Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - That was fun!
As you watched the Buffalo Bills game on Sunday night, who didn't have flashbacks to the days of their youth when they played football with their buddies in freshly fallen snow and celebrated touchdowns with snow angels?
The Bills did exactly that, as they cruised to an AFC East division-clinching 35-10 destruction of the San Francisco 49ers at a snow covered Highmark Stadium.
When heavy snow started to fall at kickoff, I was worried that might be the great equalizer and give the 49ers a better shot at victory. But it sure looked like the visitors from Northern California wanted no part of the wintry playing conditions, while the Bills were having a blast, as were the fans in the stands.
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The Bills offense went three-and-out on their very first possession. After that, though, it was pure domination for the remainder of the first half.
Josh Allen and company scored a touchdown on each of their next three drives. The icing on the cake was a nine-play, 97-yard drive that extended the Bills' lead to 21-3 just before halftime.
I'm not sure what was more impressive. The fact that the Bills were able to put together a 97-yard drive in those conditions, or that it took only 2:50 for them to go 97 yards? I decided both are equally as impressive.
If the game wasn't in the bag by that point, the Bills made sure of it with a touchdown that gets added to the long list of signature plays in Allen's fabulous career.
About midway through the third quarter, the Bills were facing a 4th-and-2 at the 49ers' 25-yard line. Bills head coach Sean McDermott wisely decided to go for it, and Allen rewarded his coach's faith with an 18-yard completion to wide receiver Khalil Shakir.
On the very next play on 1st-and-goal, Allen's pass to the left sideline for Amari Cooper was actually off a bit. Cooper made an impressive one-handed grab, but was immediately met by three defenders.
As those defenders were in the process of tackling Cooper, that's when the veteran wideout improvised with his new quarterback. Allen had run over in that direction because he was worried about the inaccurate throw. When Cooper saw Allen come over, Cooper decided to flip the ball back to his quarterback. Allen broke a tackle around the 10-yard line, and then did his best Superman routine as he went airborne and extended his right arm out for the pylon.
Bills fans all over had to be texting friends to say, "Did you just see what Josh did?!"
Allen was credited with a touchdown pass and also a receiving touchdown. He became just the fourth player in NFL history to have a touchdown pass and touchdown catch on the same play.
Allen, who also had a rushing touchdown while improving his career record to 23-6 against the NFC, became the first quarterback in league history to record a passing, rushing and receiving touchdown in the same game.
Word of advice to the people who vote on the NFL's Most Valuable Player award: Just put Allen's name on your ballot right now.
While leading the Bills to a franchise-record fifth-straight AFC East title, Allen also broke Hall-of-Famer Jim Kelly's franchise record for total touchdowns. Kelly had 244 in 160 games, but Allen is now at 248, and did that in 54 fewer games.
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James Cook's terrific third pro season continued, as he totaled 107 yards rushing on just 14 carries. Cook had a 65-yard touchdown run that was the longest by a Bills back since 2016. It was his 11th rushing touchdown of the season, putting him five away from equaling the Bills' single-season record held by O.J. Simpson.
This wonderful night at work for the Bills also included the return of linebacker Matt Milano, who saw his first game action in over a year. The Bills threw Milano into the deep end too. He started the game, and ended up playing on 77% of the defensive snaps.
A night that turned into a three-plus hour party for the Bills and their fans was capped off by McDermott asking Allen to join him in making some snow angels, while McDermott was being interviewed by ESPN. The Bills head coach had an ear-to-ear smile on his face, and you could tell he was thoroughly enjoying the moment and this season.
There are a lot of impressive notes about the Bills to share from this game:
- The team is 10-2 for the first time since 1991.
- Buffalo's riding a seven-game winning streak, which equals the longest under McDermott.
- In the win streak, the Bills have outscored their opponents, 223-118.
- The Bills are 8-0 in games after the bye week in the McDermott era.
- Buffalo is 6-0 at home this season with an average of 35 points scored a game.
- The team put up 30-plus points scored for the sixth-straight game, tying the franchise record (2004).
- The win solidified the franchise's record fifth-straight division title (record was four between 1988 and 1991).
- The Bills have won 23 of their last 25 regular season home games.
- Since 2020, the Bills are 28-10 in December/January regular season games (11-1 at home).
- This is the earliest any team has clinched its division since 2009 (Indianapolis Colts).
- The Bills scored 30-or-more points for the ninth time this season.
- The Bills gave up 21-or-fewer points for the eighth time this season.
- The defense recorded, at least, one takeaway for a 14th-straight game.
- Mack Hollins tied a career-high with his fourth touchdown catch of the season.
Now that the AFC East is clinched, the Bills can set their sights on the 1-seed in the AFC. They remain one game behind the 11-1 Kansas City Chiefs, and one spot ahead of the 9-3 Pittsburgh Steelers.