Despite recent wins over the struggling New York Jets and New England Patriots, the Buffalo Bills were in need of statement win this season.
Buffalo's Week 9 win over the Seattle Seahawks was quite a statement win, a 44-34 victory at Bills Stadium on Sunday afternoon. With the win, the Bills improve to 7-2 on the season for the first time since 1993.
Josh Allen played, arguably, his best game of the season, and maybe one of the best of his career so far. The 24-year-old ended the day throwing for three touchdowns, running for another, and finishing with over 400 passing yards for the second time this season.
The first time Allen reached 400-plus passing yards in a game was back in Week 2 when he threw for 415 yards in a 31-28 win over the Miami Dolphins in South Florida. He ended up matching that mark on Sunday with another 415-yard passing performance against Seattle.
Allen finished the afternoon going 31-for-38 for 415 yards and three touchdowns, but it was his play in the first half that really set the tone. Allen completed 24-of-28 passing attempts for 282 yards and three scores in just the first two quarters. The 282 passing yards were the most in a first half by any NFL quarterback this season.
John Brown being back to 100% health was a huge boost for the Buffalo offense. Brown finished with eight catches for 99 yards, with his biggest grab being a 33-yard catch-and-run play that set up a Zack Moss rushing touchdown a few plays later to give the Bills a two-touchdown lead early in the fourth quarter. Brown's return also benefitted Stefon Diggs, who finished with a game-high nine catches for 118 yards.
Gabriel Davis, who caught one of Allen's three touchdown passes, had a solid day as well, registering four catches for 70 yards to go with his score. Isaiah McKenzie and Tyler Kroft scored Buffalo's first and second touchdowns respectively.
Despite giving up 34 points, the Buffalo defense put in a commendable performance as well. Seattle came in averaging an NFL-best 34.3 points per-game, so Buffalo held them to they're typical amount. However, the Bills led for 58:25, nearly the whole game, and the defense made a number of big plays to preserve that lead and not let the Seahawks gain enough momentum to build a comeback.
The Buffalo defense forced four turnovers on Sunday. Russell Wilson fumbled twice, and Jordan Poyer and Tre'Davious White both recorded their first interceptions of the season. The Bills defense also knocked down Wilson 16 times in the game, the most quarterback knockdowns by any team this season.
GAME SUMMARY
First Quarter:
- 7-0 BILLS - Bills touchdown (13:35) – Josh Allen passes to Isaiah McKenzie for an eight-yard touchdown (Tyler Bass’ extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 3 plays, 45 yards, 1:25
- 14-0 BILLS - Bills touchdown (7:35) – Josh Allen passes to Tyler Kroft for a two-yard touchdown (Tyler Bass’ extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 10 plays, 72 yards, 5:11
Second Quarter:
- 17-0 BILLS - Bills field goal (11:22) – Tyler Bass’ 44-yard field goal attempt is good
Drive info: 11 plays, 54 yards, 5:17
- 17-7 BILLS - Seahawks touchdown (6:40) – Russell Wilson rushes for a one-yard touchdown (Jason Myers’ extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 8 plays, 85 yards, 4:42
- 24-7 BILLS - Bills touchdown (4:03) – Josh Allen passes to Gabe Davis for a four-yard touchdown (Tyler Bass’ extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 5 plays, 75 yards, 2:37
- 24-10 BILLS - Seahawks field goal (1:07) – Jason Myers’ 45-yard field goal attempt is good
Drive info: 9 plays, 48 yards, 2:56
Third Quarter:
- 27-10 BILLS - Bills field goal (11:55) – Tyler Bass’ 22-yard field goal attempt is good
Drive info: 6 plays, 19 yards, 2:47
- 27-17 BILLS - Seahawks touchdown (6:36) – DeeJay Dallas rushes for a four-yard touchdown (Jason Myers’ extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 11 plays, 75 yards, 5:19
- 27-20 BILLS - Seahawks field goal (2:01) – Jason Myers’ 44-yard field goal attempt is good
Drive info: 5 plays, 44 yards, 2:28
Fourth Quarter:
- 34-20 BILLS - Bills touchdown (11:27) – Zack Moss rushes for a one-yard touchdown (Tyler Bass’ extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 9 plays, 82 yards, 5:29
- 41-20 BILLS - Bills touchdown (9:38) – Josh Allen rushes for a three-yard touchdown (Tyler Bass’ extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 1 play, 3 yards, 0:06
- 41-27 BILLS - Seahawks touchdown (8:50) – Russell Wilson passes to David Moore for a 55-yard touchdown (Jason Myers’ extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 3 plays, 75 yards, 0:48
- 44-27 BILLS - Bills field goal (4:17) – Tyler Bass’ 31-yard field goal attempt is good
Drive info: 4 plays, 6 yards, 2:17
- 44-34 BILLS - Seahawks touchdown (1:51) – Russell Wilson passes to DK Metcalf for a seven-yard touchdown (Jason Myers’ extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 7 plays, 75 yards, 2:22
SKYWORKS EQUIPMENT RENTAL STATS OF THE GAME:
WHAT'S NEXT:
The Bills will travel to Arizona for a Week 10 matchup with the Cardinals on Sunday, Nov. 15 at State Farm Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. EST. Be sure to hear all the action on WGR with John Murphy, Steve Tasker and Sal Capaccio on the call.