Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) - Survive and advance.
That phrase is often associated with the NCAA basketball tournament, but that's how I felt after the Buffalo Bills' victory on Sunday night over the New York Giants at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park.
It was a win that was far more difficult than I would ever have imagined. They survived a huge scare, got an important win to stay within a game of the first place Miami Dolphins in the AFC East, and now it's on to the New England Patriots.
However, there is cause for concern when it comes to the Bills offense, which has certainly not looked like its normal self the last two games.
After destroying defenses to the likes of the Las Vegas Raiders, Washington Commanders and Dolphins, games which the Bills averaged 41 points, they have scored a total of 34 points the last two games against the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Giants.
The offense has been non-existent in the first half in both of those contests.
The Bills had six offensive drives in the first half of Sunday night's contest, and they produced just nine first downs, in large part because the Bills were an ugly 1-for-5 on third down. The end results of those drives were three punts, two turnovers and a missed field goal.
Buffalo's passing game against the Giants was basically Stefon Diggs. He accounted for 55% of Josh Allen's targets. Thank god for Diggs, though, as he recorded his fifth 100-yard game of the season in six starts.
As for players not named Diggs, they combined for just 13 targets, nine catches and 69 yards. However, they did account for the two touchdowns via catches from Deonte Harty and Quintin Morris.
It was the Bills' running game that keyed the offense in the second half.
Buffalo came out on their first drive of that half and went run-heavy. There were 11 designed runs on, what turned out to be, a 17-play drive that covered 89 yards and took just under 10 minutes. Both James Cook and Latavius Murray contributed, although one of the key plays on that drive was a 3rd-and-6 pass completion by Allen to Diggs from the Giants' 32-yard line. The pocket was collapsing, but Allen threw into a tight window for a seven-yard gain and a first down.
Some key throws by Allen were the keys on the very next Bills possession, which produced, what turned out to be, the game-winning touchdown drive. The Bills quarterback avoided pressure on one play, and threw on the run to his right, slightly back across his body for a 14-yard completion to Diggs.
Then it was vintage Allen on the touchdown pass to Morris. Allen had to leave the pocket and move to his right. As a late rusher was bearing down, Allen threw another tight window laser to Morris, who improvised when he saw Allen start to move by spinning free from a defender.
It was a great play and throw to put the Bills in front.
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For a good chunk of the night, Allen did not look comfortable in the pocket, and the Giants' pass rush was creating pressure.
Allen also injured his throwing shoulder in the second quarter and had x-rays after the game. He said he was fine, but obviously that will be something to monitor this week. Even if the shoulder was banged up, Allen was able to complete his first 11 passes of the second half while leading the comeback.
The defense certainly deserves some love for this victory. I know they were playing against one of the worst offenses in the league, but they were, of course, making due without a key player at each level of the defense.
The Giants managed just three field goals, went 0-for-5 in the red zone, and were 0-for-3 in goal-to-go situations.
The run defense was terrific through the first three quarters, holding Saquon Barkley to just 32 yards on 18 carries. His numbers looked better after back-to-back runs of 19 and 33 yards to start the fourth quarter.
Things to note on the defensive side of the ball include Christian Benford making two key plays. He and Terrel Bernard combined to stop Barkley on a 1st-and-goal run from the Bills' one-yard line on, what turned out to be, the final play of the first half. Benford also broke up a deep pass to Darius Slayton on a 4th-and-8 play late in the fourth quarter.
Rookie linebacker Dorian Williams was the choice to take Milano's spot, at least, in this game. According to the NFL gamebook, Williams was on the field for 65 of the 77 defensive snaps.
Von Miller is clearly still getting himself back to tip-top football shape. He was on the field for just 35% of the snaps, and had no stats to show for his evening.
This should have been a cruise to a victory game for the Bills, but it was far from it. But winning is what matters, and the 4-2 Bills will next play in New England against the 1-5 Patriots.
Meanwhile, the 5-1 Dolphins travel to Philadelphia to face the 5-1 Eagles.
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