Buffalo Bills (1-0) – Arizona Cardinals (0-1): 34-28
At the end of a binary match in all respects, Josh Allen allows his team to come out the winner. The quarterback decided in one half to come back from a fourteen-point deficit by taking his entire team in his backpack.
False start
The Cardinals start the game in the best possible way. Calm and focused, Kyler Murray (21/31, 162 yards, 1TD) rolls out the game plan of his offensive coordinator, Drew Petzing. The tactic is perfect, without a hitch with James Conner as leader.
The Desert Birds logically took the lead 17-3 after scoring on their first three offensive drives, a first for them since the 2006 season. During this time, Josh Allen helped Arizona with an unfortunate fumble.
However, Buffalo responded perfectly by scoring a touchdown on the run, through its quarterback, just before halftime. The Bills caught up with the score, in pain, with too much indiscipline to hope for better… for the moment.
Allen, the key man
In diesel mode, Buffalo finished its run-in after this first touchdown. The offensive line and James Cook on the ground only have to roll out over the distance (19 carries, 71 yards). Josh Allen gets the crowd on his feet on decisive plays. And the score soars after touchdowns from Mack Hollins and Kalil Shakir on the reception.
Kyler Murray also returned the favor to his buddy on a fumble caused by the unstoppable of the day, Greg Rousseau (3 sacks in total). Nevertheless, the Cardinals' offense had the merit of trying. The defense, it, suffered against much better.
A relaxed Josh forces the weak lock on every play. A sublime pass to rookie Keon Coleman and a run over two defenders later, the game is decided. The first touchdown on a dynamic kickoff by DeeJay Dallas won't change anything.
“Allen MVP” chants come from the stands. The Cardinals get back on the bus. Josh enjoys it with 18 completions (78.3%), 232 passing yards, 39 rushing yards and 4 total touchdowns (2 throwing, 2 rushing).
