What we learned from the Bills’ Week 1 win over the Cardinals
The Buffalo Bills began their 2024 NFL schedule with a 34-28 win over the Arizona Cardinals in Week 1.
Following the victory, as is always the case, we were taught a few things about this football team. There were things to take away from all three phases of the game that was.
With that, here are five things we learned from the Bills’ win over the Cardinals.
Adversity
Sep 8, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott on the sideline during the first half against the Arizona Cardinals at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
The Bills wasted no time in proving this is a team that can circle the wagons in 2024.
Around halftime, Buffalo’s offense jump-started a comeback against Arizona by double-dipping. The Bills put away a touchdown right before the half and then coming out of it, smashed in another to tie the contest.
That provided the jolt the Bills needed to turn it around and grab a character-building victory.
Don’t poke the bear/quarterback
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 08: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills scrambles for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at Highmark Stadium on September 08, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
Remember how Bills quarterback Josh Allen is overrated? According to that ESPN survey, a group of NFL players think he is.
Sure, Allen had a fumble. The bigger issue was always the interceptions and Allen kept the ball out of harm’s way in the air.
On top of that… four total touchdowns? One leaping over a defender?
Yeah, perhaps the NFL should not have poked the bear/quarterback in Buffalo…
Not Kincaid’s time?
Sep 8, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid (86) makes a catch against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
Top rookie draft pick Keon Coleman led the Bills with four catches and 41 yards. Fellow receiver Khalil Shakir had three catches for 42 yards with a touchdown of his own.
However, there were big expectations for tight end Dalton Kincaid entering his second season. He did not live up to the billing with only one catch on two targets for 11 yards.
Plenty of time to change that, but then again, it could be a good sign that the Bills offense does not need to lean on any one player.
Preseason Greg is real
Aug 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive end Greg Rousseau (50) reacts on the sidelines against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Greg Rousseau has arrived.
After dominating the Pittsburgh Steelers in the preseason, the pass rusher showed he was not playing around. Rousseau had three sacks and another three tackles for loss against the Cardinals.
The top play was his strip-sack on Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray. That eventually led to Buffalo grabbing their first lead of the game.
The rest of football might need to start taking notice of Rousseau very soon.
Slow starts
Sep 8, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) avoids Buffalo Bills cornerback Cam Lewis (39) to get a first down in the second quarter at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
The Bills won. That’s how Week 1 will be remembered.
Having to comeback is a nice nugget to look back upon as well… but there is a reason why teams don’t do that very often. It would be much better for Buffalo’s future outlook if they don’t put themselves in a 17-3 hole in the first half.
Head coach Sean McDermott and his coaching staff will be well aware of that moving forward, but it’s easier said than done to fix this. The Bills had similar issues as recent as last season.
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