Buffalo Rumblings
How good are these Buffalo Bills? It was often ugly, somewhat boring, and memorable mostly for what went wrong than the handful of explosive plays leading to Buffalo’s win against the New Orleans Saints in Week 4. The Bills are fortunate to have Josh Allen and lucky to be 4-0.
To play below expectations and win in the NFL is not to be dismissed, for every week is a different story. Somehow, this team continues playing incomplete football yet manages 30-plus a game. If one believes we haven’t seen the best from these Bills (and we haven’t), then what’s likely ahead should allow for incredible memories. That’s probably true only if they get some of the bigger concerns figured out.
It wasn’t a banner day on offense, though James Cook continues to put the league on notice. Playing without starting right tackle Spencer Brown proved to be a challenge. Replacing Brown is no easy feat, and Ryan Van Demark drew a tough assignment, and endured a lot of criticism from Bills Mafia. However, Van Demark wasn’t alone in struggling, with an uncharacteristically bad day at the office by right guard O’Cyrus Torrence.
Overall, the pass protection was awful. Allen barely had time to work beyond his first read, and when he did there were too many moments where receivers failed to haul in catches. The Bills need better, and more consistency at wide receiver — and soon, before opponents require it.
As for the defense? There’s a lot to talk about and we’re likely to do so in critical form in the coming days. If you believe this team can win a Super Bowl playing the brand of defense witnessed today, you may be in a very optimistic minority. The Bills have fielded some rather sloppy and ineffective defense since the season began.
But to this point, Allen has proven capable of playing above the defensive deficiencies, and when it matters most. In the first half, things weren’t going well for Allen. But when given a bit of faith, Allen again proved why he’s the reigning NFL MVP with a late-game scramble that put the nail in New Orleans’ Week 4 coffin. Allen finished a pedestrian 16-0f-22 for 209 yards, but he added two passing touchdowns and another on the ground (en route to 7 rushes for 45 yards) for yet another TD hat trick.
Yet right now, this is James Cook’s world, and we’re all enjoying the moment. How good does that contract look at present? Cook again played the featured back role, toting it 22 times for 117 yards and one touchdown; adding three catches for 18 yards. For all the offensive line’s pass-pro struggles, they’ve been superb as run blockers. So, too, is fullback Reggie Gilliam. That’s a group of men who deserve their flowers amid this historic run by Cook.
Shifting focus: You know what else is true? This defense shows up when it matters. For whatever reason, they play their best football when there’s five...
