Gameday Grades: The defense struggled most of the day but made plays down the stretch. The offense was awful early but used a last minute first half touchdown to get them going towards a big home win. Gameday Grades.
Bills Blitz: LeSean McCoy rumbled 75 yards for a touchdown on the first play of the second half to wake the Bills up from a first half slumber. It ignited a second half offensive attack that led to a 28-21 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars to keep their playoff hopes alive. The Bills did nothing early on as the Jaguars took the opening kickoff and marched down the field to take a 7-0 lead that lasted until McCoy ran it in from 7 yards out just before halftime to get the Bills on the scoreboard. Dan Carpenter's missed extra point had the Bills down 7-6 before McCoy's explosion after halftime. For a 2-8 team the Jags were resilient as they responded to the first two Bills second half touchdowns with TDs of their own to take a 21-20 fourth quarter lead. The Bills final scoring drive ended in a magnificent touchdown grab by Justin Hunter and McCoy's two point conversion gave them the final margin of victory. The defense came up with a fourth down stop and McCoy clinched it with a third down conversion in the final minute. Bills Blitz.
Injury Update: Walter Powell suffered a second half ankle injury and had to get carted off. He was quickly ruled out for the rest of the game. Ronald Darby took a knee to the head in the first quarter. He walked off wobbly and went straight to the locker room. He did not return as he entered concussion protocol. Marcell Dareus left the game late with an abdominal stain. Rex Ryan hopes it's not serious. Injury Page.
Gameday Inactives: Percy Harvin and Seantrel Henderson are inactive after being listed as questionable for today's game. Harvin has migraine issues while Henderson is facing a suspension. Corbin Bryant is out for a third straight game with his shoulder injury he was listed as doubtful. Mike Gillislee and Robert Woods were ruled out on Friday. Robert Blanton was also ruled out on Friday but he was placed on injured reserve so he doesn't count among the inactives. With Harvin and Wood out the Bills are getting Sammy Watkins back at the right time although he will be on a pitch count. The healthy scratches are Brandon Spikes and Cardale Jones. Jordan Gay is active after being brought back to sure up the kick coverage unit that has slipped in recent weeks.
Harvin Out; Henderson Suspension Coming: Reports say that an old issue for Percy Harving has raised its ugly head and he will not play today. He missed the last two days of practice with an illness. It's now being reported that he is suffering from migraines which is a problem that plagued him early in his career. In other news, Ian Rapoport is now confirming a Jay Skurksi report from earlier this week that Seantrel Henderson is indeed facing a 10 game suspension. He reportedly is appealing it and may take the league to court over it. It is likely he is facing it for marijuana which he is being told by his doctors he should be using for his Crohn's Disease. Right now he is officially not suspended so he could play today but he is listed as questionable after missing two days of practice this week because of the birth of his son.
Gameday Weather: Decent Late November weather for today's matchup at New Era Field. The gametime temperature will be 41° with the winds out of the West at 11mph but diminishing during the game. It will feel like it is in the 30s. No rain in the forecast as the game will be played under partly sunny skies.
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Saturday November 26, 2016
Watkins Activated: The Bills have activated Sammy Watkins from the injured reserve-designated to return list. They also have brought back kickoff specialist Jordan Gay once again. To make room they placed Robert Blanton on injured reserve and released TE Gerald Christian. Blanton injured his foot last week in Cincinnati and the Christian would like have been a healthy scratch anyway. Depth Chart.
Friday November 25, 2016
Gillislee Out: Mike Gillislee has been ruled out after injuring his groin in practice. As expected, Robert Woods and Robert Blanton are also out for Sunday's game. The good news is that Sammy Watkins is expected to play besides being listed as questionable along with LeSean McCoy who is expected to play as well. Percy Harvin missed practice for a second straight day with an illness and is listed as questionable. Rex Ryan sounded less sure he would play than Watkins and McCoy. Without Gillislee Jonathan Williams and Reggie Bush will split the snaps behind McCoy who is expected to carry a full load despite having Thumb surgery Sunday night. Seantrel Henderson is listed as questionable with a non football related designation. He missed practice the last two days and Jay Skurski is reporting that he may be facing another suspension. Injury Page.
