By Nick Wojton / Billswire.usatoday.com
The Buffalo Bills were dismantled by the Indianapolis Colts 37-5 to fall to a 2-5 overall record on the season.
But there were plenty of other headlines around the NFL’s Week 7 that could be of interest to Bills fans.
With that, here are five of those headlines from around the NFL that are tailored for Buffalo fans:
No more Amari
The Bills should be in the market for any type of offensive playmakers. Whether or not they’ll pull the trigger ahead of this season’s Oct. 30 trade deadline is something we’ll find out in the coming days. The Bills appear to be content to ride out the rest of the season with what they’ve got.
With possibly not being content with what they’ve got in mind, the Bills could have decided that their lack of talent at wide receiver was so thin that trading for Oakland Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper would help Buffalo get a head start on rebuilding that group. That’s no longer an option. Just prior to the conclusion of Week 7 on Monday, the Dallas Cowboys sent a first-round draft pick to the Raiders for Cooper’s services. It was not reported that the Bills were interested and it’s not surprising to hear, or not hear that, since the compensation was a first rounder. Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane has stated on multiple occasions that he does not plan on trading any of his first-round picks, essentially ever. That’s a steep price for the Cowboys to pay, too. With a potential top-10 or top-five pick slated for the Bills in 2019, it was a good idea to stay away from that one.
Trouble in South Beach
Things have certainly boiled over in Miami in regard to Dolphins wide receiver DeVante Parker. Prior to Miami’s loss to the Detroit Lions, Parker was named a surprise inactive for the game. That caused Parker’s agent to lash out at the team’s coaching staff in a statement to ESPN.
Parker’s agent called head coach Adam Gase “incompetent” and added that Gase was not being truthful in regard to Parker’s health. Interestingly enough, Parker himself went on to say on Monday that there isn’t any tension with Gase and he rebutted what his agent said. The Bills are in need to wide receiver help, but the Dolphins won’t trade a him within the division. The only way the Bills could get Parker, if they even wanted him, would be if he were cut. Regardless of where he lands, this will be storyline to follow in the coming week in Miami since the ‘Fins are an AFC East rival.
Marrone’s got a mess
Once a man who walked away from the Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone walked away from his starting quarterback last week in Blake Bortles. During the Jags’ 20-7 loss to the Houston Texans in Week 7, Marrone benched the former third-overall pick from the 2014 draft.
It didn’t come unwarranted. Jacksonville’s offense had a goose egg on the board when Bortles left the game, backup Cody Kessler scored the lone Jags’ touchdown. In the past three games combined, the Jags have scored 28 points. It’s a similar situation to the Bills’ offense not helping their strong defense. The Jags mess is in a worse spot than the Bills though, since Bortles recently signed a three-year extension that has a $16.5 million dead-cap hit next season. Good luck with that.
Khalil Mack’s difference
In a heck of a finish, the New England Patriots topped the Chicago Bears by a touchdown in Week 7. As time expired, the Bears caught a Hail Mary pass, but were stopped at the one-yard line. Within the game, former University at Buffalo pass rusher Khalil Mack did not affect quarterback Tom Brady. He actually didn’t have much opportunity to do so.
Mack had one tackle in the game, that’s it.
An ankle injury is slowing Mack down and showing how much of a difference maker his is. He actually dropped back in pass coverage more than he usually does. When he was acquired by the Bears via trade, Mack immediately won the Defensive Player of the Month honor in the NFC for September with five sacks, four forced fumble, a pick-six interception and a fumble recovery. That’s a lot more than one single tackle. Mack’s health is of the upmost importance to the Bears’ defense, which comes to Orchard Park later this season.
Marshawn done?
The Raiders are tanking. They’ve traded their No. 1 wide receiver and maybe this decade’s best pass rusher. So where does that leave running back Marshawn Lynch?
The lovable former Bills’ first-round pick suffered a groin injury during the Raiders’ most recent loss, a 27-3 ‘L’ to the Seattle Seahawks in London. Following the injury, Lynch, 32, was placed on injured reserve which makes him ineligible to return to the lineup until Week 16. The Raiders are 1-5 and when Week 16 rolls around, the Bay Area and Las Vegas will be looking toward the 2019 NFL Draft, not what Lynch is doing. So does that mean Lynch has taken his last NFL snap? It could, especially considering his age and expiring contract. At least if that’s the case, we’ll hopefully be able to see more Lynch on can’t-miss television.