The Buffalo Bills are one of the Super Bowl contenders this year under their dual-threat QB, Josh Allen. But their momentum has been disrupted now. In the week 6 game, the Falcons also defeated them 24-14. Like last week’s loss, this, too, was shocking, almost unbelievable.

After the game, the QB blamed himself for not leading the team well enough. “I gotta be better. Protection, IDs, and moving the pocket got to be better,” he said in the post-game conference. While there are issues with offensive protection, the QB had a dejected look on his face. He said multiple times, “I gotta be better for this team…I wasn’t good enough tonight.”

Josh Allen had an uneven game for the Bills. He completed 15 of 26 passes for 180 yards, with 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. His 72.6 passer rating showed inconsistency. For Atlanta, Michael Penix Jr. was much more efficient. He completed 20 of 32 passes for 250 yards, with 1 touchdown and no interceptions, posting a 97.1 passer rating.

Allen added 42 rushing yards on 6 carries but no scores. James Cook led Buffalo’s run game with 87 yards on 17 carries. The team finished with 134 rushing yards but no rushing touchdowns. The Falcons dominated on the ground. Bijan Robinson ran for 170 yards and a touchdown, including an 81-yard run. Tyler Allgeier added 32 yards and another score. The team totaled 210 rushing yards and 2 rushing touchdowns.

In the passing game, Joshua Palmer had 60 yards, while Dawson Knox and Ray Davis caught Allen’s touchdown passes. Still, Buffalo’s offense lacked rhythm. Falcons wide receiver Drake London led with 10 catches for 158 yards and a touchdown, while Robinson added 68 receiving yards.

However, the basic issue seems to be the QB’s protection. In 6 games, the rivals have already sacked Mr. Unlimited 12 times. Last year, he had 14 sacks in the entire regular season. So clearly, the Bills haven’t given him enough time this year to make decisions during the drives.

But an offensive tackle gave a ray of hope.

Josh Allen’s OT also reveals his frustration

Even his protector Dion Dawkins wasn’t happy. “It’s frustrating, we’re not trying not to score, we’re not trying not to do things wrong, it’s football, and it’s a game,” he said while talking to reporters in the locker room. However, he also gave hope to the roster as they have the bye week to gather their thoughts and change their route to the winning track.

Yet, he also had an interesting take on the situation. After paying his respects to the heavy blitz game by the Falcons, he told his teammates to take the situation lightly and not to let losses get to their hearts. “The good thing is that it’s bye week, we don’t have to win them all. I know it sounds cliche, but we really don’t have to win them all. But I like that we have the opportunity to get better,” he added.

Also, the bye week will give Josh Allen some time to revise their strategies. And don’t mistake the loss for his poor performance. Overall, Allen has been good this year. He is 9th in the league in passing yards (1397) and 5th in touchdowns (11). But interceptions remain a critical issue for them to solve.

He is 4th in interceptions (4). However, things will definitely improve once the injured players, particularly TE Dalton Kincaid, return to the lineup. Overall, his teammates are supporting him. While preparing for the Falcons’ game, Dawkins had said, ” We care about our quarterbacks.” Now, it’s time to show that.

Head coach Sean McDermott was on fans’ target when they lost the week 5 game. Now, it’s time for them to regroup and come back with a bang.