A costly first half left Josh Allen frustrated, but a clutch defensive play kept the Buffalo Bills' hopes alive heading into the second half against the Atlanta Falcons
22:18 ET, 13 Oct 2025Updated 22:18 ET, 13 Oct 2025
Josh Allen stared blankly after London's near-touchdown
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Josh Allen stared blankly after London's near-touchdown(Image: X/@NFL)
Josh Allen’s frustration was written all over his face late in the second quarter — but thanks to one crucial defensive play, the Buffalo Bills escaped an even deeper halftime hole in Atlanta with the quarterback missing one of his biggest weapons.
As the clock wound down in the first half, the Falcons appeared ready to extend their 21–7 lead on a highlight-reel play. Sophomore quarterback Michael Penix Jr. lobbed a perfect ball toward the sideline, where Drake London stretched out, hauled it in, and lunged toward the end zone.
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The home crowd erupted as the receiver broke the plane — until replay showed Bills safety Taylor Rapp forcing him out just before the ball crossed the plane. Moments earlier, tension rose after a controversial tackle left a Bills player shaken up.
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Instead of another Atlanta touchdown, the play became one of the few bright spots for a struggling Buffalo defense.
Rapp’s hustle preserved the 14-point deficit heading into halftime — a small victory, but one that spared Josh Allen’s blushes after an uneven first half.
Allen’s numbers told the story: 5-for-12 passing for just 98 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, capped by two sacks and a near fumble. His passer rating of 63.9 was among his lowest through two quarters this season.
The Falcons’ defense — aggressive and fast under head coach Raheem Morris — feasted on Buffalo’s depleted offense, which entered the game missing tight end Dalton Kincaid and receiver Curtis Samuel.
Taylor Rapp produced game-defining tackle
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Taylor Rapp produced game-defining tackle(Image: ESPN)
Buffalo opened the game strong, with Allen connecting on a deep pass to Josh Palmer and then finding Dawson Knox for a 19-yard touchdown to tie the score at 7–7. But from there, the Bills unraveled.
Atlanta’s defensive front, led by Dee Alford, who picked off Allen late in the half, and Arnold Ebiketie, who added a sack, kept constant pressure on the quarterback.
Meanwhile, Penix Jr. and London found a rhythm that Buffalo couldn’t stop. London torched the secondary for nine catches and 147 yards in the first half alone, including a touchdown grab in the first quarter.
Allen led the Bills to a 4-1 record heading into Atlanta
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Allen led the Bills to a 4-1 record heading into Atlanta(Image: Getty)
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Running back Bijan Robinson was electric, racking up 138 yards and a score on just 12 carries, highlighted by an 81-yard sprint that left the Bills’ linebackers chasing shadows.
By halftime, the Falcons had built a commanding 21–7 lead, dominating time of possession and total yardage. Robinson and Tyler Allgeier combined for 159 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while Penix added 171 yards through the air.
Buffalo’s defense looked gassed, missing key tackles in open space and struggling to contain Atlanta’s play-action game. But Rapp’s last-second stop before halftime offered a sliver of momentum — a moment of resilience on a night when little else was working.