The New York Giants travel this week to Buffalo, where the connections run deep, starting with coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen. The Giants (1-4) will look to break a three-game losing streak while the Bills (3-2) come off a loss in London that ended a stretch of three consecutive wins.
Here are three keys to victory for the Giants on Sunday Night Football:
Plaster coverage
Josh Allen is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. Stefon Diggs is one of the best receivers in the NFL. Put them together, and the sum is even greater than the parts.
"He's like those guys that sell a lot of jerseys," defensive coordinator Wink Martindale said about Diggs. "I mean, you can talk about all of them, as far as the guys who want the ball in game-winning situations, and he's one of those guys. He makes a lot of plays, has great hands, runs routes, sometimes runs his own routes. I've talked to the defense about plaster coverage because the combination of those two with Josh and Diggs, I mean, it turns into like when you're growing up playing football at recess. The play breaks down and you've got to defend the second play, the third play, and like I said, Josh is elite at avoiding the rush, buying time, and he can put the ball wherever he wants."
Diggs is averaging a career-high 104.0 receiving yards per game this season and has recorded at least 100 receiving yards in four of five games (most in the NFL). Diggs (five) and Gabe Davis (four) have combined for nine touchdown catches in 2023, the most by a duo on the same team.
Force multiple turnovers
The Giants come off a game in which they allowed 524 yards to the high-powered Dolphins, whom the Bills beat in their prior game, while Big Blue still forced their first three turnovers of the season. Since 2021, the Bills are 10-0 and average 34.5 points in games when Allen has no giveaways. With one turnover, those numbers drop to 12-6 and 28.6 points. With at least two, they go down even further to 5-5 and 23.7 points per game.
Start fast
The Giants are well aware this will be a key until they fix it. They have been outscored, 94-19, in the first half this season - the worst differential by a wide margin. The Bills, on the other hand, have outscored their opponents, 88-38, before halftime. That makes a gap of 125 points in first-half differentials.
Notes & stats to impress your fellow football fans
Forty-three of Tyrod Taylor's 53 career starts were with the Bills (from 2015-2017), but his first NFL start was at wide receiver. As Giants.com's Michael Eisen wrote, that lasted one play. Taylor moved to quarterback for the game's second snap and threw a 20-yard completion. The date was Sept. 13, 2015, the game was in Buffalo, and Taylor was playing his first game for the hometown Bills after spending his first four NFL seasons with the Baltimore Ravens. The following week, he made the first of his 42 quarterback starts – plus one in the postseason – in three seasons for Buffalo.
The Bills lead the NFL with 13 takeaways in 2023.
The Giants are the only team who hasn't run an offensive play with a lead this season. The Bills have run 171 offensive plays with a lead (seventh-most in NFL).
Tight end Darren Waller has at least six catches and 75 receiving yards in two of three road games this season.
Outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux aims for his fourth consecutive game with a sack. He had 12 tackles, three tackles for loss, a sack, forced fumble, and fumble recovery for a touchdown in his only other career road SNF game (12/18/22 at Was.).
Last week, safety Jason Pinnock scored the Giants' only touchdown on a 102-yard interception return. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, that is the longest return by a player on his first career interception in the Super Bowl era.
View rare photos of the all-time series between the New York Giants and Buffalo Bills.
New York Giants quarterback Jeff Hostetler (15) celebrates a second quarter touchdown against the Buffalo Bills during Super Bowl XXV in Tampa, Fla., in this Jan. 27, 1991 photo. The Giants, back at the spot where they won the Super Bowl a decade ago, began practice Monday Jan. 22, 2001 for this year's championship against the Baltimore Ravens. (AP Photo)
Lloyd Pate of the Buffalo Bills is caught in a pocket of New York Giants after gaining five yards in the first half of a game at Yankee Stadium in New York, Dec. 6, 1970. The Giants stopping Pate are Jim Files (58) left and Matt Hazeltine (64). The Giants won, 20-6. (AP Photo/J. Spencer Jones)
New York Giants' running back Tucker Frederickson (24) tries to make it through a monetary hole in the Buffalo Bill's line during game at New York's Yankee Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 7, 1970. Bills' end Ron McDole (72), coming off a block by New York offensive tackle Dick Buzin (77), tries to plug the hole. Giants guard Doug Van Horn (63) blocks Buffalo middle linebacker Edgard Chandler (52) at right. Fredrickson made gain of 2 yards on the play as New York won, 20-8. (AP Photo)
George Hunt (9) of the New York Giants gives the ball a well aimed kick over the reach of Dwight Harrison (28) of the Buffalo Bills in Buffalo, N.Y., Oct. 21, 1975. Harrison is knocked by Giants linebacker Brian Kelley (55). Hunt's 37-yard kick scored the winning field goal for the Giants, upsetting the Bills 17-14. (AP Photo/Jim McKnight)
New York Giants coach Bill Parcells is carried on the shoulders of Lawrence Taylor (56) and Carl Banks (58) after winning the Super Bowl XXV in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Jan. 28, 1991. The Giants defeated the Buffalo Bills, 20-19. (AP Photo/Ed Reinke)
New York Giants running back Dave Meggett (30) carries the ball while in pursuit by Buffalo Bills cornerback Nate Odomes (37) during Super Bowl XXV in Tampa, FL, Jan. 27, 1991. The Giants defeated the Bills 20-19. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
New York Giants quarterback Jeff Hostetler (15) watches as running back Ottis Anderson (24) carries the ball against the Buffalo Bills during Super Bowl XXV in Tampa, FL, Jan. 27, 1991. The Giants defeated the Bills 20-19. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
