Buffalo Bills (5-10): Next game 12/30 vs. Dolphins (7-8); Kyle Willams Announces His Retirement

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26CornerBlitz

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Refocused, NFL Week 14: New York Jets 27, Buffalo Bills 23 | NFL Analysis | Pro Football Focus

FINAL SCORE


New York Jets 27, Buffalo Bills 23

Josh Allen had yet another strong game rushing the football, busting out for long gains on multiple occasions with the Jets’ defense providing few answers as to how to stop him. Throwing the ball, though, was a bit of a different story. Allen wasn’t aided much by his receivers – who dropped a handful of catchable balls during the afternoon – but he made too many poor decisions that resulted in turnover-worthy plays.

With the exception of Allen, the Bills couldn’t get anything going on the ground against the Jets. LeSean McCoy was forced out of the game early, and the combination of Chris Ivory, Marcus Murphy and Isaiah McKenzie – with the exception of McKenzie’s touchdown run – spent the rest of the day meeting Jets defenders at the line of scrimmage.

Tre’Davious White has been one of the best corners in the league this year, but this was not one of his better games. He struggled to stay with the speedy Anderson and gave up a number of big plays throughout the game while also adding a defensive holding penalty.

Linebacker Matt Milano had a strong game until an injury on the final drive saw him carted off the field. He made a number of run stops, using good instincts to avoid and defeat blockers.

Keys to the Game

New York
Darnold put it together when it mattered most, posting two big-time throws in the fourth quarter to spur the comeback.

Buffalo
Allen did enough with his legs to give Buffalo a chance to win at the end, but his inconsistency as a passer ultimately left the Bills short in pursuit of the win.

What we learned from Sunday's Week 14 games

Here's what we learned from Sunday's Week 14 slate of games:


New York Jets 27, Buffalo Bills 23

1. Sunday presented us with a chance to see the second and third quarterbacks selected in the 2018 draft, and predictably, it provided highs and lows. Sam Darnold threw an ugly interception trying to do too much in the second half. Josh Allen threw an even more unattractive interception on first-and-25 when he very easily could've just thrown it away (it was truly inexplicable). But they both did things well, too, including Allen rushing for over 100 yards and Darnold leading a game-winning touchdown drive that saw him run inside the 1-yard line. The next play, Elijah McGuire scored the go-ahead touchdown.

That drive -- and the Jets' overall comeback effort in the fourth quarter -- was punctuated by Darnold throws reminiscent of his best days at USC. Darnold put a beautiful ball on Robby Anderson down the sideline to get the Jets down to the Buffalo 5. And earlier, it was his scrambling ability that produced a touchdown pass to Anderson to tie the game at 20-20. Darnold was missed during his three-game absence, and games like Sunday -- mistakes included and accepted -- are why New York (4-9) remains high on his future.

2. In the end, it was Allen's mistake that did the Bills (4-9) in. Desperate for yards, Allen threw a pass down the sideline and missed his intended receiver, instead landing in the hands of Trumaine Johnson. The warts are evident in Allen, and he makes up for it by running for good chunks of yards. But that model isn't sustainable, and he's already suffered an injury once earlier this season. After the game, ESPN's Mike Rodak tweeted about how Allen looked beaten, with a bloody elbow and a slow gait. This isn't how you want your franchise quarterback to look.

3. Speaking of injuries, this game wasn't merciful. LeSean McCoy left in the first half with a hamstring injury and returned to the sideline in a sweatsuit. Chris Ivory left late in the game, leaving the full running back responsibility to Marcus Murphy. And perhaps largest of all, very promising middle linebacker Matt Milano, who has played like the heart of a good Buffalo defense, was carted off with an injured that looked to be serious. On the other sideline, Darnold left early with a foot injury, though he returned to lead the Jets to a win and potentially save his coach's job (or delay his firing). That reinsertion raised an eyebrow, seeing as the Jets aren't playing for much other than Bowles' (and their own) employment.

-- Nick Shook
 

26CornerBlitz

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The Buffalo Bills lost their second straight contest, this time to the New York Jets, but once again their rookie quarterback Josh Allen was the best offensive player they had -- even if he had a few regrettable moments that cost his team. Joe Buscaglia and Matthew Fairburn discuss Allen's day, the offensive line, the special teams, and how it all relates to the offseason in more of a big picture pod. Plus, a fun fact about one of us that you won't soon forget.

Joe B: 7 observations from Buffalo Bills - New York Jets (12/9/18)

(WKBW) - For the second straight week, an AFC East matchup for the Buffalo Bills came down to the wire, with Josh Allen and the Bills on the outside looking in. Their second straight loss, this time a 27-23 decision to the New York Jets, brought the Bills down to a 4-9 record on the 2018 season and officially eliminated them from playoff contention.

It's not as though the playoffs were ever a realistic option for this team that has dedicated the final part of the season to developing their young players and seeing who can play a role into their future. Though, with some simple issues continuing to pop up for the team, it led the Bills to a bit of a grumpy disposition after the game.

And for a good reason. With the Bills' first-half performance on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball, it probably should have been good enough to have a big lead going into the locker room. Except, it wasn't -- and the Bills left their home field with yet another loss.

