There was a time this offseason, after the Buffalo Bills traded Stefon Diggs, through which the favored narrative was that Buffalo’s window as a Super Bowl contender is perhaps closed.
It’s not. In truth, it is broad open.
After this season, it is honest to imagine that the Bills will likely be a contender each season in Josh Allen’s prime. Allen is having an unbelievable season and it continued on Sunday. He carried the Bills but once more, pounding a Detroit Lions staff that was 12-1 earlier than Sunday. The Bills had 559 yards of offense and beat the Lions 48-42 in a recreation that actually wasn’t that shut. Buffalo improved to 11-3 with the win. Allen continues to march towards his first NFL MVP award. He had 362 yards passing with two passing touchdowns, and on the bottom he had 68 yards and two touchdowns. In the previous two video games, Allen has 5 passing touchdowns and 5 speeding touchdowns. It’s uncommon for a quarterback to achieve the extent of play Allen has been at most of this season.
What might actually push Allen to the subsequent stage, by way of his rating within the recreation and the notion of him, can be a deep playoff run. On Sunday, the Bills appeared just like the type of staff that might discover itself in Super Bowl LIX.
Bills get off to an awesome begin
The Bills made a press release instantly. They scored touchdowns on every of their first three drives. Allen had two speeding touchdowns to begin it off after which James Cook scored to offer Buffalo a 21-7 lead. It wasn’t simply that the Bills had been scoring touchdowns. There was nearly no resistance to something they did from the Lions protection.
Allen had 254 yards passing within the first half alone. The Lions had been in a position to keep afloat on protection after Aidan Hutchinson’s damage weeks in the past, however the accidents saved piling up and the final couple of video games have not been nice. The Green Bay Packers moved it fairly simply towards them in Week 14, though the Lions held on for the win. The Bills took benefit of each flaw the Lions protection has. Allen hit move after move and when it wasn’t open for him, he simply ran for a optimistic acquire.
Detroit has lots of offensive energy they usually put up some factors. Tim Patrick scored on a pleasant play by Jared Goff. Offensive lineman Dan Skipper obtained a 9-yard landing on a trick play. But the Lions nonetheless trailed 28-14 at halftime as a result of the protection had no solutions.
Then once more, there aren’t many solutions for Allen this season from any protection.
Buffalo extends the lead
In the third quarter the Bills saved piling on. Amon Ra St.-Brown fumbled on a catch over the center, and the Bills cashed that in with a Khalil Shakir landing. That gave Buffalo a 35-14 lead. There was 3:31 left within the third quarter and the Bills had 35 factors and 455 yards of offense.
The Lions’ incapability to cease Allen might need been a giant think about an uncommon strategic transfer. With 12 minutes left Detroit reduce Buffalo’s result in 38-28 and determined to try an onside kick. Onside kicks nearly by no means get recovered with the brand new guidelines, and making an attempt one with 12 minutes left appeared silly, however the Lions needed to attempt to hope. It’s not like they had been stopping Allen anyway. The Bills recovered that desperation onside kick and returned it to Detroit’s 5-yard line. Ray Davis scored on the subsequent play to push the Bills’ result in 45-28.
Allen hasn’t but gained an MVP or gone to a Super Bowl. He’s in all probability successful that MVP award this season. Even although the Bills path the Kansas City Chiefs by two video games within the race for the AFC’s No. 1 seed, you may’t rule out Buffalo going to Kansas City and successful within the playoffs. The Bills appeared like the perfect or second-best staff within the NFL on Sunday (remember the Eagles, who’ve gained 10 in a row).
There’s an opportunity the Bills finish this season of their first Super Bowl in three a long time. Allen may be certain of it.
