Josh Allen and the Bills were nearly unstoppable in Week 8
The Buffalo Bills defeated the Seattle Seahawks 31-10 in a Week 8 clash of division-leading teams that felt nowhere near as close as the final score might reveal. A 21-point divide does not define a close finish on any level, but the dominance Buffalo doled out on Sunday isn’t fully evident by their margin of victory.
The Bills scored touchdowns in every single quarter, totaling 7, 7, 10, and 7 in each. Teams that consistently manage to put points on the board are nearly impossible to beat. That’s especially true when good teams already hold a very comfortable lead and continue to pounce on points. Buffalo didn’t trail all afternoon, finding perhaps their biggest adversity to be the weather and outcome of the opening coin toss.
As for that weather? It was anything other than a beautiful day in Seattle, but the Bills rose above every challenge it presented. After quarterback Josh Allen threw his first interception of the season, Buffalo didn’t give up a single point — thanks to Allen running down the would-be pick-six, and the defense defending their dirt and more from inside the three-yard line.
A rain-soaked first half did its best to level the playing field, but the football continued bouncing Buffalo’s way — best illustrated by Allen’s fumble while running that stayed with the Bills. The same can’t be said of the Seahawks, which managed to self-destruct at every perfect opportunity given to them. Every. Single. Chance: Wasted.
Teams that have two golden opportunities to score touchdowns from three yards out at home need to punch the ball in. There are zero excuses. That’s what separates great teams from good ones. Yet twice on Sunday, Seattle was unable to keep its composure well enough to hit paydirt.
The Seahawks’ failings on two key plays were as much due to inept execution as it was Buffalo’s defense. It’s a fair bet that Seattle sports radio and sister site Field Gulls will be talking plenty about the Seahawks’ failures in the red zone — especially the bad snap that sailed 20 yards behind quarterback Gino Smith, and that failed fourth-down where quarterback Gino Smith ended up tripped by the center and on the turf.
Once again, Josh Allen found his way to an early exit when it was clear the outcome was all but reported. That may limit his statistical success, but every single Bills fan should welcome camera shots of Allen sitting on the sideline thanks to a blowout.
On the day, Allen finished an efficient 24-of-34 for 283 yards, with two touchdowns and one interception. He added seven runs for 25 yards — and even ceded goal-to-go touches to running back James Cook. That meant Cook was able to run the ball in for six twice, while finishing with 17 carries for 111 yards. Sunday’s win was the first time this season that Cook went over 100 yards on the ground.
Wide receiver...