After 25 years, the Buffalo Bills are AFC East Champions once again! I usually like to jump in and start breaking down the game as soon as possible so I can be ready to publish the day after. However, as a Bills fan who’s watched all 25 five of those years come and go without a division title, I wanted to enjoy the moment and soak it in. The locker room speeches, the celebration, Bills Mafia waiting at the airport in the cold to welcome the team home…all of it.
The 48-19 road win over the Broncos was a statement. Buffalo may have struggled to win this kind of game last season, but they went out and dominated every facet of the game. I’ve often said that part of being a good team is winning the games you’re supposed to and the victory signifies that the Bills are ready to take the next step. Look no further than the Rams’ stunning upset loss to the Jets as evidence of just how tough it actually is to take that next step. At 11-3, the Bills have arrived as one of the best teams in the league. They’ve only lost to teams with winning records (all would currently be in the playoffs) and, if not for the Hail Murray, they’d have a decent shot at the best record in football.
The biggest takeaway from the Broncos game was the injury status of Tre’Davious White and Stefon Diggs who both exited with late-game injuries. It was such a blowout you may wonder why the starters were still out there, but they all helped get the Bills to that position and earned the right to be out there for the division-clinching win. I was of the mindset that the Bills shouldn’t have sat their starters in Week 17 last season because you need to be playing your best game come postseason and limping into the playoffs on a loss is not what you want. So, I understand not pulling all the starters from the game in Denver but can’t pretend I wasn’t holding my breath when I saw Tre and Diggs go out.
Josh Allen had another stellar game, throwing for 359-yards, 2-touchdowns, and broke off a pair of rushing TDs. He became only the second Bills passer to throw for 4,000-yards in a season and if it weren’t for Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers, Allen would be the leading candidate for Most Valuable Player. Diggs continued his career season, hauling in 11-catches for 147-yards but missed out on the TD. He’s already set career marks in receptions and yards with two games to play, so it’s safe to say this is definitely his best season as a pro. Cole Beasley also went off for 8-catches and 112-yards against the Broncos’ defense as he makes his case as the best slot receiver in football with career highs in both receptions and yards as well. With just 50 more yards, Beasley will give the Bills two 1,000-yd receivers for the first time since (my favorite player) Eric Moulds and Peerless Price did it back in 2002 and only the 3rd time in team history (Lofton/Reed ‘91). John Brown has been injured for basically half the season but was a 1,000-yd receiver last year and could also return for the playoff push, making the Buffalo receiving corps a nightmare to defend.
We all know the passing attack is lethal, but it was nice to see the ground game get on track at this time of year. The Bills posted 182-yds rushing, averaging 7.6-yds/carry. Zack Moss had 81-yards on 13-attempts and Devin Singletary iced the game, swerving his way through defenders with a ridiculous 51-yd TD run. Allen tacked on 33-yards on 3-carries which helped keep the defense honest and reminded potential playoff opponents that there’s more to worry about than his arm.
Let’s not forget the defense who held the Broncos to 255-total yards and forced two fumbles, recovering one that Jerry Hughes picked up and took to the house. Tremaine Edmunds continues to improve as does the entire Bills’ linebacker group as Matt Milano is back from injury, A.J. Klein has played great, and now Tyler Matakevich had a really good day in the rotation. When you look at the potential teams Buffalo could be matched up with come playoffs, a diverse linebacker group with coverage and run-stopping ability will be invaluable. The pressure from the defensive front has been better too adding 6.5-tackles for loss and the increased blitz percentage helps, resulting in moments like Tre White’s sack-fumble.
Performance Grade: A+
Buffalo heads to New England for Monday Night Football after Christmas. This is another one of those games they need to win to prove a point. The Pats have been the model of success in the division and the conference for two decades. Even with Tom Brady gone, the franchise still represents consistent success and Sean McDermott’s team needs to take that from them. Just because the Patriots won’t be in the playoffs for the first time since 2008 and they lost Stephon Gilmore for the season due to a quad injury, that doesn’t mean Buffalo should take them lightly. I expect the Bills to show up ready to roll.
Go Bills!