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[Buffalo Bills]

The undefeated Bills are struggling

The Buffalo Bills are sitting atop the AFC as the only team still undefeated in the conference. They’ve had a tough-earned win over the Baltimore Ravens, which might be a critical game for seeding later in the year. They have two division wins already. They’re two games ahead of the Kansas City Chiefs. Everything is rosy, right?

Not so fast. These undefeated Bills are struggling. Who better to debate this seeming oxymoron than two scarecrows, being moderated by Skarekrow? That’s right, for fans with very good memories, it’s the second ever debate between Kuebiko and Bubak, our football-living scarecrows with opposite personalities!

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In case anyone needs a quick bio on today’s guest scarecrows…

Kuebiko is a Japanese kami (like a spirit of demigod) known for his wisdom and kindness most commonly seen as a scarecrow giving advice. With a perch from the mountains or the fields, he sees all and knows all (or thinks he does).

Bubak is a European demon known for swiping naughty kids, eating souls, and occasionally making clothing from your skin. Ha ha! What a kooky guy. He can be found hiding in fields or near rivers and apparently watching Bills games.

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Skarekrow: Overall thoughts on the Bills win over the Saints today?

Kuebiko: It wasn’t the cleanest victory I’ve ever seen, but all things considered the Bills did manage to win by double digits again. Furthermore, they did so clearly in experimentation mode. Brandon Codrington being a healthy scratch and other tomfoolery with the wide receiver room strongly suggest that Buffalo was tinkering today.

Bubak: WHAT ****ING GAME WERE YOU WATCHING?!? Should have been done by halftime! CBS announcing swap to “more competitive contest” after second quarter.

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Skarekrow: Despite allowing only 19 points, there’s been some negative chatter about the defense. What’s your opinion on that side of the ball?

Bubak: Couldn’t stop a damn thing! Made Spencer Rattler look like a Hall of Famer. Lucky they came away with a win. On running plays, may as well have been helping them crowd surf their way into the end zone.

Kuebiko: You make a good point about the rushing defense. Allowing 5.6 yards per rush is not very good at all. You couldn’t be more wrong about Rattler though. Sure he made a few nice throws, but the Saints had an abysmal 3.5 yards per throw. Through three weeks the worst team in the league was the Cleveland Browns, averaging 5.0 yards per attempt. Buffalo made New Orleans look worse than the worst team in the league through the air.

Bubak: [Gestures wildly] Sure, but best rushing team is Commanders at 5.7 yards. And Saints at 3.9 before Bills. Don’t need to pass on Bills D. AAAAAGGGGGHHHHH!

Kuebiko: I should also add that the Saints scored on only three of nine drives, or 33%. That rate would put Buffalo in the top eight in the league. That would mean they stopped them at a very good rate.

Bubak: GREAT! Except Saints scoring rate was worse than that coming into the game! Means Buffalo is worse than their other opponents.

Kuebiko: That’s accurate. They scored on 27.3% of drives coming into the game. That would put Buffalo at about what other teams allowed, so that means they’d be a pretty average defense. I think we can agree on that, right?

Bubak: I ain’t agreeing to ****.

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Skarekrow: What about the offense? Once again they scored over 30 points, but there are a few missed opportunities still it felt like.

Kuebiko: It was an odd day for the offense. They made it look easy for the first two drives, then got out of rhythm for the next three. If it weren’t for that lull, I think the score is even more lopsided. All of the stats suggest a very efficient and effective game, but the stretch of stalls makes it seem otherwise.

Bubak: If it weren’t for James, they’d have been COOKED! Allen is the MVP they say but running game saved their a***s. Shakir’s long catch making Allen look good. Three of 10 on third downs? COME THE **** ON!

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Skarekrow: Any other thoughts on the game or season?

Bubak: Need to step it up. Not winning it all this way. Sure, they won but this game stunk.

Kuebiko: Considering the Saints routinely had favorable field position and the Bills were backed up, the results were quite good. New Orleans started on Buffalo’s side of the field four times on nine drives.

Bubak: Sad excuse. You act like how Bills were playing didn’t help give Saints field position.

Kuebiko: That’s actually quite insightful. Yes, both teams impact the field position battle and Buffalo isn’t blameless in the Saints having a big advantage there. Still, this team has plenty of reason for hope. A number of key defensive players should be returning from injury soon, plus two more from suspension. The best may be yet to come.

Bubak: It better be or trophy is going somewhere else. LIKE ALWAYS!

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Skarekrow: Closing statements, guys?

Kuebiko: I think we can all agree that the Buffalo Bills are not playing their best football right now. I know that creates worry that they’ll continue to play below their potential, but there’s another way to look at it. We’re disappointed because we know how well they can play. If they’re not playing at their peak now, it means their best is yet to come. When you’re sitting at 4-0 and know for a fact that there’s still untapped potential, that’s a great spot to be in isn’t it?

Bubak: AAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!

Source: https://www.buffalorumblings.com/bu...22/117190/the-undefeated-bills-are-struggling

 

[Buffalo Bills]

Bills vs. Patriots opening odds

The Buffalo Bills are 4-0 for the first time since the 2020 NFL season, with wins against the Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, and most recently the New Orleans Saints. They’ll complete their first pass through the AFC East in Week 5, hosting the New England Patriots for the final matchup in their three-game homestand.

As one might expect of the 0nly undefeated AFC team, the Bills enter as heavy favorites over the 2-2 Patriots. As of publishing, FanDuel Sportsbook lists Buffalo as 8.5-point (-8.5) favorites over New England for their Week 5 date under the lights of Sunday Night Football.

Divisional games are usually difficult to gauge from a competitive standpoint simply because the teams know one another decently well, despite season-to-season roster turnover. When it comes to Bills-Patriots, there’s no love lost thanks to the long stretches of one-sided dominance. Now, with Mike Vrabel back in Foxborough as head coach and with the return of Josh McDaniels as offensive coordinator, there’s enough of the old New England brigade to renew this stalled rivalry.

The Patriots will be the first team Buffalo faces this season with at least one win to their name. Are the Bills up to the challenge, ready to hand a setback to quarterback Drake Maye and company? It’s likely to be an interesting game, and one oddsmakers have given the highest O/U total (50.5) in Week 5.

Buffalo needs to get things sorted out on defense and special teams such that they can hold the Patriots to a more reasonable points total than the 42 points they scored against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. Similarly, the Bills need to get back to their early dominant ways, avoiding second- and third-quarter naps that keep them out of the end zone or scoring range altogether.

Think you’ve got what it takes to make a play on the Buffalo Bills this season? Head to FanDuel Sportsbook to get started now!

Source: https://www.buffalorumblings.com/buffalo-bills-discussion/117152/bills-vs-patriots-opening-odds

 

[Buffalo Bills]

AFC Playoff Picture: Buffalo Bills stand alone after Week 4

The Buffalo Bills were the first AFC team to get to 4-0 on and after some help later in the day, they are the AFC’s lone unbeaten team after four weeks.

Monday night solidified the picture, but nothing of substance was going to change with the outcome of the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins not the Denver Broncos vs Cincinnati Bengals.

The Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens played late Sunday. Baltimore lost to Kansas City and they are reeling with multiple injuries confirmed, while the Chiefs evened their record at 2-2.

Three teams entered 3-0, but both of the other two teams lost in Week 4. The surprising New York Giants jumped out to an early lead, holding off the Los Angeles Chargers. The Indianapolis Colts lost to the Los Angeles Rams.

AFC East standings after Week 4​

The Buffalo Bills are clearly the class of the division and the only team with a winning record. They are also 2-0 in the division already for an early tiebreaker should it come to that. Buffalo has a two-game lead in the division early. The Bills and Patriots face off in a big early game during Week 5 on Sunday Night Football.

Meanwhile, the Dolphins won on Monday but lost Tyreek Hill for the rest of the season.

1. Buffalo Bills (4-0)
2. New England Patriots (2-2)
3. Miami Dolphins (1-3)
4. New York Jets (0-4)

AFC playoff standings heading into Week 5​

The Los Angeles Chargers came into the week at 3-0 but lost to the New York Giants and Jaxon Dart. They remain at the top of the AFC West but obviously lost some ground.

The Indianapolis Colts also lost to fall to 3-1, but they are ahead in the AFC South thanks to a tiebreaker. The Jacksonville Jaguars also moved to 3-1 on the season but their lone loss is in the conference.

Early on Sunday, the Pittsburgh Steelers rode their defense to a win in Ireland despite some questionable coaching down the stretch. They’re 3-1 and in first place in the AFC North.

The wild card teams are currently the Jaguars at 3-1 followed by the Bengals and Chiefs at 2-2. Denver and New England are on the outside looking in due to a tiebreaker.

Here are the full AFC standings:

1. Buffalo Bills (4-0)
2. Los Angeles Chargers (3-1)
3. Indianapolis Colts (3-1)
4. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1)
5. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-1)
6. Cincinnati Bengals (2-2)
7. Kansas City Chiefs (2-2)
8. Denver Broncos (2-2)
9. New England Patriots (2-2)
10. Las Vegas Raiders (1-3)
11. Houston Texans (1-3)
12. Baltimore Ravens (1-3)
13. Miami Dolphins (1-3)
14. Cleveland Browns (1-3)
15. New York Jets (0-4)
16. Tennessee Titans (0-4)

Source: https://www.buffalorumblings.com/bu...icture-buffalo-bills-stand-alone-after-week-4

 

[Buffalo Bills]

Bills rollercoaster: Highlights and lowlights vs. Saints

On paper, the Buffalo Bills had a fairly comfortable win over the New Orleans Saints. For anyone watching, we know there was a long stretch of the game where it was anything but comfortable. Rather than focus on one player or group for this week’s analysis/recap, I decided to pick a few highlights and a few lowlights and put them under the microscope.

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Khalil Shakir’s Touchdown​

I know you’ve seen this a million times already but surely you’re fine seeing it again. I think wide receiver Khalil Shakir’s contact balance and ability to continue through multiple tackles has been discussed, so let’s toss in that tight end Dalton Kincaid went in motion to act as a lead blocker for the screen pass to Shakir. The play would be successful gaining just a few yards on 2nd & 5 but goes the distance instead.

I point out in the clip that traditionally you might have more success with a quick bounce to the outside given the blocking but Shakir plowed through confidently, which of course worked. See below for a little conversation on the defense, which deserves a bit of shame on this play too.

