Well well well, how quickly the Not For Long league can humble a team and city!? The Bills got close but couldn’t do enough to secure a home victory in the 2021 home opener. Let’s take a look at why, and what we’re going to need to do better next week.

“I Gotta do a better Job”

Sean McDermott was repetitive in postgame pressers regarding how HE needed to do a better job, echoing like a talking string doll. The message was clear, he wasn’t going to give away any overreaction or toxicity to the media. This is probably best, as Bills fans walked away from Highmark Stadium quicker and earlier than they showed up. The Bills know that they can be better, and I feel they should have taken points in first half when opportunity for Bass long FG presented itself. Bills from 35 went for it and did not get it. This would have made it a 2 score game.

A Sign of What We’re Capable from a will standpoint”

Mike Tomlin was happy to play “Steeler D” and respect “Josh Allen and our group.”

We knew the Steelers were going to be a test. Allen will be humbled by this, along with the rest of the Bills and fans.

The Steelers defense has 6 superstars on it, and will be one of the top defenses in the NFL.

  • Melvin Ingram (Not Bud Dupree LOL)
  • Devin Bush
  • Cam Hayward
  • Minkah Fitzpatrick
  • Joe Haden

All day long, the Steelers ran a similar scheme as Kansas City did last year, keeping MANY DBs on the field and rushing the hell out of Josh with 4 down lineman. The Bills O line did not perform at a high level, and as many people are saying “vintage Josh Allen” this will be the first test for the young Gun. His mentality and consistency will be tested all year long, as every great QB is. He clearly missed the TD, as only Josh Allen can, breathing hard afterwards like he couldn’t believe his eyes… BELIEVE IT…… STOP MISSING TDS. The ball to Gabriel was BEAUTIFUL. Devin found a few seams late, though it was garbage time and he dropped the ball 3x.

Overall, the offense was out of sync, a bit arrogant, and sloppy to get going. I can chalk it up to week 1 with a long layoff after weak 3 week preseason. Won’t get easier for O next week against Miami, or the next against Chase Young.

Defense Wins Championships

Without the points by the blocked punt for TD, which I can’t remember seeing in Buffalo in a LONG TIME, the Bills defense was pretty impressive overall. A few championship clutch plays by WRs and Big Ben down the stretch were the final gutting, but for the most part the defense was staunch, sticking to WRs and not giving much space at all. The only cushion earned really was on incredible catches and penalties for being too tight. Tremaine Edmunds had a great hit on the sideline on Najee Harris, who was hit several times.

They were resilient enough to win however, and the Bills lose for the first time in the regular season since the Hail Murray.

Overall I grade the Bills about a C+ today.

Offense – C

Defense – B+

Special Teams – D+

Stay ready, and you don’t gotta get ready. The Bills had plenty of time to prepare for what they got from Pittsburgh. They didn’t do anything that Buffalo should have been surprised by and we still lost, which is surprising. Buffalo will get it together this week, but it won’t get any easier with a talented Dolphins team next, followed by a VERY tough Washington Football Team defense coming, possibly missing an injured Ryan Fitzmagic.

Stay tuned for the #HumpdayCheckdown Wednesday where I’ll preview the Dolphins and break down what to expect heading into Week 2. GO BILLS!