Quarterback:
Tyrod Taylor for the second week in a row was the highest rated Bills player according to PFF with a 125.8 QB passer rating when blitzed (with 2 TDs) and a 108.3 passer rating when not blitzed while completing 20 of his 26 passes for 213 yards and 2 touchdowns with 0 interceptions. His 31 yd strike to Nick O’Leary in the second half was a huge turning point.
Grade A-
Running Backs:
LeSean McCoy For the second week in a row Shady struggled with a stat line of 14 carries and only 21 yards.
Mike Tolbert had 11 carries for 41 yards showing that he is capable as a backup.
Grade D
Receivers:
Jordan Matthews continues to make the most of his chances with 3 receptions on 5 targets for 61 yards. He needs to be more involved in the passing game. Zay Jones continues his early season struggles and now has 5 passes that he’s dropped/gone off his hands and only 3 receptions. Andre Holmes scored his second TD of the year of a deflection. Kaelin Clay caught an import 28 yard strike from Taylor setting up a Bills TD. Charles Clay continues to be the focal point of the passing game with 6 catches for 39 yards and another TD
Grade C
Offensive Line: As a unit they struggled mightily in the zone blocking scheme for the second week in a row. After looking like they have the past two years in the first game against the Jets this units play has dropped off considerably. Gave up 4 sacks.
Grade D
Defensive Line:
Kyle Williams notched his first sack of the season and was solid all day long. Jerry Hughes although he didn’t register a sack he was causing pressure. Shaq Lawson registered another sack on the day and had a strong performance with a tackle for loss as well.
Adolphus Washington although Cedric Thorton got the start for Marcell Dareus (ankle), Washington got the majority of snaps inside and played well except for a costly penalty
Grade B:
Linebackers:
Preston Brown had a nice all-around game leading the team with ten tackles. Lorenzo Alexander for the second game in a row got a sack and was stout. Ramon Humber keeps racking up the tackles but is a liability in coverage at times.
Grade B+
Secondary:
Tre’Davious White struggled at the beginning of the game giving up a large pass play and was called for a questionable pass interference call but rebounded nicely with past break ups and a key interception in the second half. E.J. Gaines was The best member of the secondary today with key pass break ups and was solid in coverage and also had an interception. Leonard Johnson continues his solid play as the slot cornerback. Micah Hyde had a nice pass break up and was study in the back end. Jordan Poyer had a quieter week then the first two weeks but did not get beat.
Grade A-
Special Teams:
All-around solid effort highlighted by the field goal kicker Stephen Hauschka, who hit field goals from 49, 55,53, and 27 yards out. They also snuffed out a key fourth down fake punt attempt by the Broncos
Grade A
Coaching:
McDermott and Rico had a great game plan for a quality opponent. The offense was able to put up 26 points on a very good Denver Broncos defense. Going forward it is a bit concerning that 14 of the 20 completions were to the running back and tight end and only six completions to the wide receivers. Also the running game has been nonexistent these past two weeks with the new zone blocking scheme that has been instituted. However, for one game at least, the coaching staff deserves all the credit especially after only scoring three points last week and Sammy Watkins big primetime night on Thursday.
Grade A+
Player of the Game: Taylor was the highest rated offensive player according to PFF for the second week in a row and made all the throws. He was at his best outside the pocket finding his targets. He steadied the team, had perhaps the key play of the game when he connected with Nick O’Leary on a 31 yard strike down the field, took care of the football as he usually does and was able to lead his team to victory over a quality opponent in a close game.
Goat of the Game: The weak link as usual, Jordan Mills, continues to struggle mightily at the right tackle spot. This has been a weakness for this team the past two plus years now and the Bills should really consider moving Dawkins to right tackle once Cordy Glenn is fully healthy to take all the snaps at left tackle.
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