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Kendre Miller’s Touchdown​

There are some parallels between the first two touchdowns of the game, with individual effort from Khalil Shakir and Kendre Miller shining brightly. That said, missed tackles will always be partially on the defense at minimum, and both defenses missed some opportunities.

For what it’s worth, I think the Bills’ defensive woes between these two plays were greater than the Saints’. This is especially true for nickel cornerback Taron Johnson who was free to hit the gap that Miller was coming through and just spun off him without wrapping up.

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Josh Allen’s Interception​

On 3rd & 11 I want to be clear that I believe the deep shot to midfield is preferable to a run to give better punting position. Quarterback Josh Allen’s head suggested this was a half-field read with his first scan going to center field. Not liking what he saw, Allen tried for wide receiver Keon Coleman who looks to be one-on-one on the outside. At the time of the decision, safety Jonas Sanker hadn’t committed to any receiver yet. He correctly read Allen and went full board for the landing point. Whether Allen didn’t see Sanker or felt he could fit it in, I don’t know. The result was the same though.

If I had to wager, I think I’d put a bet on Coleman running nearly full speed if not full. As a result, I don’t think there’s much he could do to gain elevation and disrupt this one.

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Cole Bishop’s Interception​

When’s the last time it felt like the Bills completely blew up a trick play? Thanks to Cole Bishop the answer is now “last Sunday.” Unlike some analysis, I won’t focus on Bishop’s physical speed because I don’t find that impressive at all on this snap. He wasn’t super fast to the ball. He was super fast to commit to the play, beginning to sprint before the second toss back even occured.

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Josh Allen is sacked​

It was 3rd & 22, and there wasn’t really any reason to think the Saints were going to heavily Blitz the Bills, instead allowing the coverage to do the work. Right guard O’Cyrus Torrence was beat badly to the inside, offering very little resistance. The Saints got to Allen three times in this game, nearly doubling the season total in one swoop.

Why is the sack percentage low lately in Buffalo? Chalk it up in large part to Josh Allen, whose escapability is from another world. That’s why I point out Ryan Van Demark who is similarly beaten on this play, cutting off an escape out for Allen.

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Bills’ Defensive Stop​

I wanted to end on a highlight for our old friend Tre’Davious White. While White had an up and down day, this play stands out for the corner. On fourth down and with time enough for a possible comeback, the Saints were just past midfield. A quick throw to the left was on the menu, until White sniffed it out. White had plenty of help with the rest of the team covering everyone else but it’s up to White to crash down. White did sprint in, and created the turnover on downs.

Source: https://www.buffalorumblings.com/bu...lercoaster-highlights-and-lowlights-vs-saints

 

[Buffalo Bills]

Bills’ defense hurt by dual-threat QBs early in 2025

The Buffalo Bills stare into a horizon filled with several scrambling quarterbacks, the defense potentially stuck between a rock and a hard place as it relates to containing true NFL dual threats.

Overall, the Bills’ defense has been the subject of much discussion during the first month of the 2025 NFL season. As we pass the roughly quarter mark of the schedule (curse you 17 game schedule and uneven measurements), there are more than a few aspects of Buffalo’s defense that can be examined as areas in need of improvement.

The Bills are tops in the NFL in yards per pass attempt against at 5.5, but are 30th in the league in rush yards per attempt against (6.0). They’re 25th in the NFL in third-down defense. But in addition to these two obvious items of note, Buffalo’s defense has a more niche flaw that’s showing up in the first four weeks of the season: They’re not containing scrambling very well.

Bills reporter Sal Capaccio of WGR550 tweeted out an observation on this specific point:

One area that's hurt the Bills are QB scrambles against them. Against Bills D: teams have scrambled 11 times for 128 yards for an 11.63 yard average (and that includes one that went for just 2 yards). Of those 11 scrambles, 7 have resulted in 1st downs

— Sal Capaccio (@SalSports) September 30, 2025

There are a few items that either contribute to or derive from this metric:

1. Linebacker Matt Milano’s absence is likely a contributing factor here. Linebacker Dorian Williams, despite flashes in relief last year, hasn’t replicated Milano’s closing ability and pursuit angles. Linebacker Shaq Thompson has put some good reps on tape, but hasn’t played enough to know if that would continue if his in-game reps increased. The Bills have considered Milano their not-so-secret weapon against elite scramblers like Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson in the past, and although Milano played against Jackson in Week 1, he was injured one week later against the New York Jets (and another elite scrambling quarterback in Justin Fields).
2. The 11 rushes for 128 yards are counted in Buffalo’s above-mentioned 6.0 average yards per rush against. In Week 4, New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler scrambled three times for 35 yards (per Pro Football Focus). Even notoriously poached Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa averaged 5 yards per scramble on his two instances against the Bills’ defense.
3. Scrambles frequently occur on third down, contributing to Buffalo’s bottom-third ranking on third downs. Rattler scrambled for nine yards on 3rd & 7 this past Sunday, as an example.

Whether this connection and unpleasant data point means anything of consequence to you, well that’s likely based on which of the following two camps you fall into:

1. Camp #1: the Bills have faced two of the best scramblers in the NFL in recent memory in Lamar Jackson and Justin Fields. This is a smaller sample size issue (Lamar scrambled once for 19 yards and Justin Field three times for 21 during their games) that will correct itself naturally as more games are placed and less-elite scrambling quarterbacks show up on the schedule.
2. Camp #2: Quarterbacks scrambling against Buffalo’s defense is a weakness that will be exploited more and more moving forward as tendencies and tape pile up over the course of the regular season. Even the CBS broadcast noted during Bills-Saints that Rattler had made it a point of emphasis coming into the week that he wanted to be more decisive and aggressive in using his legs to convert first downs for the offense.

As with all narratives, time will reveal all. The Bills face an up-and-coming quarterback with live legs in Drake Maye of the New England Patriots on Sunday Night Football in Week 5 before taking on a scramble-adverse quarterback in Michael Penix with the Atlanta Falcons over the next two weeks. They’re scheduled to then take on the Carolina Panthers and quarterback Bryce Young and then the Kansas City Chiefs and quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Of the next four games, three of them are against quarterbacks historically known for scrambling prowess, with Mahomes (22 carries for 130 yards, 2 TDs) and Maye (24 carries for 98 yards, 2 TDs) being first and third in the league in total scrambles thus far in 2025, and both with 10 first downs off runs.

At the risk of going full conspiracy theory with red yarn connecting newspaper clippings on a bulletin board, it’s all connected. Buffalo’s struggle against scramblers (an excellent band name) may not be a singular source for the defensive woes, but it’s interesting that it seems to be tangentially related to most of the narratives surrounding that unit so far this season.

And… I’ll guess we’ll find out if the narrative sticks.

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…and that’s the way the cookie crumbles. I’m Bruce Nolan with Buffalo Rumblings. You can find me on Twitter and Instagram @BruceExclusive and look for new episodes of “The Bruce Exclusive” every Thursday on the Rumblings Cast Network — see more in my LinkTree!

Source: https://www.buffalorumblings.com/bu...defense-hurt-by-dual-threat-qbs-early-in-2025

 

[Buffalo Bills]

Bills welcome Diggs, Hollins, others back to Highmark in Week 5

The Buffalo Bills play host to the New England Patriots in an AFC East matchup for Week 5 of Sunday Night Football. A win will give Buffalo a lot of breathing room in the division and a 5-0 record, while a loss will put New England right on their heels and in control early of the division tiebreaker. In looking at the Patriots’ sideline there are quite a few familiar faces from Bills’ history, some recent… and others a bit further back.

Wide receiver Stefon Diggs will play his first game in Highmark Stadium since being traded before the start of the 2024 NFL season. In his four seasons with Buffalo, Diggs had four straight Pro Bowl appearances. Quarterback Josh Allen and Diggs formed one of the best QB-WR duos in the NFL, but the team still couldn’t get over the hump in the postseason. Whatever happened behind the scenes caused the team to move in a different direction, with Allen responding by winning NFL MVP in 2024.

Through four games, Diggs has made 19 receptions (22 targets) for 213 yards with a long of 33 yards, providing nine first downs for New England.

Another receiver who’ll be making his first return back to Western New York is Mack Hollins, who became a fan favorite last season in his only season with the Bills. Whether it was walking around and to the stadium barefoot or making great blocks on the field, Bills Mafia embraced Hollins, and were disappointed when it was announced he was signing with the Patriots. Although Hollins only had 31 catches, he had five touchdowns last year which led the receivers.

In three starts with New England this season, Hollins has just seven receptions (9 targets) for 42 yards and two touchdowns. He’s proven to be a reliable red zone target, and also someone quarterback Drake Maye can count on to gain first downs (4 total).

Patriots cornerback Alex Austin was actually a seventh-round pick of the Bills in 2023. In two starts this season, Austin has nine tackles (7 solo), one tackle for loss, and one pass defense.

Then, there’s the coaching staff where an infamous face in Bills history walks the sideline for New England. It’s not head coach Mike Vrabel or offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, of Bill Belichick fame. It’s the one and only Doug Marrone, who was head coach for Buffalo from 2013-2014, now the offensive line coach for the Patriots. Things seemed to go well in Marrone’s final season, as the Bills had their first winning record since 2004. However, when founding owner Ralph C. Wilson Jr. passed away and new owners Terry and Kim Pegula bought the franchise, it triggered a clause in Marrone’s coaching contract that gave him the chance to opt out. It rubbed a lot of players the wrong way, but the reality is that without that happening Buffalo might now have head coach Sean McDermott today.

New England also has Scott Booker in the role of safeties coach. Booker served as a senior defensive assistant in Buffalo during the 2024 NFL season.

Source: https://www.buffalorumblings.com/bu...ggs-hollins-others-back-to-highmark-in-week-5

 

[Buffalo Bills]

Buffalo Bills Week 5 NFL power rankings roundup

We begin the same as last week, pointing out that the Buffalo Bills remain undefeated — only now heading into a Week 5 matchup with the New England Patriots. The Bills are the only undefeated team in the AFC, and one of just two overall with the defending Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles the other 4-0 squad.

Buffalo is once again among the NFL’s best teams, but they aren’t without flaws. A fair amount of Bills Mafia remain concerned about the defense, which has taken its lumps in playing a bend-but-don’t-break style that’s also incorporating more man-cover looks than historically under head coach Sean McDermott.

With quarterback Josh Allen, elite play is a given. However, it’s running back James Cook and Buffalo’s run offense that’s really decimated teams in September. Of course, there’s room for improvement on offense too, which starts with avoiding mid-game lulls that allow opponents to remain close until late in regulation.

