The Buffalo Bills were defeated by the Atlanta Falcons 24-14 on Monday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, dropping their record to 4-2 while the Falcons improved to 3-2. The Bills will face the Carolina Panthers next on Sunday, October 26 at 1 p.m. EST.
Buffalo’s offense made a late push in the final two minutes, moving quickly downfield without any timeouts. On a trick play, wide receiver Keon Coleman caught a pass from quarterback Josh Allen and then lateraled to running back Ty Johnson, who picked up a first down and stopped the clock by stepping out of bounds. After Allen connected with wide receiver Tyrell Shavers for a 10-yard gain, the Bills hurried to the line as Shavers was tackled in bounds.
Allen scrambled for 24 yards on the next play, stopping the clock with less than a minute remaining, and then found Shavers again for nine yards under defensive pressure. However, with about 40 seconds left, Allen’s pass intended for Coleman was intercepted by Atlanta linebacker DeAngelo Malone, ending Buffalo’s comeback attempt and securing the Falcons’ win.
The game was marked by physical play and injuries, particularly for Buffalo. Tight end Dalton Kincaid was ruled out before the game, and several key players were injured during play. Defensive captain Terrel Bernard left late in the first half with a lower leg and ankle injury and was later listed as questionable to return. Wide receiver Joshua Palmer exited in the second quarter after a 15-yard catch and did not return. Center Connor McGovern, cornerback Christian Benford, and safety Cole Bishop also sustained injuries, though McGovern and Benford returned while Bishop was questionable in the second half.
Atlanta’s main offensive players, including quarterback Michael Penix Jr., running back Bijan Robinson, and wide receiver Drake London, remained healthy and contributed significantly to the Falcons’ early lead. Robinson and London combined for 285 yards in the first half, each scoring a touchdown after Tyler Allgeier’s opening score. Robinson’s 81-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter gave Atlanta a seven-point lead. London nearly extended the lead to 14 points before halftime but was ruled out of bounds at the one-yard line as time expired.
Buffalo narrowed the gap in the third quarter with a 16-yard touchdown pass from Allen to running back Ray Davis, bringing the score to within one possession. Defensive tackle Ed Oliver sacked Penix Jr. for a 13-yard loss on Atlanta’s first drive of the second half, forcing a punt. However, Buffalo’s offense struggled to capitalize, with Allen being sacked by David Onyemata for an eight-yard loss and failing to convert on fourth-and-two near midfield.
Special teams provided another opportunity when defensive end Greg Rousseau blocked a 37-yard field goal attempt, but the Bills’ offense was unable to convert after a fumble by running back Elijah Moore. Atlanta extended its lead to 10 points with a 33-yard field goal by John Parker Romo late in the fourth quarter.
Key statistics from the game include:
– The Bills are now 15-6 in primetime games since 2022.
– They hold a 20-6 record against NFC opponents since 2020.
– Josh Allen is 5-6 in Monday Night Football games.
– Head coach Sean McDermott is now 2-1 against the Falcons.
– Josh Allen has a 24-9 record following a loss in his career.
Dawson Knox’s touchdown in the first quarter tied the Bills for most touchdowns by a tight end in the NFL alongside the 49ers and Eagles. Knox needs one more receiving touchdown to tie for 10th place in franchise history for most receiving touchdowns. Sean McDermott is three wins away from reaching 100 combined regular season and postseason victories. Josh Allen needs three more wins to become the fifth starting quarterback with 90 wins in his first eight seasons, joining Patrick Mahomes, Tom Brady, Russell Wilson, and Ben Roethlisberger.
Scoring plays included touchdowns from Tyler Allgeier, Dawson Knox, Drake London, Bijan Robinson, and Ray Davis, along with field goals from John Parker Romo.
The Bills will look to regroup ahead of their next matchup against the Panthers.
