Bills Fans Unhappy with Refs in Loss to Bucs Donate to Charity for Visually Impaired
Dec 16, 2021
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) runs away from Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul (90) after a catch during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
Bills Mafia is once again flexing its
charitable muscles following Sunday's loss to the reigning Super Bowl
champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Buffalo mounted a comeback from a 24-3
deficit and had an opportunity to win the game on the final drive of
regulation, but a controversial no-call—on a play that replays appeared to
show was clearly defensive pass interference against wide receiver
Stefon Diggs—led instead to a tying field goal.
It was one of several penalty decisions
that went against the Bills. That frustration was compounded by the officials
making an iffy pass-inference call against cornerback Levi Wallace in
overtime to help set up Tom Brady's game-winning touchdown pass to
Breshad Perriman for the Bucs.
Katherine Fitzgerald of the Buffalo
News reported Thursday that Bills fans have responded by donating
over $40,000 to VIA: Visually Impaired Advancement, a nonprofit
organization in the city, as a jab toward the refs' lack of vision during Sunday's game.
"This is getting us back into the
community," VIA's Samantha Burfiend told Fitzgerald. "Maybe there
is someone who's visually impaired … and they can find us, and they
can give us a call, and we can help them and support them, and using
donations toward that support."
It's the latest in a long line of
examples of the Bills Mafia, the nickname given to the team's
fanbase, helping charities for a wide variety of reasons.
The trend began on New Year's Eve 2017,
when donations flooded in to the Andy and Jordan Dalton Foundation
after the then-Cincinnati Bengals quarterback threw a touchdown pass
against the Baltimore Ravens that helped the Bills end a 17-year
playoff drought. Those donations topped $415,000.
More recently, Bills fans donated over
$100,000 to the Food Bank of Northern Louisiana after cornerback
Tre'Davious White, a Louisiana native, suffered a season-ending torn
ACL in a Thanksgiving Day game against the New Orleans Saints.
The fanbase's giving has continued
despite a season that's yet to live up to expectations.
The Bills, which entered the year with Super Bowl dreams after reaching
the AFC Championship Game last season, own a mediocre 7-6 record and
sit on the playoff fringe.
Buffalo will look to jump-start a
late-season surge Sunday when it hosts the Carolina Panthers at
Highmark Stadium.
Josh Allen Says Injured Foot 'Feels Pretty Good' Ahead of Bills vs. Panthers
Dec 15, 2021
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) attempts a pass during a NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Dec.12, 2021 in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Menendez)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen suffered a sprained left foot in Sunday's loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but it sounds like he doesn't plan on missing any time.
Allen gave an update on how his injury is progressing when he spoke to reporters on Wednesday.
"Feeling good," Allen said. "We’ve got a few more days to rehab and obviously I’d love to play and I guess we’ll have to reevaluate some things in a couple of days, but as of right now it feels pretty good."
Allen's status for Buffalo's Week 15 game against the Carolina Panthers is uncertain. Bills head coach Sean McDermott said Wednesday that the team is taking things one day at a time with Allen and will not rush his recovery.
"He’s working through it; he’s a tough guy," McDermott said of his quarterback. "The soreness is still there. That’s to be expected. I love his attitude, and I think that’s key when you’re trying to come off any injury—the attitude and the mindset."
If Allen is unable to play against the Panthers, Buffalo would turn to backup quarterback Mitchell Trubisky. The five-year veteran spent the first four seasons of his career as the starter for the Chicago Bears before signing with the Bills as a free agent this past offseason.
McDermott said Trubisky's experience makes him a reliable option and the team would feel comfortable if he were called upon to start.
"That’s why we brought Mitch in," McDermott said. "He’s more than capable. We have 100 percent confidence in Mitch to go out and execute at the level that we expect him to execute at for us to play good football and winning football. There’s no hesitation whatsoever there."
The Bills fell to 7-6 after the loss to the Buccaneers. After losing back-to-back games, a matchup against the 5-8 Panthers might be exactly what Buffalo needs to get back on track.
