Bills trounce Titans on Monday Night Football, improve to 2-0

The Bills lived up to fans’ high expectations in week one against the Los Angeles Rams, as an away win against these defending champions is no small feat. Buffalo looked to pick up where they left off in their season opener against the Tennessee Titans. The Titans came into week two looking to turn their season around having lost their first matchup against the consistently below-average New York Giants. Notable inactive players for the Bills included defensive tackle Ed Oliver and wide receiver Gabe Davis, both of whom are dealing with ankle issues. 

Star quarterback Josh Allen started the game off right with a 10-yard rush, including an impressive hurdle over Tennessee’s cornerback Roger McCreary. The team forced their way downfield, looking to score a touchdown on their opening drive for the seventh-straight game. They did just that, as fullback Reggie Gilliam caught Allen’s pass for an 11-yard touchdown, putting the Bills ahead to start the game. 

After their intimidating first drive, the Bills’ defense took the field and allowed the Titans’ offense to reach the red zone. A missed interception by safety Jordan Poyer allowed for the drive to extend and culminate in a rushing touchdown by Titans’ running back Derrick Henry. This would prove to be the first and last time Tennessee would score in the game. 

The Bills’ offense began to slow down over their next few drives of the half as they turned the ball over on downs and, after a questionable false start call by the officials, had to settle for a Tyler Bass field goal. Their fortunes turned around, however, as they marched down the field in their last drive of the half. After a 39-yard reception by Jake Kumerow—his first of the season—brought the team downfield, defensive woes for Tennessee allowed for some Josh Allen magic as he scrambled around the field, finding Stefon Diggs for a four-yard score.

 The cheers of the crowd were silenced quickly after, as cornerback Dane Jackson was taken off the field by an ambulance after an ugly head-to-head collision with fellow Bills defender Tremaine Edmunds. Updates after the game indicated that Jackson was headed for tests but, had full movement of his extremities—an absolutely positive sign. The teams headed for halftime with Buffalo leading 17-7. 

The Titans began the second half with the ball, but it did not last long—the Bills’ defense ended their drive after only two minutes. The home team’s turn on offense started off badly, with sacks and offensive penalties halting any progress. A dropped 30-yard reception by Reggie Gilliam would have proved to be a costly error if it were not for an incredible 46-yard touchdown connection between Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs, extending the team’s lead to 24-7.

On their next drive, punter Sam Martin was finally able to shine as he kicked the ball downfield after not punting in four of their past six games. The kick was fumbled by the Titans’ returner and recovered by the Bills, leading to another successful field goal by Tyler Bass. 

Safety Jordan Poyer was able to avenge his earlier misstep as he intercepted Titans’ QB Ryan Tannehill in the third quarter, a move that would lead to Stefon Diggs’ third receiving touchdown of the night. The next Titans’ possession would end in a pick-six interception by linebacker Matt Milano, the first score of his career, concluding the Bills’ 24 points scored in the third quarter. 

After both starting quarterbacks were replaced and the game neared a close, a fumble recovery by defensive end Boogie Basham Jr. and a 33-yard rush by Buffalo running back James Cook concluded the team’s highlights for the week. The Bills walked away from this one with an emphatic 41-7 win.

Josh Allen finished the game 26/38 with 317 yards, four touchdowns and zero interceptions. Diggs, the star of the game, ended his day with 12 receptions resulting in 148 yards and three scores. Cornerback Taron Johnson led the defense with five tackles throughout the game. 

The Bills will travel to Miami to face the Dolphins for their first divisional game of the season next Sunday (Sept. 25, 2022).