After the Bills had taken a 23-16 lead to open the fourth quarter, the Raiders were on the move and driving. Buffalo’s defense, desperate to come up with a big play after struggling for much of the first month of the season, came up big when Josh Norman forced and recovered a fumble in Bills territory.
What did the Bills do next? No, it wasn’t a run up the middle to try and keep things steady. It wasn’t a short throw to the hash to set up a manageable down and distance. It was a 49yard bomb on a deep post pattern from Josh Allen to Stefon Diggs, who did his best Randy Moss impersonation by going up and making an incredible play on the ball to beat his defender and make the catch.
Three plays later, Devin Singletary scored to give Buffalo a 30-16 lead. There were a few nervy moments after that — give the Raiders credit for putting up a fight — but the Bills had taken control of the game and would go on to win 30-23.
“That’s complementary football,” Allen said. “The defense did a great job forcing a turnover there ... I gave him a chance and he made one heckuva grab and put us in position to score a touchdown and that’s what we did.”
That decision to go for the jugular — and ultimately be successful — is all you need to know about the 2020 Bills. This offense is aggressive. This offense is confident. And this offense has the playmakers to get the job done.
Through four games, this offense is reaching levels that have rarely been seen in Buffalo:
The Bills are 4-0 for the ninth time in team history, and the first time since 2008.
This story is from the October 18, 2020 edition of Bills Digest.
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This story is from the October 18, 2020 edition of Bills Digest.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign in
TRACKING TRAINING CAMP
Bills Digest was there for all the big moments at training camp. Here are some observations …
‘We're constantly trying to evolve'
For more on what’s happening within Buffalo’s offense, here are some highlights from offensive coordinator Brian Daboll’s recent press conferences.
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ALLEN GETS HISTORIC DEAL
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Right back in the swing of things
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1st & Ten with STEFON DIGGS
Stefon Diggs had one of the best seasons ever by a Bills receiver in 2020, and he’s looking for an encore. Diggs was clearly amped up and ready to go as the Bills began their preparations for the new season, leading the huddle and supporting his teammates as they kicked off training camp in Orchard Park. Diggs recently touched on his goals for the upcoming season for both himself and the team in an informative discussion with members of the media. Here are the highlights from that discussion.
RUNNING BACKS: TOP AVAILABLE FREE AGENTS
Aaron Jones, Packers 5-9 • 208 pounds • 27 years old A fifth-round steal in the 2017 draft out of UTEP, Jones is equally proficient in the running and passing games. He rushed for more than 1,000 yards the last two years, and caught 49 and 47 passes, respectively. He’s also a touchdown machine with 30 TDs the last two years (25 rushing and 5 receiving). The son of two career Army officers, he’s a tough, driven player and the kind of guy players want on their team.
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QUARTERBACKS: TOP AVAILABLE FREE AGENTS
Dak Prescott, Cowboys 6-2 • 235 pounds • 27 years old A solid starter who has a nice TD-INT ratio over his first five seasons (104-40), Prescott is an accurate thrower and very mobile. However, he’s coming off a compound fracture and dislocation of his right ankle, so it remains to be seen if this will impact his game moving forward.
TIGHT ENDS: TOP AVAILABLE FREE AGENTS
Hunter Henry, Chargers 6-5 • 250 pounds • 29 years old A very talented player, Henry has had issues staying healthy, unable to complete an NFL season, including missing the entire 2018 season with a torn ACL. But when healthy, he’s a terrific all-around tight end who really connected with Justin Herbert in 2020 with 60 catches. Henry is very good at finding holes in zone coverage.
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HAMMER ATTACK
Three Virgin Marys kept their baleful eyes on the back of Allen’s head. But more powers were needed—of clemency, of healing—so, to accompany the dolorous mothers, somebody had also taped to the wall behind Allen’s hospital bed half a dozen Jesuses (a few were laminated), the famous “Last Supper” painting, and a grave-looking figure who, Alice, one of Allen’s sisters, told Gina, was St. Jude, the patron saint of lost causes, of last hope.
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"Respect the cat, and treat it with care. Exhibitors will forget if you don't final their cat; they'll never forgive if you mishandle it."
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This country's unmatched and unlimited industrial might helped define the 20th century. But that was then, and this is now.