalo Bills’ free agents heading into the 2020 NFL offseason and free agency.

Simple, sweet, straight forward.

Who are the Bills at risk of losing after their successful 2019 campaign which included a second trip to the playoffs in three years? Free agency can ruin a team if their front office, in the Bills’ case led by Brandon Beane, doesn’t make the right decisions.

First, free agents come in three different forms.

The most common is an unrestricted free agent that can either re-sign or test the open market.

Restricted free agents are players who can be tendered contracts by other teams, but their current team can match the offer and keep them. Or they can just re-sign or be allowed to walk by their current organization.

An exclusive-rights free agent can only become a free agent if their team decides to let them do so. The Bills could tender these players a contract for the league minimum and the player has to accept it, or sit out a season.

Here’s the full list for the Bills:

Unrestricted free agents

Buffalo Bills running back Frank Gore. Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

 

RB Frank Gore

  • Age: 36, 15th season
  • 2019 stats: 16 GP, 599 rushing yards, 2 TDs
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What we learned from Bills’ Week 17 loss to Jets

What we learned, Buffalo Bills vs. New York Jets, NFL Week 17

There’s little that should be taken away from the Buffalo Bills’ final game of the 2019 regular season, a 13-6 loss in the rain against a New York Jets’ team that was finishing up its playoff-less season.

The Bills, with nothing to play for on Sunday, rested several key players and played mostly backups throughout the contest. In what looked like a preseason game, the Bills struggled to do much of anything on offense. The Jets struggled as well, but did just enough to outlast the Bills as both teams ran for the proverbial bus, just hoping to get this game over and done with.

The Bills wanted to get this game out of the way without any significant injuries before they made their journey out to the Central time zone for a Wild card Matchup against the Houston Texans. Unfortunately, the Bills were unable to escape without significant injury.

Levi Wallace and Ty Nsekhe were knocked out of Sunday’s contest and failed to return. Cody Ford, Taron Johnson and Siran Neal also left the game with injuries, but returned. The injuries were the last thing the Bills’ coaching staff wanted to see. The injury to Wallace was particularly troubling. The Bills’ No. 2 cornerback was hurt making a first quarter interception. It was a non-contact injury, which is never a good thing, as he planted his foot awkwardly in the wet New Era Field turf while trying to pivot and intercept a pass from Jets quarterback Sam Darnold. Wallace turned his ankle on the interception and hobbled off the field with help from a couple of teammates. The Bills get ready to face a Houston passing attack.

Nsekhe and Ford, Buffalo’s two right tackles, were banged up in this game and their absence was felt greatly. The Buffalo offensive line struggled all day against the Jets’ defensive front.

The Bills finish the 2019 regular season at 10-6, earning the No. 5 seed in the AFC playoffs. Their wild card matchup with Houston will be the first game of the coming weekend, kicking off at 4:30 at NRG Stadium.

Here are four things we learned about the Bills from Sunday’s game and how they relate to Buffalo’s attempt to finally win a playoff game for the first time since 1995 this coming Saturday in Texas.

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Report: Positive injury update for Levi Wallace

Ankle injury update for Buffalo Bills Levi Wallace.

One report has surfaced on Buffalo Bills cornerback Levi Wallace and his ankle injury. It appears to be positive in nature as well.

According to AL.com, Wallace suffered “just a sprain” in his ankle during the Bills’ Week 17 loss to the Jets.

Wallace played his college football for the University of Alabama, which connects the report’s location to the Bills’ defensive back.

The second-year pro went up and intercepted a Sam Darnold pass on Sunday. He landed awkwardly. As the report indicates, he was carted off the Bills’ sidelined after getting there with the help of team trainers.

Here’s the injury via The Bills Wire’s Bradley Gelber:

However, while sounding positive, a sprain could still keep him out of the Bills’ Wild Card meeting with the Texans on Saturday, depending on the severity and grade of the injury.

Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott will speak to the media on Monday at 4 p.m. and will likely provide an update on Wallace’s injury, along with the ankle injury to offensive lineman Ty Nsekhe, who was also carted off the field.

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Stock up, stock down following the Bills’ loss to the Jets

Stock report following the Buffalo Bills’ Week 17 loss to the New York Jets.

