This offseason was all about the Bills taking a step back after losing so many veteran players. The Bills got off to a hot start and we all thought greatness was on the horizon. After a rare two-game losing streak the Bills squeaked by the Jets and dominated both the Titans and Seahawks by a combined score of 65-20.
Josh Allen, Joe Brady, or both seemed to get bored with taking easy plays and spent 3 weeks taking shots on vertical routes constantly instead of sticking to their bread-and-butter; a run-game that mirrors a strong quick-game and/or play-action. Since the addition of Amari Cooper this offense has gone right back to getting the ball out of Josh's hands quickly and into the hands of his playmakers. Between the blossoming Keon Coleman to the continued emergence of
Khalil Shakir (he's caught 36 of 37 targets!!) and James Cook, this offense has been basically unstoppable in 5 of 8 weeks this season.
In contrast, the defense has had more shaky games than strong ones, but the physicality and consistency in the secondary has increased precipitously in the past few weeks. If Bobby Babich can continue to figure out his personnel Josh Allen and Co. will have a longer leash for an occasional tough game. My prediction for the next couple of weeks? Von Miller's return means an uptick in sacks for Gregory Rousseau (who is fifth in the league in total pressures already).
-Kennedy Paynter, Senior Draft Analyst (
@Kennedy_Paynter on Twitter)