Buffalo Rumblings
The Buffalo Bills improved their record to 9-4 after beating the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday afternoon at a snowy Highmark Stadium. Buffalo overcame a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit, thanks to scoring three touchdowns in less than five minutes, and Josh Allen became the first quarterback in NFL history to total 20+ passing touchdowns and 10+ rushing touchdowns in three straight seasons. His 40-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter also marked the longest regular-season rushing touchdown by a quarterback in team history.
Usual injury report suspects such as wide receiver Joshua Palmer, right tackle Spencer Brown, and linebacker Terrel Bernard were unable to suit up yet again. Defensive end Joey Bosa missed his first game of the season due to a hamstring injury.
See the full inactives list here: Buffalo Bills Week 14 inactives vs. the Cincinnati Bengals
D.Dawkins T 64 100%
D.Edwards G 64 100%
O.Torrence G 64 100%
R.Van Demark T 64 100%
C.McGovern G 64 100%
J.Allen QB 64 100%
J.Cook RB 48 75%
G.Davis WR 37 58%
T.Shavers WR 36 56%
D.Knox TE 35 55%
J.Hawes TE 34 53%
K.Shakir WR 32 50%
B.Cooks WR 23 36%
D.Kincaid TE 22 34%
K.Coleman WR 18 28%
Ty.Johnson RB 16 25%
R.Gilliam FB 15 23%
R.Davis RB 4 6%
With Spencer Brown sidelined, tackle Ryan Van Demark (100%) logged his third start of the season. He was struggling at times to seal off the right side of the line, but it was enough time for Allen (100%) to work his magic outside of the pocket. Speaking of JA17, he totaled four touchdowns (3 passing, 1 rushing) and was clearly the best football player on the field. He converted multiple fourth downs and showed why you cannot forget to put a QB spy on him, especially in late-game situations or key downs.
Running back James Cook (75%) totaled 101 scrimmage yards on 20 touches but fumbled on the 2-yard line following a 12-play, 70-yard drive that took over seven minutes off the game clock. Cook has fumbled six times and lost three of them since Week 10. Since the bye week, he has averaged 20 carries per game, so it’s clear that the workhorse role is catching up to him. Ty Johnson (25%) nearly took his second carry to the house but slipped in the snow, and Buffalo had to settle for a field goal on its opening drive. Ray Davis (6%) remains the odd man out in the running back room.
Despite Allen nearly doubling his passing yardage from last week, the wide receivers were rather quiet, with Gabe Davis (58%) now leading the wide receiver room in snaps. Davis hauled in both of his targets for 21 yards, both on key downs. It is obvious how much more comfortable Allen plays when he has Davis on the field. Tyrell Shavers (56%) logged one fewer snap than Davis, and while he doesn’t show up in the box score too...
