The Buffalo Bills’ 2024 season has been written. So let’s add some “illustrations!” If you’re new to Plays That Defined, this isn’t a highlight recap, but rather a cathartic retelling of the past season, chapter by chapter.
Don’t vote for your favorite play necessarily, vote for the one that best represents that game’s narrative. I’ll recap the game to refresh your memory, but don’t feel locked in by my narrative.
Chapter 8: Buffalo Bills at Seattle Seahawks
The Bills traveled West to take on the Seattle Seahawks looking to extend their win streak. After a convincing victory against the Tennessee Titans, Buffalo followed it up with an even more convincing win against Seattle.
The Bills didn’t need an explosion of points at any given time, instead spreading things out evenly over the four quarters. A smothering defense held the Seahawks to three points until a garbage-time touchdown made it look closer than it was. To be clear, the box score already looks like it wasn’t remotely close.
The Seahawks’ third-down conversion (Q2; 13:18)
Do yourself a favor and read the heading for this play again. The Seahawks had seven third-down attempts and one fourth-down attempt (see below). This was their only conversion. Sometimes we can illustrate a thing by showing the exception. By pointing out the one mundane third-down conversion, it creates a striking contrast to the day’s futility.
Fourth down stop (Q2; 4:47)
Down by just four points at this point, Seattle could have easily cut the lead to one with a gimme field goal. Instead, they showed deserved respect for Buffalo and tried to go for it and snatch the lead.
I want to be very clear about something. Seattle’s line was manhandled and this play was dead in the water even if Geno Smith didn’t trip. That said, the fact that he DID trip is objectively hilarious. I had a hard time deciding between this mishap or a goal-line high snap for the ages a bit earlier in the game. Ultimately I went with this catastrophe that took points off the board as the high snap still allowed them to kick a field goal.
Keon Coleman’s OPI (Q2; 4:07)
Penalties were a massive part of the day. While Buffalo’s 13 assessed tied for their highest last season, the 16 total stands alone as their worst. The 31 combined penalties with Seattle was… not idea.
I can see why Keon Coleman was flagged for pass interference, but I also see this go unnoticed a decent amount too. That said, the blindside block by running back Ray Davis that was declined on the play was very much real.
Dalton Kincaid’s touchdown (Q2; 0:18)
This was the second touchdown of the game and technically the game winner. Check the time stamp. We’re not quite to halftime even. I like this touchdown because for Bills Mafia it seems so routine: Josh Allen doing Josh Allen things.
This routine TD has a lot of special elements to it if you look closely. The pocket presence, the accuracy from a compact throwing motion…
James Cook’s TD (Q4; 11:24)
Maybe you prefer this touchdown, though. James Cook averaged over six yards per carry, which is all the more impressive considering his longest run went for 18 yards. Buffalo was able to kill clock by running the ball at an even split with passing (34 plays each). This led to 38 minutes of offensive possession, which is ludicrously skewed.
Poll
Which play best illustrates the destruction of the Seattle Seahawks?
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Seattle converts a third down
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Seattle is stopped on fourth down
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Keon Coleman OPI
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Kincaid touchdown
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0 votes total