The Buffalo Bills opening night loss to the New York Jets could be attributed to a conflict of interests. The in-game philosophy and decision-making ultimately exploded into a disastrous end for the Bills.
Sean McDermott’s conservative game plan combined with Josh Allen’s reckless, aggressive hero ball has placed Buffalo in an 0-1 hole in the AFC East following the 22-16 defeat.
The game didn’t start that way. Allen went 8-for-9 for 54 yards in the first quarter. The aerial attack focused on quick passes to neutralize the Jets’ superior pass rush. This portion of the Bills game plan faded throughout the evening.
Allen sent a bomb up that only Jets safety Jordan Whitehead could catch. In fact, both Jets safeties were the closest players to this pass. This was a harbinger of things to come.
Allen would never be truly comfortable in the pocket for the remainder of the game. While the Jets defensive line put pressure on the Bills in the trenches, it was Allen who started to bail out of the pocket early, finding comfort in rolling out to make passes.
While it worked on the touchdown pass to Stefon Diggs, the rollouts left a great deal to be desired. The results were inconsistent at best. Allen added another interception to his tally while moving.
The third interception, a pass intended for Gabe Davis, showed Allen’s all-around struggles. Allen rushed the pass, pulled it left of Davis and gave Whitehead a hat trick of picks. Upon review, Davis was not the best option to the target for this play.
Allen’s recklessness was contrasted by Buffalo’s super conservative play calling. The Bills could have put this game out of reach by halftime. Instead, the coaches created an ideal scenario for the perfect storm to take shape.
The air was sucked out of MetLife Stadium after over 83,000 fans (and millions more watching on television and via streaming) watched in shock when Aaron Rodgers left the field with a season- ending injury. After four plays, the biggest story of the off-season was carted away.
Rather than putting the hammer down on a wounded New York team, Buffalo’s play calling left enough for the Jets to have life and claw their way back into the game.
On the Bills’ second offensive drive of the game, Buffalo moved into New York territory. This sequence followed Rodgers’ injury. A sack derailed the offense, setting up a third-and-15 from the Jets 35. Allen found Damien Harris for a 13-yard gain. With the offense gaining momentum, McDermott didn’t seem to consider making a push to keep the offense on the field. In a quiet stadium, McDermott chose a safe 40-yard field goal attempt.
This gave Buffalo an early three-point lead. Moreover, it showed how Buffalo’s coaching staff would call the remainder of the game.
New York moved the ball into Buffalo territory on the opening drive of the third quarter. On third down at the Bills 25-yard line, the Jets were guilty of two penalties. Instead of forcing the Jets to play out of a third-and-long, and possibly keep New York off the board altogether, McDermott declined both penalties. McDermott’s decision allowed the Jets to attempt a field goal from only 43 yards out. Accepting one of the penalties and getting a defensive stop would have pushed the field goal back at least 10 yards.
The antithesis of the Bills plan happened on the drive that gave New York its first lead of the game. Robert Saleh chose a quarterback sneak to keep the drive moving forward.
Zach Wilson, not Josh Allen, who had the opportunity to get his name in the headlines. The Jets would lead 16-13. The larger issue was New York drained the clock to 1:48 remaining in the game.
Out of necessity, Buffalo’s offense hit the hurry up button and played with the quickest tempo of the game. It allowed the Bills to tie the game.
Once overtime kicked off, however, the Bills reverted back to their uninspired playcalling. The Bills started with their backs against the wall, as Spencer Brown was called for a false start before the overtime clock started to run. After an incomplete pass, offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey called a draw that yielded only three yards. This put the Bills in an inauspicious position. Almost on cue, the Buffalo offense could not connect on third down.
Buffalo fans know how the rest of the events unfolded.
The clash of aggressive hero ball and cautious coaching ultimately led to the undoing of the Bills in Week 1. If this pattern continues, Buffalo may not have to worry about earning a postseason home game. If this is the modus operandi for the Bills 2023 campaign, the unfathomable may occur and Buffalo may not have to worry about the playoffs at all.
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