Tag: Mario Addison

Instant analysis: Bills find enough footing in win vs. Falcons

Instant analysis: #Bills find enough footing in win vs. #Falcons (via @jdiloro):

The Buffalo Bills kept their divisional champion hopes alive with a 29-15 win over the Atlanta Falcons.

Buffalo’s victory keeps the Bills (10-6) ahead of the New England Patriots in the AFC standings. The Bills hold the divisional tie-breaker. In addition, Buffalo clinched a playoff berth with the victory.

Buffalo’s performance against Atlanta (7-9) was a bit uneven, to say the least. The game started inauspiciously for the Bills, as Buffalo gave up a safety on special teams after the Falcons opening drive.

Returner Marquez Stevenson fumbled a punt return. The ensuing scramble pushed the ball into the end zone, which was recovered by Buffalo. Atlanta opened with a 2-0 lead early in the first quarter.

Buffalo responded by scoring two touchdowns on the next two drives. The Bills aerial attack was inconsistent, so quarterback Josh Allen put the ball in his hands and rushed for the two touchdowns. With the Bills up, 14-2, by the conclusion of the first quarter, it seemed Buffalo would be moving easily throughout the game.

Instead, the Bills offense had some trouble keeping the ball in their hands and prolonging drives. Allen threw two interceptions in the first half. Atlanta scored 10 points off of the turnovers and entered halftime with an improbable 15-14 lead.

For the majority of the season, many wondered if Buffalo’s run game could support the offensive attack if the aerial game did not lead the way. The Bills running attack showed they could shoulder the load. After Allen threw his third interception of the day on the opening drive of the second quarter, offensive coordinator Brian Daboll put an emphasis on the ground game.

Running back Devin Singletary pounded out 110 rushing yards on 23 carries. He added two touchdown scores in the second half. Zack Moss ran the ball five times for 39 yards. Moss saw the majority of his game action late in the game as the Bills ran the clock down in the fourth quarter, solidifying the win.

Allen, for his part, was effective on the ground, rushing 12 times (before kneel-downs) for 84 yards and two touchdowns.

It was relieving to see the run game work efficiently with the passing attack sputtering. Allen was 11-for-26 with 120 passing yards and three interceptions. However, the run game was dominant, racking up 233 rushing yards.

Buffalo’s offensive line won the battle in the trenches. In addition to the stellar run blocking, the unit allowed only one sack. Interestingly enough, that sack occurred when wide receiver Stefon Diggs attempted the pass on a flea flicker.

Buffalo’s defense played well, putting the most pressure on a quarterback that they’ve had all season. The Bills recorded five sacks on the game, with defenders Taron Johnson, Greg Rousseau, Ed Oliver, Mario Addison, and Harrison Phillips bring down Ryan on the afternoon for sacks.

The defense limited the explosive Corderelle Patterson, the Falcons do-it-all running back-wide receiver. Patterson, the best option for Atlanta, gained 28 yards on nine rushes. He caught two passes for 24 yards. Standout tight end Kyle Pitts caught two passes for 69 receiving yards.

Matt Ryan was 13-of-23 with 197 passing yards. Ryan thought he scored late in the game, rushing for a touchdown. However, the touchdown was overturned as he was short of the goal line.

To make matters worse for the veteran quarterback. Ryan was called for taunting. Buffalo’s defense defended the fourth-down toss-up that Ryan threw, ultimately giving the ball to the Bills for good.

While Buffalo’s defense stood strong, it was the offense that required some in-game modifications to gain control of the game.

Buffalo offensive coordinator Brian Daboll attempted a couple of trick plays, both that fell short. A pass to offensive lineman  Dion Dawkins failed in the red zone, and the flea flicker with  Diggs as the thrower did not materialize. With the issues in the passing game, Daboll put the ball on the ground and it worked well.

Buffalo closes their season against the New York Jets (4-12) next Sunday at Hallmark Stadium.

A victory will give the Bills their second consecutive division title and place Buffalo no lower than fourth in the AFC standings entering the playoffs.

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Bills’ Sean McDermott on Patriots QB Mac Jones: ‘As good as advertised’

#Bills’ Sean McDermott on #Patriots QB Mac Jones: ‘As good as advertised’

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En route to leading the AFC East, the New England Patriots have won six-straight games. The Buffalo Bills will hope to snap that streak during Week 13’s Monday Night Football matchup in Orchard Park.

That’s much easier said than done.

