1 - McCoy: That big monkey is off my back
LeSean McCoy entered Week 10 with 267 rushing yards on the season.
While that certainly wasn't a bad total, it was one that left the six-time 1,000-yard rusher frustrated, as he expected more out of himself and Buffalo's offense as a whole.
'More' is exactly what the Bills got out of McCoy and his teammates in Week 10. The 30-year-old running back constructed his best outing of the season, rushing for 113 yards on 26 carries. Buffalo's offense benefited from McCoy's excellence, totaling a season-high 451 net yards in their 41-10 shellacking of the Jets.
McCoy is relieved that he and the Bills' offense have finally found some success.
"It's like that big monkey is off my back a little bit," McCoy said. But it's one game at a time. We want to go out there and win just that game. It feels a lot better, I think, just because of how we've been running the ball on offense and how we've been playing, (to do it) against that type of defense."
McCoy was pleasantly surprised that Buffalo's offensive explosion came against a defense as stout as New York's.
"Now, that defense is good, so I was shocked the way we moved it running the ball, because that's a really good defense," McCoy said. "That was it. Just feels good to go against a top defense and actually put up some good yards."
2 - Dion Dawkins reflects on first career TD
It almost reads like a scene out of a cheap, cheesy movie - an unlikely player scores his first career touchdown in front of his hometown crowd, his friends and family cheering him on as his underdog team upsets a division rival.
For Dion Dawkins, that script became reality.
The second-year tackle accomplished a feat that most offensive linemen are never able to in Buffalo's Week 10 win over the Jets, reeling in a touchdown pass in the second quarter. Dawkins' family watched as he spiked the ball onto the MetLife Stadium turf, as the Rahway, N.J. native's mother made the 30 minute trip to East Rutherford to watch her son play.
"This was big to score a touchdown here in New Jersey," Dawkins said. "After the game, I went over to my mother and she was crying. It's a big deal."
Dawkins' score gave Buffalo a 24-0 lead before halftime. The touchdown ultimately had little impact on the game itself, only serving as additional points in what was already a blowout. For Dawkins, however, the catch was the realization of a lifelong goal.
"Absolutely [kept the ball]," Dawkins said. "I don't have it now, the equipment guys do, but it's my ball."
Catching a touchdown pass was just the cherry on top of what was an overall stellar game for Dawkins' and the Bills' offensive line. The group effectively run blocked, allowing Buffalo to pick up 212 yards on the ground. The unit also kept quarterback Matt Barkley on his feet throughout the day, only allowing one sack.
3 - McDermott undecided on Week 12 starting QB
Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott enters the bye week with a difficult decision staring him in the face.
Who the Bills will deploy under center has been a question that McDermott has had to answer a number of times this season, and he'll have to make a decision on the matter again before the team's Week 12 matchup with the Jaguars.
Josh Allen, the team's appointed starting quarterback, may be back at full health when Buffalo returns from its bye. Allen, who has completed 75 passes for 832 yards this season, went down with an elbow injury in Week 6. The rookie has steadily progressed in his recovery and returned to practice in a limited capacity last week.
McDermott, however, often talks about fielding the personnel that gives his team the best chance to win. Matt Barkley, albeit in one game, has proven that he can help the team win.
Barkley started for Buffalo in Week 10, completing 15 of 25 passes for 232 yards and two touchdowns. The veteran's passes were crisp; he took advantage of the time that his offensive line created for him and was often able to connect with his best read.
Whether to play his actual starting quarterback, should he be available, or ride the hot hand is not a decision that McDermott is ready to make at this time.
"Yeah, give me some time here on that," McDermott said. "We'll reassess [Monday] when we get in and look at the film. I'm just proud of the guys, really, the way they battled [Sunday]. The week before the bye, in particular, to be focused and come out with that type of energy says a lot about them."
