Photos: Bills best Falcons, clinch playoff spot
The Buffalo Bills handily defeat the Atlanta Falcons 29-15 on a wintry day at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park. The home win brings the Bills record to 10-6 and clinches a spot in the playoffs.
Allen rushes for TD
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) rushes for his second touchdown of the game against Atlanta Falcons safety Duron Harmon (21) during the first quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022. (James P. McCoy / Buffalo News)
Stopping Patterson
Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson (84) is tackled by Buffalo Bills middle linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (49), free safety Jordan Poyer (21) and cornerback Taron Johnson (24) during the first quarter.
Defense
Buffalo Bills safety Micah Hyde (23) and Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Russell Gage (14) battle for a pass during the first quarter.
On the ground
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) rushes the ball for touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter.
Bills Falcons first
Bills offensive tackle Dion Dawkins (73) goes up for a pass against Atlanta Falcons linebacker Emmanuel Ellerbee (52) during the first quarter Sunday at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park.
By air
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) fires off a pass downfield against the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter.
Beasley
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Cole Beasley (11) pulls in a pass against a pair of Atlanta Falcons defenders during the first quarter.
Sack
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) is sacked by Buffalo Bills cornerback Taron Johnson (24) during the first quarter.
Safety
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Jake Kumerow (15) recovers a fumble by Marquez Stevenson (5) in the end zone, resulting in a safety during the first quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022. (James P. McCoy / Buffalo News)
Feeling warm
Fans celebrate another Bills touchdown during the first quarter.
Singletary in the secondary
Buffalo Bills running back Devin Singletary (26) rushes the ball against Atlanta Falcons safety Shawn Williams (36) during the first quarter.
Having a chat
Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott talks to line judge Brian Bolinger during the first quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022.Â
Fumble recovery
Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Harrison Phillips (99) celebrates his recovery of a fumble by Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan during the first quarter.
Out of bounds
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) is knocked out of bounds by Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker Foye Oluokun (54) during the first quarter.
Diggs pull one in
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) makes a catch on the sideline against Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell (24) during the first quarter.
Davis downfield
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Gabriel Davis (13) burns Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker Deion Jones (45) and safety Duron Harmon (21) during the first quarter.
Pass play
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) during the first quarter.
First down
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Cole Beasley (11) lunges for extra yards after a catch against Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker Deion Jones (45) during the first quarter.
Feeling the heat
Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith yells at an official during the second quarter.
Scramble
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) tries to break away from Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. (6) during the second quarter.
Trick play
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) rushes with the ball during a trick play in the second quarter.
Allen picked again
Atlanta Falcons safety Duron Harmon (21) intercepts a Josh Allen pass intended for Buffalo Bills wide receiver Cole Beasley (11) in the end zone during the second quarter.
Coming down hard
Atlanta Falcons safety Duron Harmon (21) is upended as he intercepts a Josh Allen pass in the end zone during the second quarter.
Broken tackle
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) steps out of a tackle attempt by Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker Deion Jones (45) during the second quarter.
Stopping Singletary
Buffalo Bills running back Devin Singletary (26) is tackled by Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker Deion Jones (45) and safety Duron Harmon (21) during the second quarter.
Pressure on Ryan
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) is pressured by Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Harrison Phillips (99) during the second quarter.
Follow the block
Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson (84) cuts behind a block on Buffalo Bills outside linebacker Matt Milano (58) during the second quarter.
Rushing
Atlanta Falcons running back Mike Davis (28) rushes the ball during the second quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022.
Running game
Buffalo Bills running back Devin Singletary (26) rushes the ball against the Atlanta Falcons during the second quarter.
Gage gashes
Buffalo Bills safety Micah Hyde (23) and outside linebacker Matt Milano (58) bring down a charging Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Russell Gage (14) during the second quarter.
On the run
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) throws a pass on the run against the Buffalo Bills during the second quarter.
Nowhere to go
Buffalo Bills cornerback Taron Johnson (24) tackles Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus (17) during the second quarter.
Wrong team
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell (24) intercepts a Josh Allen pass in front of Buffalo Bills wide receiver Cole Beasley (11) during the second quarter.
Davis down
Buffalo Bills safety Micah Hyde (23) makes a tackle on Atlanta Falcons running back Mike Davis (28) during the second quarter.
Falcons convert on turnover
Atlanta Falcons running back Mike Davis (28) rushes for a touchdown against Buffalo Bills outside linebacker A.J. Klein (54) during the second quarter.
Pitts breaks out
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts (8) steps away from Buffalo Bills cornerback Dane Jackson (30) during the second quarter.
By a leg
Buffalo Bills cornerback Taron Johnson (24) grabs the leg of Atlanta Falcons running back Mike Davis (28) during the second quarter.
Ollison back in Buffalo
Atlanta Falcons running back Qadree Ollison (30) rushes the ball against the Buffalo Bills during the second quarter.
Welcome for a foe
A fan holds up a sign for Atlanta Falcons running back Qadree Ollison, a Buffalo native, during the second quarter.
Allen intercepted
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Darren Hall (34) reacts as safety Duron Harmon makes an interception on a Josh Allen pass during the second quarter.
Good for two
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Cole Beasley (11) makes it into the end zone for a two-point conversion during the third quarter.
No flag
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) is hit by Atlanta Falcons defensive back Kendall Sheffield (20) as he slides to give himself up during the third quarter.
Motoring ahead
Buffalo Bills running back Devin Singletary (26) runs over Atlanta Falcons safety Shawn Williams (36) during the third quarter.
Made him miss
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) tries to create some space as Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. (6) dives after him during the third quarter.
Beasley blocking
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) follows a Cole Beasley block as he rushes the ball during the third quarter.
Singletary up the middle
Buffalo Bills running back Devin Singletary (26) has a big hole to run through against the Atlanta Falcons during the third quarter.
Return up the side
Buffalo Bills kick returner Marquez Stevenson (5) runs down the sidelines during the third quarter.
Pass defense
Buffalo Bills outside linebacker Matt Milano (58) goes up for a pass against Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus (17) during the third quarter.
Singletary strikes
Buffalo Bills running back Devin Singletary (26) rushes for a touchdown during the third quarter.
McDermott
Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott during the third quarter.
Flexing
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) flexes after rushing for a first down during the fourth quarter.
Wallace hits fast
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus (17) makes a catch against Buffalo Bills cornerback Levi Wallace (39) during the fourth quarter.
Passing grade
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) throws a short pass during the fourth quarter.
Motor seals the deal
Buffalo Bills running back Devin Singletary (26) rushes against Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Mike Pennel (98) during the fourth quarter.
Jackson makes the stop
Buffalo Bills cornerback Dane Jackson (30) gets a hold on Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Russell Gage (14) during the fourth quarter.
Short of the goal
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) goes down on the one-yard-line during the fourth quarter.
Crushing the Falcon's final hope
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Christian Blake (13) gets a hand on the ball put can't pull in a last-minute pass during the fourth quarter.
Playoff bound
Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott runs off the field after his team's 29-15 victory over the Atlanta Falcons.
Josh Allen ran for two touchdowns in the first quarter, scoring from the 1- and 4-yard lines to give the Bills a 14-2 lead. Devin Singletary had his first career two-touchdown game, scoring from the 6- and 4-yard lines in the second half to put the game out of reach.
Singletary gained a career, single-game high 110 yards on 23 carries – also a career high – and scored a pair of touchdowns on the ground, continuing a recent run of strong play.
