Buffalo’s 30-13 stumble against the Miami Dolphins exposed the widening cracks in Sean McDermott’s offense. With no trade-deadline help arriving and the attack leaning heavily on a player, Josh Allen once again absorbed the bulk of the blame for a unit searching for answers, eventually being replaced. As one Athletic reporter recently hinted, the conversation is shifting in a direction McDermott may not like.

“The Bills have yet to win a game this season in which James Cook has less than 100 yards from scrimmage,” Saad Yousuf from The Athletic wrote. “After 13 targets in the passing game through the first four games, in which the Bills went 4-0, Cook has only been targeted seven times in the last five games, boosted largely by five targets against Miami.”

Formerly spoken about as a serious contender, The Bills’ inability to add a trade-deadline playmaker  around Allen has left them reliant on one running back, whose absence from the practice sessions has raised concerns.

 “Cook missed practice last week with foot and ankle injuries,” Yousuf added. “Regardless, the entire offense revolving so heavily around one player is a recipe for disaster in the playoffs. Allen’s presence always gives the Bills a chance, but the lack of playmakers around him to help is concerning.”

In the last game against the Dolphins, the team didn’t see the best of Cook. He had 13 carries for 53 yards but lost a fumble. Compared to recent games, these weren’t his best numbers.

With the Bills lacking a reliable wide receiver, the team has continued to lean on Cook. The player had 166 carries for 920 yards and 7 touchdowns so far in the season. As for the injury, Cook was not included in the Bills’ latest injury list. It’s clear that without the running back, the team could land in trouble.

Just a few days ago, the Bills signed wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. to their practice squad. The 27-year-old has experience playing for the Kansas City Chiefs, New York Jets, and Green Bay Packers.

While the issues with a lack of playmakers exist, Allen has been receiving much of the blame for the loss to the Dolphins.

Josh Allen takes the blame for the Bills’ struggles

After the loss to Miami, Allen spoke to the reporters and addressed the offensive struggles. He pointed out the issue with the turnovers, blaming it as the real reason behind the loss. The three turnovers in the game against the Dolphins also included his one fumble.

“It sucks losing,” Allen said about the defeat. “But knowing in the losses this year, we’ve turned the ball over. And that’s pointing the thumb directly at myself. If we take care of the football we are a good football team.”

The QB has often pointed to his own mistakes while discussing the issues with the team. However, coach McDermott has pointed out issues beyond the quarterback.

“Too many third down and longs, one-dimensional type situation,” McDermott said recently.

With a Week 11 home clash against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers up next, the Bills have no room for another offensive misstep. Sean McDermott pointed to a mix of execution issues that sank them in Miami. But none of that matters now. What matters is whether Buffalo can shake off its reliance on James Cook and finally spark an offense that has gone flat at the worst time.