The Buffalo Bills, currently holding a 4-1 record for their best season start since 2022, are set to face the Atlanta Falcons on Monday Night Football in Week 6. The team is coming off its first loss of the season against the New England Patriots, where a late field goal resulted in a 23-20 defeat.
Head coach Sean McDermott addressed the importance of learning from the recent loss. “It’s good reminder for us of how you really don’t want to play and don’t want to live that type of life,” McDermott said. “And why it’s important we stay on the details, we stay disciplined, and we stay urgent. Our approach, we finish plays and we take care of the football, make good decisions with the ball in our hands. All those things are kind of the foundation of what leads to the results.”
ESPN NFL analyst Dan Orlovsky also commented on how setbacks can refocus a team. “Losses like this will bring urgency back to your locker room, back to your meeting rooms, back to your preparations,” Orlovsky said on One Bills Live. “…I think the reemphasis of decision making, reemphasis of valuing the football, reemphasis of trying to take it away, I think is valuable.”
Offensive coordinator Joe Brady acknowledged that last week’s offensive performance did not meet expectations. “That first half especially was about as bad as it gets,” Brady said. “I have opportunities. The way the defense was playing right there. You have opportunities to, not necessarily put the game away, but you have opportunities to take a lead. And instead, we kind of gift wrapped them some points, so disappointing from that, but definitely wasn’t the standard. And our guys kind of understand that.”
Bills legend and radio color analyst Eric Wood suggested that Buffalo should focus more on its running game moving forward after averaging over 160 rushing yards per game before Week 5 but only managing 118 against New England.
“Continue to lean into the run game, not necessarily be predictable with the run game. Establish the run game and when you get the right boxes, get to your play action game,” Wood said on One Bills Live. “Josh Allen play action and under center this year has been excellent. Those tight ends are matchup nightmares, lean into that.”
The Falcons enter Week 6 following their biggest win this season—a 34-27 victory over Washington—before resting during their bye week in Week 5. Quarterback Michael Penix Jr., wide receiver Drake London and running back Bijan Robinson were key contributors in Atlanta’s offensive output.
Orlovsky highlighted Atlanta’s young talent: “Six first round picks in their starting eleven. Seven are picks in the first two rounds… It’s athletic. It’s a big offensive line… Bijan Robinson is as good as any back in the NFL.” He added about Atlanta’s defense: “(They have) a really good linebacker in Kaden Elliss… It’s a defense that has played better at times but still is not the strength of the football team.”
Robinson leads all NFL players with an average of 146 scrimmage yards per game so far this season and had nearly 1,900 scrimmage yards last year.
Bills defensive coordinator Bobby Babich noted Robinson’s versatility: “From what I’ve seen so far, he can do it all,” Babich said. “He can tote the rock. He can play in the pass game… extremely good slasher, cutter…”
Orlovsky compared Robinson’s usage by Atlanta to Christian McCaffrey at his peak: “They’re going to line him up in slot… hand it off… throw it… screen it… You’re talking about a 25 touch a game guy.”
Buffalo has struggled defensively against opposing rushing attacks this year but improved last week by limiting New England’s ground production.
Tight end Dalton Kincaid has emerged as one of Buffalo’s top receiving threats with six catches for 108 yards last week—his career high—and ranks second among tight ends league-wide for receiving yards this season.
McDermott praised Kincaid’s competitive drive: “He is highly competitive, driven… every catch he makes you kind of feel that.” Offensive coordinator Joe Brady added: “Making those critical catches and Josh trusting him in those moments… that’s what we’ve seen from last six months…”
Looking ahead at scheduling challenges for Buffalo: After four home games out of five weeks so far this season they now face an extended stretch away from Highmark Stadium—with only two home games scheduled between Weeks 6 and 13.
