Do the Buffalo Bills have that championship formula?
The Buffalo Bills are off to their best start since 1996. Can this team get to the playoffs and have a legitimate shot at winning a Super Bowl?
For the first time since 1994, the Buffalo Bills will play a game on Thanksgiving Day. Sean McDermott’s club heads to Arlington the 6-5 Dallas Cowboys in the second leg of the NFL’s Turkey Day tripleheader.
It’s going to be a very interesting game for both teams, especially the latter as Jason Garrett’s club has failed to knock off a team that has posted a winning record so far this season.
But this contest is more about the Bills, who boast an 8-3 record after 11 outings and are in prime position to grab their second playoff appearance in three years. That’s not bad for a team that went 17 consecutive seasons from 2000-16 without a trip to the postseason.
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There’s still a long way to go but the bigger question is whether McDermott’s club has enough to make a run at a Super Bowl title?
There have been some stumbles along the way but the club has begun to show a little more consistency, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Second-year quarterback Josh Allen has overcome a shaky start and has played with a lot more efficiency.
Four games into 2019, Buffalo boasted a 3-1 record but the young signal-caller had thrown for three scores while turning over the ball eight times. Since then, Allen has thrown a dozen touchdown passes compared to only two interceptions while losing only one fumble.
And while he leads the Bills in rushing touchdowns (7), the NFL’s fifth-ranked ground attack is spearheaded by ageless Frank Gore and rookie Devin Singletary. Free-agent additions John Brown (5) and Cole Beasley (4) have combined for nine of Allen’s 15 scores through the air. A rebuilt offensive line has been solid. The Bills have turned over the ball just 13 times in 11 contests, compared to 32 miscues in 16 outings in 2018.
The defense has also stepped up its game. Last season, the Bills ranked second in total yards allowed and first in the NFL against the pass. Despite forcing 27 turnovers last season, McDermott’s team still surrendered 39 offensive touchdowns, although some of that was this unit being placed in some tough positions.
But Buffalo defenders have allowed just 18 offensive touchdowns to date (seven through the air), the pass rush has produced 33 sacks and the Bills have limited eight of their 11 foes to fewer than 20 points.
There are some playoff-like tests ahead in the form of the Cowboys, Baltimore Ravens and a rematch with the New England Patriots. The Bills play three of their final five games on the road but their offense is proving to be portable.
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If they do manage to make it to the postseason party, McDermott’s improving team — which can control the ball and play good defense — just may be more of a threat than some may believe.