The Bills fell in their final regularly scheduled game of the 2019 season against the Jets, 13-6.

In terms of stock reporting, it was a different one considering plenty of old faces were in the lineup. The game played out like a preseason contest with plenty of backups for the Bills.

Here’s how some of those players saw their stock move following the Bills’ loss to the Jets:

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Duke Williams. Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

Stock up

WR Duke Williams

The one that everyone wanted to see happen, happened. Receiver Duke Williams started for the Bills and played a heck of a game with his opportunity.

His overall stat line was shaky with 12 targets and only six catches, but a few of them were off target. Of note, one was certainly a drop on third down which he would’ve liked back. All in all, Williams had 108 yards receiving in a game with a backup quarterback tossing him the ball against a solid defense that was playing their starters. Promising signs.

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Instant analysis: Bills look to playoffs after loss vs. Jets

The Buffalo Bills fell to the New York Jets 13-6 to close out their regular-season slate of games.

The Buffalo Bills fell to the New York Jets 13-6 to close out their regular-season slate of games. The game had the feel of a preseason game since the Bills were already locked into the fifth spot in the AFC playoff standings and the Jets playing out their schedule as New York was eliminated from the playoff picture weeks ago.

Bills head coach Sean McDermott removed most of his starters by the end of the first quarter, leaving the majority of snaps to players who will provide depth in the Wild Card round.

The most special moment of the game occurred midway through the first quarter, as McDermott called a timeout so that veteran linebacker Lorenzo Alexander could be acknowledged while leaving the field.

Buffalo Bills outside linebacker Lorenzo Alexander (57) signs autographs before an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

Impressively, Buffalo’s reserves on defense kept the Jets offense under wraps. The unit allowed only 272 total yards. Jets quarterback Sam Darnold was quiet, totaling 199 passing yards on  23-of-36 day.  He threw one touchdown, a third-quarter score to wide receiver Jamison Crowder.

Trent Murphy recorded two sacks on the day, while Siran Neal and Corey Liuget each registered six tackles.

Offensively, Buffalo saw some unfamiliar faces gain some decent yardage. TJ Yeldon carried the ball seven times for 18 yards. He also caught three passes for 24 yards. Wide receiver Duke Williams was targeted often, catching six passes for 108 yards. Tight end Tommy Sweeney was a presence over the middle of the field, catching five balls for 76 yards.

Isaiah McKenzie also put pressure on the Jets defense, running two jet sweeps for 30 yards.

However, there was a lack of continuity with the second-string garnering most of the meaningful snaps on the day. Matt Barkley struggled throughout the afternoon. Barkley turned the ball over three times: two interceptions and a lost fumble. He did not inspire much confidence if he were to see the field in a dire situation in the playoffs.

Barkley finished completing 18-of-35 passes for 232 yards and the aforementioned turnovers. Several passes sailed and found the turf off Barkley’s hand.

Several bills limped off the field at several points in the game. Offensive tackle Ty Nsekhe, cornerback Taron Johnson, defensive back Siran Neal, and cornerback Levi Wallace all missed snaps during the game.

Buffalo Bills cornerback Levi Wallace (39) is carted off the field during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019 in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/David Dermer)

However, Wallace’s injury could have major ramifications going forward, as his lower-body injury looked somewhat severe. The Alabama product could not put weight on his leg leaving the field. As the counterpart to Tre’Davious White in the Bills secondary, his possible absence will be problematic for the Buffalo.

The Bills conclude their season at 10-6, their first double-digit win total in 20 years. Buffalo will travel to Houston for Wild Card playoff action next weekend.

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Levi Wallace injures ankle on interception vs. Jets

Buffalo Bills CB Levi Wallace interceptions Jets QB Sam Darnold and suffers ankle injury.

Bills cornerback Levi Wallace caught a pass from Jets quarterback Sam Darnold.

Then things went bad from there.

Buffalo’s No. 2 cornerback behind Tre’Davious White injured his ankle upon landing.

Here’s the play:

Wallace eventually made it to the Bills sideline but was not putting weight on his injured leg as trainers were helping him. A medical cart came out of the tunnel and helped bring Wallace to the locker room, too. A bad sign.

