Buffalo Bills wide receiver Amari Cooper, 18, runs with the ball during the second half of a game against the Tennessee Titans at Orchard Park on Sunday. AP photo
ORCHARD PARK — There’s little doubt that the addition of Amari Cooper instantly made the Buffalo Bills better.
Cooper was limited to 19 snaps Sunday, five days after being acquired from Cleveland. Still, he caught the attention of the Tennessee Titans and filled a big hole in Buffalo’s patchwork receiver group by opening up passing lanes for himself and others.
Buffalo won 34-10, and Cooper had four catches for 66 yards and a touchdown. The 30-year-old’s influence was evident in the Bills’ overall production. Keon Coleman’s 125 yards receiving was the most by a Buffalo rookie since Sammy Watkins’ 127 yards in 2014. Josh Allen averaged 193 yards and threw for 323 yards in the first six games.
That may be encouraging, but defeating a flawed opponent in October shouldn’t be the measuring stick for the AFC East’s leaders. They still have a lot of things to improve if they want to make the playoffs in January.
Slow starting is still an issue. Buffalo rallied from a 10-0 deficit, with its offense gaining 90 yards and three first downs, going 0-for-5 on third down in the first half.
The Bills overcame a 17-3 deficit in the season opener with a 34-28 win over Arizona. But that’s not a sustainable formula for success, as evidenced by losses in Baltimore and Houston, where Buffalo fell behind early.
With those two losses, no one would think the Bills (5-2) are one of the top teams in the NFL, even if they hold a big lead in a weak division. Buffalo’s victory came against a team with a combined record of 9-23.
This weekend, they will travel across the country to take on NFC West leader Seattle (4-3), and face whoever wins. Buffalo’s schedule also includes Indianapolis (4-3), Detroit (5-1), San Francisco (3-4) and playoff foe Kansas City (6-0).
This year remains a rebuilding year for the Bills, who rely heavily on Allen to lead a young and skilled team.
Allen hasn’t thrown an interception yet, but he did his part.
And Buffalo’s rookies like Coleman, running back Ray Davis and defensive tackle Dwayne Carter are showing potential. Carter made a game-changing play on Sunday when he hit Titans running back Tony Pollard for a 3-yard loss on fourth down to start the third quarter, and Cooper scored the winning touchdown six plays later.
But the Bills are relying on Allen to stay healthy, Cooper to add another dimension to the offense and Von Miller and linebacker Matt Milano to return. Miller will be eligible to return next week after serving a four-game suspension from the NFL. Milano was sidelined in August with a torn left biceps muscle, but could return as early as December.
After the win over Tennessee, coach Sean McDermott, not daunted by the challenges ahead, concluded his press conference with the following: Get back to work and do our job. ”
what is working
Halftime adjustments. After being limited to 65 passing yards in the first half, he threw for 258 yards in the final 30 minutes of the second half, a career-high for the seventh-year starter. Meanwhile, the defense limited Tennessee to 72 yards and five first downs in the second half.
things that need help
Third down conversion. Buffalo went 3-of-10 on third down, marking the fifth time this season the offense converted on less than 33% of its chances. The bill was held below 33% only five times from 2021 to 2023.
Stock up
DE Greg Rousseau. The fifth-year player participated in five tackles, including a half-sack, and had a season-high six hits at quarterback.
Out of stock
WR Mack Hollins. With the addition of Cooper, Hollins’ playing time is expected to decrease.
injury
LB Terrell Bernard injured his right knee and did not return, and WR Curtis Samuel was sidelined in the first quarter with a shoulder injury.
key number
23-2 — Bills record against quarterbacks who started 16 games or fewer since 2019. Mason Rudolph took the loss Sunday.
next step
On the road to Seattle, the Bills have won two of their last three visits but are 3-6 overall.
