Unleashed
Bills offense explodes as Buffalo beats Tampa Bay 44-32.
Any doubt that the offense no longer had it in them to go punch for punch with another team is now gone. The Buffalo Bills came out and showed the league what they were capable of on Sunday – capped by a six-touchdown performance by the leagues reigning MVP. All in a day’s work in an afternoon that saw ten lead changes in the game vs the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
It wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows though, as most games aren’t. The Bills run defense still surrendered over two hundred yards on the ground. It didn’t matter, though. Josh Allen was still able to put on the cape and carry the team to what was possibly their most impressive performance of the season.
The Good
Offensively, this is what the team looks like when they’re playing loose. This was the most wide open they’ve looked and the downfield passing game looked like a threat for the first time all season. The return of wide receiver Joshua Palmer and addition of wide receiver Gabe Davis proved to be the lift that the team needed. As well as a surprisingly good performance by Tyrell Shavers who nabbed four catches for 90 yards – capped off by a 43-yard bomb from Allen.
Josh Allen looked a lot like the old Josh Allen in this one. The game started out looking like we were going to get the same type of game that we’ve been getting all season – where everything looked way harder than it needed to, a couple of stupid turnovers, and the fan base wondering what happened to the guy that would run over three defenders just to get an extra yard. Then that guy showed back up – seemingly out of nowhere. Throwing down field with reckless abandon, running around like his hair was on fire, and overall looking like the superman that we’ve all grown accustomed to. Six touchdowns, three passing and three rushing, and two interceptions that included an ill-conceived two-handed chest pass. We got the full experience yesterday. Josh Allen giveth, and Josh Allen taketh away.
Defensively, what a game by Cole Bishop. Since the return of Jordan Poyer, Bishop has looked borderline like an all-pro. He made a hell of a play that resulted in an interception in the third quarter, and looks like he can be at least one of the long-term answers at the safety position. Terrell Bernard also had his best game of the season, piling up 11 tackles throughout this one.
The Bad
The defense wasn’t all good, however. This team cannot stop the run to save their lives. It was another game where they allowed over two hundred on the ground, and was only saved by the offenses ability to move the ball. I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that this team could be in trouble if they are unable to move the ball and score points on offense.
Turnovers also continues to be a huge issue. As previously noted, Josh threw two picks, one with that two handed chest pass, the other came on a 4th and 2 in-route that was probably the one time they should’ve tried to go to the flat. On top of that, there was a fumbled punt return by newest Buffalo Bill Mecole Hardman, as well as a fumble by running back Ty Johnson that he was able to recover.
My Take
They need to clean up the turnovers, and field some semblance of a defense. But, outside of that, this is what this team should look like. When you have an all-world quarterback, you should unleash him. You should allow him to take control of a game if he wants to and needs to. You should do so without worrying about things like balance or efficiency.
This looked like the team that was :13 away from getting past the Chiefs and heading to the conference championship in 2021. It looked like the team that could go out there and beat anybody. It looked like the team that could take this all the way to Delaware Ave for their Super Bowl parade. And this is exactly how the team should look going into Houston this week for Thursday Night Football.
Nickel City Power Rankings: Week 11
Week 10. We should have a pretty good grasp on the league by now. But it somehow feels like we don’t? I’m not sure what that’s about. But none of the teams we are normally confident in are looking like their past dominant selves. And there are many teams that most would assume are pretenders that we are waiting for to fall off. Yet that hasn’t happened yet. So let’s rank them all!
1. Los Angeles Rams (7-2) (Last Week: 1) – I’ve talked about Matthew Stafford in this every single week that I’ve done it. And he deserves it. As do the Rams. The clear top team in the league, to me.
2. Philadelphia Eagles (7-2) (Last Week: 3) – It wasn’t the most convincing win. But the Bills lost and the Eagles won. So they move up to the 2 spot.
3. Indianapolis Colts (8-2) (Last Week: 4) – They’ve shown some weak spots the past two weeks. But Jonathan Taylor is still an animal. And you can basically just re-read what I wrote about the Eagles.
4. Seattle Seahawks (7-2) (Last Week: 6) – Has any team looked more impressive as of late? The Seahawks are a wagon.
5. New England Patriots (8-2) (Last Week: 8) – It’s unfortunate but the Patriots are also a wagon. And look like they could easily win the AFC East.
