Tag: Buffalo Bills

6 keys to victory in Week 6

This season has been… we’ll call it less than stellar. To put it mildly. The New York Giants are at the bottom of the league in most categories and no signs of improvement are visible.

There are plenty of places to lay blame, but ultimately, the team has to work as a cohesive unit to have any hope of winning a game. They haven’t been able to do that thus far.

On Sunday, the Giants face the Buffalo Bills in prime time on the road.

The Bills’ season, while going better than the Giants, still hasn’t been what they expected. They’re coming off of a loss in London, and the last time they played after a loss, they beat the Dolphins, 48-20.

The Giants will have their hands full on Sunday, but there are six things they can do to help earn a win.

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For the offense, it all starts and stops with the quarterback. Last week, Daniel Jones injured his neck due to a lack of protection. He has been sacked 29 times and because of that, he might not play on Sunday. Whether he ends up cleared and playing or Tyrod Taylor gets the nod, the line has got to step up and protect him. The offense’s ability to function relies solely on the quarterback’s ability to get the ball out. He can’t do that without protection.

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The Giants haven’t thrown a deep pass since their win over the Arizona Cardinals in Week 2. A large part of that is due to the lack of protection around the quarterback, but it also stems from poor passes and a lack of effort by the receivers to make a catch. Airing it out worked against the Cardinals, so the Giants need to find a way to make it happen again.

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This isn’t just about completing passes and pressuring the quarterback. Execution matters. The Giants have to make sure they are lined up properly at the start of each play, no holes in any line. They must run accurate routes, complete passes and run efficiently without turning the ball over.

They have to stop the opposing team, which means reading the offense and adjusting the defense accordingly. It means tackling the first time. It means putting forth more effort to ensure plays are positive for the Giants.

If you’re not practicing during the week like you play on Sunday, execution becomes incredibly difficult. Practice like you play, execute on the field.

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Josh Allen is one of the top quarterbacks in the league today. But he is not infallible and has thrown five interceptions this season. That’s just one less than Jones has thrown, and Allen’s protection is far better than what the Giants provide Jones. The Giants have to force him to make a mistake on Sunday, and then they have to capitalize on that mistake to put points on the board.

Allen is surrounded by a team that can bounce back from mistakes if the other team doesn’t make use of those mistakes, so it’s not enough to force Allen to do something he’s uncomfortable with. When the Giants get the ball, they have to do something with it.

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One of the biggest reasons a team is unsuccessful in any league is a lack of communication. This starts from the top. Brian Daboll has to communicate with his players the things he expects out of them, how he envisions certain plays to be run, what he sees on the field that helps the team make adjustments, etc.

On the field, the players must do their jobs to execute what Daboll sees, but they also see the field and must communicate additional adjustments. This goes for both sides of the ball. Whichever player is charged with making those adjustments and seeing the field for what it is has to make sure the rest of the field knows what to do.

This also falls under execution. Communication is what gets the players the information they need for the current play. Execution happens when players practice how they play on game day. And if a player doesn’t understand an assignment, a coach or team leader must help them adjust and learn. The team is only as strong as its weakest link.

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The Giants have a lot of players who are injured, and many of them are impact players on their side of the ball. The NFL doesn’t care if there are injuries, neither do owners and neither do fans. Everyone expects a win regardless of who is on the field, so if the Giants are missing key players this week, it’s next man up. Everyone should know the play calls, everyone should know what is expected of them and everyone should know that the game rests on their shoulders.

Injuries make winning more difficult, but not impossible. And, who knows, maybe someone will surprise us on Sunday and be the missing piece the Giants have been looking for. Injuries are not an excuse. Next man up.

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Giants vs. Bills: 3 causes for concern in Week 6

The New York Giants will go on the road to battle the Buffalo Bills in Week 6. It’s the latest in a long line of tough games to start the season for Big Blue.

The Giants will try to avoid falling to 1-5 on the year but with them being near two-touchdown road underdogs, that seems unlikely even for the largest optimist.

Here are three causes for concern headed into Sunday.

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One player New York Giants would steal from Buffalo Bills

The New York Giants (1-4) will visit the Buffalo Bills (3-2) at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York on Sunday night in their sixth game of the 2023 regular season.

