Bills CB Benford was seen with a walking boot after yesterday's practice.

[upstater1]

I didn't post this in the Bills-Pats thread because there were rumors around Buffalo that Benford was injured in yesterday's practice, though I haven't seen reports anywhere. Just putting this out there in case people were unaware.

The Bills look to be healthier than they've been at most points this season, as Spencer Brown is coming back, so their OL is 100%. Both Bosa and Terrell Bernard practiced, and they look as though they might play, with chances higher than 50%. Josh Palmer is the only one of the recent injuries who likely will not play.

I also heard the Patriots are dinged up. Vederian Lowe has an injury, Harold Landry's knee is giving him a lot of trouble, and yesterday Robert Spillane got hurt in practice, though I don't know the extent of the injury.

Around Buffalo, they are saying that even though the Bills should not rush players back for this game because the division title is nearly out of reach for them, the veterans on the Bills are taking great pride in NOT being the team against which the Patriots clinch the division title for the first time in 6 years. This is a big thing for the Bills vets. They do not want to see the Patriots celebrate the division after beating the Bills 2x.

So, some people say the Bills are not going all out to win it if it's going to cost the price of making the playoffs, while others say the vets are rallying to make sure a Patriots victory doesn't happen.

If Benford's out, big advantage to our passing offense.

I tend to think the variables of the weather are going to play a huge part in which team wins. The Bills have NOT been a good road team this year. But they are used to playing in the cold and bad weather, they just played in some last week, while we still haven't seen Drake Maye tested in awful conditions.

 

[TommyD4207]

I didn't post this in the Bills-Pats thread because there were rumors around Buffalo that Benford was injured in yesterday's practice, though I haven't seen reports anywhere. Just putting this out there in case people were unaware.

The Bills look to be healthier than they've been at most points this season, as Spencer Brown is coming back, so their OL is 100%. Both Bosa and Terrell Bernard practiced, and they look as though they might play, with chances higher than 50%. Josh Palmer is the only one of the recent injuries who likely will not play.

I also heard the Patriots are dinged up. Vederian Lowe has an injury, Harold Landry's knee is giving him a lot of trouble, and yesterday Robert Spillane got hurt in practice, though I don't know the extent of the injury.

Around Buffalo, they are saying that even though the Bills should not rush players back for this game because the division title is nearly out of reach for them, the veterans on the Bills are taking great pride in NOT being the team against which the Patriots clinch the division title for the first time in 6 years. This is a big thing for the Bills vets. They do not want to see the Patriots celebrate the division after beating the Bills 2x.

So, some people say the Bills are not going all out to win it if it's going to cost the price of making the playoffs, while others say the vets are rallying to make sure a Patriots victory doesn't happen.

If Benford's out, big advantage to our passing offense.

I tend to think the variables of the weather are going to play a huge part in which team wins. The Bills have NOT been a good road team this year. But they are used to playing in the cold and bad weather, they just played in some last week, while we still haven't seen Drake Maye tested in awful conditions.

If Benford is out, this should be a blowout. He's not exactly good (imo), but he's their best cover guy and best blitzer from the secondary.

Watching Bills radio yesterday, he was in a walking boot after practice. Even limited, that's a huge hit for a team with a dogshit secondary to begin with.

They just tried to sign washed Darius Slay a week ago.

 

[Gumby]

Story here says Left Toe. ....
[edit: but he was apparently still practicing.... ?? what does it mean. = if he plays, put a bunch of routes w/ sharp cuts to the right on his side of field. Ha ha. ]

Bills’ defense gets bad news as red-hot cornerback suffers injury days before facing Patriots

cornerback Christian Benford injured his toe during practice on Thursday as the team ramped up preparations for Sunday’s AFC East showdown against the New England Patriots.
......
Benford was wearing a small walking boot/shoe on his left foot in the locker room after practice. He took part in individual drills during the early portion of practice
....
If Benford can’t play, that will likely mean rookie Maxwell Hairston will start opposite Tre’Davious White against the Patriots.

 

[Tunescribe]

I tend to think the variables of the weather are going to play a huge part in which team wins. The Bills have NOT been a good road team this year. But they are used to playing in the cold and bad weather, they just played in some last week, while we still haven't seen Drake Maye tested in awful conditions.

The forecast is holding steady with light snow in the morning, clear afternoon and a high of 30 with winds 10-15 mph. It shouldn't be too challenging.

 

[TommyD4207]

Story here says Left Toe. ....
[edit: but he was apparently still practicing.... ?? what does it mean. = if he plays, put a bunch of routes w/ sharp cuts to the right on his side of field. Ha ha. ]

Bills’ defense gets bad news as red-hot cornerback suffers injury days before facing Patriots

He practiced in the media portion, and some of the Bills beat reporters saw him in a walking boot after practice, meaning he injured it in practice.

 

[Ross12]

People are pumping the Bills because they put up numbers against the Bengals, but let's really think about that.

The Bills put up numbers against a very bad defense - amazing. And they had to come back to do so - they were down big for a while.

But what did Cincy do? Oh, they also put up big numbers against the Bills... because the Bills also have a bad secondary... Oh, and the Bills' one decent player in the secondary is now hurt and could miss the game? Hmmm....

