While it was far from pretty, the Buffalo Bills won their fourth consecutive game to get to 10-6 on the season, setting up a winner-takes-all matchup in Miami next week in the season finale. 

There was a lot to love, a lot to fix, and a lot to look forward to after the win. Here are my biggest takeaways after Week 17.

The defense is capital G good

Buffalo’s defense has been tremendous down the stretch. The entered this week eighth in the NFL in defensive EPA per play since Week 13, and they will not doubt see that ranking go up. Rasul Douglas continues to show that he was the best acquisition at the trade deadline by any team, snagging two interceptions and returning one for a touchdown. 

Ed Oliver also had a tremendous interception of his own. Overall, the Bills picked off Bailey Zappe three times. Terrel Bernard also had a fantastic game with a team-leading 10 tackles, as well as three for loss and three hits on the quarterback. Their depth also stepped up, once again. Shaq Lawson and Poona Ford each got pressure on Zappe, and Tyrel Dodson continues to shine, as well. The Bills’ offense has been up-and-down, but their defense has been rock solid, and they’ll need that to continue next week and through the playoffs.

The passing game needs to be more consistent

Allen has been an overall wrecking ball when it comes to his ability to run when the passing game isn’t working, but they need more from him through the air. He went 15-of-30 for 169 yards and an interception against the Patriots. Now, the stat-sheet makes his day look worse than it was. Buffalo had several drops, and Allen started off 0-for-6 with mostly drops and throw aways. 

This doesn’t all fall on Allen, obviously. His receivers need to do better, but Allen himself has a lot of things to clean up. He’s been missing on deep balls and leaning too much into the version of himself that plays like he’s listening to “Dragula” by Rob Zombie at full blast. He needs to take the layups when they’re made available rather than always going for the contested deep three. 

That’s always been who Allen is, and the Bills have learned to live with that because of how great he can be in those moments, but he needs to be smarter. No one ever want broke putting money in the bank.

This team can win it all

And despite all the offensive struggles, the Bills are on the cusp of coming all the way back from three games down and winning the division. Even if the Bills don’t win the AFC East, who wants to see them in the playoffs? In a wide open AFC, Bills-Ravens could very well be a matchup we get in the Divisional round or in the AFC Championship Game. No matter who they play, their I love their odds. 

Bills LB Von Miller made healthy scratch vs Patriots

Buffalo sending a loud message