1. Sean McDermott credits 'young guys' in win
Buffalo's Week 10 win over the Jets was not only incredibly fun to watch - it was reassuring, as well.
The Bills' young core, the players that Buffalo has identified as the group that will lead the team into the future, shined in the 41-10 win. Zay Jones and Dion Dawkins, both of whom were selected in the second round of the 2017 draft, played incredibly well, both catching touchdown passes. Dawkins, a left tackle, shined next to Wyatt Teller, a rookie who made the first start of his NFL career on Sunday.
Matt Milano and Tremaine Edmunds, two athletic linebackers who serve as the centerpiece of the defense, also played well, combining for 14 tackles. Buffalo looked dominant in the win, and the fact that the team won on the backs of its young players only makes the victory more exciting. Head coach Sean McDermott was impressed by the young core in the win.
"It was good to see us get going early, opening it up early," McDermott said. "Also good to see a lot of our young guys make significant contributions, whether it was on the offensive side, defensive side, special teams. It was a good team win overall."
2. LeSean McCoy: We just put it all together
Buffalo's previously stagnant offense woke up in Week 10, totaling 451 net yards. LeSean McCoy constructed his best outing of the season in the win, picking up 113 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries.
The running back feels as though the Bills offense has been on the cusp of success for some time.
"Let's take it back a couple of games. We're a close unit," McCoy said. "It's always a play off, a second too slow, we might have almost caught it, we almost blocked him, we almost made the right read. It's always so close. I think today, we just put it all together."
Though the 41-10 win is exciting, McCoy realizes that there is still a lot of football left to be played. He's confident that the team will come out of their upcoming bye week strong.
"We've got to take it one game at a time," McCoy said. "It's not the Super Bowl. Next week, we get the bye, then whoever we play that week, we have to dial in and just try to focus on winning that game. That's the most important thing each week."
3. Matt Barkley: Most fun I've had
Just two weeks ago, Matt Barkley was a free agent quarterback who hadn't heard from an NFL team since August. However, just 12 days after inking a one-year deal with Buffalo, his number was called, and he didn't disappoint.
Barkley completed 15 passes for 232 yards and two touchdowns in Week 10, finishing with a passer rating of 117.4. In the win, the veteran showed that he's still a capable NFL quarterback, someone who can still perform when given an opportunity.
Barkley enjoyed every second of the victory.
"Maybe [it was the most confident I've felt]," Barkley said." I don't know. I've felt great at other times, too. But, probably the most fun I've had."
4. Zay Jones dedicates win to Pancho Billa
The night before they took the field to battle the Jets, the Bills were visited by Ezra Castro, a Buffalo super fan who is currently battling cancer. Known by the alias "Pancho Billa," Castro spoke to the Bills about resiliency and dedication, thanking them for what they do each and every Sunday.
The speech seemingly motivated Buffalo, propelling the team to its best offensive outing of the season. Wide receiver Zay Jones was especially inspired by Castro, as he wore a towel that said "Pancho" throughout Sunday's game. After the second-year wideout scored a touchdown in the third quarter, he showed the towel to the camera.
Jones dedicated the win to Pancho Billa.
"I actually didn't know of his story," Jones said. "I had seen some pictures of him before but didn't really quite know who he was, or the die-hard fan that he really was. For him to come talk to the team and share his story, it really showed what life was about. It touched my heart, I'm sure it touched the guys' hearts.
"We actually broke it down on 'Pancho Power' to go out and play for him. I just wanted to dedicate something special to a man that battles through resiliency like this football team has."