A big reason for the Patriots’ recent successes is rookie quarterback Mac Jones.

It’s not that the QB has set the world on fire. Rather, it’s a case that he’s just playing pretty good. Typically a first-year quarterback struggles mightily so in terms of the Year 1 QB scale, Jones is playing excellent.

The Bills (7-4) were well aware of that this week.

“Mac is off to a phenomenal start and he’s as good as advertised. There’s a lot of talk out there about him and he does a great job executing their offense. So it’ll be a big challenge for us,” McDermott said via video conference. “Tell me another quarterback, especially a young quarterback that’s as hot as Mac Jones right now. So, the record speaks for itself.”

McDermott has gotten that message through to his players as well.

“He’s doing his thing,” defensive end Mario Addison said via video conference. “You can’t take him lightly because he’s a rookie. Like I said if he’s there then he belongs there.”

“He’s grown throughout the year,” safety Jordan Poyer added. “His turnovers have kind of slimmed down the past six games. I think he’s kind of found a bit of a rhythm.”

But while Jones is certainly someone the Bills defense can’t take lightly, their hands will be full with the whole package the Patriots offer.

As well as Jones is playing, the Pats (8-4) offense thrives on a strong rushing attack. Buffalo has to shut down both.

“They’re physical. The move people and beat people up at the line of scrimmage and then that sets up their pass game. So they’ve got a really good thing going,” McDermott said.

“They got good players. Good offensive line, blocking well. Three good running backs that are running extremely hard, breaking tackles,” Poyer added.

The top name to watch out for out of New England’s backfield is running back Damien Harris.

The Bills will have to contain him, that is, if they can get there by beating a talent Bills offensive line.

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Sean McDermott on Bills D-line vs. Saints: ‘That’s what I expect’

Mario Addison and Ed Oliver reflect as well:

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The Buffalo Bills defensive line had a strong outing against the New Orleans Saints on Thanksgiving.

The Saints (5-6) only managed one touchdown in the 31-6 Bills win. Overall, Buffalo’s defense didn’t allow much room for the New Orleans offense to work.

Saints quarterback Trevor Siemian was hit six total times by the Bills (7-4). New Orleans only averaged 1.8 yards per carry as well.

Such efforts always start, and sometimes finish, with the defensive line. Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott knows that and via video conference following the victory he said he wasn’t surprise that was the case.

“That’s what I expected, to be honest with you. That’s what veterans leaders do, lead by their play,” McDermott said.

Of those those leaders, one was certainly Mario Addison. The pass rusher had two sacks against the Saints, one game after Buffalo’s defensive line was nothing short of terrible in a blowout loss to the Indianapolis Colts.

Changing the narrative, and quickly, is something Addison said he has seen happen many times in his decade-long career.

“We work so hard and the way we came up short [vs. the Colts], it can be demoralizing. Like I said, I’ve been in this league a long time. I’ve kicked a lot of peoples a–, and I’ve got my a– kicked, too. That’s just the nature of the business. But you’ve got to flush that and do it all over again and everybody had a great mindset going into this game and we were ready,” Addison said via video conference.

In terms of other defenders stepping up, Ed Oliver can be thrown into that bunch.

Oliver isn’t exactly the long-term vet like Addison.

Rather, his motivation might’ve come from home… literally.

Born in Louisiana and then raised in Houston, Texas, Oliver had a lot of friends and family in New Orleans for the game. He said around 40.

Simply put, Oliver wanted to make their ticket purchases were worth it.

“I’ve got a lot of family in Louisiana and a lot of family in Texas. I get in front of my folks… I didn’t pay for all these tickets for y’all to come here [and not play well]. I gotta go hard, it’d be a waste of money, really,” Oliver said with a laugh.

Whether it be veteran poise or an investment in family, getting such efforts from their D-line will be something Buffalo needs throughout the rest of the 2021 season.

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Report card: Bills top Saints, 31-6, on Thanksgiving

Report card: #Bills top #Saints, 31-6, on Thanksgiving (via @NateMendelson):

Coming off a brutal loss in Indianapolis to the Colts, the Bills had a short week to get over their ghosts. They did just that, taking down the New Orleans Saints in the Superdome, 31-6, on Thanksgiving night.

Buffalo (7-4) dominated the Saints (5-6) exactly how they should have with New Orleans missing so many key components.

