NOT only did the Buffalo Bills kick the LA Rams collective ass in LA on 8 SEP 22 (31 to 10) they wiped the field at Rich Stadium (highmark stadium) with the Tennessee Titans last night, 19 SEP 22 (41 to 7). Both these games were just fun to watch because Buffalo plays as a team, not centered on just one person. Rich Stadium ROCKED last night, and all of Western New York, Buffalo and the Niagara Frontier sense this is the year the Bills go to and win the Super Bowl!!!!! AND remember to keep Dane Jackson and his medical team for his complete healing of his injury during the Bills-Titans game.
"We're very grateful to be able to do this" | Bills rally together as a team in light of injuries
When addressing the media following the Bills' 41-7 victory over the Tennessee Titans, head coach Sean McDermott shared that there are things come up in life that are more important than football; that feeling was evident on Monday night.
As several players went down with injuries on both sides, including Bills CB Dane Jackson who had to be taken to the hospital with a neck injury, the raw emotion could be seen from both sides.
"It says a lot about the guys, how much they care about each other," McDermott added. "The game is important and trying to win a game is important, but there are bigger things, especially at that moment when your teammate's down there and just trying to care for him everywhere we could."
"There are a lot of guys on our team that have been going through things, and I'm real proud of the way that they got their mindset where it needed to be at least for three hours tonight because life is real. We're very grateful to be able to do this."
Bills step up as injuries mount
Heading into Monday night's game, the Bills were already without WR Gabe Davis (ankle), DT Tim Settle (calf), and DT Ed Oliver (ankle). And by the time the Bills sealed their 41-7 victory over the Titans, a handful of active players found themselves sidelined.
But the team rallied together to show support for these injured players, while also securing the win.
"It's really hard to win, especially when we've got some guys banged up coming into the game and real proud of the way the guys that filled in stepped up and that's what you have to do through the course of a season," McDermott said. "It's a journey. We lost Gabe on Saturday, and then (Khalil) Shakir steps in, Jake (Kumerow) steps in, and they raise their game and that's what you got to do through the course of the season."
WR Jake Kumerow was called upon in Davis' absence and he contributed with two receptions for 50 receiving yards, the second-highest total behind WR Stefon Diggs. Quarterback Josh Allen shared the team has trust in Kumerow and the QB proved that on a long 42-yard connection with the wide receiver that resulted in a first down.
"Jake made some really good plays for us tonight on third down, early on the game, it was huge," Allen said. "The long run obviously, going in there getting his nose dirty, blocking in the run game."
Early in the first quarter, center Mitch Morse left the field and was taken in for X-rays of his right elbow. Morse eventually returned to the field late in the second half, but Greg Van Roten stepped in at center while Morse was out.
"It just seemed like it was a new player every series, if you will, whether it was Van (Roten), stepping in when Mitch went down," McDermott said. "The thing I love about it is there's no hesitation. I look up and Van is already there, which is awesome."
Later in the first half, Jackson was taken off the field in an ambulance with a neck injury that he suffered on a hit. Once teammates saw him down, they were quick to leave the sideline to be by his side on the field. The team later announced that he will be getting a CT scan and an X-ray, but he has full movement in his extremities.
"It's tough especially because that's one of the guys," Diggs said. "We got a tight-knit group on this team. 30 is my guy. We share the same birthday, so that's my birthday twin. Praying for him. He's going to be alright; we got his back."
With Jackson unable to return, rookies Christian Benford and Kaiir Elam slid in at the two cornerback positions in his place.
"When Dane went down they were both out there, not the whole game, but kind of the rest of the second quarter there and then third, for the most part," McDermott said. "They really embrace that growth mindset. They're working to get better every day. They're coachable. They listen. And they not only listen to their coaches, but they listen to the veterans that are around them."
Injuries to Bills players carried into the second half when LB Matt Milano (stinger), DT Jordan Phillips (hamstring), and Micah Hyde (neck) all left the game early and did not return.
"Prayers going out to Dane and Micah and Big Phil and everybody who took a little tumble tonight," Allen said. "A lot of guys going down in this game and it's a physical game, so prayers up for those guys, and hopefully we can get them back soon."
Next game mindset
To go up 2-0 to start the season is big, especially when beating the defending Super Bowl champions and last year's top seed in the AFC. Bills players said they will enjoy Monday night's win before quickly moving on to their next opponent, the Miami Dolphins.
"Good complementary team win tonight," Allen said. "But anytime you beat a good team, it's hard to win in this league, so we'll enjoy this one and turn our focus to the Dolphins tomorrow."
The Bills are 2-0 heading into next week, but so are the Dolphins. The Bills know that their Week 3 opponent has been playing some good football in the first two weeks of the season, so they're preparing for them to do the same in less than a week.
