Tag: Sean McDermott

Stock up, stock down following the Bills’ win over the Broncos

With that, here’s our latest stock report on the Bills following their win over the Broncos: 

The Bills took an important 20-3 AFC win against the Denver Broncos in Week 12 which saw an all-around effort from both the offense, and certainly the defense.

With that, here’s our latest stock report on the Bills following their win over the Broncos:

Stock up
Buffalo Bills defensive end Shaq Lawson. Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

CB Tre’Davious White

A week after a suspect outing for Tre’Davious White, which saw Dolphins receiver DeVante Parker muster up 100-plus yards against Buffalo’s defense, things were completely locked down. The secondary, as a whole, played well and was led by White. He had an interception and while following Courtland Sutton around at times, White shutdown the No. 1 wideout. On eight targets, Sutton had one catch for 27 yards on the Broncos’ opening drive. It looked like there was supposed to be some help over the top and the Broncos happened to find an opening in Buffalo’s zone defense. They didn’t find many more after.

DE Shaq Lawson

For the second time in his career, Shaq Lawson had a two-sack outing. His speed around the edge gave him an open look for his first takedown of Denver quarterback Brandon Allen, while his second came via a move to the middle of the Broncos’ offensive line. Lawson is now up to five sacks this season, a single-season career-high for him. He’ll look to continue adding to that as the season progresses, which will help him build his resume as free agency approaches for him.

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PODCAST: Can Bills carry consistency vs. Broncos into Cowboys meeting?

Buffalo Bills podcast following Week 12 in over Denver Broncos, ahead of Thanksgiving meetings vs. Cowboys.

The Buffalo Bills won their second straight game to improve to 8-3 on the season for the first time since 1996. It was a remarkable game, with the team displaying proficiency in all three phases of football that put up points and yardage on a top defense, halting a strong run offense, and did it’s job on special teams.

Denver had played much better than it’s record until this point, and they hit an absolute brick wall at New Era Field. The Bills defense only allowed 167 yards of total offense in Week 12. Buffalo downed talented running backs Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman. In fact, it seemed that Broncos play calling didn’t aim to target Buffalo’s sketchy run defense in the second half, as they became very pass happy and one-dimensional.

In the Broncos closest venture towards the end zone, they could not get the job done as Tre’Davious White was essentially handed an interception and a broken route intended for Courtland Sutton, who was held for one catch in the outing.

The offense did well, aside from a bad Josh Allen interception that gave Denver some of the best field positioning that they had all day. 244 yards on the ground, again dominated by Devin Singletary.

However, the big news was that, Frank Gore, the journeyman running back, passed Barry Sanders to become third all-time in rushing yards. A tremendous accomplishment, and extra satisfying that it happened with him wearing a Bills jersey.

Buffalo prepares for Dallas on a short week for this Thursday, as the Bills play their first Thanksgiving game in several years. The quick turnaround has affected many teams this year, not being allowed to play to their full potential. Everyone is already hard at work at One Bills Drive to ensure the Bills are prepared for their latest National Spotlight opportunity.

Podcast Hosts Matt and Jeremy examine the win over Denver, and the road to Dallas:

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Andre Robers takes more shots at Jets

After not being offered a contract following a career season, ex-Jet Andre Roberts pulls no punches when comparing the Bills and Jets.

Former Jets wide receiver and kick returner Andre Roberts still has some hard feelings toward the organization.

Roberts is still upset that the Jets did not attempt to re-sign him following one of the best seasons of his career. He hopped on the 17 Weeks Podcast with fellow Bills WR Cole Beasley’s and didn’t pull any punches about Gang Green.

“It’s so much better than being in NJ,” he said of playing for Buffalo. “The organization is better from top to bottom,” he said.

With Roberts returning kicks, the Bills lead the league in kick return average. Roberts is third in the NFL in that category. Buffalo is averaging 8.5 yards more per kick return than the Jets.

It’s not just returning kicks either, as Roberts is the ninth highest-graded punt returner in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus.

In his first and only season with the Jets, Roberts led the NFL in kick return yards and was a first-team All-Pro selection for the first time in his career. He was selected to his first Pro Bowl and was named to the AP All-Pro first team.

Roberts racked up 324 punt return yards and 1,174 kick return yards — both career bests. In Week 16 against the Green Bay Packers, Roberts returned a kick 99 yards for a touchdown and posted a career-high 215 total return yards in his best showing of the season.

It’s no mistake to say the Jets miss Roberts returning kicks. Letting him go was one of the more head-scratching decisions that Mike Maccagnan made this past offseason when the Jets former general manager was still in charge.

New York has not seen enough production from Trenton Cannon, Vyncint Smith or Ty Montgomery to make an impact in the return game this year.

