The Buffalo Bills pulled out a win against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday despite turnovers and miscues. It's not all gloom and doom, but in three straight weeks we have seen uneven performances. They will need to play a full 60 minutes later in the season. For now, we take the W and move on, but here are my observations.
The Bills still have no idea how to close out a game
Another week, another game the team couldn't close out an opponent. The Bills were putting the boots to the Bengals in the first half but couldn't close them out. They needed a late TD and a defensive stand to put away the game after dominating Cincy in the first half in yards, points, first downs, time of possession and every other stat. Yeah, they won another game over a team they should beat, but they don't have to be close like this.
Josh Allen WYD
Allen needs to learn how to take a sack sometimes. He threw it away in the first quarter and was called for intentional grounding, and later, he threw it farther down the field and was picked off. Both throws came while in the grasp of defenders. "Hero ball" is great when it works, and calculated risks are fine, but when you throw it up, it needs to be in a place where your guy can make a play on it. Even the toss-up to the end zone that was broken up by Dre Kirkpatrick was dangerous and should have been toward the sideline. At least on that one his man was able to make a play on the ball.
Dawson Knox is really helping Allen
Running (a jet sweep, no less!), catching, finding open space, and trucking opponents, Knox is rounding into form following his training camp injury. Even with Tyler Kroft set to return at some point, Knox has clearly carved out a role in Buffalo’s offense going forward.
Tre’ day
Tre’Davious White heard criticism around Buffalo for his slow start. I think that negativity was undeserved, as he did exactly what his role was in the defense. So many of his catches allowed were on screens or short throws where he had to keep the play in front of him. Today, when the offense and the defense needed him, he stepped up in a big way TWICE, making two big interceptions, including the one that iced the win. He’s underrated and deserves more credit.
The Cody Ford RT experiment needs to end for now
Coming into Sunday, five of Buffalo’s six TD drives had come with Ty Nsekhe in at right tackle. The rookie had struggled with outside speed, and that trend continued in Week 3. It led to a first-quarter intentional grounding call on Josh Allen. When Jon Feliciano went out with a neck injury, Ford slid in to right guard, where he should stay.