Final2021 Week 3

Highmark Stadium (Old), Orchard Park, NY

Washington Commanders vs Buffalo Bills, Week 3 2021

Washington Commanders

Away

21

Buffalo Bills

HomeWon

43

Scoring by quarter
TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Commanders0140721
Bills7209743

WAS 21BUF 43 Final

  • Passing leader

    Josh Allen

    BUF · QB

    37.2PPR pts

    32/43, 358 YDS, 4 TD, 1 RUSH TD

  • Top fantasy scorer

    Emmanuel Sanders

    BUF · WR

    26.4PPR pts

    5 REC, 94 YDS, 2 TD

  • Commanders leader

    Taylor Heinicke

    WAS · QB

    23.4PPR pts

    14/24, 212 YDS, 2 TD, 2 INT, 1 RUSH TD

  • Defensive playmaker

    Micah Hyde

    BUF

    1 INT, 5 TKL

Bills 43, Commanders 21: Buffalo leads from start to finish

Buffalo led 27–14 at halftime after a 20-point second quarter and outscored Washington 16–7 after the break to win 43–21. The Bills finished with a 481–290 edge in total offense and averaged 6.2 yards per play.

The gap showed up everywhere. The Commanders went 2-for-11 on third down and committed three turnovers, while the Bills kept the ball for 35:37 and finished without a giveaway.

Key advantages

  • +0.4 yards/play BUF 6.2 · WAS 5.8
  • +3 turnover margin BUF 0 turnovers
  • +191 total yards BUF 481 · WAS 290

Game Highlights

Official NFL highlights · Opens from YouTube

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Why the Bills Won

Buffalo won the efficiency, turnover, third-down, and time of possession battles.

Team stats comparison, Commanders vs Bills
CommandersStatBills
5.8Yards per play6.2
3Turnovers0
290Total yards481
Other team stats
50Plays77
18%Third-down conversion60%
24:23Time of possession35:37

Scoring Summary

The Bills scored five touchdowns and three field goals; the Commanders scored three touchdowns.

Scoring plays, Commanders vs Bills
TimeTeamPlayWASBUF
1st quarter
10:53BUFJosh Allen → Emmanuel Sanders, 28-yard TD Takes leadTyler Bass XP07
2nd quarter
12:59BUFJosh Allen → Zack Moss, 7-yard TD Extends leadTyler Bass XP014
10:42BUFJosh Allen → Dawson Knox, 14-yard TD Extends leadTyler Bass XP021
9:51WASTaylor Heinicke → Antonio Gibson, 73-yard TDDustin Hopkins XP721
7:39WASTaylor Heinicke 4-yard TD runDustin Hopkins XP1421
1:37BUFTyler Bass 21-yard FG Extends lead1424
0:00BUFTyler Bass 48-yard FG Extends lead1427
3rd quarter
4:43BUFJosh Allen → Emmanuel Sanders, 5-yard TD Extends lead2-pt try failed1433
2:11BUFTyler Bass 29-yard FG Extends lead1436
4th quarter
10:29BUFJosh Allen 2-yard TD run Extends leadTyler Bass XP1443
5:21WASTaylor Heinicke → Logan Thomas, 2-yard TDDustin Hopkins XP2143

Fantasy Points: Commanders vs Bills, Week 3 2021

Fantasy leaders

  1. Josh AllenBUFQB37.2 PTSQB1
  2. Emmanuel SandersBUFWR26.4 PTSWR5
  3. Taylor HeinickeWASQB23.4 PTSQB8
  4. Cole BeasleyBUFWR20.8 PTSWR10

Player Stats

Quarterbacks

Quarterback statistics
PlayerFPTSFINCMP/ATTPass YDSTDINTRush ATTRush YDSRush TDRateStart/Sit
Josh AllenBUFQB37.2QB132/4335840491129.8Start/Sit →
Taylor HeinickeWASQB23.4QB814/2421222821180.6
Mitchell TrubiskyBUFQB1.9QB341/1100419079.2Start/Sit →

