MITCHELL HORUCY
Asst. Sports Editor
and coaches on Sunday, Oct. 27.
Image property of the Buffalo Bills.
The Bills continued their winning streak with wins over the Tennessee Titans, Seattle Seahawks and Miami Dolphins over the past two weeks.
The first two games weren’t close: the team won 34-10 against the Titans and 31-10 in Seattle.
The Bills needed a 61-yard field goal from Tyler Bass to make it four wins in a row.
Starting with the Tennessee game, it went almost exactly like I predicted it would go.
The Titans stayed in it with their defense playing well, but the Bills eventually settled in and ended up winning in a blowout.
Josh Allen played another clean game, adding two touchdowns through the air.
The Titans were able to keep Buffalo’s run game mostly in check, but Ray Davis Jr. and James Cook each added a rushing touchdown.
The story of this game, however, was Keon Coleman.
He finished with 125 total yards, as it felt like a coming out game for the rookie.
The defense also played lights out in the second half, allowing just 47 total yards in the half. They forced two turnovers as well, one in each half.
Another big story of this game was the improvement from Greg Rousseau.
The fourth-year defensive lineman is on pace to have his best year as a pro, and it won’t be very close either.
He had six quarterback hits in this game, doubling his previous career high he set a few weeks ago against Houston.
He’s on pace to match his career high in sacks with eight, but he’s well on his way to surpass his career highs in both TFLs, or tackle for losses, and quarterback hits.
Following their demolition of the Titans, the Bills then traveled to the Pacific Northwest to take on the Seattle Seahawks in what I thought would be a close game.
This, however, was not the case, as the Bills won 31-10 and quieted the “12th Man” in the stadium, or what was left of it.
Allen played a great game despite the one turnover.
Coleman stayed hot the following week, as he went for five catches, 70 yards and a highlight reel touchdown.
This was easily his best play of his short career thus far, as it showcased what he does so well.
On a jump ball at the goal line, he went up over 6’4” Riq Woolen and “Mossed” him, in the style of Hall of Fame receiver Randy Moss who was known for jumping over defenders to make leaping catches.
Coleman was able to show off his vertical, length and strength all at once.
Cook also had a great game, as he took advantage of a lackluster run defense in Seattle and went for 111 yards and two touchdowns.
Khalil Shakir also exploded for nine catches for 107 yards, marking a career high in receptions for him.
In this game, Allen threw his first interception of the year, even though it may not have been his fault.
New addition Amari Cooper slipped on the slick Seattle field while running a slant, leading to the interception.
Allen pointed out in his postgame press conference that, despite the turnover, he made the tackle inside the five-yard line, which led to the team’s defense getting a stop.
Speaking of the defense, they played tremendously, including two stops inside the five leading to zero points.
Baylor Spector once again had to step in for an injured Terrel Bernard, and he played well.
Despite not having a lot of pressure on the day, the Bills secondary didn’t let Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith get comfortable in the pocket.
It was his first time not recording a passing touchdown since week 12 of last season.
When the division rival Miami Dolphins came to town, it wasn’t as easy of a win as I, and a lot of Bills fans, thought it might be.
The offense once again got off to a slow start, with only six points in the first half.
Once the Bills got the ball after an early second-half turnover, the game opened up.
After a Miami fumble, there were seven consecutive scoring drives.
Allen had three second-half touchdowns, including a superhuman play leading to a two-yard Quintin Morris touchdown.
While the Bills offense got going in the second half, so did the Dolphins.
A late touchdown to wide receiver Jaylen Waddle tied the game at 27.
Allen then led a game-winning drive, even needing a little help from his kicker, Bass.
Bass made a 61-yard field goal to win the game, setting a franchise record.
The previous record was held by Steve Christie, who made a 59-yard kick in 1993.
This was great to see as Bass has struggled this season, so hopefully this can help him regain his confidence.
For the Dolphins, this is maybe the best Tua has looked against the Bills in his career.
He didn’t have any turnovers, he only had three incompletions and he really looked comfortable in the pocket, something he hasn’t done a whole lot of in Buffalo.
Even with this, however, he and the team ultimately came up short.
As for the next two games for the Bills, they’re very important for the team.
Obviously, as we hit November, every game is important, but possibly none bigger than Buffalo’s last game before the bye, as Kansas City comes to town.
Before that game, they must focus on the task at hand this upcoming Sunday.
The team travels to Indianapolis to take on a competitive Colts team.
They just recently benched former fourth overall pick Anthony Richardson, a decision I don’t agree with, for veteran Joe Flacco.
While the Colts aren’t on the same level as the Bills, they can definitely sneak away with a victory if the Bills aren’t careful.
Colts running back Jonathan Taylor can take over games, as we saw him do against the Bills in 2021.
I was at this game, it was awful.
With that being said, I think the Bills will get the win.
The pass rush will get after Flacco and create at least one turnover.
Taylor may finish with a decent stat line, which is good for his fantasy owners, but the offense as a whole won’t do much.
For the Bills, Allen just has to play turnover-free football and not give the Colts opportunities with short fields.
If the defense can force the Colts to consistently drive down the field, I don’t think Indianapolis scores more than 15.
The Bills get a nice win, leading to a must-win game for the Bills if they want a chance at the top seed in the AFC.
This game is also possibly the biggest regular season home game for the team in quite some time.
PREDICTION: Bills 28 – Colts 15