"We've got a tough game coming up," McDermott said. "Six days, quick turnaround, a 2-0 team in the division down there. They look really strong right now."
In preparation for next Sunday, the team will turn to film from their performance against the Titans to clean up certain areas of the game so they're ready for the next challenge in facing the Dolphins.
"They got a good football team," Diggs said. "They always have a good defense, and that offense has come a long way. They got some real good pieces. They're explosive. It's definitely going to be another test for us. It's in the division, so we got to get a win."
Miller finally gets a real taste of Bills Mafia
LB Von Miller has been familiar with Bills Mafia for a long time, even before joining the team in the offseason. Before Monday night, Miller had played in Buffalo three times during the regular season, but never in a Bills uniform.
Miller shared that those times did not compare to Monday night's feeling of playing and this time, as a Buffalo Bill.
"You hear all the fans talking about, it's going to be crazy, and this and that," Miller said, "And our coaches telling us to make sure we get here early, they did not lie to us."
Miller had high expectations for the atmosphere of the home opener and the fans certainly delivered from kickoff to the final whistle of the night.
"It was loud, Bills Mafia," Miller said. "I'm just so appreciative to be here and we have to celebrate this one tonight. Bills Mafia is good at that, too."
Top 3 things we learned from Bills vs. Rams | Week 1 2022
1 – D-line dominates
There was a heavy investment in Buffalo's defensive line this past offseason. Not only did the Bills sign prized free agent Von Miller, but they also reeled in three big, athletic defensive tackles in DaQuan Jones, Jordan Phillips and Tim Settle. On Thursday night, they along with a trio of young edge rushers dominated the line of scrimmage and rendered the Rams' offense powerless.
In a game where perennial first team All-Pro Aaron Donald and Rams' big name free agent Bobby Wagner each logged a sack apiece, the Bills' defensive line racked up seven sacks and 15 quarterback hits as Matthew Stafford could not develop any rhythm in the passing game.
The seven sacks were the most ever recorded by the Bills in a season opener.
Von Miller and Jordan Phillips led the charge for Buffalo's pass rush. Miller had a pair of sacks with two quarterback hits, which now gives him 10 sacks in 10 career season openers. Meanwhile Phillips notched a sack and a half and three quarterback hits, marking the third multi-sack game in his career, all of which have come with the Bills.
Everybody balled out," said Miller. "We've got a great unit and we've got a great coaching staff as well. Coach (Leslie) Frazier, you know, Coach (Eric) Washington, they do a good job getting us ready to go. I think everybody on the line had a sack today and we had three interceptions. So, it was it was a great day."
2021 draft classmates Greg Rousseau and Boogie Basham logged a sack each. Basham also tipped a pass and then intercepted it for one of Buffalo's three takeaways on the night. And AJ Epenesa had one and a half sacks with four quarterback hits.
"You've got to be able to get there with four and we were able to do that," said head coach Sean McDermott of the pass rush putting heat on the quarterback. "So, I thought it was a great first game for those guys. I thought they did a great job in the run game and then to be able to get after the quarterback like we did down the stretch in particular in the second half I thought was effective"
The sack opportunities were created by Buffalo's ability to stop the run on first down. The Rams rushing attack managed just 52 yards on 18 carries for a 2.9 average.
"Our front four was absolutely just eating," said Jordan Poyer. "We knew on the back end if we just gave them an extra half second and get Stafford to blink, they were going to get there, so they did a hell of a job. Obviously, the addition of Von just makes that group so much better. Greg, Tim (Settle), Jordan Phillips all those men, they just work extremely hard at their craft, and it makes our job easier on the back end."
The Bills became the first team ever to not punt, record three interceptions and seven or more sacks in a single game.
2 – Davis and Diggs deliver back breaking plays
Three first-half turnovers were largely responsible for keeping the game close in the first half as both teams went to the locker room tied at 10. When Buffalo came out in the second half however, they were determined to regain their early 10-point lead and put the game away.
After staging an eight-play, 58-yard scoring drive capped by an Isaiah McKenzie seven-yard touchdown reception to go up 17-10, Josh Allen and Gabe Davis came out of a timeout on 3rd-and-7 on their next possession and hooked up for a 47-yard pass play to set up a first-and-goal situation at the Rams' six-yard line. Three plays later Josh Allen took a four-yard run into the end zone and suddenly the Bills were up two scores (24-10).
One possession later, Allen scrambled out of the pocket after drawing up a play on the fly in the huddle and ripped a 53-yard bomb to Stefon Diggs, who got behind Jalen Ramsey on the play and fell into the end zone for the last touchdown of the night to put the game away.
"We felt like their corners were really looking in at the quarterback and Diggs just ran a heck of a route," said Josh Allen. "The offensive line protected and just gave him a chance and he went there and made a play for us."