WRs, RBs, & TEs

Receiver, running back and tight end statistics
PlayerFPTSFINPOSRush ATTRush YDSRush TDTGTRECRec YDSRec TDStart/Sit
Emmanuel SandersBUFWR26.4WR5WR———65942
Cole BeasleyBUFWR20.8WR10WR———1311980
Zack MossBUFRB18.1RB15RB1360033311
Antonio GibsonWASRB17.4RB16RB1231021731
Dawson KnoxBUFTE14.9TE8TE———54491Start/Sit →
Stefon DiggsBUFWR12.2WR37WR———106620Start/Sit →
Logan ThomasWASTE11.2TE10TE———44421
Terry McLaurinWASWR10.2WR45WR———74620Start/Sit →
J.D. McKissicWASRB5.8RB44RB323022150
Devin SingletaryBUFRB3.6RB51RB112602100Start/Sit →
Gabe DavisBUFWR3.3WR93WR———11230
Cam SimsWASWR3.2WR95WR17021150
Tommy SweeneyBUFTE2.2TE38TE———2220
Adam HumphriesWASWR1.7WR111WR———4170
Isaiah McKenzieBUFWR0.8WR117WR180————
Reggie GilliamBUFRB0.0—RB———1000Start/Sit →
Dyami BrownWASWR-0.4—WR1-402000Start/Sit →

Fantasy Usage

Washington Commanders

Snap Share

  1. Logan ThomasTE54 snaps100%
  2. Terry McLaurinWR52 snaps96%
  3. Dyami BrownWR35 snaps65%
  4. Adam HumphriesWR34 snaps63%
  5. Antonio GibsonRB31 snaps57%

Target Share23 targets

  1. Terry McLaurin30%, 7 targets
  2. Logan Thomas17%, 4 targets
  3. Adam Humphries17%, 4 targets
  4. J.D. McKissic9%, 2 targets
  5. Cam Sims9%, 2 targets
  6. Other17%, 4 targets

Carry Share25 carries

  1. Antonio Gibson48%, 12 carries
  2. Taylor Heinicke32%, 8 carries
  3. J.D. McKissic12%, 3 carries
  4. Cam Sims4%, 1 carries
  5. Dyami Brown4%, 1 carries

Buffalo Bills

Snap Share

  1. Emmanuel SandersWR63 snaps80%
  2. Dawson KnoxTE62 snaps78%
  3. Stefon DiggsWR59 snaps75%
  4. Cole BeasleyWR52 snaps66%
  5. Zack MossRB44 snaps56%

Target Share43 targets

  1. Cole Beasley30%, 13 targets
  2. Stefon Diggs23%, 10 targets
  3. Emmanuel Sanders14%, 6 targets
  4. Dawson Knox12%, 5 targets
  5. Zack Moss7%, 3 targets
  6. Other14%, 6 targets

Carry Share33 carries

  1. Zack Moss39%, 13 carries
  2. Devin Singletary33%, 11 carries
  3. Mitchell Trubisky12%, 4 carries
  4. Josh Allen12%, 4 carries
  5. Isaiah McKenzie3%, 1 carries
View full usage tableHide full usage table
Offensive snaps and share for the skill positions
PlayerSNAPSSNAP %TGTTGT %CAR
Logan ThomasWASTE54100%417%0
Terry McLaurinWASWR5296%730%0
Emmanuel SandersBUFWR6380%614%0
Dawson KnoxBUFTE6278%512%0
Stefon DiggsBUFWR5975%1023%0
Cole BeasleyBUFWR5266%1330%0
Dyami BrownWASWR3565%29%1
Adam HumphriesWASWR3463%417%0
Antonio GibsonWASRB3157%29%12
Zack MossBUFRB4456%37%13
J.D. McKissicWASRB2546%29%3
Devin SingletaryBUFRB3443%25%11
Cam SimsWASWR2037%29%1
Gabe DavisBUFWR2329%12%0
Isaiah McKenzieBUFWR1519%00%1
Tommy SweeneyBUFTE1418%25%0
Jake KumerowBUFWR1316%00%0
Ricky Seals-JonesWASTE815%00%0
Reggie GilliamBUFRB1114%12%0
DeAndre CarterWASWR59%00%0
Dax MilneWASWR47%00%0
John BatesWASTE12%00%0

Fantasy Points vs Expected

Expected points (xFP) are what a player's pass attempts, carries and targets are worth at the league's average rates; the difference is what the player made of them.

