A recap of Buffalo’s season opening loss at Baltimore.
The Buffalo Bills Insider Chris Brown recaps the season-opening loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday afternoon. Here is his report.
In a nutshell:
The Baltimore Ravens scored the first 10 points of the game, but it was a defensive struggle after that. Both defenses locked up and confounded the Buffalo and Baltimore offensive units. The Bills had just 92 total net yards of offense at halftime managing just one scoring drive with LeSean McCoy scoring on a one-yard plunge on fourth and goal to make it a field goal game (10-7) en route to the locker room.
Buffalo followed that up with a long opening possession in the third quarter as they had a chance to tie the score at 10 in the third quarter. However, Dan Carpenter missed a 49-yard field goal attempt. Tyrod Taylor and company would find it tough sledding the rest of the way advancing the ball no further than the Baltimore 49-yard line the remainder of the game.
Third down proved to be difficult for the Bills offense as they converted just three of 13 opportunities in the game. Five of their nine possessions went three-and-out. Only three of Buffalo’s nine drives reached Ravens territory.
Buffalo’s defense after giving up 10 points early really clamped down and forced punts and a turnover on downs in the second half on a big 4th-and-1 stop by Jerry Hughes, but in the end it wasn’t enough.
How it went down:
-After both teams punted early, Baltimore got on the scoreboard first with a 50-yard field goal by Justin Tucker to cap a nine-play 59-yard drive (3-0) near the end of the first quarter.
-Joe Flacco found Mike Wallace on a deep post in a mismatch and Wallace went 66 yards to the end zone for 10-0 Ravens lead early in the second quarter.
-Buffalo finally got on the board when LeSean McCoy took a fourth-and-goal from the one in for a touchdown. It finished off a 12-play, 75-yard scoring drive (10-7).
-After a scoreless third quarter Baltimore pushed their lead to six on a 37-yard field goal by Tucker with just under six minutes in regulation (13-7).
Subplots:
-Duke Williams started opposite Corey Graham at safety in place of Aaron Williams, who was dressed and ready to play.
-Preston Brown recorded the first takeaway of the season for Buffalo hopping on a loose ball off an aborted play for a fumble recovery.
-Cordy Glenn left the game just before the Bills scored their first touchdown with an ankle injury and did not return. The left tackle had a previous ankle injury that kept him out of three weeks of preseason action.
-TE Jim Dray was shaken up on the touchdown play and was escorted off the field. His return to the game was questionable. OL Ryan Groy was used as a blocking tight end as a replacement.
-Dan Carpenter missed his first FG attempt of the season from 49 yards out. His kick was wide right preventing the Bills from tying the score at 10 midway through the third quarter.
-Brandon Tate on his first return for Buffalo took it back 21 yards for a Bills drive start on their own 28 in the third quarter.
-With his one-yard touchdown run, LeSean McCoy scored his 60th career touchdown. He is now the third active NFL player with 60 touchdowns, 7,500 rushing yards and 2,500 receiving yards joining Frank Gore, Matt Forte.
-DL Jerel Worthy was injured late in the game. He walked off the field under his own power.
-The Bills were flagged for eight penalties for 89 yards.
Inactives:
QB Cardale Jones, WR Walt Powell, CB Kevon Seymour, RB Jonathan Williams, S Colt Anderson, LB Bryson Albright, C Patrick Lewis
Up next:
The Bills return home on a short week to host the division rival New York Jets in a prime time Thursday night home opener. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:25 pm.