Grading the Bills: Week 3

The Buffalo Bills steamrolled the Miami Dolphins 41-14 on Sunday at Sun Life Stadium. For that recap, check out the link HERE.

Here are the grades from Buffalo’s blowout victory for each unit:

Rushing Offense- Karlos Williams has been the most consistent running back so far in Buffalo’s first three games. Williams ran for 110 yards and a touchdown, using his combined speed and power to dominate the Dolphins. However, the other Bills running backs didn’t fare as well. LeSean McCoy had issues with health, failing to get a consistent game together. He was often getting stretches from the training staff all afternoon. McCoy finished with 11 carries for just 16 yards. Anthony “Boobie” Dixon had 5 carries, but had a total of (minus) -1 yards. He was not good at getting the push needed for short yardage situations. I wouldn’t be surprised if Williams takes those opportunities as well. GRADE: B+

Passing Offense- Tyrod Taylor did whatever he wanted against the Miami defense. There were no throws in danger of being intercepted, and Taylor wound up 21-of-29 for 267 yards and 3 touchdowns. Percy Harvin led the Bills in receptions, 7 catches for 66 yards. Charles Clay went off on his former team, with 5 catches for 82 yards and the opening touchdown. Add in the Bills offensive line’s success, allowing zero sacks on Taylor one week after he got taken down 8 times. Dominant performance here by the Bills passing attack. GRADE: A

Rushing Defense- Miami’s Jonas Gray was able to find some holes, but not during moments that it mattered. The Bills allowed a bit of yardage during garbage time, since that was the only time Buffalo had to deal with the Miami running game. Buffalo held Miami’s backs in check when it mattered, even though it got ugly quickly. GRADE: B

Passing Defense- Wow. Miami’s Ryan Tannehill had 297 yards and 2 touchdowns, but it didn’t seem like it. The Bills picked off Tannehill three times, with Preston Brown getting two of them (and one going for a touchdown). Ronald Darby got the other interception, showing improvement as he continues to get tested by opposing quarterbacks. The Bills hit Tannehill 8 times, with 8 different players registering hits on the Miami passer. While Buffalo allowed Miami’s Rishard Matthews to get two touchdowns, one was caused by Buffalo’s Stephon Gilmore slipping in a fluke play. GRADE: A-

Special Teams- The special teams unit got bailed out in this blowout. Dan Carpenter missed a 54 yard field goal, but the ball was wet and the snap was bad, so Carpenter won’t take heat for that miss. However, Buffalo let up a huge punt return to Jarvis Landry. They were bailed out by Brown’s first interception, taking Miami’s stellar field position away. GRADE: B-

Coaching: Buffalo cut down on their penalties, only called for 5, as opposed to the double digit amounts they were called for during each of their first 2 games… Offensive coordinator Greg Roman led the offense to another great day against a supposedly decent defense… Head coach Rex Ryan made sure the Bills rebounded from last week’s rough loss to New England. Ryan made sure the Bills didn’t let up, keeping the pedal down during garbage time. GRADE: A-

The Bills take on the New York Giants on October 4th at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Keep coming back to Better Live Than Dead for more Bills coverage!