1 - Groundswell of Pro Bowl support for Poyer
One of Buffalo's starting safeties was selected to the 2018 Pro Bowl, while the other made a strong case. Micah Hyde earned his first Pro Bowl nod and Jordan Poyer will have to wait until next year. Regardless, the duo is doing great things in their first year in Buffalo.
"It is what it is man," said Poyer. "I'm happy to be here and able to my jersey on week in and week out."[
The fact that Poyer's even in the Pro Bowl conversation is remarkable. Considering he's had to fight his way back from a lacerated kidney. That battle resulted in him being named the Bills Ed Block Courage Award recipient.
This season, Poyer's the only NFL player with 85-plus tackles, three-plus interceptions, and two-plus sacks. Those stats would generally earn a player a Pro Bowl selection or at least an alternate slot.
Hyde being named to the Pro Bowl certainly didn't help Poyer. It's rare when two players, on the same team, playing the same position, each make the Pro Bowl. Poyer's still pumped for his fellow safety.
"I'm happy for Micah. It's been a blessing to play alongside him," said Poyer. "He fires me up day in and day out. He wants me to be a better football player day in and day out. I just told him, 'You better have my plane ticket ready, first class.' I'll have my suites ready. I'm going to go to Orlando."
The Bills rank fourth in the league in interceptions with 16. Hyde and Poyer have accounted for half of those, reeling in eight combined. Poyer may have not received Pro Bowl recognition, but his first year in Buffalo has been flawless.
"I'm going to keep saying his name, Jordan Poyer. He should be in there somewhere too," Hyde said. "He's not even an alternate, which is crazy. It's the way it is and hopefully here in the future he gets the recognition he deserves and so we both can be in that same situation."
2 - White leads the way for Rookie of the Year
Bills rookie, Tre'Davious White, continues to climb the ladder for the rights to Rookie of the Year. Picking off passes in two-of-three games has White as the current front runner.
According to Pro Football Focus, White's just edging out Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore for the top spot. The top-five includes: White (91.9), Lattimore (91.7), Alvin Kamara (90.1), Kareem Hunt (89.7), and Reuben Foster (89.7). Here's what PFF said on the new leader for ROY.
White has found himself in a top-3 position within this race every single week since the start of the season, but up until now that No.1 spot has eluded him. Well, pop the champagne in Western New York because here we sit in the middle of December and not only are the Bills still in the playoff mix, but their star rookie cornerback has finally taken the lead in the 17-week long race for PFF's Rookie of the Year.
White's currently ranked third by PFF among all cornerbacks in terms of overall grade. He's played 952 defensive snaps this season, which is the most by any CB in the NFL. He's had a nose for the football in his first year in the league. He's the only player with 18-plus passes defended, four-plus interceptions, and two-plus fumble recoveries. Those 18 passes defended leads all rookies and his four INTs are tied for the rookie lead.
It's still unclear whether White will win Defensive Rookie of the Year, or even better Rookie of the Year straight up. Accolades aside, the Bills got an absolute steal with White late in the first-round of this year's draft.
3 - Gillislee sighting Sunday?
Former Bills running back, Mike Gillislee, didn't suit up for the Patriots in Week 13 at New Era Field. Now it's nearly three weeks later, and there might be a need for New England to put him in the lineup Sunday.
He hasn't been active since Week Eight, but that could change in Week 16. The potential is there because Patriots RB, Rex Burkhead, left last Sunday's game with an apparent leg injury. It appears he avoided an ACL injury and is expected to be back for the playoffs. Buffalo will catch a big break if Burkhead can't play in New England on Sunday. He's found the end zone in each of the team's past five games, including twice against the Bills in Week 13.
"We'll see how it goes with Rex," Patriots head coach Bill Belichick shared during a conference call. "Mike's done a good job for us. Really like him, he's a hard-working kid. Gives us a good effort and solid days work every single day. When he's had an opportunity, he's been productive for us."
Gillislee had success with the Pats earlier in the season. He tallied 98 carries for 355 yards and four touchdowns. New England has a loaded backfield, which has contributed to his lack of playing time.
If anyone knows Gillislee, it's Buffalo. He was a member of the team from 2015-2016. In 2015, he recorded three touchdowns in five games. Last season with the team, he had 101 carries, 577 yards, and eight touchdowns. He also added nine receptions for 50 yards and a touchdown.
There's a good chance it won't be known until Sunday whether or not Gillislee is on the 46-man game day roster.
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