After starting right tackle Spencer Brown missed Week 4 due to injury, it’s clear that the offensive line is among the most important units to Buffalo’s season. Though many saw struggle by Allen and the Bills to pull away early from the New Orleans Saints, watching what unfolded along the line without Brown in action explains a lot of the surprising trouble. So, too, should be the case for Buffalo’s defensive line, which may see the return of defensive tackle Ed Oliver in Week 5.

What does all of that mean in terms of power rankings? Let’s dive in, first by taking a look at ESPN’s playoff odds for the Bills in four key metrics. There’s a change in two metrics, with slight decreases in Buffalo’s odds of making the playoffs (now 97%; was 98%), and odds of winning the division (now 89%; was 95%). Interestingly, the Bills saw their odds at winning a playoff bye increase (now 50%; was 48%).

Another thing I pointed out last week that still remains true is that “Buffalo has yet to put together a complete game, and it feels like their best is yet to come.” That should scare teams, knowing that they’re likely to face the best version of the Bills down the road.

Moving on to thoughts from national pundits about Buffalo’s win over the New Orleans Saints with a now tidy refrain in this space…

Let’s live in the present and dive into the latest NFL power rankings, passing the mic to heirachy experts around the country. Ready?

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ESPN: 2 (unchanged from Week 4)​

“Biggest issue on offense: Consistency in middle quarters”

“This is nitpicky, but consistency has been Buffalo’s biggest issue. Even though it has scored a touchdown on every opening possession this season, the offense has been noticeably worse in the middle of games. In the first and fourth quarters, the Bills have averaged 10.9 points and 112.3 yards. In the second and third quarters, those numbers drop to 5.8 and 89.8, respectively. There are other areas to grow, but led by quarterback Josh Allen and running back James Cook, the team has been strongest when opening and closing games.” — Alaina Getzenberg

NFL.com: 2 (unchanged from Week 4)​

“Another week, another game that required more effort from the Bills than I anticipated they’d need to win. Buffalo might have been well-rested following the mini-bye, but the team looked more sloppy than anything else in a 31-19 victory over winless New Orleans. The Saints easily could have taken a fourth-quarter lead in a contest where the Bills committed a season-high 11 penalties and converted just three of their 10 third-down attempts. Defensively, Buffalo had way too many missed tackles (and sacks). Fortunately, Josh Allen wasn’t about to let his team lose this game, and James Cook had plenty to say about that, too. With upcoming games against New England and Atlanta, Buffalo has a chance to be 6-0 heading into the bye, but there is still a decent amount to clean up before we start counting those Ws.” — Eric Edholm

The Athletic: 2 (unchanged from Week 4)​

“Rookie spotlight: Jackson Hawes”

“The Bills have a couple of defensive tackles — T.J. Sanders and Deone Walker — who are contributing, but it’s Hawes, a fifth-round tight end, who is turning heads. Hawes, who played collegiately at Yale and Georgia Tech, has already proved he’s an NFL-ready blocker, and he has four catches for 54 yards, including a 15-yarder Sunday.” — Josh Kendall / Chad Graff

CBS Sports: 2 (unchanged from Week 4)​

“The Bills have slogged through the last two games, but the opposition seems to have brought them down. The schedule has been favorable.” — Pete Prisco

Sports Illustrated: 2 (unchanged from Week 4)​

“The Bills have reached the sleepwalk to victory phase after a pummeling of the Saints. But dare I say the fanbase is getting a little too confident? Planning a KILLERS CONCERT in Buffalo for Super Bowl Sunday?” — Conor Orr

On SI: 2 (down from 1 in Week 4)​

On the topic of team’s best rookie:

“No Bills rookie has been on the field more than fifth-round tight end Jackson Hawes, whose blocking ability at Yale and Georgia Tech was touted as his main attribute. The 6-foot-4 Hawes, who has played 108 offensive snaps during Buffalo’s 4-0 start, has also made one reception every week and caught a touchdown in Week 2. In Sunday’s win over the Saints, the former All-Ivy League performer out-snapped fellow tight ends Dawson Knox and Dalton Kincaid. Through Week 4, Hawes is the overall top-rated NFL rookie per PFF.” — Ralph Ventre, Buffalo Bills On SI

Pro Football Talk: 2 (unchanged from Week 4)​

“Another week, another double-digit win that feels less than satisfying.” — Mike Florio

USA Today: 2 (unchanged from Week 4)​

“Come Sunday night for the conclusion of their three-game homestand − the AFC leaders won’t play again in Western New York until November. Stay for the debut of their “Cold Front” uniforms, Nike’s specially devised “Rivalries” alternates for Buffalo.” — Nate Davis

FOX Sports: 2 (unchanged from Week 4)​

“Buffalo is 4-0 even though Josh Allen hasn’t looked like the reigning MVP since Week 1. Then again, the way running back James Cook is playing — 401 yards (second in the NFL) with a league-best five rushing touchdowns — maybe Allen doesn’t have to.” — Ralph Vacchiano

Pressbox: 2 (unchanged from Week 4)​

“I thought they were really good because they beat the Ravens but to be fair, maybe that was just one more game on the Big 12 schedule they’re playing this year.” — Glenn Clark

Bleacher Report: 2 (unchanged from Week 4)​

“The Buffalo Bills are rolling.

Granted, the winless New Orleans Saints gave them more of a game than many expected. But thanks to a combination of timely defensive plays (including a Cole Bishop interception deep in Bills territory) and a relentless Bills offense, Buffalo is 4-0 and in firm control of the AFC East.

Bills quarterback Josh Allen was efficient, accounting for three total scores and posting a passer rating over 110. Running back James Cook surpassed 100 rushing yards and found the end zone—again. The defense allowed under 300 yards of offense and held its opponent under 20 points for the second time in three weeks.

The Bills are the best team in their division by a wide margin. And after the first month of the 2025 campaign, calling them the team to beat in the AFC isn’t a stretch.” — Gary Davenport

Sportsnaut: 2 (unchanged from Week 4)​

“The Saints kept it close for a little while, at one point making it look like one of the best NFL teams in 2025 would become the next to lose to an undefeated club. Unlike the Packers and Chargers, though, Buffalo overcame some early missed opportunities by putting it away in the fourth quarter. The Bills are the unquestioned top team in the AFC right now, and their schedule provides a path to keep piling up victories.” — Matt Johnson

The Sporting News: 2 (unchanged from Week 4)​

“The Bills toyed with the Saints a little when they knew going into overdrive with Josh Allen and James Cook would happen at any time once their defense came up with a few inspired stops. They get a better test vs. the rising Patriots in Week 5.” — Vinnie Iyer

Touchdown Wire: 2 (unchanged from Week 4)​

“Like I say each week. It is nothing short of amazing what Josh Allen has been able to do with this Bills offense without a true superstar weapon. Depending on who you ask. Running back James Cook could fit the mold for superstar status before long. On this team, everyone has a role to play and plays it beautifully on gamedays!” — Josh Petry

New York Post: 1 (unchanged from Week 4)​

“Josh Allen put a tougher-than-expected victory on ice with a 27-yard run followed by a 28-yard touchdown pass to Dalton Kincaid in the fourth quarter of a 31-19 victory against the winless Saints. The Bills have won 14 straight regular-season games at home — one shy of tying a franchise record. James Cook rushed for 117 yards and a touchdown.” — Ryan Dunleavy

NFL Spin Zone: 1 (unchanged from Week 4)​

“Defensively, the Buffalo Bills are still a work in progress. The Bills have a much higher standard set for them than the defensive performance we’ve seen through the first month of the season, but in the NFL, style points don’t matter. You are what your record says you are.

Right now, the Bills are 4-0 and on top of the AFC. They’ve obviously got the reigning MVP of the league in Josh Allen, and one of the best offensive weapons in the league in James Cook. Both of those guys are playing lights out, but Buffalo needs their defense to figure things out quickly.

You don’t see many Super Bowl-winning teams benching starting corners in the middle of the year. Again, the Bills are the best team in the league right now, but they’ve got to turn things up defensively rather quickly. ” — Sayre Bedinger

Yahoo! Sports: 1 (unchanged from Week 4)​

“The Bills didn’t blow out the Dolphins or Saints, but worrying about that is a stretch. It’s tough to get up for each game in a long season. The Bills won both games by double digits. There’s no need to drum up unnecessary drama; the Bills are the best team in the NFL.” — Frank Schwab

FanDuel Research: 1 (unchanged from Week 4)​

(All NFL odds come from FanDuel Sportsbook.)

— Annie Nader

“The Rich Eisen Show”: 2​

Computer Cowboy: 1 (up from 3 last week)​

Week 4 NFL Objective Power Rankings

— Grain of salt for Vikings (facing new rookie QB and then have bye, so limited data) and all the teams affected by QB injuries

Seahawks!! pic.twitter.com/Bo5wh3g90P

— Computer Cowboy (@benbbaldwin) October 1, 2025

Discussed at the outset, the challenge for these Bills may be putting together and playing a full game before the postseason is at their doorstep.

Source: https://www.buffalorumblings.com/bu...ffalo-bills-week-5-nfl-power-rankings-roundup

 

[Buffalo Bills]

3 Buffalo Bills return to practice as Week 5 opens

So, the Buffalo Bills didn’t open the practice window for any of the three players eligible to come off of Injured Reserve (IR) this week. According to head coach Sean McDermott, there is no clear indication of when kicker Tyler Bass, offensive lineman Tylan Grable, or rookie cornerback Maxwell Hairston will be ready to practice with the team.

They did, however, get defensive tackle Ed Oliver, linebacker Matt Milano, and right tackle Spencer Brown back to work on Wednesday. Oliver has been sidelined since the middle of Week 2 when someone stepped on him at practice (no, he insists it was not a horse related accident).

Ed Oliver heard the rumors about his ankle injury too.

"I heard I fell a horse, a horse hurt me, I heard all kind of stuff. But I can promise you somebody stepped on me at practice."#BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/If5Xz8WCYk

— Andy Young (@AndyYoungTV) October 1, 2025

Milano left the Bills’ Week 2 win over the New York Jets halfway through and has been sidelined with a pectoral injury since that point. Brown has only been out a week, and, technically, he did get a little practice in last Friday but was (as expected) among Buffalo’s inactives Sunday afternoon.

