The Buffalo Bills followed a big home victory in Week One, with a bit of a dud in the second week of the season against the rival New England Patriots. The Bills couldn’t get out of their own way, and ended up with a 40-32 loss to the Patriots.
The Bills will travel to Miami to take on the 1-1 Dolphins in Week Three, but before they do, first is a detailed look at how each player on the team performed against the Patriots.
Each and every week, WKBW.com will review the tape, and bring you how each player graded out in the previous week, with the help of the Game Pass app on NFL.com. Before we get to the rankings, first, an explanation of how they are done.
Every Tuesday, when the All-22 film becomes available, we’ll go through and watch each play and every player on each play as many times as necessary, to assess a letter grade for that game to the player. It is subjective analysis, and it’s important to note that we do not know the play calls and full responsibilities. With that written, the grades stem from technique, outstanding efforts, and presumed liability.
Only players that take a snap on offense or defense are accounted for, and players with under 10-to-15 snaps, unless they have a significant impact on the game, will not be factored into weekly rankings.
Once we get through three weeks, season-long grades will be tallied and documented, with each individual game’s grade being weighted for how much the player was on the field in a given week.
Now, the individual player grades of the Bills versus the Patriots (with some video):
1) HB LeSean McCoy
Plays on the Field: 49/72
Grade vs. Patriots: A -
- The running ability of McCoy came into question following a hamstring injury in the middle of August. It slowed down McCoy for a little bit of time, and it especially showed when the runner himself revealed that he didn’t feel 100-percent against the Colts. That seems to have dissipated after watching the game against the Patriots, as McCoy looked as explosive as he was during the spring and summer before the injury. He looked explosive, he followed his blocks well, and made plays out of nothing. Perhaps most surprising, McCoy looked more than competent and willing, to successfully keep a clean pocket for his quarterback Tyrod Taylor.
2) C Eric Wood
Plays on the Field: 72/72
Grade vs. Patriots: B +
- A game like the one that starting center Eric Wood had against the Patriots is one that was sorely needed following a lackluster performance against Indianapolis. Wood provided a good push on rushes, showing the ability to get to the second-level of defenders, and he excelled in pass protection. Wood, who is next to Week One offensive line star and starting left guard Richie Incognito, needed a bounce back game in the second week of the season, and he certainly got it.
3) DE Jerry Hughes
Plays on the Field: 79/86
Grade vs. Patriots: B +
- Not much pressure was put on Tom Brady, but really, what exactly can players like Jerry Hughes do? The majority of the throws were out of Brady’s hands in two seconds or less, and really, that’s no way to judge a defensive linemen on pressure. So, in the rare instances that Brady actually spent a good amount of time in the pocket, Hughes was quite effective. His ‘wow’ play of the game was the strip sack in the fourth quarter, but, he also played fairly well against the few New England running plays. His most surprising play? He covered tight end Rob Gronkowski, one-on-one, on a deep ball and lived to tell the tale. Hughes made the play and forced the incompletion.
4) DT Kyle Williams
Plays on the Field: 69/86
Grade vs. Patriots: B
- Just as it was with Hughes, it’s hard to criticize the defensive line for a lack of pressure on Brady on most of their 86 plays. Kyle Williams, despite the timid game plan, still showed in the similar way that many have come to expect since he entered the league in Buffalo. He was firing off the snap and tore through his assignment on more than one occasion. Still, it’s hard to get overly excited over his day because Bill Belichick’s scheme was so superior to what Rex Ryan had lined up for the New England offense.
Your weekly reminder that Kyle Williams is really, really good. #Bills pic.twitter.com/osCAMO9SIp
— Joe Buscaglia (@JoeBuscaglia) September 23, 2015
5) DE Mario Williams
Plays on the Field: 83/86
Grade vs. Patriots: B
- Mario Williams hasn’t done a whole heck of a lot as a pass rusher in the first two weeks of 2015, but his day against New England was one that was solid in effecting plays without actually being credited for them. Whether it was setting the edge against the handful of runs that they faced (as you can see below), or, he used his length to either take away a throwing lane. In a game where most of his teammates were plainly average, Williams had a couple of plays that pushed him into the ‘slightly above average’ realm.
