By TYLER HATHAWAY
After what can be called a disappointing performance by many in a Week 1 loss against the New York Jets, Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills offense executed to perfection, resulting in a multitude of lengthy drives that helped propel Buffalo (1-1) to a 38-10 win over the Las Vegas Raiders (1-1). The Bills held the ball for over 40 minutes of game time, including two second half touchdown drives that took nine minutes and seven and a half minutes off the clock respectively.
“Well that is the greatest defense there is,” said head coach Sean McDermott. “When our offense is controlling the clock and controlling the game, starting at the line of scrimmage. When the offense can keep the other offense on the sideline that’s the best defense you got.”
Allen totaled 274 passing yards and threw for three touchdowns, touting a completion rates of 83.7 percent. This come’s after last week’s performance where he turned the ball over a career-high four times.
“I love feeling how I felt last week, I really do,” said Allen. “It forces us to be better, and I wanna be the best I can be at playing this game and being the best quarterback I can for the Buffalo Bills. I take the bad with the good, and I’m just trying to let it fuel me to my benefit.”
Second-year back James Cook had his best day as a pro, rushing for a career high 123 yards on 17 carries while also catching four passes for 36 yards.
“I was hungry,” said Cook. “Kudos to my O-line, they blocked great and opened up lanes for us and we hit it.“
The defense was just as effective for Buffalo. After giving up a touchdown drive on the opening series, the Bills held LV to only three points and forced three turnovers the rest of the game. Raiders RB Josh Jacobs, the NFL’s leading rusher a year ago, was held to -2 yards on nine carries. It’s the first time since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970 that a defending rushing champion was held to negative yards in a game.
“Great overall win for the organization and the fans,” said McDermott. “I thought it was balanced in all three phases, everyone chipped in. We took care of the football and took the football away. Good to get a win and all the preparation all week helped get us here.”
Latavius Murray and Damien Harris each found the end zone for their first time as Bills, with Murray scoring in the first and Harris in the second. Dawson Knox, Gabe Davis, and Khalil Shakir each caught touchdowns, with Davis leading the Bills in receiving with six catches for 92 yards.
“It was just us getting back to who we feel like we are,” said Allen. “Guys went out there and executed.”
Buffalo travels to Washington to face the Commanders (2-0) in Week 3.
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