"I just did what Josh told me to do," said Diggs of the play. "He just told me to run. That actually wasn't even an original play. Josh sees a lot of things at the quarterback position that you might not see at the receiver position. So, one thing I learned is to listen to your quarterback."
The two plays by Davis and Diggs, who combined for 12 receptions for 210 yards and two touchdowns on the night, served as back breakers for the Rams, who never responded.
"It's great when there's a time to put a team away and they're putting the trust in you to make the play and you make it," said Davis. "There's nothing better than that. So, I was glad I was able to be put in that position."
3 – Allen spreads the wealth
The Bills offense had to be patient in the early stages of the game as the Los Angeles defense made certain not to give up any big plays. Josh Allen and the offensive unit stayed patient and took the underneath plays that the Rams were giving them. That patience paid off as they staged an opening nine-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to open the scoring.
As the game wore on Allen made frequent use of his backs with dump off passes to alleviate pressure and keep the offense in manageable down and distance. As a result, just about every receiving target on the roster got involved in the passing game.
Allen targeted seven different teammates in the game and had just five incompletions on 31 pass attempts. His 83.9 percent completion rate set a new single-game club record.
"We knew coming in we had to be efficient offensively," said McDermott. "In part because of what Aaron (Donald) does and how quickly he can get to your quarterback. So, if you hold the ball too long back there, he's going to show up or somebody else is going to show up. I just thought we did a good job taking what they gave us. Josh was very patient, and the receivers were running crisp routes."
Stefon Diggs was instrumental in converting some early third downs to keep drives alive. Allen targeted him a team-high six times in the first half for 62 yards, and it helped to create opportunities for the other members of the receiving corps.
"We've got a good five," said Diggs. "And we've even got some guys that are not even playing that also could contribute if we needed to. We've got some guys that can make a lot of plays. Isaiah Mackenzie stepped up. Jamison Crowder showed you what he could do. Gabe Davis continues to show you why he is one of the best wideouts around. But something that I look forward to as a receiver and as a leader on his team – I feel my job is to get things started. Get the quarterback comfortable opening up things for the other guys. And it's getting to the point where they get me open too, so all works hand in hand."
The efficiency was reflected in the team's 90 percent conversion rate on third down as they converted nine of their 10 opportunities in the game.
Top 3 things we learned from Bills vs. Titans | Week 2
1 – Diggs delivers
On a night when the Bills were without Gabe Davis due to an ankle injury, the onus was on Stefon Diggs to deliver in Buffalo's passing game.
No problem.
Diggs dominated from beginning, middle to the end of the game racking up a 12-catch, 148-yard performance that included matching a single-game career best with three touchdowns in Buffalo's lopsided 41-7 victory over Tennessee.
Facing a Titans secondary that was down a starting corner in Kristian Fulton, Diggs got an early start and never let up as he routinely gained separation leading to several easy completions for Josh Allen in the passing game.
"It felt good getting him the ball early and often," said Allen. "He did a great job of getting open, making plays, making some great catches. So, he is what he is. It's Stefon Diggs. We know he is one of the greatest, if not the greatest, receiver in the game right now, and I trust him implicitly."
It began innocently enough with the first play from scrimmage as Allen hit Diggs on a short inside route for four yards. But as the game wore on Diggs was frequently running open on short routes, intermediate routes and deep routes.
"As a receiver, you want to be able to do everything, especially if you consider yourself a wide receiver one," said Diggs. "You've got to be everything for your quarterback. I've got a quarterback that can do everything. So, for me, I've just got to do my job. If I'm doing my job, I'm alright. Giving my quarterback that comfortable feel that safety blanket so he's out there not thinking too much just kind of kind of trusting that I'm going to be open. And I'll make a play for you."
Through the first half, Diggs pulled in receptions of eight, 16, nine, 15 and nine yards before pulling in a four-yard touchdown on an improbable throw on the back side of the play to put Buffalo up 17-7 at the half.
"It was fourth down and obviously, (I'm) not throwing the ball away there," said Allen. "I'm okay to extend the play, try to take a sack, if need be, but give somebody a chance there. And he just kind of got lost behind everybody. I was looking left; he came all the way right. I just kind of (spotted) him, and he did a great job of working to get open there. And he made the play for us."
Come the second half, Allen made three consecutive completions to Diggs with the last being a 46-yard touchdown pass as Diggs beat Tre Avery on an inside move to the end zone to balloon Buffalo's lead to 24-7 early in the third quarter.
But Diggs' night wasn't done. Two possessions later after an interception off a tipped pass by Jordan Poyer, Allen found Diggs one more time for a 14-yard touchdown catch on a quick slant to put the game away (34-7) with five minutes left in the third quarter.
