Buffalo Rumblings
Tonight’s not going well for the Buffalo Bills. Outside of that opening drive, where everything clicked, it’s been hot garbage almost everywhere else. The Bills are in it early this evening, staring across the line at a narrative that will haunt them all season long if this continues unravel. Buffalo trials Baltimore 20-13 right now, but the score feels far worse simply due to the one-sided physical beating happening in Highmark Stadium tonight.
But remember, there is a second half. Games aren’t decided in two quarters for good reason. Halftime adjustments can and often do prove vital to deciding a winner. The Bills could benefit from a few different pages of the offensive playbook. The defense has played so poorly that it’s difficult to tell whether or not the play calls on that side of things need to be scrapped. Buffalo allowed Baltimore to bully its way down the field to points. Every. Single. Drive. Thankfully, Joey Bosa came to life late in the second quarter and correctly read the option, knocking the ball out for a loss of 15 yards to save four points by forcing a second field goal.
Forcing field goals will be a major win if the Bills can continue to hold the Ravens back just enough. The Ravens nearly all of the first half baiting Josh Allen into taking detrimental checks that all but negate any offensive fireworks. And then it happened: The Bills came to life at the end of the first half, as they had done so often in prior seasons.
Josh Allen’s throwback best took the field and quickly marched the offense down the field to three points as the clock read zeroes for halftime. It was an important drive, getting things back to a one-possession game, especially after taking the early lead with an opening score. It’s only Week 1, but this sure feels like January football.
Here’s a look at both team’s halftime stats, courtesy of NFL GSIS Live Stats:
The Ravens get the ball to open the second half, and the Bills must figure out how to better contain Baltimore’s best offensive studs. That’s easier said than done, but that’s why they play two halves. What’s next from the Bills? Hopefully their best in countering a physical attack that wants to send them home quickly and exhausted.
Here’s your open thread for the rest of tonight’s game. As always, be kind to one another, and in all things… go Bills!
