Through the first half of a matchup between division leaders, the Buffalo Bills are leading 24-10 over the Seattle Seahawks. Josh Allen has played nearly perfectly, ripping Seattle’s defense to shreds, and the Buffalo defense has stood up strong in the face of the league’s best offense.
We knew going into this game that the Seahawks defense wasn’t good, but Allen’s making them look like a college squad. Completing nearly 90% of his passes, he’s already thrown for three touchdowns and 282 yards before halftime (most by any QB in the first half this season). The Bills have only run the ball three times, compared to 28 passes, but who could argue with the results?
The only concern with Buffalo’s offense is the pileup of injuries on their line. Already Cody Ford, Brian Winters, and Daryl Williams have had to leave the field with various injuries. That’s in addition to Mitch Morse, inactive with a concussion. In other words, unless one of those three returns to play, the Bills don’t have any backups remaining.
The defense drew a tough assignment against MVP candidate Russell Wilson, but a game plan to keep the ball in front of them and contain the passing game has paid off so far. One Seahawks drive ended with Jordan Poyer’s interception in the end zone. Another potential two-minute drill only ended with a field goal, after Levi Wallace successfully defended a deep pass on third down.
Special teams, too, go to Buffalo at the half. Andre Roberts kicked things off with a 60-yard return to set up Buffalo’s first touchdown drive, and Tyler Bass added three extra points and a 44-yard field goal (missing from 61 yards out to close the half).
With a 14-point lead at halftime, the Bills are set to kick off to the Seahawks for the second half. If they can stave off a comeback, led by one of the league’s best quarterbacks, they’ll be that much closer to the division crown.
Here’s your second half open thread. Go Bills!