By Clint Brooks / Billswire.usatoday.com
In Week 2, the Los Angeles Chargers (1-1) spoiled the debut of the Josh Allen era when they comfortably handed the Bills (0-2) a 31-20 loss at New Era Field.
Through 30 minutes of action, Buffalo was vastly outplayed on both sides of the ball, subsequently trailing the Chargers 28-6 by halftime. The Los Angeles offense experienced very little resistance from the Bills’ defense as quarterback Phillip Rivers was wheeling and dealing, connecting with receiver after receiver, and methodically conducting scoring drive after scoring drive, blowing the doors off what’s supposed to be a fundamentally sound, bend but don’t break defense.
While cornerback Vontae Davis’ unexpected halftime retirement grasped most of the attention post game, another development that went under the radar was the transition in defensive play calling. Defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier was stripped of his play calling duties as head coach Sean McDermott seized control of the defense.
The result? Buffalo thwarted the Chargers’ offense in the second half, allowing only four first downs and a total of three points as kicker Caleb Sturgis connected on a 24-yard field goal. The Bills would go on to outscore Los Angeles 14-3 in the second half, but the hole they dug themselves in the first half was too insurmountable to comeback from.
During McDermott’s press conference on Wednesday, he was inquired on who’ll exactly be in command of the defense against the Minnesota Vikings, and he stressed that Frazier and himself will continue to have a collaborative effort on play calling moving forward.
“Leslie [Frazier] and I are going to continue to work on that together, just like we do with everything like we’ve done to this point.” McDermott said. “It will be a team effort; that’s why we have a staff, and I believe a good staff.”
McDermott’s takeover provided a spark to a reeling Buffalo defense that surrendered 47 points to the Baltimore Ravens and 28 points to the Chargers just before he overruled Frazier’s play calling privileges.
When asked if the prioritization of play calling would impact his game management skills, McDermott reiterated he has faith and trust in his entire staff to remain balanced and on schedule.
“Yeah, I mean, again, if I end up calling it, I’ve got a good staff, I’ve got eyes in the booth that I rely on. I’ve got Coach [Danny] Crossman from a special teams standpoint. We’re pretty balanced in that regard, but again, that’s why they call it a team. I’ve got a good staff.” McDermott said. “We’re going to put our players in a position to successful.”
With the substantial improvement in play and competitiveness on defense during the second half against Los Angeles, it’s logical to believe the Bills’ defensive play calling will be better off under the guidance of McDermott. Through his 19 games as the headman of Buffalo’s sideline, this was the first time McDermott started calling plays. The sudden alteration in play calling led many to believe that McDermott’s overriding his defensive staff, but he quickly shot down the possibility he’s neglecting Frazier and his abilities as a coordinator while validating his presence and value to the locker room.
“No. Leslie is well respected around the league, well respected in our locker room.” McDermott said. “Again, we’re going to work on this thing together, that’s what we’re going to do. [We’re going to] put our players and team in a place to be successful. That’s my approach. That’s been my approach from day one, and it will continue to be my approach.”
With a monstrous matchup slated with the Vikings in Week 3, will McDermott permanently call plays on Sunday? Or will he continue to entrust Frazier with the keys on defense? According to McDermott, after all, it will continue to be a team effort, but time will only tell if that is the case.