Buffalo Bills approaching multiple records going into Week 18

#Bills approaching multiple records going into Week 18

The Buffalo Bills far exceeded expectations in 2024 as they head into the season’s final week with a record of 13-3 and the AFC’s two seed locked up.

Despite already having their sights set on the postseason, they have a few records they could set in Week 18 against the New England Patriots.

With the team’s success, specifically on offense led by quarterback Josh Allen and offensive coordinator Joe Brady, they are now in a position to make more history:

Most players with a receiving TD in a season

Oct 20, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman (0) runs after making a catch with wide receiver Mack Hollins (13) running alongside in the second quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

With Tyrell Shavers’ long catch and run for a touchdown in Week 17, the Bills tied the NFL record for most players with a receiving touchdown in a season.

The following players caught a touchdown in 2024: Khalil Shakir; Amari Cooper; Keon Coleman; Mack Hollins; Curtis Samuel; Tyrell Shavers; James Cook; Ty Johnson; Ray Davis; Dalton Kincaid; Dawson Knox; Quintin Morris; Josh Allen.

With the Bills slated to play their backups for much of the Week 18 game, they have a good chance of breaking this record. Some players who haven’t had much of an opportunity this year will have the chance to be an NFL record-breaker.

Some potential practice squad guys who could find the endzone in Week 18 are TE Zach Davidson, RB Frank Gore Jr., WR KJ Hamler, and WR Jalen Virgil. If FB Reggie Gilliam scores his first TD of the year that would break the record as well. And, there’s always the chance an offensive linemen could catch one. Josh Allen caught a touchdown this year so nothing can be ruled out.

First team to pass and rush for 30 TDs in a season

Imagn

On the season, the Bills have compiled 33 rushing touchdowns and 29 passing touchdowns. No team in NFL history has had 30 of each in a season. The Bills can be the first to do so by throwing one more touchdown pass, and it could set this record as well as break the record above in one play.

Mack Hollins leads the team with five receiving touchdowns while James Cook leads the team with 15 rushing touchdowns.

Most wins in a regular season in franchise history

Imagn

The Bills have never had 14 wins in a regular season in team history. A win over the Patriots in Week 18 would cement this squad in its team history.

The Bills have now had five years in team history with 13 regular season wins: 1990; 1991; 2020; 2022; 2024.

Backups will likely see the majority of snaps in the game, but they could still etch their spot in team and NFL history with a strong performance.

[lawrence-related id=145123,145117,145115]

WATCH: Week 9 mini movie of Bills win over Dolphins

WATCH: Week 9 mini movie of Bills win over Dolphins

The Buffalo Bills held off a desperate Miami Dolphins team in Week 9, winning 30-27 on a game-winning field goal from Tyler Bass.

The 61-yard kick (a new franchise record) was the exclamation point on an entertaining, back-and-forth contest between AFC East rivals.

The record-breaking field goal wasn’t the only excitement in the win. Josh Allen threw touchdowns to three different players (Mack Hollins, Ray Davis, Quintin Morris), and Taron Johnson forced a game-altering turnover.

The Bills improved to 7-2 with the win and continue to build on a dominant lead in the AFC East.

Relive the nail-biting divisional win with a ten-minute mini-movie from the Bills’ official YouTube channel:

What we learned from the Bills’ Week 9 win vs. Dolphins

What we learned from the Bills’ Week 9 win vs. Dolphins

The Buffalo Bills continued their 2024 schedule with a Week 9 win over the Miami Dolphins, 30-27.

The Bills (7-2) needed a full-team effort to fend off a hungry Dolphins team (2-6) trying to turn their season around. Ultimately, it took a long field goal with just seconds on the clock for the Bills to get it done at home.

After two-straight blowout victories, Buffalo certainly were tested by their division rival. As the season unfolds, we are learning more and more about this year’s Bills team.

Here are five things we learned from Week 9’s win over the Dolphins:

Tyler Bass’ morale at an all-time high

Imagn Images

Kicker Tyler Bass played the role of hero for the Bills in Week 9. His 61-yarder with 5 seconds left proved to be the game-winner. It was not only a career-long for Bass, but it broke a Bills franchise record previously held by Steve Christie (59-yarder in 1993).

Given the inconsistency from Bass recently, the kick proved huge for his morale and the team as a whole. After receiving the game ball post-game, Bass got emotional when talking about his teammates having his back through the ups and downs.

Defense was gashed

Getty Images

The Bills defense had a rough outing. Through the air, Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was 25-of-28 and only took one sack. And on the ground, running backs De’Von Achane and Raheem Mostert averaged more than five yards per carry.

If it wasn’t for a couple of red zone stops and a crucial forced fumble from Buffalo cornerback Taron Johnson, we could have a different conversation this week regarding both the Bills and Dolphins.

After all, this was a desperate Dolphins team that has always had the potential to explode on offense. Expect Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott and defensive coordinator Bobby Babich to right the ship on defense going forward.

Ray Davis continues to flash

Getty Images

Running back Ray Davis continues to make the most of his opportunities in his rookie year. On the ground in Week 9, Davis averaged five yards a pop on his four carries. But, his real impact was through the air.

He took two passes for 70 yards, one being a 63-yard catch and run for a touchdown. That’s 90 yards from scrimmage on just six touches.

His long touchdown gave the Bills a seven-point lead late in the third quarter:

Allen still owns Miami

Getty Images

Bills quarterback Josh Allen took a couple of big hits and missed a few throws, but ultimately controlled the game throughout. He was 25-of-39 passing for 235 yards and posted three passing touchdowns and one interception.

