Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stephon Diggs, 14, scored on a pass from quarterback Josh Allen in the first half of Sunday’s NFL game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Orchard Park. Rejoice. AP Photo
Orchard Park — stick with his year-long message “find a way,” Bills coach Sean McDermott showed players a recently released documentary that chronicled the US men’s basketball team’s journey to gold at the 2008 Beijing Games.
movie title, “Redemption Team” And the story arc involving the Americans’ successful bid to overcome the settlement to bronze in Athens four years ago is apt.
After all, the Bills have been seeking redemption since they collapsed noticeably by blowing a 3-point lead in the final 13 seconds of the AFC Division playoff game, a 42-36 overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. . January.
What makes the results even more remarkable is McDermott’s consistent refusal to discuss what went wrong beyond the citation. “execution” And he says he’s responsible.
McDermott’s choice to screen the documentary on Sunday’s eve of the Bills defeating the Steelers had less to do about Pittsburgh than the challenges Buffalo still face during the season. 4-1) travel to Kansas City for yet another showdown with the Chiefs on Sunday.
After beating the Steelers 38-3, many Bills players, including Josh Allen, turned their eyes to Kansas City, but as the message they received was, a rematch is their plan. I didn’t think for a moment that it wasn’t in my head. after watching the documentary.
Allen, pass rusher Von Miller, receiver Stefon Diggs and left tackle Dion Dawkins were among the first to qualify in Kobe Bryant’s 119-82 victory over former Lakers teammate Pau Gasol. were among those who referenced the key clip of the film throwing the ball at the moment of Over Spain.
“We talk about domination. We’ve seen Kobe. And we’ve seen his way of thinking about domination and starting the game.” Miller said. “And that’s all we’re going to do.”
It certainly worked against an injury-depleted Steelers opponent, with Allen setting the tone by hitting Gabe Davis for a 98-yard touchdown pass in the third snap from scrimmage. . And despite losing three receivers and injuring tight end Dawson Knox, the Bills didn’t let up in the first half, leading 31-3.
That’s the type of thinking Diggs believes.
“It was like translating it as a plan for your team and your brother. Diggs told the Associated Press when asked what he got from watching the film. “We enjoy this and start turning the page on the next page. I am trying to maintain the
To be clear, whatever happens at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday can’t erase the fact that the Bills were left behind in January. Decisions include having Tyler Bass kick the ball through the end zone instead of short to allow the Chiefs to start at 25. From there he gained 44 yards on two plays to set up Harrison Butker’s game-tying 49-yard field goal. I’m out of time.
Still, a win over the Chiefs would give the Bills first place in the AFC and home field advantage in the conference playoffs. Such a scenario would mean Buffalo would avoid another trip to Arrowhead in January when the Bills’ postseason ended every year for the past two years.
“What we took from that video is not to hunt, but to hunt.” Dawkins said.
what is working
Plug & play. Despite the loss of slot receivers Isaiah McKenzie (concussion) and Jamison Crowder (broken ankle), the Bills’ offense didn’t miss a beat. Rookie Khalil Shakir had three catches for 75 yards and one touchdown in his first career start, and Isaiah Hodges added four catches for 41 yards after being promoted from the practice team. did.
need help
Sales cleanup. Allen’s pass aimed at Davis in the end zone was intercepted, and tight end Quintin Morris lost a fumble on the goal line.
stock up
LB Tyrel Dodson started a team-leading 11 tackles and one sack in place of Tremaine Edmonds (hamstring).
stock down
Rookie CB Kaia Elam made the first interception, but it came after he was burned several times by Steelers rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett, who often threw in his direction.
injury
After missing a Steelers game with a rib injury, the status of starting S Jordan Poyer will be monitored. …starter CB Christian Benford is expected to miss at least one more game with a broken hand. … DT Jordan Phillips aggravated a hamstring injury against Pittsburgh before returning to play.
key number
0 — points allowed in Q3. Buffalo is the first team since Minnesota in 2016 to fail to score a point in the third quarter in his first five games of the season.
next step
This is the fifth matchup between Buffalo and Kansas City since 2020, with the Chiefs winning three of four, including both playoff matchups.
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