Okay… Titans in what seems to be a rare home game.


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FULL BOX SCORE
Eric Edholm's takeaways:
  1. Amari Cooper turned around his Bills debut at halftime. It took a half for Cooper to get comfortable, but when he did he made his impact felt following last week’s trade from the Browns. Cooper had one first-half target, and it was a third-down drop on what should have been an easy grab. He was also seen grabbing his left hamstring and trying to get loose on the sideline in the first half. But Cooper would not go quietly in his Buffalo debut. He got loose for a TD on his first catch as a Bill, exploiting a great matchup in the red zone vs. a safety with the Titans bringing an all-out blitz. He then came back on the next series with a 19-yard catch that led to a field goal, and Cooper started the next series (which led to a TD) with a 27-yard grab. Cooper and the Bills started slowly offensively, going three and out on their first three drives, but they found a little rhythm before halftime and then cranked it up in the second half, ripping off 34 straight points to take control of the game.

  2. Backup QB Mason Rudolph gave Titans early boost, but pass protection broke down. Stepping in for an injured Will Levis, Rudolph was sharp early Sunday at Buffalo. He completed 18 of 23 first-half passes for 155 yards and a TD, which was impressive given how much pressure the Bills were generating consistent pressure. Rudolph coughed up a fumbled snap on the third series, and though the Bills couldn’t cash in on it, their pass rush eventually couldn’t be contained. Rudolph was pressured on more than half of his attempts and was 7-of-17 passing for 60 yards with two sacks and an interception after halftime. The Titans had trouble giving him clean pockets for most of the game until the Bills were protecting a big lead. Jaelyn Duncan became their third starting right tackle of the season, but he left the game early with a hamstring injury, giving way to Nicholas Petit-Frere, who allowed a game-high eight pressures. The Titans were limited in this one, with only two active running backs (Tony Pollard and Julius Chestnut), and they again struggled to get the ball to their two best receivers. Calvin Ridley caught three passes for 42 on nine targets, letting a few balls slip through his hands, and DeAndre Hopkins ran 22 routes but caught only one pass (his only target) for minus-2 yards.

  3. Greg Rousseau-led Bills defense to strong finish. The Titans led 10-0 as both the Bills’ offense and defense slumbered through the start of Sunday’s game. Tennessee’s first turnover was a pure giveaway on Rudolph’s second-quarter fumble, but it woke up Buffalo’s defense, which finished with a strong effort overall. Rousseau had an early offsides penalty but finished the game with a game-high 11 pressures and a half sack. DaQuan Jones and Ed Oliver also helped with strong interior pressure, and Dawuane Smoot made a pair of tackles for loss. The Bills stopped the Titans on fourth down at the Tennessee 44-yard line, leading to a Buffalo touchdown that started the ball rolling for them. The Titans totaled only 11 yards on 11 third-quarter plays. If there was one negative on the defensive side for Buffalo, it was that Terrel Bernard suffered two injuries that caused him to leave the game -- first with a head injury and later with an ankle. Before that, he was all over the field, and the Bills are hoping for good news on his status.

Next Gen Stats Insight for Titans-Bills (via NFL Pro): Bills WR Keon Coleman caught 4 of his 7 targets for a career-high 125 yards, with all his production coming lined up out wide (24 of 28 routes). Coleman generated a team-leading 62 yards after the catch, including +43 yards after the catch over expected.
NFL Research: With his 68th victory, Josh Allen tied Aaron Rodgers and Hall of Famers Joe Montana, Brett Favre and Terry Bradshaw for the sixth-most wins in a quarterback’s first 100 starts.
 
buffalonews.com

Observations: Amari Cooper provides a boost in his Buffalo debut as the Bills blow out the Titans

Welcome to Buffalo, Amari Cooper. The Bills’ offense needed a spark, and although it wasn’t immediate, the team’s newest wide receiver provided it Sunday during a 34-10 victory over the Tennessee Titans at Highmark Stadium.
buffalonews.com buffalonews.com

Welcome to Buffalo, Amari Cooper.

The Bills’ offense needed a spark, and although it wasn’t immediate, the team’s newest wide receiver provided it Sunday during a 34-10 victory over the Tennessee Titans at Highmark Stadium. After falling behind 10-0, the Bills ran off 34 straight points to improve to 5-2 and remain atop the AFC East.

Cooper's first play was one to forget. He checked into the game on Buffalo’s second play from scrimmage and was targeted on the next play, but the on-target pass from quarterback Josh Allen was dropped on third-and-1, and the Bills punted.

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Buffalo Bills wide receiver Amari Cooper makes a catch against Tennessee Titans cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr. during the third quarter Sunday at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park.
Derek Gee/Buffalo News
Cooper eventually heated up, though.

