{"id":71536,"date":"2025-12-27T16:33:18","date_gmt":"2025-12-27T16:33:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/71536\/"},"modified":"2025-12-27T16:33:18","modified_gmt":"2025-12-27T16:33:18","slug":"buffalo-bills-trending-up-down-ahead-of-week-17-vs-philadelphia-eagles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/71536\/","title":{"rendered":"Buffalo Bills trending up\/down ahead of Week 17 vs. Philadelphia Eagles"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">As the Buffalo Bills prepare for their Week 17 showdown against the Philadelphia Eagles, the team sits at 11-4, fresh off a hard-fought 23-20 road win over the Cleveland Browns in Week 16. This victory marked their fourth straight, clinching at least an 11-win season for the sixth-consecutive year, and locking them in for the AFC playoff race.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">The Bills\u2019 offense leaned heavily on the ground game, while the defense generated key stops, including multiple sacks and pressures from the edge. Quarterback Josh Allen completed just 12-of-19 passes for 130 yards, with the rushing attack and defense carrying the day in a low-scoring affair where Buffalo overcame being outgained in total yards (259-294).<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">With the Eagles holding a strong NFC East lead and potentially managing player rest, this home game at Highmark Stadium could impact seeding. Buffalo\u2019s elite rushing efficiency (second in the league in yards per attempt) faces Philly\u2019s solid defense, which means that individual performances will be crucial.<br \/>Let\u2019s examine the top three Bills players trending up (our \u201cHeroes\u201d) and three trending down (\u201cHead-Scratchers\u201d), supported by key stats from sources like ESPN, Pro Football Reference, and some other team reports.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"_1eezmj01\" href=\"https:\/\/platform.buffalorumblings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2025\/12\/imagn-27866161.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0,0,100,100\" data-pswp-height=\"4095\" data-pswp-width=\"6141\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer nofollow noopener\"><img alt=\"Dec 21, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) is pressures by. Buffalo Bills defensive end Greg Rousseau (50) during the second half at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"w91vxg0\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-image:url(&quot;data:image\/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' %3E%3Cfilter id='b' color-interpolation-filters='sRGB'%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'\/%3E%3CfeColorMatrix values='1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 100 -1' result='s'\/%3E%3CfeFlood x='0' y='0' width='100%25' height='100%25'\/%3E%3CfeComposite operator='out' in='s'\/%3E%3CfeComposite in2='SourceGraphic'\/%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'\/%3E%3C\/filter%3E%3Cimage width='100%25' height='100%25' x='0' y='0' preserveAspectRatio='none' style='filter: url(%23b);' href='data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mN8+R8AAtcB6oaHtZcAAAAASUVORK5CYII='\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E&quot;)\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/imagn-27866161.jpg\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Dec 21, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) is pressures by. Buffalo Bills defensive end Greg Rousseau (50) during the second half at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images Ken Blaze-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Greg Rousseau dominated in Week 16 against the Browns, recording a season-high 2.5 sacks, nine pressures, seven quarterback hits, and key late-game disruptions that forced a turnover on downs and intentional grounding, closing the game. His performance helped limit Cleveland\u2019s offense despite time-of-possession disadvantages.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Season-long, Rousseau has 6.5 sacks through 15 games, 43 combined tackles, six tackles for loss, 21 quarterback hits, and one forced fumble, with consistent performances against the run in four straight seasons. His pass-rush dominance against the Browns was really fun to watch, and something that Bills Mafia was eager to see. Buffalo will need this version of Groot to challenge the Eagles\u2019 line and the mobile Jalen Hurts.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"_1eezmj01\" href=\"https:\/\/platform.buffalorumblings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2025\/12\/gettyimages-2252443417.