Can anyone come up with an argument against the title? Through three weeks of NFL action, no team has looked as complete, as efficient, or as dominant as the Buffalo Bills. After a sloppy first half in Week 1, the Bills have outscored their opponents 102–31. A commanding 47–10 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday Night Football was the latest evidence that the Bills are currently the best team in the NFL.
Five Straight Touchdowns
The Bills found the endzone on each of their first five possessions on the night, very similar to the ‘Perfect Game’ in the Wild Card round two years ago against the New England Patriots. Buffalo started off hot, with Josh Allen hitting James Cook along the sideline for a 19 yard gain on their first play. Two 12 yard completions to Khalil Shakir (including one on 4th and 3) moved Buffalo into the redzone. From the seven yard line, Cook found the edge on a run to the left, diving into the endzone for his fourth touchdown on the season. The extra point from Tyler Bass was blocked, leaving the score 6–0.
Trevor Lawrence threw consecutive incomplete passes to force a quick three-and-out for the Jags. Brandon Codrington returned the punt 22 yards to Buffalo’s 35 yard line. On 3rd and 3, Allen found Kincaid down the sideline for a 28 yard gain, moving Buffalo into the redzone. After a 4th and 1 ‘tush push’ extended the drive, Allen rolled to his right and found Dalton Kincaid in the back of the endzone for his first touchdown of the season.
Jacksonville put together a nice drive to start the second quarter, with Travis Etienne converting on a 4th down run to keep the drive alive. The Jags would settle for a 41 yard field goal to break the shutout, trailing 13–3. Allen found Cook on a checkdown, who was able to turn upfield for a 17 yard gain. Allen used his legs to convert a 3rd and 11, moving deeper into Jacksonville territory. Then, the play all of Bills Mafia had been waiting for – Allen found Keon Coleman on a deep crosser for a 24 yard score, the rookie’s first touchdown in the NFL.
Following a QB sneak to move the chains on 4th and 1, Lawrence threw a terrible pass over his intended receiver, into the awaiting arms of Damar Hamlin. Hamlin returned the pick 19 yards, and celebrated his first career interception with the entire defense on the sideline. Louis Riddick had a great call on the broadcast, “A huge roar, as one of the most popular and inspiring Bills comes up with the takeaway.” Capitalizing on the turnover, Shakir took a simple five yard shallow crosser 27 yards to the house. The shifty receiver broke two tackles and took a shot to the knees on his way in, but popped right back up to get swarmed by his teammates.
Facing 3rd and 10, Buffalo sent Cam Lewis and Ja’Marcus Ingram on a double DB blitz, with the latter getting home for a sack. Jacksonville’s defense started to become undisciplined, committing two offside penalties and an unnecessary roughness to gift Buffalo an extra 25 yards. Allen rolled left and threw a fadeaway jumper to the pile-on, with the ball landing perfectly into the hands of Ty Johnson for the 16 yard score just before halftime.
Vibing in the Second Half
Up 34–3 at halftime, the Bills weren’t under pressure to do much in the second half. A touchdown from Jacksonville on their opening drive showed that they were finally making strides offensively, but the deficit was just too much to overcome. Not to mention, given Buffalo’s style of defense, they were making the Jags work for every first down, chewing precious time off of the clock. Therefore, the lead never felt in danger despite Lawrence improving his play in the second half, including his six yard touchdown pass to backup tight end Brenton Strange on the opening drive.
Bass drilled field goals from 27 and 43 to extend the lead, and rookie Ray Davis scored his first NFL touchdown on a three yard run to get Buffalo to 47 points on the night. Von Miller sacked Lawrence on 4th and Goal, giving him a sack in each of the first three games of the season. Rookie Javon Solomon stripped backup QB Mac Jones, with the ball being recovered by Casey Toohill to set up the Davis touchdown. Jones threw an incomplete pass on 4th and 8, ending the game 47–10.
Afterthoughts
Dominant. What other word can you use to describe Buffalo’s performance? Everyone got involved offensively, with 10 different Bills receivers recording at least one catch. The rookies had their biggest impact on a game this season, with Coleman and Davis scoring and Solomon forcing the turnover. Even UDFA Joe Andreessen got some playing time in the fourth quarter, recording a solo and assisted tackle.
Somehow, the defense continues to look phenomenal despite missing their three best players. Dorian Williams, Baylon Spector, and Cam Lewis have played admirably in the absence of Matt Milano, Terrel Bernard, and Taron Johnson. I had my concerns about the safety tandem of Taylor Rapp and Damar Hamlin, but through three games I cannot complain. Is Von Miller back? His juice in the pass rush may be what the Bills need to reach the next level.
Game Awards
Offensive Player of the Game: Buffalo’s Offensive Line
Dion Dawkins, David Edwards, Connor McGovern, O’Cyrus Torrence, Spencer Brown, Alec Anderson – take a bow gentlemen. Through three games, Allen has been sacked only twice, and has rarely seemed under duress from the pass rush. That was the case on Monday night, as the O-line negated the presence of Josh Hines-Allen, Travon Walker, Arik Armstead and company. According to Next Gen Stats, Brown “did not allow a single pressure on 35 pass blocking snaps, his 3rd-straight game without allowing a pressure this season. Brown is the only OL league-wide with at least 25 pass blocking snaps and zero pressures allowed.”
Defensive Player of the Game: Damar Hamlin
It was on Monday Night Football not too long ago that Damar Hamlin’s life changed forever. Now, on Monday Night Football two seasons later, he is starting for the Bills and making impact plays, including his first career interception. He also notched five total tackles and a pass defended. What a story, what a player, what a person.
MVP: Josh Allen
Allen is now the betting favorite to win MVP after his four touchdown performance. The QB finished 23/30, with 263 yards and four touchdowns, adding six rushes for 44 yards and zero turnovers. Look for another AFC Player of the Week award going to One Bills Drive on Wednesday.
What’s Next? Bills @ Ravens 9/29 SNF
Buffalo’s schedule doesn’t get any easier, as they travel to Baltimore to face Lamar Jackson and the Ravens on Sunday Night Football. Baltimore has looked shaky to start the season, falling to 1–2 through three weeks. Will Buffalo’s dominance continue? I doubt prime time Josh Allen will disappoint.
Editor’s babble: What. A. Game. We are grateful for Colin Richey’s contributions to our blog. You can also find Colin on Xwitter @whatthef00tball.
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