The Buffalo Bills bounced back from their shock overtime loss to the New York Jets in week 1 to comfortably beat the Las Vegas Raiders by 38 points to 10.
When Aaron Rodgers limped off early in the 1st quarter of his Jets debut, Bills fans will have expected their team to start the season with a win against a team who had seemingly planned so much around their star quarterback. To then lose that fixture could have derailed all optimism of the Bills having a successful campaign, so a win today was vital for Sean McDermotts men to kick start their season.
Highmark Stadium was bouncing with the Bills Mafia in high spirit cheering their team on. They were treated to a dominant display in every area, as the Raiders struggled to get into the game. Las Vegas running back Josh Jacobs had the most total rushing yards in the NFL last season, but the Buffalo defence eliminated any threat Jacobs posed.
Defensively the Bills were excellent. Linebacker Matthew Milano was superb, making four tackles and a world class interception. Terrel Bernard also had a stand out game with six tackles.
In attack there were some great plays from a revived Bills side. The impressive Josh Allen threw for 274 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions for a passer rating of 124.5, the quarter back was the diving force behind the victory. Nine different pass catchers capitalised on throws from the in form Allen, with wide receiver Gabe Davis receiving six throws for 92 yards and a touchdown.
The only time the Raiders were able to break the Bills defence came from their very first drive as Jimmy Garoppolo connected with wide receiver Davante Adams for a 16 yard touchdown. The Bills responded though as Allen set up a short touchdown run by running back Latavius Murray to get his side on the scoreboard.
From there on it was all Buffalo Bills as they continued their scoring after AJ Epenesa had blocked a Las Vegas throw. An impressive 84 yard drive set the Bills up at the Vegas one yard line. From the play Allen threw to tight end Dawson Knox for the touchdown.
The Bills defence looked immense in the second quarter and the Raiders ended up punting from the back of their own end zone. The Bills then gained 57 yards and wide receiver Khalil Shakir caught his first touchdown pass of the season.
Starting the second half 21-10 up the Bills never gave the Raiders a chance, as they twice converted on fourth down on the way to a Gabe Davis touchdown. Running back Damien Harris wrapped the day up for the Bills as he scored the final touchdown.
The Bills are on the road next week at the Washington Commanders and will be looking to continue the momentum from todays performance.