Roberts also shined the light on the culture and power structure between the Jets and Bills. He pointed out that Bills head coach Sean McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane actually speak to one another, where it was apparent that Maccagnan and Todd Bowles rarely did. Instead, they both directly reported to CEO Christopher Johnson.

The disparity in the two teams can be seen in their records this year. The Bills are 7-3, while the Jets are 3-7. Roberts is correct and instead of merely labeling him as bitter, the entire Jets organization might want to look in the mirror before they allow another Roberts to slip through the cracks.

Broncos’ record masks tough defense and challenge for Bills offense

With a sizzling slate of games ahead for the Buffalo Bills, the Denver Broncos’ defense poses a challenge for Josh Allen and the Bills.

When the Denver Broncos take the field against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field this Sunday, Bills fans will expect a victory.

The team is beaming with confidence after their second-year quarterback, Josh Allen, earned AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors for his four-touchdown performance in a 37-20 victory in Miami in Week 11. The team is sitting at 7-3 and are on a trajectory towards postseason football for the second time in three seasons.

Any young western New Yorker is seeing what many Buffalo fans saw throughout the ’90s – consistent winning brought on by a quarterback with rare talent.

The Bills are undoubtedly entering the gauntlet of their schedule. Just two of the six opponents remaining on the team’s slate is below .500 in the standings with the three of the other four sitting in playoff spots. That fourth is the Pittsburgh Steelers who are currently “in the hunt.”

The remaining six games feature opponents who currently sit in the upper echelon of the NFL. The Bills go on the road to New England and Dallas, plus they will face a hot Baltimore team at home. This Sunday’s game versus the Denver Broncos is also nothing to sniff at.

Denver is currently 3-7 but their record is in no way indicative of the team they are. The Broncos have lost four very winnable games in the fourth quarter this season, each in a style that feels painfully familiar for Buffalo fans.

John Heath of Broncos Wire broke down each of the four plays that lead to Denver’s demise.

In Week 2 against the Chicago Bears, the Broncos lost 16-14 on a last-second field goal. Had that field goal been unsuccessful, Denver would have started the year 1-1. A few plays before the field goal attempt, Broncos outside linebacker Bradley Chubb was incorrectly penalized for roughing the passer.

In Week 4 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Denver lost 26-24 on a late field goal. Had that attempt been unsuccessful, the Broncos could have started the year 2-2. Denver outside linebacker Von Miller was questionably penalized for roughing the passer on Jacksonville’s game-winning drive.

In Week 8 against the Indianapolis Colts, the Broncos lost 15-13 on yet another late field goal. Had those three late-game kicks been unsuccessful, Denver could have started the year 5-3.

In Week 11, the Broncos were in position to take a 30-27 lead over the Minnesota Vikings on the road but quarterback Brandon Allen was unable to connect with tight end Noah Fant in the end zone on the final play of the game. Denver lost 27-23. Had Fant caught that pass and had those three kicks mentioned earlier gone wide, the Broncos could have started the year 7-3.

What wasn’t mentioned about the team’s Week 8 loss to the Colts was the incredible play by Indianapolis quarterback, Jacoby Brissett, in the endzone to escape the gripe of a near Von Miller safety. He completed that pass near midfield to T.Y. Hilton and the drive lead to the game-winning 51-yard field goal by Adam Vinatieri. I’d recommend checking that play out here.

The comparison to the Bills of old doesn’t end there. Denver’s poor record has largely overshadowed a stellar defense. The Broncos are top-10 in many defensive categories. They’re fourth in total yards per game allowed, fifth in passing yards per game, eighth in point per game, and 11th in rushing yards per game.

While Sunday seems like a calm before the storm for Buffalo regarding their upcoming schedule, Denver is a worthy opponent and could pose issues for the Bills if they’re caught thinking about Thanksgiving in Dallas next Thursday.

Sean McDermott and company will need to be mistake-free on Sunday and can increase their chances of making the playoff to 85percent with a win. If they lose, that number drops to 56 percent.
As McDermott or any head coach will quickly point out, every game matters.
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Why Corey Liuget’s first sack with Bills was ’emotional’ one

The Bills massed together seven sacks on Dolphins quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick last week. Of those, one came from defensive end Corey Liuget

The Bills massed together seven sacks on Dolphins quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick last week. Of those, one came from defensive end Corey Liuget.

The recently signed defender is more known as a run defender. But as a defensive lineman, the sack is always the golden ticket.

That quarterback tackle was the 25th time in his career he’s brought down an opposing signal-caller, but Liuget still called it a special one because of what it took to get there.