Bills' Josh Allen Day-to-Day with Foot Sprain After Suffering Injury vs. Buccaneers
Dec 13, 2021
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) runs against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen is day-to-day after suffering a foot sprain during Sunday's 33-27 overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, head coach Sean McDermott said Monday.
Sean McDermott said Josh Allen had “a chance” to play Sunday as he’s dealing with a foot sprain. McDermott said he doesn’t know if Allen will practice Wednesday or not.
The 25-year-old was seen wearing a walking boot following Sunday's loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, although he has been durable of late after appearing in all 16 games in each of the previous two seasons.
When healthy, Allen is one of the best quarterbacks in the league.
The Wyoming product completed 69.2 percent of his passes for 4,544 yards, 37 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while adding 421 yards and eight scores on the ground in 2020. He has followed with 3,524 passing yards, 531 rushing yards, 32 total touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 2021 as the Bills look to battle for a playoff berth in the AFC.
If Allen winds up being sidelined for Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers, look for Mitchell Trubisky to fill in under center.
While the 27-year-old is largely known for his inability to live up to expectations as a franchise quarterback for the Chicago Bears after they selected him with the No. 2 overall pick of the 2017 NFL draft, he is someone who can hurt opposing defenses with his arm and legs and could keep the Bills afloat in the meantime.
Josh Allen in Walking Boot After Injury vs. Bucs; Bills QB Reportedly Will Have MRI
Dec 13, 2021
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen plays against the Tennessee Titans in the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Oct. 18, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
As the Buffalo Bills look to make a playoff push, all eyes are on quarterback Josh Allen's left leg.
Allen sported a walking boot following Sunday's 33-27 overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
It's not clear what the exact nature of the injury is, however. The good news for Buffalo fans, though, is that the signal-caller doesn't appear to be overly concerned.
"I finished the game on it, so I don't think it's a big deal," Allen told reporters after the game.
Chris Mortensen of ESPN reported Allen will undergo an MRI on Monday:
Bills QB Josh Allen will have MRI on left foot and ankle Monday after his courageous performance in the OT loss to the Bucs. The Bills are hopeful but expect Mitchell Trubisky to get some reps in practice as they have vital 4-game run to finish season, starting w Panthers.
Allen completed 36 of 54 pass attempts for 308 yards, two touchdowns and one interception, adding 109 yards and a score on the ground as well. With Allen leading the way, Buffalo overcame a 21-point halftime deficit to force overtime.
Allen was hampered by injuries early in his NFL career. The fourth-year quarterback sat out four games in 2018 with an elbow injury he suffered in Week 6 against the Houston Texans.
During a Week 4 loss to the New England Patriots in 2019, he suffered a concussion when Jonathan Jones delivered a helmet-to-helmet hit. The California native cleared concussion protocol and was able to return for Buffalo's next game against the Tennessee Titans.
The 2020 season was a revelation for Allen, who turned into an MVP candidate. He threw for 4,544 yards and 37 touchdowns while completing 69.2 percent of his attempts to lead the Bills to a division title and an appearance in the AFC Championship Game.
After a slow start this season, Allen got back on track in a big way in Week 3 with 358 passing yards and four touchdowns in a 43-21 win over the Washington Football Team. He's up to 3,524 yards, 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions through 13 games.
Buffalo (7-6) awaits further testing to see the severity of the injury. Should Allen have to miss time, backup Mitchell Trubisky would be next in line under center.
Josh Allen Says Bills Have 'Sense of Urgency' But No Panic Amid Recent Struggles
Dec 10, 2021
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - NOVEMBER 25: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills throws a pass during the fourth quarter in the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome on November 25, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen
said the team has a "sense of urgency" heading into Sunday's road
game against the reigning Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Bills have lost three of their last
five games and dropped to the No. 7 seed in the AFC, putting them on
the playoff fringe in a year they were expected to seriously compete
for a championship.
