12 AFC East stories from last week for Bills fans to know

AFC East news roundup for Buffalo Bills fans.

You’re probably all on top of the latest news surrounding the Buffalo Bills and we hope Bills Wire helped you get there. But let us keep you up to date with the Bills news, just outside the Bills’ realm.

The upcoming 2020 NFL season has many thinking the Bills are the favorite in the AFC East. But Buffalo isn’t just going to stroll into that title. The Dolphins, Jets, and of course the Patriots, will all have something to say about that.

So let’s stay on top of some of the latest headlines surrounding the Bills’ divisional foes now. Here are 12 news stories from the other three AFC East teams from the last week right here:

Division

Patriots outside linebacker Dont’a Hightower. Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Opt outs

The biggest news from across the NFL last week were opt outs. Those came to a fever pitch on Thursday as the deadline for players deciding to do so came and went. Prior to that 4 p.m. mark, we already knew the Patriots had a lot of players deciding not to suit up. But eventually, we saw at least one player from every team in the AFC East decide not to play.

So let’s get right to it, the full list of opt outs from the AFC East:

Bills

  • CB EJ Gaines
  • DT Star Lotulelei

Dolphins

  • WR Allen Hurns
  • WR Albert Wilson II

Jets

  • WR Josh Doctson
  • OL Leo Holoamatangi
  • LB CJ Mosley

Patriots

  • RB Brandon Bolden
  • OT Marcus Cannon
  • S Patrick Chung
  • LB Dont’a Hightower
  • TE Matt LaCosse
  • WR Marquise Lee
  • OL Najee Toran
  • FB Danny Vitale

Report: Patriots plan to sign TE Jordan Leggett and DT Darius Kilgo

According to NFL Network, the Patriots plan to sign TE Jordan Leggett and DT Darius Kilgo.
Both players are visiting the Patriots and taking physicals, and if all goes well, they will sign with New England.
Leggett is a former fifth-round pick, while Kilgo spent two seasons with the Patriots in 2016 and 2017

According to NFL Network, the Patriots plan to sign TE Jordan Leggett and DT Darius Kilgo.
Both players are visiting the Patriots and taking physicals, and if all goes well, they will sign with New England.
Leggett is a former fifth-round pick, while Kilgo spent two seasons with the Patriots in 2016 and 2017

Report: Patriots plan to sign TE Jordan Leggett and DT Darius Kilgo

According to NFL Network, the Patriots plan to sign TE Jordan Leggett and DT Darius Kilgo.
Both players are visiting the Patriots and taking physicals, and if all goes well, they will sign with New England.
Leggett is a former fifth-round pick, while Kilgo spent two seasons with the Patriots in 2016 and 2017

According to NFL Network, the Patriots plan to sign TE Jordan Leggett and DT Darius Kilgo.
Both players are visiting the Patriots and taking physicals, and if all goes well, they will sign with New England.
Leggett is a former fifth-round pick, while Kilgo spent two seasons with the Patriots in 2016 and 2017

Patriots RB coach calls Damien Harris a ‘doggone good runner,’

During a Patriots press conference on Saturday, Patriots running back coach Ivan Fears had this to say about Harris

Although Damien Harris didn’t have as many touches as he wished in his rookie season, Harris has a good chance to have a big impact on the Patriots’ offense this season.

Damien Harris
Aug 17, 2019; Nashville, TN, USA; New England Patriots running back Damien Harris (37) rushes against the Tennessee Titans during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

During a Patriots press conference on Saturday, Patriots running back coach Ivan Fears had this to say about Harris:

“I think you need just to know that Damien is a doggone good runner. He’s a real good runner. He’s done a hell of a job improving his all-around game. When he came out of Bama, he was an excellent runner. He is an excellent runner.

I think that’s what he’s going to show you when he gets a chance to play. I think you’re going to like what you see, and I think combining him with the other SEC runner that we have in Sony, you have a hell of a pack there.”

Harris was drafted by the Patriots in the 3rd of the 2019 NFL Draft.

Last season, Harris recorded four attempts for 12 yards.

But there’s a chance Harris will get more attempts this season, and a chance to shine.

For the Crimson Tide, Harris became a huge offensive asset for Alabama.

