Buffalo Rumblings
The Buffalo Bills play the Atlanta Falcons this evening in the early matchup on ESPN for Week 6 of Monday Night Football. That means you better be ready to tune in for a 7:15 p.m. EDT kickoff, or risk losing out on seeing well over a quarter of first-half action.
Though Bills Mafia never need incentive to watch their favorite team, there’s added incentive tonight with the Falcons being an unfamiliar foe. That, and two current Falcons are former Bills. Leonard Floyd is a linebacker for Atlanta’s defense, while Ray-Ray McCloud III plays wide receiver and return specialist.
Floyd, who recently turned 33, was a starting defensive end on the right side of Buffalo’s scheme during the 2023 NFL season. It was a successful stop in Orchard Park, NY for Floyd, who notched 10.5 sacks, one forced fumble, while making 32 tackles (21 solo), nine tackles for loss, 19 quarterback hits, plus one pass defense. Following the 2023 campaign, Floyd signed a two-year $20 million free-agent contract with the San Francisco 49ers.
Floyd was cut after a similarly productive season, at which point he signed a one-year $10 million deal with the Falcons. In four games this season, Floyd has started every game, tallying 1.5 sacks, five tackles (2 solo), two tackles for loss, and six quarterback hits.
McCloud, who spent his rookie season in 2018 with the Bills, continues to play the dual-threat gadget role in Atlanta (his fifth NFL team). However, he’s come into his own as a receiver with the Falcons since joining the team in 2024. Last season, McCloud caught 62 passes (87 targets) for 686 yards and one touchdown, while producing 29 first downs and dropping just three passes in 13 starts. McCloud also rushed 10 times for 79 yards, gaining three first downs in those attempts. He also added 14 kick returns for 261 yards with a long of 36.
In 2025, McCloud has started just one game, catching six passes (14 targets) for 64 yards, making four first downs with one dropped pass. He has not been used as a rusher yet, but he has picked up punt-return duties (2 for no yards) while returning four kicks for 91 yards.
Keep an eye out for both Floyd and McCloud, who are sure to have added juice tonight when they take the field against former teammates and friends. Buffalo doesn’t currently roster anyone who previously played for Atlanta.
(All stats for Leonard Floyd and Ray-Ray McCloud III courtesy of Pro Football Reference.)
