Grading the Bills’ Offense Through 9 Games This Season
By Ryan Brennan
The Buffalo Bills’ offense has had some bright spots and some dark spots this season. Throughout this slide, we will highlight both.
It’s been a long start to the season for the Buffalo Bills, who could easily define it as a “rollercoaster” year thus far. After nine games, the Bills enter their bye week at 4-5 following a very controversial Monday Night loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
Buffalo started the season losing their first two games — to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1 and the New York Jets in Week 2. Their season opener easily could’ve ended in a victory and Week 2 was within reach, but couldn’t finish out the game. The Bills were outscored by just 12 points in those games — combined.
After the rough start, the team woke up after the firing of offensive coordinator Gregg Roman — who was known for transforming this team into the best rushing team in the league. The new offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn took over for their Week 3 matchup with the Arizona Cardinals and started a four-game winning streak for Buffalo — against the Cardinals, New England Patriots, Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers.
During their four-game winning streak, the Bills outscored their opponents 124-53. Yes, that’s more than double. For those that say this offense can’t produce, they’re wrong. They just aren’t doing it at a consistent level. Make no mistake, this offense can be one of the best offenses in the league at times and that’s very promising moving forward.
However, those four games would be the only wins the Bills’ would see before their bye week as they followed that with a three-game losing streak — against the Miami Dolphins, Patriots and most recently the Seattle Seahawks.
Their offense has been slowly coming along, but unfortunately all of the big plays the defense gives up make it hard to come away with a win. During Buffalo’s three-game losing streak — which they will attempt to snap in Week 11 when they return from their bye week — the Bills have been outscored 75-100.
In each game, the offense has put up 25 points and were within one score (field goal vs. Dolphins and touchdown vs. Seahawks) of winning, but couldn’t pull it off in the end.
As you can see to the right, the Bills remaining schedule features the Cincinnati Bengals, Jacksonville Jaguars, Oakland Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, Miami Dolphins and lastly the New York Jets. Buffalo is capable of defeating every one of these teams, with the toughest matchups most likely being the Raiders and Bengals.
If the Bills want to make a late push for the playoffs, they will need to go undefeated after the bye week, but might be safe with one loss — let’s not think like that, though.
Without further ado, let’s start going through the Bills’ offensive player grades so far this season.
We will be grading the performance on the following players on offense: Tyrod Taylor, Mike Gillislee, LeSean McCoy, Marquise Goodwin, Sammy Watkins, Robert Woods, Charles Clay, Eric Wood, Richie Incognito, John Miller, Cordy Glenn, Jordan Mills, Reggie Bush, Justin Hunter, Seantrel Henderson, Ryan Groy and Walter Powell.
As for the grades, here’s how they will work:
A – Couldn’t be performing better.
B – Play is outstanding, but could still improve.
C – Average performance.
D – Play needs improvement.
F – Doesn’t know how to play football.
We shall start with the commander of this offense, Tyrod Taylor.
To slide through the different players, click on the blue bar located above — labeled “NEXT.” Enjoy!