1 - Sean McDermott thinks Josh Allen will 'learn' from first career start
Buffalo's offense found new life in the second half of their Week 2 matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers. In his first career start, rookie quarterback Josh Allen led the Bills to 14 second-half points, even connecting with Kelvin Benjamin for his first career touchdown pass late in the game. Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott liked what he saw out of Allen in the tough loss, feeling as though he'll view the game as a learning experience.
"I thought offensively we got off to a slow start," McDermott said. "Having said that there were some moments he had that were pretty solid and some that I know he'd want back. I felt we moved the ball at times in the second half. We've got to make sure we take care of the football as well. That's a big element of playing quarterback in this league at a high level. He'll learn from it and I expect him to grow just like our team will overall, including some of the young players like Tremaine as well."
2 - John Miller thinks Allen has 'that look in his eye'
Allen impressed a number of his teammates in his first career start, a game in which he completed 18 passes for 245 yards. Offensive lineman John Miller gave the rookie a great deal of praise following the contest, complimenting nearly every facet of Allen's game.
"I think the young guy played great," Miller said. "Great poise. Good command of the huddle. He's just got that look in his eye, he's a natural born leader. I can't say enough about the kid. He's great. Great under pressure, good pocket presence. Yeah, he threw an interception or two, but he's so even-keeled, that don't bother him. He's like 'hey, let's forget about it, flush it, let's move on. Let's move on. Let's get to the next play, get to the next series.' Just his attitude, he wants to go down there, push the ball down the field, push the tempo. Made some great decisions."
3 - Tremaine Edmunds on the 'growth process' that comes with being a rookie
Allen wasn't the only Buffalo rookie who played in a significant role on Sunday. Tremaine Edmunds started at middle linebacker for the second consecutive week, leading the team in tackles with seven. At just 20 years-old, Edmunds admits that he's still adjusting to the professional game. He feels that he and his fellow rookies should hold themselves accountable on every play, something that could aid in their development.
"Definitely a big growth process," Edmunds said. "You've just got to continue to keep your head on straight. Continue to learn everyday. Be honest with yourself. You're going to make some plays out there, but be honest with yourself on the plays that you could have made. Don't make an excuse for yourself. We've just to learn from it man, because there's going to be some struggles along the way."
4 - Jerry Hughes talks about second-half adjustments
Like their offense, Buffalo's defense seemingly woke up in the second half. After allowing 28 points in the first half, the Bills' defensive unit shut Los Angeles down in the third and fourth quarters, allowing only three points. Buffalo allowed the Chargers to enter the red zone only once in the second half, holding them to a field goal. Defensive end Jerry Hughes said that the adjustments the team made at half time propelled them to a strong second half.
"Certainly second half adjustments were great," Hughes said. "We got to start the way we finished. I think a lot of guys on the defensive side of the ball understand that, that, second half to halt them to three points is great. We can take a lot of positives from that, one being that we've got to start fast. We got to be the best defense on the field, and I think that we're starting to understand that. It's just now putting the pieces together."
5 - Lorenzo Alexander knows it's 'all about executing'
Despite a strong outing in the second half, Buffalo still left Sunday's game with another loss on their record, their second of the season. Veteran linebacker Lorenzo Alexander knows that the Bills are a talented team, and he thinks that the wins will start to come once the team executes on more in-game opportunities.
"Still, just got to still continue to improve," Alexander said. "Still a lot of football left. Obviously, it's going to be a growing curve with us, we're not where we want to be, we're not where we're expected to be. But we can't just dwell and stay here and feel, 'oh, woe is us.' We've got to continue to work, and that's what professionals do. We dug ourselves in a hole, now we got to climb our way out of it someway. It's all about just executing, it's little things. I think people think its talent or we can't do it. It's just little things, just having your eyes and technique right and fitting up things and making the plays that you're supposed to make, that you've made all your life. That's what we have to get back to. It's all about the confidence."
