Even in a tough victory, it’s clear the Bills still might be the second-best team in the AFC. That should be very scary for the rest of the conference.
The last time the Buffalo Bills entered Arizona, they left in defeat thanks to a Hail Mary to DeAndre Hopkins. Thankfully, Hopkins plays for the Cardinals and the San Francisco 49ers were only renting the building.
The Bills improved to 9-3 in a 34-24 victory Monday night. Josh Allen looked to be the answer under center, going 32-of-40 passing for 375 yards and four touchdowns on the way to the team’s most complete offensive showing.
The win keeps the Miami Dolphins at bay in the AFC East, but it also inches them closer to the top of the AFC rankings. With the Steelers falling to Washington, there are questions on who truly is the second-best franchise in the conference. Throw Buffalo’s name into the mix after Allen’s outing and a two turnover performance from the defense.
Kansas City will be a tough out, but let’s not rule the Bills easy just yet. By Tuesday morning, they could be the one team no one wants to face on the way to Tampa Bay. And here’s why:
3. The Bills are remarkably healthy
The Bills lost Cody Ford late last month after suffering a torn meniscus during practice. He’ll be done for the remainder of the season. Outside of the second-year tackle, spot the flaw for Buffalo’s overall health?
If you couldn’t, good. The Bills are playing healthy football late into the season, meaning they could have an advantage against teams needing to rest their oft-injured players. On top of that, several players are hitting their stride at the right moment, forcing turnovers or coming up with big plays to boost their overall numbers.
The Steelers were down Steven Nelson due to a knee injury. Joe Haden could miss time with a concussion moving forward. Robert Spillane, who’s best known for replacing Devin Bush, left Monday with a knee injury and did not return.
Injuries are a part of the game, but ones late in the season could lead to problems in the postseason. Once John Brown returns to action, expect the Bills to be back at full strength on both sides of the ball.
2. The Bills have oodles of weapons
Everyone knows what Patrick Mahomes and Ben Roethlisberger are working with. How about Allen’s weapon chest of misfit toys? Everyone would like to focus on Stefon Diggs, but in reality, there’s so much more to work with here.
Diggs finished Monday with a team-high 11 targets, hauling in 10 for 98 yards. Cole Beasley, the team’s go-to slot target managed to lead the team with 130 yards and a touchdown in the second quarter.
Let’s not forget about rookie Gabriel Davis, who’s come on late with Brown’s injury. He finished with an impressive 28-yard touchdown grab to extend the lead by 17 with 9:55 remaining. If that’s not enough, both Isaiah McKenzie and Dawson Knox finished with two catches for 25 yards and a score.
Allen’s adaptability isn’t limited to his first read as it was back in 2018. Instead, the second-hand options found in Orchard Park are to his liking, making their relationship as dangerous as it is different. Sure, Knox isn’t built like Travis Kelce and Diggs isn’t as fast as Hill, but they work just fine under Allen’s direction.
Each person has a role in Brian Daboll’s system. They thrive in it, making defensive coordinators nervous on how to game plan for such an odd yet fun bunch of weapons.
1. The Bills have Josh Allen
For those out there still finding excuses to not like Allen, perhaps you’re the problem instead of him? It’s been a 180 turnaround season for the Wyoming product going from wobbly passer to a first-read runner to now the next great dual-threat option of the NFL.
Richard Sherman was expected to return to action with hopes of containing Allen’s arm. Swing and miss there since he connected with six different receivers for gains of 10 yards or more. Allen also managed to develop his intermediate ball, averaging 9.8 yards per throw and saw a career-best completion percentage against zone coverage at 92 percent.
Mobility has become essential for quarterbacks against the pass rush. Roethlisberger, Philip Rivers and Ryan Tannehill all will be stuck behind the pocket due to age or injury. Baker Mayfield can be flustered into making bad throws when on the run. As for Mahomes, well there’s only one or two who can match that same level of keep drives alive.
Allen is one of those two.
Monday concluded with Allen’s fourth 350-plus yard game of the season in which he threw at least three touchdowns. Unlike Taysom Hill, Allen is a quarterback through and through. Get used to it NFL fans, he’s a dangerous one as well.