Week 18 Recap: The Buffalo Bills are Division Champs (again)!!!

Wow, it feels amazing to say that. Yesterday’s victory marked the first time since 1995 that the Buffalo Bills have clinched the AFC East at home, when they toppled their rival Miami Dolphins 23-20. A win over the 4-12 Jets wasn’t nearly as satisfying, but damn it felt good all the same. And how nice of the Patriots to lose to the Fins, giving the Bills that extra bit of insurance if needed.

So now, for the last time this regular season, here’s what went right and wrong in this victory.

Let’s start with the bad…

1.) Matt Haack

Clearly not punting for two games caused Haack to forget what his job was. All season he was pretty average as far as his punts go.

But dear lord, this was an awful day to be a punter. Booting the ball into the wind on a cold night is unfortunate circumstances, but to shank three consecutive punts is simply illegal. After one punt, he knows the conditions so I can forgive one shank. The second? I’m a little peeved off. A third? I will punt his head. It wouldn’t surprise me at all to see the Scottish Hammer brought up soon.

2.) Build. The. Dome

There’s been a debate all season long about the playing conditions in Buffalo, but never has the need for a dome been more prominent than these last few games.

The second and third quarters of this game were just awful to watch. Although Allen can send the ball through these winds, there’s obviously going to be a bit of wobble, and maybe just a little too much heat for these receivers to make a play. Davis dropping passes is not something I am at all comfortable with. Buffalo needs a dome. They deserve it.

And now for the good…

3.) Devin M’Fing Singletary

After a standout rookie season, Singletary seemed to regress slightly in 2020. Apparently, even he knew it because this season he put in the work and, holy cow, the Buffalo Bills might actually have an effective run game behind this stud. Who would’ve guessed that this offseason?

Just a few weeks ago, everyone and their mother was calling for McDermott and BBB to get active in this offseason and bring in a feature back. So, Singletary said “nah son, I got this”. And got this he did. 124 total yards (88 from the ground) and 2 total TDs. A prominent member of this back on track offense, it’s hard to imagine this team without Singletary. Never thought I would say that.

4.) A good O-Line? In this economy?

This offensive line was shit to start the season. I’ll admit I was on their side for a while, until I realized how bad they actually were. But now? Now, they look decent. This is almost as unprecedented as the Singletary improvement.

Daboll and McDermott seemed to have found the perfect way to protect Allen in the pocket. Bates seems to be making a difference, and having Knox and Singletary on the outside is really helping. I love to see Josh Allen have time to make plays. Even though a lot of his passes were dropped, he still had time and that’s all that matters.

5.) The Buffalo Bills are the best defense in the NFL

We’ve said it since week one, the Buffalo Bills defense is to be feared, even with their run D woes. And yesterday’s win solidified that.

Wilson had just 87 yards through the air and one TD. No INTs because he never attempted a throw longer over 20 yards. He knew that this Bills secondary is the real deal, and out of respect, didn’t do anything too flashy. Smart man.

Let’s not forget the nine sacks he suffered. Nine. Unprecedented. The D-Line is angry, having been underestimated all season long, and so they had to show off the goods before the playoffs. A smart move to remind everyone of who they’re messing with.

The Bills finished as the number one defense in the league, a title they deserve. If only they had Pro Bowlers too…

Final

Is there much to say? The Bills are AFC East Champs. A great night. Bring on the Pats.