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0,0,100,100\" data-pswp-height=\"3133\" data-pswp-width=\"4699\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer nofollow noopener\"><img alt=\"CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 21: Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Dion Dawkins (73) blocks Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during the first quarter of the National Football League game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025, at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"w91vxg0\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-image:url(&quot;data:image\/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' %3E%3Cfilter id='b' color-interpolation-filters='sRGB'%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'\/%3E%3CfeColorMatrix values='1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 100 -1' result='s'\/%3E%3CfeFlood x='0' y='0' width='100%25' height='100%25'\/%3E%3CfeComposite operator='out' in='s'\/%3E%3CfeComposite in2='SourceGraphic'\/%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'\/%3E%3C\/filter%3E%3Cimage width='100%25' height='100%25' x='0' y='0' preserveAspectRatio='none' style='filter: url(%23b);' href='data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mN8+R8AAtcB6oaHtZcAAAAASUVORK5CYII='\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E&quot;)\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/gettyimages-2252443417.jpg\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>CLEVELAND, OH &#8211; DECEMBER 21: Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Dion Dawkins (73) blocks Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during the first quarter of the National Football League game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025, at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Icon Sportswire via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">I\u2019ve been critical of Dion Dawkins recently, but there\u2019s no denying that, when focused, he\u2019s one of the best left tackles in the game. Against the Browns, he anchored the left side masterfully in Week 16, holding defensive end Myles Garrett to just one pressure on 18 pass rushes while helping Buffalo\u2019s ground success (160-plus rushing yards total) and James Cook III\u2019s explosive gains, also joining the running back and the team\u2019s superstar quarterback as the three Bills\u2019 Pro Bowl selections this season.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">To push it home a bit further, Garrett\u2019s half a sack against the Bills was the first game he\u2019d been held without a full sack since Week 6, and the first outing since Week 10 where he didn\u2019t record at least two quarterback hits in a game.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Dawkins has been inconsistent in 2025, but he\u2019s trending in the right direction at the right time, protecting Allen\u2019s blindside and contributing to the team\u2019s top-tier rushing attack. His physicality has shielded Allen during a season of offensive highs, and against Philly\u2019s edge rushers, his upward trajectory remains vital for the team\u2019s success.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"_1eezmj01\" href=\"https:\/\/platform.buffalorumblings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2025\/12\/gettyimages-2253168635.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0,0,100,100\" data-pswp-height=\"4670\" data-pswp-width=\"7006\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer nofollow noopener\"><img alt=\"CLEVELAND, OHIO - DECEMBER 21: Running back James Cook III #4 of the Buffalo Bills runs the ball during the third quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field on December 21, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Bills defeated the Browns 23-20. (Photo by Jason Miller\/Getty Images)\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"w91vxg0\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-image:url(&quot;data:image\/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' %3E%3Cfilter id='b' color-interpolation-filters='sRGB'%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'\/%3E%3CfeColorMatrix values='1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 100 -1' result='s'\/%3E%3CfeFlood x='0' y='0' width='100%25' height='100%25'\/%3E%3CfeComposite operator='out' in='s'\/%3E%3CfeComposite in2='SourceGraphic'\/%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'\/%3E%3C\/filter%3E%3Cimage width='100%25' height='100%25' x='0' y='0' preserveAspectRatio='none' style='filter: url(%23b);' href='data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mN8+R8AAtcB6oaHtZcAAAAASUVORK5CYII='\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E&quot;)\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/gettyimages-2253168635.jpg\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>CLEVELAND, OHIO &#8211; DECEMBER 21: Running back James Cook III #4 of the Buffalo Bills runs the ball during the third quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field on December 21, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Bills defeated the Browns 23-20. (Photo by Jason Miller\/Getty Images) Getty Images<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">James Cook was Buffalo\u2019s offensive star in Week 16, rushing 16 times for 117 yards (7.3 yards per carry) and two touchdowns, including a 44-yard burst on the opening drive, and a 3-yard score. He added 17 receiving yards, totaling a strong outing that built on his first-half explosion (nine carries for 100 yards and two touchdowns).<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Cook leads the NFL in rushing yards (1,532 through 15 games) with 12 rushing touchdowns, plus 32 receptions for 288 yards and two touchdowns \u2014 totaling 1,820 scrimmage yards and 14 touchdowns. His efficiency and burst have made him a Pro Bowl selection, and his hot streak may allow him to exploit Philly\u2019s run defense, as he quietly positions himself within Offensive Player of the Year conversations.