Through eight weeks, the 2020 season hasbeen both fascinating and entertaining forthe Buffalo Bills. There’s been highs (the hot start out of the gates), and lows (the ensuing fall) and no shortage of news both on and off the field.
The Bills remain in a strong position moving forward considering their direct competition in the AFC East, though a difficult schedule appears to only become more daunting over the next several weeks.
With eight more games left to go, here’s our annual look at the most noteworthy developments from the first half of the season. All statistics are through Week 7.
THE HOT START
Through the first four weeks of the season, the Bills appeared to be a legitimate Super Bowl contender. While they’ve fallen a bit since then, their sprint through the month of September was a sight to see.
Buffalo opened up 4-0 for the first time since 2008 and only the ninth time in team history. Buffalo had 30 or more points in three straight games for the first time in 2011. Stefon Diggs had an instant impact after coming over from Minnesota, becoming the first Bills receiver since Eric Moulds with 26 or more receptions and 400 or more receiving yards through four weeks. And, of course, it was all led by Josh Allen, who for a little while looked like a potential MVP candidate.
The offense has cooled since then, which partially was to be expected. But it remains the strength of the team heading into the second half of the season
ALLEN IS THE REAL DEAL
While Buffalo’s offense has been unable to maintain its breakneck pace from the first four weeks of the year, it remains clear that Josh Allen has taken his game to a whole new level in his third professional season.
Through seven games, Allen had thrown for 2,018 yards, 16 touchdowns and four interceptions for a quarterback rating of 105. He’s on pace to smash previous career highs from last season (3,089 yards, 20 touchdowns, nine interceptions, 85.3 quarterback rating) in every category imaginable. He became the first quarterback in NFL history with 1,300 or more passing yards, 12 or more passing touchdowns and three rushing touchdowns through four games. He was the first Bills QB since Joe Ferguson to top a 100 passer rating in four straight games, and had the third-best start to a season in Bills history with passer yardage (1,326 yards, behind only Drew Bledsoe in 2002 and Jim Kelly in 1991).
When you look a little more closely at Allen’s evolution as a passer, his development and growth is even more impressive.
Through seven games, Allen had only one truly poor performance (against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 6), and he even ended up with respectable stats in that one (14 of 27, 122 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, and the Bills had a chance to win it late in the fourth quarter). It’s also worth noting that with all of Buffalo’s struggles on the defensive side of the ball against the Chiefs, the offense only had the ball for 22:15.
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‘Josh is just a really good leader for us'
For more on what’s happening within Buffalo’s offense, here are some highlights from offensive coordinator Brian Daboll’s recent press conferences.
‘Poyer is a vital part of our success'
For more on what’s happening with Buffalo’s defense, here are some highlights from defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier’s recent press conferences.
1st &Ten
Tre’Davious White is a cornerstone of the Bills defense and the fourth-year pro has only gotten better as the year has gone on. Armed with a new four-year, $70 million contract extension, White is stepping up once again as he eyes bigger and better things for the Bills this postseason. With the playoffs just around the corner, here’s a look at what one of Buffalo’s top defenders has had to say in recent weeks.
‘Awards come with success, winning'
Here are some highlights from head coach Sean McDermott’s recent press conferences.
These Bills could just go all the way
Sean McDermott’s weekly press conferences aren’t known for bursts of stand-up comedy — which is a good thing, we all remember Rex Ryan — but there are still some moments of levity here and there. With the Bills racking up win after win against top opponents, it’s become a running gag for McDermott to be asked if Buffalo’s latest win was a “statement win” in his book.
'BILLDING' IT RIGHT
Sean McDermott had been on the job as head coach of the Buffalo Bills for about a week. In those early January days in 2017, he would look out his office window across the parking lot at Bills Stadium and envision home playoff games. How it would look, sound and feel.
What Bills Fans Are Saying
Bills Digest scanned the Bills’ Facebook site to gauge the hot topics fans are talking about. We chose some of the better posts, edited for brevity and clarity, and present them here, along with Bills Digest editor Mark Ludwiczak’s take on what’s being discussed.
Suddenly, the possibilities seem endless
After Josh Allen sprinted into the end zone for the second time, Vic Fangio had his made-for-TV moment.
‘Playing more aggressive, attacking'
For more on what’s happening with Buffalo’s defense, here are some highlights from defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier’s recent press conferences.
‘It's a blessing to have this work out'
Here are some highlights from head coach Sean McDermott’s recent press conferences.
Brain Spanner
Bryce Wylde, author of Brainspanners: What Have You Done for Your Brain Today?, discusses his prescription for Alzheimer’s prevention.
A NOSE FOR COVID-19
Central Florida Company Trains Canines to Detect Virus
Legendary announcer defends DC Williams
It was hard to find anybody to defend former Jets defensive coordinator Gregg Williams for his ill-fated all-out blitz at the end the Jets’ recent loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.
JC Deep Dive: Coaching candidates from college
On Nov. 27, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer caught the attention of Jets fans when he mentioned Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald as a possible candidate for Gang Green, if they make a coaching change.
Shoots from the hip
SEASON OF SAVINGS
Fields vision
If the Jets end up with the NFL’s worst record and land the first pick in the 2021 draft, there is a good chance they will select a quarterback.
Arranged marriage doomed to fail
WHAT WE ARE HEARING
‘Gotcha' questions can be a pain
A number of “gotcha” questions were posed to Jets GM Joe Douglas during his mid-season presser.
Raiders' good, bad, ugly
TEAM THAT BUILT ITS HISTORY AND LEGACY OFF OF THE DEEP BALL
CONFIDENCE BOOST
Ruggs back on right track after reeling in game-winner