That, of course, provides those of us here at Giants Wire the opportunity to hypothetically steal from the Bills’ roster in search of depth and/or talent upgrades for Big Blue.

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In looking over Buffalo’s roster, it’s clear that they’re a much deeper, more talented team than the Giants. Perhaps more specifically, they have quality offensive linemen that would go a long way in helping to improve New York’s roster.

Guard Connor McGovern and center Mitch Morse are both strong options. Outside of the linemen, wide receiver Stefon Diggs, defensive lineman DaQuan Jones, linebacker A.J. Epenesa and safety Micah Hyde were also among those considered.

Ultimately, we settled on veteran offensive tackle Dion Dawkins.

Dawkins, a two-time Pro Bowler, would immediately come in and start for the Giants at right tackle, potentially pushing Evan Neal inside to guard. Not only would that strengthen the bookends, it would potentially salvage Neal’s career.

If moving Neal to guard wasn’t the answer, he could become the Giants’ swing tackle — an area they could desperately use an upgrade.

Anything to improve the O-line at this point.

What are your thoughts, Giants fans? Would you pick Dion Dawkins or would you steal an entirely different player from the Buffalo Bills?

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New York Giants’ Brian Daboll optimistic Daniel Jones plays vs. Bills

New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll had a positive update on quarterback Daniel Jones during his Monday morning session with the beat pool.

“He doesn’t feel terrible today,” said Daboll.

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Jones said as much after the game on Sunday.

Jones exited the Giants’ 31-16 loss to the Dolphins in Miami after being sacked by linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel early in the fourth quarter and did not return.

This Sunday’s game in Buffalo is another night game on national television and the Giants will need all hands on deck as their season teeters on the precipice of disaster.

They still may be without left tackle Andrew Thomas, who is still battling a hamstring injury, and running back Saquon Barkley (ankle). Daboll said that Barkley was ‘closer’ to coming back than Thomas is at this time.



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New York Giants acquire DE Boogie Basham from Buffalo Bills

New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen never shies away from a little wheeling and dealing and on Tuesday morning, he did it again.

With hours remaining until the 53-man roster cutdown deadline, Schoen and the Giants acquired defensive end Boogie Basham from the Buffalo Bills.

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In exchange for Basham, the Giants and Bills agreed to swap late-round picks in 2025.

The 25-year-old Basham was a second-round pick in the 2021 NFL draft and is someone Schoen is obviously familiar with from his time in Buffalo.

Here is what NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein had to say about Basham ahead of the 2021 draft:

Three-year starter at defensive end with burly frame, heavy hands and an ability to take on physical rigors of the NFL. His rush attack is more technical and explosive, using active hands, spin counters and a thoughtful approach. His lack of suddenness and edge speed could get him pegged as an early-down end while moving inside to become an interior rusher on passing downs. He needs to become comfortable handling the heavy lifting as a run defender as he’s much more likely to be a worker bee than playmaker in that regard. He’s strong and plays heavy at the point of attack with leverage to sit down and battle for his space of turf. He’s unlikely to produce headline-making production, but should be a good pro.

In 23 career games, the 6-foot-3, 281-pound Basham has recorded 37 tackles (20 solo, five for a loss), one fumble recovery, eight QB hits, 4.5 sacks and one interception.

Last season, Basham earned an overall grade of 66.4 courtesy of Pro Football Focus. He was also given a pass rush grade of 68.8.

With the Giants still relatively thin along the edge, Basham provides some depth but it may come at the expense of a player like Oshane Ximines.



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Damar Hamlin tells Joe Biden he will return to NFL in White House meeting

Damar Hamlin put the NFL on notice, telling President Joe Biden at the White House that he believes he will be able to play again one day.

Hamlin, 25, and his family paid the President a visit while in Washington on Thursday, where Biden commended Hamlin for his courage and resilience after suffering cardiac arrest on Jan. 2 following a tackle on wideout Tee Higgins as the Bills faced the Bengals in Week 18.

Biden asked: “You think you’re going to be able to play?”

“Yeah, I think so,” Hamlin replied.

“Good, I hope so,” said Biden.

“God willing,” Hamlin added.

For someone who asked if the Bills won the called-off game as he returned to consciousness days later, it’s no surprise that Hamlin has expressed his desire to return to the field and with the belief he can do so.