“For me, it was a very emotional one because of the ups and downs and injuries I’ve suffered, most guys don’t come back from,” Liuget told the team’s radio show.

What the 29-year-old is referring to was a ruptured quad injury which ended his career with the Chargers last November. As he explained on the Bills’ radio show this week was his rehab included three months of not moving his leg and six weeks in an entire leg cast.

After he was released by the Chargers, Liuget wasn’t brought back by the team he spent his entire career with.

Eventually he did land with the Raiders, but never got into a groove and eventually was released after appearing in three games, making him available for the Bills. Even with the advances in medicine over the years, plenty of players don’t return from the injury he suffered.

Liuget said beating the injury that tried to ruin his career and earning the ultimate team goal is what motivated him to find a new home.

“I wasn’t going to let this injury defeat me. To get that sack, it was very, very, very important for me and it felt great,” Liuget said. “The love for the game and the fact that I want to win a Super Bowl [is why he returned].”

In his first two games with the Bills, Liuget has been part of Sean McDermott’s trademark rotation on the defensive line. He’s played in 25 percent and 28 percent of defensive snaps the past two weeks, respectively.

So far, McDermott approves of the work he’s done and the coach believes he’s settling into his new home well.

“Yeah, he did a good job,” McDermott said. “This past week in particular, I think the more he’s around our system, the more comfortable he gets and the faster he plays. That was good to see last week. He really does some good things that the other guys in the room could stand to learn from as well. That veteran experience from a fundamental and technique standpoint is real for us.”

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5 storylines to watch for during Bills vs. Broncos

Storylines for Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos in Week 12.

The Bills will look to keep their winning-ways moving forward in Week 12 as Buffalo hosts the Denver Broncos at New Era Field.

While entering the game at a better 7-3 record, the 3-7 Broncos will present plenty of challenges to the Bills.

With that, here are five storylines to watch unfold during the Bills’ meeting with the Broncos:

Bills defensive tackle Corey Liuget. Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Is the run defense actually back?

The Bills run defense has been more than suspect this season. Allowing 106.3 yards per game on the ground, Buffalo’s run defense is the 18th best group of run defenders in the NFL. Last week against the Dolphins, the Bills actually got the job done, though.

Starting running back Kalen Ballage had a score, but he only mustered up nine yards on nine carries. But you can’t bring that money to the bank. Buffalo’s offense got the job done and forced the Dolphins offense to abandon the rushing attack early. Plus, it’s the Dolphins. Despite entering Week 11 on a two-game winning streak, that’s not a good team. Shutting down the Broncos’ attack with Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman is going to be a much more difficult task.

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Josh Allen predicts Bills’ win total needed for playoff berth

Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen, LB Lorenzo Alexander and head coach Sean McDermott on wins needs for playoffs, Denver Broncos.

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen is prepping for the Denver Broncos with his teammates this week. With a win over the 3-7 visitors at New Era Field on Sunday, Allen’s team will be 8-3 overall on the year.

But the second-year QB knows the job won’t be done there.

In order to get his team into the postseason for the second time in three years and the first time in his career, Allen put a number on it.

While admitting he and his teammates are guilty of “keeping an eye on” the scoreboard around the AFC playoff picture, Allen predicted it will take double-digit wins to crack the playoffs on Wednesday.

“Ultimately, at the end of the day, I think you need to get at least 10 wins to get into the playoffs,” Allen said. “I know we got six or seven games left, whatever it is. We got to win some more games to kind of get in there. Whether we have an opportunity to make the playoffs, I think we’ve got a good opportunity in front of us right now.”

Naturally Allen didn’t want to get too far ahead of himself, though.

“Guys aren’t looking forward, we’re not talking about it, we’re taking it one week at a time, trying to win a football game this week,” Allen said.

While four games under a .500 mark, the Broncos will be among the better opponents the Bills have faced this year. At least, in terms of their defense.

After five weeks, the Broncos defense was the No. 15 unit in the NFL. Middle of the pack. Since then, they’ve blossomed into the fourth-best unit. The Bills’ stout defense ranks third.

While the Bills are a 7-3 for the first time since 1999, the group is planning to do their best in not worry about those types of figures at all. Veteran linebacker Lorenzo Alexander, like the youthful quarterback, only has the Broncos in mind even with the standings looming.

“Anytime you start looking past teams, you can get bitten,” Alexander said. “This Broncos team can come up and bite us.”

That type of message is coming from the top, down, as well. This week-to-week approach isn’t anything new for various NFL coaching staffs, with Sean McDermott being no different. He compared his team’s postseason approach in 2017 to their current one this week.

“We took it week to week back then, we take a week to week now,” McDermott said. “A lot of [his message] has remained the same because I believe in it.  And then, I’m hoping that I’ve gotten better with age, as well and experience.”

