Latest news with #TaylorRapp
USA Today
25-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
ESPN: Bills' Taylor Rapp the most underrated safety in the NFL
ESPN: Bills' Taylor Rapp the most underrated safety in the NFL Buffalo Bills safety Taylor Rapp has largely flown under the radar in his six years in the NFL. He's shown quality play on good teams (won Super Bowl with LA Rams) but has never been viewed as one of the better players at his position. ESPN's Aaron Schatz went through the entire NFL, identifying a single player whom he believes is the most underrated at each position, and he deemed Rapp to be the league's most underrated safety. Here is what Schatz had to say: We're going back to the Bills' defensive backfield here -- but in a different way. As I noted earlier, there are different ways to be an underrated NFL player. Benford, for instance, is considered good but is actually one of the best in the league at his position. Rapp, meanwhile, is considered a hole on the Buffalo roster -- but he's actually reasonably productive. Although many have described the Bills' safeties as underwhelming, they were an important part of a defense that finished 11th in DVOA last season. They ranked seventh in defensive DVOA on deep passes (16 or more air yards), and Rapp was most frequently in the role of deep safety. Like Schatz said, Rapp hasn't gotten the respect that he deserves around the league. Still, he is a key cog in the Bills secondary and acts as a coach on the field for that group. He knows the ins and outs of the Bills scheme which allows him to fly around the field and play freely. He has 66 starts over his six years in the NFL and has 12 interceptions and 462 tackles. Rapp has come through and made big plays lurking in the Bills secondary, most notably a game-sealing interception on the Miami Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa in Week 18 of 2023 to capture the division title, and he also intercepted Lamar Jackson in last year's divisional round win vs. the Baltimore Ravens. Rapp has held down a safety spot in Buffalo since the departures of All-Pros Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde. There has been uncertainty at the other safety position, but Rapp has been a stalwart on the back end for the Bills the last two seasons. He is under contract through 2026 and will most likely continue to be a solid piece in the defense of head coach Sean McDermott and defensive coordinator Bobby Babich.
USA Today
26-01-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Is Bills DB Taylor Rapp playing today? Injury update for AFC Championship Game
The Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs are set to face off in an epic AFC Championship Game showdown this evening. With the Chiefs in hot pursuit of a third consecutive Super Bowl victory, it will take every ounce of the Bills' might to stop them. One of Buffalo's starting safeties, Taylor Rapp, was listed on the Bills' injury report this week. Will Rapp be available to help slow down Kansas City's offense? Taylor Rapp injury update Rapp was carted off the field during Buffalo's divisional-round matchup against the Baltimore Ravens last week. Fortunately, he did not suffer any broken bones, but his injury kept him from practicing this week. How long will Taylor Rapp be out? Rapp has been ruled out for today's matchup. He will not be present against the Chiefs in the championship round of the NFL playoffs. Bills SS depth chart The Bills are set to rely on rookie safety Cole Bishop to replace Rapp when they face the Chiefs.
Express Tribune
26-01-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Daron Payne ruled out for Commanders vs Eagles, Buffalo hit with injuries ahead of Chiefs vs Bills
The Washington Commanders and Buffalo Bills are heading into pivotal playoff matchups with significant challenges ahead. Washington will be without defensive tackle Daron Payne for their NFC Championship game against the Eagles, while the Bills are missing key defensive players, including Taylor Rapp, as they prepare for a showdown with the Chiefs. Washington's run defense has struggled this season, finishing No. 30 in the regular season and allowing 302 rushing yards in two playoff games. With Daron Payne, their most reliable defensive tackle, ruled out for the NFC Championship game against the Philadelphia Eagles, the Commanders face a daunting task. Washington will rely on Jonathan Allen, Jer'Zhan Newton, Sheldon Day, Jalyn Holmes, and Carl Davis to contain MVP candidate Saquon Barkley. In two games this season, Barkley rushed for a combined 296 yards and four touchdowns — with Payne on the field. Despite Payne's contract and his relatively low pass-rushing stats, he's been crucial in run defense. His absence will be felt deeply, as this will be just the second game he's missed since being drafted in 2018. On the other side, the Buffalo Bills are facing their own injury concerns as they prepare to take on the Kansas City Chiefs. Safety Taylor Rapp, who played a key role in the Bills' defense, is sidelined with a hip injury. Rapp's absence raises questions about how rookie Cole Bishop will fare in a high-stakes game against a team like the Chiefs. To add to the concern, cornerback Christian Benford is listed as questionable after suffering a concussion in last week's game against the Ravens. Linebacker Baylon Spector, dealing with a calf injury, has been a full participant in practice but is also questionable for Sunday's game. For Bills' quarterback Josh Allen, the timing couldn't be worse as he looks to secure a Super Bowl appearance. But with key defensive players out, the pressure is mounting. On the opposite side, Chiefs' QB Patrick Mahomes, who has a 3-0 playoff record against Allen, will be looking to lead his team to a historic three-peat, adding more intensity to this already high-pressure matchup. Both games will be played later today. The NFC Championship Game Washington Commanders vs Philadelphia Eagles will kick off at 3:00 p.m. ET from Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. The AFC Championship Game Buffalo Bills vs Kansas City Chiefs will kick off at 6:30 p.m. ET from Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. By the end of Championship Sunday, the road to Super Bowl 59 will be set.
