After turnovers turned into a heartbreaking loss to the Jets on Monday Night Football to open the season, the Buffalo Bills finally found its grove on Sunday. Thanks to a more simplified look of the Buffalo Bills Offense, Josh Allen protected the football and led his team to an impressive 38-10 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.
Buffalo Bills Offense Gets Simplified in Win Over Las Vegas Raiders
A Huge Change for the Buffalo Bills Offense From Last Monday Night
The biggest change from Offensive Coordinator Ken Dorsey appeared to take the “risky big plays” out of the hands of Josh Allen and turn him into an efficiency machine. Allen was 31/37 for 274 yards and three touchdowns. Unlike last week where he committed four turnovers (three interceptions and one fumble), Allen took better care of the football and left the turnover category blank on the day.
The play calling from Dorsey focused more on shorter and quicker throws. This often pushed Josh Allen to throw the football on his first read. This allowed Allen to move the ball methodically and spread out to different receivers while marching down the field. Except for a Gabe Davis 40-yard reception, all other throws by Allen were less than 30 yards on the day.
Against the Raiders, Allen completed a pass to nine different receivers, four of whom had over five targets each. Stefon Diggs led the team with seven catches on seven targets for 66 yards. Gabe Davis led the team in receiving yards with 92 and a touchdown.
It may not be the ‘flashy’ Josh Allen who is known for his rocket arm, but it’s the quarterback who will win his team’s football games. The Buffalo Bills offense will need to remain efficient, especially in a tough AFC Conference. With struggles from both other top AFC seeds in the 2022 playoffs so far this season, finding a groove early will pay dividends moving forward.
James Cook Finding His Place on This Offense
The running game for the Buffalo Bills also saw somewhat of a facelift compared to last week. In what was arguably the only bright (dim, but still) spot for the team against the Jets. The Bills had a successful day on the ground with 183 yards against the Raiders.
The running carousal was led by second-year pro James Cook. Cook, who is taking over the starting running back duties for the first time this season shined with his career-best 123 yards on 17 carries. This also marks the first 100-yard career game for Cook since being drafted by the Bills in the second round of the 2022 Draft. Damien Harris followed suit with 33 yards on seven carries. Former Raiders running back Latavius Murray made an impact as well with six carries for 22 yards. Both Harris and Murray scored in the contest.
Bills O-Line Shuts Down Pro Bowler
The offensive line deserves a ton of credit for how they handled NFL Pro Bowl defensive lineman Max Crosby and the rest of the Las Vegas Raiders defense. Right Tackle Spencer Brown was tasked with taking care of Crosby for the majority of the game. He and the rest of the right side of the line did a fantastic job. Although Josh Allen was sacked twice in the game, none came from the former all-pro. Crosby was limited to only seven tackles on the day.
Bills RT Spencer Brown had a tough task today in blocking Maxx Crosby of the Raiders. He helped RB James Cook get his first career 100 yard game. pic.twitter.com/tVIAZwSDwK
— Christian S. Rauh (@ChristianSRauh) September 18, 2023
The Bills move to 1-1 on the season. The Buffalo Bills offense will look to continue to improve as they play the Washington Commanders this Sunday at 1 pm EST. The Commanders are off to a surprising 2-0 start after putting together an unbelievable comeback against the Denver Broncos.
Main Photo: Jamie Germano / USA TODAY NETWORK