So, sure, Buffalo could score in the 20s - but I can definitely see Diggs going crazy with 150 yards or something here. I can see NE scoring comfortably in the mid/high 30s in that scenario.

 

[upstater1]

People are pumping the Bills because they put up numbers against the Bengals, but let's really think about that.

The Bills put up numbers against a very bad defense - amazing. And they had to come back to do so - they were down big for a while.

But what did Cincy do? Oh, they also put up big numbers against the Bills... because the Bills also have a bad secondary... Oh, and the Bills' one decent player in the secondary is now hurt and could miss the game? Hmmm....

So, sure, Buffalo could score in the 20s - but I can definitely see Diggs going crazy with 150 yards or something here. I can see NE scoring comfortably in the mid/high 30s in that scenario.

I would say the secondary is actually one of the Bills strengths.

They have a couple of younger players in Cole Bishop and Maxwell Hairston who will be longterm stalwarts for them.

But Taron Johnson and Christian Benford are really good.

You have 4 solid guys. Tre White is the weakness. A big weakness.

 

[Ross12]

I would say the secondary is actually one of the Bills strengths.

They have a couple of younger players in Cole Bishop and Maxwell Hairston who will be longterm stalwarts for them.

But Taron Johnson and Christian Benford are really good.

You have 4 solid guys. Tre White is the weakness. A big weakness.

Not really sold on those guys. Maybe Johnson. I think the secondary is not good if Benford's not playing, and their run defense is also garbage.

 

[Tunescribe]

Brand-new weather update: snow extending through the afternoon, accumulation 1-3 inches. I'm a little concerned this might favor the Prairie Cows running game.

 

[PatsFan2]

Brand-new weather update: snow extending through the afternoon, accumulation 1-3 inches. I'm a little concerned this might favor the Prairie Cows running game.

Our Boys need really good cleats.

 

[Tunescribe]

Our Boys need really good cleats.

It's a dicey situation with artificial turf i.e., whether the snow melts or accumulates and things get really slippery. Vrabel will know what to do.

 

[bormio]

Brand-new weather update: snow extending through the afternoon, accumulation 1-3 inches. I'm a little concerned this might favor the Prairie Cows running game.

Slippery fields often good for passing games. Running attacks get slowed, aiding the D. Pass rushes get slowed. And WRs know where they are going, CBs do not.

 

[upstater1]

Slippery fields often good for passing games. Running attacks get slowed, aiding the D. Pass rushes get slowed. And WRs know where they are going, CBs do not.

While this is true, it may also help the Bills subpar passing game. I have more confidence in our CBs shutting down their WRs than vice versa in perfect conditions. I hate introducing variables that may even things out.

 

[bormio]

While this is true, it may also help the Bills subpar passing game. I have more confidence in our CBs shutting down their WRs than vice versa in perfect conditions. I hate introducing variables that may even things out.

Evening out is good - the Bills are favored

 

[upstater1]

Evening out is good - the Bills are favored

The Bills are favored for reasons other than what I wrote. The Patriots have the better passing game. The Bills radio guys were talking about this just this morning. Statistically, the Patriots offense is operating at a super high rate, downfield throws. Highest in the league.

The Bills radio guys also noted that the 49ers, Bills and Patriots are tied for completing more 20+ throws than any other teams, and all 3 teams are way ahead of the pack.

However, they pointed out that the Bills target rate is shorter and that the Bills are way ahead of the Patriots when it comes to YAC. Looking at the stats, the announcers said, "the Patriots are throwing the ball over the top for their big bang plays... the Bills are intermediate and then long runs."

 

[TheRainMaker]

The Bills can't afford any injuries on defense.

 

[PatsFan2]

The Bills are favored for reasons other than what I wrote. The Patriots have the better passing game. The Bills radio guys were talking about this just this morning. Statistically, the Patriots offense is operating at a super high rate, downfield throws. Highest in the league.

The Bills radio guys also noted that the 49ers, Bills and Patriots are tied for completing more 20+ throws than any other teams, and all 3 teams are way ahead of the pack.

However, they pointed out that the Bills target rate is shorter and that the Bills are way ahead of the Patriots when it comes to YAC. Looking at the stats, the announcers said, "the Patriots are throwing the ball over the top for their big bang plays... the Bills are intermediate and then long runs."

Yeah Josh Allen = Checkdown Charlie.

 

[PatsFan2]

The Bills are favored for reasons other than what I wrote. The Patriots have the better passing game. The Bills radio guys were talking about this just this morning. Statistically, the Patriots offense is operating at a super high rate, downfield throws. Highest in the league.

The Bills radio guys also noted that the 49ers, Bills and Patriots are tied for completing more 20+ throws than any other teams, and all 3 teams are way ahead of the pack.

However, they pointed out that the Bills target rate is shorter and that the Bills are way ahead of the Patriots when it comes to YAC. Looking at the stats, the announcers said, "the Patriots are throwing the ball over the top for their big bang plays... the Bills are intermediate and then long runs."

Good post: I have been watching the Bill and they haven't been able to get deep except for having D Kingcaid. D Knox went off last game Pats Safeties need to account for him. We know Josh Allen can extend plays but will also throw some pickable balls: we have to take advantage of those. The Bills love to go for it on Fourth and Short.