Since Bills offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey took over playcalling duties for Buffalo prior to last season, he’s experienced ups and downs.
In the transition from quarterbacks coach to the booth, he’s been tasked with keeping an offense that had started to achieve a high level of success progressing.
His first year in the role had it’s growing pains, as the offense struggled to find consistency and remain effective at times and critical moments. But it had its bright spots too, as they would still finish second in the NFL in points and yards.
Still, the offense appeared to experience similar struggles to last year in their 2023 season opener against the Jets in New Jersey in NFL Week 1.
In Week 2, the Bills hosted the Las Vegas Raiders for their home opener in Orchard Park, to different results than the week prior. Against the Jets, Dorsey’s playcalling was ineffective and was exacerbated by costly decision-making by QB Josh Allen.
It appears both men made the necessary adjustments ahead of the Week 2 matchup, leading to a 38-10 victory.
Dorsey’s animated reaction celebrating one of the Bills five touchdowns on the day was caught on camera, much like early last season when he took frustration at a failed offensive drive out on an iPad.
“It’s an emotional game,” Dorsey said to the press after the win about the video clip. “I tell Steph all the time you know him and I are probably a lot alike in a lot of ways. This game means a lot to us, and I hope that every single guy that I coach that is in this locker room it means a lot to them too.”
Dorsey was also to the point in talking about how the hard work of his players paying off resonated with him on that emotional level.
“Guys put a lot of work into it and so when they put it on the line with their bodies and their souls every single game and as a coach you get so excited about it and so grateful for that, so you want to be able to celebrate it and enjoy it with those guys too, it’s just sometimes a little harder up in the box.”
A big part of the difference in the Bills’ success on the offensive side of the ball was the improvement in decision-making and play execution by Allen, and his adjustments were noticed by the coach calling his plays.
“He did a great job of working progressions and making good decisions,” Dorsey said. “He did a great job taking the underneath throws. We want to be able to attack all areas of the field and I think it’s important to be able to throw the ball short, intermediate, and deep.”
The Bills offense, which for the past year has seen some forced throws downfield to receivers like Stefon Diggs instead of to open targets, and lacked cohesive run game strategy, was balanced.
“When we got the room that we have, I think we can really work a number of different combinations. All three of those guys complement each other so well,” Dorsey added regarding the versatility and contribution of the Bills running backs and their contributions. “When you’re having first and second down production, whether it’s run or pass, you’re able to stay in those rhythms.”
Dorsey and Allen also spread the ball out and saw needed production and improvement in all phases from the week prior. Allen threw for 274 yards with three touchdowns no turnovers and an 83.8% completion rate with completions to nine different receivers targeted, scoring touchdowns in the air and on the ground using five different players.
The offensive unit was also exceptionally efficient with 12 personnel packages (two receivers, two tight ends, and one running back) going 10 for 15 and averaging 4.47 yards in successfully executed plays in that formation, which they ran 36% of the time against the Raiders, and 50.7% through their first two contests of the season thus far overall. This marks a significant improvement from being one of the lowest usage teams in the NFL last season when it came to two tight end sets.
The team will now look to be able to achieve this type of balanced and efficient offensive attack consistently and will have their first opportunity in Washington D.C. on Sunday September 24th when they face the Commanders.
[lawrence-related id=122703,122700,122696]