Here are the top takeaways and highest-graded players from the Buffalo Bills' 16-6 win over the Dallas Cowboys.
Buffalo Bills
– He wasn't perfect as a passer, but Tyrod Taylor (+0.9) showed solid all-around play once again in another win for the Bills. Nearing the end of his first full season as a starter, the former Baltimore Ravens' backup signal-caller completed two of the four passes of 20 yards or more he attempted for a total 57 yards, with wide receiver Sammy Watkins and Chris Hogan coming up with receptions of 37 and 20 yards. He also got it done on the ground, rushing for 72 yards and forcing four missed tackles.
– It really has been an impressive first season back in the NFL for left guard Richie Incognito (+3.0), who owns the highest run blocking grade amongst guards in the entire league this year, grading positively in that regard in every game. Sunday saw him tie his season high +3.8 run blocking grade, and he was solid in pass protection, too, allowing just a hit and a hurry.
– Defensive end Mario Williams (-2.5) continued a disappointing 2015 season with his seventh straight game with a negative grade. He made just one tackle all game, which resulted in a defensive stop, and was completely blanked as a pass rusher for the second consecutive week. Much has been made of the Bills' defensive scheme this year, and Williams has been a complete non-factor in the second half of 2015.
Top performers:
LG Richie Incognito (+3.0)
HB Mike Gillislee (+1.7)
RG Kraig Urbik (+1.4)
CB Mario Butler (+1.4)
WR Chris Hogan (+1.2)
Dallas Cowboys
– Staying much healthier this year, linebacker Sean Lee (+4.8) has been able to get back to his best and has had a really strong second half of the 2015 season so far. Against Buffalo, he had eight tackles that resulted in defensive stops, grading positively against the run, in coverage, and as a pass rusher, where he chipped in with a sack and a hurry.
– Quarterback Kellen Moore (-0.2) had a better game as a starter than he did coming off the bench against the New York Jets, but it still exposed his limitations at the NFL level. He attempted 12 passes of 10 yards or further downfield, completing just three of them. He struggled against the blitz, too, completing just 30.8 percent of his passes when the Bills sent extra men.
– While it's been a tough season, the Cowboys did have success in the running game yesterday—both in how they blocked, and how running back Darren McFadden (+1.4) performed. Rushing for 107 yards, 60 of which came after contact, he graded positively as a runner for the third straight game. He still isn't forcing a lot of missed tackles, with one yesterday taking his total on the year to 23, but it was a solid day for the former top-five NFL draft pick.
Top performers:
LB Sean Lee (+4.8)
RT Doug Free (+2.4)
DE DeMarcus Lawrence (+2.2)
S Barry Church (+2.0)
C Travis Frederick (+1.9)
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