1. How the Bills adjusted to the COVID-19 news
The Bills had their first player this season test positive for COVID-19 on Saturday. The team stuck to their plan, ran through the proper protocols, and then got focused back on their Week 7 matchup. Sean McDermott explained the timeline starting when he found out a player tested positive and then offered details on how he kept the team focused for yesterday's game.
"I woke up [Saturday] morning and we had a positive test and then our plan went into action," McDermott explained. "Give a lot of credit to, Nate Brzeski our trainer, leading that effort. Then we got on the phone early [Saturday] morning – Brandon, Nate, and I put our plan into action. We pushed things back as you probably already aware, to give us more time to make the adjustments we needed to make. The players were phenomenal, it was really cool to watch them come in. Obviously, they wanted to know what was going on and by then they had heard some of it, but we tried to do a great job of communicating. Then we went out there and had what we call a mock game or dress rehearsal practice. They cared first and foremost for their teammates, but they were unfazed after that. To come here, we made adjustments here as well with the meetings, we had virtual meetings last night. In terms of the meals, the guys had to come in and grab their meal in a to-go bag and went back to their rooms. Again, a truly professional effort and a character win for us."
2. Where the Bills stand in the AFC East Standings
With the win, the Bills moved to 5-2 for the third time in the last four seasons. The Bills retained sole possession of first place in AFC East and are assured of maintaining that position after next week's games. Buffalo last had sole possession of first place this late in a season in Week 7, 2008, when the Bills were 5-1, ahead of second-place New England at 4-2.
- Buffalo Bills (5-2), Next Game: vs NE Patriots
- Miami Dolphins (3-3), Next Game: vs LA Rams
- New England Patriots (2-4), Next Game: @ BUF Bills
- New York Jets (0-7), Next Game: @ KC Chiefs
3. Three impressive stats from yesterday's division win
The Bills got back in the win column after beating the Jets 18-10. Here are three exceptional stats from the game.
- The Bills became the first NFL team since 1940 to win without a punt or a touchdown in the game. Yesterday marked the fourth game in franchise history in which Buffalo did not punt. The three others were Nov. 3, 1974 at New England, Sept. 9, 1990 vs. Indianapolis, and Sept. 13, 1992 at San Francisco.
- The Bills had three defensive backs participate in sacks today, Jordan Poyer (1.0), Tre'Davious White (0.5), Dean Marlowe (0.5). It is the second time since sacks became an official statistic in 1982 that Buffalo had three defensive backs with at least a half-sack. The other game was on Nov. 21, 2004 against the St. Louis Rams – Lawyer Milloy (3.0), Terrence McGee (1.0), Jabari Greer (1.0).
- The Bills swept the Jets for the first time since 2015, the sweep is the 20th by the Bills in their 61-season rivalry against the Jets. Buffalo now has 64 regular season wins versus the Jets - the most against a single opponent (2nd: Miami- 48).