DT Ed Oliver, LB Matt Milano and RT Spencer Brown all back practicing (expected to be limited)

Did not see WR Elijah Moore or practice squad DT Jordan Phillips. Practice squad OL Travis Clayton dealing with an injury. pic.twitter.com/7eh2sYjw96

— Alaina Getzenberg (@agetzenberg) October 1, 2025

It’s going to be good news for quarterback Josh Allen, who was sacked three times in Sunday’s win over the New Orleans Saints, and the Bills’ offense if Brown can work his way through practice this week and be in uniform on Sunday. The Saints had no problem disrupting Allen and sending him scrambling before his receivers even had time to get downfield. No doubt the Bills will be looking to fix that, and hopefully Brown is part of the solution, before they host the New England Patriots Sunday night.

On defense, tackling was a huge problem; containing the quarterback was a huge problem. Will Oliver’s return fix that? Only one way to find out. But, even if he isn’t in uniform on Sunday night, the Bills starting him back to practice this week is exactly why he wasn’t sent to IR. If he had been, he wouldn’t be eligible to begin working until next Monday. So, at the very least, he’s a week ahead of what could have been.

That brings us to linebacker Matt Milano. Milano, himself, is a man of few words, and when it comes to his health, Sean McDermott joins him in giving us the silent treatment. We never get much information, but we know it was a pectoral injury. We know it didn’t require surgery. We also know that, now, he’s needed back on the field.

Linebacker Dorian Williams was the team’s only DNP on Wednesday. The third-year linebacker is listed as having a knee injury. Williams has become a key part of the middle of Buffalo’s defense, having started all four games and recording 18 combined tackles and a pass defended. If neither Williams nor Milano are ready by game time, that leaves the Bills with Terrel Bernard, Joe Andreessen, and Shaq Thompson.

The Bills also have two rookies stashed on the practice squad: new fan favorite Jimmy Ciarlo and Keonta Jenkins. Jenkins has already been called up twice this season, so it would seem that the Bills might have to run with Ciarlo. It’s doubtful that’s going to do much to instill fear in Patriots’ quarterback Drake Maye.

While McDermott gave us the names of all the above-listed players in his pre-practice media session, this afternoon there was one more name on the list. Rookie tight end Jackson Hawes was listed as limited with an ankle injury. Hawes has seen plenty of downs. While he’s been highly praised by Buffalo’s coaching staff for his blocking abilities, he has proven that he can also be a sure-handed target for Allen as well. He’s caught one pass in each game and had a touchdown in Week 3.

Joey Bosa had a limited day, but it was simply for vet rest — not for any ailments. Hopefully, we see a lot more practice out of all of the names on this list this week.

Wednesday injury report pic.twitter.com/jdDscmF59T

— Buffalo Bills PR (@BuffaloBillsPR) October 1, 2025

Source: https://www.buffalorumblings.com/bu...falo-bills-return-to-practice-as-week-5-opens

 

[Buffalo Bills]

Fitz & Whit discuss being part of Bills Mafia family

On a recent episode of Fitz & Whit, former Buffalo Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, or “Fitzmagic” as he’s often lovingly referred to, and Andrew Whitworth, a former offensive tackle who spent a combined 16 seasons in the NFL between the Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams, sat down to discuss the best fan base in the league. As anyone could have guessed, Bills Mafia was brought up in the conversation.

Both Fitzpatrick and Whitworth were in Buffalo for the Bills’ Thursday Night Football game against the Miami Dolphins (another team Fitzpatrick played for) and found plenty to chat about for their podcast. In reflecting on their Week 3 shenanigans, Fitzpatrick stated that they “threw out an invite” for anyone who wanted to show up, and Wayland Brewing Company in Orchard Park, NY offered up their venue as host of the event.

Between the DJ, amazing beverages, and over 1,000 people attending the event, not only did the guys have an incredible time, but Fitz also believes that Andrew Whitworth is now an official member of Bills Mafia. Whitworth also attended some Bills’ tailgates a few years back.

“I really feel that way,” Whitworth responded when Fitz told him that he thinks he’s even more ingrained in Bills Mafia. He continued, “I’ve had the bowling ball shot, I’ve had Pizza Pete’s grub, I’ve met Pinto Ron…we’re basically family. We just hang out in Hammer’s Lot. I think I have like a lifetime pass to Hammer’s Lot.”

Whitworth then gushed about their time at Wayland Brewing Company. “That was awesome. What a freakin’ showing,” he said excitedly. “I think it was 1,000 people or somewhere close. It was insane.” He then continued, “Here’s what I would say, Fitz, that I’m dealing with now this week. Going cheese curds in Green Bay and wings in Buffalo back-to-back weeks has been TOUGH on a brother’s cholesterol. Like I am scared to know what my cholesterol is right now.”

After laughing about that little quip and how much food he had eaten in the past few weeks, Fitzpatrick asks, “Why are wings so much better in Buffalo?” We don’t think anyone can disagree with that.

Whitworth also described his excitement after seeing an LSU Tigers “big Whit jersey” in the crowd on Thursday night. “I am family,” he proclaimed. “People brought a Whit jersey to the Buffalo Bills celebration. So that was pretty epic.”

One thing Whitworth is disappointed in is the fact that they didn’t record their time at Wayland. Former Bills wide receiver Stevie Johnson was there, retired NFL cornerback Richard Sherman said a few words, television host and sportscaster Charissa Thompson and Bills’ play-by-play announcer Chris Brown also both attended and Ryan Fitzpatrick was tossing around some footballs to the fans.

Moving on, Fitz discussed what the atmosphere before the Bills-Dolphins game was like. “Our producer came in and said, ‘Hey, they’re doing a Fitz look-alike contest before the game and we’re gonna bring the three finalists in.‘ And they all were beautiful men.”

Whitworth’s Fitz look-alike apparently had “great attire” but as Whitworth stated, “He got confused on the kids vs. the teams but he brought it. He had the chains, he had the jacket. I thought he did a good job.” Ryan Fitzpatrick actually played for nine different NFL teams but the look-alike had stated it was seven.

Of course, you can’t talk about the Bills without mentioning their new stadium, and Fitz had a lot to say about it after taking a recent tour there. “When I tell you it is going to be so epic, it literally feels like the Roman Colosseum, fans are straight up and down —- not a bad seat in the house —- everybody’s right over the field,” he gleamed. “It’s gonna be grass. They got all the UV lighting, and the drainage, and the heaters, and all this special technology. The place is gonna be really loud, they’ve got the cantilevers that cover 60% of the seating, they’ve got all the snow melt figured out on the roofs and the stands, on the field, and how they’re gonna do that. It was really cool to see and the coolest part for me walking around was (Bills co-owner) Terry Pegula has his hands all over this thing. There’s a lot of different things that he was like, ‘You know this HAS to be outside, we HAVE to have grass, we’ve got to have all these little things’ — taking input from (general manager) Brandon Beane and from coach McDermott… I thought it was really neat to be a part of that.”

Fitzpatrick then added with a chuckle, “They’ve also upgraded the visitors’ locker. The visiting locker room in Buffalo was… I think they had two toilets.”

Whitworth then interjected, “Listen, you know that that’s disgraceful. The visiting locker room… it’s unbelievable. One toilet doesn’t even have a door, you can’t even do your business with the privacy of a door. It’s disgraceful.”

Both guys had a good laugh about the visiting locker room, but the part that Whitworth loved was being able to ride into the stadium with Bills LT Dion Dawkins. “I got to ride in with him, to the fans and the energy,” Whitworth said with a smile. “It was really special to see what life as a Buffalo Bill is like. What a cool stadium, sad to see it go, but I think the new one’s gonna be quite some memories.”

He then had some incredible things to say about the fans. “What a fan base, what a place to be a player and have success,” he stated. “I mean, I don’t know if there’s a better one in the league. If you’re at the high-end of when they’re achieving and winning… uh… just for the love of that place and for their players. That was really cool to get to ride in and see the love Dion got on his way in the stadium.”

Of course because it’s Ryan Fitzpatrick, he had to mention beards. He said that between Wednesday and Thursday night, they were able to see a lot of beards. “There might not be a better fan base in the NFL with beards,” Fitz stated. “In just all kinds of different colors and styles. I will say though, this might be the first week that we’re gonna to award ‘Co-Beards of the Week’ — I know you know the two guys I’m talking about.“

Continuing, Fitzpatrick explained, “I think they were actually on the main broadcast too. The guy with the Buffalo hat on and the whole getup. Buffalo shoulder pads. I don’t know what those things were but we had one guy look like Santa Claus and the other guy you can tell, he’s just been a Bills fan his whole life.” He added, “He’s really dedicated to the cause, that mustache is incredible. But the other guy, he’s gonna get me with the ‘poof’. He had to have taken a pick that morning and just poofed that thing out. And I guarantee you he plays Santa at a mall in December. He has to. It was too good, he has such a warm demeanor, and I didn’t get to ask him but I wonder if they are brothers or if they’re just buddies?”

They then put a picture up with their Co-Beard Award winners of the week for everyone to see. “You’re great Bills Mafia members and it was really great to get to spend some time with you guys on Wednesday and see you on Thursday during the game,” Fitz added.

You can watch the full clip below but we’d say that the Bills Mafia is Fitz’s and Whitworth’s favorite fan base. Wouldn’t you?

Source: https://www.buffalorumblings.com/bi...whit-discuss-being-part-of-bills-mafia-family

 

[Buffalo Bills]

Stefon Diggs is still a threat

The Buffalo Bills are hosting the New England Patriots in Week 5 and we’ll get to see an old friend during the date. Stefon Diggs, a major factor in the emergence of the Bills as an NFL powerhouse, is wearing different shades of red and blue these days.

When he lines up against the Bills in his Patriots uniform, I hope Buffalo has a plan to account for him. Let’s take a look at his recent play…

---

Quality of competition​

Quality of competition is the name of the game for these opponent previews. Even when I focus on a single player though, we shouldn’t ignore their teammates. It was 3rd & 9 and Drake Maye was locked onto Stefon Diggs the entire way. On his end, Diggs ran short of the sticks and immediately turned for the ball. He immediately turned, but the ball isn’t waiting for him. As a result, the defenders closed in and stopped this short of the first down.

It’s a risky play design even if executed to perfection and Maye was a hair late on the delivery. Diggs had a chance with the ball coming out quicker but the delay sank it. It’s not just Diggs that’s a factor, some of this analysis will by design flirt with other aspects of the Patriots.