“We love the community and the community loves us. We’re going to keep focused on the process and show up, watch film, continue to get better." Defensive end Trent Murphy
6 - Trent Murphy says Bills are still 'focused on the process'
Like Alexander, defensive end Trent Murphy doesn't think winning is too far off. The 27-year-old feels as though improvement starts in practice. Buffalo will focus on progressing in practice this week.
"We love the community and the community loves us. We're going to keep focused on the process and show up, watch film, continue to get better. We've got a young team. We keep improving, we keep improving, we keep winning, going 1-0, 1-0 everyday, practice, it'll start transferring. That's our process."
Game photos from Buffalo's home opener against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) - Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field. Photo by Kevin Hoffman September 16, 2018
Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (25) Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Kyle Williams (95) Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (49) Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills defensive back Jordan Poyer (21) Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Craig Melvin
Buffalo Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes (55) Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Craig Melvin
Buffalo Bills tight end Jason Croom (80) - Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field. Photo by Kevin Hoffman September 16, 2018
Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills defensive end Trent Murphy (93) Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Craig Melvin
Buffalo Bills cornerback Tre'Davious White (27) - Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field. Photo by Kevin Hoffman September 16, 2018
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) - Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field. Photo by Kevin Hoffman September 16, 2018
Buffalo Bills versus the Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field. September 16, 2018. Photo by Sara Schmidle.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) - Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field. Photo by Kevin Hoffman September 16, 2018
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Zay Jones (11) - Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field. Photo by Kevin Hoffman September 16, 2018
Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Kyle Williams (95) - Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field. Photo by Kevin Hoffman September 16, 2018
- Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field. Photo by Kevin Hoffman September 16, 2018
Buffalo Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes (55) Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Craig Melvin
Buffalo Bills kicker Stephen Hauschka (4). Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Craig Melvin
Buffalo Bills linebacker Matt Milano (58) Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) and running back Patrick DiMarco (42). Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Craig Melvin
Buffalo Bills defensive back Jordan Poyer (21). Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Craig Melvin
Buffalo Bills defensive back Phillip Gaines (28) Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Craig Melvin
Buffalo Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes (55) Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (25) run Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) handoff to Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (25) Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills defensive back Vontae Davis (22) Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (25) Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (25) run Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills cornerback Tre'Davious White (27) and Buffalo Bills defensive back Jordan Poyer (21) make a first half tackle. Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Craig Melvin
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) rolls out of the pocket. Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Craig Melvin
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Robert Foster (16) rushes with the ball. Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Craig Melvin
Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (25) rushes with the ball. Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Craig Melvin
Buffalo Bills running back Marcus Murphy (45). Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Craig Melvin
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) rolls out of the pocket. Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Craig Melvin
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) - Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field. Photo by Kevin Hoffman September 16, 2018
Buffalo Bills linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (49) - Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field. Photo by Kevin Hoffman September 16, 2018
Buffalo Bills linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (49) - Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field. Photo by Kevin Hoffman September 16, 2018
Buffalo Bills defensive end Trent Murphy (93) - Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field. Photo by Kevin Hoffman September 16, 2018
Buffalo Bills defensive back Micah Hyde (23) aims to make a tackle. Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Craig Melvin
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Robert Foster (16) and Buffalo Bills tight end Charles Clay (85) block Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills linebacker Ramon Humber (50) tackle Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes (55) - Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field. Photo by Kevin Hoffman September 16, 2018
\Buffalo Bills linebacker Lorenzo Alexander (57) leads the defensive charge at the line of scrimmage. Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Craig Melvin
Buffalo Bills defensive back Vontae Davis (22) tackle Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Star Lotulelei (98). Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Craig Melvin
Buffalo Bills defensive back Vontae Davis (22) and Buffalo Bills defensive back Jordan Poyer (21) tackle Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) looks to throw the ball. Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Craig Melvin
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Robert Foster (16) Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills running back Marcus Murphy (45) - Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field. Photo by Kevin Hoffman September 16, 2018
Buffalo Bills versus the Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field. September 16, 2018. Photo by Sara Schmidle.
Buffalo Bills linebacker Matt Milano (58) tackle Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills versus the Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field. September 16, 2018. Photo by Sara Schmidle.
