I’ll keep this one short and sweet because, after the Bills beat the Texans 40-0, there aren’t any questions left unanswered.
Early on, it looked the pouring rain was going to play a major factor in the game and it did, but it mattered a lot more for Josh Allen throwing a very strange interception on the Bills’ first play majorly elevated concerns that Buffalo wasn’t going to cover. I had no fear of them losing, but I picked them to cover 16 (or 17) and just wanted to get that during a rough week of picks.
The defense looked incredible, again, but they were playing a rookie QB in Davis Mills in a downpour, but four interceptions still looks pretty nice. What I like to see most is that this defensive unit is taking pride in maintaining these shutouts. In most blowout games, there comes a point where the game is well in hand and the defensive group eases up. Not this group. I don’t if I can remember the last Bills’ shutout before this season, but it feels very promising to have two in first four games of the season.
Unforunately, Matt Milano hurt his hamstring and is listed as day-to-day right now but having him miss the Chiefs game could be a significant issue. His presence didn’t slow down Kansas City TE Travis Kelce in the AFC Championship game, but I’d still rather have him than not.
John Feliciano was out along the O-line but we got the first start for Spencer Brown, as a result, and it was a strong debut. He plays big, he plays mean, and he has fun run blocking. Daryl Williams also had a good game up front and the run game exploded in the rain.
Devin Singletary racked up 14-carries for 79-yards, while Zack Moss also had 14-carries for 61-yards and a touchdown. They combined for 140-rushing yards, but the team basically had 200-yards rushing. It isn’t always going to rain enough to dictate a run heavy gameplan, but it’s really nice to see that it works effectively.
The passing game looked pretty good too, barring the awkward interception. Allen went 20/29 for 248-yds, 2-TDs, and 1-interception. In the process, he made some excellent plays and great throws in some really bad conditions. He also had a nice connection with Stefon Diggs who had his first 100-yard game of the season, finishing with 7-catches for 114-yards. Emmanuel Sanders had 5-grabs for 74-yards and Dawson Knox made his 5-receptions count, converting two of those TDs.
Buffalo is firing on all cylinders right now and they are going to need to be as they head into Kansas City for Sunday Night Football in Week 5. The Chiefs are 2-2 right now and sitting in last place in the AFC West, but Bills’ coach Sean McDermott acknowledged they are still the measuring stick. Buffalo has yet to beat Chiefs in the Josh Allen/Mahomes era, and getting on Sunday can do the Bills a lot of favors beyond just the win. The Chargers went into Arrowhead and won and I’d say the Bills are at least as good, if not better, on both sides of the ball. Bills Mafia has been waiting to get their hands on the Chiefs again, and I can’t wait! Go Bills.