3 Key Takeaways from the Bills vs. Cardinals Week 1 Matchup

Written By Jakob Merkel

Keon Coleman | Buffalo Bills WR
3 Key Takeaways from the Bills vs. Cardinals Week 1 Matchup - The Wandering Buffalo

The Buffalo Bills opened their 2024 season with a dramatic 34-28 victory over the Arizona Cardinals at home. Though the game had its ups and downs, Buffalo pulled through at the end. Here are three important takeaways from the Bills’ performance in Week 1.

1. A Slow Start Exposed Defensive Weaknesses

Buffalo stumbled in the beginning of this game, struggling on both sides of the ball early on. Caridnals quarterback Kyler Murray was able to carve up the Bills’ defense, completing 16 of 19 passes for 130 yards and a touchdown in the first half. The Bills couldn’t generate much pressure, and their tackling left a lot to be desired. As a result, the Cardinals scored on all their first-half drives, putting Buffalo in a tough spot.

While the Bills eventually found their rhythm, the defensive performance in the first half needs improvement moving forward, especially in key areas like pass rush and third-down stops. Let’s hope they aren’t rusty come this Thursday Night against the Miami Dolphins.

2. Josh Allen is Still Elite

Despite some early mistakes, including a fumble on Buffalo’s opening drive, Josh Allen bounced back with a great performance. He finished the game with four total touchdowns—two through the air and two on the ground. Allen’s ability to extend plays and make something happen, like his incredible leap into the end zone for a touchdown, shows why he’s considered one of the league’s best.

With 232 passing yards and another 39 on the ground, Allen proved he’s still at the top of his game. The Bills’ quarterback continues to be the driving force behind their success.

3. Special Teams Struggles Could Be Costly

Buffalo’s special teams unit had a rough day, with two key mistakes that could’ve changed the game. While Kicker Tyler Bass was 6/6 on his FG and XP attempts, he sent a late kickoff out of bounds, giving Arizona an excellent field position at a critical moment. Earlier, the Cardinals managed to return a kickoff for a touchdown, further highlighting Buffalo’s special teams struggles.

While the Bills’ offense and defense picked up the slack, cleaning up these special teams errors will be crucial in future games if Buffalo wants to avoid close calls like this one.

Overall, Buffalo’s resiliency and strong second-half performance were enough to overcome early struggles and start the season on a high note. However, there’s room for improvement on both sides of the ball, especially in the defensive and special teams departments.

Jakob Merkel https://www.jakobmerkel.com/
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