Week in Review: Winter is HERE
We're all digging ourselves out of snow in WNY this weekend. Maybe now these Buffalo Bills are built to crush all visitors in the wind and the snow?
Greetings from the Greater Boston/Colden area of Western New York where our snowblower has already clogged with snow twice.
‘Tis the season.
Good luck driving to the stadium early. It’s a total whiteout here.
By the time the Buffalo Bills host the San Francisco 49ers at Highmark Stadium, meterologists are saying snow shouldn’t be a factor. But the wind chill will probably dip to 13 degrees. However you slice it, in Orchard Park, weather always comes into play in December. The offense constructed back in 2021 could’ve — probably should’ve — won a Super Bowl if not for those fateful 13 seconds. But GM Brandon Beane and head coach Sean McDermott have made a concerted effort to reshape the unit over the last few years.
They want a team capable of bashing defenses on the ground this time of year.
Expect a heavy dose of James Cook against a weary San Francisco bunch.
There’s a good chance you’ll see a healthy amount of Ray Davis, too. We profiled the rookie on Friday. Your links from the week are below.
As a reminder, we’ve got a Black Friday deal for you:
New readers: Subscribe annually and we’ll send you a Go Long sweatshirt — hoodie or crew. (Email size and mailing address to golongtd@substack.com.)
Current subscribers: Gift a sub to a friend or pledge to renew once your current term expires, and we’ll also send you a hoodie or crew. (Email size and mailing address to golongtd@substack.com.)
Thank you everyone.
It’s been such a pleasure getting to know each other through our emailing and inside the Gameday Chat, which is up and running for Week 13:
Let’s get to it.
How has Ray Davis’ made-for-movie life translated to the field? “When I run out there, I let people feel me. I let motherf--kers know it’s a long game. It’s a long, long game. I may be short, fat. Whatever you want to call me, you’re going to have to face me for four straight quarters and — at the end of the game — I’m going to earn your respect. You’re going to give me my respect.”
Survival Mode: The Power of Ray Davis’ Pain
Jam-packed, two-hour episode on everything NFC North ahead of the Thanksgiving days. Come for the Bob McGinn Michigan Football Experience, stay for old 49er memories.
We turned 4 years old at Go Long. A quick reflection:
Kyle Shanahan’s team hit a new low at Lambeau Field. Can the 49ers rebound against another Super Bowl contender? We took a critical look at modern-day Don Coryell.
All is falling apart for Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers
Loved this Substack Live chat with longtime NFL personnel man Jim Monos. As always, he provides a fresh perspective on all of the quarterbacks.
