Bills can ‘quiet the Super Bowl talk for a week’ (Post-Week 1 power rankings)

There is no arguing that things went poorly for the Buffalo Bills in Week 1. Buffalo’s offensive line was pushed around by the Steelers for four quarters. The end result of Pittsburgh’s dominance in the trenches was Josh Allen facing plenty of pressure and taking no shortage of hits which in turn seemed to throw the quarterback off his game.

Tip your cap to the Steelers as their game plan was flawless on defense.

However, before anyone jumps off the Bills bandwagon it’s important to remember that Sunday was just one week in a long NFL season and the Bills are not the only Super Bowl contender to find themselves at 0-1. The Green Bay Packers were thoroughly embarrassed on the road against the New Orleans Saints (38-3), the Tennessee Titans were blown out by 25 by the Arizona Cardinals and the Baltimore Ravens fell to the Las Vegas Raiders.

There are still questions, of course, as to whether or not the Bills can fix some of the issues that slowed them down against Pittsburgh, but the team has the chance to get back on track in Week 2 on the road against the Miami Dolphins. Before looking ahead to Week 2, here’s where the Bills find themselves on various power rankings following their 23-16 loss to the Steelers.

Sports Illustrated: No. 7

Analysis:

Sense the pattern here? Losing on opening weekend doesn’t mean the Bills are not one of the obvious Super Bowl favorites out of the AFC. While falling to Pittsburgh was a bit of a surprise, the Steelers have the infrastructure to muddy the best of what Josh Allen does. This was always going to be a coin-toss game for Buffalo.

USA TODAY: No. 10

Analysis:

The offensive line allowed QB Josh Allen to get hit eight times, sacked three and was flagged for six holding penalties against Pittsburgh. Otherwise, it was stellar.

ESPN: No. 5

Analysis:

Top rookie: DE Greg Rousseau

Rousseau is really the only choice here with DE Boogie Basham inactive in Week 1 and OT Spencer Brown and S Damar Hamlin -- the only other active rookies on the game-day roster -- largely contributing to a mixed special teams performance. Rousseau, the 30th overall pick, played 52% of the defensive snaps -- behind only veteran Jerry Hughes for the most by a Bills DE -- and had two tackles in the loss. Despite not registering a sack, Rousseau made his presence felt, especially early in the game. The Bills’ pass rush, one of the team’s biggest issues last season, remains a work in progress.

Yahoo: No. 9

Analysis:

The problem with Week 1 is it’s just one week. Jacksonville beat Indianapolis in Week 1 last season and look how those seasons turned out. Do we really believe the Bills aren’t very good? Or was Sunday a tough game — and a one-game sample — against a top-flight defense? I’m willing to give the Bills another chance. A Week 2 game at Miami will be telling.

Pro Football Talk: No. 6

Analysis:

They need to shrug Week One off quickly; a dangerous Miami trip is looming.

CBS Sports: No. 9

Analysis:

They can quiet the Super Bowl talk for a week after losing to the Steelers at home.

NFL.com: No. 6

Analysis:

The Bills had a defined game plan on Sunday: Spread out their wide receivers and let their superstar quarterback pick apart a suspect Pittsburgh secondary. The strategy made plenty of sense when Brian Daboll drew it up, but the execution was woeful in a disappointing 23-16 home loss to begin the season. Josh Allen looked much more like the QB he was in his first two seasons, while Stefon Diggs and the rest of the Buffalo playmakers struggled to gain separation and deliver the splash plays that were a signature in 2020. It’s not all on the QB and wideouts, though: The Bills’ offensive line was bullied by a Pittsburgh pass rush that got home repeatedly with four-man fronts. Another tough D awaits for Week 2′s trip to the Dolphins.

Bleacher Report: No. 5

Analysis:

The Buffalo Bills surprisingly made running back Zack Moss a healthy scratch ahead of their Week 1 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

It wouldn’t be their last surprise of the day.

After controlling the first half of their season opener against the Steelers, the Bills fell asleep after halftime, managing only six points over the final 30 minutes. They were penalized eight times and converted only eight of their 18 third-down attempts.

As Davenport pointed out, things aren’t going to get any easier for the Bills.

“One game is hardly cause for panic,” Davenport said. “But the coma that the Bills offense slipped into in the second half is concerning, especially given their upcoming schedule. The Bills play at Miami in Week 2 and home against Washington in Week 3. Neither of those teams are exactly defensive pushovers, either. Miami was sixth in scoring defense in 2020, while Washington was fourth.

Washington Post: No. 7

Analysis:

So much, for now, for the Bills resembling a Super Bowl team. That was a dud of an opener against the Steelers. This still should be an excellent team. But the Bills had better not assume they will take the next step this season. They need to realize that they have to earn it.

READ MORE

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Josh Allen, Bills struggle in Week 1 loss to Steelers (6 reasons to be encouraged, 7 reasons to be worried)

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