---

Catch and run​

We’re used to seeing this. Stefon Diggs has always had fantastic brakes. The defender was playing to respect the route. When the route stopped, it was too late. Diggs gained RAC afterwards and easily converted. I also used to like pointing out how he was good at avoiding the big hits and that’s still true from the look of things.

---

Zone killer​

Diggs knew the zone was going to be wide open and looked back in hopes the ball was coming his way. It did, and Diggs easily found yards between defenders. This looks like an insane gap by the defense, but after years of watching this angle I’ll go on record and say these exist more often than you might think. There’s skill in getting the ball at the right spot and time.

---

Missed opportunity​

This has such big-play potential if executed. With just the catch, it’d be a first down. As it looks like it was intended, Diggs’ route carried him to the sideline and then up-field where a lead blocker was waiting to help spring the last block. The Patriots had the right play call at the right time. They just needed better play.

---

Twister​

That looks a little familiar too. I’ve pretty sure I’ve seen that happen. Diggs can still plant and pivot and at this high of a level. I expect we’ll put someone with great athleticism on Diggs.

---

Highlight reel​

I prefer to end on fun notes for these articles and this is pretty fun.

---

The Final Straw​

I’m not going to fib here and tell everyone that Diggs is as elite as he ever was. His sojourn to other teams took him away from our spotlight for long enough where we didn’t see his talent waning. He’s still a threat though, with the second-most targets on the Patriots and the most yards. Expect New England to test Buffalo with Diggs.

Source: https://www.buffalorumblings.com/buffalo-bills-analysis-all-22/117500/stefon-diggs-is-still-a-threat

 

[Buffalo Bills]

Referee Preview: Biceps Incoming

A big AFC East rivalry will be renewed during Sunday Night Football in Week 5, with the Buffalo Bills hosting the New England Patriots for one final clash at the original Highmark Stadium. To mark the occasion, the Bills will roll out their new NFL/Nike Rivals uniforms for the first time, with whiteout conditions expected to blanket the evening air around Maye.

This week, referee Shawn Hochuli and his crew will brave the early October conditions in Western New York, and also the wrath from a crowed set to “whiteout.” That’s right, the son of the man whose biceps are the stuff of NFL legend will put his own arms on display Sunday evening.

The younger and now also veteran Hochuli has called 61 total flags this season, which is tied for fourth-most among officials in the league. Hochuli’s arms got in a lot of work in his last game officiating the Los Angeles Chargers against the New York Giants — a game where he called 22 total penalties.

Interestingly, in Hochuli’s other three games this season he’s called exactly 13 penalties each. Last season, neither the Bills nor the Patriots played a game that was officiated by Hochuli.

There’s nothing really out of the ordinary when it comes to the kind of penalties Hochuli and his crew calls. The leading one is offensive holding (called 11 times) followed by false starts (nine calls). Now he does call
defensive offside a bit (seven), which could just be a coincidence or maybe it’s something his crew focuses on. One last thing worth mentioning is that the away teams in three out of four games with Hochuli’s crew were called for more penalties than the home team.

Source: https://www.buffalorumblings.com/bu...all-22/117512/referee-preview-biceps-incoming

 

[Buffalo Bills]

Buffalo Bills put rookie CB Dorian Strong on IR

The Buffalo Bills drafted two cornerbacks in the 2025 NFL Draft: one in the first round and one in the sixth. Now they are both on Injured Reserve (IR).

Ahead of Sunday night’s AFC East game with the New England Patriots, the Bills announced that rookie Dorian Strong was being placed on IR. Strong, who has been a great boundary cornerback, splitting time with veteran Tre’Davious White, first popped up on the injury report for Thursday.

There has been absolutely no information about when, how, or to what extent he suffered the neck injury he’s listed with. On Friday morning, head coach Sean McDermott announced that he had already ruled the rookie out for Sunday, and a little more than 24 hours later he was taken off the active roster.

The 6’1” cornerback had two tackles in Week 1 when he started in place of the injured White. He continued to rotate into the lineup despite White’s return the following week and picked up three more tackles over the next two weeks before recording four solo takedowns in Buffalo’s Week 4 win over the New Orleans Saints.

Now Strong won’t be available to the Bills until Week 10. A trip to IR means a mandatory out for four games. Buffalo plays two games and then has a bye in Week 7. That means that Strong’s practice window can’t be opened until at least November 3.

The Bills started the season with first-round draft pick Maxwell Hairston on IR with an LCL injury. While they designated him to return, meaning they could open his practice window on September 29, Buffalo has not yet returned Hairston to practice. There have been videos this week of the rookie working with athletic trainers as he tries to get ready to make his NFL debut.

With both Hairston and Strong temporarily off the roster, Buffalo has just Ja’Marcus Ingram playing behind both White and Christian Benford. Technically, they have Brandon Codrington, but at 5’9” his primary usage is as a punt/kick returner, not as a pass defender.

Hairston could return soon, but he has no experience having missed all but the first week of training camp. Last week, McDermott warned that expectations need to be managed as to how quickly or not the rookie will adapt to the speed and intensity of the NFL. However, the fact that the Bills filled Strong’s roster spot with a linebacker, Jimmy Ciarlo, might be a telling factor that they do expect to get their 2025 first-round draft pick on the field soon.

The Bills really could be looking at playing the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 9 with Benford, an aging Tre’Davious White, and a rookie playing his first ever NFL game on the boundaries.

Source: https://www.buffalorumblings.com/bu...ffalo-bills-put-rookie-cb-dorian-strong-on-ir

 

[Buffalo Bills]

Buffalo Bills live updates: Highlights from the Patriots game in Week 5

The Buffalo Bills are looking to improve to 5-0 this week at Highmark Stadium against their old AFC East rival – the New England Patriots. The last time the Bills started 5-0 was back in 1991, a year which would see them finish with a 13-3 record and advance to Super Bowl XXVI.

While the Bills have won four straight home games against New England, QB Drake Maye and his receivers have seemed to be connecting much more as of late. The Patriots defense is also solid enough to make plays and give the Bills a run for their money.

If for some reason you can’t attend tonight’s home game or miss any of the big moments, don’t worry. We will have all of the major highlights right here, in one place.

The Bills’ defense gets the ball right back on a fumble​

Bills get it right back on a fumble!

NEvsBUF on NBC
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/UpvN7AdJLh

— NFL (@NFL) October 6, 2025

The Bills have their first lost fumble since last season​

A miscommunication leads to a turnover and the Patriots take over in Bills territory

NEvsBUF on NBC
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/CrlvubsR8z

— NFL (@NFL) October 6, 2025

Josh Allen makes an insane throw to give the Bills some breathing room​

Josh Allen my gawd .. Not many QBs who can make this throw pic.twitter.com/G2UbhknnVm

— alex brasky (@alexbrasky) October 6, 2025

Gregory Rousseau gets a huge sack on Drake Maye​

GREG ROUSSEAU BRINGS TO BOOM ON DRAKE MAYE! pic.twitter.com/tJ2cC8gMYw

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) October 6, 2025

It’s a White Out in Buffalo​

I love this place #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/rSr9N51FJr

— Del Reid (@DelReid) October 6, 2025

Source: https://www.buffalorumblings.com/bu...s-highlights-from-the-patriots-game-in-week-5

 

[Buffalo Bills]

Bills play mostly awful football in Week 5 loss to Patriots

There are those who will preach the benefit of a good humbling. In the right setting, it can be a magical pivot point to rally around. Regarding the awful performance by the Buffalo Bills in Week 5, the hope is that they’ve been properly humbled and ready to put the poor play behind them.

As a fan of the Bills, you have plenty of reasons to be upset at the team’s performance. I said in the second-half open thread that we’d just witnessed some of the worst football played in ages — perhaps dating back to that Browns punt game the team then decided to use a still from as marketing materials for season tickets.

What follows is critical, so before that I want to acknowledge the game Dalton Kincaid played. His first 100-yard receiving game, and he was clutch every time Allen needed a play. That’s a good sign for the future, and all outside observers have been asking for the last two seasons. To their credit, the offense also put together a great opening drive of the second half. They looked like a completely different team than the one that ran into the tunnel. But there are concerns that should no longer go excused.

Grizzled veterans of Bills Mafia understand that the better team doesn’t always win. But can one clearly state that Buffalo was the better team tonight? Quarterback, without a doubt. Tonight wasn’t Josh Allen’s best game, but that wasn’t all his fault. Allen did throw an awful interception that took away at least three points in the second half, and led to a Patriots touchdown on the ensuring drive. We can’t know for sure how things play out if that play never happens, but we know that three points would have helped.

When the offense struggles as it did Sunday night, Allen must play his best football. He often does, but it’s rare that he’s playing against his former BFF in Stefon Diggs. It seemed pretty clear to me that Diggs was in Buffalo’s collective head for his return to Highmark Stadium. Diggs, had an incredible game, but that’s nothing out of the ordinary.

It’s evident just how much this game meant to Diggs, who went off for 10 catches (12 targets) for 146 yards. In his postgame, he claimed it was personal — this, after all the evidence pointed to Diggs forcing the Bills hand to trade him away from One Bills Drive. His comments make for good postgame reporting, but it’s time for Allen and company to move past Diggs. Until they do so, this will cloud every game plan involving him.

The plan moving forward can’t be to show everyone they don’t need Stefon Diggs. Doing that proved just how much they do still need him. How many times is Josh Allen going to look downfield and find wide receivers who aren’t open, and not looking back to get open for him? That made me wonder if Allen felt a Hail Mary on the last play was fruitless. Otherwise, why not throw it up for a 50/50 that might just get a defensive pass interference call?

Whether due to New England’s doing or offensive coordinator Joe Brady’s game plan, the Bills did not field a dominant run game most of the night. There will be those who pull out stats and say it’s unfair to claim this or that about tonight’s effort, but stats hardly ever tell the entire story. Cook carried 15 times, but for just 49 yards. He was a non-factor in the passing game, a curious development that even NBC analyst Chris Collinsworth called out early in the first half.

Buffalo’s defense was once again pretty ineffective throughout chunks of the game, mostly in the second half. Did defensive coordinator Bobby Babich really have no solution to counter Drake Maye’s continual exit-right move?

To their credit the defense held New England to three points in the first half despite Buffalo’s offensive turnovers. The also proved capable of making plays in key moments, specifically to open the game, and then again forcing a punt to give Allen and the offense the ball back late with a chance to take the lead.