In his career, he had 412 carries for over 2,800 yards and 21 touchdowns.

 

B/R predicts Bills as AFC East winner in 2020

Bleacher Report says the Buffalo Bills beat the New England Patriots for the AFC East title.

As training camps getting underway next week, Bleacher Report sent out their latest 2020 predictions for every team in the NFL. Where it hits home for Buffalo, it landed good for the Bills.

For the first time since 1995, the Bills are taking the AFC East crown, B/R predicted.

Much of their reasoning has to do with what the Bills have built in-house. Josh Allen’s play comes into question, but the addition of Stefon Diggs to Buffalo’s offense, along with their proven defense, brings together a well-round roster. But that doesn’t mean B/R is sleeping on the Patriots, either.

Here’s Bleacher Report‘s latest outlook on the Bills, which leads them to predict a 10-6 record:

Last season, the Buffalo Bills finished with a 10-6 record and earned a playoff berth for the second time in three seasons. This season, they’ll try to take the next step and win the AFC East for the first time since 1995.

Buffalo’s ability to take that step will likely hinge on Josh Allen’s ability to become a more consistent passer. One of the top young dual-threats in the game, Allen still has accuracy and decision-making issues, as evidenced by his 58.8 completion percentage and 14 fumbles in 2019.

The rest of the Buffalo roster is playoff-caliber, especially with new No. 1 receiver Stefon Diggs in the fold. Diggs should help improve a passing attack that ranked 26th in yardage last season. The Bills also ranked eighth in rushing yards and second in scoring defense.

Of course, the Bills will have to unseat the New England Patriots to win the division. While Tom Brady is no longer part of the opposition, Bill Belichick still is, and he’s likely to keep New England competitive in the post-Brady era.

On the Patriots, they’ve got a lot more than Brady to consider as well. Recently the Pats have had the most players opt out of the 2020 NFL season due to COVID-19. The Bills have had their share as well, but nothing like the Patriots. So down to the grueling question, how close does B/R think it could be in the AFC East?

Well it only involved the Bills and Patriots. The Dolphins and Jets finish a bit of a ways behind with six and five wins each, respectively. In terms of New England, they’re predicted for a 9-7 season, meaning the Bills-Patriots meetings in the second half of the season could be crucial this year.

Let the fun begin.

 

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Jarrett Stidham explains how he felt when Patriots signed Cam Newton

Jarrett Stidham explained Friday how he felt when Patriots signed Cam Newton.
Honestly, I was excited. What a great opportunity to compete with another great player — compete with Hoy and Cam. I was actually really excited for the opportunity ahead, Jarrett Stidham.
Stidham was expected to be the Patriots’ starting QB until they signed Newton.
A former 2019 4th-round pick, Stidham still has a chance to impress the Patriots this summer

Jarrett Stidham explained Friday how he felt when Patriots signed Cam Newton.
Honestly, I was excited. What a great opportunity to compete with another great player — compete with Hoy and Cam. I was actually really excited for the opportunity ahead, Jarrett Stidham.
Stidham was expected to be the Patriots’ starting QB until they signed Newton.
A former 2019 4th-round pick, Stidham still has a chance to impress the Patriots this summer

Jarrett Stidham explains how he felt when Patriots signed Cam Newton

Jarrett Stidham explained Friday how he felt when Patriots signed Cam Newton.
Honestly, I was excited. What a great opportunity to compete with another great player — compete with Hoy and Cam. I was actually really excited for the opportunity ahead, Jarrett Stidham.
Stidham was expected to be the Patriots’ starting QB until they signed Newton.
A former 2019 4th-round pick, Stidham still has a chance to impress the Patriots this summer

Jarrett Stidham explained Friday how he felt when Patriots signed Cam Newton.
Honestly, I was excited. What a great opportunity to compete with another great player — compete with Hoy and Cam. I was actually really excited for the opportunity ahead, Jarrett Stidham.
Stidham was expected to be the Patriots’ starting QB until they signed Newton.
A former 2019 4th-round pick, Stidham still has a chance to impress the Patriots this summer

ESPN sets ‘Monday Night Football’ crew for Bills’ 2020 brace

Who will be the new commentators on the call when the Buffalo Bills play on Monday Night Football in 2020?

