The Bills’ decisive victory over the Cowboys puts them in the…..
1. Touchdown makers
This Week 15 cross-conference matchup between the Cowboys and Bills features a number of high-profile talents. But when it comes to putting points on the board, Josh Allen and Dak Prescott aren’t only the two most notable in Sunday’s game, but in the entire league.
Prescott leads the NFL in passing touchdowns with 28, while Allen leads the NFL in total touchdowns with 35. Sunday will mark just the third matchup between the outright passing touchdown leader and the outright offensive touchdown leader since the 1970 NFL merger.
ESPN NFL reporter, Ed Werder, who appeared on this week’s ‘Bills by the Numbers’ podcast, believes Prescott’s decision to take off and run more has made the Cowboys offense more difficult to defend.
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“After the bye, Dak decided at that point he needed to use his mobility more than he had been at that point,” said Werder. “And so, he began to not only run the football at key points in the game, but would also scramble to extend plays, get outside the pocket, and he’s been like Josh Allen, one of the best quarterbacks in football, out of the pocket.”
Werder also credited head coach Mike McCarthy, who took over offensive play calling duties this season, for encouraging Prescott to be more aggressive on downfield throws.
“They’re explosive. I think they’re a very talented offense,” said Bills head coach Sean McDermott. “As you’ve seen, they’re hard to stop and when you do get them to third down. They’re the number one team in third down in the NFL so it’s going to take a heck of an effort defensively.”
Prescott has two or more passing touchdowns in seven straight games, the longest streak by any quarterback in the league this season.
But the Cowboys and their head coach, Mike McCarthy, are just as concerned with the scoring prowess of Josh Allen.
“He’s a dynamic football player. The way he plays the position, he reminds me of a young Brett Favre, just in terms of his temperament and the ability to throw the ball to any quadrant of the field. He’s very aggressive running the ball. You have to treat him like a running back because he’s not looking to go down. Very impactful football player.”
Prescott and Allen have two of the largest passer rating differentials when it comes to playing at home or on the road. Prescott’s passer rating drops almost 34 points on the road compared to playing at home. Allen’s passer rating jumps almost 32 points when he’s playing at Highmark Stadium. It helps explain why Prescott is just 3-3 on the road this season. Josh Allen is 5-1 at home not counting the “home game” loss in London.
2. Cowboys first half scoring
Since 2021 the Bills and Cowboys are the two most prolific teams in terms of point differential. Dallas at +485 and Buffalo at +467 sit first and second in that category. In 2023, the Cowboys rank first at +188 while the Bills rank fifth at +104.
Dallas can thank their first-half scoring output for the bulk of that differential this season. They’re averaging almost 20 points in the first half of their games in 2023 (19.8). It’s the second-highest first half scoring average in league history (New England, 2007, 20.8).
The Cowboys have more than doubled the scoring output of their opponents in the first half of games by a count of 258 to 125. Their first-half scoring margin of +133 leads the league. Grabbing early leads and sometimes commanding ones has allowed the strength of Dallas’ defense to shine.
“When they get up on people like that, their pass rush just goes to work because they know their opponent has to throw it to catch up,” said Bleav in Dallas Cowboys podcast host and former Cowboy, Jessie Holley. “And it’s Dak Prescott who has been the driving force with that point production. They’ve been aggressive early, and it’s worked for them.”
Buffalo has outscored their opponents in the first half of games this season by a count of 170 to 123. Their margin of +47 ranks seventh in the NFL. It should be noted that since 2020, the Bills have an AFC leading +188-point differential against NFC opponents.
