Seattle, Wash. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - Slow starts have been the narrative for much of the 2024 season for the Buffalo Bills, but that was not the case on Sunday in the Pacific Northwest.
Right from the get go, the Bills were firing on all cylinders, putting up a complete 60-minute effort in all three phases of the game, en route to a 31-10 win over the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field.
Seattle opened the game on offense, , but it was the Bills defense setting the tone early. Bills pass rusher Greg Rousseau came up with two batted passes on first and third down, forcing a three-and-out of the Seahawks.
Bills quarterback Josh Allen led the offense onto the field, and managed to take a long drive down the field to put up the first points of the game. On the 14th play of the drive, Allen capped it off the drive with a two-yard touchdown pass to rookie wide receiver Keon Coleman.
The Seattle offense showed signs of life for the first time this game into the second quarter, driving down the field and into scoring position. As they breached the red zone, though, the Seahawks absolutely imploded.
Center Connor Williams snapped the ball way over quarterback Geno Smith's head, backing Seattle up 19 yards on a 2nd-and-goal play. Despite the mishap, the Seahawks still got on the board thanks to a Jason Myers 39-yard field goal to make the score 7-3, Bills.
Buffalo's next drive opened the door for the Seahawks to take the lead, after Allen tossed his first interception of the year. Josh Jobe was then able to return the interception to the Bills' 7-yard line, setting up a 1st-and-goal.
However, the Bills defense stood tall by holding the Seahawks offense out of the end zone and forcing a turnover on downs. Seattle's drive failed with Smith tripping on 4th-and-goal, taking a six-yard sack.
Allen and the offense was able to take advantage of the defensive stop, while also chewing a large chunk of game clock near the end of the first half.
The drive didn't come without some luck, though, as Allen took off on a third down play, but the ball slipped out of his hands. Luckily, he happened to kick the ball up "the pitch" to running back Ty Johnson, who recovered and help the Bills keep possession just before the two-minute warning.
Moments later, Allen was able to connect with Dalton Kincaid on National Tight Ends Day for a 12-yard touchdown to extend their lead heading into halftime, 14-3.
Double dipping was the goal for the Bills as they began the third quarter. Despite driving back into Seattle territory, the drive stalled out in the red zone, and kicker Tyler Bass was called upon to kick a 27-yard field goal to extend the lead to 17-3.
Just as Seattle seemed to be driving on the Buffalo defense to start the second half, one of the big boys up front made a big play. Austin Johnson was able to get his hands on a Smith pass deflected by Casey Toohill, picking up his first-career interception on the Bills' side of midfield.
After a big pass to Coleman set the Bills up in field goal range, running back James Cook was able to find the end zone after a pair of runs, extending the Bills' lead even further in the last few minutes of the third quarter.
Following another three-and-out courtesy of the Buffalo defense, Allen and the offense continued to cut right through the Seahawks defense.
Everyone was eating for the Bills, as Cook was able to complete the next offensive drive with a seven-yard rushing touchdown to open the game up to a 31-3 margin.
With under 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Seahawks finally found the end zone with running back Zach Charbonnet punching it in from one-yard out.
That's all the Seahawks could muster on the afternoon in Seattle, though.
Allen's day came to an end with just over five minutes remaining in regulation, as backup quarterback Mitchell Trubisky entered the game.
Following a three-and-out, the Bills punted the ball back to Seattle, but the Seahawks ended up muffing the punt, allowing wide receiver and special teamer Mack Hollins to jump on the loose change.
Trubisky and Ray Davis were able to then eat the clock and assume victory formation after the two-minute warning, cementing Buffalo's third-straight win.
With the win, the Bills improve to 6-2 for the third time over the last five season through the first eight games.
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SCORING RECAP
First Quarter:
- 7-0 BUFFALO: Bills touchdown (4:54) - Josh Allen lobs a ball to Keon Coleman for a two-yard touchdown pass. (Tyler Bass' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 14 plays, 90 yards, 9:07
Second Quarter:
- 7-3 BUFFALO: Seahawks field goal (8:18) - Jason Myers' 38-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive info: 13 plays, 71 yards, 7:04
- 14-3 BUFFALO: Bills touchdown (0:25) - Josh Allen fires a strike to Dalton Kincaid for a 12-yard touchdown. (Tyler Bass' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 12 plays, 93 yards, 4:26
Third Quarter:
- 17-3 BUFFALO: Bills field goal (8:35) - Tyler Bass' 27-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive info: 11 plays, 69 yards, 6:29
- 24-3 BUFFALO: Bills touchdown (2:01) - James Cook gets to the outside for a 2-yard touchdown run. (Tyler Bass' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 7 plays, 51 yards, 4:02
Fourth Quarter:
- 31-3 BUFFALO: Bills touchdown (11:23) - James Cook rushes up the middle for a 7-yard touchdown run. (Tyler Bass' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 7 plays, 73 yards, 3:44
- 31-10 BUFFALO: Seahawks touchdown (8:05) - Zach Charbonnet punches his way into the end zone for a 1-yard touchdown run. (Jason Myers' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 9 plays, 70 yards, 3:17
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SKYWORKS EQUIPMENT RENTAL STATS OF THE GAME:
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What's next:
The Bills return home to await another AFC East matchup, this time with the Miami Dolphins for their second contest of the 2024 season. Kickoff on Sunday is slated for 1 p.m. EST from Highmark Stadium on the official voice of the Bills - WGR Sports Radio 550.