Analysis: Usually productive empty sets shot blanks for Bills vs. Steelers By Mark Gaughan News Sports Reporter Sep 13, 2021 Sep 13, 2021 Updated Mar 18, 2026 0 Josh Allen gets hit by both T.J. Watt (90) and Melvin Ingram (8) in the second quarter of Sunday's season-opener. James P. McCoy / Buffalo News Prefer us on Google Learn More Facebook Twitter Bluesky WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save By Mark Gaughan News Sports Reporter Brian Daboll and the Buffalo Bills’ offense will ride or die this season with the team’s deep, talented wide receiving corps.kAm~?6 325 C6DF=E H:== ?@E – 2?5 D9@F=5 ?@E – 492?86 E96 2AAC@249]k^AmkAm*6E E96 q:==D AC@323=J =67E E96:C @776?D:G6 E24<=6D @? 2? :D=2?5 E@@ @7E6? :? $F?52J’D ab\`e =@DD E@ E96 !:EED3FC89 $E66=6CD]k^AmkAm|2J36 H96? 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Related to this story Upon Further Review: Bills now know what it's like to play under the weight of lofty expectations "Yes, it’s still very early in the season, but another loss would turn the disappointment of the defeat to the Steelers into full-blown panic,… What we learned from snap counts in Bills' Week 1 loss, game ball and more Emmanuel Sanders finished with four catches for 52 yards in his first game with the Bills. 'We were trying to be aggressive there': Daboll explains backward fourth-down attempt “I think anytime a play doesn’t work, you always want it back. But we’re trying to call plays that give us a chance here, and maybe spring a b… Position grades: Ed Oliver's stout run defense was bright spot in defeat Offense and special teams let down the Buffalo Bills in the season opener, but the Bills’ defensive grades are good from Sunday’s 23-16 loss. Alan Pergament: CBS' Eagle is sharp, Davis is soft in criticism of Bills and overdoes praise of Big Ben Alan Pergament says he prefers analysts that are more critical than Charles Davis was during the broadcast of the Bills-Steelers game on Sunday. Full coverage - Steelers 23, Bills 16: Don't blame defense, observations, report card and more Recap the Buffalo Bills' season-opening loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers with The Buffalo News' digital coverage. Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | Omny Studio Recommended for you Watch Now: Related Video Hokies' Franklin on Maryland's offense Hokies' Franklin on having a healthy Altuner at center Hokies' Franklin on having a healthy Altuner at center Hokies' Franklin on practice Hokies' Franklin on practice Hokies' Meadows on return from injury Hokies' Meadows on return from injury
Upon Further Review: Bills now know what it's like to play under the weight of lofty expectations "Yes, it’s still very early in the season, but another loss would turn the disappointment of the defeat to the Steelers into full-blown panic,…
What we learned from snap counts in Bills' Week 1 loss, game ball and more Emmanuel Sanders finished with four catches for 52 yards in his first game with the Bills.
'We were trying to be aggressive there': Daboll explains backward fourth-down attempt “I think anytime a play doesn’t work, you always want it back. But we’re trying to call plays that give us a chance here, and maybe spring a b…
Position grades: Ed Oliver's stout run defense was bright spot in defeat Offense and special teams let down the Buffalo Bills in the season opener, but the Bills’ defensive grades are good from Sunday’s 23-16 loss.
Alan Pergament: CBS' Eagle is sharp, Davis is soft in criticism of Bills and overdoes praise of Big Ben Alan Pergament says he prefers analysts that are more critical than Charles Davis was during the broadcast of the Bills-Steelers game on Sunday.
Full coverage - Steelers 23, Bills 16: Don't blame defense, observations, report card and more Recap the Buffalo Bills' season-opening loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers with The Buffalo News' digital coverage.