Cooper’s first catch with the Bills went for a touchdown in the third quarter. It came on a second-and-10 play from the Titans’ 12-yard line and put Buffalo up 14-10 with 10:23 remaining.

Cooper was just getting started, too. He added receptions of 19 and 27 yards to help get the offense going after a slow start against a tough Tennessee defense. Cooper’s snap count was somewhat reduced – he didn’t join the team until Tuesday following a trade with the Cleveland Browns – but he still found a way to contribute.

In the fourth quarter, he adjusted well to a rushed throw from Allen that was slightly off target and was still able to make the catch, converting a second-and-8 play with an 8-yard gain. It was exactly the type of play the Bills have been starving for from their wideouts, and it demonstrated why the acquisition made so much sense for general manager Brandon Beane.

All told, he finished with 66 yards and a touchdown on four catches as the Bills – who had just 90 yards from scrimmage at halftime – erupted after the break. Josh Allen completed 21 of 33 passes for 323 yards and two touchdowns, and rookie Keon Coleman had a game-high 125 yards receiving.

Given more time, Cooper should get more comfortable in the Bills’ offense, which means brighter days could be ahead. Buffalo heads to Seattle for a game at 4:05 p.m. Sunday against the Seahawks.

Other observations from Sunday's runaway win:
2. Greg Rousseau was a terror. The Bills’ defensive end has shown that he can take over games at times. That was true in Week 1 against the Arizona Cardinals, and it was on display again against the Titans. Tennessee’s offensive line had no answers for Rousseau, who had just half a sack against Tennessee, sharing it with defensive end Dawuane Smoot, but a whopping six quarterback hits. That’s the most in an NFL game this season.

3. Terrel Bernard made a big play. As he so often is, the Bills’ third-year middle linebacker was in the right place at the right time in the second quarter, recovering a botched exchange between Titans center Lloyd Cushenberry and quarterback Mason Rudolph. Tennessee right guard Dillon Radunz looked like he was in position to make the recovery, but somehow the ball found its way to Bernard. Later in the second quarter, Bernard was injured trying to recover a fumble by Rudolph that was forced by a sack recorded by A.J. Epenesa. Bernard was evaluated for a head injury but was cleared to return.

Unfortunately for Bernard and the Bills, he got hurt again. In the third quarter, Bernard rushed Rudolph and got caught up in the middle of the Titans’ offensive line. Bernard suffered a right ankle injury and was declared out for the remainder of the game early in the fourth quarter. He finished with eight tackles, including two for loss, before leaving. After being ruled out, he returned to the Bills’ sideline to watch the rest of the game. Obviously, losing Bernard for any amount of time would be a tough blow for the Buffalo defense. His knack for making big plays is hard to replace.

4. Tyler Bass had no issues. The Bills put Bass on notice during the week, signing kicker Lucas Havrisik to the practice squad. Bass wasn’t seriously tested, but he did make all of his extra points and hit two short field goals – a 28-yarder in the third quarter to extend the Buffalo lead to 17-10, and a 30-yarder in the fourth quarter. Although none of the kicks would qualify as particularly challenging, Bass should still be able to take some confidence from the performance.

5. DeWayne Carter made a big play. The team’s rookie defensive tackle has taken advantage of an uptick in playing time recently that came because of a hamstring injury that forced Ed Oliver to miss two weeks. Oliver returned against Tennessee, but Carter still found a way to make an impact in the third quarter when he expertly shed a block and dropped Tennessee running back Tony Pollard for a 3-yard loss on a fourth-and-2 run. The turnover on downs gave the Bills possession at the Tennessee 41-yard line, setting up the go-ahead touchdown drive.

6. Welcome back, James Cook. The Bills’ running back returned from a one-game absence because of a toe injury. Cook got the Bills on the board with an 11-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, capping a three-play, 61-yard touchdown drive. Cook’s touchdown was preceded by a 44-yard completion from Allen to Coleman on a busted coverage by the Tennessee defense. Cook rushed six times for 26 yards in the first half, and finished the game with 32 yards on 12 carries.

Coleman, by the way, had the best game of his young career with his 125 yards on just four catches. He added a career-long 57-yard reception in the fourth quarter.

7. Curtis Samuel went down early. The Bills’ veteran receiver suffered a shoulder injury on a second-and-10 play from with 10:18 left in the first quarter. Samuel was the intended receiver on a pass that fell incomplete. He managed to get to the Buffalo sideline but took a knee there before trainers came over. Cook then went to the medical tent on the sideline. He was announced as questionable to return, then later ruled out.

Dawuane Smoot also spent some time in the sideline medical tent in the first half for an undisclosed injury but returned. In the third quarter, second-year right guard O’Cyrus Torrence made a trip to the sideline medical tent, but he, too, was able to return.