The Buffalo Bills have to wait until the later stages of the 2020 NFL regular season before they’ll be on Monday Night Football. But the more, the merrier, right?

In a bit of a surprise when schedules were dropped earlier this offseason, the Bills landed four primetime games on their slate. One on Thursday Night Football, another on Sunday Night Football and then two on ESPN’s end of football week extravaganza.

When those two games are played on Monday for the Bills, we now know who exactly is going to be feeding us the story. ESPN recently pegged a new broadcast crew for the booth for the upcoming season after an offseason of rumors and speculation.

The world-wide leader will have Steve Levy serve as a play-by-play announcer with former NFL players Louis Riddick and Brian Griese providing color commentary, according to USA TODAY’s Chris Bumbaca. Levy has been with ESPN for 27 years. Riddick has been with the network since 2013 and Griese has been with ESPN since 2009.

But as referenced, we’ll have other announcing crews for quite a while first. Buffalo’s two Monday Night Football contests are scheduled for Week 13 at the 49ers and then in Week 16, also on the road, against the Patriots.

 

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New England Patriots place former UGA RB Sony Michel on PUP list

The New England Patriots have placed former Georgia running back Sony Michel on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.

The New England Patriots have placed former Georgia running back Sony Michel on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, according to ESPN’s Field Yates.

A player on the PUP list may not practice or play until after the sixth week of the season. Afterwards, he must return to practice, be placed on injured reserve or released from the team within five weeks. Michel had offseason foot surgery to help relieve discomfort.

The 31st overall pick in the 2018 draft, Michel has rushed for 1,843 yards and 13 touchdowns (with a 4.0 yards per carry average) in 29 regular season games. Michel played a key role in the 2018 Super Bowl run, rushing for 336 yards and six touchdowns in New England’s three games during the ’18 postseason.

Michel finished his four year career at Georgia with 3,613 rushing yards (6.1 yards per carry) with 33 touchdowns. He also caught 64 passes for 621 yards and 6 scores. He finished his brilliant UGA career as third leading rusher in school history. Michel’s and classmate Nick Chubb’s combined 8,259 career rushing yards surpassed those of SMU duo Eric Dickerson and Craig James’ FBS record of 8,192.

After opt-outs, are Bills favored over Patriots again in AFC East?

Who is the current favorite in the AFC East? The Buffalo Bills or New England Patriots?

Who is the favorite in the AFC East? Well that’s an answer that’s been up, down, and all around so far this offseason.

The debate has been between two dogs: the Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots.

Tom Brady skipped town after the 2019 season and the scale all of a sudden started to even out between the two rivals (Sorry, not sorry, Jets and Dolphins). But at various points of the summer, things have tipped the way of the Bills like after Brady’s departure, but then they’ve also gone back toward the Pats’ direction, like when Cam Newton was signed.

But things are pointing back to the Bills now.

The most recent news between these two have been COVID-19 related. The NFL and NFLPA came to terms on a new collective bargaining agreement for 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. In that, players are given the opportunity to opt-out of playing next season. No team has been more stung by players deciding to not play than the Patriots.

The Bills have had two players do so, Star Lotulelei and EJ Gaines. The Patriots have had a total of eight, including some important starters and pieces, such as defensive back Patrick Chung, linebacker Dont’a Hightower and wide receiver Marquise Lee.

The decision to opt out is not an easy one. It’s also very understandable. But that doesn’t mean it won’t catch the eyes of the oddsmakers. Unless the Bills have multiple players opt-out ahead of Thursday’s deadline to do so, one would imagine sportsbooks would remain the same as they stand now.

And how things current look, the Bills are once again the AFC East favorite, according to BetOnline. At +100, the Bills have the best odds to take the title in 2020. It’d be the first time in 11 seasons a team other than the Patriots did so, and the first time in 1995 that Buffalo won it. Having said that, the Patriots are not a longshot by any means. At +160, the Pats have the second-best odds in the division.

But if you’re looking for that dark horse candidate, look at the Dolphins at +700. Or if you’re feeling very bold, the Jets at +900.

We want to say things will stay this way until the season opener in September, but with the way this offseason has gone, you never really know.

 

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