Seattle, Wash. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - For much of the 2024 season, to this point, the Buffalo Bills have struggled to put up a consistent, 60-minute effort in all three phases of the game.
However, the Bills were an undeniable force from start-to-finish on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field.
During his postgame comments in last week's win over the Tennessee Titans, Bills head coach Sean McDermott said one of his main focal points going forward was about "cleaning up" early mistakes and jumping out to fast starts.
The Bills did just that in Seattle, jumping right out of the gate early with a three-and-out defensively, followed by a 14-play opening offensive drive that led to a two-yard touchdown from quarterback Josh Allen to rookie wide receiver Keon Coleman.
Allen and the Bills offense ended up recording 445 total yards of offense, with the Buffalo quarterback completing 24-of-34 pass attempts for 283 yards, two touchdowns, and just his first interception of the season.
The Bills defense was very strong Sunday, holding the Seahawks to just three points on the scoreboard through the first 45-plus minutes of the game. In addition, the defensive front didn't allow Seattle to convert a single first down until the beginning of the second quarter.
In the end, the Bills defense held Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith to just 212 yards passing on 21-of-29 passing an interception.
As for special teams, Bills kicker Tyler Bass nailed his lone field goal attempt from 27 yards out, and went 4-for-4 on his extra point attempts. In addition, Buffalo was able to recover a muffed punt late in the game to put a bow on the 31-10 win on the road.
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McDermott knew that playing on the road in Seattle would be a difficult task, especially in a very loud and hostile environment.
"We knew this was going to be a tough, tough game, and it was. We knew we were going to have to play well in all three phases, and I think we did, at least at this point enough to get the result that we were looking for," said McDermott following Sunday's win in the Pacific Northwest.
McDermott says it was important this week for his team to not just adequately prepare for a tough matchup out West, but also be accountable in the locker room.
"These guys in that locker room, they work during the week to get themselves to be the most prepared they can. They take it seriously, and they hold each other accountable, which is very powerful," McDermott stated.
