Not only can Bills fans be excited about Sunday's win, but they can also be encouraged by how rookie WR Sammy Watkins continues to impress again and again.
After a quiet week against New England, Watkins put up a stat line that is worthy of a No. 1 wide receiver: nine catches, 122 yards, and two TDs.
"I was just out there playing," he said. "We just look at film, watch those guys and see what they do. I think we had a great plan. We just executed on offense and we took advantage of what they were giving us."
The 'when' and 'who' is up for debate, but it certainly has been some time since the Bills had a go-to guy – someone you know and want to get the football – when the game is on the line. Buffalo traded up in the draft to get such a talent and Watkins is shaping up to be just that.
Following CB Leodis McKelvin's second interception, with momentum on Buffalo's side, just one play was needed for QB Kyle Orton to connect with Watkins on a 26-yard touchdown his longest catch of the day.
Then again on the final drive, Watkins was the guy.
Intermingled between TE Scott Chandler's 4th-and-20 yard catch and WR Chris Hogan's goal-line grab were Watkins' three catches for 39 yards – almost half the drive's yardage. Not to mention he was targeted four times on the final possession, just shy of one-third of the plays.
As for that final play, Orton admitted that the ball was heading Watkins' way as soon as he broke the huddle.
"I was going to Sammy. I was going to go to Sammy," Orton admitted. "He was doing a good job for us. We had beaten those guys on some slants earlier so we thought we had a good look to hit that play. He ran a great route and a nice catch."
Head coach Doug Marrone echoed that statement by saying they put Watkins outside and were going to give him the ball. They knew the route and matchup he had. It was just a matter of getting him the football.
This sentiment isn't only based off the win over Minnesota: two weeks ago in Detroit, Watkins had a juggling catch with 21-seconds left in the game to put the Bills in field goal range and set them up for the win.
Taking a look at the numbers, too, shows how good Watkins really is.
Stacked against other Bills rookies through seven games, he has the most receptions of any Bills rookie (35) and the second most receiving yards (433). He also is the first Bills rookie receiver to have multiple 100-yard games since WR Lee Evans in 2004.
Being a top pick and the playoff-drought, he recognizes what is being asked of him.
"Of course," he said when asked if he feels the pressure. "I have to come out and make plays. I have to be dominant early. That's the results of (Sunday)."
But he also understands what it means to the city of Buffalo.
"Being able to make the last play to win this game, in Buffalo, is the best feeling ever," he said. "We just have to keep doing those things on the field, keep getting better as an offense, and keep moving on."