Damar Hamlin and President Biden pose with Hamlin’s gift to Biden at a White House meeting.
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“Eventually. That’s always the goal, like I said, as a competitor, you know, I’m trying to do things to keep advancing my situation,” Hamlin said in February, via ESPN. “But I’m allowing that to be in God’s hands. I’m just thankful he gave me a second chance.”

Earlier this month, the Bills’ general manager Brandon Beane spoke of Hamlin’s eagerness and that things were “trending in the right direction.”

“We’ll get him through all [medical consultations] and then we’ll make sure all of our medical people are hearing all those opinions on each visit and make sure that we’re all on the same page of what it would look like,” Beane told reporters, noting that he believed consultations would end next month but that there could always be more.


Damar Hamlin and his family pose for a photo with President Biden.
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Stemming from Hamlin’s incident, the NFL announced the Smart Heart Sports Coalition earlier this week, according to ESPN.

The program focuses on advocating for policies in all 50 states aimed to prevent sudden or fatal instances of cardiac arrest among high school athletes.

The coalition has already sent letters suggesting additional policies to governors in 43 states.

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Ex-NFL star Vontae Davis arrested for DUI after alleged crash

Former NFL cornerback Vontae Davis was arrested Saturday by the Florida Highway Patrol and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, according to Broward County arrest records.

Davis had a bond amount listed at $500, per the record.

Though there’s only one DUI charge listed, Fox Sports 640’s Andy Slater reported Sunday morning that Davis “allegedly crashed into a disabled car on the side of the highway, which then hit a person next to it.” Officers then allegedly found Davis sleeping, and when they asked why he was sleeping on the shoulder, Davis replied, “I was tired.”


Vontae Davis was arrested Saturday for driving under the influence.
Broward County Sheriff’s Office

Slater, citing anonymous sources, reported that Davis claimed he was driving home from a club, where he had two mixed drinks. The person Davis allegedly struck was taken to a hospital with “multiple injuries,” according to Slater.

Davis, a former first-round pick of the Dolphins in 2009, spent his first three seasons in Miami before a 2012 trade sent him to the Colts. He proceeded to spend the bulk of his remaining career with Indianapolis, though he made a brief — and controversial — cameo with the Bills in 2018 by signing as a free agent in the offseason, but then retiring at halftime of the season opener.


Vernon Davis infamously retired at halftime of the season-opener during his final NFL season.
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Vontae Davis spent the bulk of his career with the Colts after Miami traded him in 2012.
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“This isn’t how I pictured retiring from the NFL,” he wrote in a statement published on the NFL’s Twitter account the next day. “But today on the field, reality hit me and hard. I shouldn’t be out there anymore.”

Davis was selected to consecutive Pro Bowls in 2014 and ’15, a pair of seasons when he combined for eight interceptions, 34 passes defended, and two forced fumbles. He’s the brother of former star tight end Vernon Davis.



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Bengals dominate Bills to earn trip to AFC Championship

The Bengals are back in the AFC Championship game as the Bills again fall a game short.

Cincinnati dominated Buffalo in a 27-10 win in a snow-filled divisional round game at Highmark Stadium on Sunday. The Bengals get a rematch with the Chiefs in Kansas City next Sunday with a return trip to the Super Bowl on the line. Buffalo, which got an emotional lift from having Damar Hamlin in attendance, will be sent home early for a second straight year.

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) takes a hit from Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Joseph Ossai (58) during the second quarter of an NFL division round football game.
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Joe Burrow throws the ball during the Bengals’ win over the Bulls on Sunday.
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Joe Burrow threw two touchdown passes and the Bengals defense only allowed a field goal and a Josh Allen rushing touchdown.

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Dolphins QB ruled out for Bills playoff match

Tua Tagovailoa will not be returning for the Dolphins’ wild-card game against the Bills.

Miami head coach Mike McDaniel ruled the third-year quarterback out of the playoff matchup on Wednesday, as he has not been cleared for football activities after suffering multiple concussions this season – most recently in the Week 16 game against the Packers.

“It’s very frustrating for Tua,” McDaniel told reporters, according to The Palm Beach Post. “He wants to be with his team for the playoffs.”

Teddy Bridgewater, the team’s backup quarterback, appears unlikely to be ready to play as well after suffering a finger injury the following week against the Patriots. So, the team is preparing as if seventh-round rookie Skylar Thompson will start.

