ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — There’s no doubt that the addition of Amari Cooper instantly improved the Buffalo Bills.
Cooper was limited to 19 snaps Sunday, five days after being acquired from Cleveland. Still, he filled a major hole in Buffalo’s patchwork wide receiver group by attracting the attention of the Tennessee Titans and opening up passing lanes for himself and others.
Buffalo won 34-10 and Cooper finished with four catches for 66 yards and a touchdown. The 30-year-old’s impact was evident in the Bills’ overall production. Keon Coleman’s 125 receiving yards were the most for a Buffalo rookie since Sammy Watkins had 127 in 2014. And Josh Allen threw for 323 yards after averaging 193 through his first six games.
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As encouraging as that may be, eliminating a flawed opponent in October shouldn’t be a measuring stick for the AFC East leaders, who still have plenty of room to improve if they hope to make the playoffs in January .
Slow starts remain a problem. Buffalo recovered from a 10-0 deficit and came away with a first half in which the offense gained 90 yards and three first downs while going 0 for 5 on third down.
The Bills overcame a 17-3 deficit in their season-opening 34-28 victory over Arizona. But that’s not a sustainable formula for success, as evidenced by losses to Baltimore and Houston in which Buffalo fell behind early.
These two losses should prevent anyone from assuming that the Bills (5-2) are one of the best teams in the NFL, even though they have a big lead in their weak division. Buffalo’s wins have come against teams with a combined record of 9-23.
This weekend, they’ll face a winning opponent as they travel across the country to take on NFC West leader Seattle (4-3). Buffalo also has Indianapolis (4-3), Detroit (5-1), San Francisco (3-4) and playoff nemesis Kansas City (6-0) on the schedule.
This remains a retooling year for the Bills, who are leaning heavily on Allen to lead a team full of young players and journeymen.
Allen has done his part, having yet to throw an interception.
And Buffalo rookies such as Coleman, running back Ray Davis and defensive tackle DeWayne Carter are showing their potential. Carter changed the game Sunday by stuffing Titans running back Tony Pollard for a 3-yard loss on fourth down to open the third quarter, allowing Cooper to score the go-ahead touchdown six plays later.
But the Bills are depending on Allen staying healthy, Cooper adding a new dimension to the offense and Von Miller and linebacker Matt Milano returning. Miller is eligible to return next week after serving a four-game suspension imposed by the NFL. Milan could be back as early as December after being sidelined in August with a torn left bicep.
The challenges ahead were not lost on coach Sean McDermott after the win over Tennessee, when he closed his news conference by saying, “Remain humble. Get back to work and do our job.
What works
Halftime adjustments. After being held to 65 passing yards in the first half, Allen threw for 258 in the second half, a career-high for the seventh-year starter in the final 30 minutes. The defense, meanwhile, held Tennessee to 72 yards and five first downs in the second half.
What needs help
Third drop conversions. Buffalo went 3 of 10 on third down, marking the fifth time this season the offense has converted 33 percent or fewer of its opportunities. Bills have only been held at 33% or lower five times between 2021 and 2023.
Store
BY Greg Rousseau. The fifth-year player had five tackles, including a half-sack, and was credited with a season-best six quarterback hits.
Stock falling
WR Mack Hollins. Cooper’s arrival should hurt Hollins’ playing time.
Injuries
LB Terrell Bernard did not return after injuring his right knee, and WR Curtis Samuel was sidelined in the first quarter with a shoulder injury.
Key figures
23-2 — Bills’ record against quarterbacks with 16 or fewer starts since 2019. Mason Rudolph took the loss on Sunday.
Next steps
A trip to Seattle, where the Bills have won two of their last three visits but are 3-6 overall.
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