New York Giants quarterback Jeff Hostetler (15) gets set for the next snap against the Buffalo Bills during Super Bowl XXV in Tampa, FL, Jan. 27, 1991. The Giants defeated the Bills 20-19. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
New York Giants wide receiver Mark Ingram (82) carries the ball against the Buffalo Bills during Super Bowl XXV in Tampa, FL, Jan. 27, 1991. The Giants defeated the Bills 20-19. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
New York Giants quarterback Jeff Hostetler (15) and tackle John Stuart "Jumbo" Elliott (76) look on as running back Ottis Anderson (24) carries the ball against the Buffalo Bills during Super Bowl XXV in Tampa, FL, Jan. 27, 1991. The Giants defeated the Bills 20-19. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Buffalo Bills defensive end Bruce Smith (78) tries to fight his way past New York Giants offensive tackle John Elliott (76) during Super Bowl XXV in Tampa, FL, Jan. 27, 1991. The Giants defeated the Bills 20-19. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
New York Giants running back Ottis Anderson (24) carries the ball against the Buffalo Bills during Super Bowl XXV in Tampa, FL, Jan. 27, 1991. The Giants defeated the Bills 20-19. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Buffalo Bills defensive back Dwight Drane (45) tries to chase down New York Giants running back Ottis Anderson (24) during Super Bowl XXV in Tampa, FL, Jan. 27, 1991. The Giants defeated the Bills 20-19. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
New York Giants wide receiver Stephen Baker (85) is taken down by Buffalo Bills cornerback Kirby Jackson (47) during Super Bowl XXV in Tampa, Fla., Jan. 27, 1991. The Giants won the Super Bowl, 20-19. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
New York Giants center Bart Oates (65) and guard William Roberts (66) in action against Buffalo Bills nose tackle Jeff Wright (91) during Super Bowl XXV in Tampa, FL, Jan. 27, 1991. The Giants defeated the Bills 20-19. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
New York Giants quarterback Jeff Hostetler runs from the field carrying the game winning ball overhead after his team beat the Buffalo Bills 20-19 in Super Bowl XXV in Tampa, Fla. It was the closest margin of victory in any of the Super Bowls. (AP Photo/Ron Heflin)
Leonard Marchall (70) and Erik Howard (74) of the New York Giants celebrate the sack of Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly (12) in the third quarter of SUper Bowl XXV Sunday, Jan. 27, 1991 in Tampa. (AP Photo/Lynn Sladky)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly gets sacked during the fourth quarter ny New York Giants linebacker Pepper Johnson. The Giants came out on top to win the Super Bowl 20-19 in Tampa Sunday, Jan. 27, 1991. (AP Photo/Bill Waugh)
New York Giants running back Ottis Anderson (24) carries the ball as he leaps over Buffalo Bills Kirby Jackson during fourth quarter of Super Bowl XXV at Tampa Stadium Sunday, Jan. 27, 1991. Giants Stephen Baker is under Jackson. The Giants defeated the Bills 20-19. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)
Buffalo Bills kicker Scott Norwood, center, misses the field goal on the last play of the game, clinching the victory for the New York Giants in Super Bowl XXV in Tampa Sunday, January 27, 1991. The Giants won 20-19. (AP Photo/Phil Sandlin)
New York Giants quarterback Jeff Hostetler (15) celebrates a second quarter touchdown against the Buffalo Bills during Super Bowl XXV in Tampa, Fla., in this Jan. 27, 1991 photo. The Giants, back at the spot where they won the Super Bowl a decade ago, began practice Monday Jan. 22, 2001 for this year's championship against the Baltimore Ravens. (AP Photo)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Doug Flutie (7) fumbles as he is taken down by New York Giants defensive end Cedric Jones (94) during the first half of the game at Ralph Wilson Stadium, in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Dec. 12, 1999. The Giants recovered the fumble that set up a field goal. They went on to beat the Bills 19-17. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)
New York Giants running back Tiki Barber (21) is stopped by Buffalo Bills defenders, from left, London Fletcher, Lawyer Milloy and Keith McKenzie during the third quarter Sunday, Nov. 30, 2003 in East Rutherford, N.J. Barber only managed 20 yards for the game in the Giants' 24-7 loss. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
New York Giants' wide receiver Amani Toomer, left, catches a pass downfield for a touchdown in front of Buffalo Bills' London Fletcher during the second quarter Sunday, Nov. 30, 2003, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
New York Giants' Brandon Jacobs (27) runs against the Buffalo Bills during the second half of an NFL football game at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Dec. 23, 2007. The Giants won 38-21. (AP Photo/Derek Gee)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Trent Edwards, left, gets a pass off before being tackled by New York Giants safety Michael Johnson, right, during the first half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y. on Sunday, Dec. 23, 2007. New York won 38-21. (AP Photo/Don Heupel)
New York Giants linebacker Kawika Mitchell, left, intercepts a pass intended for Buffalo Bills wide receiver Lee Evans, right, during the second half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y. on Sunday, Dec. 23, 2007. Mitchell scored a touchdown on the play as New York defeated Buffalo 38-21. (AP Photo/Don Heupel)
Buffalo Bills punter Brian Moorman, right, tries to recover his fumble as New York Giants special teams player Ahmad Bradshaw, left, tackles him during the first half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y. on Sunday, Dec. 23, 2007. New York won 38-21. (AP Photo/Don Heupel)
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning looks to throw during the first quarter of the NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Dec. 23, 2007. (AP Photo/David Duprey)
