Josh Allen and the Bills were nearly unstoppable in Week 8
The Buffalo Bills defeated the Seattle Seahawks 31-10 in a Week 8 clash of division-leading teams that felt nowhere near as close as the final score might reveal. A 21-point divide does not define a close finish on any level, but the dominance Buffalo doled out on Sunday isn’t fully evident by their margin of victory.
The Bills scored touchdowns in every single quarter, totaling 7, 7, 10, and 7 in each. Teams that consistently manage to put points on the board are nearly impossible to beat. That’s especially true when good teams already hold a very comfortable lead and continue to pounce on points. Buffalo didn’t trail all afternoon, finding perhaps their biggest adversity to be the weather and outcome of the opening coin toss.
As for that weather? It was anything other than a beautiful day in Seattle, but the Bills rose above every challenge it presented. After quarterback Josh Allen threw his first interception of the season, Buffalo didn’t give up a single point — thanks to Allen running down the would-be pick-six, and the defense defending their dirt and more from inside the three-yard line.
A rain-soaked first half did its best to level the playing field, but the football continued bouncing Buffalo’s way — best illustrated by Allen’s fumble while running that stayed with the Bills. The same can’t be said of the Seahawks, which managed to self-destruct at every perfect opportunity given to them. Every. Single. Chance: Wasted.
Teams that have two golden opportunities to score touchdowns from three yards out at home need to punch the ball in. There are zero excuses. That’s what separates great teams from good ones. Yet twice on Sunday, Seattle was unable to keep its composure well enough to hit paydirt.
The Seahawks’ failings on two key plays were as much due to inept execution as it was Buffalo’s defense. It’s a fair bet that Seattle sports radio and sister site Field Gulls will be talking plenty about the Seahawks’ failures in the red zone — especially the bad snap that sailed 20 yards behind quarterback Gino Smith, and that failed fourth-down where quarterback Gino Smith ended up tripped by the center and on the turf.
Once again, Josh Allen found his way to an early exit when it was clear the outcome was all but reported. That may limit his statistical success, but every single Bills fan should welcome camera shots of Allen sitting on the sideline thanks to a blowout.
On the day, Allen finished an efficient 24-of-34 for 283 yards, with two touchdowns and one interception. He added seven runs for 25 yards — and even ceded goal-to-go touches to running back James Cook. That meant Cook was able to run the ball in for six twice, while finishing with 17 carries for 111 yards. Sunday’s win was the first time this season that Cook went over 100 yards on the ground.
Wide receiver Amari Cooper had a quiet second outing with the Bills, catching just one pass on two targets for three yards. Less time should be spent on what Cooper didn’t accomplish, and more should be spent on what Buffalo’s complementary receivers did all afternoon.
Wide receivers Khalil Shakir and Keon Coleman had tremendous games. Shakir was nearly unstoppable again when targeted, finishing with a career-high nine receptions on 10 targets for 107 yards. A YAC machine, Shakir was compared to the likes of Wes Welker, Danny Amendola, and Cole Beasley by NFL Hall of Fame quarterback-turned analyst Tom Brady.
Week 8 was Shakir’s first 100-yard game of the season, and the third of his young NFL career. He’s a matchup nightmare for defenses, and someone who operates like a running back in traffic. When teams fail to bring him down on first touch, which is often, it’s trouble.
Keon Coleman continued his rookie ascent, this week proving to be a diabolical back-should-fade red-zone monster. Coleman finished with five receptions on seven targets for 70 yards and an improbable touchdown. He again showed his skills in traffic and a knack for getting YAC — all while going up against a very talented cornerback in Tariq Woolen.
Even tight ends Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox got in on the action with several big downfield plays. Knox caught both his targets in critical moments, totaling 50 yards. Kincaid saw a healthy share of targets (7), hauling in five for a punishing 31 yards and one touchdown.
Regarding Buffalo’s defense, Week 8 may have been the best first-half by defensive coordinator Bobby Babich’s group — from assistant coaches on down to every player on that side of the ball. Holding Seattle to three points at home in the opening half is no small feat, even without wide receiver DK Metcalf.
There are plenty of Bills defenders who deserve shoutouts, from each and every defensive lineman, to linebackers Dorian Williams and Baylon Spector continuing to pick up the slack, and of course the clinic put on by every member of Buffalo’s defensive backfield.
Of course, the Buffalo Bills didn’t play perfect football. The elephant in the room is that excessive amount of penalties. It was ugly for both sides, with the FOX broadcast at one point sharing that the combined 23 penalties were the most in any game this season. There’s still time to clean things up, and I expect it to be a priority with head coach Sean McDermott. Against better teams, penalties are sure to carry greater harm than the Bills found in Week 8.
Up next for the Buffalo Bills are the Miami Dolphins, who visit Highmark Stadium with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa back in charge.