Buffalo Bills versus the Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field. September 16, 2018. Photo by Sara Schmidle.
Buffalo Bills versus the Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field. September 16, 2018. Photo by Sara Schmidle.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes (55) tackle Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills defensive end Trent Murphy (93) celebrates with defensive tackle Kyle Williams (95). Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Craig Melvin
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) - Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field. Photo by Kevin Hoffman September 16, 2018
- Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field. Photo by Kevin Hoffman September 16, 2018
Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (25) - Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field. Photo by Kevin Hoffman September 16, 2018
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) - Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field. Photo by Kevin Hoffman September 16, 2018
Buffalo Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes (55) sack celebration Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills defensive end Trent Murphy (93) Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes (55) celebrates his sack. Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Craig Melvin
Buffalo Bills running back Patrick DiMarco (42) makes a diving catch. Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Craig Melvin
Buffalo Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes (55) sacks Chargers Quarterback Philip Rivers (17). Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Craig Melvin
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) - Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field. Photo by Kevin Hoffman September 16, 2018
Buffalo Bills running back Marcus Murphy (45) runs the ball. Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Craig Melvin
Buffalo Bills punter Corey Bojorquez (9) punt Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills cornerback Tre'Davious White (27) Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) - Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field. Photo by Kevin Hoffman September 16, 2018
Buffalo Bills linebacker Lorenzo Alexander (57) Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills linebacker Lorenzo Alexander (57) - Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field. Photo by Kevin Hoffman September 16, 2018
Buffalo Bills linebacker Lorenzo Alexander (57). Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Craig Melvin
Buffalo Bills linebacker Lorenzo Alexander (57) - Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field. Photo by Kevin Hoffman September 16, 2018
Buffalo Bills linebacker Lorenzo Alexander (57) Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills linebacker Lorenzo Alexander (57) - Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field. Photo by Kevin Hoffman September 16, 2018
Buffalo Bills defensive end Eddie Yarbrough (54). Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Craig Melvin
Buffalo Bills linebacker Lorenzo Alexander (57) - Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field. Photo by Kevin Hoffman September 16, 2018
Buffalo Bills linebacker Lorenzo Alexander (57) - Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field. Photo by Kevin Hoffman September 16, 2018
Buffalo Bills linebacker Lorenzo Alexander (57) sacks Chargers Quarterback Philip Rivers (17). Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Craig Melvin
Buffalo Bills running back Marcus Murphy (45) Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills cornerback Lafayette Pitts (30) Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Harrison Phillips (99). Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Craig Melvin
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin (13) and quarterback Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Craig Melvin
Buffalo Bills tight end Jason Croom (80). Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Craig Melvin
Buffalo Bills linebacker Lorenzo Alexander (57) Buffalo Bills defensive end Eddie Yarbrough (54) Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) looks to throw from the pocket. Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Craig Melvin
Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Harrison Phillips (99) makes a tackle. Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Craig Melvin
Buffalo Bills linebacker Lorenzo Alexander (57) makes a tackle. Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Craig Melvin
Buffalo Bills cornerback Lafayette Pitts (30) Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Star Lotulelei (98) Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills offensive line Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills running back Chris Ivory (33) Buffalo Bills versus the Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field. September 16, 2018. Photo by Sara Schmidle.
Buffalo Bills running back Chris Ivory (33) Buffalo Bills versus the Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field. September 16, 2018. Photo by Sara Schmidle.
Buffalo Bills running back Marcus Murphy (45) Buffalo Bills versus the Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field. September 16, 2018. Photo by Sara Schmidle.
Buffalo Bills running back Chris Ivory (33) Buffalo Bills versus the Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field. September 16, 2018. Photo by Sara Schmidle.
Buffalo Bills running back Chris Ivory (33) runs the ball. Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Craig Melvin
Buffalo Bills running back Chris Ivory (33) runs the ball past Los Angeles Chargers defensive back Adrian Phillips (31). Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Craig Melvin
Buffalo Bills running back Chris Ivory (33) run Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Harrison Phillips (99) Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, September 16, 2018. Photo by Bill Wippert