Here’s how Bills Wire graded Buffalo after the win:

Instant analysis: Bills stuff Saints in Thanksgiving win

Instant analysis: #Bills stuff #Saints in Thanksgiving win (via @jdiloro):

The Buffalo Bills put together a much more palatable performance Thanksgiving, easily handling the New Orleans Saints, 31-6, in late-night action.

Buffalo’s play washed away the bad taste from a poor performance last Sunday and currently places the Bills in a tie at the top of the AFC East standings.

The Bills (7-4) offense picked apart the New Orleans defense. Buffalo  faced some challenges the past few weeks against defenses who played two high safeties, forcing the Bills to take more short-to-intermediary options in the passing game.

In past weeks, quarterback Josh Allen and company were inconsistent with moving the ball down the field in this manner. Thursday, they were much more comfortable taking what the Saints defense game them.

From the first possession of the game, it was apparent that the Bills were emphasizing a quick passing attack. Buffalo’s offense put on a clinic, moving the ball down the field easily to open the game’s scoring.

Allen was decisive with his passes, getting the ball out of his hands quickly. Buffalo’s offense moved the ball 65 in 10 plays, culminating with a seven-yard touchdown reception by tight end Dawson Knox:

Allen added touchdown passes to Stefon Diggs and another scoring connection with Knox in the third quarter.

Allen’s numbers might not be gaudy, but he was efficient, throwing 260 passing yards on a 23-for-28 night. Allen’s only major mistake was an interception by Bradley Roby. He tossed a second interception late in the first half, but this followed a deflected pass.

The Bills’ decision to start running back Matt Breida paid off in the Big Easy, as Brieda added some energy to a lethargic run attack. The numbers weren’t astounding, but the fear of Breida’s speed added a new element to Buffalo’s attack. Breida ran nine times for 26 yards. He added a receiving touchdown on a screen pass in the fourth quarter, cementing Buffalo’s dominance in this game.

With tonight’s performance, Breida may have pushed his way into even more playing time moving forward:

It was easy pickings for Buffalo’s defense as well. The Saints were missing several important players, including  RB Alvin Kamara, RB Mark Ingram, TE Adam Trautman, and OL Ryan Ramczak.

New Orleans quarterback Trevor Siemian was overwhelmed all night.

The Saints produced only 64 yards of offense in the first half. Even with garbage time progress from the Saints offense, the unit could only total 190 yards.

The Bills defense feasted on Siemian all night. New Orleans did not have a weapon on offense who could challenge the Bills defense.

Buffalo was helped by the return of linebacker Tremaine Edmunds from injury. He tied for the team lead with eight total tackles.

Pass rusher Mario Addison recorded a sack, while DE Efe Obada and DT Ed Oliver split another sack. Safety Jordan Poyer intercepted Siemian midway through the fourth quarter, adding to the Saints’ misery.

As a unit, the defense shut down any hope that New Orleans may have had to make this a competitive game. The Saints managed only 44 rushing yards, averaging 1.8 yards per carry.

The Bills are at the top of the AFC East, tied with New England at 7-4. The Patriots play the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.

The outcome of that game will determine if the Bills stay ahead of the Patriots or if they slide back to second in the division. No matter what, this is setting up an interesting December for Buffalo, as they play New England twice during the month.

The rivals face off Dec. 6,  a Monday night clash in Orchard Park.

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Instant analysis: Bills stunned by Jaguars in Week 9 loss

Instant analysis: #Bills stunned by #Jaguars in Week 9 loss:

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To say it was a lackluster performance by the Buffalo Bills would be giving the team a lot of credit after Sunday’s loss against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Bills fell to the lowly Jaguars 9-6 is a horrendous display of offensive football.

Buffalo came in as a 14.5-point favorite, in a game that should have been a gimme. For the second straight week, the Bills underperformed offensively. This week, it led to their demise.

There are many concerns with the Bills after a game like this. Starting off, the undisciplined play started early in the game. It was apparent that Jacksonville’s goal was to get Buffalo off of their game. It worked in spades, as the Bills were called for multiple personal foul penalties. The Bills were backed up for 118 penalty yards on 12 accepted penalties. The mistakes just kept building for Buffalo, as they allowed a far inferior team to remain in this game.

This game also solidifies the idea that Buffalo’s offensive line configuration is substandard, at best. Jacksonville, as a team, was credited with eight quarterback hits and six tackles for loss. Yes, the Bills were forced to reconfigure the line with the loss of Jon Feliciano. However, the line’s inability to give Josh Allen any respectable amount of time in the pocket is a massive problem that the coaching staff needs to address. As a whole, the line was unable to win the point of attack.