<\/p>\n<p>Head-Scratchers: Trending Down<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"_1eezmj01\" href=\"https:\/\/platform.buffalorumblings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2025\/12\/gettyimages-2246572582.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0,0,100,100\" data-pswp-height=\"3584\" data-pswp-width=\"5376\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer nofollow noopener\"><img alt=\"MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 09: Keon Coleman #0 of the Buffalo Bills warms up prior to a game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on November 09, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs\/Getty Images)\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"w91vxg0\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-image:url(&quot;data:image\/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' %3E%3Cfilter id='b' color-interpolation-filters='sRGB'%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'\/%3E%3CfeColorMatrix values='1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 100 -1' result='s'\/%3E%3CfeFlood x='0' y='0' width='100%25' height='100%25'\/%3E%3CfeComposite operator='out' in='s'\/%3E%3CfeComposite in2='SourceGraphic'\/%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'\/%3E%3C\/filter%3E%3Cimage width='100%25' height='100%25' x='0' y='0' preserveAspectRatio='none' style='filter: url(%23b);' href='data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mN8+R8AAtcB6oaHtZcAAAAASUVORK5CYII='\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E&quot;)\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/gettyimages-2246572582.jpg\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA &#8211; NOVEMBER 09: Keon Coleman #0 of the Buffalo Bills warms up prior to a game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on November 09, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs\/Getty Images) Getty Images<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Keon Coleman was a healthy scratch in Week 16, continuing a troubling pattern of limited contributions amid maturity and performance concerns. After a promising Week 1 (eight receptions for 112 yards and a touchdown), his impact faded, with inconsistent routes, drops, and off-field issues like lateness to meetings leading to multiple benchings. Reports highlight professionalism and trust problems, as he has failed to become Allen\u2019s reliable outside target despite draft hype.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">With minimal production and repeated healthy scratches, regaining his role won\u2019t be easy anytime soon, especially as the receiving corps prioritizes consistency and dependability from others like Khalil Shakir and Tyrell Shavers.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"_1eezmj01\" href=\"https:\/\/platform.buffalorumblings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2025\/12\/gettyimages-2253052659.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0,0,100,100\" data-pswp-height=\"3706\" data-pswp-width=\"5559\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer nofollow noopener\"><img alt=\"CLEVELAND, OHIO - DECEMBER 21: Brandin Cooks #18 of the Buffalo Bills warms up prior to the game against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field on December 21, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho\/Getty Images)\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"w91vxg0\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-image:url(&quot;data:image\/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' %3E%3Cfilter id='b' color-interpolation-filters='sRGB'%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'\/%3E%3CfeColorMatrix values='1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 100 -1' result='s'\/%3E%3CfeFlood x='0' y='0' width='100%25' height='100%25'\/%3E%3CfeComposite operator='out' in='s'\/%3E%3CfeComposite in2='SourceGraphic'\/%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'\/%3E%3C\/filter%3E%3Cimage width='100%25' height='100%25' x='0' y='0' preserveAspectRatio='none' style='filter: url(%23b);' href='data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mN8+R8AAtcB6oaHtZcAAAAASUVORK5CYII='\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E&quot;)\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/gettyimages-2253052659.jpg\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>CLEVELAND, OHIO &#8211; DECEMBER 21: Brandin Cooks #18 of the Buffalo Bills warms up prior to the game against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field on December 21, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho\/Getty Images) Getty Images<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Brandin Cooks, signed midseason for veteran help and to add a vertical threat, has struggled to make an impact despite creating separation downfield at times. In limited action (4 games with Buffalo), he has just one reception for 13 yards (20.0% catch rate), with multiple games of zero catches despite targets. Cooks\u2019 inability to convert opportunities (often failing to secure passes on deeper routes) has prevented him from becoming a reliable weapon for Allen in the passing game.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">As Buffalo leans on the run and other receivers, Cooks\u2019 low efficiency hasn\u2019t allowed for him to become a true factor. I\u2019m still confident he can figure it out and help Buffalo\u2019s offense, but he has to start making those catches downfield ASAP.