If Wallace misses Buffalo’s postseason, Kevin Johnson would fill in for him. Wallace and Johnson have rotated in and out across from White for most of the season, but Wallace has played slightly more snaps each game.

 

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Bills snap counts: Depth chart breakdown vs. Steelers

Buffalo Bills Week 15 snap counts against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

In front of a lot of eyes, the Buffalo Bills clinched a playoff berth with a 17-10 win on Sunday Night Football.

It was a defensive showcase for most of it, but when needed in crunch time, the Bills offense ended up with more numbers on the scoreboard than the Steelers when it was all said and done.

Who took charge in both the good and bad of the game? Here’s a full depth chart breakdown via snap counts for the Bills against the Steelers in Week 15:

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen. (AP Photo/Don Wright)

Offense

Notes:

  • Only Jon Feliciano, who briefly went down with injury, did not play in 100 percent of snaps along the Bills’ offensive line.
  • For the fourth-straight game, rookie Cody Ford played in every snap. Ty Nsekhe (ankle) was still injured and missed the game.
  • WR Robert Foster did not play a snap on offense. In Week 14 against the Ravens, he saw 25 percent of snaps on offense. The Bills used less 11 personnel, likely to help with blockers, as Isaiah McKenzie only played 46 percent of snaps after seeing 72 percent last week.
  • Over the past three games, respectively, WR Cole Beasley played in 99%, 89% and 81% of snaps. Against the Steelers, he only saw 69 percent of snaps.
  • OL Spencer Long filled in for Feliciano and played seven snaps in the game.
  • TEs Dawson Knox and Lee Smith both played in 48 percent of snaps, likely to help with blocking. Knox was playing in more than 72 percent of snaps over the past four-straight games prior to facing the Steelers.
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Stock up, stock down following the Bills’ win over the Steelers

Stock report following Buffalo Bills’ 17-10 Week 15 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Bills topped the Pittsburgh Steelers 17-10 in Week 15 to secure a spot in the postseason dance. Buffalo sits at the No. 5 seed, the AFC’s first Wild Card spot, with a 10-4 overall record.

To get there, the Bills beat the team right behind them at the No. 6 seed and in front of a national audience.

With that audience in mind, here’s Bills Wire’s weekly stock report following the Bills’ win over the Steelers on Sunday Night Football:

Stock up
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen. Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

QB Josh Allen

In no way did Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen have a great overall game. He rarely does. Allen finished the game 13-for-25 passing for only 139 yards in the air with a passing score and interception. His interception went off a receiver’s hands. On the ground, Allen added another 28 yards and a rushing score.

But when it mattered most, Allen was there to increase his stock. On Buffalo’s game-winning drive in the fourth quarter, Allen was 2-for-4 passing, which included a 40-yard strike to John Brown down the sideline and a 14-yard touchdown to tight end Tyler Kroft to put his team ahead. Allen is not a complete product, but he’s tied with Seattle’s Russell Wilson for the NFL lead in game-winning drives this year. They both have five. This is a good thing.

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Report card: Bills outlast Steelers, 17-10

The Bills are playoff bound after their victory of the Pittsburgh Steelers. It was a victory where the Bills relied on their stout defense.

Buffalo, you can party like it’s 1999 because the Bills are sitting at 10-4, clinching just their second playoff appearance this century.

The game was an ugly, hard fought battle that saw seven turnovers between themselves and the Pittsburgh Steelers, a game which the Bills won 17-10.

Ultimately, Buffalo’s offense made more plays down the stretch that gave them the victory. It wasn’t a stellar performance from Josh Allen and company though.

With that, here’s how the Bills graded out in this week’s report card following their win over the Steelers:

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

Quarterback: C

Josh Allen had a tough game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, he completed just 52 percent of his passes for 139 yards. He struggled throughout the game, missing some wide open receivers, his interception was a perfect example of these errant throws. Allen had a clean pocket, and threw a pass to the outstretched arms of receiver Cole Beasley, that bounced off the hands of Beasley and into arms of the Steelers defensive back. The interception doesn’t fall on the shoulders of Allen alone, but a better pass could have been caught by Beasley.