Allen was running for his life in this game. He was forced to break out of the pocket to have any reasonable chance of completing passes. The Bills offensive line, more so than the Jaguars pass rush, neutralized Buffalo’s offense.

It doesn’t help that the team’s run game is atrocious. A good deal of this is on the line, but Devin Singletary and Zack Moss could make nothing happen on the ground. The longest run for the duo was seven yards. Without any respect for the run, the Jaguars defensive line teed off on Allen.

Buffalo’s offense did not look ready for this game. With the litany of mistakes on the field, that falls on the coaching. Yes, a great deal of the problems started with the offensive line. However, there was no creativity or alterations to help mask the issues with the line. Thus, it was a solid sixty minutes of unflattering play.

The game was similar to the 2017 Wild Card game against the Jaguars. Buffalo’s defense kept them in the game, limiting the porous Jacksonville offensive attack. The Bills allowed only 218 total yards to the Jaguars. Buffalo only allowed two successful third-down attempts on 13 tries.

Mario Addison recorded a sack, while AJ Epenesa and Tre’Davious White split a sack. Jerry Hughes forced a Carlos Hyde fumble, which Levi Wallace recovered.

The top-rated defense held up their end of the bargain. The Bills offense did not deliver.

Allen, under duress for most of the game, tried to make things happen with his legs and create time for himself. Unfortunately, he also took some risks, ended up with two interceptions in this game. He ended the day 31-of-47 for 264 passing yards. The shocker: zero touchdowns.

It was a miserable game for Buffalo, a team that is in the conversation for a Super Bowl appearance. With the struggles of the past two weeks, it looks as if the league is catching up with the Bills. And, that’s a major problem for Buffalo. When the strength of the team puts for a horrendous performance such as this, there are bound to be massive concerns.

This was not a game that Buffalo should have been concerned about. Yet, it happened.

The Bills look to get things on the right path next week when they face the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium.

ESPN insiders elaborate on Bills buzz as trade deadline approaches

Another layer added to the #Bills potentially adding a CB:

Recently, the Buffalo Bills were connected to both sides of the spectrum in regard to the upcoming NFL trade deadline on Nov. 2.

While the Bills (4-2) are in the thick of the postseason race, ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler suggested Buffalo could both buy and sell at the deadline.

Earlier this month, he reported that other teams in the NFL could have interest in some of the Bills’ pass rushers. In addition, it was said that Buffalo has “monitored” the cornerback market, being named as a team that could add there.

Like we said, both buyers and sellers.

On Wednesday, Fowler was joined by fellow NFL insider from the former world-wide leader, Dan Graziano, and both provided the latest on the Bills. These ideas were once against mentioned.

Staying with Fowler,  he referenced the Bills potentially adding a defensive back. A new idea was offered up.

Denver Broncos cornerback Kyle Fuller has long been discussed in the rumor mill. But if the Broncos kept some of his salary, could Fuller be more appealing to the Bills?

Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane is the one that will have to answer that, but it was an idea tossed out there by Fowler:

Fowler: Maye’s a good one. He’s definitely open to new scenery. I don’t get the sense that teams are eager to pay that $10.6 million salary. The Bucs have had some injuries in their secondary, so maybe they look into this. Fuller is a prime candidate to be moved — in fact, it wouldn’t shock to see Denver facilitate a deal by paying some of Fuller’s remaining $4.76-million salary after next week to get him off the books. He has played a total of two snaps the last two weeks. Buffalo comes to mind as a contender that could use another zone corner.

On the pass rushers the Bills have, Graziano echoed the update from earlier this month. The veterans Buffalo have might be of interest:

Graziano: Buffalo has some pass-rushers people have their eyes on — guys such as Jerry Hughes and Mario Addison. The Bills could theoretically spare one, but a team would have to make it worth their while. Their defensive line depth is important as they look ahead to a likely postseason run

Adding a cornerback is the most-likely scenario for the Bills heading toward the deadline. Buffalo could bolster their offensive line as well, but teams don’t ever really trade good O-line pieces at the deadline.

It remains to be seen if the Bills do decide to add a cornerback. A team potentially keeping a chunk of a player’s salary does make adding such a player more appeal.

But that also means the team, in this case the Broncos, might be pretty close to just outright releasing someone. Could Buffalo wait it out to see if that happens?

