Top 3 Things We Learned

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Top 3 things we learned from Buffalo Bills at Seattle Seahawks | Week 8

Oct 28, 2024 at 11:34 AM

Alec White

Content Coordinator

The Buffalo Bills had a dominant performance in all three phases Sunday, beating the Seattle Seahawks 31-10 at Lumen Field.

The Bills' 6-2 record matches their best start through 8 games in the last 30 seasons (2019, 2020, 2022). Buffalo outscored their opponents 65-20 over the last two weeks and will host the Dolphins next Sunday.

Here's what we learned from Bills-Seahawks.

1 — Fast start pays off

The Bills players and coaching staff spent time this week emphasizing the need to get off to a fast start after facing early deficits in multiple games this season.

It's safe to say they went out and executed just that.

After a three-and-out forced by defense, QB Josh Allen led the offense on a 14-play, 90-yard drive that ended in rookie WR Keon Coleman mossing CB Riq Woolen for a one-handed touchdown.

"Something that we've talked about repetitively over the course of the last couple weeks, felt good to go out there and get it done," Allen said.

The 90 yards the Bills accumulated on the opening drive was the team's second-longest drive to begin a game in the last 30 years. The Bills showed an ability to get explosive plays in the passing game, with gains of 23 yards (Dawson Knox) and 25 yards (Keon Coleman) on the drive.

The Allen-Coleman connection on the jump ball set the tone for what turned out to be a dominant performance by the Bills. The QB-WR duo nearly had a TD a few plays earlier but made up for it with a perfect pitch and catch.

"Simple football play. We miscued on the first one. Told him, just put it behind and give me another shot at it. He gave me another shot and I went up and made a play," Coleman said.

Buffalo outgained Seattle 445-233, converted eight third downs while allowing just one and won the time of possession battle by over 15 minutes. When asked if Sunday's performance ranked among their best of the season, Allen shared that he was impressed by the team's effort in every phase of the game.

"It's up there. I think you look at it from all three phases. I think everybody went out there, knew their job and executed at a high level, offense, defense, special teams," the QB said.

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2 — Ground and pound

The Bills recorded their second-highest rushing total of the season, gaining 164 yards on the ground. Buffalo's defense also excelled in stopping the run, holding Seattle to 32 yards.

Even more impressive, the Seahawks had just 1 rushing yard in the first half. It's the 2nd-fewest rushing yards the Bills have allowed in a 1st half this century (-11 in 2010 Week 17 vs. IND) and the fewest rushing yards allowed in a first half by any NFL team this season.

"Won the line of scrimmage, that's where it starts," McDermott said. "I thought our O-line and D-line did a phenomenal job. Great week of preparation. The three and out by the defense the first two series."

"We definitely executed the game plan. Paid attention to the details, and it went in our favor," added DT Austin Johnson who recorded his first career INT.

RB James Cook notched first career game with 100+ rush yards and 2 TD as he paced Buffalo's backfield in the win. Cook ran with an edge throughout the game and his physicality was noticed by the entire team.

"It's just the momentum," McDermott said on the effect of Cook's running style. "All these things lead to momentum, right? You see guys straining. You see guys giving great effort. You see guys offensive lineman finishing plays where James has the ball, and they're finishing right on his heels."

3 — Cashing in

The Bills took advantage of some costly mistakes by the Seahawks.

In the first quarter, a bad snap went over the head of Seahawks QB Geno Smith at the Buffalo 3-yard line. Though it was recovered by RB Kenneth Walker, it netted an 18-yard loss and Seattle ended up kicking a field goal.

On the next series, the Seahawks once again worked the ball down to the Buffalo 1-yard line but Smith tripped over his offensive lineman on a fourth down play for a turnover on downs. The Bills capitalized with another long drive, this time a 12-play, 93-yard sequence that culminated in a score for TE Dalton Kincaid to go up 14-3.

In the second half, DT Austin Johnson secured his first-ever NFL interception after a deflection by DE Casey Toohill who had pressure on Smith.

"They were starting to get on a little roll, but I mean, any turnover is a big turnover. Especially (because) they had one, so it was time for us to get one. It was just perfect timing," Johnson said.

Buffalo once again took advantage, scoring on a James Cook run seven plays later.

Allen said that the Bills being able to build a big lead helped to quiet the noise factor in Seattle throughout the game.

"It takes the crowd out of it. You stay out the third and longs like we did, and be able to convert as well as we did. It quiets them down quite a bit, which, again, helps with communication and helps really, just the whole vibe and momentum of the game."