Buffalo Bills' Josh Allen-led offense takes a sloppy step back in loss after season-opening surge

After two strong opening performances, the Buffalo Bills' offense has taken a step back in their past two games, including a 29-26 loss to New England on Sunday. Instead of a surge, the offense has shown signs of sputtering and being impeded by ball-security issues. Buffalo punted four times on Sunday, one fewer than they did in the first three weeks, and went three-and-out three times against New England, compared to just once before the season.

The team has accumulated seven giveaways since the start of the season, with Allen's late-game interception sealing the loss against the Patriots. While the defense has been dealing with growing pains and injuries, the offense bears its share of responsibility. Both coach Joe Brady and quarterback Josh Allen have acknowledged the need for improvement.

Brady admitted he needs to be a better offensive play-caller, while Allen blamed everyone involved, including the offense, defense, and special teams. The Bills' strategy of taking the ball first when winning the coin flip didn't yield the desired results, as they went three-and-out in the opening possession and had to wait seven minutes to get the ball back after the defense allowed a long touchdown drive.

Despite the defense's deficiencies, they managed to force three straight punts in the second half after falling behind 21-17, opening the third quarter. Allen's game-ending interception, which he admitted was a mistake, highlights the need for better decision-making. The team's performance underscores the importance of complementary football, as Buffalo had been 50-5 at home and won 19 straight when leading in the fourth quarter before this loss.