Allen discussed the team's mindset
ahead of a marquee clash with Tom Brady and the Bucs:
We're extremely hungry. I think
there obviously is a sense of urgency of what we need to do, but
there's no panic in our locker room. We're extremely united right now
with what we need to do. We've had a couple of really good days of
practice and walkthroughs, and we're looking forward to going out
there and getting a chance to play against the defending world champs
and arguably one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game.
Buffalo looked ready to meet
expectations during the first few months of the 2021 season,
highlighted by a four-game winning streak that featured a quartet of
lopsided victories, including a 38-20 triumph over the two-time
defending AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs.
The Bills have lacked any semblance of
consistency since that hot streak, however, as they've alternated
wins and losses over their past seven games.
On Monday, they lost a crucial AFC East
game to the New England Patriots, 14-10, as both offenses were
neutralized by a windy Buffalo night. Some questionable decisions
by head coach Sean McDermott and his staff also helped the Pats pick up a
key divisional win.
Between the mediocre play and, as the
Buffalo News'Jay
Skurski put it, "some signs of internal strife," the Bills are a
team that could desperately use a statement win.
A clash with the Buccaneers (9-3)
provides a chance for exactly that, but Allen and Co. must
significantly elevate their level of play.
The 25-year-old signal-caller, who
finished second in NFL MVP voting last year, has thrown nine
touchdowns and seven interceptions over the team's last five games.
That ratio isn't good enough to carry a team that leans so heavily on
its passing attack.
Facing a Bucs defense that ranks 20th
in passing yards allowed per game (248.4) should present an
opportunity for Allen to get back on track.
"We want to go out there and prove
what type of team we are, not to you guys or anybody else, but to
ourselves because we know the type of guys that we have in this
locker room and the team that we can be," Allen said.
Tampa Bay can also provide some hope to
Buffalo based on last year, when Brady's squad was 7-5 through 12
games before rattling off eight straight victories to win the Super
Bowl.
On the flip side, if the Bills lose
they'll be 7-6, and given the crowded nature of the AFC wild-card
race, they'll be in serious danger of missing the playoffs
altogether. It's a result that would represent one of the biggest
disappointments in franchise history.
So while Allen isn't ready to push the
panic button quite yet, that outlook could change if the Bills don't
produce a strong bounce-back performance Sunday at Raymond James
Stadium.
Former Bills Standout Mark Pike Dies at Age 57 from Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Dec 9, 2021
8 Sep 1991: Defensive lineman Mark Pike of the Buffalo Bills attempts to block Pittsburgh Steelers punter Dan Stryzinski''s kick during a game at Rich Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. The Bills won the game, 52-34. Mandatory Credit: Rick Stewart /Alls
The Buffalo Bills announced Wednesday that former defensive end and special teams ace Mark Pike died from Non-Hodgkin lymphoma at the age of 57.
Pike spent his entire 13-year NFL career with the Bills from 1986 to 1998 after Buffalo selected him in the seventh round of the 1986 NFL draft out of Georgia Tech.
Chris Brown of the Bills' official website reported that Pike had also recently been diagnosed with COVID-19 and pneumonia, which complicated his condition.
While Pike rarely played on defense during his 173 career regular-season games, he was a key part of a Bills special teams unit that was often among the best in the NFL.
Bills legend Steve Tasker, who is widely considered the greatest special teamer of all time and was Pike's teammate from 1986-1997, told Brown what made Pike such a special player: "He was a big man who played special teams which was a matchup nightmare for our opponents. He was a unique specimen. His ability to run and play special teams with his versatility was unbelievable."
Despite being listed at 6'4" and 272 pounds, Pike displayed impressive speed and ability to get up and down the field in kick and punt coverage. As a result, Pike ranks second in NFL history in special teams tackles with 255, per Brown.
Pike was part of each of the Bills' four consecutive Super Bowl teams from 1990-93, and he appeared in 20 playoff games during his career, making 34 special teams tackles in those contests.
