With one quarter of the season gone, it's a good time to take a look back and analyze what we've seen so far from the 2019 Buffalo Bills.
Here are some first quarter superlatives:
- Most impressive unit
Obviously, it's the defense. Absolutely incredible play from this unit through four games so far. They are ranked second in the league in yards allowed per game, leading the NFL in three-and-outs against opposing offenses, and have only allowed 45 points through the first four games (not counting touchdowns scored against the offense or special teams).
- Most concerning aspect
The erratic decision-making and play from quarterback Josh Allen, which continues to happen despite him saying he knows it can't and the coaching staff continually hammering it home. There's no doubt Allen has shown a lot of improvement in different areas so far from his rookie season, but he's still forcing balls and trying to make plays he doesn't have to, and it's hurting the team.
- Biggest surprise
What seemed like a major concern to start the season has turned into not only steady, but even impressive play from the tight end position. Rookie Dawson Knox has been very good and is showing signs that he could be a household name in the NFL. Fellow rookie Tommy Sweeney has contributed in a positive way. These two, along with Lee Smith blocking, have basically made fans forget about free agent acquisition Tyler Kroft, who has now suffered two injuries and yet to get on the field.
- Best free-agent signing so far
I'm going to list both wide receiver John Brown and running back Frank Gore here. Brown is 16th in receiving yards in the NFL through the first month. He's really helped stabilize the wide receiver group and given Josh Allen options at all levels of the field. Gore has just been tremendous, as he has been his whole career. What he's doing from that position at the age of 36 is incredibly impressive, but what he's done for the Bills running game, especially with Devin Singletary out and the team already having moved on from LeSean McCoy, has really allowed them to be much more consistent and improved as a unit. Through four games, Gore is 11th in the league in rushing.
- Can't wait to see more
…from running back Devin Singletary. From the very first few snaps of his NFL career, Singletary flashed and showed why the Bills made him a third round pick and general manager Brandon Beane said he had the most fun tape he watched of all the draft prospects. The rookie is averaging over 12 yards per-carry, but obviously has not touched the ball enough yet for that to resonate. He's been out with a hamstring injury, but hopefully back soon because he's exciting to watch, helps the run game, and should be a very good compliment to Gore.
- Unsung heroes
Defensive back Siran Neal has really stepped up in the absence of slot cornerback Taron Johnson, but there's more to that than meets the surface. Neal isn't just covering slot wide receivers. He's covering tight ends, helping in the run game, and showing a quite impressive all-around game. He's still listed as a safety on the Bills official roster, but he's really a hybrid cornerback/linebacker even more than he is a safety. On top of all of this, Neal leads the team in special teams tackles and has been terrific as a gunner tracking the ball and downing punts.
Also, cornerback Levi Wallace. He's been good. Tied for the team lead in passes defensed with four, and fourth on the team with 21 total tackles.
- First quarter MVP
Safety Micah Hyde has been the leader of maybe the best overall secondary in the league. He now only sets the pieces and communicates, but then makes plays. Although he has "only" 13 total tackles on the season, Hyde has filled up the stat sheet with a tackle for loss, two passes defended, a forced fumble, and, of course, a heck of an interception in the end zone against Tom Brady in Week 4. If you care for Pro Football Focus grades, Hyde ranks the highest of any safety in the entire NFL with an "elite" 89.6 grade, but the biggest numbers for Hyde are fourth and third. That's where the Bills rank in defensive passing yards per-game and passing yards per-play. The Bills pride themselves on not allowing big plays on defense, and through four games they've been great at presenting them. They're third in the NFL allowing only eight passing plays of 20 yards or more and are one of only three teams (Minnesota Vikings and Tennessee Titans) who have yet to allow a pass play of 40 yards or more. Along with Jordan Poyer, Hyde is the last line of defense, and has been a wall.
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