  • Biggest overperformer+16.3Emmanuel Sanders26.4 PTS vs 10.1 xFP
  • Biggest underperformer−6.8Devin Singletary3.6 PTS vs 10.4 xFP
  • Highest expected volume21.9 xFPCole Beasley20.8 PTS scored
Usage and expected fantasy points
PlayerPTSxFPvs xFPSnap%UsageRte%Pass attCarCar%TgtTgt%
Cole BeasleyBUF · WR20.821.9−1.166%30% tgt—000%1330%
Josh AllenBUF · QB37.221.5+15.790%43 att—43412%00%
Taylor HeinickeWAS · QB23.417.4+6.0100%24 att—24832%14%
Stefon DiggsBUF · WR12.216.8−4.675%23% tgt—000%1023%
Zack MossBUF · RB18.113.4+4.756%39% car—01339%37%
Terry McLaurinWAS · WR10.211.8−1.696%29% tgt—000%729%
Antonio GibsonWAS · RB17.411.1+6.357%48% car—01248%28%
Devin SingletaryBUF · RB3.610.4−6.843%33% car—01133%25%
Emmanuel SandersBUF · WR26.410.1+16.380%14% tgt—000%614%
Dawson KnoxBUF · TE14.98.4+6.578%12% tgt—000%512%
Adam HumphriesWAS · WR1.76.7−5.063%17% tgt—000%417%
Logan ThomasWAS · TE12.26.7+5.5100%17% tgt—000%417%
J.D. McKissicWAS · RB5.85.3+0.546%12% car—0312%28%
Cam SimsWAS · WR3.24.0−0.837%8% tgt—014%28%
Dyami BrownWAS · WR-0.44.0−4.465%8% tgt—014%28%
Tommy SweeneyBUF · TE2.23.4−1.218%5% tgt—000%25%
Mitchell TrubiskyBUF · QB1.93.0−1.110%1 att—1412%00%
Gabe DavisBUF · WR3.31.7+1.629%2% tgt—000%12%
Reggie GilliamBUF · RB0.01.7−1.714%2% tgt—000%12%
Isaiah McKenzieBUF · WR0.80.6+0.219%3% car—013%00%

Team totals: Commanders 24 targets and 25 carries; Bills 43 targets and 33 carries. Shares are from the box score. Snap counts are from the weekly player logs (Sleeper), and include plays wiped out by penalties. Route counts, air yards and red-zone touches appear when the tracking feed is connected. League-average rates from the 2021 season: 1.68 PPR points per target (67% catch rate), 0.64 per carry and 0.44 per pass attempt. They don't adjust for field position or target depth.

Fantasy Verdicts

Taylor Heinicke Ran hot

WAS · QB · 23.4 pts on 17.4 expected

14 of 24 passing for 212 yards, 2 touchdowns, 2 interceptions; 1 target (4% of the team's), 1 catch for -2 yards; 8 carries for 21 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 17.4 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Josh Allen Ran hot

BUF · QB · 37.2 pts on 21.5 expected

32 of 43 passing for 358 yards, 4 touchdowns; 4 carries for 9 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 21.5 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: Josh Allen →

Antonio Gibson Ran hot

WAS · RB · 17.4 pts on 11.1 expected

2 targets (8% of the team's), 1 catch for 73 yards and 1 touchdown; 12 carries (48% of the team's) for 31 yards.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 11.1 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Cole Beasley Volume, no payoff

BUF · WR · 20.8 pts on 21.9 expected

13 targets (30% of the team's), 11 catches for 98 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 21.9 expected.

Devin Singletary Unlucky

BUF · RB · 3.6 pts on 10.4 expected

2 targets (5% of the team's), 1 catch for 0 yards; 11 carries (33% of the team's) for 26 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 10.4 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Start/Sit: Devin Singletary →

Emmanuel Sanders Ran hot

BUF · WR · 26.4 pts on 10.1 expected

6 targets (14% of the team's), 5 catches for 94 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 10.1 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Stock Up, Stock Down

Washington Commanders

  • Stock up: Cam Sims played 37% of the snaps, up from a 7% season average.
  • Stock down: Dyami Brown played 65% of the snaps, down from a 90% season average.

Buffalo Bills

  • Stock up: Zack Moss led the backfield with 56% of the snaps after trailing Devin Singletary before this game.
  • Stock down: Devin Singletary lost the backfield lead: 43% of the snaps to Zack Moss's 56%.

Fantasy Matchups

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, 2021 through Week 18.

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, Commanders defense and Bills defense
Points allowed toCommanders DBills D
QBs22.112.2
RBs21.920.4
WRs36.023.8
TEs12.97.6

Regular season, summed from each game's box score and scored with this page's rules.

