The Buffalo Bills had not put a complete game together since week 4 against Miami. On Thursday night, they finally were able to bring everything together. Buffalo defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24-18 but more importantly they used more than just Josh Allen’s arm and Stefon Diggs playmaking ability.
Allen used his legs running for 7 times for 41 yards and a touchdown. More importantly they were designed running plays which excited both the crowd and the Bills bench. Allen also was able to spread the ball around as both Gabe Davis and Dalton Kincaid got going. For Davis, who is known for scoring touchdowns did find the end zone tonight but also caught nine passes for the first time.
According to ProFootball Focus the offensive grades for the Bills in the game are:
1. Josh Allen – 86.2
2. Dion Dawkins – 80.5
3. Gabe Davis – 78.1
4. Mitch Morse – 77.4
5. Dalton Kincaid – 73.1
On defense, despite losing Matt Milano a few weeks ago, they seem to be finding a new identity. They got 10 hits and 3 sacks on Tampa quarterback Baker Mayfield. Said NFL Network Analyst Jamie Erdahl, “The defense has started to zip things better since losing Milano”.
For Buffalo a complete game against a quality opponent could be the thing they need to get them moving towards a 4th straight division title. It won’t get any easier as they play the team that beat them in the postseason a season ago. In week 9, they face the resurgent Cincinnati Bengals.
