Buffalo Bills Week 2 Slay or Bomb

The Buffalo Bills’ Week 2 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders needed to provide a bounce-back for the Bills to wash the taste of that Monday night flop to the Jets out of their mouths. Spoiler alert: they got what they needed. The flavor of a dominating victory is sweet for the team, the coaches, and the mafia, but perhaps no one is enjoying this one as much as the squad’s fearless (sometimes to a fault) leader— QB Josh Allen. Allen needed to lift his spirits and redeem himself following a week of widespread criticism, and he likely couldn’t be more grateful to lead this week’s slay or bomb. 

 

Josh Allen Slays in Week Two vs. Raiders

 

Allen returned to form against the Max Crosby-led Raiders defense, though interestingly, not in the typical airshow fashion we’ve been accustomed to seeing since 2020. Instead, the sixth-year gunslinger showed off by pulling the reigns and taking what the defense gave him all afternoon.

 

In a recent press interview, Allen referred to his abilities as a “double-edged sword.” We all know this is true. What makes Allen great also makes him a liability, as he tends to get overconfident and crosses into that reckless mode that drives fans up the wall. This was on display last Monday night, and his critics have been screaming about it all week.

 

On Sunday, Allen slayed by being patient and resisting the lure of the highlight reel. However, we still saw him squeak a side-arm dart for six through a tight window, roll to his right to flick a last-second TD to heavily covered WR Gabe Davis, hurdle (sort of) his former college teammate, and other flashes that make Allen, Allen.

 

The balance is refreshing as he primarily played by taking the check-downs and methodically working the offense down the field. Altogether, with a near-perfect stat line of 31 for 37, 274 yards, three TDs, zero picks, and a 124.5 passer rating, it’s fair to say that he killed it on Sunday, and all the naysayers can now go quietly back into the dark where they belong.

 

Let RB James Cook

 

While he didn’t score any touchdowns, second-year RB James Cook lit up the field in his career’s first 100+ yard rushing performance. The running game shined in Orchard Park as all three rushers impacted the game. Latavius Murray and Damien Harris racked up about half a field in yards and a touchdown each, but it was Cook who wore on the Raiders’ defense.

 

OC Ken Dorsey dialed up a game that leaned heavily into the run from the start. Cook chewed up the ground methodically, averaging seven yards a carry. Finishing with 123 total rushing yards, he was a burner in space. Cook showed off up the middle, around the edge, and catching in the flat.

 

Run Defense 

 

Aside from Allen’s sometimes erratic behavior at the helm, the Bills run defense was another big question coming into this one. The crew often gets gashed for at least one or two large runs per game, such as Breece Hall’s 84-yard excursion on Monday night. This week, it was a different story. Many had dynamic ground threat RB Josh Jacobs and the Raiders pegged to have their way with the run. Impressively, the Bills held Jacobs to -2 yards on the day. While he added some positive yardage through the air, Jacobs was utterly stymied on the ground.

 

Matt “Moss” Milano!

 

LB Matt Milano is one of the most underrated linebackers in the NFL. An incredibly consistent player who quietly goes about making game-changing plays weekly, Milano was a lot louder on Sunday. He was disruptive all day but impressed with an incredible interception in which he came from behind to “Moss” Jacobs and effectively ripped the ball out of the air. Milano made a substantial impact to help bring Bills Week 2 football to a close.

 

Bills Week 2 Bombs

 

Well, there’s not much to point at here, and coming off a primetime game full of flaws the week before, that is music to the ears of Bills fans. Nevertheless, there are always lessons to be learned and things to clean up in every game. Although the defense played great, allowing only 10 points, the Bills secondary looked a little slow. More accurately, CB Tre White looked like his best days might be behind him.

 

White, one of the best corners in the league before his ACL tear in 2021, has yet to come back to full form. He appeared slightly slow in coverage and struggled to catch up to younger, faster wideouts. To the acute observer, there is wonder if a better QB (with all due respect to Jimmy G) would have exploited the Bills pass defense. Regardless, time will tell as there’s no shortage of elite QBs on the Bills schedule.

 

Shout Out OT Spencer Brown!

 

OT Spencer Brown had the daunting task of keeping Max Crosby at bay. There were questions surrounding whether he was up for it. While the game plan included help for Brown on the right side, it’s fair to say that he held his own and got the job done. We didn’t hear Crosby’s name all night, and that was in no small part because of Brown and what was likely his best game to date. Now it’s time to see if the team can carry the momentum into week three.