The Buffalo Bills have been on a roll since taking down the defending Super Bowl Champs, the LA Rams on the NFL’s season-opening night, 31-10. If not for several Bills’ injuries and extreme heat in Miami in Week Three, the Bills should still be undefeated, but they’ll take 5–1.
The Buffalo Bills are coming out of their Week Seven bye leading not only their division, the AFC East but also the entire AFC. One could argue the Bills need that number one seed in the playoffs, given they are 3–3 in the playoffs since Josh Allen took over as QB1 but all three wins were at home. That said, the Bills won two of the last three against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead and one could argue, if not for the flip of a coin, would have one that one in last year’s Divisional Playoff game.
Josh Allen is the Buffalo Bills’ offense
Josh Allen is having an incredible season and as of now, is the clear front-runner for the NFL MVP award. He’s on pace to shatter Drew Brees’ 5,562 total yards in a single season. Brees set the record during the 2011 season. Allen is currently on pace for 6,338 total yards, which would clearly shatter the record. He’s also on pace for 5,610 passing yards, which would break Payton Manning’s single-season record set in 2013.
I don’t see him slowing down either as this team continues to allow him to drop back and showcase his rocket arm as the centerpiece of the offense while sprinkling in a few designed QB runs and off-schedule scrambles. The Buffalo Bills’ offense runs through Allen first and foremost and he’s showing why many, myself included, consider him the best quarterback in the league.
The Buffalo Bills’ offense is number one in the league averaging 440.8 yards per game while averaging 29.3, second only to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Von Miller has taken the Buffalo Bills’ defense to another level
The Buffalo Bills signed Von Miller this past off-season to a massive deal and while we are seeing the reason for that signing in terms of his stats thus far, the biggest impact is what he’s done for the defense as a whole, especially the front seven. The Von Miller effect will continue to be felt years after he’s no longer with the team. The younger players are learning things from the 2-time Super Bowl champ about not only in-game but how to prepare off the field as well.
This Bills’ defense is number one in the league again, allowing an average of 281.5 yards. They are also sitting number one in the NFL in points allowed, with only 13.5 per game, which is nearly five points fewer than even what they allowed a season ago.
Tre’Davious White is not ready to return
As great as this defense has been so far, it is still missing one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. Tre’Davious White has returned to the practice field in a limited capacity; however, head coach Sean McDermott has already said White will not play against the Packers Sunday night. He was also quick to confirm there has not been a setback in his rehab, so that’s good. The team has until November 1 to activate him to the 53-man roster.
Keep in mind, even if he is activated to the 53, that does not necessarily guarantee his ready to take the field in an actual game. The play of the two rookie corners, Kaiir Elam and Christian Benford will allow the team to be overly cautious with White’s return, possibly prolonging it, simply to ensure he’s 100%.