The Week 4 game was a streak breaker for the Buffalo Bills, who are coming off their first loss of the season. Unable to contain the Baltimore Ravens’ rushing attack, the Bills suffered a blowout as the final score was 35-10.
Derrick Henry ran for an 87-yard touchdown on the Ravens’ first offensive snap; It was a sign that things weren’t going well for the Bills throughout the night. During the second quarter, Henry found the end zone again while Lamar Jackson connected with Justice Hill for the Ravens’ third touchdown before halftime.
The Bills only found the end zone once, thanks to running back Ty Johnson. Johnson capped a four-play, 60-yard drive that included a 52-yard toss from Josh Allen to Khalil Shakir. Buffalo would then continue to take damage, as the Ravens scored two more touchdowns throughout the second half.
In other words, it was a night to forget for Sean McDermott’s team. While the defensive unit has shown promise over the past two weeks, its lack of strength was exposed on Sunday. The Bills allowed a total of 427 yards to the opponent, including 271 on the ground. Whether it was Henry’s runs or the Jackson-Hill connection, Baltimore has continually found a way to advance the football.
On offense, there were instances where it looked like Buffalo would find the momentum for a comeback. However, the majority of the game was difficult to watch for the Bills Mafia. The team went 3-of-13 on third-down conversions. Josh Allen’s pass catchers struggled to create separation from the Ravens secondary. The Bills’ O-line also struggled, leading Allen — who was sacked three times — to scramble and throw desperation spurts on several occasions. Oh, and there was that botched trick play that resulted in a fumble.
Is it time to press the panic button now? Luckily for Bills fans, the answer is no. Sunday’s game may have been brutal, but there’s a reason the team could get back on track.
Terrel Bernard and Taron Johnson are on their way to full recovery
While it’s easy to point the finger at the defense, fans need to remember that they are very depleted right now. Entering the Week 4 game, the Bills were without three key starters: Terrel Bernard (LB), Taron Johnson (CB), and Matt Milano (LB). Milano required surgery in August after suffering a torn biceps in training. He is ruled out indefinitely, with no specific date yet for his return.
Bernard (pectoral strain) and Johnson (forearm fracture) could, however, be in action this weekend. Both were limited participants at the team’s practice Thursday, which is progress considering Bernard was the only one of the two to practice last week. Of course, that doesn’t guarantee they’ll get the nod for the next game, but a glimmer of hope shines in the form that McDermott isn’t putting them away just yet. Over the past two weeks, the head coach had excluded them during his media availability sessions earlier this week, according to Kyle Silagyi of Sports Illustrated.
Last season was Bernard’s breakout year; The linebacker tallied 143 combined tackles (84 solo), nine QB hits, 6.5 sacks, five passes defended and three interceptions in 17 regular season games. Johnson, likewise, was also notable, earning his first All-Pro recognition following a 98-tackle campaign in which he also added eight passes defended and three forced fumbles. This season, Bernard was injured in Week 2 while Johnson was left with his ordeal seven times in the Bills’ season opener.
The return of both elite players is essential considering how their starting backups, Baylon Spector and Cam Lewis, struggled mightily against Baltimore.
Nevertheless, week 5 will still be a challenge
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The Bills’ next game against the Houston Texans is sure to be fireworks. Josh Allen vs. CJ Stroud. Steffon Diggs’ first game against his former team. This is bound to be a fight between two teams that lead their respective AFC divisions.
However, Buffalo enters Week 5 with additional injuries. Receiver Khalil Shakir (ankle) and safety Taylor Rapp (concussion) have not yet practiced after being injured against the Ravens, according to the official team injury report. Shakir is tasked with being the Bills’ best passer this year, so his plausible absence on Sunday is more than concerning. That leaves Keon Coleman – a rookie – as WR1 if ever. As for Rapp, the secondary is already depleted and losing a player of his caliber hurts even more. Mike Edwards might want to prepare because there’s a good chance he’ll get the starting call.
Even in the scenario in which Bernard and Johnson are allowed to play, the “next man up” motto could continue to be a battle cry for the Bills this weekend.
