“It sucks losing, but knowing in the losses this year, we’ve turned the ball over. And that’s pointing the thumb directly at myself. If we take care of the football we are a good football team.” — Josh Allen
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen has made it clear where the blame lies for the team’s recent struggles: with himself. After a disheartening 7-3 loss to the Miami Dolphins, which saw the Bills struggle on both sides of the ball, Allen took responsibility for his mistakes—namely, turnovers that continue to plague the team’s chances of success.
“It sucks losing,” Allen said after the game. “But knowing in the losses this year, we’ve turned the ball over. And that’s pointing the thumb directly at myself. If we take care of the football, we are a good football team.”
The Bills had multiple opportunities to keep pace with the New England Patriots in the AFC East but squandered those chances, turning the ball over three times in crucial moments. Two of those turnovers came from Allen himself—one an interception and the other a lost fumble—during a game where the Bills simply couldn’t establish any rhythm offensively.
Allen’s acknowledgment of his role in the team’s struggles comes as no surprise, as he has consistently taken the blame for missed opportunities and negative plays in past losses. The turnover issue is a stark contrast to last season’s successful formula, where the Bills thrived by protecting the football and forcing turnovers on defense. This season, the Bills have accumulated eight turnovers in their three losses, while forcing just three turnovers in return.
But while Allen pointed to turnovers as the key factor in the Bills’ recent struggles, head coach Sean McDermott added that there was more to the issue. The team’s struggles on first and second downs were another major factor in their lack of offensive success. McDermott noted that their offensive success rate in the first half was the lowest it has been since Allen’s rookie year, with the team failing to set up manageable third-down situations.
“Too many third down and longs, one-dimensional type situations,” McDermott said.
Allen agreed, adding, “I just feel like early on, we were kind of beating ourselves.” The quarterback also acknowledged that the wide receivers, who have struggled to get separation in recent weeks, were partly to blame for missed opportunities.
“It’s never just one thing,” McDermott said of the team’s offensive issues.
To address these struggles, the Bills have made a move this week, signing former Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman. In addition, veteran wide receiver Gabe Davis is expected to make his return soon, following an ankle injury that cut his 2024 season short.
The Bills’ offense is at a crossroads, and while Allen’s self-awareness and willingness to take blame is admirable, it will take a collective effort to turn the season around. The loss to the Dolphins dropped the Bills to 6-3, leaving them two games behind the Patriots for the AFC East lead, with the Patriots also holding a tiebreaker after their October victory over Buffalo.
With the stakes high and the pressure mounting, it’s clear that the Bills need to refocus, tighten up their ball security, and find ways to capitalize on offensive opportunities if they’re going to remain a contender in the AFC East.
The Minnesota Wild (8-7-4) is back on home ice tonight to host the Vegas Golden Knights (8-4-5). The Wild will be without forward Vladimir Tarasenko for the second straight game.
Tarasenko, 33, has two goals and ten points in 18 games this year for the Wild. He missed Saturday’s game against the Anaheim Ducks with a lower-body injury and will not play again on Sunday.
Wild head coach John Hynes said after the game that Tarasenko’s status will be day-to-day.