The Buffalo Bills ar rounding out their 2024 schedule, most recently with a Week 17 win over the New York Jets at Highmark Stadium, 40-14.
The Bills (13-3) and Jets (4-12) have trended in opposite directions for much of this season, the former being dubbed as overachievers and the latter underachievers. Buffalo took care of business at home against a struggling New York squad and have now positioned themselves firmly as the second seed in the AFC playoffs with a week to spare in the regular season.
Next, the Bills will take on the New England Patriots (3-13) on the road at Gillette Stadium without anything to play for in Week 18.
Here are five things we learned from Week 17’s win vs. the Jets:
Defense ramping up for playoffs
The Bills defense looked playoff-ready.
Granted, it was over the four-win Jets, but they bucked some trends that could be telling for what’s to come in the postseason.
Buffalo had a quarterback pressure rate of 43.2%, which ranked fifth out of every team in Week 17. For the season, they rank middle-of-the-pack in the NFL with a pressure rate of 34.7%. And, they only blitzed 13% of the time on Sunday. This is a sign that the defensive line is stepping up down the stretch.
The Bills also held Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers without a third-down conversion (0-for-5). Going into the game, Buffalo’s defense ranked among the worst in the NFL on third downs. They ranked 32nd in the NFL against the pass on third down and 31st against the run (EPA/play).
These are good signs from the defense for what’s to come. The two-seed is wrapped up and the defense can continue to get healthy for the final run.
Cooper and Coleman provide a huge boost for the offense
Wide receivers Amari Cooper and Keon Coleman haven’t been on the field consistently for the Bills, and when they have been on the field they haven’t gotten consistent targets. But one thing is clear: they can make plays when given the opportunity.
Cooper has played only eight games for Buffalo this year and has seen three or fewer targets in six of them. Coleman has played in 12 games and has seen two or fewer targets in five.
The Bills haven’t needed to break glass in case of emergency much at all this season. So, two of their better playmakers have had limited touches. But, as you saw in Week 17, they are more than capable of coming down with difficult catches when relied upon.
Both found the endzone against the Jets on highlight-reel plays. In the postseason, the Bills may lean on them a bit more, especially Cooper who has been around the block in the NFL without getting many chances in the postseason.
Cole Bishop flashing potential at safety
Second-round rookie Cole Bishop has three starts under his belt, the latest being Week 17 as he filled in for Damar Hamlin.
Bishop has made his share of rookie mistakes, but he has shown flashes of what he can become and why he was picked early in April’s NFL Draft. Head coach Sean McDermott has been impressed with him.
Ahead of the Week 17 game, McDermott said, “I’m impressed with his improvement, and it’s good to see. His first game [Week 5 at HOU] was a bit rocky as it is for most rookies… it’s been fun to watch Cole develop so we’re looking for more as the season moves forward here.”
Bishop, even as a rookie, seems to give the run defense a boost at the very least with his downhill style of play. He’ll be one to watch in the final week of the season. He could be a starter come Week 1 of 2025 and may be needed before that.
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