1 - Jones flashes potential in past two games
Buffalo's second-round draft pick in 2017 has had a promising past two games. Wide receiver, Zay Jones, appears to be trending in the right direction after a slow start to his rookie season.
Jones' most recent games came against the Jets and Chargers. He missed the Saints game in Week 10 with an ankle injury. The numbers he put up in his previous two games trumped his production from the first seven games.
From Weeks One-Eight, Jones recorded 10 receptions, 115 yards, and zero touchdowns. In Weeks Nine and 11 alone, he notched 10 receptions for 121 yards and a touchdown.
"It's just what being a rookie is," Jones said. "Sometimes things don't work out for you. You have to get the flow of the game. You have to get your confidence going. You have more timing, more practice."
There's a solid chance the balls will keep coming in Jones' direction as the season progresses. Especially this Sunday, as Jordan Matthews and Kelvin Benjamin were still listed on Thursday's injury report. Benjamin did not practice due to his knee and Matthews was limited with his knee as well.
There was some chatter about Jones' early season struggles, but that all seems to be in the rearview mirror with his recent play. He's had a strong supporting cast to ease the pressure that comes in a rookie year.
"Coach [Phil] McGeoghan tells me that the best teacher sometimes is experience and there's no substitute for it. I try to simulate things in practice, but the game is ultimately the game itself," said Jones. "You just have to go out and play. I have a great group of guys around me who're confident in me. Like you see, Nate [Peterman] and Tyrod [Taylor] still throw my way. That shows a lot and means a lot to me. The teammates that I have make it so much easier."
2 - The two ironmen on Buffalo's O-line
Bills offensive linemen, Eric Wood and Jordan Mills, have each played 100-percent of the offensive snaps this season. The 300-plus-pound linemen are the only two on the team to play every snap so far.
"I feel good. As a veteran, I've learned how to take care of my body and get back game-to-game," Wood said. "I'm feeling pretty good, but as soon as you leave training camp nobody's 100-percent. In that regard you're always working on something."
Playing through an entire NFL schedule will certainly take its toll on a player. So far through 10 games, Mills and Wood have played all 651 of the team's offensive snaps.
"Injuries sneak up on us, but it's something we hone on just playing every snap," Mills said. "You see that around the league with every offensive line."
Buffalo's rushing attack ranks 11th in total yards (1177) and yards per game (117.7). It's not exactly where the team was the past two seasons, but it's still their identity on offense.
"Anybody who plays offensive line knows to be the most consistent group, stay on the field, and stuff like that," said Mills. "That's one thing as an offensive lineman I take pride in. Being tough, physical, and on the field every play."
3 - Taylor's unique ability to make defenders miss
Quarterback, Tyrod Taylor, became Buffalo's starter right before the 2015 season. Since then, he's made defenders miss like no other QB in the NFL.
Since 2015, Taylor is one of two QBs in the league with 7,000 passing yards and 1,350 rushing yards. He's also one of three QBs to toss 45 touchdowns and rush for 10 TDs.
Nathan Jahnke of Pro Football Focus had an observation about Taylor's elusiveness after the team's Week 11 game.
Since the start of the 2015 season, 55 defenders have missed tackles on Tyrod Taylor's rushing attempts. No other quarterback has more than 23.
Taylor was re-named Buffalo's starting signal-caller for Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs. The last time he faced the Chiefs he threw for 291 yards and three touchdowns. He also added five rushes for 46 yards. Taylor will look to put those dual-threat abilities on display during the team's Week 12 matchup.
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