The Buffalo Bills can hardly afford any setbacks in a crowded AFC East division. After defeating the Miami Dolphins last week in their most impressive victory of the season, Buffalo took another step back Sunday morning in London, losing to the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jags made the postseason last season and are fighting for the AFC South, as well, so this was an important game for both sides.
The Jags featured a balanced offensive approach, which in the end was far too much for the Bills to handle. Jacksonville threw the ball for 315 yards thanks to Trevor Lawrence, and had nearly 200 yards on the ground, including 136 by Travis Etienne.
Roger Goodell deserves blame for Buffalo Bills loss in London
While most teams have to deal with a short week or two during the regular season, the NFL and Roger Goodell did the Bills dirty by forcing them to travel to London in back-to-back seasons. In doing so, the Bills had to play on some sketchy turf at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Some of Buffalo's key players, including Von Miller, left this game early, which could hurt them for weeks to come.
The turf monster won its battle against Buffalo on Sunday, and the Bills will feel the effects for weeks to come. Even Jags QB Trevor Lawrence stated that he preferred playing on grass in the U.S. rather than turf overseas earlier in the week.
"I usually prefer playing on grass, but the grass over here is a little bit different," Lawrence told reporters Wednesday. "Especially for the soccer field, it's a little bit slicker. I don't know if that's intentionally just for the ball, I'm sure, rolls better on it. Our grass is different in the states. I prefer grass in the states. I think here, turf is a little better for footing and cutting and all that stuff. Probably turf I prefer, so the guys don't slip as much. Either way, I don't think it poses a big issue."
The Bills and Jaguars had enough to deal with this season as contenders in the AFC. This will not help matters.
Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs deserve some blame for Bills defeat
Yes, Josh Allen was able to throw for two touchdowns and put up some gaudy stats as a result, but his lone interception on a throw to Stefon Diggs will make headlines.
Diggs was visibly frustrated after the play, and even smashed a tablet in response. FanSided's Josh Wilson explained what went down:
"Waiting to get back on the field, Diggs clearly didn't likesomethinghe saw on a sideline tablet -- teams use these to review snapshots from previous plays to understand what adjustments they can make on future possessions -- channeling his inner Tom Brady, taking his frustration out on the tablet and smashing it at the ground," Wilson wrote.
Diggs frustration was a distraction the Bills do not need right now, and something the team will surely be asked about after the game. Buffalo is competitive and Diggs is receiving plenty of touches...what am I missing here?
Sean McDermott and the Bills defense receives most the blame
Jacksonville gave up over 500 yards of total offense to the Jags, which is enough to do about any team in week after week. Buffalo has spent plenty of money on their defense the last few years, and Sean McDermott is supposed to be an expert in that department -- he was hired in 2017 after spending several seasons turning around the Carolina Panthers defense.
Now, losing valuable players like Von Miller doesn't help matters, but the Bills are going to have to stop the high-powered offenses in the AFC as this season goes along if they want to make a Super Bowl run. Asking Allen, Diggs and the Bills offense to outscore opponents simply will not be enough.
The Bills are just one week removed from holding the Dolphins to 20 points. This is the same high-powered Miami group who dropped 70 on the Denver Broncos. Perhaps they didn't bring that same energy, or the travel played a vital role, but McDermott has to make sure his group is ready for next week's game against the New York Giants.
Fans will not have the same level of patience against Daniel Jones and Co.