If it wasn’t for a drop by receiver Keon Coleman deep in the red zone that resulted in an interception, he would have had four touchdowns and zero picks.

He didn’t have to put the cape on and be Superman much, but he did when the offense needed it. He slipped away to scramble for 14 yards on a 3rd and 12 at the end of the first half, and he also made a remarkable touchdown throw to tight end Quintin Morris as he was being tackled by two defenders:

Winning in different ways

Getty Images

This wasn’t an easy day for the Bills by any means. The Dolphins had their backs against the wall while preparing for it, albeit was just Week 9. It was nearly a must-win game for them, and they played like it.

They had more first downs than the Bills (26-24), more total yards (373-325), more yards per play (6.2-5.5), more time of possession (31:53-28:07), and they converted better in the red zone (3/4-2/5).

Buffalo has grown accustomed to overpowering teams on offense and defense. In this one, they won differently. They only had four penalties, forced a crucial turnover when they needed it, and special teams came through in a big way.

[lawrence-related id=142583,142520,142523]

Bills re-sign tight end Quintin Morris to one-year deal

#Bills re-sign tight end Quintin Morris to one-year deal:

The Buffalo Bills tight end room might be already set for 2024.

The team has announced that Quintin Morris was re-signed. He gets a one-year deal:

Morris was a pending free agent but was expected to be back because he was an Exclusive Rights Free Agent. In that case, the Bills only need to offer him a league-minimum salary for a year and then the player either can sign it or sit out. Morris would have gained nothing from sitting out, so he’s back.

Morris appeared in 15 games for Buffalo last season, serving as a backup to top tight ends Dawson Knox and Dalton Kincaid. He had two catches for the Bills last season, one of which was a touchdown.

Bills Wire will continue to bring roster updates throughout the 2024 offseason.

[lawrence-related id=132659,132653,132640]

Full list of Bills players who will be free agents this offseason

Who will stay and who will go?

As another season of Buffalo Bills football has come to an end, so have another series of contracts that have been signed.

Whether it be grizzled veterans or players seeing the end of their rookie contracts, there are plenty of faces who will not long be under contract in Buffalo in March when free agency opens.

The Bills have plenty of time until then to sign players to extensions, but it’s never so cut-and-dry. According to Over The Cap, Buffalo is estimated to be $49 million over the 2024 NFL salary cap.

Moves must be made and general manager Brandon Beane will earn his own salary with the decisions ahead.

But what you’re here for: The full list of Bills free agents following the 2023 season is below:

PFF: 5 worst-graded Bills players on offense in Week 17

PFF: 5 worst-graded #Bills players on offense in Week 17 vs. the #Patriots:

The Buffalo Bills won a tight 27-21 final in their Week 17 matchup against the New England Patriots.

The Bills (10-6) had a few players that stood out above the rest in this one. On offense, the Bills were led by tight end  Dalton Kincaid.

But not everyone played as well as him. Buffalo will hope some efforts improve throughout the rest of the 2023 season as they aim to secure a postseason spot.

According to Pro Football Focus, they’ll need these players to start playing at a high level.

Here are the five worst-graded Bills players on offense against the Patriots (4-12) in Week 17:

PFF: 5 lowest-graded Bills players on offense in Week 12

PFF: 5 lowest-graded #Bills players on offense in Week 12 vs. the #Eagles

The Buffalo Bills narrowly lost to the Philadelphia Eagles in overtime, 37-34, in their Week 12 matchup on Sunday afternoon.

The Bills (6-6) had more than a handful of players on offense that stood out above the rest against a fantastic Philadelphia Eagles team that has only lost one game all season. Leading the offense was quarterback Josh Allen along with interim offensive coordinator Joe Brady in his second game.

Even though the Bills went toe-to-toe with the high scoring Eagles offense, the win eluded them as they failed to score the winning touchdown in overtime. As the rest of the 2023 season unfolds, the Buffalo offense will hope to get a better tune out of these players that did not perform well, according to Pro Football Focus.

Here are the five lowest-graded Bills players on offense against the Eagles (10-1) according to PFF’s metrics:

PFF: 5 lowest-graded Bills players on offense in Week 11

Not their best day:

The Buffalo Bills defeated the New York Jets, 32-6, in their Week 11 matchup on Sunday afternoon.

The Bills (6-5) had a few players that stood out above the rest in this one. On offense, the Bills were lead by quarterback Josh Allen who led a new-look offense with Joe Brady now calling the shots as offensive coordinator.

But not everyone had a game to remember.

To get more wins, Buffalo will hope such efforts will reverse throughout the rest of the 2023 season as the push toward the postseason unfolds… particularly, they’ll need better efforts from these players, according to Pro Football Focus.

Here are the five lowest-graded Bills players on offense against the Jets (4-6) according to PFF’s metrics:

PFF: 5 worst-graded Bills players on offense in Week 10

Not their day, according to PFF:

The Buffalo Bills lost to the Denver Broncos, 24-22, in their Week 10 matchup on Monday Night Football.

According to Pro Football Focus, here are the five worst-graded Bills players on offense during the contest:

Bills snap counts: Depth chart breakdown vs. Broncos

#Bills snap counts: Depth chart breakdown vs. #Broncos:

The Buffalo Bills got after it against the Denver Broncos and ended up losing 24-22 on Monday Night Football in Week 10.

But who exactly were the ones on the field for the Bills (5-5) doing all the dirty work against the Broncos (3-5)?

More often than not, taking a look in between the lines at snap count totals for Buffalo’s players can give us some insight as to what went down in between the lines on the gridiron. There is always plenty to discover when looking at these finer details.

With that, here’s how the Bills depth chart broke down via snap counts in their latest defeat against the Broncos: