by Bobby Greco
For the first time since 2008, the Buffalo Bills are 4-0! Though it seemed that Buffalo was the dominant team most of the game, it was a very hard-fought game and you could see both defenses were very motivated after spotty performances in week 3. The Bills looked very crisp from the start, as they carved the Raiders for two touchdowns, on the first two drives of the game. Vegas was able to hit a couple of field goals, to keep the game in reach. Buffalo looked like they were going to punch in another TD at the end of the first half, but were only able to get an FG and the Raiders took advantage. They ended the first half with a TD and made it a 4 point game at the half. Las Vegas opened the second half with a strong drive, but Buffalo’s defense tightened up and held them to another FG. After making it a one-point and getting the Bills Mafia thinking here we go again this is just like last week, Buffalo got a second wind. Allen and the rest of the offense ripped off two more touchdowns, giving them a two TD lead. Thankfully the defense showed their grit and got two big turnovers, helping to seal another victory. Though Las Vegas did score another TD, it was just too late to make a difference. The Buffalo Bills won the game 30-23 and are undoubtedly one of the hottest teams in the NFL.
Buffalo’s offense started out hot again, as they easily drove the field for two TDs on the first two drives. Allen has really turned a corner and has been on an MVP pace, the first quarter of the season. After letting up 250 yards on the ground last week vs New England, you could really see stopping the run was a focus for them this week and caused Buffalo to throw a little more than expected. Singletary finished the game with 55 rush yards and a TD, but they were extremely hard-fought yards and he actually played much better than his stats showed. We can’t give all the credit to Allen though, because the Bills wide receiver core has shown they are not to be looked down upon. For the first time in... I can’t remember when Buffalo carries what might be the best receiving core in the whole league. Diggs may only be listed as 6’0 tall, but he knows how to use every inch of his body and honestly plays like he’s 6’3. Brown and Beasley have both been perfect complements to Diggs and are both having very good seasons of their own. The surprise here though is undoubtedly Gabe Davis, he has played very good football so far and gives the offense another viable and dangerous WR. He only had one catch against LV, but it was a 20+ yard TD on the opening drive. His second touchdown, in as many weeks.
After a shaky performance the week before vs LA, Buffalo’s defense really tightened up and played a much stronger game. Even with multiple starters injured Las Vegas proved to have a top-notch O-Line, as they were able to handle most of what Buffalo threw at them. That didn’t deter the Buffalo defense thankfully, because they kept on attacking and ended up getting two huge turnovers in the second half. Josh Norman made his first appearance coming off of IR and asserted himself into the lineup with forced fumble and recovery, which allowed the Bills to score and make it a two-touchdown game late in the game. Quinton Jefferson also had a forced fumble and recovery on the next Las Vegas drive, but the Bills didn’t turn that one into points. With just under four minutes left in the game, Carr took advantage of a Bills D playing very soft coverage and threw a touchdown to first-year Raider Jason Witten. Thankfully it was too little, too late for the Raiders, and after a failed onside kick attempt, Buffalo was in Victory formation.
The first quarter of the 2020 season is over and the Bills look as advertised, as a true contender. Josh Allen has taken that next step in his development and is in the MVP conversation. The additions the team made this offseason have really made big impacts, highlighted of course by Stefon Diggs and the team is rolling. Coach McDermott should be the early favorite for Coach of the Year honors because he has not only completely changed Bills team culture, he has now improved the team into having a prolific offense. I can’t wait to see where this team goes. Buffalo does play Tennessee next, however, so it will be interesting to see what happens and if they even play this upcoming weekend.