8. The team's five inactive players were all healthy. That list included safety Mike Edwards, offensive lineman Will Clapp, defensive tackle Zion Logue and linebackers Joe Andreessen and Eddie Ulofoshio.

Inactive for the Titans were quarterback Will Levis (shoulder), No. 2 running back Tyjae Spears (hamstring), right tackle Leroy Watson, cornerback L'Jarius Sneed (quad), tight end David Martin-Robinson, defensive lineman Keondre Coburn (knee) and outside linebacker Caleb Murphy.
 
Never liked Balls Goats since Goat has a dual meaning…. And every site does it.

Hero

Coop. First game limited playbook
Kincaid. Plays hard on every down
Davis runs through people
Coleman big big day
Epenesa. Disruptive. Almost had a pick
Groot most QB hits in a game by a single player this season… I think 6

Taron and Douglas
Bernard big game

Dewayne Carter (nice draft Beane, BTW)

Josh found himself at the half. Started having fun again

Shakir… nice game back


A-Holes… I’m giving Brady one for the constant run from shotgun on 1st down almost every time in the first half.

Second half? Josh went under center and play actioned on first. I hope we don’t always need an entire half to set up Play action.

But we won… so I’m nitpicking .
 
Balls

2nd half effort. Top to bottom they all got it together. Lets do honorables

Josh Allen. Efficient, accurate and on point

Cooper. Welcome to the Bills my guy

Cook / Davis. What a great duo this guys are

Keon. Nice breakout game. Too bad he got the TD called back. Would've been a great way to close it

Rousseau. Beast

Carter. This rookie is putting on some great showings

Bernard and Benford. Ballers at their craft.

Coaching. Great way to adjust after the listless 1st half



Goats

Everyone, top to bottom a pathetic performance. Good thing the Titans are not an elite team. Honorables

Coaching. Team came out unprepared, lookin like they thought the W was guaranteed just because the other team was inferior. Nah bro, you gotta earn it.

Brady. The playcalling from the Ravens/Texans game was full go. No motion, no nothing. Predictability at its finest.

Allen, Lost, inaccurate, giddy.

Defense. Could not stop a 3rd down to save their lives.

Cooper drop





No comments on Bass. Great he made all his kicks. They were all pretty short ones with hardly any pressure. Lets talk when he makes a long one or under pressure.
 
Balls:

JA17 - it took a half but JA17 finally took what the defense was giving him with the short throws instead of waiting for the big play down field. He may be adapting.

Let James Cook - TD

Big Play Sugar Ray - guy run heavy. Wrecking ball.

Bow Tie - TD

Coop - nice first game. Lets stack them

Shakira - He is Diggs

Neon Keon - 100 yard game.

KINGCade - Coming into his own

Edwards - Mauler

McGovern - Mauler

Brown - Becoming a cheat code

Groot - Maniac

AJ - Figuring it out

Carter - Might be better than EO

Smoot - Nice signing

Nard Dog - All guy does is make plays

Wrap - Settling into role nicely

Hamlin - INT

Covington - What a steal by Bean

Bass Pro - Nice bounceback game

Ferguson - Excellent snaps all day



Goats:

Dawkins - Penalty

hollis - Not an NFL WR
 
Adding
Hero
- Coaching staff for halftime adjustments
A-Holes
coaching staff for gameplan coming into this game - first half was just bad.
 
I’m old. The first half was brutal. I don’t appreciate stress. So I agree the adjustments were great… but dammit stop abusing the elderly through nearly 2 Qtrs. A-Holes!
 
Balls

Ravens. After that slow start they look unstoppable. Henry with all those miles is still a beast

Barkley. Bet he felt good after the ass whooping he gave to his former team

Lions. What a fun team to watch man.

Broncos. Slowly but surely they are becoming competitive.

Jags. Saved Pederson's job



Goat

Chargers. No tds. Only fgs vs the freaking Cards

Giants. Ouch. You paid Jones and not Saquan. Enjoy they results.

Jets. For all the obvious reasons.

49ers. Madden curse hit them HARD. They are a walking ICU

Watson. Sometimes, just sometimes karma does work.

Diggs. "I'm never the bigger person, I don't let shit go" ..... very mature dude. Enjoy the L

Fish. I know Tua isn't playing. But to lose to the Richardson led Colts??



Ballgoat



Chiefs. Don't know it its a ball because they are undefeated or a goat because Mahomes is playing like shit and at some point that could catch up to them. What I do find unreal is how they can be 6-0 with such poor play from their O. Kudos to Andy Reid, the bossman of coaching and to their tremendous DC Spags.
 
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