Developing an early, consistent rhythm on offense
Wide receiver Keon Coleman had an up-and-down night on Sunday. He made four of seven catches for 23 yards. His night started with a fumble that New England recovered at Buffalo’s 11-yard-line. In the fourth quarter, Coleman bounced back from that mishap and scored, which put the Bills within three of the Patriots.
“I trust 0,” Allen said. “[Coleman is] still continuing to develop that rapport. But for him, late in that game to score a touchdown, [make] a couple big plays for us – the third down jump ball – we’re going to need more of that from him and [it’s] not going to deter me from going his way at all.”
At the end of the day for Buffalo, it’s about coming together and doing what’s best for the team.
“I’m a ball player and you can count on me to make plays when they need to be made,” Coleman said.
In the run game, running back James Cook had 15 carries on Sunday, his lowest of the season. He rushed for 49 yards, averaging 3.3 yards per carry. In all four previous games, Cook scored at least once and in the last three games before the Patriots, he passed 100 rushing yards.
It was difficult for him to develop a rhythm and feel for the game without enough carries. Offensive rhythm is something Buffalo struggled with, and whether it’s Cook or any other player out there, McDermott wants his team to overcome that hump as early as possible. In the first four games of the season, the Bills scored on each of their opening drives.
“At the end of the day, this is the NFL,” Allen said. “Each and every week has got to be earned and that starts in practice.”