In preparation for the NFL playoffs, I bring to you a series explaining why each team in the playoffs has a chance to win the Super Bowl. First up, the Buffalo Bills.
The Buffalo Bills were 6-10 a season ago and now they are in the playoffs. For the first time in a decade, the Patriots’ AFC East reign was in jeopardy. The Bills boast one of the best defenses in the league accompanied by a completely revamped offense.
Strong QB play
Aided by a top-ten running game, Josh Allen has made Buffalo fans forget about his rookie season. Last season, Allen threw for ten touchdowns to twelve interceptions and was sacked 28 times. Teammates credit a strong work ethic for the improvement in his play from last season and it’s not just Allen, the entire team has stepped up.
Allen explained the culture in the Bills’ locker room telling media, “It’s been fun to be around the guys that we have in this locker room. How hard they work, how much they love each other, how much this team loves each other. You know it’s a special feeling.”
Allen led all quarterbacks in rushing touchdowns, nine, beating out both MVP favorite Lamar Jackson and their Wild Card opponent Deshaun Watson. The team acquired Cole Beasley and John Brown in the offseason and both have fit in very well in their first season in Buffalo. Brown emerged as Buffalo’s top receiver and has set career-highs in targets, receptions, and receiving yards.
Top 5 Defense
Houston has a lot of firepower on offense, but the Bills boast one of the league’s best defensive backfields. Tre’Davious White is tied atop the interception leader board this season. He enjoys following the top receiver on opposing teams and will likely shadow DeAndre Hopkins for a majority of the game. The first time Pro Bowl-er looks forward to the match up The team As a whole, the team permitted a league-low in big plays, giving up on average two plays per game over 20 yards.
The Bills were the best on field goal coverage. Kickers struggled mightily against Buffalo’s special teams. The team was second only to the Patriots for points allowed per game. Flat out, this defense is really good and they know it. They all do their jobs and will make defensive plays when needed. If any defense could stop Watson and the Texans, it’s the Bills.
[…] first matchup comes on Saturday afternoon between Buffalo and Houston. Both teams come in at 10-6 and don’t have the best history succeeding in the […]
[…] the fourth time in the last six years. Back-to-back AFC South champions play at home against the Buffalo Bills who ended the season with back to back losses. Deshaun Watson is still in search of his first […]