New York Giants' Brandon Jacobs (27) scores a touchdown under pressure from Buffalo Bills' John DiGiorgio (52) during the second quarter of their NFL football game at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Dec. 23, 2007. The Giants won 38-21. (AP Photo/Derek Gee)
New York Giants' Ahmad Bradshaw (44) runs past Buffalo Bills' Terrence McGee (24) for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Dec. 23, 2007. (AP Photo/Derek Gee)
New York Giants' Amani Toomer (81) makes a catch under pressure from Buffalo Bills' Jim Leonhard (42) during the first quarter of the NFL football at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Dec. 23, 2007. (AP Photo/Derek Gee)
New York Giants' Ahmad Bradshaw (44) is hit by Buffalo Bills' Bryan Scott (43) during the second half of an NFL football game at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Dec. 23, 2007. The Giants won 38-21. (AP Photo/David Duprey)
New York Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw (44) runs past Buffalo Bills cornerback Drayton Florence (29) during the first quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
New York Giants free safety Antrel Rolle (26) tackles Buffalo Bills running back C.J. Spiller (28) by grabbing his helmet during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants tight end Jake Ballard (85) evades Buffalo Bills cornerback Drayton Florence (29) during the third quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants wide receiver Mario Manningham (82) fends off Buffalo Bills cornerback Terrence McGee (24) during the third quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants' Hakeem Nicks (88) runs away from Buffalo Bills' Drayton Florence (29) during the second quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, bottom, reacts after being sacked by New York Giants outside linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka (94) during the second quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
New York Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw (44) avoids a tackle by Buffalo Bills cornerback Terrence McGee (24) during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Buffalo Bills' George Wilson, left, has a hold of New York Giants' Victor Cruz during the third quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) prepares to take the snap during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Buffalo Bills' Drayton Florence, left, attempts to tackle New York Giants' Jake Ballard during the third quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw (44) runs away from Buffalo Bills defensive end Spencer Johnson (91) and Terrence McGee (24) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants won the game 27-24. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) throws during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul (90) rushes against Buffalo Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) during the second quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011, in East Rutherford, N.J. Pierre-Paul was called for roughing the passer on the play. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw (44) runs away from Buffalo Bills inside linebacker Nick Barnett (50) and Kelvin Sheppard (55) during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New York Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw (44) dives past Buffalo Bills free safety Jairus Byrd (31) and Nick Barnett (50) for a touchdown during the third quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
New York Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw (44) is tackled by Buffalo Bills cornerback Terrence McGee (24) during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants wide receiver Rueben Randle (82) reacts after scoring a touchdown on a pass from quarterback Eli Manning as Buffalo Bills cornerback Stephon Gilmore, left, and strong safety Bacarri Rambo look on during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
New York Giants running back Rashad Jennings, right, looks at Buffalo Bills cornerback Ronald Darby, left, as he scores on a touchdown run during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Gary Wiepert)
New York Giants wide receiver Dwayne Harris (17) dives at the goal line during a touchdown reception on a pass from quarterback Eli Manning, not pictured, during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Gary Wiepert)
New York Giants wide receiver Rueben Randle, left, is hit by Buffalo Bills cornerback Stephon Gilmore while scoring on a touchdown reception on a pass from quarterback Eli Manning, not pictured, during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Gary Wiepert)
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning looks to pass against the Buffalo Bills during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
New York Giants running back Shane Vereen (34) breaks away from Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Kyle Williams (95) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
New York Giants wide receiver Dwayne Harris, front, is tackled by Buffalo Bills defensive back Nickell Robey during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (97) takes part in a week 2 regular season game against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium on Sunday September 15th, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
RB Saquon Barkley (26) at New York Giants vs Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) takes part in a week 2 regular season game against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium on Sunday September 15th, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (97) takes part in a week 2 regular season game against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium on Sunday September 15th, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (97) takes part in a week 2 regular season game against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium on Sunday September 15th, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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