The Buffalo Bills have won only five of the all-time head-to-head matchups against the Cowboys. Buffalo is 5 - 8 throughout history against Dallas, which includes the two Super Bowl losses. At this point, no one cares about what happened decades ago. Buffalo has won the last two, including the Thanksgiving coming-out party for Josh Allen.
The Bills weren't in a must-win situation but with the Steelers and Broncos losing, Buffalo was able to climb the playoff ladder a couple of spots. Buffalo could have gotten a little more help but the Texans and Browns held on for wins in their respective games. However, the Bills simply need to keep winning and they will get into the playoffs.
The Bills were dominant today, defeating the Dallas Cowboys 31 - 10. Dallas looked like a bottom-dwelling team and didn't know what hit them. This game was over by the first quarter and Buffalo looked like the best team in the AFC. We know this is a week-to-week league but now it's on to the Los Angeles Chargers next week.
The Bills got off to a fast start
The Buffalo Bills took the opening kickoff and immediately put the pressure on the Cowboys. Buffalo drove down the field on a 12-play, 75-yard drive that took up 6:54 off the clock. It was exactly how you want to start a game and the Bills quickly set the tone for the game and followed the score up with a stop on defense, forcing the Cowboys to punt after a big-time sack by Leonard Floyd.
The Bills' opening drive consisted of nine runs of the 12 plays, totaling 48 yards and averaging 5.33 yards per carry. James Cook had five of the runs and he piled up 34 yards, 6.8 yards per carry. The drive stalled on a third down in the red zone; however, a DeMarcus Lawrence penalty kept the drive alive. The Bills made the Cowboys pay, putting up six to get the scoring started.
Bills dominated the first half again
This seems to be a recurring theme for the Bills the last few weeks. Buffalo has played exceptionally well on both sides of the ball in the first half, taking leads into the locker room at the half. This week was no different, with the Bills up 21 - 3 after the first half. The Cowboys had no answers for James Cook and the Bills offense. Dallas didn't have any answers on the offensive side either, managing only three points and 89 total yards in the first half.
James Cook had a massive first half too. Cook carried the ball 15 times for 104 rushing yards and 6.9 yards per carry. He also added two receptions on two targets, for 42 yards and another touchdown. Josh Allen was dealing too; however, his completion rate wasn't great, but he added another game to his resume scoring at least one touchdown through the air and on the ground.
Bills run game demoralized the Dallas Cowboys
Buffalo put together an amazing run game against the Cowboys, dominating from the start of the game but this time, they didn't move away from it. In previous weeks it seemed the Bills ran the ball well but would get away from it in the second half, which allowed teams to get back into the game. Not this week though, as the Bills continue for four quarters to pound the rock and destroy the Cowboys will.
The Bills totaled 351 yards and Josh Allen had only 94 yards passing. Buffalo ran 65 total plays, with 49 of those plays staying on the ground. The Bills completely wrecked the Cowboys to the tune of 266 yards rushing and three rushing touchdowns. James Cook had a career day with 25 carries and 179 yards, with two receptions and another 43 yards, adding two total touchdowns.
Buffalo Bills defense dominated the league's second-highest-scoring team
The Cowboys came into this week averaging 32,4 points per game. Dallas was ranked fourth in offense but against the Bills on this day, they could manage only 195 yards and 10 points. Dallas had won five straight and had a point differential of plus-188 points. It would be an understatement to say the Cowboys coming into this game were on fire and rolling.
Maybe, just maybe this was one of the games that got some of the fans calling for Coach McDermott's firing, to finally reconsider. McDermott called a masterful defense and completely shut down the Cowboys' offense. The Buffalo defense was flying all over and was physical. This is the same defense that played this game without DaQuan Jones, Matt Milano, Tre White, Micah Hyde, and A.J. Epenesa. It's time to stop doubting Coach McDermott and get behind him.
No one wants the Buffalo Bills in the playoffs
I've talked about this several times now but the Bills close out seasons on a streak. Coach McDermott is now 11 - 0 since 2020 from week 15 and that continues with this win. There is more talk about DaQuan Jones having a real shot at returning later this season and his presence in the interior of an already dominate defensive line, would be huge.
Before this weekend's games, the Bills were sitting in the 11th seed in the AFC playoff chase, with a 49% chance to make the playoffs. As of right now, they are the ninth seed and we'll update the scenarios and odds later this week, after all the games are completed. But we've been saying for a few weeks now, that the Bills just need to get in, once in, anything can happen.