The Buffalo Bills faced the Miami Dolphins in Miami for their week two matchup. Miami had some fans in attendance, which won’t be the case for most Bills games this season. However, they still managed to win off a tremendous performance from quarterback Josh Allen and wide receiver Stefon Diggs. Buffalo’s rushing offense and overall defense struggled a bit in this game, but the team played well together and were able to secure a victory on the road. They have their biggest challenge to this point coming up in week three against the undefeated Los Angeles Rams. The Rams have a talented offense and a defense loaded with stars. With week two finished and week three coming soon, here are four takeaways from the Buffalo Bills’ week two matchup.
Four Takeaways From The Buffalo Bills’ Week Two Matchup
1. Josh Allen Proves He Has Improved as a Passer
Josh Allen added to his impressive week one performance with an even better performance in week two. Allen had his first career 400-yard passing game one week after earning his first career 300-yard passing game. Allen has a great history against the Miami Dolphins and continued that this week. Allen had three receivers eclipse 70 receiving yards and had 153 yards passing to just Stefon Diggs. Allen had zero turnovers in this game and has still yet to throw an interception. Allen now has seven total touchdowns and two turnovers through two games. He is also currently leading the NFL in passing yards after two weeks.
This is incredible production from Allen that is truly unexpected. Allen is also eighth in completion percentage which is the biggest improvement through these first two weeks of the NFL season. Allen’s accuracy has been questioned his entire career, but he is currently passing more efficiently than most quarterbacks including Aaron Rodgers and Kyler Murray. This also comes with a fifth-most 81 pass attempts. Allen is playing great to start 2020 and if he continues to play at this level Buffalo will be a true contender in this season’s playoffs.
2. Buffalo Validated the Stefon Diggs Trade
It has only been two weeks with Stefon Diggs in the Bills’ lineup, but he has already done enough to say he has delivered on the promise of a number one wide receiver. Diggs followed his eight receptions and 86-yard debut with an incredible eight receptions and 153-yard performance. He also scored his first touchdown as a Buffalo Bill in this week two matchup. Diggs is tied for first place in receiving yards in the NFL through the first two weeks with Atlanta Falcons receiver Calvin Ridley. This is a level of production that has not been seen in Buffalo in a long time.
Last season, fellow Bills receiver John Brown had the best receiving season in Buffalo since Sammy Watkins in 2015. Now, Diggs is on pace for an even better season. He has also helped Josh Allen earn his first 300 and 400-yard passing games of his career and has Allen sitting in first place for passing yards in the NFL through week two. If Diggs can continue to produce at this level for the rest of the season, the Bills could emerge as a true top passing offense in the NFL. This is something that Buffalo hasn’t had in several seasons.
3. Edmunds and Milano’s Impact is Key to Buffalo’s Defense
Starting linebackers Tremaine Edmunds and Matt Milano missed this week against Miami with injuries and the Bills’ defense suffered as a result. The front seven showed its missing leadership with poor adjustments against the run and the lack of overall pressure opened the Dolphins’ passing game. The secondary felt exposed at times as the zone coverage was gashed by Miami when Buffalo failed to get pressure on Ryan Fitzpatrick. Buffalo needs Edmunds in the lineup to command the defense and help identify things on the offense for his fellow defenders. Milano’s ability to stop the run is also noticeably absent and will be needed to defend the committee of running backs on the Los Angeles Rams in week three.
4. Potential Issue at Second Cornerback Spot
Buffalo’s secondary had moments of weakness against the Dolphins’ passing offense this week. DeVante Parker had five receptions and 53 yards against Buffalo’s secondary with his primary defender being Levi Wallace. Parker also had a touchdown in the game adding to Wallace’s struggles in the game. Star cornerback Tre’Davious White even allowed an impressive catch from Dolphins receiver Preston Williams. Otherwise, it was another great game for White. Buffalo will hope that Josh Norman can get healthy and fix their issues at cornerback, but if not, Buffalo may need to address the issue via trade prior to this season’s deadline if they find themselves as the contenders they are expected to be.
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