The Buffalo Bills (4-1) know they let a game slip through their fingers when they couldn’t overcome a slow start and three turnovers in a Week 5 home loss to the New England Patriots.
Since the start of the 2019 season, the Bills are 22-6 under head coach Sean McDermott following a regular-season loss, and they’ve won 10 of 12 road games following a loss. Which should serve as a good omen as McDermott prepares Buffalo to travel south for a Week 6 clash with the Atlanta Falcons on Monday Night Football.
Today’s edition of Buffalo Rumblinks leads off by examining the key matchups to watch and positional analysis as the Bills look to bounce back with another win in primetime.
Bills vs. Falcons story lines to watch
The potential return of defensive tackle Ed Oliver comes at an ideal time, as the Bills could use his services against a potent Falcons rushing attack led by Bijan Robinson, one of the best running backs in the league. Linked below: discussing the unique challenge facing defensive coordinator Bobby Babich in trying to contain Robinson, who leads the NFL with 146 scrimmage yards per game.
Plus, exploring the lessons the Bills need to learn from their loss to the Patriots; analyzing an up-and-down start to the season for Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr.; examining why Buffalo would be wise to rely on its tight ends against Atlanta; and find out who fuels a Falcons defense that leads the league in fewest passing yards allowed per game (135) while ranking seventh in both sack percentage (8.1) and pressure percentage (38.7).
- Top 5 storylines to follow for Bills vs. Falcons | Week 6 – BuffaloBills.com
- Bills prepare for one of NFL’s top running backs as Oliver return looms possible – WGRZ
- Ed Oliver’s potential return especially important for Bills’ Monday night matchup – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
- Bills face unpredictable prime-time test with division lead slipping: What to know, Week 6 – Democrat & Chronicle
- Bills planning to defend Falcons’ superstar running back in Week 6 – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
- ‘Each and every week has got to be earned’ | How the Bills are looking to bounce back with win over Atlanta Falcons – BuffaloBills.com
- Bills at Falcons | Weekly notes, quotes and stats before Week 6 matchup – BuffaloBills.com
- Two Rochester natives on Atlanta Falcons come full circle to face Buffalo Bills – Democrat & Chronicle
- The Sean McDermott Show | Previewing Week 6: Bills at Falcons – BuffaloBills.com
- Bills’ last trip to Atlanta produced shocking upset with names like Ramon Humber – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
Injuries continue to pile up for Bills
The Buffalo Bills are beginning to resemble the walking wounded. On Saturday, head coach Sean McDermott revealed that the team has lost the services of two more key contributors — rookie defensive tackle T.J. Sanders and reserve safety Damar Hamlin — as the pair will be placed on Injured Reserve. Both players will be required to miss four games, but both are eligible to return this season.
- Bills notebook: T.J. Sanders, Damar Hamlin head to IR; Josh Allen honored at high school – Buffalo News (subscription required)
- Buffalo Bills rookie DT heads to injured reserve as team’s injury situation worsens – newyorkupstate.com
- Bills will place TJ Sanders, Damar Hamlin on Injured Reserve – WGR 550
- Matt Milano won’t play vs. Falcons, TJ Sanders, Damar Hamlin on IR – Democrat & Chronicle
- Banged-up Bills rule out safety Hamlin, DT Sanders, with both to be placed on IR – WGRZ
- Bills place DT T.J. Sanders and S Damar Hamlin on Injured Reserve – BuffaloBills.com
- Bills’ Hamlin, Sanders to IR, Milano out for MNF – ESPN.com Buffalo Bills blog
- Buffalo Bills’ Jordan Poyer ‘ready to play how I play’ if needed following Damar Hamlin injury – newyorkupstate.com
Even more Bills news
Should the Bills be worried about the maturity of wide receiver Keon Coleman following his benching in Week 5?; plus, making the case that wide receiver Joshua Palmer needs to get more involved in the passing attack; the reason Brandon Codrington hasn’t played the last two weeks; and more!
- Inside the Bills: Is Keon Coleman’s latest transgression the start of a troubling trend? – Buffalo News (subscription required)
- This Bills receiver is creating the most separation on the team but barely getting the ball – newyorkupstate.com
- Chiefs, Bills and Ravens all lose in same week for first time since 2017 – WGRZ
- Bills Mailbag: Why has Brandon Codrington not played the past two weeks? – Buffalo News (subscription required)
Buffalo Bills articles recently featured on Buffalo Rumblings
- Which Falcons team will Bills face on MNF? – Buffalo Rumblings
- 3 up 2 down on Bills’ injury report Friday – Buffalo Rumblings
- Falcons RB Bijan Robinson looking to improve OPotY case vs. Bills – Buffalo Rumblings
- Robinson, Penix, Pitts, & London could spell trouble for Bills in Week 6 – Buffalo Rumblings
- What the numbers reveal about Josh Allen in dome games – Buffalo Rumblings
- Are you convinced the Bills are on the right path after five games? – Buffalo Rumblings
- Do the Bills have a WR problem, or are the Patriots’ CBs that good? – Buffalo Rumblings
- Buffalo Bills need to find momentum – Buffalo Rumblings