How the Game Swung

Buffalo opened at 70% win probability and passed 98% before halftime on the way to the win.

Bills win probability

Bills win probability by game minuteBills started at 70%, stood at 96% at halftime and finished at 100%, across 11 scoring plays.Q1Q2Q3Q4100%50%0%

Key Swings

  1. +16Allen → Sanders, 28-yd TD69% → 85%Q1 10:53
  2. +10Allen → Moss, 7-yd TD85% → 95%Q2 12:59
  3. +4Allen → Knox, 14-yd TD95% → 99%Q2 10:42
  4. −10Heinicke 4-yd TD run96% → 86%Q2 7:39
  5. +6Bass 21-yd FG86% → 92%Q2 1:37

Swing in Bills win probability, in points

Play Calling and Possessions

Play calling, Commanders vs Bills
Washington CommandersMeasureBuffalo Bills
50Plays77
50%Pass rate57%
8.5Yds / dropback8.2
3.1Yds / carry3.7
2/11Third downs9/15

Efficiency edge Buffalo ran 27 more plays and gained 0.6 more yards per carry.

  • Top targets
  • WAS McLaurin 29% · Humphries 17% · Thomas 17%
  • BUF Beasley 30% · Diggs 23% · Sanders 14%

Possession Results

How each possession ended, Commanders vs Bills
ResultWASBUF
Touchdowns35
Field goals03
Punts52
Turnovers30
Turnovers on downs11

BUF turnover edge: +3

  • The Bills opened the scoring on their first possession, a 8-play, 75-yard drive that ended in a touchdown.
  • The Bills scored touchdowns on two of their first three drives, then drained the clock with two second-half drives of five to nine minutes.
All 24 possessions, drive by drive
Drive chart
TeamStartPlaysYardsTimeResult
BUFQ1 15:008754:07Touchdown
WASQ1 10:53392:39Punt
BUFQ1 8:1410415:05Downs
WASQ1 3:093170:58Fumble
BUFQ1 2:118524:12Touchdown
WASQ2 12:593141:22Interception
BUFQ2 11:373170:55Touchdown
WASQ2 10:422750:51Touchdown
WASQ2 9:515242:12Touchdown
BUFQ2 7:394242:12Punt
WASQ2 5:27371:58Punt
BUFQ2 3:297551:52Field goal
WASQ2 1:374201:11Punt
BUFQ2 0:265510:26Field goal
WASQ3 15:004152:00Punt
BUFQ3 13:0017938:17Touchdown
WASQ3 4:433-21:39Interception
BUFQ3 3:04460:53Field goal
WASQ3 2:11331:23Punt
BUFQ3 0:48391:09Punt
WASQ4 14:397203:02Downs
BUFQ4 11:373221:08Touchdown
WASQ4 10:2910755:08Touchdown
BUFQ4 5:218345:21End of game
About these numbers

Possessions that ended with the clock running out at the half or the end of the game aren't counted.

Personnel groupings, average depth of target and pass rate over expected appear when the tracking feed is connected.

Commanders vs Bills Head-to-Head

The Commanders and Bills first met in 1972 and have played 17 times since.

All-time series
11–6Bills lead, 17 meetings since 1972
Postseason
1–0Commanders won in 1991
Largest Commanders win
41–141984
Largest Bills win
37–32023

Since 2021

2–0 Bills lead

2 meetings since the 2021 season, regular season and playoffs.

Oldest to newest. B = Bills win, C = Commanders win, outlined = this game.

Recent Meetings

Season to Date (Through Week 18)

The 2021 regular season, from each game's box score.

Season to date, Commanders vs Bills
CommandersStatBills
7-10Record11-6
19.7Points per game28.4
323.6Yards per game381.9
5.1Yards per play5.7
25.5Points allowed per game17.0
359.3Yards allowed per game272.8

Commanders vs Bills Odds and Results

How this game finished against the betting lines.

Spread
BUF −7Bills covered by 15
Total
45.5Over: 64 points scored (by 18.5)

Expected vs Actual Scoring

Implied team totals against the actual score
TeamImpliedActualDifference
Bills26.343+16.8
Commanders19.321+1.8

Both offenses beat the market's expectation, and the Fantasy tab shows who cashed in.

Betting Trends

Each team's 2021 season through this game. Over/under is overs first.

