Bills Central

Bills Dominate, Win 37-3 vs. Commanders: Live Updates, Highlights

The Buffalo Bills are looking to find some consistency against the Washington Commanders to create their first multi-game winning streak of the year.

Anthony Licciardi

In this story:

On Sunday at FedEx Field, the Buffalo Bills (1-1) will attempt to knock off the undefeated Washington Commanders (2-0) to get themselves over .500 for the first time all year.

Mother Nature tried her best to influence this one, sending Tropical Storm Ophelia up the Eastern Seaboard. However, reports from FedEx Field in North Englewood, MD, suggest that the grass is in great shape. Slipping and sliding should play a lesser role than was forecasted throughout the week.

Likewise, less inclement weather could allow these passing offenses to open up. Bills quarterback Josh Allen returned to MVP form against the Las Vegas Raiders last week, helping the offense jump out to 38 points. The Commanders’ defense is strong, but the cornerback room lacks the polish of the defensive line. Expect some downfield shots and an emphasis on making struggling linebacker Cody Barton’s day difficult.

josh allen sam howell bills commanders
USA TODAY

Washington quarterback Sam Howell will have his biggest test of the young season in Week 3, too. He’s played legitimately well so far, throwing for 501 yards and three scores in two games. Buffalo’s defense is stronger than the Arizona Cardinals’ and Denver Broncos’ from the past two weeks. As Howell himself alluded to, this is very much a measuring stick game for the Commanders.

Finding consistency on Sunday, from Allen to the rushing attack and their young defenders, will be imperative in keeping the Bills on track for an AFC East title.

WHAT: Buffalo Bills (1-1) vs Washington Commanders (2-0)

WHERE: FedExField, North Englewood, MD (67,617)

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023, 1 p.m. (ET)

TELEVISION: CBS

RADIO: WGR 550

ODDS: Bills -5.5 (-110), -275 Moneyline, Total: 43.5 (o -110/u -110)

Live updates will appear below after kickoff.

FIRST QUARTER

Bills First Drive: The Bills received the opening kickoff.

On the first third-and-10 of the day, Allen scrambled for a first down. A few plays later, he would pull a rabbit out of his hat, hitting receiver Stefon Diggs on an incredible scramble drill.

A first-down end zone target for tight end Dawson Knox would fall incomplete. After a one-yard James Cook rush and another incompletion, kicker Tyler Bass hit a 36-yard field goal.

The Bills lead 3-0 with 9:29 remaining in the first quarter.

Commanders First Drive: Running back Brian Robinson Jr. started Washington off with a seven-yard rush.

Howell started his day completing his first three passes, but took back-to-back sacks to set up a third-and-19. He would be intercepted by Terrel Bernard. Buffalo takes over at their own 17-yard line.

Bills Second Drive: Allen targeted Diggs twice early on in the second drive, helping move the chains on third-and-2. 

On the next set of downs, a couple of incompletions would lead to a Bills punt. Washington takes over at their own 20-yard line.

Commanders Second Drive: A Robinson one-yard rush to start the drive would be the most Washington would gain. An incompletion and yet another sack ended the drive.

Buffalo has made it a point of emphasis to challenge Howell with an abundance of pressure. With 0:47 remaining in the first quarter, the Bills will take over at the Washington 36-yard line.

Bills Third Drive: Allen started and ended the drive with a bang, completing a deep pass to receiver Gabe Davis. Touchdown.

Bills lead 10-0 with 0:41 remaining in the first quarter.

SECOND QUARTER

Commanders Third Drive: Howell strikes back!

Howell hit receiver Curtis Samuel downfield on the last play of the first quarter. It was a 37-yard gain to enter Buffalo territory.

On second-and-1, Howell ripped off a 19-yard run on what looked like a surefire sack. He showed off contact balance and agility and somehow evaded a hoard of Buffalo defenders to get into the red zone.

Robinson was stuffed at the goal line, creating a fourth-and-goal. The offense stayed on the field, but was locked up to turn it over on downs with 11:42 remaining in the first half.

Bills Fourth Drive: Starting backed up in their own territory, Buffalo relied on the run to start the drive, though an Allen scramble was negated by a Dalton Kincaid illegal shift.

Allen would scramble again two plays later. This time, it would count ... for 23 yards. 

Later, a 19-yard completion to Diggs would put the Bills in enemy territory, though he appeared to be banged up. 

The drive would continue with various dinks and dunks, but a tripping penalty on Kincaid would make it first-and-25. Diggs made another catch, but a false start would hinder Buffalo's progress immediately after.

