Struggling Bills try to recapture winning formula
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Sean McDermott’s faith in the Buf- falo Bills hasn’t wavered despite the team’s latest dud.
Unhappy as the first-year coach might have been Monday rehashing what’s gone wro ng with a suddenly porous defense and sputtering offense, McDermott wanted to first remind everyone that the Bills (5-4) still have a winning record.
“We take what happened yesterday seriously and you have to learn from it but not get too far down on your- selves and lose confidence,” he said, referring to a 47-10 loss to New Orleans. “The five wins didn’t happen by mistake.”
Neither did the Bills four losses, including their most recent back-to-back melt- downs which have had the appearance of exposing a rushing — against the Saints. patchwork team for its varThe defense was so ineffecious deficiencies. tive that New Orleans never
Their defense is suddenly punted, scored on eight of springing leaks since defenits nine possessions (not sive tackle Marcell Dareus including two that ended was traded to Jacksonville each half ) and finished with three weeks ago. a near 23-minute edge in
After allowing 194 yards time of possession. rushing in a 34-21 loss at the Buffalo’s offense wasn’t New York Jets on Nov. 2, Buf- much better against New falo surrendered 298 yards Orleans despite the presence rushing — including a fran- of receiver Kelvin Benjamin, chise-worst six touchdowns who made his debut since being acquired in a trade with Carolina on Oct. 31. Quarterback Tyrod Taylor produced just four first downs and 104 net yards through 55 minutes before being yanked in favor of rookie backup Nathan Peterman.
“I believe in the men in that locker room and I’m excited about where we’re going,” McDermott said. Though the Bills currently hold down the AFC’s sixth and final playoff spot, they face a daunting stretch in their latest bid to end a 17-year playoff drought — the longest active streak in North America’s four professional sports leagues. After playing at the Los Angeles Chargers (3-6) on Sunday, Buffalo then plays at AFC West-leading Kansas City before returning home to face AFC East-leading New England on Dec. 3.