Where did it all go awry, and what does it mean to the big picture? Seven observations from the Bills' loss to the Jets:

1) Josh Allen giving the extremes of rookie QB play
2) The defense played good enough to win
3) Danny Crossman's special teams unit has their worst day of the year
4) Robert Foster is why you give time to young players in a rebuilding year
5) What's happening with Dion Dawkins?
6) It's time for the full youth movement at offensive line, too
7) It's time to re-sign Lorenzo Alexander


Bills MVP: WR Robert Foster
- From a deep route specialist to a well-rounded receiver. Foster showed a great deal in this game, and he's improved every week since the Bills promoted him off the practice squad.

Bills LVP: ST Coordinator Danny Crossman
- 2018 has been a lousy season for Crossman, and the Jets game might have been the last straw for McDermott in what to do with his coaching staff once the season is over.

Up Next: The Bills (4-9) take on the Detroit Lions (4-8) on Sunday, December 16 at 1:00 pm at New Era Field.

Draft Order Update: Through 13 games, the Bills hold the 6th overall draft pick ahead of the Sunday Night and Monday Night Football games.

 

26CornerBlitz

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NFL Week 14 Grades: Patriots get a 'D' for self-destructing, Redskins get an 'F' for Sanchizing

New York Jets 27-23 over Buffalo

Jets: B


After missing more than a month due to injury, Jets quarterback Sam Darnoldreturned with a bang on Sunday. Well, first he shook off some rust, and then he returned with a bang. With the Jets trailing 23-20, Darnold led his team on an impressive 61-yard drive that ended with New York scoring the game-winning touchdown with just 1:17 left. On the drive, Darnold threw for 52 yards, which was impressive considering that he only threw for 118 yards on all of New York's other possessions combined. Of course, Darnold also got some major help from a Jets defense that sacked Josh Allen three times and forced three turnovers.
Bills: B-

With the way Josh Allen is running, maybe the Bills should think about becoming an option team, because this throwing thing doesn't seem to working too well for their rookie quarterback. Although Allen had another huge game on the ground (nine carries, 101 yards, one touchdown), he threw two picks, including a crushing interception on Buffalo's final drive that killed any chances the Bills had of a comeback win.
 

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Bills Today: Tremaine Edmunds makes NFL history with first interception

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Alexander: "We Have to Find a Way to Get Stops" (3:03)

Bills LB Lorenzo Alexander spoke to the media following the team's game against the Jets. Alexander discussed what it was like playing against Jets QB Sam Darnold for the first time and how the team needs to do a better job of limiting big plays.

Jones: "We Didn't Put Ourselves in the Best Position" (3:05)
Bills WR Zay Jones spoke to the media following the team's game against the Jets. Jones discusses some of the offensive struggles in the second half and how better attention to detail can help the team moving forward.
 

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Where Buffalo's offensive efficiency needs to improve plus 4 observations from Week 14

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As exciting as Josh Allen’s rushing exploits have been, against a good defensive front like that of the Jets, Buffalo’s rookie quarterback was forced to flee the pocket prematurely on a number of pass plays Sunday.

New York’s pass rush compromised the timing of pass plays and often flushed Allen to the flanks where he had to make plays on the run.

Buffalo’s offensive line also had trouble establishing the line of scrimmage in the run game. On a day where Josh Allen was the team’s leading rusher for the third straight game (9 carries, 101 yards), his teammates in the backfield combined for 75 yards on 22 carries for an average of 3.4 per rush.

For head coach Sean McDermott it wasn’t good enough.

“We’ve got to be able to protect the quarterback and run the football,” he said. “We’ve got to be able to run the football with somebody other than our quarterback. We’ve got to take a hard look at that. It’s been an issue. I know when your quarterback is your leading rusher week in and week out, it’s not a healthy thing. So we’ve got to make sure we put him in position to make plays and they’ve got to make them.”
 

26CornerBlitz

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6. Buffalo Bills D.K. Metcalf, WR, Ole Miss

Even though the Bills could stand to improve on the defensive line, their defense has been a great story this year; it’s their offense that needs the most help.

Quarterback Josh Allen has been fine, and even though the media loves to beat up on Allen because it’s low hanging fruit, he has progressed. What would allow him to take the next step is if the Bills’ second best wide receiver wasn’t Robert Foster.

D.K. Metcalf would not only be Buffalo’s second best wide receiver, he’d be their first best wide receiver — Trevor, you don’t have to say “first best,” best is implied.

Metcalf missed the last portion of Ole Miss’ season with a neck injury. As long as the neck checks out, this 6-3, 225-pound outside wide receiver was just starting to scratch the surface of what he’s capable of.

37. Buffalo Bills: Noah Fant, TE, Iowa
 

missingmika

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6. Buffalo Bills D.K. Metcalf, WR, Ole Miss

Even though the Bills could stand to improve on the defensive line, their defense has been a great story this year; it’s their offense that needs the most help.

Quarterback Josh Allen has been fine, and even though the media loves to beat up on Allen because it’s low hanging fruit, he has progressed. What would allow him to take the next step is if the Bills’ second best wide receiver wasn’t Robert Foster.

D.K. Metcalf would not only be Buffalo’s second best wide receiver, he’d be their first best wide receiver — Trevor, you don’t have to say “first best,” best is implied.

Metcalf missed the last portion of Ole Miss’ season with a neck injury. As long as the neck checks out, this 6-3, 225-pound outside wide receiver was just starting to scratch the surface of what he’s capable of.

37. Buffalo Bills: Noah Fant, TE, Iowa


Metcalf - Jones - Foster would be a good group if Metcalf can be a true #1.
 
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