Bills Offense Chasing History Behind Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bills’ season got off to a rocky start with a mistake-filled overtime loss to the New York Jets, where the offense struggled to score just 16 points. However, things have quickly turned around for the Bills. After their dominant 48-20 victory over the Miami Dolphins in Week 4, the Bills have now won three consecutive games and boast the second-highest scoring offense in the NFL, averaging 33 points per game. In the process, they have made some history.
Despite their subpar performance in Week 1, the Bills have become just the sixth team in NFL history to score at least 135 points and allow fewer than 60 points through the first four games of a season. Interestingly, all five previous teams to achieve this feat went on to play in the Super Bowl. Leading this offensive explosion is quarterback Josh Allen, who has been nothing short of exceptional. The Bills have scored 35 or more points in three straight games, and one more such performance would tie the franchise record set in 2004 and 2021.
Allen’s outstanding performances have made him the favorite to win the MVP award, according to Caesar’s Sportsbook (+400). He has also been named AFC Offensive Player of the Week twice in the past three weeks. Allen’s favorite target, wide receiver Stefon Diggs, has once again been instrumental in the Bills’ success. Diggs has recorded 31 receptions for 399 yards and four touchdowns so far this season. The duo will look to continue their impressive form when they face the Jacksonville Jaguars in London.
The Bills’ offensive coordinator, Ken Dorsey, attributes Allen’s success to his growing comfort within the offense. Dorsey believes that Allen’s increased confidence and familiarity with the system have played a significant role in his improved performances. Allen himself had set a goal for this season to make better decisions and reduce turnovers after leading the league with 19 turnovers last year. Since Week 2, Allen has only committed one turnover (an interception against the Commanders), and the Bills have a remarkable 46-12 record (79.3%) in games where he has one or fewer turnovers. However, when Allen commits two or more turnovers, the Bills’ record drops to 9-13 (40.9).
Beyond the Allen-Diggs connection, the Bills’ offense has shown excellent balance through four games, with 135 passing attempts and 119 rushes. Maintaining this balance against the Jaguars could be a challenge, as Jacksonville’s defense ranks eighth in the league in terms of fewest rushing yards allowed per game (94.8). Nevertheless, Allen has been exceptional in his passing game, completing a league-high 74.8% of his passes. In the previous game against the Dolphins, Allen achieved a perfect passer rating (158.3), a first in his career. His current completion percentage of 74.8% surpasses his previous season-high of 69.2% in 2020.
The Diggs-Allen connection, which faced scrutiny during the offseason, has proven to be a force to be reckoned with. Against the Dolphins, Diggs scored three touchdowns, bringing his total to four for the season. Only Eric Moulds (33) had more receiving touchdowns through the first four games of a season in Bills’ history. Diggs is also tied for the league lead in receiving touchdowns with Tyreek Hill and has surpassed 100 receiving yards in three out of four games.
Head coach Sean McDermott expressed his satisfaction with Allen and Diggs’ performances, stating that big-time players deliver in crucial moments. When asked about Diggs’ exceptional play, Allen simply responded, “It’s Stefon Diggs, man.”
As the Bills continue their pursuit of history, their explosive offense led by Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs will undoubtedly be a force to be reckoned with. With Allen’s improved decision-making and Diggs’ exceptional playmaking abilities, the Bills have the potential to make a deep playoff run and potentially compete for a Super Bowl title.