The Buffalo Bills have come off the bye with three straight sluggish performances and now two straight losses after blowing their second straight double-digit lead. This time, they collapsed in epic ways, fumbling and throwing away a 33-30 overtime loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
Every Tuesday we’ll go back over the game film and give each position group a game for their Sunday performance alone. While not an exact science, it does help us begin to see where the strengths and weaknesses of the team lay.
So what were the grades for Week 10?
Quarterback: B
I know people may want to give Allen a lower grade than this, but he played through a sprained elbow and put up 414 total yards. He orchestrated a game-tying drive late in the fourth quarter and single-handedly put Buffalo in position for another game-tying field goal in overtime. He also threw a terrible pass to lose the game, threw another red zone interception in the fourth quarter, and botched a snap that could have sealed the win. All of that has to be factored in, but we also have to understand that we’re talking about a small handful of plays in what was otherwise a solid game.
Running backs: B
Devin Singletary scored two rushing touchdowns in the first half, and it looked like the Bills were going to finally be effective running the football. Until they basically stopped running in the second half. Singletary finished with 47 yards on 13 attempts, which added up to 3.8 yards per carry, while James Cook had 22 yards on five carries. Singletary also lost a fumble in Vikings territory as one of the four turnovers the Bills had on the day.
Wide Receivers/ Tight Ends: A
This wide receiver corps was one of my Studs of the Week, in my article on Monday, so I’ll just praise them again here. Gabe Davis finally showed up again, hauling in six catches for 93 yards, including an impressive toe-tapping touchdown. Stefon Diggs also continued to play like a superstar, catching 12 passes for 128 yards while also making a sensational one-handed catch. I still think the Bills need more out of the third receiver spot, but this group delivered when they needed to on Sunday.
Offensive Line: C
Seemingly every week we mention the up-and-down performance of the offensive line. This week they had a pretty solid first half but then seemed to take a step back in the second. They took a few bad holding calls, couldn’t open up any running lanes, and buckled under the pressure from the Vikings’ pass rush. This unit’s inability to consistently create running room is also a major reason that the Bills continue to be unable to establish a running game, which has cost them late in multiple games.
Defensive Line: B
This unit performed much better than I think most people are remembering. The Vikings had scored 23 points before the miraculous last drive that included the Justin Jefferson catch, but much of that damage was done against an overmatched secondary, and this Buffalo front got a crucial goal-line stop before the Josh Allen fumble. They also made a clutch stand in overtime to force a field goal and give their offense a chance.
This unit should have been charged with 23 points while showing up big in the biggest moments. That’s a pretty solid effort. Ed Oliver and Von Miller continue to push the pocket; although, the Buffalo quarterback pressure rate has dropped consistently over the last month, so they need to find the pass rush that was so dominant early in the year.
Bills Linebackers: B
Tremaine Edmunds and Matt Milano were tremendous, as always. However, Edmunds was hurt in the first half and Tyrel Dodson wasn’t really up to the challenge when he filled in. Milano continued to knife his way through blockers for big plays, including two tackles for a loss, but the step down from Edmunds to Dodson was likely a crucial one in the defense’s struggles in the second half.
Secondary: D+
There’s not much you can say here; this unit was the biggest reason the Vikings had a good offensive day. They were just overmatched all game long. Dane Jackson and Christian Benford picked off passes, but they also go roasted repeatedly by Justin Jefferson. KJ Osborn also turned Taron Johnson around on a crucial reception that got Minnesota down to the three-yard line.
Benford also took two really big penalties, and Cam Lewis failed to bat down a 4th-and-18 pass that he got two hands on. Jefferson went on to haul it in and keep the Vikings alive. If Lewis bats the pass down, the game is over and the Bills win without any drama.
This unit needs Tre’Davious White and Jordan Poyer back in a bad way. This team only gives up 14.8 points per game when Poyer plays, as opposed to just under 20 points per game when he misses.
Special Teams: A
Not much to criticize here. Tyler Bass was perfect on all three field goal attempts and extra points, Sam Martinaveraged 50.7 yards per punt, and Duke Johnson had some good returns after being elevated from the practice squad.
Week 10 Team Grade: C+
The Bills continue to shoot themselves in the foot and cost themselves games in the second half. When you haven’t scored a second-half touchdown in three games, you have a real problem. The performance of late has been concerning in that the team hasn’t addressed any of the issues with the run defense and turnovers. They need to make changes soon before dreams of home playoff games slip away.