As he’s done so often, Allen put on his cape after the defense rose to the challenge, but then self-inflicted errors came back around once the Bills were in the red zone. A long pass to Keon Coleman that was caught (incomplete) beyond the end zone instead of taking sure yards underneath to move the chains.

Then, a truly egregious miss by that crew of Shawn Hoculi’s. After spending an entire game calling close to two dozen flags, none thrown on a third-down incomplete pass to Khalil Shakir where cornerback Christian Gonzales sure appeared to make early contact. No replay was shown before going to commercial, and nothing was mentioned about the play the rest of the game.

Before continuing, I’m not suggesting the Bills lost because of officiating. I’m not adverse to calling officials out, but they didn’t decide tonight’s game. Buffalo played awful, sloppy, careless football too long and much too often to overcome any adversity otherwise.

Carrying on… a look here, below, if you’re anxious for another:

I dunno. Looks like Gonzalez got there a LITTLE early on Shakir pic.twitter.com/yLcyJxmieN

— Circling The Wagons Podcast (@CTWpod) October 6, 2025

Par for the course with an officiating crew that found excuse to call 19 combined penalties, nervous to play too big of a role late in action.

Then later, just before the two-minute warning bell rung, Maye again escaped right, chased by defensive tackle DaQuan Jones. What appeared to be a sack by Jones was instead a crazy completion to Diggs. Yet it sure looked as though Maye’s leg was on the turf, specifically his shin, before throwing the ball. With that play coming just as the clock hit 2:00, there was never an option for head coach Sean McDermott to throw a challenge flag.

Still, it’s curious that the league office didn’t initiate a review during commercial, and upon returning from the break, NBC only showed the play from above Maye’s legs. I don’t envy Skarekrow’s work covering penalties/non-calls this week.

All told, this was beyond frustrating to watch. It was also very familiar, as the Bills seem to lack the requisite killer instinct superior teams need to use. It took a football miracle for Buffalo to win in Week 1 against the Baltimore Ravens. They slept through the first half against the New York Jets in Week 2, then allowed the Miami Dolphins an opportunity to try and steal a win late into the fourth quarter in Week 3. Then, there was the Week 4 effort against the New Orleans Saints, where they, too, had a real chance to get one in the W column before ultimately losing to the Bills.

Four wins against four teams that had yet to win a game. Then here, in Week 5, an opponent that had tasted victory and probably found opportunity in preparing for the game. Buffalo wasn’t going undefeated en route to laying waste to all in the playoffs. That’s unrealistic in the parity-driven world of NFL football.

If the Bills don’t get their act together, this promising start will have been for nothing. There are too many question marks on defense, too many key injuries and unknown return schedules for players the Buffalo chose to count on heavily in 2025. I suspect that most would have signed up for a 4-1 start by the Bills this season, likely expecting a loss to the Ravens in Week 1. Do opinions change now, with that loss coming at home to New England?

To be clear, the season isn’t over, and they didn’t lose their grip of first place in the AFC East. The Patriots are hungry, and that should motivate a team in Buffalo that clearly needs a kick in the right direction. Did this loss wake them up? Fingers crossed that’s the case.

Source: https://www.buffalorumblings.com/bu...tly-awful-football-in-week-5-loss-to-patriots

 

[Buffalo Bills]

Chiefs vs. Jaguars ‘MNF’ Week 5 open thread

Week 5 of NFL action comes to a close tonight with the 3-1 Jacksonville Jaguars hosting the 2-2 Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football. Prior to last week, much had been made about KC’s demise in 2025. Now, there are those who believe whatever ailed the Chiefs has been corrected, and that they’re well on their way to another Super Bowl run.

That for sure delights Bills Mafia, a fan base that certainly has little to no distaste for all things connected to Arrowhead Stadium. When it comes to these Chiefs, there’s almost never a game Bills fans find reason to cheer them to victory. But what do Buffalo’s Week 5 rooting interests reveal about tonight’s matchup?

In truth, the Bills would do better with an early season Chiefs win simply because the 3-1 Jaguars were just one game behind Buffalo in the AFC standings entering Week 5, while KC at 2-2 was two behind. With a Bills loss on Sunday, it’s even more important for them to have Jacksonville lose, even if that means the Chiefs gain some ground. Should the Jags win, they’d pull even with a 4-1 record, while the Chiefs drop to 2-3. It’s not an ideal scenario either way, but Buffalo only has themselves to thank for the scenarios at play tonight.

The Bills currently hold the two seed in the AFC, and that’s the most important seed to consider in this equation for Week 5. With that, here’s your open thread for Monday Night Football. As always, be kind to one another — and in all things… go Bills!

Source: https://www.buffalorumblings.com/bu...7875/chiefs-vs-jaguars-mnf-week-5-open-thread

 

[Buffalo Bills]

AFC Playoff Picture: Buffalo Bills the only preseason contenders not turning into pretenders

Yes, the Buffalo Bills lost to the New England Patriots this weekend. They are 4-1 and in second place in the AFC. But they are still sitting pretty all thing considered and in charge of their own destiny.

You can’t say the same for the other preseason favorites in the AFC.

The defending AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs lost on Monday night to fall to 2-3 on the year, a game back plus a tiebreaker in their own division. They control their own destiny to the AFC West crown, but the path looks more difficult each week. The path gets no easier in Week 6 as they host the Detroit Lions.

The Baltimore Ravens fell to 1-4 after a dismal showing against the Texans this week. They have a laundry list of injuries and we don’t know when Lamar Jackson will be back or if that will be too late. The Cincinnati Bengals were 2-0 and on top of the world when Joe Burrow sprained his toe. They are 0-3 since and Burrow is still set to be out a long time. The Pittsburgh Steelers are 3-1 despite being 25th in yards per play on offense and 26th in yards per play allowed on defense.

Then we come to the AFC South, where the Houston Texans were the preseason favorite. Their offensive line was always a question mark and they sit 2-3 heading into Week 6. The Indianapolis Colts and Jacksonville Jaguars are tied atop the division at 4-1.

AFC playoff standings after Week 5​

1. Indianapolis Colts (4-1, 4-0 AFC)
2. Buffalo Bills (4-1, 3-1 AFC)
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1)
4. Los Angeles Chargers (3-2)
5. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-1, (2-1 AFC)
6. Denver Broncos (3-2)
7. New England Patriots (3-2)
8. Cincinnati Bengals (2-3)
9. Houston Texans (2-3)
10. Kansas City Chiefs (2-3)
11. Las Vegas Raiders (1-4)
12. Baltimore Ravens (1-4)
13. Miami Dolphins (1-4)
14. Cleveland Browns (1-4)
15. Tennessee Titans (1-4)
16. New York Jets (0-5)

AFC East standings heading into Week 6​

The only winless team in the NFL is the Jets, and they play the Broncos this week, who just knocked off the defending Super Bowl champs. Are we on 0-17 watch?

The struggling Miami Dolphins host the Los Angeles Chargers, and normally a West Coast team coming for a 1 PM Eastern kickoff could be grounds for a potential upset.

The 3-2 Patriots travel to the Big Easy to take on the New Orleans Saints, but the Saints just picked up their first win.

Meanwhile the Bills are in Atlanta for a Monday night game. The Falcons have had their bye week to get themselves turned around. We will see what they look like.

1. Buffalo Bills (4-1)
2. New England Patriots (3-2)
3. Miami Dolphins (1-4)
4. New York Jets (0-5)

Source: https://www.buffalorumblings.com/bu...season-contenders-not-turning-into-pretenders

 

[Buffalo Bills]

Buffalo Rumblinks, 10/8: Why was Keon Coleman benched to start the Patriots game?

Many Buffalo Bills fans were curious when second-year wide receiver Keon Coleman was not on the field at the start of Buffalo’s home Sunday Night Football clash vs. the New England Patriots.

Today’s edition of Buffalo Rumblinks leads off by hearing why head coach Sean McDermott opted to keep one of Josh Allen’s top weapons on the sidelines for the team’s prime time clash vs. their AFC East rivals.

Why was WR Keon Coleman benched for beginning of New England game?​

On Monday, head coach Sean McDermott revealed that second-year wideout Keon Coleman was benched for disciplinary reasons stemming from something he did during the days leading up to the game. In what McDermott described as “head coach discipline,” McDermott kept Coleman on the sidelines for Buffalo’s first drive, which ended when tight end Dawson Knox bobbled a handoff and fumbled the ball away.

“Well, we expect more,” McDermott said when asked by reporters if he was disappointed by Coleman’s actions. “And he has shown growth this year. He has. We’re looking for more consistency.”

It’s not the first time Coleman has been punished by McDermott for disciplinary reasons. Last year, Coleman was benched at the start of the team’s Week 3 home game vs. the Jacksonville Jaguars after being late for a team function.

Credit:Getty ImagesORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 5: Keon Coleman #0 of the Buffalo Bills reacts after a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the New England Patriots at Highmark Stadium on October 5, 2025 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)

• Disciplinary reasons cost Keon Coleman snaps on Bills’ opening drive in Week 5 – Buffalo News (subscription required)
• Why Buffalo Bills WR was benched right before team’s first loss of the season – newyorkupstate.com
• Bills benched WR Coleman for disciplinary reasons – ESPN.com Buffalo Bills blog
• Bills benched WR Keon Coleman for series vs. Patriots for disciplinary reasons – The Athletic (subscription required)
• Bills coach says he benched struggling WR to start Patriots game over disciplinary issue – Democrat & Chronicle

The Bills remain a consensus Top 3 team​

The Bills had company on Sunday in falling from the ranks of the undefeated, as earlier in the day, the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles suffered their first loss, to the Denver Broncos. While the Bills fell slightly among most of the power rankings, they remain a consensus top three team in the NFL heading into Week 6.

