1. Josh Allen ranks No. 2 on this quarterbacks list
ESPN's Matt Bowen ranked his top five quarterbacks from the 2018 NFL draft and Josh Allen earned the second spot on his list.
Let's be honest here – Nos. 2-4 on this list are extremely close, and it's not because they've all been excellent. After a season's worth of starts, Allen, Mayfield and Darnold all have major issues and rank near the bottom of the league in multiple statistical categories. But this is my ranking, and I have Allen just barely ahead of Mayfield because of his development in a Bills system that has highlighted his natural tools. And while Mayfield has struggled with consistency in his second pro season – despite his top-tier traits as a thrower – the Buffalo coaching staff continues to put the former No. 7 overall pick in favorable positions that cater to both his arm talent and movement skills.
Bowen thinks Allen has been productive in areas because offensive coordinator Brian Daboll develops a game plan that plays to Allen's strengths.
Biggest strength: Arm talent with second-reaction ability
Stat to know: Allen is completing 64.4% of passes traveling 10-20 yards (seventh in the NFL) this season.
2. Lorenzo Alexander earns Bills nomination for the NFL's Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award
The NFL announced its nominees for the sixth annual Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award on Thursday. Lorenzo Alexander was one of the 32 nominees to be recognized. The award recognizes players around the league who show great sportsmanship on the field.
A panel of former players from the NFL Legends Community – WARRICK DUNN, Pro Football Hall of Famer CURTIS MARTIN, KARL MECKLENBURG and LEONARD WHEELER – will select eight finalists (four in the AFC and four in the NFC) from the 32 nominees. The eight finalists will be listed on the Pro Bowl ballot under the NFL Sportsmanship Award category when players vote on Friday, December 13.
The winner of the eight finalists will be determined by a vote from current NFL players.
The winner, selected by the vote of the players, will be announced during the nationally televised NFL Honors show on Saturday, February 1 on FOX, the night before Super Bowl LIV. He will receive a $25,000 donation from the NFL Foundation to a charity of his choice. He will also receive a trophy that represents the important role that sportsmanship plays in the game and how NFL players that demonstrate integrity and honor on the field serve as role models for players at all levels.
3. Ryan Fitzpatrick: It's a really good defense
Dolphins quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick joined One Bills Live to discuss his thoughts on Week 7's loss to the Bills and what he thinks Miami needs to improve on ahead of Week 11. In the first meeting with the Bills this season, the Dolphins had the lead going into the fourth quarter until Buffalo scored three touchdowns. Fitzpatrick knows Buffalo's third-ranked defense will give his team a tough test.
"It's a really good defense and I think numbers wise that matches up the last few years in what they've been able to do," Fitzpatrick said. "It's a very smart scheme and they've got really good players. It will be a tough matchup for us. Every week we want to go in and we be able to run the football, we want to be able to take advantage of our one-on-one matchups and get the ball to our guys, but the Bills have done a great job all year long of being a tough stout defense. They've got plenty of playmakers, guys who seem to be making the right play at the right time in those big moments, and we have our work cut out for us."
Fitzpatrick pointed out Tre'Davious White's play as to a reason why Buffalo is having so much success on defense. He believes the corner is separating himself from others in the league this season.
"He has done a great job and I learned that the hard way obviously with the interception that he had off of me," Fitzpatrick explained. "A tremendous player, I think he plays with a lot of confidence especially at that cornerback position. I think that is the most important thing that you have to have is be confident in who you are and your ability to cover guys. It looks like he wants to be on the best receiver and he has played really well all year long. It will be a huge challenge for us, but one that we are always looking forward to. I think as players and competitors you want to go against the best and he certainly is inching into that category."
Ahead of Week 7's game against the Bills in Orchard Park, Fitzpatrick explained to local media why he thinks Buffalo is a special place to play. He added onto the message telling Steve Tasker and John Murphy as a former quarterback of the Bills, whether you're playing for Buffalo or an opposing team, New Era Field is unique because of the fan base's love for football.
"There are just very few places where during the football season, your mood every single day is all based on what happened last Sunday and that's what Buffalo is," Fitzpatrick said. "It's such a special place to play and I think when you are there you really do appreciate the fans and how much they're into it."
