Bills Takeaways: All Gas
Credit: Kimberly P. Mitchell via Imagn Images
Today’s Buffalo Bills – Detroit Lions matchup was largely expected to be an offensive shootout, and it fully lived up to the hype, with the Bills coming away with a 48-42 victory. It was the highest combined point total in an NFL game since… the Bills game from last week.
Sunday’s win had it all, including yet another Josh Allen MVP-like performance. The Bills QB racked up 362 yards and two touchdowns through the air, plus another two scores on the ground. His latest huge game was enough to lift the Bills to victory despite Jared Goff finding the end zone five times and throwing for 494 yards, the third-most in an NFL game this year. What are our top takeaways from today’s track meet?
The Bills Rebounded By Following LA’s Path From Las Week
Last week, the Los Angeles Rams won their high-flying contest against the Bills by going up early and never once letting their foot off the gas. This aggressive formula allowed the Rams to stay ahead despite Buffalo’s offense doing everything they could to get back in the game in the second game.
This week, it was the Bills’ turn to do exactly that against the Lions’ incredible offense.
Oddity of the day: The Lions now have won a game this season in which Jared Goff threw five interceptions (Week 10 vs. Texans) and lost a game this season in which he threw five touchdowns (Week 15 vs. Bills).
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 16, 2024
Buffalo jumped out in front early thanks in large part to two rushing TDs from Allen in the first quarter. It hardly stopped there, as in the second and third quarters, James Cook ran in two touchdowns and Khalil Shakir caught a three-yard dump-off from Allen. By 3:31 in the third quarter, the Bills held a comfortable 35-14 lead. Though the Lions made a valiant comeback attempt, Buffalo answered each of Detroit’s TD drives with a scoring drive of their own, and the Lions were unable to make up that ground against the Bills.
Allen was able to get another signature win against (by far and away) the toughest team he’ll face the rest of the regular season, and the key was staying as aggressive as the Rams were last week. The Bills paid it forward to the NFC favorites and put the football world on notice, proving they can dish out a taste of the medicine they swallowed last week.
Ty Johnson Is the RB Room’s X-factor
If Ty Johnson received a “You’ve been randomly selected for a drug test” letter at his locker at the end of today’s game, nobody would have been surprised.
Ty Johnson surpasses 100 receiving yards today, becoming the first Bills RB to do so since Fred Jackson in 2010.
— Buffalo Bills PR (@BuffaloBillsPR) December 15, 2024
Johnson has always been a shifty receiving back since arriving from the New York Jets, which we saw on his 41-yard catch-and-run touchdown from last week. He was on another level today, as the speedster totaled five catches for 114 yards, which led all Bills pass catchers. Unlike last week, though, Johnson acted like more of a wide receiver at times than a traditional running back, lining up on the line of scrimmage instead of catching passes from the backfield.
Extend Ty Johnson 💰 #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/X8RA5Mc0Fb
— MeRk (@Merk256) December 15, 2024
Johnson’s versatility and ability to be an X-factor were on full display in the Motor City, as his five receptions went for 33, 24, 31, 7, and 19 yards. He made over-the-shoulder catches, receptions out of the backfield, and a critical downfield grab that showcased Allen’s ability to bail himself out of heavy pressure near the sideline.
Tony Romo effusively praises Josh Allen’s big play on third down to Ty Johnson. pic.twitter.com/ynfMKrWvA6
— Henry McKenna (@henrycmckenna) December 15, 2024
Johnson has proved to Joe Brady, Allen, and the rest of the offense that he can answer the call whenever and however his number is called upon. With Cook’s resurgence in the backfield, Johnson’s ability to pop off at any moment, and Ray Davis‘ five-yard TD catch, the Bills proved that their running game is among the most dangerous in the league.
The Offensive Line Looked Like Contenders
Part of the credit for Allen, Cook, and Johnson belongs to the big fellas in front of them. Here’s an insane stat for the offensive line: They have not surrendered a sack on Allen since — I kid you not — November 10.
Josh Allen on contributions from #Bills RBs against the Lions: “It was awesome… big credit to our offensive line.” #Bills #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/NHvEC9SlUL
— alex brasky (@alexbrasky) December 16, 2024
Yes, Aidan Hutchinson wasn’t around to make Allen’s life miserable, but that doesn’t diminish the Bills’ offensive line’s superb effort. Allen was heavily protected, as the Lions’ defensive line only managed three hits on the MVP frontrunner.
The Bills are one of the best teams in the league in terms of pass protection, and they’ve been a huge reason for Allen’s superhuman season. If the big men up front continue playing at this pace, there may not be a defense in the league that will be able to stop them, when paired with a deep group of skilled players that can attack from every which way.
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