👍1. December to remember
The 2024 season, more specifically December 2024, will truly be one to remember for QB Josh Allen, from scoring six touchdowns in a single game to becoming the first quarterback in NFL history to run, catch a rush for a touchdown in a single game. Now in Sunday afternoon's contest against the Jets, he will have the opportunity to add to his already impressive regular season.
In last Sunday's victory over the New England Patriots, Allen picked up his 75th career win which tied Russell Wilson for the most wins by a quarterback in his first seven seasons. With a win against the Jets, Allen can surpass Wilson and have the most wins all time by a quarterback in his first seven seasons.
Not only can Allen surpass Wilson in one category, but he also can tie or pass Wilson for the fourth-most passing touchdowns in their first seven seasons. Wilson's total stands at 196 and Allen is just three away at 193.
While the Jets have given him fits in the past, Allen has found a way to overcome them, including earlier this season.
"These division games, they're always going to add a little bit more flair to it," Allen said. "They're a physical team. They got a really good defense. Why they've given me fits, I don't feel like I've protected the ball too well against them in the previous years. But, just making sure I'm being smart with the football and being decisive with my decisions and where it's going and just allowing our guys to make plays."
🙌2. Takeaways = Energy
Defensive coordinator Bobby Babich has made it known that on defense, forcing the ball away from your opponent is called a takeaway and my oh my has the defense been great at forcing takeaways.
The Bills have 28 total takeaways this season, which is third in the NFL tied with the Texans and Packers. The Bills have also scored 108 points off takeaways this season, the most in the NFL and the most Buffalo has scored in a single season since they scored 127 in 2011.
"That's a huge help when you can flip the field in that fashion with a turnover," Allen said. "We had one this last week, and we only got three points from it, so we got to be better. But, when our defense can force turnovers and on offense, we're holding on to the football, that's typically a good recipe for success."
The defense has done an incredible job of finding their way to the football and at times scoring with the football themselves. Not only did CB Taron Johnson fall on top of the backwards pass in the end zone against the Patriots, but he also had a pick-6 to start the game against the Colts and CB Ja'Marcus Ingram had a pick-6 in week 2 against Miami.
They've been able to force fumbles and force quarterbacks into throwing interceptions all season long and not only do those help the defense and give them life, but offensive coordinator Joe Brady also said they help the offense and the rest of the team.
"It's everything. Just hang around Bobby Babich and, he's gonna give you energy," Brady said. "We're a football team. We're not an offense and a defense and special teams. We all go together, and we all believe that we have the same mentality and the mindset as a football team… When they're scoring touchdowns for us, I'm all for that, for sure… That's team football right there. We're all about our defense, and we know that when they we need to stops, they're gonna get them."
Scroll to see the best photos from Friday's practice as the Buffalo Bills prepare to face the New York Jets.
DeWayne Carter (90). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Alec Anderson (70). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Alec Anderson (70). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Alec Anderson (70). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Alec Anderson (70). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Aaron Kromer. Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Dorian Williams (42), Javon Solomon (56), Mike Edwards (65). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Spencer Brown (79). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Tylan Grable (68). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
David Edwards (76), Connor McGovern (66). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Matt Milano (58). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Lewis Cine (36). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Quinton Jefferson (71). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
KJ Hamler (19). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Josh Allen (17), Jordan Phillips (97), Rasul Douglas (31), Dalton Kincaid (86). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Dawson Knox (88). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Austin Johnson (98), Casey Toohill (99), Dawuane Smoot (94). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Aaron Kromer. Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Kingsley Jonathan (59). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Mitchell Trubisky (11). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Amari Cooper (18). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Ray Davis (22). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Terrel Bernard (43). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Quintin Morris (85). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
A.J. Epenesa (57). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Joe Brady. Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Ryan Van Demark (74), Alec Anderson (70). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Ryan Van Demark (74), Alec Anderson (70). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Ryan Van Demark (74), Alec Anderson (70). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Ryan Van Demark (74). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Ryan Van Demark (74). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Ryan Van Demark (74). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Alec Anderson (70). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Alec Anderson (70). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Alec Anderson (70). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Ryan Van Demark (74). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Aaron Kromer. Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Joe Brady. Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Damar Hamlin (3), DeWayne Carter (90). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Connor McGovern (66). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Spencer Brown (79). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Sedrick Van Pran-Granger (62). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Javon Solomon (56). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Terrel Bernard (43). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
DeWayne Carter (90). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Connor McGovern (66). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Dorian Williams (42). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Jordan Phillips (97). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