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Bills OL Ty Nsekhe listed as week-to-week

Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott listed offensive tackle Ty Nsekhe as “week-to-week” with an ankle injury ahead of the team’s Week 12 meeting with the Denver Broncos.

Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott listed offensive tackle Ty Nsekhe as “week-to-week” with an ankle injury ahead of the team’s Week 12 meeting with the Denver Broncos.

Nsekhe was carted off the field after a Miami Dolphins defender landed awkwardly on the back of his leg during the Bills’ Week 11 37-20 win.

Without Nsekhe in the lineup, rookie Cody Ford will likely take the bulk of the snaps at right tackle for the Bills. According to Pro Football Focus, Ford has had a tough start to his career.

Ford’s overall grade via the analytics outlet is a 53.7 this season, landing in the outlet’s “below average” category. On the flip side, Nsekhe has steadily improved via PFF’s grades this year and ranks as an “above average” lineman with a grade of 67.3.

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What we learned from Bills’ Week 11 victory over Miami

What we learned, Buffalo Bills vs. Miami Dolphins, NFL week 11

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

With questions starting to creep in about the Bills and the overall outlook of their 2019 season, a comfortable, yet fun win, in Miami, was just what the doctor ordered for Sean McDermott’s team.

The Bills rebounded from a tough loss in Cleveland and got back on the winning track by lighting up the scoreboard at Hard Rock Stadium. Buffalo produced its highest-scoring output of the season in a 37-20 trouncing of the Dolphins.

The Bills offense got up off the canvas after a week of taking punches in the form of criticism from fans and local media for numerous subpar performances since September. Any offensive shortcomings the Bills have been experiencing this season were forgotten for most of the day Sunday as the Bills posted 424 yards of total offense and seven different scoring drives.

It was a big day for quarterback Josh Allen. Allen had his best outing of the season, completing 21 of 33 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns. He also added 56 yards rushing and a rushing touchdown. Meanwhile, receiver John Brown had his biggest and best day yet for Buffalo with nine catches for 137 yards and two touchdowns.

The Buffalo defense had an overall strong day, even though Ryan Fitzpatrick passed for 323 yards. The Bills sacked Fitzpatrick seven times and produced a takeaway for the first time since October. The run defense rebounded in a huge way by allowing Miami just 23 rushing yards. It was a major change for a run defense that had been gashed in recent weeks.

The Bills now sit at 7-3 and have to feel a bit more comfortable than they did last week about their playoff outlook. They can get to 8-3 this coming week back at home against the 3-7 Denver Broncos before they make their Thanksgiving trip to Dallas.

Here are four things we learned from the Bills’ win Sunday in South Florida:

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Ed Oliver still looking for first ‘real’ sack

Buffalo Bills DT Ed Oliver on sack of Ryan Fitzpatrick, pass rush, in 37-20 win vs. Miami Dolphins in Week 11.

Ed Oliver’s rookie season for the Bills is 11 games in. But he’s still searching for his first “real” sack, he said following Buffalo’s 37-20 win over the Miami Dolphins.

Technically, Oliver has two sacks to his name this season, both have come against the Dolphins. His first came in Week 7 against receiver Albert Wilson on a trick play, so a bit of an asterisk there.

Oliver did take down Miami quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick in Week 11, but he’s still not counting it. Why? Because it was too easy, he said.

“Still not [a] legitimate [sack]. The O-line was confused. I don’t know what they was doing,” Oliver said. “I just said, they got the ball, hit the dude with the ball so that’s what I did.

“It’s not really nothing I did, besides tackle the quarterback. They messed up and I capitalized on it,” Oliver added.

To the rookie’s point, it looked like a miscommunication on the play as Oliver went in untouched and tackled Fitzpatrick for an easy sack, almost immediately after the snap.

However, the Bills’ pass rush didn’t stop there on the day. Against the Dolphins, just about everyone on the defensive line, including every interior lineman such as Oliver, Star Lotulelei, Jordan Phillips and newcomer Corey Liuget, had a sack. Buffalo totaled seven by the final whistle.

Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott credited an aggressive gameplan which was clearly successful for the reason why the Bills got into the backfield so often.

“They were aggressive, they were aggressive,” McDermott said. “Just the overall aggressiveness, I think overall, was there … was where it needed to be.”

But Oliver actually didn’t compliment anything on defense when giving his take on the pass rush’s success. Instead, Oliver gave the credit to a complement. The one provided from a 37-point outing from the Bills offense.

“When you get up, it opens up the game for the pass rush,” Oliver said. “Complementary football, the offense and defense working together.”

“Everybody was eating today,” Oliver added on the pass rush.

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