Final Score: Bills 34 Cardinals 28
What Happened?
Led by their superstar quarterback, the Bills were able to squeeze out of Week 1 with a victory over the Cardinals. Buffalo trailed 17-3 late in the second quarter, but then scored touchdowns in four out of their next five possessions. In short, Josh Allen took over. He accounted for 2 passing touchdowns in addition to 2 rushing touchdowns- one of which he resembled Superman, flying over a Cardinals defensive back en route to the endzone.
In tune with Week 1’s theme around the NFL, the Cardinals offense struggled through the air. Kyler Murray was only able to muster up 162 passing yards and one passing touchdown. One of the major storylines following this game is the poor performance of #4 pick Marvin Harrison Jr. Whatever the reason, Harrison Jr. was a non-factor in his NFL debut, recording one catch for 4 yards on 3 targets.
While Kyler looked rusty in the passing game, he was able to contribute on the ground. He racked up 57 rushing yards, including a 29-yard burst. Unfortunately for Arizona, Kyler’s runs and a few odd passes to WR Greg Dortch were just about the only way that they could move the ball. Even a potentially pivotal kick return from DeeJay Dallas wasn’t enough to supplement the offense. The Cardinals are fiesty, but won’t win many games in which Dortch is their leading receiver.
Players of the Game
Josh Allen
The Bills don’t win this game if they don’t have a top-3 quarterback leading their offense. Luckily for Bills Mafia, they have just that in Josh Allen. The way that he can will the Bills to victory in games like this is impressive. With 232 yards through the air and 39 on the ground, he accounted for nearly 300 yards. Still, it is more than the numbers with him; he simply makes big plays in big moments.
Greg Rousseau
Bills DE Greg Rousseau also deserves his flowers after Week 1. As he steps into next week, he sits atop the NFL sack leaderboard after corralling Kyler Murray three times in Sunday’s matchup. One of his sacks was a pivotal strip-sack that gave Buffalo the ball on Arizona’s 21-yard-line. At that point, the game was all tied up at 17. Buffalo converted that field position into a touchdown and proceeded to hang onto the lead for the rest of the contest.
What Does It Mean?
In terms of the Cardinals offense, I won’t take too much out of this performance. As previously mentioned, NFL offenses were down around the league this week. Murray and Harrison Jr.’s chemistry will only improve, and the offense will as well. If anything, this game may have made me like the Cardinals even more, considering that they almost won at Buffalo with nothing out of Marvin Harrison Jr. and TE Trey McBride. They will beat some good teams this season.
As for Buffalo, Week 1 simply confirmed Josh Allen’s prowess in tight games. With him under center, the Bills have a chance (and usually the upperhand) every time they step onto the field. Don’t count them out this season.