New York State In-depth

Bills have their bragging rights back as they prepare to house Falcons | Buffalo bills

ORCHARD PARK – Don’t look now, but recipient Stefon Diggs is starting to get the feeling that the Buffalo Bills have regained their bragging rights.

And to think that it took Tampa Bay 24-3 at halftime in a possible 33-27 overtime loss to finally wake them up three weeks ago.

“I feel like this game in Tampa Bay took us back to where we needed to go to have confidence, play freely, and play like we know how to play,” said Diggs.

“This year we had ups and downs and a roller coaster ride. We drove with it a bit, ”he added. “But I think the past, I guess 10 quarters, has become us again.”

It’s a 10-quarter run in which the Bills overtook their opponents 88-44, won for the first time in weeks 2-5, and took their lead with a 33-21 win in New England last weekend recaptured at AFC East.

This is no time for disappointment as Buffalo (9-6) prepares to host the Atlanta Falcons (7-8) on Sunday.

“There’s a playoff game every week from now on, and that’s how we’re addressing this team,” said quarterback Josh Allen. “(Atlanta) is not a team that will lie down. … They are hungry. You will fight. And there are two teams that want something and we have to get it. “

The bills are in the driver’s seat and, aside from several other scenarios, only need a win and a loss or a draw for the Baltimore Ravens to claim their third playoff spot in a row.

It’s a lot more complicated for the Falcons to win, hoping other results will find their way to make their first postseason appearance since 2017. For first year coach Arthur Smith, having Atlanta still in the playoff picture coming in week 17 for a team that started the season in transition is an accomplishment.

“We still have a lot to do, of course,” said Smith. “But we have a strategy that we implemented and we sometimes see results. It’s an honor for our boys and our employees. We hang around. We’re still in a meaningful game in early January. “

Although the Falcons have not won any straight games since the middle of last season, they have shown their determination to take on narrow wins. They stand 7-2 in games decided by eight points or less after a 20-16 win over Detroit last weekend. the Foye Oluokun sealed by intercepting Tim Boyle’s pass at the Falcons 1 with 33 seconds remaining.

Atlanta still has a lot to prove in one season, it stands 1-6 against teams that compete with winning records this week. COVID-19 could also be an issue with 13 hawks on the reserve list as of Thursday, including three outside linebackers.

You will compete against a Bills team who scored six out of seven ball possession points that didn’t end in a knee-fall and were the first to not attempt a punt against a Patriots team trained by Bill Belichick. Defensively, Buffalo has allowed the fewest yards and is in third place in terms of points awarded.

Smith appreciated the challenge of being reminded that he would join Jim Mora and Mike Smith as the only other Falcons coach in the first year to lead the team to the playoffs.

“It would be great if we could do it. But it doesn’t matter, ”said Smith. “Nothing matters unless we find a way to beat the Buffalo Bills.”

COVID-FREE ROSTER

The Reserve / COVID-19 list of Bills has been cleared of players after receivers Cole Beasley and Gabriel Davis, offensive linemen Jon Feliciano and Cody Ford, defensive end AJ Epenesa and cornerback Cam Lewis over a two-day period this week activated.

Star Lotulelei is also back after missing a game for personal reasons.

COVID CONCERN

# 2 quarterback Feleipe Franks and Safety Richie Grant joined receiver Tajae Sharpe, defensive end Marlon Davidson, defensive tackle Tyeler Davison, outside linebacker Brandon Copeland, outside linebacker James Vaughters and inside linebacker Dorian Etheridge on Atlanta’s Reserve / COVID-19 list .

Grant, a second-round pick from central Florida, recently took on the top nickel cornerback duties. If he’s unavailable, Darren Hall and Avery Williams get more snaps. Ta’Quon Graham was brought in from the second unit to fill in for Davison.

LOCK IN

Atlanta’s Kyle Pitts, the fourth draft pick overall, took 128 yards to break Mike Ditka’s NFL record with a rookie tight end. Against Detroit, Pitts had six catches for 102 yards, the best against close cover with a 35-yard reception on the right sideline in the third quarter.

Quarterback Matt Ryan’s 366 career touchdowns rank ninth on the NFL list with Eli Manning.

UNKNOWN ENEMIES

The Falcons stand 7-5 against the Bills and are making only their sixth trip to Orchard Park, New York, and the first since a 24-16 win on September 25, 2005. Atlanta’s last street game against the Bills, a 34-31 -Extension win in 2013, was played indoors in Toronto.

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