6. Detroit Lions (6-3) (Last Week: 9) – Time to get the most complete team in football back on the rails. Don’t let them catch fire.
7. Denver Broncos (8-2) (Last Week: 7) – They keep winning but never really do anything to impress me. As a result, I can’t move them up or down. They’ll stay here.
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-3) (Last Week: 5) – I think we all were hoping that they would show up against the Patriots. Now we have to hope they lay an egg this week.
9. Buffalo Bills (6-3) (Last Week: 2) – Second straight week of the number 2 team dropping to the 9 spot. We thought they figured it out. They very clearly didn’t. Time to cross our fingers again.
10. Los Angeles Chargers (7-3) (Last Week: 14) – Herbert is taking a ton of hits. But they won again. And continue to hold the Chiefs at bay
11. Kansas City Chiefs (5-4) (Last Week: 11) – I can’t consciously demote them on the bye week. As much as I want to, anything lower than this would be lying to myself.
12. Green Bay Packers (5-3-1) (Last Week: 10) – Their defense looks elite. Like, scary elite. But they just can’t get anything going offensively. And have a mediocre record to show for it.
13. Chicago Bears (6-3) (Last Week: 16) – Ben Johnson is a good coach. And the Bears are showing competence as a result. Just not greatness.
14. San Fransisco 49ers (6-4) (Last Week: 13) – I don’t have much of a change with them. They find a way to be good regardless of situation. They’ll be in it down the stretch.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-4) (Last Week: 12) – A winning record but woooooooof Aaron Rodgers. They’ll finish 9-8 and likely miss the playoffs. They’re not winning that division.
16. Baltimore Ravens (4-5) (Last Week: 19) – They have the majority of their team back from injury and are a game back in the division. Spoiler: they’re going to take it from the Steelers.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-4) (Last Week: 15) – We can continue taking shots in the dark about whether this is a serious football team or not. They’re middle of the pack for a reason.
18. Houston Texans (4-5) (Last Week: 20) – They’re defense is what is winning them games. It’s something that can result in them crashing just about anybody’s party. Don’t take them lightly.
19. Carolina Panthers (5-5) (Last Week: 17) – Is losing to the Saints worse than losing to the Dolphins? Probably.
20. Minnesota Vikings (4-5) (Last Week: 18) – J.J. McCarthy is an agent of chaos. I wouldn’t bet on this team with somebody else’s money. Because who knows what you’re getting?
21. Dallas Cowboys (3-5-1) (Last Week: 22) – It’s a bye week. And, although their defense will still be atrocious, at least Jerry traded for some pieces.
22. Arizona Cardinals (3-6) (Last Week: 21) – Moving them down a spot because of the L. They’re not terrible. But they’re definitely not good.
23. Atlanta Falcons (3-6) (Last Week: 23) – Same thing as the Cardinals. They’re not good. But definitely not the worst in the league. Standing pat, here.
24. Cincinnati Bengals (3-6) (Last Week: 25) – Joe Flacco may just get them through. Rumors are circulating that Joe Burrow may return for week 13. But it also may be too late.
25. Washington Commanders (3-7) (Last Week: 24) – Marcus Mariota will not win this team games. Without Jayden Daniels, they are lost.
26. Miami Dolphins (3-7) (Last Week: 28) – They showed up to absolutely dismantle the Bills in between firing their GM last week, and more front office personnel this week.
27. New York Giants (2-8) (Last Week: 26) – Jaxson Dart still looks like he could be decent. They got some bad injury luck this year, as well. But now, Brian Daboll is out as head coach.
28. New Orleans Saints (2-8) (Last Week: 31) – They haven’t done anything to deserve this jump. Other teams just look worse.
29. New York Jets (2-7) (Last Week: 30) – You won a game! Congratulations! It was against the Browns though, so we’re only going to move you up one spot.
30. Las Vegas Raiders (2-7) (Last Week: 27) – They lost to the Broncos. Not the worst loss in the world. But they lost 10-7. You can’t even put up double digits? Yikes.
31. Cleveland Browns (2-7) (Last Week: 29) – Do I really have to say more here than they lost to the Jets? They’re eagerly awaiting Deshaun Watson’s return.
32. Tennessee Titans (1-8) (Last Week: 32) – Any sliver of doubt that they are the worst team in football is now gone. It’s undisputed. Unanimous. The. Worst. Team. In. Football.