ORCHARD PARK https://www.thebillslockerroom.com/authentic-devin-singletary-jersey , N.Y. (AP) — Coach Sean McDermott knows the Buffalo Bills aren’t going to win too many more games if they keep allowing opponents to start drives at midfield — or beyond.“That wasn’t part of the game plan, for them to start at the 48,” McDermott said, sarcastically.Three turnovers by rookie quarterback Josh Allen, coupled with a series of special teams coverage breakdowns led to the Bills squandering a 14-3lead in a 27-23 loss to the New York Jets on Sunday.Though the Jets took their first and only lead on Elijah McGuire’s touchdown on fourth-and-goal from the 1 with 1:17 remaining, McDermott said the trouble began much earlier when the Bills kept providing New York opportunities.Allen’s first two turnovers on a lost fumble and an interception committed inside Bills territory, not only ended Buffalo scoring opportunities, but led to a Jets field goal.And then there were Buffalo’s special teams meltdowns, which led to Andre Roberts finishing with 176 yards on five kickoff returns.“There’s a recipe to winning in this league and it starts by taking care of the football, giving yourself a chance with good field position,” McDermott said. “We were shooting ourselves in the foot. That’s really the story of the game right there.”Buffalo dropped to 4-9 and will finish with a losing record for just the second time in five seasons, and a year after making the playoffs to end a 17-year postseason drought. Expectations were lower for the Bills this season, given the commitment they made to rebuilding through youth last offseason.The lack of experience has shown for a team starting five first- or second-year players on offense Womens Dawson Knox Jersey , and four more on defense.Each time the Bills appeared to gain momentum, they handed it back to the Jets.After Isaiah McKenzie scored on a 15-yard run to put Buffalo up 14-3, Roberts followed with a 51-yard kickoff return, which led to Jason Myers hitting a 21-yard field goal.After Buffalo’s Stephen Hauschka hit a 31-yard field goal to regain the 14-point edge, Roberts burst up the right sideline for an 86-yard return, which set up Trenton Cannon’s 4-yard touchdown.And after Hauschka hit a 36-yard field goal with 2:31 left to put Buffalo up 23-20, Roberts not only returned the next kickoff 22 yards to New York’s 34, but the Jets picked up another 5 yards due to an illegal formation penalty called against Buffalo.Rookie quarterback Sam Darnold then proceeded to march the Jets on a nine-play, 61-yard drive to win it, including a perfectly placed 37-yard pass to Robby Anderson, who made an over-the-shoulder catch up the right sideline.Members of the Bills’ defense blamed themselves for allowing the Jets to score.And yet, Buffalo limited New York to 248 yards offense and 15 first downs. The difference was the Jets having eight drives start at their 35 or better, including five inside Buffalo territory.Allen blamed himself.“I’ve got to be smarter with the football Jaquan Johnson Jersey Draft ,” said Allen, who now has nine interceptions and two lost fumbles, versus five touchdowns passing and five rushing.Allen’s first interception came when he was scrambling to his right and, rather than throwing the ball away, floated a pass back toward the field and was easily intercepted by Trumaine Johnson. Allen’s second interception came on Buffalo’s final drive, when he tried to force a pass to Zay Jones, only to have it picked off by Johnson.“Yeah, he’s got to learn from those,” McDermott said. “At times, he’s tried to do too much. That’s tough living there.” JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP)Benched earlier this season and questioned for years, Tyrod Taylor and Blake Bortles have a chance to change public perception on the NFL’s playoff stage. Taylor helped Buffalo end the longest, current postseason drought in North American pro sports (17 years) while Bortles led Jacksonville to its first playoff berth since the 2007 season. Whichever one wins the next game could do wonders to his image. The Jaguars (10-6) host the Bills (9-7) in an AFC wild-card game Sunday Jaquan Johnson NFL Jersey , a win-or-go-home matchup that means as much to the quarterbacks as anyone. The Bills were in talks with free agent Brian Hoyer in March and ready to part ways with Taylor until he agreed to restructure his contract extension and make it a two-year deal worth $30.5 million. He has one year remaining, but the team could save $10 million by moving on after this season. No one would be surprised to see it happen, especially after coach Sean McDermott benched Taylor in favor of rookie Nathan Peterman in November. Peterman threw five first-half interceptions in a 54-24 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, and Taylor has been the team’s starter since . ”I don’t focus on things that I can’t control, and I’m going to continue to be that way,” said Taylor, who has 14 touchdown passes and four interceptions this season. ”All I can control right now is my preparation, my focus, my work ethic to putting it all in for this week. It’s a one-game season right now, and that’s for everyone. ”I can’t allow distractions or thinking too far ahead.” Bortles has taken a similar approach despite constant bashing – and not just the typical criticism from fans and media. Tennessee defensive end Jurrell Casey told a Nashville radio station this week, ”As long as Bortles is back there, if the ballgame is in his hands, he’s going to choke.” Casey tried to clarify his comments two days later Jaquan Johnson NFL Draft , writing on Twitter, ”Chill, y’all. I was just hyping our defense. If we put the pressure, some QBs will choke.” Hearing talk such as that is nothing new for Bortles, who’s been publicly ripped by Houston defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, Seattle safety Earl Thomas and Cincinnati linebacker Vontaze Burfict in the past two months. ”Players or peers talking about you is a little new,” said Bortles, who is a big reason Jacksonville is hosting its first playoff game since 1999. ”I’ve never been somebody that felt that is the way you should handle things, but guys are different. I had the chance, was fortunate enough to play for George O’Leary in college and playing for Coach O’Leary, you learned very quickly how to take criticism. I had four years of practice doing that, so there’s nobody that can say anything worse to me than he did. ”I got benched every other day.” Jaguars coach Doug Marrone actually benched Bortles in the preseason, stirring speculation that his days in Jacksonville were numbered. But Bortles regained the starting job a week later and has been better than expected since Jaquan Johnson Buffalo Bills Jersey , although five interceptions in the past two games – both losses – have some questioning him again. His first playoff game – Taylor went to the 2013 Super Bowl as Baltimore’s backup – could leave outsiders looking at him differently. ”Playing a playoff game in Jacksonville hasn’t happened in a while, so having that opportunity to play in front of our fans and our city and our stadium, I think, is awesome,” Bortles said. ”I think everyone realizes it’s your last chance. If you lose, you go home, it’s over.” Here are some other things to know about Buffalo and Jacksonville: STAR STATUS: Bills running back LeSean McCoy is questionable with a right ankle injury. McCoy said he was feeling ”a lot better” Thursday, but declined to make any guarantees about playing. McCoy accounts for nearly a third of Buffalo’s offense. OLD FACE, NEW PLACE: Jaguars defensive tackle Marcell Dareus insists he harbors no ill will toward his former team. His actions might say otherwise. The 340-pound run-stopper will face the Bills for the first time since they traded him in October for a late-round draft pick. MARRONE’S MAKEOVER: Jaguars coach Doug Marrone bolted on Buffalo in 2014, opting out of his contract and getting $4 million to walk away. Marrone landed in Jacksonville and will face Buffalo in his first playoff game as a head coach. LONG TIME COMING: Jacksonville’s first home playoff game since January 2000 will be a packed house. The Jaguars sold every ticket available and even received permission to remove tarps covering four upper-deck sections to help satisfy demand. —
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