Gregory Fisher, Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
After their comeback win on the road over the Baltimore Ravens, the Buffalo Bills returned to Highmark Stadium and welcomed the Pittsburgh Steelers. This was the first start for the rookie quarterback, Kenny Pickett. That was shutdown early as the Bills ran away with a 38-3 win. Here are some takeaways from the victory.
Gabe Davis Is Back
After missing Week Two with an ankle injury and struggling a bit in weeks three and four, Gabe Davis looks to be back to 100%. On the opening drive of the game on third and 10 from their own two-yard line, Josh Allen found Davis over the middle of the field for a 98-yard touchdown. With 9:41 in the second quarter, Davis ended up with another touchdown, this time it was for 62 yards. Davis finished the game with three receptions for 171 yards and the two touchdowns. With Davis back healthy the offense that is already top-tier becomes a lot more difficult to slow down.
JOSH ALLEN, GABE DAVIS, 98 YARD TOUCHDOWN 🚀
What a start for #BillsMafia 😤
— TWSN (@TWSN___) October 9, 2022
Off Day For Special Teams
With missing some of their veteran players on special teams like Isaiah McKenzie, there were some issues on this end. The opening kick put the Bills offense in a tight spot as Taiwan Jones muffed it, then on the first Steelers punt they were able to keep it from going for a touchback and the Bills again had to start from within their own five. The unit improved as the game went on, but the start of the game showed how much of an impact the veterans have.
Khalil Shakir Makes Big Plays
With Jamison Crowder and Isaiah McKenzie out, it led to Khalil Shakir seeing more opportunities after coming in last week for a few plays. Shakir had multiple big plays that led to first downs as he demonstrated not only great route running to get open but to create yards after the catch. With roughly a minute left in the second quarter, Shakir ended up securing his first career touchdown. The touchdown ended up being Allen’s fourth in the first half to become the first Bills quarterback with four in the first half since Jim Kelly in 1994. Shakir finished with three receptions for 75 yards.
Khalil Shakir scored his first career touchdown 👏#BillsMafia
— TWSN (@TWSN___) October 9, 2022
Tyrel Dodson Makes The Most Of His Opportunity
With Tremaine Edmunds out, that led to Tyrel Dodson having to step up. Dodson is someone who doesn’t get talked about a lot, but after this game, that should change. Dodson played lights out, flying round all over the field to be in the vicinity to make a big play. Dodson led the team in tackles with 11, and he had a sack along with a quarterback hit.
The Bills have playmakers on playmakers that make for continuous high-level play even when backups have to come in. Now they will have to get ready for a showdown next week against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead.