The dominant performance against the Titans was not a first for Diggs. While it was his most productive performance against Tennessee, it was his third 100-yard receiving day against the Titans, with one coming with Buffalo in 2020 and the other with the Minnesota Vikings in 2016.
So, is there something about playing Tennessee for Buffalo's top wideout?
"Hopefully you could say that about a couple of teams but for me it's never personal for me, it's business for me," Diggs said. "The next team, they're in front of me, they're in my way with where I'm trying to go and what I'm trying to do. I'm trying to stack wins, but the next team is always the next team. But there's never any extra incentive when I play Tennessee. I like Tennessee, Nashville, hot chicken and all."
2 – Bills run 'D' up to the task
After Derrick Henry victimized the Bills in their 2021 matchup with a 143-yard and three touchdowns in a Titans three-point victory, Buffalo made him a primary focus on Monday night. Henry found rushing lanes minimal as the Bills run front consistently filled gaps and demonstrated sound tackling.
"Good game plan, players executed," said head coach Sean McDermott. "I thought it was good fundamental football. I thought we were a little maybe erratic early and we settled in and started playing fundamentally strong football. We still need to add some discipline into what we do there."
Henry had 13 carries for just 25 yards averaging just 1.9 yards per carry. It was Henry's lowest yardage output in a game since Oct. 14th, 2018, when he had 21 yards on seven carries. His longest run on Monday night went for just nine yards and five of his 13 carries went for a loss. Christian Benford, Tremaine Edmunds, Von Miller, Jordan Poyer and Greg Rousseau all registered tackles for loss on Henry.
Buffalo's effort was all the more impressive because they were down a pair of defensive tackles in Ed Oliver and Tim Settle. Their run front was seemingly unaffected as Jordan Phillips and DaQuan Jones were solid with steady play from practice squad call up Brandin Bryant on the interior.
"We just played our style of defense," said Von Miller. "We have so much respect for Derrick and that whole offense, the whole run game, the whole passing game with Ryan Tannehill, that we really didn't leave any 'T' uncrossed or any 'I' undotted. Coach (Leslie) Frazier, coach (Eric) Washington, Coach McDermott did a really good job of keeping everybody focused for this game. We knew they had a really, really tough team led by a really, really tough coach. We just kept playing our game and fortunately, we were able to come up with the win."
According to NextGen Stats, Derrick Henry's -2.6 rush yards over expectation was the worst rushing yards over expected per carry since the metric has been in existence (2018).
All told the Titans managed just 75 yards rushing on 27 carries for a 2.8 average.
Coming off a Week 1 performance that saw the Bills turn the ball over four times and get three takeaways of their own, Buffalo was very opportunistic on Monday night.
The Bills forced four takeaways from the Titans with a pair of interceptions and two fumble recoveries.
The turnovers began on special teams midway through the third quarter when Titans punt returner Kyle Phillips muffed the punt and Tyrel Dodson swooped in to recover the loose ball at the Tennessee 20-yard line. Four plays later Tyler Bass put a field goal up and through from 37 yards to make it 27-7.
The second takeaway came off a double tipped pass from Ryan Tannehill. It was initially tipped by Tremaine Edmunds and then Micah Hyde before Jordan Poyer got his hands on it for his second interception in as many games this season. Buffalo turned that takeaway into a touchdown on a four-play scoring drive to make it 34-7.
"This is my sixth year in this defense," Poyer said. "Sixth year playing with some of the same guys that I played with and then obviously, the additions that we've added up front. I feel like going into year 10, I'm seeing the field a lot better, a lot more. Understanding how to study throughout the week, I understand my job description. And the game is slowing down a lot more. But at the same time, I want to continue to get better and help put our team in position to win football games by doing what I can."
For Poyer it was his 20th interception in a Bills uniform and the 22nd of his career. Joining him in the pick parade was LB Matt Milano, who made his first interception since the season opener against the Jets in 2020. Milano not only picked off Tannehill's pass but returned it 43 yards for a touchdown for the final points of the game in a 41-7 final.
"That's the real 5-8. That's the real 5-8," said Von Miller of Milano in reference to the jersey number he wore in Denver. "Matt Milano, he works so, so hard. Incredible player, man, and whenever you see guys have success like that, it's super cool."
"I've been telling Matt all week, all year, just to believe, man," said Poyer. "Just believe. And he finally believed, and he finally – he should have had two of them. A couple of us should have had two of them."
The final takeaway came when Titans backup QB Malik Willis fumbled on a carry over the left side that was recovered by Boogie Basham. It was Basham's second takeaway in as many games after he had an interception in Week 1.
By game's end Buffalo scored 17 points off turnovers to make the game a blowout. Buffalo's four takeaways now make them a plus-3 in turnover differential on the season.
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