Buffalo Bills: Containing emotions is a huge action item for home opener

The Buffalo Bills will need to contain their emotions and home opener jitters when they face the Cincinnati Bengals.

On Sunday, there are some Buffalo Bills who will have their first chance to play in front of their home crowd. The emotions will be at an all-time high and while the rookies will be the ones to watch, butterflies certainly may occupy any or all players stomachs.

Ed Oliver chimed in on the upcoming the Bengals game, “I heard they’re going to be a rowdy bunch. I’m eager to see it. They say you ain’t seen nothing like this, well I’m ready to see it.”

Oliver also proclaimed that he has his celebration ready for that first NFL sack which he hopes is very soon. I would suggest that this Sunday would be as good of time as any. Go get Dalton Eddie.

Tyler Kroft added his two cents:

"That’s going to be awesome. I mean I’ve heard stories, I’ve seen videos of Bills mafia and how the fan base is up here. It’s going to be awesome. I’m going to love playing in front of them."

Unfortunately for Tyler Kroft he will have to wait a little bit longer. After working his way back from a broken foot, he suffered an ankle injury during practice and will miss Sunday’s game against the Bengals.

For some rookies, like Darryl Johnson, this is going to be one of the biggest crowds they have played in front of. Johnson played college football at North Carolina A&T, which is part of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, and hasn’t really experience any environment like playing in front of Bills’ fans.

Micah Hyde has been reassuring media that the Bills absolutely will not become complacent continuing to work hard in all aspects. Keep saying that Micah!!  That said, hopefully he can walk the talk.

The Cincinnati Bengals have been allowing 165.5 yards on the ground per game.  They are allowing opponents to rush for an average of 4.9 yards per attempt.  This presents a great opportunity for running backs like Frank “the Tank” Gore and T. J. Yeldon to have breakout games and should be able to expose missed tackles or assignments.

The Bengals haven’t been much better protecting the pass either. Opponents through two weeks have completed 69.6% of the passes tossed against the Bengals. The average yard per passing play to this point has been 9.5 yards. Cincinnati’s defense has conceded five passing touchdowns and three rushing touchdowns through two games.

The Buffalo Bills coaching staff have made it clear their team will be ready to play Sunday. The Bengals do have talent and will certainly be playing with desperation, which sometimes can be very dangerous.

Winning in the NFL is certainly not easy. I will close with a favorite quote staring at me compliments of a wall plaque in my office. A legendary coach who never had a losing season as head coach was the  quote’s supplier.

“Winning means you’re willing to go longer, work harder and give more than anyone else.”

-Vince Lombardi

Well said Mr. Lombardi.