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09/18 16:27 CDT Joe Brady's aggressive approach to Bills offense validated in
Josh Allen's production through 2 wins
Joe Brady's aggressive approach to Bills offense validated in Josh Allen's
production through 2 wins
By JOHN WAWROW
AP Sports Writer
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) --- Joe Brady was so eager to get Josh Allen on the
field, the Bills rookie head coach elected to take the ball --- rather than
defer --- upon winning the coin toss in Buffalo's home- and new stadium-opener
against Detroit.
His instincts to be aggressive were immediately validated.
The lingering wisps of smoke from the pregame fireworks display had barely
cleared on Thursday night, when Allen capped a 10-play, 85-yard drive with a
1-yard sneak into the end zone. The Bills went on to score TDs on each of their
first four possessions --- and six of eight, not including an end of game
kneel-down --- in the breathtaking offensive display of a 41-31 win.
If Buffalo, under former coach Sean McDermott, was at times faulted for being a
little too conservative on offense, that's no longer the case two games into
Brady's tenure following a season-opening 36-31 win at Houston.
Allen has been a one-man show in leading an offensive juggernaut that's
combined for 77 points, 855 yards, 54 first downs and scored on 13 of 18
possessions not ending in kneel-downs.
The production is a reflection of an offense that returned mostly intact, and
is very familiar to Brady, who spent the previous two-plus seasons as
coordinator before being promoted to replace McDermott in January.
Before running back James Cook closed the scoring on a 1-yard run with 2:50
remaining, Allen had accounted for Buffalo's first nine touchdowns, five
passing and four rushing. Allen's yet to turn the ball over, though he's come
close on a few occasions, while also showing a familiar knack for spreading the
wealth in the passing game.
While tight end Dalton Kincaid leads Buffalo with a combined 12 catches for 225
yards and two scores, Josh Palmer has scored twice on two catches. And even the
ever-inconsistent Keon Coleman got involved with six catches for 63 yards
against Detroit --- three of those receptions coming before DJ Moore was
sidelined with a shoulder injury late in the first half.
Buffalo's 2-0 start is encouraging, with a variety of issues that still need
addressing.
Moore's absence was notable. Without him, the offense appeared to miss the
connection the ninth-year player has established with Allen and his on-field
presence to draw coverage away from others.
Though the injury is not considered significant, Brady said it was too early to
determine if Moore will play next week.
Then there's the Bills new-look defense, which is still in the gelling stages.
The bright side is how the defense limited Jahmyr Gibbs to 52 yards rushing on
16 carries. On the downside, the Bills allowed Detroit to close to within 10
points twice after being down 21-0.
"We're kind of a boom or bust defense," first-year coordinator Jim Leonhard
said in noting opponents are ending drives with either touchdowns or
three-and-outs. "That's not a sustainable way to win."
He's not that far off. On a combined 20 possessions, opponents have scored
eight touchdowns with Buffalo forcing five three-and-outs.
What's working Red-zone offense. After settling for a touchdown and two field goals on three trips inside the Texans 20 last weekend, the Bills scored touchdowns on all five red-zone drives against Detroit. What needs help Fourth-down defense. Opponents have converted all four fourth-down attempts against Buffalo after the Lions went 2 for 2. Stock up DL Deone Walker. The second-year player continues to be a force in the middle, and needed to with Ed Oliver sidelined after hurting his hip in pregame warmups. Walker ended the Lions' final threat by batting down two pass attempts that led to a three-and-out midway through the fourth quarter. Stock down Tough to knock anyone, though PK Tyler Bass did miss an extra-point attempt. Injuries Similar to Moore, Oliver's status is unclear for next week. Brady didn't go into detail on the injury in saying the Bills did have time to thoroughly examine Oliver's injury before they had to submit their list of inactive players. Key number 90 --- Josh Allen's regular-season career win total, joining Russell Wilson (98), Patrick Mahomes (95) and Peyton Manning (92) as the only other players with that many in their first nine seasons. Next steps Rest and prepare to host the Los Angeles Chargers on Sept. 27 in the second game of a three-game homestand. ___ See AP's full NFL coverage here |
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