Bills enter bye week with defensive concerns after Raiders win and safety's suspension
Buffalo is 5-1 after beating Las Vegas 33-30, but its pass defense and third-down performance remain concerns as C.J. Gardner-Johnson faces a one-game suspension, subject to appeal.
The Buffalo Bills entered their bye week at 5-1 after a 33-30 win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, Oct. 18, but their defense again struggled to get off the field. Safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson faces a one-game suspension announced Monday, subject to appeal, as Buffalo prepares to host Baltimore on Nov. 1, according to the Associated Press and the Bills.
The Raiders converted seven of 12 third-down attempts and both fourth-down tries against Buffalo, the Associated Press reported. The Bills had allowed at least 29 points in five of their first six games and 15 passing touchdowns, the second-most in the NFL at the time of the report. Those figures show why the defense remains a concern despite the team's record.
Raiders kept the Bills under pressure
Buffalo led 23-13 after Josh Allen found Keon Coleman with a 12-yard shovel pass for a touchdown with 6:22 remaining in the third quarter. Las Vegas stayed close enough that the result was not settled until Khalil Shakir secured an onside kick with 90 seconds left, the AP reported.
Allen said he knew Coleman was open but could not see whether the pass had been completed after taking a hit and spinning around, according to ESPN. He said the large Bills contingent in the road crowd also made the reaction hard to read. The play helped Buffalo build its lead; it did not end the contest.
Buffalo's offense has given the team room to withstand those defensive lapses. The Bills averaged an NFL-leading 32.8 points per game entering Monday, the AP reported. They had scored on all 26 red-zone possessions through six games, producing 18 touchdowns and eight field goals. That output helped Buffalo win Sunday's high-scoring game while the Raiders continued to move the ball.
Gardner-Johnson faces suspension before Baltimore game
The NFL announced a one-game suspension for Gardner-Johnson for unsportsmanlike conduct during the Raiders game, the Bills said Monday. The AP reported that the sanction was for spitting at an opponent. Gardner-Johnson was ejected in the first half, according to the team. The Bills said he may appeal and is currently in line to miss the Ravens game, leaving Buffalo to prepare for a possible absence.
Bills coaches spoke to reporters Monday as the team headed into its break, according to the club. The pause gives Buffalo time to address its pass defense and third-down performance before it returns to host the Baltimore Ravens on Nov. 1, the AP reported.
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Sources and context
- Buffalo Bills' defensive deficiencies continue being exposed as team enters its bye week offAssociated Press (republished by Yahoo Sports)
- Joe Brady address C.J. Gardner-Johnson suspension, Jim Leonhard says Davison Igbinosun has earned “majority of the snaps”Buffalo Bills
- Bills Mafia road fans surprised, confused Josh Allen on Keon Coleman TDESPN
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.