Pro Football Hall of Famer Marv Levy, who was the Bills' head coach for nearly the entirety of Pike's career from 1986-1997, praised Pike, saying:
"It had been such a great privilege for me to have been his coach with the Buffalo Bills during the 1990's when Mark had been such an integral part in contributing to the success our teams enjoyed during our four trips to those Super Bowl games and beyond. Mark was not only an outstanding defensive lineman, linebacker, and special teams standout, but he was the epitome of all that I had ever hoped our players would be like."
Pike is best known for his special teams contributions, but he did play some defense as well, earning his only career start in 1991 and recording his only career sack in 1992.
In addition to his time in the NFL and starring collegiately at Georgia Tech, the Elizabethtown, Kentucky, native was a standout at Dixie Heights High School in Erlanger, Kentucky, as well.
Pike is survived by his wife, daughter and two sons.
Bills' Josh Allen After Patriots Loss: 'We're Pissed Off Because We Want to be Great'
Dec 7, 2021
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) passes under pressure by New England Patriots outside linebacker Matt Judon (9) during the first half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Monday, Dec. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
The Buffalo Bills were visibly frustrated after Monday night's 14-10 loss to the New England Patriots. Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen explained that the team's anger stemmed from their dissatisfaction with their performance.
"I think, frankly, we're pissed off because we want to be great, and we're pissed off for greatness," Allen told reporters after the game.
The snowy conditions in Foxborough made it a difficult game for both teams.
But New England relied on its ground game to secure the win. Damien Harris ran for a season-high 111 yards, including a 64-yard touchdown, and the Patriots finished with 222 yards on the ground. Rookie quarterback Mac Jones attempted just three passes in the victory and New England now has the best record in the AFC at 9-4.
The Bills had a tougher time, as Allen and the passing game couldn't get going in the harsh weather. Allen completed 15-of-30 passes for 145 yards and a touchdown and also lost a fumble. Buffalo totaled just 99 rushing yards.
The Bills had a chance to go ahead with a late drive into the red zone, but Allen's pass on fourth down was batted down by Patriots defensive back Myles Bryant with 1:55 left in the fourth quarter.
Buffalo fell to 7-5 and has now lost four of its last seven games after starting the season 4-1.
Things won't get easier for the Bills in Week 14, as they will travel to face one of the best teams in the NFC in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-3) on Sunday.
Patriots Edge Josh Allen, Bills on MNF as Mac Jones Attempts Only 3 Passes
Dec 7, 2021
New England Patriots running back Brandon Bolden (25) gets past Buffalo Bills safety Micah Hyde (23) for a two-point conversion after a touchdown run by Patriots running back Damien Harris during the first half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Monday, Dec. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Joshua Bessex )
First place in the AFC East belongs to the New England Patriots.
New England defeated the Buffalo Bills 14-10 in Monday's low-scoring divisional clash at Highmark Stadium. Mac Jones attempted just three passes, but Damien Harris and the defense led the way for the victors as they improved to 9-4 on the season with a seventh consecutive win.
Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, NE: 24 carries for 78 yards
Josh Allen, QB, BUF: 15-of-30 passing for 145 yards, 1 TD, 0 INTs; 6 carries for 39 yards
Stefon Diggs, WR, BUF: 4 catches for 51 yards
No Quarterback Necessary for Patriots
Perhaps nobody in the NFL was playing better football than the Patriots coming into Monday's game, and the blustery weather figured to play right into their hands since they have been so reliant on the running game and short passing attack.
The game plan was crystal clear when Jones threw a grand total of one pass in the entire first half and New England still held an 11-7 lead.
Harris exploded past a crowded box for a 64-yard touchdown run, and Brandon Bolden's two-point conversion gave the visitors an early lead in the first quarter. Nick Folk also cut through the wind with a field goal, and the defense played well enough to ensure the advantage held up heading into the second half.
Harris reached a top speed of 21.01 mph, the fastest speed by a Patriots running back in the NGS era. Harris is also responsible for 2nd, 3rd & 4th-fastest marks.
Still, there was plenty of pressure on the defense to hold up against Josh Allen and Co. given New England's offensive approach. While it did a solid job of keeping the mobile quarterback in the pocket, the game got that much closer in the third quarter when Tyler Bass drilled a field goal through the wind.
