The Buffalo Bills got their statement win. And, it occurred on a national stage.
The Bills knocked off the Dallas Cowboys 26-7 on Thanksgiving afternoon. The Thanksgiving triumph was Buffalo’s first turkey day win since 1975. In addition, the victory was Buffalo’s first win on a Thursday night since 2015.
Buffalo carved up the Cowboys throughout the game, winning battles in all aspects of the game. The Bills moved the ball at will offensively, with the Cowboys being a step behind on several plays. Defensively, Buffalo confused the top offensive in the NFL, allowing only one score to the NFC East leaders.
Above all, it was an exhibition in coaching, as Sean McDermott and his staff outsmarted the Cowboys’ staff, revealing a confused and oft-times struggling home unit.
The game started out inauspiciously for the Bills, as the Cowboys drove down the field on the opening drive of the game. Dallas went 75 yards on nine plays to put up seven points in less than five minutes into the game. Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott found Jason Witten wide open for an eight-yard touchdown pass.
After that series, it was all Buffalo. Josh Allen found Cole Beasley for Buffalo’s first points of the day, a 25-yard touchdown pass in which the Wyoming product found the first-year Bill for a score against his former team. Beasley found a hole in the Cowboys’ secondary and Allen made a throw with pinpoint accuracy.
Buffalo’s offense kept things rolling along, adding another touchdown prior to the end of the first half. Many folks have been clamoring to see some more creativity from Brian Daboll’s play-calling, and it came in the form of a double reverse. John Brown ended up getting credit for the touchdown pass, as he found a wide open Devin Singletary for a 28-yard toss.
The offensive progress continued into the second half. Allen scored on a 15-yard touchdown run. It was a play that many are becoming familiar with seeing from Allen, as he found a space as the defensive end went too far up the field, leaving a gap for Allen to exploit.
When McDermott discusses complementary units, as the defense matched the offense’s dominance on the day. Star Lotulelei picked off a short pass from Prescott. On the subsequent drive for the Cowboys, Ed Oliver forced a Prescott fumble, which was recovered by Trent Murphy.
The Bills put constant pressure on Dallas’ offensive line. Prescott was under duress all afternoon, as Buffalo recorded four sacks and seven quarterback hits. Ed Oliver was tremendous on the day, recorded two sacks. Murphy added a sack, while Star Lotulelei and Jordan Phillips earned half a sack as well.
Buffalo deflected nine passes during the game. Tre’Davious White was in Amari Cooper’s face all game. Even though Cooper put up 85 receiving yards on eight catches, none really put the Bills defense in danger, aside from a few early yips.
Allen ended the day 19-of-24 for 231 passing yards. He added 43 yards on the ground. It was easily one of Allen’s best games in the NFL, as he led the offense with decisive and intelligent choices on the field.
Devin Singletary strengthened his case as the team’s No. 1 back, as the shifty rookie was a focal point for Buffalo’s offense. Singletary ran for 63 yards on 14 carries. He also caught three passes for 38 yards.
Beasley, in his return to Dallas, played like a man who had something to prove. He caught six passes for 110 receiving yards. He was borderline uncoverable, finding space in the Cowboys’ secondary.
The only downfall from the game was Stephen Hauschka’s kicking woes resurfaced. He missed a field goal and a PAT in the first half. He bounced a field goal attempt off the upright, which took a fortunate ricochet for the Bills. He ended two-of-three on PATs and the same stat line for field goals.
It’s a monster win for Buffalo, as it quiets those who criticized the team for their victories this year. The Bills move closer to cementing a playoff spot with this impressive win. Buffalo is now one-and-a-half games behind New England in the AFC East.
The Bills return to the field in ten days, as they face off against the surging Baltimore Ravens at New Era Field.
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