Tag: Sean McDermott

What we learned from the Bills’ Week 9 win vs. Dolphins

What we learned from the Bills’ Week 9 win vs. Dolphins

The Buffalo Bills continued their 2024 schedule with a Week 9 win over the Miami Dolphins, 30-27.

The Bills (7-2) needed a full-team effort to fend off a hungry Dolphins team (2-6) trying to turn their season around. Ultimately, it took a long field goal with just seconds on the clock for the Bills to get it done at home.

After two-straight blowout victories, Buffalo certainly were tested by their division rival. As the season unfolds, we are learning more and more about this year’s Bills team.

Here are five things we learned from Week 9’s win over the Dolphins:

Tyler Bass’ morale at an all-time high

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Kicker Tyler Bass played the role of hero for the Bills in Week 9. His 61-yarder with 5 seconds left proved to be the game-winner. It was not only a career-long for Bass, but it broke a Bills franchise record previously held by Steve Christie (59-yarder in 1993).

Given the inconsistency from Bass recently, the kick proved huge for his morale and the team as a whole. After receiving the game ball post-game, Bass got emotional when talking about his teammates having his back through the ups and downs.

Defense was gashed

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The Bills defense had a rough outing. Through the air, Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was 25-of-28 and only took one sack. And on the ground, running backs De’Von Achane and Raheem Mostert averaged more than five yards per carry.

If it wasn’t for a couple of red zone stops and a crucial forced fumble from Buffalo cornerback Taron Johnson, we could have a different conversation this week regarding both the Bills and Dolphins.

After all, this was a desperate Dolphins team that has always had the potential to explode on offense. Expect Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott and defensive coordinator Bobby Babich to right the ship on defense going forward.

Ray Davis continues to flash

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Running back Ray Davis continues to make the most of his opportunities in his rookie year. On the ground in Week 9, Davis averaged five yards a pop on his four carries. But, his real impact was through the air.

He took two passes for 70 yards, one being a 63-yard catch and run for a touchdown. That’s 90 yards from scrimmage on just six touches.

His long touchdown gave the Bills a seven-point lead late in the third quarter:

Allen still owns Miami

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Bills quarterback Josh Allen took a couple of big hits and missed a few throws, but ultimately controlled the game throughout. He was 25-of-39 passing for 235 yards and posted three passing touchdowns and one interception.

If it wasn’t for a drop by receiver Keon Coleman deep in the red zone that resulted in an interception, he would have had four touchdowns and zero picks.

He didn’t have to put the cape on and be Superman much, but he did when the offense needed it. He slipped away to scramble for 14 yards on a 3rd and 12 at the end of the first half, and he also made a remarkable touchdown throw to tight end Quintin Morris as he was being tackled by two defenders:

Winning in different ways

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This wasn’t an easy day for the Bills by any means. The Dolphins had their backs against the wall while preparing for it, albeit was just Week 9. It was nearly a must-win game for them, and they played like it.

They had more first downs than the Bills (26-24), more total yards (373-325), more yards per play (6.2-5.5), more time of possession (31:53-28:07), and they converted better in the red zone (3/4-2/5).

Buffalo has grown accustomed to overpowering teams on offense and defense. In this one, they won differently. They only had four penalties, forced a crucial turnover when they needed it, and special teams came through in a big way.

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Bills’ Dawuane Smoot placed on injured reserve

Bills’ Dawuane Smoot placed on injured reserve

The injuries on the defensive side of the ball continue to pile up for the Buffalo Bills.

The latest is a key rotational piece on the D-line.

In a press conference on Monday, Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott announced that defensive end Dawuane Smoot will undergo surgery on his wrist. He was placed on injured reserve.

Smoot has seen snaps all across the defensive line, so the Bills will be without a versatile component of their front. He has flashed at times this year, and McDermott is hopeful that he can return by the end of the season to see more \from the veteran.

“I am [hopeful Smoot can return this season], but don’t quote me on that,” McDermott said. “Sometimes with IR and surgeries, you’re never sure until the doctors get in there and see what the extent of the injury is.”

McDermott said the surgery will take place “later this week.”

Landing on the injury designation means Smoot will be sidelined a minimum of four weeks before the team can designate him to return.

Smoot has 1.5 sacks and 12 tackles on the year after coming over from the Jacksonville Jaguars. He posted 23.5 sacks on the Jags, where he spent the first seven years of his career.

DeWayne Carter is another defensive lineman who recently suffered a wrist injury and was put on IR. He is likely to be back sometime shortly after the bye in Week 12.

With multiple injuries on the defensive line, others are going to have to step up. Or, perhaps general manager Brandon Beane sees the D-line as a position to seek a trade with the deadline looming on Tuesday.

Bills Wire will continue to provide all injury updates throughout the 2024 season.

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Dolphins’ Jordan Poyer calls hit on Bills’ Keon Coleman ‘clean’

Dolphins’ Jordan Poyer calls hit on Bills’ Keon Coleman ‘clean’

The Bills were charging downfield on offense in the final minutes of their matchup against the Dolphins Sunday, aiming to score the winning points to break a tie and win the game before the end of regulation.

Buffalo did just that, winning 30-27, and a former Bill even helped them get the opportunity for the victory, albeit at a cost.

Bills quarterback Josh Allen and the offense were making their way downfield in the final minutes of the contest after Miami tied the score at 27 when Allen threw a deep pass toward the left sideline targeting rookie receiver Keon Coleman.

While the pass was incomplete, Dolphins safety and former Bill Jordan Poyer, who returned to Orchard Park for the first time since his seven-year run with Buffalo ended, was whistled for a personal foul as he made helmet-to-helmet contact on the play. The flag kept the drive alive and led to Buffalo winning the game on a 61-yard field goal by kicker Tyler Bass.

Poyer’s helmet crown made contact with Coleman’s facemask, and his helmet also came into contact with the rookie’s right hand during the hit as well, and he appeared to motion toward his arm on his way to the sideline after the play.

Per Syracuse.com, Coleman had a brace on his right wrist and left the game late after the injury.

Poyer said postgame that he believed at the time that the play was clean.

“I’m just playing football. I thought it was a clean play, felt like I put my helmet right into his chest,” he said to the press. “I’m just playing football, it’s tough. … What can you do? I don’t know. I had a great post-break, he went up for the ball and I literally didn’t stop my feet. I felt like I hit him where I was supposed to hit him. Apparently, the ref didn’t think so.”

Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel acknowledged that their goal is to play aggressively, though he did not disagree with the penalty call.

“It takes it out of everyone’s hands when you go helmet to helmet,” McDaniel said. “I didn’t see it live, but if there was helmet-to-helmet contact, it is what it is. You have to go strike zone, which is below the neck. So they’ll call that every time if that’s the case.”

Buffalo was down a receiver as recent trade acquisition Amari Cooper had been ruled out ahead of Sunday’s game with an arm injury of his own.

Coleman has been a top receiver for the Bills this season with 22 catches for 417 total yards and two touchdowns.

What Bills’ Josh Allen said after Tyler Bass hit 61-yard game-winner vs. Dolphins

What Bills’ Josh Allen said after Tyler Bass hit 61-yard game-winner vs. Dolphins

The Buffalo Bills sunk the Miami Dolphins in Orchard Park Sunday by a final score of 30-27.

The Bills won a close-fought battle in the final regular season meeting between the two clubs thanks to some late-game heroics by their offense and special teams.

That effort was headlined by kicker Tyler Bass, who delivered a game-winning kick for the ages and the longest in Buffalo Bills history at 61 yards.

 

Immediately after the win, quarterback Josh Allen became emotional during an on-field interview speaking about Bass: “I love that man.”

“So proud of him. So happy for him,” he added during his postgame press conference. “Got emotional in my little postgame speech out there – just the trials and tribulations that he’s been in throughout this year. … A 61-yard field goal to win a game against a division rival, it’s what stories are made of. I love him. I respect him so much. Everybody in that locker room’s so happy for him, and he’s our guy.”

Since the end of last season, Bass has experienced his ups and downs, including this game. He missed an extra point, hit an upright on an extra point, and then delivered the long knockout punch to get the victory.

“That’s why we all love sports, right?” Bills head coach Sean McDermott said to the press after the game.

Bass’s extra point miss came in the third quarter after the Bills took a 12-10 lead on a 1-yard touchdown pass from Allen to WR Mack Hollins on fourth-and-goal. And as it was his third missed PAT of the season, fans may have been concerned if the kicker with some clutch kicks in his career could deliver again.

The Dolphins perhaps knew better, as they’ve seen Bass beat them in the final seconds of a game before.

And in a site that’s become all too familiar, Bass did just that and Buffalo continued its dominance against Miami.

“What a story, man. What a story,” McDermott proudly declared. “I just think overall that here’s a young man that has been going through it and the journey that he’s been on week to week, the questions that have been asked of him, of me … it’s natural, it’s the business we’re in. It’s a great example of mental toughness. I think it’s a great example of perseverance, resilience for young kids out there. Here’s a player that was under the microscope pretty darn hard.”

Bass has endured a challenging season of misses, one in which the teams signed kicker Lucas Havrisik to their practice squad after an Oct. 14 win against the Jets in which Bass missed a field goal and an extra point. The Bills veteran kept the job and had a chance this week to show off the big leg that the club drafted him for in 2020.

“Just reminding myself that, you know, I love this, I love the sport,” Bass said about his mindset and approach. “This is what I’ve dreamed of and when I was out there, I honestly wasn’t thinking about anything. Just went through my process and trusted my preparation. That was it.”
That perspective paid off when it mattered, for the team and the player.
“It means everything,” Bass added about the kick. “Very emotional. Haven’t really processed it yet, but just putting in a lot of work, man, and was just focused on right here, right now, the present and being patient with everything, man. You’re going to go through ups and downs, but just continue to put your best foot forward. We did that today. So just very emotional, I would say.”

McDermott presented the game ball to Bass in the locker room afterward as well, deferring any credit when asked about standing by his kicker.

“He did it. I didn’t do it,” the coach said about the gesture. “I know why you’re asking, but he’s the one who did it. … The questions that were starting to pop up and more and more this year, and then we bring in a kicker to compete with him. He just stayed true to who he is and he stayed true to his process. Even today, (with the) early miss on the extra point. He stayed true to his process. I think that’s very powerful.”

Latest injury update for Bills LB Matt Milano

Latest injury update for Bills LB Matt Milano

While the Buffalo Bills have dealt with a slew of injuries at times during the 2024 season, one has remained the same for most of it: Matt Milano.

Milano. still recovering from a bicep injury. The 30-year-old is on injury reserve but not the season-ending variety. He could still return.

But Milano was injured all the way back in training camp. What’s the latest update?

Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott provided us that this past week.

Ahead of facing the Miami Dolphins in Week 9, McDermott noted “there is” hope that Milano can still return this season.

“I don’t know a lot of the detail, I just kind of know a big-picture view of Matt. He’s moving in the right direction, I see him every day. He’s one of the leaders on our football team,” McDermott said.

McDermott’s full update on Milano can be found in the WIVB-TV clip below:

WATCH: Bills players play ‘Pizza Log Roulette’

WATCH: Bills players play ‘Pizza Log Roulette’

Buffalo Bills players recently took some time to have some fun in their practice facility.

The team was able to enjoy one of the City of Buffalo’s finest treats. No, we’re not talking about buffalo wings with blue cheese or beef on weck. We’re talking about pizza logs.

Players such as Dawson Knox, Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, and others spun a wheel to determine which flavor of pizza log they would try.

Watch the video below:

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.

Josh Allen calls Bills’ win over Seahawks best of 2024: ‘It’s up there’

Josh Allen calls Bills’ win over Seahawks best of 2024: ‘It’s up there’

The Bills traveled from Buffalo in the North East to Seattle in the North West to ground the Seahawks on their home turf by a final score of 31-10.

For quarterback Josh Allen, it also was one of his best overall games of the 2024 NFL Season.

“It’s up there,” The Bills QB said to the media after the game. “I think you look at it from all three phases, I think everybody went out there, knew their job, and executed at a high level — offense, defense, and special teams.”

With over half the offensive plays in motion, Allen is keeping it simple and seeing strong results.

“I wouldn’t say we’re too overcomplicated in what we’re doing,” he added. “I know we have some motions and shifts, but again, it takes guys learning it and understanding it but going out there and executing at a high level, everybody knows their spots, and when you got that, you got a dangerous team.”

He would finish the game 24 of 34 throwing for 283 yards with two passing touchdowns. The Buffalo offense was 8-of-15 on third downs and 4-of-6 in the red zone, scoring touchdowns in every quarter of the game.

Allen’s streak of passes without an interception did come to an end during a rainy and slippery day on the field, which also saw him fumble and recover the ball twice.

But that didn’t stop the most successful quarterback in NFL history from paying him some compliments.

“He has really lit the league on fire since he’s been in it,” said player-turned-analyst Tom Brady. “Sometimes, he played like a spaz. Like a grade-schooler on a sugar high. But now, he’s controlled the chaos. He’s like a storm coming into town. And you don’t want that storm coming into this town.”

The former AFC East foe and long-time UGG enthusiast awarded his “Player of the Game” to the Bills signal caller.

Playing against the Seahawks at home is famously a noisy affair due to their “12th Fan” base, though Allen pointed both to the impact that having a couple of 90-yard scoring drives in the first half as well as a big presence by the members of Bills Mafia in attendance made during the game.

