1. Keeping mechanics sharp a key for Josh Allen
It's no secret that Bills QB Josh Allen has worked tirelessly on his throwing mechanics to help improve his accuracy, velocity and ball location. In this his third NFL season the results of all that hard work have been revealed in what has been a Pro Bowl worthy season for the young signal caller.
Currently fourth in the league in completion percentage (69.9%), Allen attributes his improved accuracy to the revamping of his throwing motion, which now includes more hip drive and a more consistent platform due to countless hours of footwork.
"I think that's a big part of it just understanding my throwing motion allows me to deliver the ball more consistently than the last couple years," Allen said. "Coaches have a lot of confidence when you're able to complete passes on a regular basis."
As effective as Allen has been with different arm angles, ball location and even throwing receiving targets open, the offensive co-captain maintains a relentless pursuit to perfect his passing acumen.
"Still a lot of things clean up though as far as ball placement and decision making goes, but that can be fixed," he said. "I'm still learning as we go along and each game I feel like it's a different situation that arises and I'm able to learn and grow from."
Allen even has corrective measures he can fall back on when he doesn't feel like his throwing motion is in a good rhythm.
"Just knowing my mechanics, knowing why I missed a throw, and what I can do to fix that," he said. "When I'm not throwing the ball the way I want to, I'm able to kind of find that rhythm back by just thinking about a couple things in my mind and allowing myself to, again, deliver consistency in my mechanics."
2. Edmunds outlines how 'D' has jelled despite COVID restrictions
If you ask Tremaine Edmunds how Buffalo's defense has come together with respect to their play on the field over the past six games, the linebacker will point to an unwavering commitment to the process of daily self-improvement.
Improvement rooted in adjusting to not only new teammates on the defensive side of the ball but adjusting to new COVID protocols and restrictions outside of the workplace at One Bills Drive.
"It's been very unique with the situation that we're in," said Edmunds. "Guys can't get together, outside of the facility like we previously could, or just getting together and doing stuff that I think helps jell a team together. I'm a true believer that sometimes you build a team even stronger outside of the building. We have a great group of guys here and we would get together and kind of just hang out and kind of take our mind off ball and just become closer with one another. That opportunity is not here this year."
Those restrictions forced defensive co-captain Edmunds along with fellow captains Jerry Hughes and Jordan Poyer to find a different way to build camaraderie and trust in one another.
"We're just navigating through that and navigating through all the wrong stuff that's going on out there and following the protocols and doing what we have to do, but it takes time and it took time this year," Edmunds said. "The process never stops. We're still going through the process and we continue to go through it, but it's a good thing to see that these guys show up to work every day. And I think that's the one thing that we all appreciate in one another. That we can count on one another because we know what to expect from each other during practice and I think we hold each other accountable. And you see guys respecting that."
3. Three Bills hold their spots in Pro Bowl fan voting
There are a handful of Pro Bowl candidates on Buffalo's roster this season, and the 9-3 club is getting league-wide attention. Thus far in fan Pro Bowl voting, three Bills players in particular have been getting widespread support, and in the latest report on fan voting totals they've all been able to maintain hold of their top spot at their respective positions.
Stefon Diggs has held onto the top spot at the AFC receiver position with a total of more than 178-thousand votes as of midweek (178,368).
Andre Roberts led the voting again this week for the AFC return specialist role with over 100-thousand votes (101,341).
And on defense Jordan Poyer remained the top vote getter for the AFC's strong safety position with more than 132-thousand votes (132,106).
Fan voting for the 2021 Pro Bowl presented by Verizon will continue online and on web-enabled mobile phones at NFL.com/ProBowlVote until Thursday, December 17.