Washington Commanders

Against the spread
0–3
Over/under
2–1
ATS as favorite
0–2
ATS as underdog
0–1
ATS on the road
0–1

Buffalo Bills

Against the spread
2–1
Over/under
1–2
ATS as favorite
2–1
ATS at home
1–1

Lines: ESPN's consensus, captured at kickoff. Individual sportsbooks varied.

21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Betting availability depends on your state.

Commanders and Bills in Fantasy

The two teams don't meet again this season. If you roster a Commander or a Bill, these answer the week-to-week question.

Keep Exploring

2021 Game Logs for Players in This Game

Commanders vs Bills Game FAQ

Who won the 2021 Commanders vs Bills Week 3 game?

The Buffalo Bills beat the Washington Commanders 43–21 in Week 3 of the 2021 season. The game was played at Highmark Stadium (Old) in Orchard Park, NY, on September 26, 2021. See the Bills' 2021 schedule.

What was the final score of Commanders vs Bills?

The final score was Bills 43, Commanders 21. The Bills led 27–14 at halftime, and the second half went Commanders 7, Bills 16.

What happened in the Commanders vs Bills game?

Buffalo led 27–14 at halftime after a 20-point second quarter and outscored Washington 16–7 after the break to win 43–21. The Bills finished with a 481–290 edge in total offense and averaged 6.2 yards per play. Josh Allen led all players with 32 of 43 passing for 358 yards and 4 touchdowns, plus 4 carries for 9 rushing yards and a touchdown. The Commanders committed 3 turnovers, the Bills none.

Who scored the most fantasy points in Commanders vs Bills?

Josh Allen led the game with 37.2 PPR fantasy points, the QB1 of Week 3, on 32 of 43 passing for 358 yards and 4 touchdowns, plus 4 carries for 9 rushing yards and a touchdown. Emmanuel Sanders was next with 26.4 (WR5). See Josh Allen's 2021 game log.

Who led Commanders vs Bills in passing, rushing and receiving?

Josh Allen (BUF) led all passers with 32 of 43 for 358 yards and 4 touchdowns. Zack Moss (BUF) led in rushing with 13 carries for 60 yards. Cole Beasley (BUF) led in receiving with 11 catches for 98 yards.

How many fantasy points did Josh Allen score against the Commanders?

Josh Allen scored 37.2 fantasy points against the Commanders in Week 3 of the 2021 season, the same in PPR, half-PPR and standard scoring because he had no catches, on 32 of 43 passing for 358 yards and 4 touchdowns, plus 4 carries for 9 rushing yards and a touchdown.

Who outperformed and underperformed expected fantasy points in Commanders vs Bills?

Emmanuel Sanders outperformed his expected fantasy points the most, scoring 26.4 PPR points on 10.1 xFP (+16.3). Devin Singletary fell furthest short, with 3.6 points on 10.4 xFP (−6.8). A gap either way reflects efficiency and touchdowns in one game; it is not a forecast. For matchups ahead, see fantasy points allowed by position.

How did the Bills beat the Commanders?

The Bills beat the Commanders 43–21 because they averaged 6.2 yards per play to 5.8, won the turnover battle 3–0, and outgained them 481–290.

Which team won the turnover battle in Commanders vs Bills?

The Bills won the turnover battle 3–0: the Commanders gave the ball away 3 times and the Bills not at all. The Bills won the game.

What is the all-time Commanders vs Bills record?

The Bills lead the all-time series 11–6 across 17 meetings since 1972, including a 0–1 record in the postseason.

Have the Commanders and Bills played in the Super Bowl?

Yes, once: the Commanders won Super Bowl XXVI 37–24 over the Bills after the 1991 season.

When did the Commanders and Bills last play before this game?

Before Week 3 of 2021, they last met in the 2019 season on November 3, 2019, when the Bills beat the Commanders 24–9.

What was the closing spread for Commanders vs Bills?

The consensus closing spread at kickoff was Bills −7, making the Buffalo Bills 7-point favorites, with a closing total of 45.5. That implied about 26.3 points for the Bills and 19.3 for the Commanders.

Did Commanders vs Bills go over or under the total?

The game went over. The consensus closing total was 45.5, and the teams combined for 64 points, 18.5 over the number.

Who covered the spread in Commanders vs Bills?

The Bills covered by 15 against the closing line of Bills −7. The final margin was 22 points.