Thursday November 24, 2016
Concern Over Gillislee: Rex Ryan said today that there is concern over the availability of Mike Gillislee for Sunday's game but the coach now expects Sammy Watkins to play unless there are any setbacks. Gillislee hurt his hamstring in practice on Wednesday and wasn't too concerned at that time but he did not practice on Thursday. Percy Harvin missed practice with an illness and Seantrell Henderson was out for personal reasons. The Buffalo News is reporting that he may be headed for another suspension but that is not confirmed. Injury Page.
Thanksgiving Practice: Sammy Watkins and LeSean McCoy both practiced for a second day in a row which is a good sign that both will play on Sunday. Charles Clay was alos back on the field as well. Mike Gillislee was not on the field during the open portion of practice to the dedicated members of the Bills Beat that were in attendance. He injured his hamstring yesterday. Seantrel Henderson and Parcy Harvin also did not practice. Injury Page.
Game Preview: The Bills return home to New Era Field for the first of four games at home over the next five weeks. The Jaguars come to town with a disappointing two wins after being touted an up and coming team in the preseason. The Bills can't look past the Jaguars because like very week the rest of the season, this is a must win. Game Preview.
Wednesday November 23, 2016
Watkins Gets Through Practice: Sammy Watkins took about 20 snaps or so at full speed in practice and seemed to come through ok. How he feels tomorrow will be most important. He said if there was a game today he doesn't think he would be ready to go but he felt good out there. He feels he's now over the mental hurdle and the time off turned out to be a blessing. Watkins said that the medical staff will look at the film to make sure he's not "babying" the foot. In other injury news, LeSean McCoy had a large bandage on his thumb but he told Tyrod Taylor he's full go. Mike Gillislee left practice early with a hamstring issue. He told reporters it just tightened up a bit and he's not concerned it will stop him from playing on Sunday. Cordy Glenn also sat out with a back problem. Injury Page.
Carpenter Honored: On a week when a record 12 extra points were missed in the league, Dan Carpenter was named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week. He hit his only extra point attempt and all three field goal attempts including a season high 54 yarder.
Watkins To Practice: Doug Whaley had his usual radio appearance on WGR this morning and announced that Sammy Watkins will return to practice today on a limited basis. How much he does will be determined by how he feels after practice and how the foot responds. It's still too early to tell if he'll play on Sunday even if he's cleared medically it's their job to save players from themselves sometimes. He got a CT scan at the beginning of the week. He now will be officially the player designated to return from IR and the team has 21 days to activate him (Dec. 14th). He spoke about Tyrod Taylor and said he will be judged on their 5-5 record but there is a lot of football to play and he has done some very good things. He is striving to be better and he's his harshest critic. He has the team and organization behind him and he wants to finish strong in the last six games. Injuries will be taken into account when evaluating him but they aren't used as an excuse. Everything is part of the evaluation and everyone is aware of his 4th quarter comeback issues. He has improved in his command of the team and holding in the pocket. Injury Page.
Tuesday November 22, 2016
Many Questions: The Bills may have come away with a win Sunday but it was ugly which left our columnist Tony Bogyo unsatisfied despite the win. This week Tony examines a few key questions still surrounding this team as they likely head towards their 17th straight season without making the playoffs. Complete Story.
Monday November 21, 2016
Woods, Blanton Doubtful: Rex Ryan addressed the media on victory Monday and said that it is doubtful that either Robert Woods or Robert Blanton will play on Sunday. He confirmed the knee sprain to Woods and Blanton has a foot injury. He is a more optimistic that LeSean McCoy will play after he had thumb surgery last night. He will wait to see how it progresses through the week however before making a determination. The same goes for Sammy Watkins as they don't know yet if he'll be ready to go. He doesn't know how realistic it is for him to play this week but acknowledged it would be nice if he can play even on a limited basis.
Injury Notes: LeSean McCoy underwent surgery this morning on his dislocated thumb but the good news is he is expected to play on Sunday against Jacksonville. The only concern is catching passes. Robert Woods left the stadium on crutches yesterday after undergoing an MRI. There was good news there as well as the knee is sprained but there is no ligament damage. He still will miss some time but it is not a season ending injury. Sal Capaccio of WGR is reporting that Sammy Watkins will undergo a CT scan tomorrow to see how his foot is going. That scan will go a long way in deciding if he can play again this year. He is eligible to play on Sunday if he's able. Robert Blanton also left the stadium on crutches yesterday. Injury Page.
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