The identity of the bill comes into focus in the middle: “We are neither surprised nor satisfied”

SEATTLE — NFL team identities only begin to emerge around this time of year. The Buffalo Bills have begun to show that their main trait is composure.

With more than half of Sunday's game still to play and the Bills leading by just four points, nonsense-talking left tackle Dion Dawkins was forced to break up an altercation between two struggling Seattle Seahawks defenders to clarify their feelings.

“For them to fight each other on the field, ‘Bro, look. You are all a team. Turn it down and come on. Next game.'” Dawkins said he told them. He didn't even seem to scream. “But they were about to fight each other.”

They actually argued on the Seahawks sideline. Defensive end Jarran Reed confronted linebacker Derick Hall, whose rough penalty turned a drive-end incompletion by Josh Allen into a first down at the Seahawks' 12-yard line. Reed and Hall went face mask to face mask, sticking their fingers in each other's cups and eventually trying to cut each other's heads off.

Two plays later, Allen connected with Dalton Kincaid for a touchdown and that was basically it. Buffalo cruised to a 31-10 victory at rain-soaked Lumen Field, overcoming various obstacles to win comfortably for the third straight year.

The Bills are 6-2 and have as many wins as the rest of the AFC East combined when the NFL reached the halfway point not long ago. They have already played over half of their away games.

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The Bills are coming into focus as a team that plays with remarkable confidence and composure, but still has room for growth as the schedule becomes more difficult in November and December.

In pouring rain and surrounded by the NFL's most exuberant fans, the Bills took part in the NFL's weakest game for the second time in three weeks, tying the record with the New York Jets (22 penalties accepted between them) and breaking it on Sunday the Seahawks (24 penalties accepted). The Bills won both games relatively easily and had a dominant performance against the Tennessee Titans last Sunday at Highmark Stadium.

Allen threw his first interception in 301 attempts, giving Seattle back-to-back score-to-go situations in the second quarter, and rookie returner Brandon Codrington made some terrible decisions that led to poor field position.

No big zip-a-dee-doo-dah. Buffalo has experienced almost every setback as a boomerang.

“When something bad happens, we have the mindset that it was a fluke,” Bills edge rusher Greg Rousseau said. “Alright, whatever. On to the next piece.”

Greg Rousseau said when the Bills make mistakes, they overcome them quickly. (Jane Gershovich/Getty Images)

Buffalo's offense produced two 90-yard touchdown drives before halftime, while the defense's first half consisted of two three-and-out series and limited Seattle's two goal-to-go chances to three points. Offensive coordinator Joe Brady involved various playmakers with a rhythm that converted 53 percent of third downs and the only fourth down attempt. Defensive coordinator Bobby Babich pulled out all the stops. Together they had a time of possession of 38:03. Seattle's only touchdown came in the trash.

One could view the Seahawks' implosion as a completely self-inflicted demise, but that wouldn't give enough credit to the Bills' dominance at the line of scrimmage.

The Bills' first score began with Rousseau tackling tailback Kenneth Walker III for a 1-yard loss. On second down, defensive tackle DaQuan Jones, who was penalized for a neutral zone violation early in the drive, lined up diagonally at center Connor Williams' right earhole. Williams' snap sailed over quarterback Geno Smith's head for a net loss of 19 yards. Then the Seahawks were cited for delay of game.

Ultimately, what seemed like a surefire touchdown turned into a whining field goal.

“We knew they had to block us,” Jones said. “They have two great running backs, and when they got there we kind of knew what to expect.

“If you penetrate, the center has to move the ball even faster and there can be a mishap. All of this plays a role. Because of the way we play, we assume something like that will happen.”

The second goal-line stand was necessary after Allen threw his first interception since the first half of the 2023 regular season finale against the Miami Dolphins. When wideout Amari Cooper slipped on the wet turf, practice squad call-up Josh Jobe jumped Cooper's route and returned the ball 33 yards to the Buffalo 7-yard line.

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Seattle decided to go for it on fourth down after Rousseau stuffed Walker to no avail. Smith took the direct snap and turned to his right, but tripped over Williams, who had been stood upright by Jones.

“That may be because the nose tackle is really encroaching on the play,” Rousseau said, “making him think, 'I have to get the ball really quickly,' and.” boom. You don't see it all the time, but every game is important. Every play influences the next one.”

Then came the whip.

Allen rewarded the defense for bailing him out by directing a 12-play, 93-yard touchdown drive – in which the Seahawks began to fight against themselves – to dampen Lumen Field.

“That was the biggest drive,” Bills cornerback Rasul Douglas said. “They got the interception. The crowd went crazy. They were seven (points) behind. So in their head they're thinking, 'Oh, we can change the game.' Maybe tie it together or do something.”

“We walked on the field and said, ‘Offense, we got you all. “Bro, if they get one, they get three.” They didn't get anything. When that happened, all the momentum was just gone (Seattle) and it was all ours.”

The Bills didn't let up either. Towards the end of the third quarter, they scored three touchdowns and remained in the lead – so much so that their hosts played like the away team. Seattle started a drive at the 25-yard line with a fumble, followed by a holding penalty, a false start, a 10-yard Smith scramble in which he taunted the Bills sideline and was warned for it, an illegal formation penalty, and a punt .

James Cook ran 17 times for 111 yards and two touchdowns and added three receptions for 22 yards. Khalil Shakir caught nine passes for 107 yards, a career-best. Rookie wideout Keon Coleman looked mature, bouncing off a 2-yard touchdown throw from Pro Bowl cornerback Riq Woolen in the first quarter and making another contested catch for 21 more yards in the third quarter to add another TD the way to prepare five receptions 70 yards.

Allen was 24 of 34 for 283 yards and two touchdowns as well as that harmless interception. He also ran seven times for 25 yards.

Asked if he was surprised at how the Bills dominated against a division leader in a notoriously hostile atmosphere, Rousseau responded in the same tone as his team: calm.

“We are not surprised,” replied Rousseau, “nor are we satisfied.”

(Top photo: Steph Chambers / Getty Images)