Coming off a two-game losing streak, the Bills are coming off a 32-6 win over the New York Jets as they prepare to travel to Philadelphia to take on the 9-1 Eagles on Sunday.
With Joe Brady handling offensive playmaking responsibilities, the Bills scored the most points since their Week 4 win over the Miami Dolphins. Quarterback Josh Allen threw just one interception and three passing touchdowns as the Bills offense scored on seven of their 11 drives (excluding the clock-chewing final drive). )
As Buffalo looks to get back into the playoff conversation, perhaps the toughest three-game stretch of their schedule awaits them. Facing the Eagles, Chiefs and Cowboys over the next four weeks, the Bills will have their hands full with some of the best teams in the league, posting a combined record of 23-7.
Here’s what some of the NFL’s top analysts and columnists are saying about the Bills’ big win and what’s next.
With several starters on defense missing significant time and an offense that hasn’t lived up to its potential over the past five or six weeks, Athleticism Robert Mays said the Bills showed Sunday night they can live up to the high expectations placed on them before the season.
The Bills are currently eighth in the AFC, with four of their six games remaining against current playoff teams.
“If the defense is average and the offense plays like that, this team is a real contender. They are a real force in the AFC and it’s not like their playoff hopes are wiped out, they’re 6-5. … It’s very much in sight, it’s a completely realistic possibility for them to come in and seriously scare some people if they do that.”
In Joe Brady’s first offensive game in Buffalo, Josh Allen and the Bills turned in their best performance since Week 4 against the Miami Dolphins. Allen’s only interception came on a Hail Mary attempt to end the first half and the Bills were ahead for the entire first 90 seconds of the game. NFL Network’s Peter Schrager named Joe Brady his Coach of the Week for his dominant debut.
“How about a 275-yard, three-touchdown day from Josh Allen? How about a running game that carved up the Jets with not only James Cook but also Ty Johnson scoring a long touchdown?… He’s going to be the guy for the Bills to try to salvage their season. If one game is a sample, things are looking pretty good.
Running back Ty Johnson had his best game of the season, seeing a significant increase in snap percentage from 2 percent last week to 21 percent against his former team. Johnson looked explosive out of the backfield and showed excellent body control as he weaved his way down the sideline for a 28-yard touchdown. While Cook also added a touchdown, NBC’s Jason Garrett was impressed with the extra dimension the Bills running backs added on Sunday.
“I like the way they took pressure off Josh Allen. They got the running backs involved in the passing game. He didn’t feel like he had to do everything… running backs are your best friend ( as a quarterback).”