ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Josh Allen might find it challenging to exceed 4,000 passing yards for a fifth consecutive year, but this may not be as concerning as it seems. The Buffalo Bills, who have secured the AFC East championship five years in a row, currently hold a solid offensive performance, averaging 31.3 points per game. A significant factor contributing to their success is the emergence of a running game led by James Cook, adding a new layer of versatility to the team’s approach.
A perfect illustration of this shift can be seen in Buffalo’s recent 24-21 victory against the New England Patriots. During a first half where the defense struggled to contain the Patriots and Allen recorded only 78 yards on 9 of 17 passing attempts, Cook energized the game with a 46-yard touchdown run. This pivotal score assisted the Bills in overcoming an early 14-0 deficit. Cook’s touchdown marked his 14th rushing score of the season, tying him for the NFL lead, and contributed to the Bills’ total of 29 rushing touchdowns this season, matching the franchise record set in 2016.
While Allen’s passing numbers have declined—averaging 237 yards per game compared to 284 in 2020 when he set a team record—the running game has risen to the occasion. The team averages 366.5 yards per game, a slight decrease from last year’s 374.5, but this hasn’t hindered their record. The Bills have achieved at least 12 wins for the eighth time in history and the third time since 2020. This balance is what head coach Sean McDermott aimed for when he opted to switch offensive coordinators during the previous season, bringing in Joe Brady to replace Ken Dorsey.
McDermott has consistently highlighted the importance of winning games through dominating the line of scrimmage. Under Brady’s guidance, the Bills have adopted six-man fronts that have helped facilitate the running game, taking some pressure off Allen’s shoulders. This strategic approach aids in ball control and can alleviate some stress from an injury-stricken defense, which should be a priority as the playoffs approach.
Despite missing four key starters, including three in the secondary, the defense managed to demonstrate resilience against the Patriots, producing takeaways during New England’s initial three possessions of the second half. A noteworthy moment was when cornerback Taron Johnson recovered a fumble in the end zone, allowing the Bills to take a 24-14 lead after a disrupted backward pass from rookie Drake Maye. The Bills have maintained an impressive record of 24-2 against quarterbacks with 16 or fewer starts since 2019; however, this may not suffice against formidable playoff contenders such as Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, and Russell Wilson.
McDermott’s focus now extends to a special teams unit that has been more prone to errors. Recently, they failed to execute properly during a critical moment in a 44-42 defeat against the Rams, fielding only nine players for a punt block attempt. Against the Patriots, a fake punt caught the Bills off guard, resulting in a sizeable fourth-down conversion. “We’ve got to improve in ensuring the right players are on the field,” McDermott stated, assigning some responsibility to special teams coordinator Matthew Smiley.
In terms of recent performances, the Bills have excelled at creating turnovers, with the defense managing a turnover in all but one game this season. They lead the league with a solid turnover differential. Conversely, the injury-riddled defense allowed 379 yards to New England, marking the ninth time this season an opponent surpassed the 350-yard mark. Over the last three games, they’ve allowed a staggering total of 1,357 yards and 86 first downs.
Running back James Cook has seen his stock rise remarkably. His 14 rushing touchdowns place him third on the franchise’s single-season record list, trailing only Allen, who recorded 15 last year, and O.J. Simpson, who had 16 in 1975 during a 14-game season. On the flip side, special teams coordinator Smiley has seen his stock dip due to increasing breakdowns in the kicking game. His promotion came after a disappointing end to the 2021 playoffs, and recent decisions have drawn second-guessing from critics.
Injuries have been a concern for the Bills, with Allen sustaining an elbow issue without missing any time. The defense was notably without key players, including linebacker Matt Milano and safeties Taylor Rapp and Damar Hamlin. Backup linebacker Baylon Spector is also on a week-to-week basis after sustaining a calf injury.
As the Bills aim to secure a strong finish to their home schedule against the New York Jets, a victory would allow them the opportunity to end with an impressive 8-0 record at Orchard Park for only the second time in franchise history.
