Buffalo Bye Week Bliss

 

Disclaimer: I am a full time OBGYN and am in no way, shape, or form, a sport analyst or journalist. These are simply my reactions and thoughts.

I’m not sure if anyone else feels the same way, but I always have mixed feelings about bye weeks. While it is nice not being stressed or getting new grey hairs, the week just seems less exciting. Maybe this is because we’ve gone into our bye week after 2 loses, or because my fantasy team is horrible this year (the three-peat is not happening). Either way, I’m ready for the Bills to get back on the field! 

Week 7 reviewed:

1. Did anyone else start this season looking forward to watching the Giants, or was it just me? I mean with a QB room of Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston, and Jaxon Dart, their season was bound to be entertaining one way or another. Even if it's just Winston's speeches or post-game snow angels, you never quite know what you are going to watch. I have definitely become a fan of Dart and Skattebo (yes, I am allowed to like more than just Buffalo players). They are fun to watch, and their memes are even better. However, the Giants' defense allowing 33 points in the 4th quarter and the kicker missing 2 extra points, costing them the game- heart-breaking. On the flip side, it was literally a historic comeback for Bo Nix and Denver. Nix is now the only player in the NFL to score 2 passing and 2 rushing TDs in a single quarter. 
2. Tua and Fields were both benched this week; and Jayden Daniels and Bryce Young both left their games early due to injuries. I am honestly 0% surprised about either of those QBs being benched. What I am surprised about is Mike McDaniels still having a job. Has anyone watched his press conferences recently? He seems...unwell...but I guess he survives to see another week of NFL football. It seems like Jayden Daniels will be out a couple weeks at least with a right hamstring injury (we will know more after his MRI), which isn't ideal seeing how they play KC next week. I was hoping they would at least give KC a tough matchup after this week's blowout against the Raiders (they make it look too easy with Rice back). Maybe Mariota can work some magic like he did in the 2017 playoffs and pull off a win? Obviously, the injury I will be watching the closest is Bryce Young. He left the game in the 3rd quarter due to a right ankle injury and reports from Monday are indicating a high ankle sprain. If the reports are accurate, he will be out multiple weeks. So, we should expect Andy Dalton to start next week against us. While is he a backup, he is a veteran QB and should still be taken seriously. Apparently, Carolina also signed Mike White to the practice squad. Assuming Dalton starts, I would expect to see more touches for both Hubbard and Dowdle. Hopefully Buffalo's defense has figured out how to stop the run game after allowing the Falcons 170 rushing yards. 
3. There were multiple other injuries this week, but I think the one that I am most sad about is Mike Evans. He fractured his collarbone during Monday's loss to the Lions. He will most likely be out for the rest of the regular season. Why I am upset about this one, seems pretty random, I don't even have him on my fantasy team. But, I did spend 4 years in Tampa prior to moving to Texas. However, more importantly, he was on track to having his 12th consecutive season with 1,000+ yards. If he managed this, he would be the only WR to achieve this goal. Currently, with 11 consecutive seasons, he shares this record with Jerry Rice. 

Buffalo Updates:

1. Injuries, injuries, injuries...since it is the beginning of the week, most of the injury updates are still vague, but there is hope for some of our starters to return in week 8. 
2. For the offense, Palmer (WR) left the Falcons game with an ankle injury. He is currently considered week to week and if it turns out to be a high ankle sprain, he could be out for a month. Samuel (WR) is considered day to day with a neck and ribs injury. Kincaid (TE), who has been dealing with an oblique injury after the loss to NE, is considered day to day as well. He did get limited practices in leading up to the Falcons game. I am hopeful he will be back against Carolina and can bring some life back into this offense. If Kincaid, Palmer, and Samuel all remain out, someone is really going to have to step up, and we will need to allow Cook to run the ball! Again, we still need a WR1! Do we even have one on our roster? I currently don't think so. 
3. For the defense, Jones (DT) remains week to week with a calf injury that was sustained in warmups for the Falcons game. Bernard (LB) is currently day to day with an ankle injury that also happened during the Falcons game. Milano (LB) suffered a reinjury to his pectoral during week 5 and is considered day to day. The biggest update for defense, in my opinion, is that Hairston (CB) started his 21-day practice window! This means he is able to practice and if it goes well, we could potentially see him getting game time in a month. I know things can't be rushed and he shouldn't play until he is fully ready, but I am honestly dying to see him play! He is the defensive player I am most excited about, but maybe I am biased since I am an SEC girl.
4. As I mentioned last week, our suspended players will be back and should be on the field for week 8. Larry Ogunjobi is a defensive tackle, and Michael Hoecht is a defensive end. Hoecht did look good during the pre-season and had 5 tackles and a sack. From what I'm learning, Ogunjobi is strong against the run, and seems like he will be an excellent addition to the team. It will be interesting to watch the match up against Carolina, with two running back threats (Hubbard and Dowdle), and see what Ogunjobi adds to the defensive line. I am hoping these two will bring some veteran energy to help re-vamp this Buffalo defense that is currently 30th in the NFL for rushing yards allowed and last for yards per carry allowed. 

While this weekend has been less stressful, I am looking forward to week 8 and seeing what changes have been made during the bye week. Hopefully we can get back on track, get the win over Carolina, and end their 3-0 home winning streak!

Did you know that October is not just breast cancer awareness month, but also pregnancy and infant loss awareness month, with October 15th being the official Remembrance Day? Unfortunately, 1 in 4 women will experience a miscarriage (loss of a pregnancy before 20 weeks), stillbirth (loss of a pregnancy after 20 weeks until delivery), or infant loss (loss of a baby before 1 year of age). Normally, I want to add some medical pearls about different Women's health topics. However, I don't feel right just stating statistics and potential risk factors for miscarriage and stillbirth. Women who experience this are more than statistics and they all have a story. Instead, I would encourage everyone to take a moment and remember those who were lost too soon and the parents who are in mourning.

As always, and in the words of our MVP, be good, do good, God bless, and go Bills!

Rachel H. MD

{If you are struggling with a loss, know you are not alone. Please do not hesitate to join a support group or ask your doctor for further advice. March of Dimes has some amazing information and resources for those who are interested: www.marchofdimes.org/pregnancyandinfantlossmonth}