The Buffalo Bills suffered an unexpected 9-6 loss to the Jaguars in Jacksonville on Sunday at TIAA Bank Field.
That means we have to start with the Arrows Down:
ARROW DOWN:
Discipline
The Bills were called for an astounding 12 penalties for 118 yards. Five of them were for 15 yards, including three unnecessary roughness calls, two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties, and a roughing the passer.
It was the most penalties they’ve been called for in a single game since 2019, and most penalty yardage since 2018. It was one of the most undisciplined games they’ve played in years.
Lack of intensity/urgency
From a sideline reporter’s point of view on the field, the Bills didn’t seem to have nearly the same energy or intensity as they usually do. There wasn’t the same “edginess” to the team, and as the game went on, that transformed into, what felt like, a lack of urgency when it was needed most.
It felt, to me, like they felt they were simply going to flip a switch and start moving the ball and scoring, or make a big play on defense that would change everything. None of any of that came.
Another slow offensive start (that continued)
For the third game in a row, the Bills offense had an extremely slow start.
They’ve failed to score a first quarter touchdown since Week 5, kicking one field goal against the Tennessee Titans and Miami Dolphins, and two field goals on Sunday against the Jaguars. Whereas they were able to recover later offensively in those previous two, they weren’t in this one.
After two field goals to start the game, the Bills punted on their next three possessions, and gained only 132 yards by halftime.
Offensive line
The Bills' offensive line simply got beaten handily most of the game, and especially in pass protection. The Jaguars had only 11 sacks the entire year prior to the game, but sacked Bills quarterback Josh Allen four times and were credited with another eight quarterback hurries.
Cody Ford
While everyone up front had their struggles in both the run and pass game, Ford particularly did. It was mostly in pass protection, getting beaten several times, especially early.
It was a big game for Ford, since he was filling in and starting again for the first time since Week 3, but he didn’t show the coaching staff any reasons he should be re-inserted when others are healthy.
Josh Allen
Allen made some bad decisions on Sunday, reminiscent of the quarterback he was two or three years ago, trying to do too much and make plays that weren’t there. He also bailed early from the pocket several times, possibly because he had been getting pressured so much, and then threw the ball a few times when running lanes were open.
It was a rough day overall for the Bills quarterback. He didn’t play well, finishing 31-of-47 (66%) for 264 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions.
Cole Beasley’s drop
Beasley led the team on Sunday with eight receptions, but with under four minutes left in the first half and the Bills facing a 2nd-and-11 from their own 33-yard line, the veteran wide receiver dropped a strike from Allen right in his hands for, what have been, a first down near midfield. Instead, it became 3rd-and-11, and after another incompletion, the Bills punted.
Sean McDermott’s decision to decline penalty
With the Bills leading 6-3 and the Jaguars facing a 3rd-and-5 on the Bills' 37-yard line, Jacksonville didn’t convert and was also called for a holding penalty. Instead of accepting the penalty and forcing Jacksonville out of field goal range with a 3rd-and-15 from the Bills' 47-yard line, head coach Sean McDermott declined it, allowing Jaguars kicker Matthew Wright a chance to attempt a 55-yard field goal. He converted, and the game was tied.
Brian Daboll
Most of the Bills' offensive issues came from poor execution. But offensive coordinator Brian Daboll couldn’t figure out a way to help his offensive line protect Allen, not scheme open receivers well enough, something he’s generally very good at.
Offense overall
The Bills came into the game as the top scoring team in the NFL. They were facing one of the worst defenses in the league by almost any metric. But Buffalo’s offensive numbers were awful.
The final tally: 301 total yards (229 passing, 72 rushing), 4.6 yards per-play, zero touchdowns, three turnovers, and, of course, only six points.
They even had their streak of 23 consecutive games with 20 or more first downs ended, finishing with 17. Another game of 20 or more would have been the second-longest in NFL history.
They made it into the Jaguars' red zone one time all day — on their very first drive — and settled for a field goal after getting to the Jacksonville six-yard line.
Running game
Allen ran 10 times for 50 yards, mostly on scrambles. But when he handed the ball off, the run game numbers were minuscule.
Between Devin Singletary and Zack Moss, the Bills ran nine times for 22 yards for an average of 2.4 yards per-carry.
Siran Neal
Filling in for an injured Taron Johnson, who left the game very early due to a concussion, Neal was caught out of position a couple of times in both the run and pass game, and was called for both an illegal use of hands penalty, as well as a pass interference, the latter of which cost the Bills 19 yards.
ARROW UP:
Defense overall
The Bills defense allowed only nine points, 218 total yards, and 3.8 yards per-play. That's a good day against any opponent.
Third down defense
The Bills defense got the Jaguars off the field when they needed to most — on third downs. Jacksonville only converted 2-of-13 attempts in the game, an average of only 15.4%.
Red zone defense
The Jaguars had the ball in the Bills' red zone twice, and failed to convert either chance into a touchdown.
Run defense
The Jaguars have one of the best running games in the league, averaging over 5.0 yards per-carry coming into the game. The Bills held them to just 79 yards and only 2.9 yards per-carry.
Isaiah McKenzie
The Bills kick returner was very good, averaging over 32 yards per-return. He also also added a pair of catches for 10 yards.
Levi Wallace and Tre’Davious White
The Bills starting cornerbacks did an excellent job throughout the day. Jaguars receivers totaled only seven catches for 45 yards on the day.
Wallace led all Bills tacklers with seven, including one for a loss. He also had a huge pass breakup in the end zone and recovered a Jaguars fumble at the Bills' 20-yard line, Jacksonville’s only turnover of the day.
White added six tackles, 0.5 sacks, a quarterback hurry, and a pass breakup.
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