Miami lost five straight games heading into Week 18, but slipped into a playoff spot with an ugly 11-6 victory over the Jets. Their reward is now to go into Buffalo with a third-string quarterback, who has completed 57.1 percent of his passes this year for one touchdown and three interceptions.

Tua Tagovailoa
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Skylar Thompson
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Tagovailoa’s playing future appears murky going forward, as he suffered a number of high-profile head injuries throughout the year. He was transported to the hospital after slamming his head on the ground in a game against the Bengals. A week earlier – in a victory over the Bills – he appeared wobbly while standing up after taking a hit from linebacker Matt Milano. He briefly left that game with what the Dolphins claimed was a back injury.

“Tua is learning that he needs to listen to the advice of doctors and medical professionals, he understands the severity of doing that,” McDaniel said.

Tagovailoa was placed in the concussion protocol again after the Packers game despite having finished the whole contest. He has yet to play since.

The Bills went from being a nine-point betting favorite to being -13.5 at some books after the quarterback decision was announced.

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How Damar Hamlin’s cardiac arrest may have happened: cardiologist

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin might have been a fraction of a second away from moving on to the next play.

Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest Monday night when he collapsed on the field in Cincinnati, was administered CPR under life-or-death circumstances and hospitalized in critical condition after what one independent board-certified cardiologist saw as a collision at the time in the cardiac cycle when the heart is most vulnerable.

“That hit had to occur at a certain point in time that was only five milliseconds long,” said Dr. Marc Cohen, Chairman of the Department of Medicine at Newark-Beth Israel Medical Center. “If that hit occurred one millisecond after or before, this may not have happened.”

Bills safety Damar Hamlin went into cardiac arrest during “Monday Night Football” against the Bengals. Follow the New York Post’s live coverage for injury updates on his condition.

What looked like a routine (by NFL standards) tackle by Hamlin on Bengals receiver Tee Higgins resulted in Hamlin getting to his feet, adjusting his facemask and immediately falling onto his back as horrified players from both sides watched trainers, paramedics and doctors assist with his breathing and restore his heartbeat.

Bills safety Damar Hamlin (3) suffered cardiac arrest after tackling Bengals receiver Tee Higgins (85) on Jan. 2, 2023.
AP

One common medical explanation is commotio cordis, though that is considered more an instantaneous reaction that would be a challenge to explain how Hamlin rose to his feet.

Cohen’s expertise suggested several issues at play.

“There is a time in the cycle of the heart where we are at risk. If we were to tap the heart, we can cause the heart to go into ventricular fibrillation,” Cohen told The Post. “More likely than not, what happened is he got up and his rhythm became chaotic. That may have taken a few seconds to occur.”

Cohen also noticed on replay that Higgins stopped Hamlin’s chest when they collided, but Hamlin’s head snapped back and forth.

Josh Allen (17) and other Bills players react after Damar Hamlin’s collapse on Jan. 2, 2023.
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“When your head goes ping-ponging, it’s very possible that a tremendous amount of adrenaline may be released,” Cohen said, “and that adrenaline triggers the heart to go into a chaotic rhythm, which we call ventricular fibrillation.”

The third possibility that occurred to Cohen from afar is similar to what was commonly seen in car-crash victims who slammed into the steering wheel before the popularization of the seat belt and airbag.

“You would tear your aorta at a certain point in your chest, where the rest of you is going forward, but your aorta is pinned down by some ligaments,” Cohen said. “That would cause a catastrophic tear.”

Bills safety Damar Hamlin after a game against the Titans on Sept. 19, 2022.
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In all three possibilities, on-field defibrillation could have revived Hamlin’s heartbeat, but the unknown is whether the heart is pumping enough blood to the rest of the body, including the breathing center in the brain. 

The vulnerable period within each cardiac cycle is only a few milliseconds long, when the heart is most susceptible to degeneration from a sudden physical impact.

The Bills released a statement that Hamlin spent the night at the intensive care unit at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center and remains in critical condition. The Bills-Bengals game was suspended and will not be resumed this week.

Cohen credited the first-responders for quick action on the field and said this should be a “wake-up call” to make sure safety equipment is readily available throughout cities to encourage bystander CPR. 

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