Beating the rival New York Jets on Monday Night Football was important, but a Buffalo Bills statement win over the Tennessee Titans could mean more. The game, while close, was marred by penalties, some of which seemed to be called for the sake of calling them.
Both teams played sloppy football with 11 penalties each. Those infractions cost Buffalo 94 yards and the Jets 110 yards. When it came down to it, the Bills managed to make their drives count more than the Jets. New York kicker Greg Zuerlein missed two field goals. Buffalo kicker Tyler Bass didn’t fare much better, missing a field goal and an extra point.
Regardless of division, games against rivals are often close. AFC North games usually turn into low-scoring slugfest, especially between the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers. With the state of the AFC East, however, Buffalo should have been able to separate from the pack much easier than they have done.
The Miami Dolphins entered 2024 prime for a regression after letting defensive pieces like Andrew Van Ginkel and Christian Wilkins go. The offense would still be the strength of the team. Even with a healthy Tua Tagovailoa, the Bills dominated the Dolphins in their Week 2 meeting. The New England Patriots entered 2024 as a consensus pick to be one of the worst teams in the NFL.
The Bills jumped out to a 3-0 start against lesser competition. They cruised to wins over the Arizona Cardinals, Dolphins, and Jacksonville Jaguars. Those teams are 5-12 combined on the season. Buffalo then flunked their two biggest test against the Ravens (lost 35-10) and the Houston Texans (lost 23-20), two likely division winners.
The Jets have been in as much disarray this year as they have over the last four years. Adding Aaron Rodgers may have improved the offensive outlook, but the results outside of a Week 2 win over the Patriots haven’t been earth-shattering. So why would Buffalo need to make a statement against a 1-4 team like Tennessee?
Why a Bills Statement Win Against the Titans is Necessary in Week 7
A Deceptive Opponent
Some of the grime of an ugly win over the Jets was washed away with the acquisition of wide receiver Amari Cooper on Tuesday. Cooper gives Buffalo a top option in the passing attack. Spreading out the targets in the first three weeks worked against lesser competition.
Having a threatening option in the passing game becomes more important against an opponent with a lock-down corner like L’Jarius Sneed of the Titans. Sneed helped the Chiefs win two Super Bowls before his trade to Tennessee. The Titans secondary also counts on Amani Hooker and Quandre Diggs
First-year head coach Brian Callahan may have only one win, but his defense is ranked first in total yards allowed (248.8) per game. The pass defense ranks atop the NFL, while the rushing defense is tenth in the league. Buffalo is 21st in total offense per game, averaging only 187 yards a game through the air.
While adding Cooper should help Buffalo improve it aerial numbers with reliable production, it’ll be hard to show off the new toy against a formidable passing defense. That may force head coach Sean McDermott to lean more on the 12th-ranked ground game.
Buffalo’s defense could make its own statement against a woeful Titans offense. Tennessee ranks 31st in both total yards and passing yards per game. Quarterbacks Will Levis and Mason Rudolph don’t instill fear in opponents like Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes do.
Following the lead of Other Super Bowl Hopefuls
Kansas City and Minnesota are the last two undefeated teams in the league. The Chiefs entered the year as a favorite to win it all again. Their start to the season has only confirmed that notion. Other hopefuls like the Ravens and Texans picked up statement victories over the Bills.
Baltimore did so again when it jumped out to a big lead over the Cowboys in Dallas. The Detroit Lions made their statement in Week 6 with a 47-9 demolition of Jerry Jones’ team. After a hiccup in Minnesota, the Texans are 5-1, proving last year wasn’t a fluke.
A Bills statement win over a top-ranked defense would announce that Buffalo is still a Super Bowl contender. It would also ease doubt about the offense and if it can improve vastly after adding a top-level receiver.
Beating Tennessee may not set the world on fire, but a double-digit win or blowout would announce that the Bills can handle a formidable defense. Barely beating a 1-5 team or even losing to a squad like the Titans will only raise more questions for the rest of 2024 and beyond.
Main Image: Lucas Boland – USA Today Sports
