So you wanted a statement game? You wanted style points? Done and done.
The Buffalo Bills played their best game of the season – led by what was arguably quarterback Josh Allen’s best game as a pro in a 37-20 thumping of the Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday in Week 11.
The win bumps Buffalo’s record to 7-3, its best mark after 10 games since 1999.
Here are six numbers to know from the win:
117.1
For better or worse, this team will go as far as Allen can take them. Despite having a borderline elite defense, it’s going to be the second-year signal caller that is going to determine whether or not Buffalo’s hunt for the postseason is a success.
On Sunday, Allen did nearly everything right. He threw for 256 yards and three touchdowns on 21-of-33 passing and ran for 56 yards and a score on seven carries – all without a turnover. His 117.1 passer rating was the highest of his career.
Detractors are going to say he failed to hit the 300-yard passing mark, or that it was a muted performance based on the opposition, but Allen was downright exceptional in South Beach.
137
The beat just goes on and on for John Brown. Brown turned in his best game as Bill, hauling in nine receptions for 137 yards and two scores. He extended his streak of consecutive games with at least five receptions and 50 yards to 10 games and is now at 56 receptions for 817 yards and four touchdowns on the season.
Brown is on pace for 90 receptions, 1307 yards and six touchdowns. His three-year, $27-million contract is looking more and more like a steal.
16
Fans have been pleading to get running back Devin Singletary more involved in the offense. The Bills did just that Sunday; Singletary led the team with 75 rushing yards on a team-high 15 attempts and finished with 16 total touches and 79 yards of total offense. It was the fourth-straight game in which Singletary led the team in rushing attempts.
Frank Gore finished with 11 carries for 27 yards, and the changing of the guard that Buffalo fans have expected may finally be upon us.
0
Robert Foster’s season-long struggles continued Sunday; he failed to see the field in the victory. While Brown, Cole Beasley and Isaiah McKenzie each played at least 78 percent of Buffalo’s offensive snaps, and Andre Roberts seeing nine snaps, Foster was the odd man out after playing just 16 snaps a week ago.
In seven games this season, Foster has just one reception for 20 yards – signaling the Bills are likely moving on from the second-year receiver.
7
Buffalo’s defense recorded a season-high seven sacks and tallied 14 quarterback hits. While the lone turnover Buffalo forced came via an Allen Hurns fumble, the Bills were equally disruptive against the Dolphins ground game — holding Miami to just 23 rushing yards.
-5
After two straight games away from home, Buffalo returns to New Era Field in Week 12 to take on Denver. The Bills opened as five-point favorites over the Broncos (3-7), who squandered a 20-0 lead in a 27-23 loss to Minnesota Sunday.
Buffalo is 6-3-1 against the spread, but just 2-3 ATS at home, while Denver is 6-4 against the spread and 3-2 ATS on the road.
The Over/Under is set for 36.5; Las Vegas expects the Bills to grind out a close, low scoring game.
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