1 - Davis reemerges on the D-line
For Bills defensive end, Ryan Davis, his recent performances couldn't have come at a better time. Considering, just over a week ago the team placed DE Shaq Lawson on injured reserve.
Davis dialed up three tackles and one sack in Sunday's game against the Colts. Defensive coordinator, Leslie Frazier, discussed his timely contributions.
"The last couple of weeks he has really stepped it up. We had a conversation about two, three weeks ago. It's really encouraging to see his performance pick up again," said Frazier. "He's a guy who's shown that he's more than capable of getting it done for us. Last week was really good. He's come along, that's going to help us in the long run, especially with losing Shaq."
In Davis' past two games, he's notched six tackles and one sack. He only tallied six tackles in the five games prior to Weeks 13 and 14. He joined the John Murphy Show on Tuesday and talked about his conversation with coach Frazier.
"We had that talk during practice right on the sideline. I was dealing with, not a knee injury, but I had surgery back in January and I've been rehabbing and working hard at it. In previous weeks it's been bothering me, and you could see my production dip. I wasn't running to the ball as hard as I used to. I really wasn't around the ball as much," Davis said.
"Me and Frazier had that talk and I told him what was going on and he understood. We also understood that whatever I have to do to get it done so I can be ready to go on Sunday. From that talk, and I've been working hard at rehabbing every week, but I just needed that talk to get some things out. After we had that conversation I feel like I've been back to my old self."
Davis is one-of-four DEs on Buffalo's 53-man roster. He plays a vital role in their constant rotation on the D-line. He played the third-most snaps on Sunday out of the DEs. Jerry Hughes played 68-percent, Eddie Yarbrough 61-percent, Davis 39-percent, and Cap Capi 32-percent.
That playing time only figures to increase for the remainder of the season. He'll look to sustain his success this Sunday, as the Dolphins come to town for the final home game of the regular season.
"I want to play more. I love the game. I want to contribute. I feel like when I'm on the field I do just that," said Davis. "Defending our dirt is huge. We've done a good job so far. We're trying to go out on top and put ourselves in the best position as possible in these last couple of weeks to get to the playoffs."
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2 - Week 15 Power Rankings round up**
The Bills got a boost in this week's Power Rankings with their 13-7 overtime win over the Colts. They improved to 7-6 on the season and the team's playoff hopes remain in sight.
Elliot Harrison of NFL.com and Vinnie Iyer of Sporting News each had the Bills at 17th in the Week 15 rankings. Here's Harrison's input on Sunday's snow-filled game.
A win in Winter Wonderland for the Bills. That was one of the most visually amazing football games I've ever seen. Coincidentally, or perhaps ironically, LeSean McCoy's touchdown in the foot-high powder looked so similar to a pair of scoring jaunts he authored while playing for the Eagles against the Lions in deep snow four years ago. Ironic, because then-rookie head coach Chip Kelly needed that win to push Philly into the postseason. First-year Bills head coach Sean McDermott inched closer to pulling off the same feat in his initial run as front man in Buffalo with the OT win Sunday.
Iyer of Sporting News shared his thoughts, as the Bills had to overcome more than one obstacle to secure Sunday's win.
The Bills did what they were supposed to do against the Colts, even if snow and Nathan Peterman and Joe Webb made the home assignment a lot harder than it was supposed to be. Buffalo still holds a tenuous lead on that wild-card berth.
Three games remain in the regular season for the Bills. Each of those games is against AFC East opponents, as they face the Dolphins twice and Patriots once. Buffalo's 1-2 in the division this season, they'll have to turn that around to ensure a playoff spot.
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3 - Peterman played well prior to injury**
Rookie quarterback, Nathan Peterman, got his second NFL start on Sunday as Tyrod Taylor was inactive with an injury. He played well considering the conditions, but left in the third quarter with a head injury and is currently in concussion protocol.
In just over one half of play, he completed 5-of-10 passes for 57 yards and one touchdown with no interceptions. His passer rating was 100.8, which was plenty good enough as LeSean McCoy carried the offense in the poor weather conditions with the ground game.
"I'll just take the time to mention [that] I thought Nate played a solid game," said head coach Sean McDermott. "He was, for a young player in the game, control, had good control and command of the huddle and the situations."
Peterman's biggest play of the game was an eight-yard touchdown pass to Kelvin Benjamin with 31-seconds remaining in the first half. That connection gave the Bills a 7-0 lead as they headed to the locker room.
McDermott, rightfully so, gave credit to Peterman for contributing to the team's win. He shared during Monday's press conference who the starting QB will be when healthy.
"I thought he did some good things that were baked into our win. I thought he played a solid game overall," said McDermott. "But yes, when healthy, Tyrod will be our starter."
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