Posted: 2025-11-14
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen is putting blame in a familiar spot after the team’s recent struggles.
Allen spoke to reporters as the team looks to bounce back from a stunning loss to the Miami Dolphins, a game where the Bills struggled on both sides of the ball. Though there was plenty of blame to go around, Allen pointed to his own play as a major factor in the downturn.
Josh Allen Points to Common Factor
The Bills had a chance to make keep pace with the New England Patriots atop the AFC East last week but struggled against an otherwise reeling Dolphins team. The Bills turned the ball over three times, all of them with the team driving.
The team now has eight turnovers in their three losses this season while forcing just three turnovers in those games, a reversal from last season’s winning formula of protecting the ball while forcing turnovers.
Allen said the turnovers are a major factor in the team’s struggles, saying he is to blame for much of it.
“It sucks losing,” Allen said. “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.”
Allen regularly points to his own play after losses, placing blame on himself for missed opportunities or negative plays. The Bills quarterback had two turnovers on Sunday, losing a fumble and throwing an interception.
The loss dropped the Bills to 6-3, two wins behind the Patriots for the lead in the AFC East. The Patriots also have a tie-breaker based on their October win over the Bills.
Sean McDermott Sees More Factors
Bills head coach Sean McDermott said it was more than just turnovers hurting the team, pointing to the team’s struggles on first downs. The team’s official website noted that they had an offensive success rate of just 29.2% if the first half, the lowest of any game since Allen’s rookie year in 2018.
McDermott said the team’s struggles on first and second downs were a major factor in those struggles, putting the team in difficult situations on third down.
“Too many third down and longs, one dimensional type situation,” McDermott said.
Allen agreed that the team’s struggles in setting up manageable third-down situations was a big factor in the loss.
“I just feel like early on, (we were) kind of beating ourselves,” Allen said.
While Allen did miss some open receivers, the group of wide receivers largely struggled in getting separation — which was also a factor in the team’s other two losses. McDermott called out the deficiency in speaking to reporters.
“There were some times where we weren’t open,” he said. “But it’s never just one thing.”
The Bills aimed to address the issue this week, signing former Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman. The Bills could also see veteran Gabe Davis take the field soon as he nears a full recovery from the ankle injury that cut short his 2024 season.
