Buffalo Rumblings
The Buffalo Bills (4-1) are no longer undefeated after dropping their Week 5 matchup on Sunday Night Football to the New England Patriots, 23-20. This marks Buffalo’s first regular-season loss at Highmark Stadium since Week 10 of the 2023 season against the Denver Broncos. The all white rivalry jerseys and whiteout crowd weren’t enough to top the young, rising Patriots’ squad.
It was another uncharacteristic game for the Bills, as they turned the ball over three times (two fumbles and one interception) and were penalized 11 times for 90 total yards. Quarterback Josh Allen has thrown an interception in back-to-back games, including five straight games against the Patriots.
The injury report has not been kind to the Bills so far this season, with defensive tackle Ed Oliver still sidelined after an injury sustained in practice following the Week 1 win over the Baltimore Ravens. Rookie defensive tackle T.J. Sanders was also unable to suit up for Week 5, leading to practice-squad call-ups for both Zion Logue and Phidarian Mathis. Linebacker Dorian Williams was ruled out with a knee injury, and wideout Elijah Moore was a healthy scratch for the first time this season. Rookie edge rusher Landon Jackson suited up for the first time in his career.
If you’re interested in seeing the full inactive list, check it out here.
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
D.Dawkins T 68 100%
D.Edwards G 68 100%
O.Torrence G 68 100%
C.McGovern G 68 100%
J.Allen QB 68 100%
S.Brown T 68 100%
J.Cook RB 49 72%
K.Shakir WR 43 63%
K.Coleman WR 42 62%
D.Knox TE 38 56%
D.Kincaid TE 37 54%
J.Palmer WR 35 51%
C.Samuel WR 33 49%
J.Hawes TE 20 29%
T.Shavers WR 17 25%
Ty.Johnson RB 12 18%
R.Gilliam FB 8 12%
R.Davis RB 6 9%
The Bills had five offensive possessions in the first half, which went like this: fumble, punt, fumble, field goal, punt. Quick math tells me that there are only three points at home in the first half against an inferior team. The first drive was looking good until offensive coordinator Joe Brady got a little too cute by trying a handoff to tight end Dawson Knox (56%), who bobbled the ball and fumbled. The fumble was given to Josh Allen (100%), unfortunately, marking his third turnover of the season and first multi-turnover game since Week 10 of last season against the Indianapolis Colts. He also threw a bad interception in the third quarter after a promising seven-play, 52-yard drive.
Wideout Keon Coleman (62%) fumbled a ball in the second quarter on the Bills’ 11-yard line, but luckily, the defense held New England to just a field goal. Admittedly, I expected head coach Sean McDermott to send Coleman to the bench for a drive or two, as he has done in the past with running back James Cook (72%). However, that didn’t seem to be the case despite Week 5 marking the first game that Coleman had not led the Bills’ pass...
