Tennessee Titans vs. Buffalo Bills Week 7 Recap: A Tale of Two Halves

Keon Coleman, Buffalo Bills WR
Tennessee Titans vs. Buffalo Bills Week 7 Recap: A Tale of Two Halves - The Wandering Buffalo

The Buffalo Bills managed to come out on top in a Week 7 showdown against the Tennessee Titans, but it wasn’t without its fair share of drama, struggles, and clutch moments. The game was a tale of two halves, where a flat first-half performance by the Bills nearly cost them the game, but a resilient second-half effort turned things around. Let’s dive into the rollercoaster that was Bills vs. Titans, where stars emerged, the defense shone when it mattered most, and Buffalo walked away with a victory in Josh Allen’s 100th start.

A Slow Start

The game began in a frustrating manner for the Bills. The offense came out sluggish, lacking rhythm and struggling to find any consistency. It was clear from the very first play that this wouldn’t be a straightforward win. Amari Cooper, who was making his debut as a Bill, dropped his first target, adding to the team’s early woes.

On special teams, however, one player was making his mark. Mack Hollins, the Bills’ gunner, drew two flags on punts, showcasing his incredible ability to impact the game with his hustle and effort. Hollins has solidified himself as one of the best gunners in the NFL, playing a crucial role in Buffalo’s special teams unit.

On the defensive side, Gregory Rousseau started the game strong, pressuring the Titans’ quarterback Mason Rudolph in the first quarter. Rousseau’s presence was felt early, and it appeared the Bills defense might have a good day ahead. But after the second drive, things began to unravel for Buffalo.

Tight Ends Creating Problems

One of the biggest issues in the first half for the Bills was their inability to stop the Titans’ tight ends. At one point, 6 of Rudolph’s 11 completions had gone to the tight end room. Buffalo’s defense, particularly their linebackers and safeties, were getting picked apart by Tennessee’s short-to-intermediate passing attack. It felt like every time the Titans needed a play, they could rely on their tight ends to move the chains.

A Glimmer of Hope

Despite their struggles, the Bills managed to claw back into the game thanks to a broken coverage that led to a big play from rookie wide receiver Keon Coleman. The 44-yard pass caught the Titans defense sleeping, and it set up a short James Cook rushing touchdown, closing the gap to 7-10.

Just when it seemed like the Bills might be gaining momentum, disaster struck. Buffalo fumbled the ball, killing any chance of taking the lead before halftime. Adding insult to injury, the Bills’ special teams nearly allowed a punt block, resulting in a weak 28-yard punt. Buffalo limped into halftime, lucky to be down only 10-7 after a terrible half of football.

A Game-Changing 2nd Half

Whatever was said in the locker room at halftime worked wonders because the Bills came out with renewed energy and purpose. The first game-changing play came on defense, where Rapp and Carter made a HUGE 4th down stop, flipping the momentum in Buffalo’s favor. That stop felt like the turning point the Bills desperately needed.

Kincaid and Cooper Step Up

Offensively, the Bills found their rhythm, led by two standout plays. The first came from tight end Dalton Kincaid, who made a spectacular over-the-shoulder catch. Kincaid’s ability to stretch the field vertically added a new dimension to Buffalo’s offense.

But the real headline came from Amari Cooper. After his earlier drop, Cooper redeemed himself in a big way, catching his first touchdown as a Buffalo Bill. Cooper’s TD was particularly impressive because it appears he didn’t even know the exact route after Josh Allen audibled at the line of scrimmage. It didn’t matter, though—COOOOOOOP was heard loud and clear across the stadium as Cooper celebrated his score.

Looks like Amari Cooper didn’t know the audible when Josh Allen checked the play. He looks to Keon Coleman who either tells him what to do or he makes it up 😂 TOUCHDOWN! pic.twitter.com/8jnXw1e4sQ

— Josh Allen Stats (@JoshAllenStats) October 20, 2024

Gregory Rousseau Dominates

While the offense was clicking, the defense was on another level. Gregory Rousseau was a one-man wrecking crew, registering five QB hits, tying him with the likes of Micah Parsons, Aidan Hutchinson, and Logan Hall for the most by any player in a game this season. But Rousseau wasn’t done yet—he would go on to record a sixth QB hit, setting a new mark for the most in a single game this year.

Rousseau’s dominance up front made life miserable for Mason Rudolph, who struggled to get anything going in the second half. Buffalo’s defensive line was relentless, collapsing the pocket and forcing hurried throws, effectively neutralizing the Titans’ offense.

Keon Coleman Shines

While Rousseau was wreaking havoc on defense, Keon Coleman was making a name for himself on offense. Coleman had one of the best “catches” of the game—a dazzling, acrobatic grab in the end zone that had fans buzzing. Unfortunately, after review, the play was ruled incomplete as Coleman slightly bobbled the ball. Even though it didn’t count, Coleman’s effort was remarkable and showed his potential to become a reliable down field target for JA17.

The rookie wideout wasn’t done, though. He continued to torch the Titans’ secondary, finishing the game with four catches for 124 yards. This was the first 100-yard game by a WR this year for the Bills, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. Coleman’s ability to stretch the field and create big plays was instrumental in Buffalo’s second-half surge.

Defensive Dominance Seals the Win

As impressive as the offense was in the second half, the Bills’ defense deserves just as much credit. After a shaky first half, they locked down the Titans, allowing just 66 total yards in the second half. The linebackers and secondary tightened up, no longer allowing easy completions to the Titans’ tight ends, and the pass rush, led by Rousseau, was relentless.

Buffalo’s defense forced several three-and-outs, giving the offense plenty of opportunities to build their lead. By the time the clock hit zero, the Bills had not only secured the win but had also made a statement with their second-half performance.

A Win in Josh Allen’s 100th Start

This was not a pretty win by any means, but it was a gutsy one. The Bills started flat, were plagued by mistakes, and looked like a team on the ropes heading into halftime. But, in classic Buffalo fashion, they fought back with grit and determination.

Josh Allen’s 100th start will be remembered not just for the milestone, but for the resilience the team showed in securing the win. Amari Cooper and Keon Coleman stepped up on offense, Gregory Rousseau dominated on defense, and the Bills showed why they are one of the most dangerous teams in the league when they’re firing on all cylinders.

Buffalo’s ability to adjust at halftime and shut down the Titans in the second half was a testament to their coaching staff and the players’ ability to execute. While there are still plenty of things to clean up, particularly on special teams and early-game execution, this win will give the Bills plenty of momentum as they move forward in the season.

Final Score: Buffalo Bills 34, Tennessee Titans 10

The Bills improve to 5-2 on the season and will look to build on this victory as they head into a tough stretch of their schedule.

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