Ryan took full responsibly for the decision all week leading up to Sunday’s game. And that doesn’t include starting defensive tackle Marcell Dareus, who is suspended for the first four games of the season for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy, or defensive end Shaq Lawson (offseason shoulder surgery) and linebacker Reggie Ragland (torn knee in training camp).
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“You start off 0-2 and you’re going to be questioned about everything”, Ryan said. “And it was like frozen over, so I didn’t even get a good view”.
On the other side, you have to consider Watkins’ long-term health – at least for more than just one week. Buffalo showed up ready to play and grabbed a 17-0 lead. Opposing defenses have been able to get to Carson Palmer through the first two weeks of the season, and Humphries has been a big reason for it. This was McCoy’s first game over 100 yards this season, and first over 60 yards. “Definitely different than the second one”.
Taylor’s 49-yard run was the longest by a quarterback in team history and he also scored on a 20-yard run. While Arizona did score a touchdown on its ensuing possession, Buffalo still leads 30-13.
Wentz, the No. 2 pick in this year’s draft, connected with Darren Sproles on a 73-yard catch-and-run TD and tossed a 12-yard TD pass to Jordan Matthews. Buffalo’s defense forced a three-and-out and the resulting Bills possession was a six-play, 57-yard touchdown drive in which McCoy deftly evaded a tackler on the left sideline for a 5-yard score. The only two weak links they have are at right guard and right tackle on the offensive line.
The Cardinals receiver extended the NFL’s longest active reception streak to 182 consecutive games with a 3-yard catch on a crossing pattern midway through the first quarter.
Arizona running back David Johnson had 83 yards rushing and scored on 4- and 22-yard runs.
The second half was much of the same for the Bills as there well-rounded attack was relentless against Arizona.
An all around performance in the first half for the Bills, they seemingly outplayed the Cardinals in all facets of the game. The Bills can take pressure off Taylor by getting McCoy going.
But it wouldn’t matter moments later.
Just when it looked like Arizona would get back in it, a high snap by Kameron Canaday that gimpy holder Drew Butler couldn’t hold on to was grabbed by Buffalo’s Aaron Williams and returned for a touchdown. Corey Graham picked up an interception earlier in the game, while Corey White made the fourth interception on the Cardinals’ final drive. With that game in mind, and the potential takeover by Jerry Hughes, I think this game is going to be close… really close – especially with it being at New Era Field and the motivation the Bills have to prove everyone wrong.
From there, it all went downhill for Arizona. Carson Palmer could not get into a rhythm all game long, throwing all four of his interceptions down the stretch.
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“We’re not rushing around like the building’s on fire”, Incognito said. The first quarter had both defenses playing well early with the Bills scoring first with a 19-yard field goal by Dan Carpenter.
