By Nick Wojton / Billswire.usatoday.com
Back to reality.
The Buffalo Bills have completed the first quarter of the 2018 NFL season and they fell to 1-3 following a 22-0 shutout loss to the Green Bay Packers.
The Bills, fresh off a 27-6 upset of the Minnesota Vikings, reverted back to the team they appeared to be following the first two games of the season.
With that, here are five takeaways from the Bills loss to the Packers:
Tough rookie day
Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen made the difference for the Bills against the Vikings. Against the Packers, he didn’t do much right. Allen’s offensive line allowed him to be sacked seven times on the day. Allen also appeared to hold onto the ball a bit too long at times and when he did get rid of it, he didn’t look very accurate.
In the first brutal play of his career, Allen tossed up an ugly interception to Jaire Alexander, the Bills could have had a look at a field goal just before half. Perhaps even a momentum changer of sorts. Instead, disaster. With only second remaining, the Packers added a field goal of their own. Allen also added another pick and a questionable lost fumble. Overall, he was 16-for-33 passing for 151 yards.
Third down woes
The difference maker between the Bills and Packers, in a team sense, was on third down. Against a dominate quarterback in Aaron Rodgers, the Bills defense had to get off the field when the opportunity came around. Instead, Green Bay went 11-for-19 on third down. Heading into the day, the Packers averaged the longest third-down length in the league at an average of 9.9 yards. Third-and-longs didn’t slow down the Pack against the Bills.
But the woes went over to the offensive side of the ball, too. A mere 3-for-16 on third down attempts for Buffalo’s offense. That kept Rodgers and the Packers’ offense on the field far too much.
Slow starts
When the Bills won their lone game of the season so far, Buffalo started hot. Against the Vikings, the Bills had 17 first quarter points. In all three losses, Buffalo has started slow. Very slow.
In Weeks 1 and 2, the Bills allowed 14 first quarter points to the Ravens and Chargers, respectively. Against Green Bay, Buffalo allowed six points in the first quarter, then only four minutes into the second quarter, the Packers notched another touchdown. A late field goal in the first half put the score at 16-0.
The Bills don’t have the talent in 2018 to play from behind and more often than not, head coach Sean McDermott hasn’t had his team ready to play in games this season.
No sweat for Rodgers
It was no surprise that Rodgers started for the Packers. However, he wasn’t 100-percent by any means. After putting pressure on Minnesota quarterback Kirk Cousins throughout the game last week, Buffalo was not up to the test against Green Bay. In total, Rodgers was only brought down two times and overall, he wasn’t pressed much.
Far too often throughout the game, Buffalo’s defense let Rodgers stand in the pocket and either find an open target, or allow him to scramble on one health leg, as Rodgers had huge holes to run to. He essentially had a 300-yard game against the Bills, as Rodgers tossed 298 on 22-for-40 passing with a touchdown and interception.
Turnover battle lost
The Bills had to force turnovers and not give any up against the Packers. The extra attempts against the Vikings went the distance in Week 3. The lack of them went the distance for the Packers. Buffalo did have one interception by Jordan Poyer on a pass tipped by Tremaine Edmunds and a forced fumble by Taron Johnson, but it could’ve been far more. Ryan Lewis and Tre’Davious White dropped interceptions. Defensive end Nate Orchard was late getting to a loose fumble.
Then on offense, Allen tossed two interceptions and coughed up a fumble. Too many extra chances given to an offense led by one of the best quarterbacks of all-time. Not a recipe for success.