By Kyle Silagyi / Billswire.usatoday.com
If you turned your television off after the third quarter, you may want to sit down, as this may come as a bit of a shock.
The Buffalo Bills won their 2019 season opener against the New York Jets, overcoming a lifeless first-half to defeat their AFC East rival by a score of 17-16.
It wasn’t pretty, but that doesn’t matter, as the 1-0 record looks beautiful.
Here are five takeaways from Buffalo’s come-from-behind victory.
There’s a culture
At the end of the third quarter, the game appeared to be over.
The Bills were down 16-3. The offense had looked lifeless throughout the majority of the game.
Buffalo failed to get into the vicinity of the end zone throughout the first three quarters. Why would the team miraculously score twice in the final frame?
Because there’s a culture.
The offense looked past its early struggles and exploded for 14 points in the fourth quarter. The defense stood strong and prevented the Jets from adding to their score in the fourth, allowing the team to sneak out of MetLife Stadium with the victory.
Down 13 points entering the final quarter, a lot of teams would’ve given up.
But not the Bills.
They showcased resiliency, proving that the culture the team’s front office so often references actually exists. Even when there was just a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel, Buffalo found a way to win.
The teams that aren’t afraid to grind out victories are often the teams that are most terrifying.
Turnover troubles
Head coach Sean McDermott preaches the importance of ball security whenever the opportunity arises.
Perhaps that’s why fans were shocked to see the Bills turn the ball over four times in the first half.
Josh Allen was credited with all four first-half turnovers, including a pick-six to linebacker C.J. Mosely in the first quarter. He fumbled the ball twice and threw a second interception to Neville Hewitt, with four out of Buffalo’s first six drives ending with turnovers.
The blame cannot be pinned on Allen alone. Both of his first-half interceptions came off deflections, and his second fumble was caused by a poor snap.
But the ball still changed hands.
A team cannot turn the ball over four times in one game – let alone a single half – and expect to be competitive. Somehow, the Bills found a way to overcome its turnover troubles and leave East Rutherford with a victory.
Let’s just hope they don’t make a habit out of it.
Defense lives up to the hype
Buffalo’s defense finished the 2018 season ranked second in total yardage, and it looks as though the unit is set to match that proficiency in 2019.
The group played well in the season opener, particularly shining in the first half. The defense kept Sam Darnold and company out of the end zone, not allowing the New York offense to score any points off turnovers.
Though the unit did allow a touchdown in the second half, it looked stout as a whole, keeping the Bills in the game until the offense finally awoke in the fourth quarter
Buffalo kept the Jets to 223 net yards, holding star running back Le’Veon Bell to just 60 yards on the ground. The pass rush showed life, tallying four sacks and nine quarterback hits.
Had the defense faltered whatsoever, the Bills would not have won their Week 1 contest. The consistent excellence of the unit is what allowed Buffalo to construct its comeback.
The offense is still a work in progress
It’s incredibly difficult to evaluate the offense’s Week 1 performance.
For much of the game, it looked inept. Josh Allen struggled. The team failed to get anything going on the ground. Questionable play-calling was matched with lackluster execution.
But this was overshadowed with a 14-point fourth quarter that successfully put the team over the finish line.
“Promising” is perhaps the word that best describes the outing, but the offense is still far from a finished product. Cole Beasley and John Brown appear to gel with Allen, as they caught five and seven passes, respectively. Brown even tallied his first touchdown as a Bill in the game, a 38-yard reception that gave Buffalo the late lead.
The offensive line played well, as did the backfield when the team started to get the ball into its running backs’ hands.
The offense followed up an awful first half with a competent second half, and ultimately, that was enough to win. Still, some more consistency wouldn’t hurt.
Devin Singletary has arrived
Replacing LeSean McCoy would be a tall task for any running back. It’s seemingly a near-impossible task for a rookie ballcarrier.
Emphasis on “near.”
Devin Singletary played well in his NFL debut, picking up 70 yards on four second-half carries. Buffalo also got the 22-year-old involved in the passing game, as he caught five passes for 28 yards.
He showcased the agility and shiftiness that general manager Brandon Beane fell in love with in the pre-draft process. The team’s offense as a whole did not wake up until Singletary started to pick up yardage in the second half.
Given his proficiency in his debut, don’t be surprised if Singletary receives more snaps in the coming weeks.