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"_1eezmj01\" href=\"https:\/\/platform.buffalorumblings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2025\/12\/gettyimages-2252443315.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0,0,100,100\" data-pswp-height=\"3331\" data-pswp-width=\"4996\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer nofollow noopener\"><img alt=\"CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 21: Buffalo Bills place kicker Michael Badgley (32) kicks an extra point out of the hold of Buffalo Bills punter Mitch Wishnowsky (19) during the second quarter of the National Football League game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025, at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"w91vxg0\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-image:url(&quot;data:image\/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' %3E%3Cfilter id='b' color-interpolation-filters='sRGB'%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'\/%3E%3CfeColorMatrix values='1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 100 -1' result='s'\/%3E%3CfeFlood x='0' y='0' width='100%25' height='100%25'\/%3E%3CfeComposite operator='out' in='s'\/%3E%3CfeComposite in2='SourceGraphic'\/%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'\/%3E%3C\/filter%3E%3Cimage width='100%25' height='100%25' x='0' y='0' preserveAspectRatio='none' style='filter: url(%23b);' href='data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mN8+R8AAtcB6oaHtZcAAAAASUVORK5CYII='\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E&quot;)\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/gettyimages-2252443315.jpg\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>CLEVELAND, OH &#8211; DECEMBER 21: Buffalo Bills place kicker Michael Badgley (32) kicks an extra point out of the hold of Buffalo Bills punter Mitch Wishnowsky (19) during the second quarter of the National Football League game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025, at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Icon Sportswire via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Badgley, signed to the practice squad and elevated for Week 16 due to Matt Prater\u2019s quad injury, was limited to shorter attempts (no kicks from 50-plus yards) but still missed an extra point (2-of-3 PATs, clanking one off the upright). He made his only field goal (41 yards) but also had a short kickoff that gifted Cleveland field position.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Coming off a stint with the Indianapolis Colts where he missed three extra points in seven games (leading to his release), the Bills\u2019 brass held tryouts for other kickers this week amid uncertainty. Badgley must improve upon his reliability quickly or he won\u2019t be part of Buffalo\u2019s plans much longer.<\/p>\n<p>Jordan Poyer (S) \u2014 In 10 games, Poyer has been a steady veteran presence with 70 combined tackles (31 solo), 1 interception (including a key pick in Week 16 vs. Browns), 3 pass deflections, and strong leadership in the secondary. Should be missed against the Eagles (hamstring injury)Christian Benford (CB) \u2014 The CB1 has excelled in 13 games with 40 tackles, 2 interceptions (including a pick-six), 2 sacks, and solid coverage metrics, established as a shutdown corner and a Pro Bowl snub.Matt Milano (LB) \u2014 In 11 games, Milano has delivered 60 tackles, 3 sacks, 5 QB hits, and reliable play-making, providing veteran stability to the linebacker corps despite injury setbacks.Joshua Palmer (WR) \u2014 Signed as a key free-agent addition, Palmer has underperformed in 10 games with 20 receptions for 290 yards (14.5 avg) on 32 targets (62.5% catch rate), 0 TDs, and reports of limited separation\/impact despite early hype; injuries and low targets have made his $29M deal look questionable so far. Dawson Knox (TE) \u2014 In 15 games, Knox has 29 receptions for 363 yards (12.5 avg) and 3 TDs on 42 targets, but with notable drops (including a potential TD in Week 16 vs. Browns) and a 5-drop season trend, his reliability in the passing game continues to be an issue despite recent good performances.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Catch up on all this and more with the latest edition of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/live\/siQSDD7Y3vM?si=NSfczcKJQSUbpj1T\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Leading the Charge<\/a>!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"As the Buffalo Bills prepare for their Week 17 showdown against the Philadelphia Eagles, the team sits at&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":71537,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[37375,69,71,70],"class_list":["post-71536","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-philadelphia","tag-buffalo-bills-opinion","tag-philadelphia","tag-philadelphia-headlines","tag-philadelphia-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/71536","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=71536"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/71536\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/71537"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=71536"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=71536"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=71536"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}