Furthermore, the Bills also have gotten steady play out of their secondary so far in 2021, even though cornerback Levi Wallace did struggle in their last game vs. the Tennessee Titans. Buffalo has no reason to be desperate to buy.

Selling a pass rusher is also a play the Buffalo front office could make, but if you’re serious about contending for a Super Bowl, what type of message does that send to your locker room?

Because of that, trading some or selling at the deadline seems unlikely.

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Report: Bills could get teams calling them about pass rushers at trade deadline

Report: #Bills could get teams calling them about pass rushers at the upcoming trade deadline:

The NFL is slowly inching toward the trade deadline. While the Buffalo Bills have started the 2021 season at 4-1 and are currently on fire, could they actually be sellers at the deadline instead?

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, there’s a chance that might hold true.

On Tuesday, Fowler reported on current trade buzz with the deadline on the horizon. One specific position group that was mentioned for the Bills was edge defender.

Following an offseason where the Bills added multiple pieces to their pass rush in an effort to improve it, the report calls the area a “surplus” for Buffalo. Because of that, teams might come calling and a few veterans were mentioned as potential trade pieces.

Here’s Fowler’s buzz on the Bills:

The Bills are expected to get calls on their deep defensive line. The team has used draft capital on promising edge players Greg Rousseau, AJ Epenesa and Boogie Basham in recent years, which could make their veterans attractive at the deadline.

Jerry Hughes is an interesting case because of his salary ($6.1 million), age (33) and production (0.5 sacks). Those aren’t very enticing numbers. But he has been solid, and Buffalo plays him a lot (54 snaps in the Week 5 win over Kansas City). Perhaps the Bills hold on to the experienced rusher for the late-season stretch.

Mario Addison, meanwhile, is owed $4.075 million this year. He has one sack and two quarterback hits through the season’s first month. Efe Obada is a cheaper rotational guy at $1 million.

If the Bills do end up being a seller, of sorts, at the deadline, the defensive line is a position to watch. It’s also an unsurprising one.

In the past, Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane has took a similar approach to improving the team’s offensive line. Add numerous pieces and may the best man win.

In such cases, those who lose in positions battles have been traded. In terms of O-linemen that were dealt, think Wyatt Teller and Russell Bodine.

Looking at Buffalo’s current defensive line and the report, Hughes seems like a very unlikely player that would be moved. Hughes is a team leader and still drums up QB pressures with the best of them.

If the Bills are truly looking toward the Super Bowl, why trade Hughes?

Addison could be a more likely option. In recent weeks, his snap totals have started to drop and against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 5, he played the fewest snaps amongst all defensive ends.

Even Basham, who previously was inactive on game days to start the season, played more than Addison against KC.

The latest report does not mention that the Bills could be interested in trading defensive tackles. However, that’s another area to consider.

In recent weeks including against the Chiefs, Harrison Phillips and Vernon Butler were healthy scratches.

Finally in the report, there is an update on Philadelphia Eagles tight end Zach Ertz. It says if he’s traded, he probably won’t take a pay cut, and there is a brief mention:

As for where Ertz could go, league execs have long pegged Buffalo and Indianapolis as potential landing spots.

Considering the way Dawson Knox has played so far in 2021, this seems like a bit of a recycled take.

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Panthers great Luke Kuechly visits Sean McDermott, Buffalo Bills

Warning: Carolina Panthers legend Luke Kuechly is donning another team’s colors in the post below.

Have you ever wondered what Carolina Panthers lifer Luke Kuechly would look like in another team’s colors?

Of course you haven’t! Because why in the hell would you?

But, just in case you were curious . . .

(Ew.)

Kuechly took the trip up to Orchard Park, N.Y., reuniting with his former defensive coordinator Sean McDermott and his Buffalo Bills. The duo spent five years heading the defense in Carolina, a run that included three NFC South division titles and a Super Bowl appearance.

Due to a series of concussions, Kuechly opted to hang up his cleats following the 2019 season at the age of 29. Over his eight pro seasons, he was selected to seven All-Pro teams (five First-team selections) and was named the 2013 AP Defensive Player of the Year.

By the way, Buffalo . . .

We know you’re jokingly referred to as “Carolina North” for forming much of your current organization with ex-Panthers. You’re familiar with the other names: Mario Addison, Star Lotulelei, A.J. Klein, Efe Obada, Vernon Butler, Daryl Williams and even general manager Brandon Beane.

So now you’re coming after their retired legends? Dang, that’s cold.

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