The 2022 NFL season is so, so young, but that doesn’t mean we can’t telegraph who the clear heavyweights are. There are a few obvious contenders through two weeks (as Christian D’Andrea and I ran through in our latest power rankings) but let’s be honest — none of them compare to the Bills.
In Buffalo’s first two games of the season, they blew out the defending Super Bowl Champion Rams, then followed that performance up by humiliating Derrick Henry and last year’s No. 1 seed in the AFC in the Titans. And using “blow out” might be an understatement. I would say Buffalo more outclassed L.A. and Tennessee.
But there’s more than meets the eye to the Bills’ dominant start to their 2022 scorched earth Super Bowl campaign. Let me circle the wagons on these Buffalo Bills and illustrate how far ahead of the pack they are through eight quarters of football.
They hit the QB more often than they allow points
the Bills defense has more QB knockdowns (19) than points allowed (17) this year.
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) September 22, 2022
You know, I kind of think how often the Bills hit the quarterback is related to their low-scoring defense. Call it a gut feeling.
Punts? Who needs them?
Fun fact, the Bills have punted on just three of 21 possessions this year.
Note:
- Two of those possessions were kneel-downs in victory formation
- The starting offense, led by Terminator Josh Allen, has only punted once
One punt for the league’s top-offense in eight quarters of football. Talk about making a position redundant.
Blitzes, too? Who ALSO needs them?
There was a lot of discussion about what Von Miller would bring to the table in Buffalo to help take the team over the top. Folks, I think we have an answer.
The Bills have the second-highest pressure rate (41.6 percent) on opposing quarterbacks’ dropbacks. They’ve blitzed three times. So, they’re getting to passers with four rushers pretty consistently without compromising the integrity of their defense:
According to @TruMediaSports' numbers, the Bills have the second highest pressure rate in the league — 41.6 percent of dropbacks.
They've done that while blitzing 3 times. Total.
Godspeed, everyone.
— Robert Mays (@robertmays) September 21, 2022
Phew. Good luck, NFL quarterbacks.
Stefon Diggs wayyyyyy outperforms expectations
The next time you hear Stefon Diggs refer to himself as “HIM,” don’t question it.
Not only is the Buffalo playmaker first or second in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns in this young season — his performance against the Titans on Monday Night Football vaulted him ahead of Davante Adams in one key stat.
Receptions over expected — which essentially means he’s caught 27 more footballs than projected in-game over the last few years. Over Adams:
Stefon Diggs caught 12 of 14 targets for 148 yards & 3 TD in the Bills 41-7 victory over the Titans (+14.9% catch rate over expected).
Diggs now leads the NFL with +27 receptions over expected since joining the Bills in 2020 (Davante Adams, 2nd: +24).#TENvsBUF | #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/cagTiat3ua
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) September 20, 2022
Oh, and to put on a cherry on top, Diggs is now only the second player to score three-plus touchdowns on a Monday night multiple times. Who was the other guy? You might have heard of him:
Elite company. 💯#GoBills | #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/7WLnrDNHiu
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) September 21, 2022
They blow everyone (EVERYONE) out
Woah. 🤯#GoBills | #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/7QNIC2oxrv
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) September 20, 2022
I mean, my goodness. 20 consecutive wins (!) by double digits. That’s unconscionable. I had to verify this and see if it’s true myself. And yes, in each of the Bills’ last 20 regular season victories, they have won by at least 10 points.
The last time the Bills didn’t get a win by double digits? November 1st … 2020.
We’ve got a long way to go in this NFL season. But there’s little doubt this Western New York juggernaut is the top team in pro football.