DeWayne Carter (90), A.J. Epenesa (57). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Ed Oliver (91). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Zion Logue (93). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Ed Oliver (91). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Zion Logue (93), Ed Oliver (91). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Von Miller (40). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Terrel Bernard (43). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Von Miller (40), Ed Oliver (91). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Ed Oliver (91). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Von Miller (40). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Zion Logue (93), Ed Oliver (91). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Zion Logue (93), Ed Oliver (91). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Taylor Rapp (9). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Taron Johnson (7). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Cole Bishop (24). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Cole Bishop (24). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Taron Johnson (7). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Damar Hamlin (3). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Damar Hamlin (3). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Matt Milano (58). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Taylor Rapp (9). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Christian Benford (47). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Terrel Bernard (43). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Matthew Smiley. Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Taron Johnson (7). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Ty Johnson (26). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Christian Benford (47). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Brandon Codrington (29). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Brandon Codrington (29). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Bobby Babich. Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Bobby Babich. Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Taron Johnson (7). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Terrel Bernard (43). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Joe Brady. Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Cole Bishop (24). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Damar Hamlin (3). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Jahmile Addae. Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Damar Hamlin (3). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Jahmile Addae. Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Len Vanden Bos, KJ Hamler (19). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Matt Milano (58). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Christian Benford (47). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Bobby Babich. Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Ty Johnson (26). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Dawson Knox (88). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Sean McDermott. Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Keon Coleman (0), Amari Cooper (18). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Josh Allen (17), Austin Skobel. Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Sean McDermott. Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Dion Dawkins (73). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
James Cook (4), Frank Gore Jr. (20). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Dalton Kincaid (86). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Mack Hollins (13). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Kaiir Elam (5). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Josh Allen (17), Dawson Knox (88). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Sean McDermott, Joe Andreessen (44). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Amari Cooper (18). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Brandon Codrington (29). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Cole Bishop (24). Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Sean McDermott. Buffalo Bills Week 17 Practice, December 27, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
❤️3. Offensive line love
The offensive line of the Buffalo Bills has been having a noteworthy season considering how effective both the run game and pass protection have been.
The Bills have already tied their franchise record for most rushing touchdowns in a season and RB James Cook is having a career year on the ground and scoring the football.
"I'm kind of a broken record with it, as the season goes, we say we have to find ways to get better," Brady said. "The way that the running backs were kind of running, it makes life a lot easier when you can give it to them and good things can kind of happen."
RT Spencer Brown is one of those players along the offensive line that has taken his game to another level this season. The RT received a contract extension before the season started and has been part of the unit that once again kept Allen protected all year long, being the least sacked quarterback in the NFL.
"He's battled through injuries, hasn't had off seasons, and he's made the most of it, and working with Krom and fine tuning, his technique," Brady said of Brown. "He is as athletic as it gets, but he also doesn't just use his athleticism only, he relies on technique. There's a reason we signed him, and he's gonna be a tackle here, and him and Dion are gonna be protecting Josh for years to come. It makes our life a lot easier knowing that we got guys on the perimeter that can set the width of the pocket and are as athletic to do some of the run schemes that we want."
😤4. 'Defending our dirt'
They may not be clicking their heels saying "there's no place like home" but home is where the heart is for the Bills.
There's nothing like a home field advantage in the NFL and the Bills have just that. The Bills currently have a 10-game regular season winning streak at home. The Bills could extend that streak to 11 against their division opponent.
"It's definitely important because it's a home game," LT Dion Dawkins said. "That was one of our missions. It's to win your home games, win your division games. And that's not the easiest way, but that's one of the ways to get into the playoffs. And we're still on that mission."
Since 2020, Buffalo also has the best divisional home record sitting at 13-1 overall.
"That's a precedent that Coach sets early on from everybody that gets here of defending our dirt and making sure that that's one of the best ways to help yourselves get in the playoffs, is being a good team at your home field. That means a lot because that's one of our goals that we set out to do every year," Allen said.
5. Hello Mr. Rodgers
We've said a lot about Josh Allen and the history that he and the Bills can make on Sunday, and rightfully so, but the quarterback on the other side has his own opportunity too.
In year 20, Aaron Rodgers is on the cusp of throwing his 500th touchdown pass in the NFL. Rodgers would join an elite club of Hall of Famers in Peyton Manning and Brett Farve and future Hall of Famers Drew Brees and Tom Brady as only the fifth quarterback to ever throw 500 touchdowns in their career.
"That's a spectacular stat. Aaron's one of the, if not the best to ever throw football," Allen said. "I think he's the most talented, for sure, and the most gifted thrower of all time. The way he's been able to do it over the course of his career, it's been nothing but spectacular. He's been an idol of mine since I was a little kid, looking up to him and wanting to be in a position like him. So got a lot of love and respect for him… He's seen a lot of things, and he's always evolved his game. He's one of the best ever do it."
Interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich also weighed in on the potential accomplishment.
'It's going to be so special to see that 500th ball caught," Ulbrich said.
Rodgers and WR Davante Adams both were on the Jets injury report heading into Sunday, but Rodgers was a full participant, and Adams is questionable headed into Sunday. Adams was not on the field the last time these two teams played because he was still a Las Vegas Raider but was traded the very next day.
In his weekly appearance on 'One Bills Live' Greg Cosell said that it appears as though Rodgers has rebuilt the rapport he had with Adams while they were playing for the Green Bay Packers.
"It's clear that he's sort of, rebuilt that connection now that Adams has been there for quite some time," Cosell said.
Add on the threat of WR Garrett Wilson and RB Breece Hall, and this could very well be another tight finish.
