Bills Mafia was welcomed back to Highmark Stadium as the Bills (1-0) defeated the Cardinals (0-1) 34-28 in their home opener. Quarterback Josh Allen led the way, throwing for 232 yards and 2 touchdowns, adding 41 yards on the ground and two rushing touchdowns. RB James Cook added in yards 71 rushing and 32 yards receiving. LB Terrel Bernard led all defenders with 11 tackles and EDGE Greg Rousseau added in 3.0 sacks and a forced fumble.
Veterans DT Austin Johnson, WR Curtis Samuel and WR Mack Hollins, and rookies WR Keon Coleman, RB Ray Davis and CB Brandon Codrington all made their debuts for the Buffalo Bills on Sunday afternoon.
Codrington started of his debut with a bang, scooping up the Bills first kickoff and taking it up the sideline for 53-yards, giving the Bills great field position at the Cardinals 45-yardline to start their first drive of the game.
Hollins also made the first catch of the game for the Bills, taking a pass for 14 yards to bring the Bills into the red zone early. He also caught the first passing touchdown of the season for the offense. He ended his day with two catches, for 25 yards and a touchdown.
Coleman made several key catches for the offense and drew a pass interference penalty on the first scoring drive of the game that ended in a field goal. His biggest play came when Allen found him on a deep pass for 28-yards. He ended his debut with four catches and 51 yards receiving.
Davis made his presence felt on the opening drive of the second half, catching a pass from Allen and taking it for 14-yards, before he exploded up the right side for 13nyards, setting up a touchdown to Hollins. He totaled rushes three for 13 yards and caught passes for yards.
Samuel ended the day with catches for yards. Johnson ended the game with one tackle.
Allen Overcomes Early Fumble
After Codrington set the Bills up with great field position on the Bills' opening drive of the game, Allen fumbled, and the Cardinals brought the ball down for a K Matt Prater field goal. Allen made up for the early fumble, bringing the Bills on their two possessions into the red zone and scoring both times.
Bills Offense Explodes in Second Half
The second half was a strong showing for the entire Bills team as they scored points on four of their six second-half drives. Allen continued to dissect the Cardinals' defense as they scored 14-points unanswered since the end of the first half.
Edge rusher Greg Rousseau brought his strong preseason into the regular season, forcing a key strip sack of Murray that was recovered by LB Dorian Williams and set up a passing touchdown from Allen to WR Khalil Shakir.
The defense joined the party, stopping the Cardinals' offense in the red zone, when they looked to be in scoring position. They were able to force a field goal, and the Bills led 24-20.
Allen's Heroics Lead to Victory
On fourth down Allen broke away from a would-be sack and kept the drive alive, scrambling for four yards, keeping the drive alive and the fourth quarter clock moving. Allen then wowed the Bills home crowd, hurdling S Budda Baker for his second rushing touchdown of the afternoon.
On the Cardinals second-to-last attempt at trying to tie the game, on second down DT DaQuan Jones batted a pass at the line and on fourth down EDGE Von Miller got the sack to force a punt.
The Cardinals' hopes were put to bed when Murray threw a pass to WR Greg Dortch on fourth down that was broken up by DB Ja'Marcus Ingram, forcing a turnover on downs. Allen then took the knee to end the game, giving the Bills their first victory.
A Balanced Offensive Attack
The Bills mantra of “Everybody Eats” took form as nine different receivers caught passes from Allen and four different players ran the football. Cook, Allen, Davis, and RB Ty Johnson ran for a total of yards, and Allen had the two touchdowns of the group. No receiver caught for more than 51-yards, but Allen completed 18 of his 23 pass attempts.
A New Era Begins
The Bills' victory signifies the beginning of a new era, with a blend of veterans and exciting rookies contributing to the team's success. The performance showcased the offensive firepower and defensive grit that could carry the Bills through a challenging season. With a crucial game against the Dolphins next on the schedule, the Bills will be looking to build on this opening win and continue their quest for a Super Bowl title.
Looking Ahead: A Tough Road Ahead
Despite the resounding victory, the Bills face a tough schedule ahead. They'll need to maintain their momentum and continue to build their chemistry, particularly with the influx of new players. The next few weeks will test the Bills' resilience and depth as they navigate a challenging stretch of games. The team's ability to adapt and overcome adversity will be crucial in determining their ultimate success.
A Glimpse of What's To Come
The Bills' season opener provided a glimpse of the potential that lies within this team. With a dynamic offense led by Allen and a revamped defense, the Bills have the tools to compete for a championship. However, the long road ahead requires a consistent effort and a relentless pursuit of excellence. The Bills' journey has just begun, and the excitement for what lies ahead is palpable. The team and its passionate fans are ready to embrace the challenges and chase their dreams.