“I think it takes the crowd out of it,” he said of the scores. “You stay out of third-and-longs like we did and be able to convert as well as we did. It quiets them down quite a bit which helps with communication. Helps really with just the whole vibe and momentum of the game. Crowds can be such a big part of it. I do want to shout out Bills Mafia. That was a crazy scene walking off the field to the thousands of fans still here. Appreciate them coming out. Hopefully, they enjoyed the game today.”

Keon Coleman ‘don’t think anybody’ can stop the Bills

Keon Coleman ‘don’t think anybody’ can stop the Bills

The Buffalo Bills clipped the wings of the Seattle Seahawks in all three phases of a 31-10 win that saw them improve to 6-2.

The Buffalo offense has continued to have a strong year, thanks in part to the addition of recent trade acquisition WR Amari Cooper, as well as the arrival of rookie pass catcher Keon Coleman.

During the Bills’ past two contests, Coleman has begun to show the type of high-level playmaking abilities and numbers he was drafted for.

“We feel like every play we come out there and execute at a high level, I don’t think anybody really can stop us but ourselves,” Coleman said after the game.

Among the things that have stood out during those recent game performances in terms of productivity is the first-year receiver’s efficiency numbers.

He went for 70 yards on five receptions Sunday with an impressive contested touchdown grab, and the previous week against the Tennessee Titans he put up 125 yards on four receptions during their NFL Week 7 win.

“When you’ve got an explosive offense, just specific to this game, you know you have to be efficient offensively and explosive at the same time,” head coach Sean McDermott said after the game. “I felt like we were both.”

The way the offense is taking shape stood out to him as well.

“Just growth, one week at a time, growth, development. Adam’s doing a really good job with him. Having Amari, I think, helps too because he’s another veteran in the room and, to me, a big-time established veteran that’s done great things in this league for a while. So that helps with the guys that are already in that room. We’ve got good guys in that room that help young players develop and teach them the right way, teaching them the right habits, the right routines, Monday through Saturday. That’s what leads to what you saw today.”

Bills quarterback Josh Allen also shared what he’s noticed about Coleman.

“Absolutely [playing more confident], and that’s something, our staff has got him rolling,” the QB said. “Knows what he’s doing, and when he knows what he’s doing and gets rolling, he’s a damn good football player. He’s continuing to make plays for us, and you love to see that from your young guy. He’s only going to get better.”

WR Khalil Shakir joined Coleman for their post-game media availability and talked about what he saw on Coleman’s touchdown in particular.

“That’s a big boy play right there. It comes from him and Josh [Allen] being on the same page. Josh trusting him, throwing it up there and him making a play. Anytime we score a touchdown, we’re lit. For it to be him, especially in our wide [receiver] room, for it to be anybody in our wide [receiver] room, I know we get really excited for each other. Just to see each other ball out. But as an offense, as long as we get in there, it can be anybody.”

Slow-starting Bills hope to get it going early in Week 8

Slow-starting Bills hope to get it going early in Week 8

Despite the Buffalo Bills jumping out to an impressive 5-2 record to start the 2024 NFL season, there has been one thing that they have constantly had to overcome.

We know what you’re thinking. They’ve had to overcome a bunch of injuries. But that is something you can’t control. What you can control, however, is how fast you start games, and the Bills have been starting slow for much of the season.

Through seven weeks, the first-half Bills and second-half Bills have looked like totally different teams. They have a +6 point differential in the first half and a plus-57 point differential in the second half. Although it is mostly the defense struggling out of the gate, the offense has started slowly in games as well.

“In all but maybe one or two games we really haven’t clicked early on,” said quarterback Josh Allen after practice this week. “It’s taken us a couple drives to feel out what the defense is doing and getting into a rhythm. Getting off to a fast start is the utmost important thing going forward.”

On the other side of the ball, opposing teams have scored 95 first-half points against the Bills and just 41 second-half points. The team has allowed just three second-half touchdowns all year.

The adjustments by the defense are paying off later in games, but still, it is taking time to settle in.

“Once you get settled in and get that feeling, it just starts to be in flow mode,” said defensive end A.J. Epenesa via WKBW-TV. “We definitely have the capability of hitting that sooner, it’s just a matter of being disciplined.”

Head coach Sean McDermott, even with the great start to the year, knows there is always room to improve.

“There’s always something to work on, even when you’re winning,” he said. “We gotta get back to the process… make sure we’re dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s and ready to execute.”

The Bills will need to be mindful of how they start the game in Week 8. The Seattle Seahawks (4-3) have the type of pass-heavy offense and crowd environment that can run you out of the building if you can’t get it going quickly enough. The Bills face a difficult task on the road.

What would really help the Bills is a fast start that helps take the air out of the crowd early on at Lumen Field.

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