Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills
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Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen just got great news that's really the icing on the cake after the win over the Ravens.
The Buffalo Bills pulled off one of the most unlikely comebacks in franchise history in Week 1, beating the Baltimore Ravens 41-40 thanks to some heroics from quarterback Josh Allen.
Facing an early test against a divisional opponent in Week 2, the Bills may not be able to rely so heavily on the reigning MVP. Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon issued a warning to the Bills about the team’s suddenly depleted defense, which will need to show improvement after giving up 40 points to the Ravens.
Bills ‘Have a Lot to Figure Out’
Gagnon noted that the team’s defensive lapses nearly cost them a win in the season opener. The Bills struggled to contain Derrick Henry on the ground and allowed quarterback Lamar Jackson to beat them both with his arms and legs.
“Baltimore’s offense continually moved the ball far too easily, especially on the ground, as a Buffalo defense that is banged up in the secondary struggled to contain Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson while failing to wrap up or make key plays,” Gagnon wrote.
Gagnon went on to warn that the Bills need to make some quick fixes against a Jets team that nearly pulled off an upset against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1. The Jets held a late lead but gave up a game-winning field goal, losing 34-32.
The Bills can’t expect Allen to save them every week, Gagnon warned.
“Veteran cornerback Tre’Davious White might have a chance at returning from a groin injury in Week 2, but that isn’t likely to fix everything,” he wrote. “The Bills have a lot to figure out in order to avoid a letdown on the road against the Jets. Either that or Josh Allen will have to play Superman again.”
Allen put on his cape against the Ravens, passing for 251 yards with two rushing touchdowns in the fourth quarter alone. He led the Bills back from a 15-point deficit in the last five minutes, leading three scoring drives in that time.
Jets Know Challenge Ahead
The Jets know they will face their own challenge against Allen, who is coming off the first MVP season of his career and looking to avenge the team’s AFC Championship game loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
New Jets head coach Aaron Glenn said Allen has the ability to “will” his team to victory, and the Jets need to stand ready to stop him.
“He’s one of those guys that can will his team to victory,” Glenn said, via ESPN reporter Rich Cimini. “Our will has to be stronger than his will, and that’s a challenge in itself because of who he is. So this is going to be a game of who’s going to out-will each other.”
Glenn added that the Jets need to keep their foot on the gas on offense, proving that the Week 1 performance was more than an anomaly.
“We don’t want to be a flash in the pan where we’re 32 [points] one week and 10 the next week,” Glenn said. “And I know that happens because there are some good defenses out here, but for the most part, we’re working to be consistent on all levels, in all three phases of this football team.”