• NFL Week 6 Power Rankings: 1-32 team poll, plus the biggest fantasy surprise from every roster – ESPN.com
• Where the Bills sit in NFL power rankings, expert opinions after tough loss to Patriots – Democrat & Chronicle
• NFL Week 6 Power Rankings: Eagles’, Bills’ losses mean new No. 1; Baker, Bucs on the rise – The Athletic (subscription required)
• NFL Power Rankings, Week 6: Lions leapfrog Bills and Eagles to claim No. 1 – NFL.com
• NFL Power Rankings entering Week 6: Are the Buccaneers good, or just lucky? – Yahoo! Sports
• PFT’s Week 6 2025 NFL power rankings – NBC Sports
• NFL Power Rankings: Chiefs Tumble After Falling Under .500 – Sports Illustrated
• NFL power rankings Week 6: Who’s No. 1 following losses by Eagles, Bills, Chiefs? – USA Today
• NFL Power Rankings Week 6: Eagles and Bills drop, Lions climb higher – Yahoo! Sports
• NFL Power Rankings, Week 6: Lions rise, the Jets sink and parity rules – CBS Sports
• 2025 NFL Power Rankings Week 6: Eagles, Bills Make Way for New Number One – Fox Sports
• NFL Power Rankings for Week 6: Two usual heavyweights are tumbling – New York Post
• B/R Experts Week 6 NFL Power Rankings – Bleacher Report
• 2025 NFL Power Rankings Entering Week 6 – FanDuel

Injury updates on LB Matt Milano, DB Dorian Strong, DT Ed Oliver​

Starting linebacker Matt Milano re-aggravated his pectoral muscle during Sunday night’s loss to the Patriots and is considered “week-to-week,” according to Sean McDermott. Meanwhile, rookie defensive back Dorian Strong, who was placed on the injured reserve last week, is going to see a specialist about his neck injury.

• Matt Milano week-to-week with pectoral injury – WGR 550
• Bills LB Matt Milano ‘week to week’ after re-aggravating pec injury, CB Dorian Strong (neck) to see specialist – BuffaloBills.com
• Matt Milano’s ‘Groundhog Day’ nightmare continues to haunt Buffalo Bills’ defense – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
• Bills vs. Falcons injury update: Buffalo linebacker has only finished one game this year – Democrat & Chronicle
• Bills injuries: LB Matt Milano (pec) out again, DT Ed Oliver ‘hopeful’ to return this week – WIVB

Even more Bills news​

Final thoughts on Buffalo’s humbling loss to New England; plus, what lessons can we learn about the Bills from their snap counts from Week 4; Buffalo is bringing back a familiar face at both linebacker and cornerback as depth on the practice squad; and does offensive coordinator Joe Brady think his team got “too cute” in the loss to New England.

• Carucci Take2: Bills’ ‘White Out’ becomes flurry of mistakes – WGRZ
• Further Review podcast: Inconsistencies bring Bills undefeated streak to an end – Buffalo News (subscription required)
• Dan Orlovsky: Biggest Takeaways From Loss To The Patriots, Looking Ahead To The Falcons – BuffaloBills.com
• Five takeaways from Buffalo Bills’ Week 5 snap counts – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
• Bills sign linebacker Baylor Spector and cornerback Jalen Kimber to practice squad – BuffaloBills.com
• Bills re-adding injury insurance with intimate knowledge of Sean McDermott’s system – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
• Buffalo Bills bolster CB position with signing of another familiar face – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
• Bills notebook: Joe Brady weighs in on if team is ‘too cute’; Samuel carves out role – Buffalo News (subscription required)

Buffalo Bills articles recently featured on Buffalo Rumblings​

• Self-inflicted wounds doom Bills against Patriots – Buffalo Rumblings
• Josh Allen, Bills’ offense didn’t cut it vs. Patriots in Week 5 – Buffalo Rumblings
• Bills’ injury situation following Week 5 loss to Patriots – Buffalo Rumblings
• Buffalo Bills the only preseason contenders not turning into pretenders – Buffalo Rumblings

Source: https://www.buffalorumblings.com/bu...on-coleman-benched-to-start-the-patriots-game

 

[Buffalo Bills]

Buffalo Bills Week 6 NFL power rankings roundup

The Buffalo Bills finally lost a game, joining every other previously unbeaten team to finally experience defeat in Week 5. Buffalo’s offense looked out of sorts all night, and committed too many costly turnovers to overcome late in action. The team’s string of 30-point-plus games came to an end, as did running back James Cook’s streak of 100-yard games, and more significantly his touchdown-streak came to an end in game 10.

It was a costly loss to an AFC East opponent looking to get back on top, but the Bills are probably still the best team in the AFC until records and direct matchups prove things otherwise. That said, Buffalo did drop in several of this week’s power rankings, while some left them were they were from last week (a sign that overreactions aren’t warranted yet).

There are plenty of questions to ask about this year’s Bills, from play calling to on-field personnel, and coaching decisions. Buffalo needs to continue taking advantage of a softer schedule while they have it, a true opportunity to correct mistakes that should be remedied by the time November rolls around.

The Bills still haven’t played a complete game, yet even in their ugliest outing it took a field goal in the final seconds for the New England Patriots to secure their winning lead.

What does all of that mean in terms of Week 6 power rankings? Let’s dive in, first by taking a look at ESPN’s playoff odds for the Bills in four key metrics. Buffalo dropped across all four metrics, yet they still retain the best odds in all categories.

The Bills’ odds of making the playoffs now sits at 92% (was 97%); their odds of winning the division are now down t0 just 70% (was 89%); earning a bye in the playoffs dropped to 30% (was 50%); while making it to the Super Bowl dropped to 22% (was 27%).

Moving on to thoughts from national pundits about Buffalo’s loss to New England with a now tidy refrain in this space…

Let’s live in the present and dive into the latest NFL power rankings, passing the mic to hierarchy experts around the country. Ready?
(Week 5 Power Rankings for comparison)

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ESPN: 2 (unchanged from Week 5)​

“Fantasy surprise: TE Dalton Kincaid”

“This could also be running back James Cook, but Kincaid has been the bigger eye-opener. He has a more significant role and the second-most fantasy points among tight ends (66.7 so far this season) after being ranked No. 15 at the position in ESPN Fantasy’s preseason projections. In his third season, Kincaid already has a career high in receiving touchdowns (three) and was targeted six times in three of the five games. A healthy Kincaid and a growing relationship with quarterback Josh Allen are positives for fantasy managers — even in an offense that spreads around the ball.” — Alaina Getzenberg

NFL.com: 3 (down from 2 in Week 5)​

“Having seen the Eagles lose earlier in the day, the Bills knew they had a chance to ascend to the pinnacle of the Edholm rankings. Likely talked about it pregame, too. But alas, playing with their food — something the Bills began to do against Miami and New Orleans — finally cost them. Two first-quarter fumbles and a rough Josh Allen interception ended up being quite harmful, as the Patriots converted those turnovers into 10 points. The Bills took a third-quarter lead, lost it and then tied the game up late, but Allen’s three incomplete passes after cruising into New England territory on that game-tying drive really hurt. The defense couldn’t stop Stefon Diggs in his return to Highmark, and Drake Maye stung the home team late. It was a grounding loss for a team with big dreams.” — Eric Edholm

The Athletic: 4 (down from 2 in Week 5)​

“Who have they beaten? Ravens, Jets, Dolphins, Saints”

“Expectations are rightfully high in Buffalo, but the defense hasn’t played like a Super Bowl unit. Still, without a truly dominant team (yet), the Bills should be just fine as they prepare for yet another prime-time game, their fourth in the first six weeks.” — Josh Kendall / Chad Graff

CBS Sports: 3 (down from 2 in Week 5)​

“They haven’t played as well as expected this season, despite the 4-1 record. The offense lacks the big plays down the field.” — Pete Prisco

Sports Illustrated: 2 (unchanged from Week 5)​

“I’m not sure about you, but I have a newfound amount of respect for Josh Allen, who appears to call an opponent a horrible name, but does so after he removes the helmet protecting him from any real consequences. He may have gotten himself into trouble by rumbling into needless run situations against a Patriots team that was equipped to handle it defensively, but that may just be his style. ” — Conor Orr

On SI: 2 (unchanged from Week 5)​

“As goes Josh Allen, so go the Bills. The cyborg-like dual-threat quarterback has the ability to impact a game’s outcome arguably more than any other player in the NFL. The Bills scored 30-plus points each of their first four outings before falling victim to three giveaways, including a costly Allen interception in the red zone, against the Patriots on Sunday night in Week 5.” — Ralph Ventre, Buffalo Bills On SI

Pro Football Talk: 4 (down from 2 in Week 5)​

“They still have more than a few flaws that can turn fatal in January.” — Mike Florio

USA Today: 2 (unchanged from Week 5)​

“Perhaps they haven’t beaten anyone of note aside from a fully healthy Ravens squad on opening night. But Sunday night’s loss was uncharacteristic, insomuch as Buffalo’s three giveaways cost them the turnover battle for the first time since the 2023 regular-season finale. A two-game road swing (Atlanta, Carolina) through the NFC South should be therapeutic.” — Nate Davis

FOX Sports: 4 (down from 2 in Week 5)​

“They’ve looked just OK this season, but their four wins have come against teams that are a combined 3-17. The Patriots were the best team they’ve played so far and they stopped running back James Cook cold. Could the AFC East be an actual race?” — Ralph Vacchiano

Pressbox: 4 (down from 2 in Week 5)​

“As bad as it was for the Bills, it was definitely worse for this gentleman (guy who ran off with the football), who I’m guessing had a warrant out for his arrest.” — Glenn Clark

Bleacher Report: 3 (down from 2 Week 5)​

“Buffalo has new competition in the AFC East. With the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets floundering, the Patriots proved they can now go toe-to-toe with the Josh Allen-led Bills.

After winning five straight division titles, Sean McDermott’s squad should not look at Sunday night’s outcome as a fluke. The Patriots found ways to slow the Bills offense and not allow Allen to beat them.

Buffalo remains the most talented team in the division, but the team is no longer undefeated. The victory means far more to the Patriots, who are trying to build something under head coach Mike Vrabel. Whereas, the Bills still have much higher aspirations.