On third-and-12, Allen's pass went for negative yardage, setting up a field goal attempt after the two-minute warning. 

A Bass 54-yard attempt was good.

The Bills lead 13-0 with 1:55 remaining in the first half.

Commanders Fourth Drive: Howell hit receiver Terry McLaurin for four yards and then Cole Turner for a few more right after.

On his next attempt, he was intercepted by safety Micah Hyde, who jumped a flat route to Antonio Gibson.

Bills Fifth Drive: Allen and the Bills took over at the Washington 33-yard line, in a two-minute drill.

A couple of incompletions would make it third-and-10 from the 22-yard line. After a timeout, Buffalo would gain eight yards on third down. After bluffing a fourth down attempt, Bass would attempt another field goal.

The Bills lead 16-0 with 19 seconds left in the first half.

Commanders Fifth Drive: Rather than kneeling immediately, Washington ran the ball with Robinson for 10 yards to end the half.

Buffalo's pressure has made life difficult for Howell and subsequently created turnovers to keep the Commanders off the board. They lead 16-0 at half.

HALFTIME: Bills lead 16-0.

THIRD QUARTER

Commanders Sixth Drive: Washington opened the half with what looked like a three-and-out, but illegal contract against corner Christian Benford gave them a new set of downs.

Gibson would extend the drive on the next third down, gaining 12 yards. After a six-yard pass to receiver Jahan Dotson, Robinson broke off a 24-yard run.

This Buffalo defense is having a day. A bad read from Howell was picked off in the end zone by corner Tre'Davious White. Buffalo will take over at their own 1-yard line with 9:11 remaining in the third quarter.

Bills Sixth Drive: Allen worked his magic again, completing a pass from the middle of the end zone to Diggs, 30 yards downfield.

An offensive holding would eventually set back the drive. On third-and-20, Allen would throw up an arm punt, which was intercepted. They still lead 16-0 with 6:27 remaining.

Commanders Seventh Drive: Washington took over possession at their own 19-yard line. 

They'd lean on Robinson to start the drive, with two rushes for 19 yards. Howell took two sacks on the next two plays, though, setting the Commanders back well behind the sticks on third down. 

Washington would be forced to punt. Buffalo has taken over with 2:28 remaining in the third quarter. 

Bills Seventh Drive: Buffalo started the drive from their own 31-yard line.

On second down, Diggs caught yet another pass, bringing him over the century mark for the day.

At the end of the third quarter, the Bills lead 16-0.

FOURTH QUARTER

The Bills' drive would end on fourth-and-1 when Allen's pass fell incomplete.

Commanders Eighth Drive: Antonio Gibson fumbled on the first play of Washington's drive, forced by Bernard, who's having an excellent day.

Buffalo took over at Washington's 31-yard line.

Bills Eighth Drive: Cook made his impact felt on this drive, gaining 10 yards on the drive's first play and five yards two plays later. 

On second-and-goal, Allen would scramble up the middle, celebrating with a layup as he crossed the goal line.

The Bills lead 23-0 with 10:37 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Commanders Ninth Drive: The Commanders attempted to get Howell in rhythm, but Buffalo would not have it. They forced another turnover, intercepting Howell again.

This time, it went for six. A.J. Epenesa, has put the lid on this one.

The Bills lead 30-0 with 10:01 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Commanders Tenth Drive: Luckily for Washington, this drive didn't end in utter disaster. Still, they struggled to move the ball.

A completion was followed by two more sacks and an eventual punt. 

Bills Ninth Drive: This game has entered chew clock mode.

Running back Latavius Murray has gotten more work, as has Damien Harris. After six rushes, Buffalo called their first timeout with 3:49 remaining, inside the Washington 5-yard line.

The drive finished with a two-yard Murray touchdown.

The Bills lead 37-0 with 2:15 remaining.

Commanders 11th Drive: Howell hit McLaurin for 12 yards to start the drive.

This has been one of Howell's best drive of the game, getting into Buffalo territory with four completions. After an Epenesa sack, Washington used its first timeout.

Howell was sacked again on the next play.

On fourth-and-19, kicker Joey Slye put the Commanders on the board.

The Bills lead 37-3 with 50 seconds remaining.

Buffalo has taken a knee. Mercifully, this one has come to its conclusion.

FINAL: The Bills beat the Commanders 37-3.

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Anthony Licciardi
ANTHONY LICCIARDI

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