The Patriots responded like they were a service academy at the collegiate level and used tight formations with fullbacks and tight ends to shorten the game and go with run after run. They even unleashed a quarterback sneak on back-to-back plays on third and fourth down, but Buffalo finally responded in the red zone with multiple tackles for loss to force another field goal.
While Jones finally threw multiple passes in the fourth quarter, it became all the more obvious it would be up to the defense if New England was going to win when Harris was ruled out with a hamstring injury.
The defense answered the call with two red-zone stops in the fourth quarter with Myles Bryant breaking up the final fourth-down attempt after a clutch Matthew Judon sack on the previous drive.
Bills Squander 4th-Quarter Chances
Monday was an opportunity for the Bills to right the proverbial ship after going just 3-3 in the previous six games. The inconsistency prevented them from building on a promising 4-1 start, although all it would take was a home win over the rival Patriots to seize control of the division again.
While the weather was largely to blame, they certainly didn't look ready to seize control of the division in the early going.
A fumbled exchange between Allen and Matt Breida ended a promising drive in New England territory, and the offense punted on four of its other five possessions in the first half as it struggled to move the ball in the elements.
First turnover of the night lands in the @Patriots defense hands. #ForeverNE
Yet the halftime deficit would have been much worse than four if one of those punts didn't hit N'Keal Harry to set Buffalo up in the red zone. Allen found Gabriel Davis for a touchdown on the ensuing play, which was all the home team needed to stay well within striking distance heading into the second half.
There were only so many possessions to work with in that second half, though, since New England completely abandoned even the threat of a pass on almost every play. The two sides traded field goals in the third quarter, which at least gave the Bills a chance to win it in the fourth.
It seemed as if they would do just that when they advanced to the 6-yard line, but Judon's sack led to a missed field goal. They still got one more opportunity after New England went three-and-out, but they never advanced past the 13-yard line.
The back-to-back empty trips to the red zone will surely haunt Buffalo fans if their team finishes behind the Patriots in the final standings.
What's Next?
The Bills travel to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 14, while the Patriots head into their bye before a road game against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 15.
Video: Snow, Wind Swirl Around Buffalo's Highmark Stadium Ahead of Patriots vs. Bills
Dec 6, 2021
Orchard Park - December 5: Early arriving RVs at a RV park across from Highmark stadium in Orchard Park, NY on Dec. 5, 2021. Buffalo Bills fans begin to tailgate a day and a half before the start of the game against the New England Patriots. (Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
The Monday Night Football matchup between the New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills is going to be a blustery affair.
Here's what the 8-4 Patriots and 7-4 Bills will be dealing with on Monday night as they battle for AFC East supremacy:
Per Weather.com, game-time temperature is set to be 36 degrees but will feel like 23 degrees, with winds up to 28 mph and "brief bursts of moderate snow."
This is a huge matchup with implications for the entire AFC playoff picture, and it may be hard to see the action on the field. A Pats win would leave them in sole possession of the top overall seed in the AFC. A Buffalo win would leave four teams—the Bills, Tennessee Titans, Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens—at 8-4 atop the conference.
Expect to see a whole lot of running the ball, and a defensive struggle, when these divisional rivals face off on Monday night. The swirling winds inside of Highmark Stadium may also make the contest a struggle for both kickers.
Bill Belichick Praises 'Remarkable' Josh Allen Ahead of Patriots vs. Bills
Dec 2, 2021
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick on the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is not known for praising his opponents, but he gushed about Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen ahead of Monday night's matchup.
"It's just remarkable how good he has become,” Belichick said, per Boston.com. "Last year, this year's built on that. What it was when he came into the league. But he's just made tremendous improvement. Has a lot of command of the offense."
In his fourth year in the NFL, Allen has blossomed into one of the top quarterbacks in the league. He's thrown for 3,071 yards, 25 touchdowns and 10 interceptions this season while leading the Bills to a 7-4 record.
Monday will be the first meeting of the season between New England (8-4) and Buffalo.