Still, these two teams meet again in two months. Buffalo will need to send a message then.” — Brent Sobleski

Sportsnaut: 3 (down from 2 in Week 5)​

“The defense remains an issue for the Buffalo Bills. After New England’s first three drives resulted in 53 total yards and a lost fumble, it followed that up with 23 points and 285 total yards on the next seven drives. Buffalo will clean up its own turnovers, and it had three costly ones on Sunday Night Football, but that Bills’ defense is the team’s biggest issue.” — Matt Johnson

The Sporting News: 3 (down from 2 in Week 5)​

“The Bills had been on cruise control since the wild comeback vs. the Ravens at home. Their schedule has been favorable until they got bit by a game, gritty division rival in the New England Patriots. Now they have more work than expected to win the AFC East.” — Vinnie Iyer

Touchdown Wire: 3 (down from 2 in Week 5)​

“Like Icarus flying too close to the sun, the Bills’ undefeated start and ascent to second place in these rankings last week was too much too quickly. Now, after a loss to a divisional rival in the Patriots (who may also deserve a reevaluation), the Bills have dropped a spot – when all it would have taken would have been a win to claim the top spot.” — Joe Smith

New York Post: 3 (down from 1 in Week 5)​

“Three turnovers were too much to overcome in a 23-20 loss to the Patriots, who ended a four-game skid in Orchard Park, N.Y. Josh Allen, who had an interception and a lost fumble, led a 10-point fourth-quarter comeback, but the Patriots snapped a tie on Andres Borregales’ 52-yard field goal with 20 seconds remaining.” — Ryan Dunleavy

NFL Spin Zone: 1 (unchanged from Week 5)​

“The loss against the New England Patriots at home was bad, but the Buffalo Bills are probably still the best team in the AFC right now, but you could convince me that another team is deserving of that title. Buffalo does have an easier schedule this year and should be able to win 13 or 14 games, perhaps locking up the top seed in the AFC playoffs. Buffalo is trying to get over the hump in the postseason, something they have not done in the Josh Allen era. Could 2025 finally be the year?” — Lou Scataglia

Also from Lou Scataglia…
Ranking 4-1 NFL teams: 3rd out of four

“Buffalo took a bad loss at home against the New England Patriots, and that is huge in their quest to capture the AFC East title yet again, as New England is now 3-2 on the season, and second-year QB Drake Maye is playing out of his mind. The Bills should be fine, but the defense is nothing special, so that could end up being their primary weakness most of the season.” — Lou Scataglia

Head coach rankings: 10 – Sean McDermott

“A bad loss against the New England Patriots is not nothing. Sean McDermott and the Buffalo Bills probably just want to fast-forward to the postseason, but they have to win the AFC East first. Buffalo is a nicely-run operation, but they do have some weakneses on the defensive side of the ball that need talked about, and they really do not feel like a Super Bowl-caliber team at all.” — Lou Scataglia

Yahoo! Sports: 2 (down from 1 in Week 5)​

“The Bills have played at less than their best for long stretches of four games. They came back against the Ravens and held off the Dolphins and Saints, but finally lost to the Patriots. They’re a good team. But they need to find more consistency.” — Frank Schwab

FanDuel Research: 1 (unchanged from Week 5)​

(All NFL odds come from FanDuel Sportsbook.)

— Annie Nader

“The Rich Eisen Show”: 3 (down from 2 in Week 5)​

Computer Cowboy: 4 (down from 1 last week)​

Week 5 Objective NFL Power Rankings

If your power ranking doesn't still have the Chiefs in the top 5, are you even trying?

(note: Rams too high here because they play the no-Lamar Ravens next) pic.twitter.com/DJVv2SBuTx

— Computer Cowboy (@benbbaldwin) October 8, 2025

Will the Bills learn all they can from their first loss, and properly put it to bed so they can take care of business in Atlanta? We’ll find out late Monday night.

Source: https://www.buffalorumblings.com/bu...ffalo-bills-week-6-nfl-power-rankings-roundup

 

[Buffalo Bills]

Buffalo Bills need to find momentum

How the heck did the Buffalo Bills lose to the New England Patriots on Sunday Night Football? Was it the turnovers? Sure. Was it the inability to shut down Stefon Diggs and Drake Maye? Yup. I could go on, but there’s a more universal answer.

The Buffalo Bills lost their momentum early and couldn’t get it back.

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Momentum isn’t real Skare​

Many fans who steer toward logic over emotion sneer at the idea of “momentum.” Some even call it fiction. I’ve heard it said that if you can’t measure it or define it, then it doesn’t exist. You’re in luck, I’ll define it below, but first I have an example for you. Football as a sport has momentum shifts, but it’s not typically so clear as to fully prove its existence. So let’s turn for a moment to my other favorite sport, volleyball.

Both of my daughters played the sport (youngest still does) and in volleyball, momentum is so glaring as to be undeniable. I already intended to write this, but as luck would have it I was gifted a perfect example in Week 5. For those unfamiliar, volleyball is divided into sets rather than time limits. Each set is usually played to 25 points, and teams compete to win the best of five sets. Games can be over in three sets if a team sweeps them.

My daughter’s team has been kicking butt this year. In a recent matchup, they won the first two sets easily, not allowing the other team to reach double digits in points. The third set though was where momentum loss reared it’s ugly head. Mistake after mistake. The entire team. At one point, the other team was ahead 22-20. Then her team took a time out, reset, and found their momentum. They won 25-23.

Defining “momentum”​

Despite my usual leaning toward logic rather than emotion when it comes to fandom, you might now know I have a background in psychology. If you use “momentum” to mean some sort of cosmic force that shifts like a changing wind, then I actually agree with momentum cynics. That’s not a thing. If you instead are a fan of behavioral sciences, then momentum becomes very easy to define and yes, I could measure it if I wanted to.

For me, momentum is defined as the impact of the current emotional and psychological state of a team or athlete on their performance. I guarantee you we’ve all seen it and lived it. Frustration, anger, self-doubt, fear, and many other conditions can lead to an impact on performance and a dive in momentum.

Momentum can be a fickle thing. Some people can harness emotions like anger and perform at an even higher level. Some people completely falter when even a little mad. Momentum can be something that’s isolated to one person. Or momentum can be as infectious as a yawn.

Wait. It sounds like you just mean “confidence?” Nope. Not at all. I’ve known many confident people who lose momentum due to some other emotional or psychological well running dry at the wrong time. Do you think for a second that Josh Allen lost his confidence on Sunday night? I don’t. I do think he lost his momentum at times though. So let’s bring this back to the Buffalo Bills.

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Momentum sunk the Bills​

You can pull out of a momentum tailspin, which we’ve seen Buffalo do. Why not this time? They almost did, which is great news. That said, momentum is not caused by a single event, but it can be impacted by events in-game. When Allen lost the football thanks to the botched snap/handoff to Dawson Knox it wasn’t a death knell for Buffalo. Crap happens. Everyone knows that.

No, that wasn’t enough to rock the mental/emotional boat enough to lose momentum for the entire team. Remember my yawn analogy? The very next snap the Bills’ defense created a turnover of their own. It’s reasonable to think that any damage done by the turnover was likely immediately fixed.

Soon after the Bills gave up the ball again. Every good play was seemingly wiped out by a penalty. I could go on, but we all watched the game. Like my daughter’s team having to claw back a win over a team they had dominated just minutes before, a few miscues introduced frustration and doubt. That led to more miscues, and suddenly the team was reeling.

The [school name redacted] [mascot name redacted] were able to clear their head and play to their potential in time to secure the win. The Buffalo Bills couldn’t this time.

Source: https://www.buffalorumblings.com/buffalo-bills-opinion/117889/buffalo-bills-need-to-find-momentum

 

[Buffalo Bills]

The Buffalo Bills injury list keeps growing ahead of Week 6

The daily injury report out of Orchard Park, NY just keeps growing. But it wasn’t all bad news for the Buffalo Bills as they started preparations for their Week 6 Monday Night Football date with the Atlanta Falcons.

Let’s start with the good news: quarterback Josh Allen is not on this list. Allen looked to be in pain Sunday night as he limped around in the second half of Sunday night’s loss to the New England Patriots. Head coach Sean McDermott didn’t mention the MVP’s name during the portion of his Monday afternoon press conference when he ran through the list of players seeking medical attention this week. When pressed about Allen, and also tight end Dalton Kincaid who had appeared to injure a hand in Sunday’s loss, the Bills’ head coach simply said that they were dealing with soreness.

However, while Allen was not on the injury list – and neither was center Conner McGovern who left the game briefly with a hand injury – Dalton Kincaid was. It’s not a hand injury, as some had guessed, that is ailing the Bills third year tight end but an oblique injury. Kincaid was limited, but an oblique injury is not ideal – remember January 2021 with Stefon Diggs playing through an oblique injury? or 2023 with Christian Benford going on Injured Reserve with the same injury? Hopefully the injury Kincaid is dealing with is of the minor kind and we will continue to see him on the field.

If Kincaid isn’t a full go this week, it looks like rookie tight end Jackson Hawes is. Hawes landed on last week’s report with an ankle injury but appears to have recovered as has right tackle Spencer Brown who missed Week 4 and played in Week 5 with a calf injury.

The other good news is that both defensive tackle Ed Oliver and linebacker Dorian Williams were practicing. The pair was limited, but they were out there doing work. That’s great news since their defensive partners (T.J. Sanders and Matt Milano) were not.

Also limited on Thursday were safeties Taylor Rapp and Damar Hamlin. While Hamlin is dealing with a pectoral injury, Rapp has a nose injury. There are a lot of questions circulating about how a nose injury could limit practice – and plenty of reminders that Josh Allen returned to play in a game in which he broke his nose. While I have no more information than anyone else, I can tell you that if the game in which Allen broke his nose had been a practice, he wouldn’t have continued and he would have been listed as “limited” because he participated in a portion of the day’s activities. So, it’s entirely possible that Rapp was injured in practice and we will be back tomorrow. It’s also just as possible that he won’t be (taking a page from McDermott and the non-committal answers here).

Wide receiver Curtis Samuel has found his way back to the daily injury reports, somewhere he’s spent a lot of times since arriving in Buffalo two summers ago. This time for Samuel it’s a combination of neck and rib injuries. Samuel was joined by left tackle Dion Dawkins who also made his first appearance on the injury list this season. The Bills’ left tackle is dealing with a thumb injury.

The bad news – other than the pectoral injury Matt Milano tried to play through was made worse and now has him back to being inactive and that T.J. Sanders is still dealing with a knee injury – is that the Bills aren’t activating practice windows for anyone on Injured Reserve. To be honest, it’s not surprising. It’s a 21-day window and after Monday night, the Bills have a week off. It would be a waste of time to bring them back now when they won’t have anyone to practice with for a portion of those 21 days. They can continue working with trainers and staff as they are now.

However, when asked specifically about the possibility of rookie cornerback Maxwell Hairston and kicker Tyler Bass playing at all this season, McDermott’s answer was his typical “we’ll see.” When pressed further, all he would commit to saying is that they are “headed in the right direction.”

So there you have it: the good, the bad, and the usual for the Bills’ daily injury news.

Thursday injury report pic.twitter.com/u4WiYTXTrb

— Buffalo Bills PR (@BuffaloBillsPR) October 9, 2025

Source: https://www.buffalorumblings.com/bu...lls-injury-list-keeps-growing-ahead-of-week-6