The quarterback did have his moments of brilliance, mainly coming in the fourth quarter with the game on the line. He hit a massive 40-yard strike to John Brown that help set up the game winning touchdown. Speaking of the game winning touchdown, he found tight end Tyler Kroft on third down, sealing the victory for Buffalo.

Allen also had 28 yards on the ground, and one rushing touchdown that opened the scoring for Buffalo.

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Instant analysis: Bills defense reigns supreme in win vs. Steelers

The Buffalo Bills clinched their spot in the 2019 postseason with a 17-10 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

The Buffalo Bills clinched their spot in the 2019 postseason with a 17-10 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

The game carried a large weight on the AFC postseason picture, as the Bills and Steelers held the two Wild Card spots coming into the primetime matchup. At the end of the night, it was Buffalo’s defense who came out on top in this low-scoring, defensive affair. 

Tre’Davious White intercepted Steelers quarterback Devlin Hodges twice on the night. Jordan Phillips recorded two sacks, while Shaq Lawson and Trent Murphy contributed sacks as well. 

Buffalo limited Pittsburgh’s offense to 229 yards on offense. The Steelers leaned on the passing attack for a good chunk of the game. Pittsburgh attempted 38 passes while rushing only 15 times. Pittsburgh mustered only 51 yards on those rushing attempts. 

Buffalo’s defense was called upon twice in the closing minutes of the game to seal the deal. Jordan Poyer intercepted Hodges in the end zone just after the two-minute warning. 

The Bills offense produced a three-and-out after the turnover, giving the Steelers a final shot at tying the game. However, as it happened to be all game long, Buffalo’s defense rose to the occasion and closed out the contest for Buffalo. Jordan Phillips recorded a sack and with time ticking down, Hodges threw up a prayer which Levi Wallace intercepted in the end zone. 

Tremaine Edmunds led the Bills with eight total tackles.

Buffalo’s offense primarily ran through Josh Allen, Devin Singletary, and John Brown. Allen scored the game’s first touchdown, a one-yard rush in the second quarter. The touchdown gave Allen the team’s rushing record for most touchdowns scored on the ground by a quarterback. 

Allen ended the night 13-of-25 for 139 passing yards. He managed the game well, limited mistakes and taking whatever the challenging Steelers defense would allow at Heinz Field. The signal-caller added 28 yards on seven carries. 

Singletary and Brown had strong games as well, as Singletary gained 87 yards on the ground on 21 carries. Brown racked up 99 receiving yards on seven receptions. The duo gained 186 of Buffalo’s 261 total offensive yards. 

The game-winning touchdown came from an unfamiliar source this year, as Tyler Kroft caught a 14-yard pass from Allen midway through the fourth quarter. 

There were a few miscues throughout the game, but none really haunted the Bills in end. Allen’s only interception was a pass that went off the hands of the usually reliable Cole Beasley and dropped into the arms of Steelers cornerback Steven Nelson. 

Devin Singletary fumbled twice, losing one of the miscues. However, head coach Sean McDermott relied on the rookie despite putting the ball on the ground. It paid off, as the FAU product found a way through an aggressive Pittsburgh defense. 

White left the game for a few moments after making a tackle, suffering an apparent shoulder injury. He returned on the next series, and his interceptions from tonight give him six on the season, which is tied for the league lead. 

The game followed the script if the Bills were to be successful. The defense led the way, dominating the game. The offense, while not necessarily a juggernaut, finalized drives when it was most needed. Pittsburgh’s defense is very good, and the Bills were able to punch in two touchdowns when needed. 

The defense put the ball in the hands of Devlin Hodges and without a doubt, that worked into Buffalo’s favor. They forced four interceptions and thwarted virtually every attempt the Steelers made in the red zone. 

It was an impressive performance for Buffalo, as now they are playoff-bound for the second time in three seasons. The Bills hit double-digits in the win column for the first time in two decades. 

Buffalo travels to Foxboro next Saturday to face off against the New England Patriots. The Bills still have an outside shot at winning the AFC East, so a victory Saturday and some help along the way could give the Bills a chance at a home playoff game.

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