Plays like this one from Mario Williams are part of why I liked his game (so far) despite no pressure on Brady pic.twitter.com/73lTnmDemt
— Joe Buscaglia (@JoeBuscaglia) September 23, 2015
6) CB Stephon Gilmore
Plays on the Field: 86/86
Grade vs. Patriots: B
- Gilmore, despite all the passing yards on the Bills, didn’t surrender the big play from their top cornerback.. He was a sure tackler against New England, and really just allowed the short stuff underneath. It would be nice to see, if the Bills aren’t going to rush more than four players for the majority of the game, if they would allow, and or force, Gilmore to play up tight to the receiver as opposed to giving a six-to-eight yard cushion.
7) DT Marcell Dareus
Plays on the Field: 68/86
Grade vs. Patriots: B
- In his first game back, Dareus wasn’t allowed to do much by the Patriots game plan. Still, a couple of plays stood out for the Bills and their newest $100 million man. He of course had a sack, and then on a separate play, tossed aside two separate defenders on the way to plugging the lane of the ball carrier.
8) HB Karlos Williams
Plays on the Field: 23/72
Grade vs. Patriots: B
- The rookie running back didn’t have nearly as much success from a rushing yard standpoint. Williams proved to the coaches on Sunday that he could, and would, be their short-yardage running back. That, plus in showing some natural running ability, the Bills would be foolish to keep him off the field moving forward. Despite a potential holding penalty, Williams stepped his game up in pass protection this week, too.
Karlos Williams gets a gold star here. Gave Taylor enough time to take a shot to Harvin, PI call, TD next play pic.twitter.com/gFiFPVP6uQ
— Joe Buscaglia (@JoeBuscaglia) September 23, 2015
9) WR Sammy Watkins
Plays on the Field: 70/72
Grade vs. Patriots: B
- For the first time in 2015, the Bills finally got the ball into the hands of wide receiver Sammy Watkins. Even if it wasn’t as explosive as a game as some may have liked, Watkins was able to show off some of his skills on the field. He roped in a late touchdown, and also had a few run blocks that helped the Bills be effective on the ground. Penalties are an issue for every team, but, the pass interference called on Watkins below is egregious.
Sammy Watkins, your route was far too deceptive. Had to be doing something illegal.... A joke of a penalty call. pic.twitter.com/sSfJS0kpxT
— Joe Buscaglia (@JoeBuscaglia) September 23, 2015
10) CB Ronald Darby
Plays on the Field: 74/86
Grade vs. Patriots: B
- The Buffalo Bills had their fair share of problems in stopping Tom Brady, but really, it didn’t fall at the feet of their starting cornerbacks. Another example of that was with Ronald Darby, who actually played quite well despite the Bills allowing as many yards as they did. Darby really shined, oddly enough, when he was up against tight end Rob Gronkowski. He turned and ran well with whichever player he went up against. While he still allowed some catches, Darby showed poise against a very potent quarterback. It was a surefire step in the right direction for the young player
11) WR Percy Harvin
Plays on the Field: 59/72
Grade vs. Patriots: B
12) RT Seantrel Henderson
Plays on the Field: 71/72
Grade vs. Patriots: B
13) LG RIchie Incognito
Plays on the Field:
Grade vs. Patriots: B -
14) LB Preston Brown
Plays on the Field: 84/86
Grade vs. Patriots: B -
15) WR Robert Woods
Plays on the Field: 53/72
Grade vs. Patriots: B -
16) TE Charles Clay
Plays on the Field: 68/72
Grade vs. Patriots: B -
17) LT Cordy Glenn
Plays on the Field: 72/72
Grade vs. Patriots: B -
18) CB Nickell Robey
Plays on the Field: 53/86
Grade vs. Patriots: B -
19) DT Corbin Bryant
Plays on the Field: 30/86
Grade vs. Patriots: B -
20) S Bacarri Rambo
Plays on the Field: 33/86
Grade vs. Patriots: B -
21) DE Alex Carrington
Plays on the Field: 17/86
Grade vs. Patriots: B -
22) LB Manny Lawson
Plays on the Field: 30/86
Grade vs. Patriots: C +
23) TE Matthew Mulligan
Plays on the Field: 12/72
Grade vs. Patriots: C +
24) LB Nigel Bradham
Plays on the Field: 86/86
Grade vs. Patriots: C +
25) S Aaron Williams
Plays on the Field: 56/86
Grade vs. Patriots: C
- Before he left the game in an ambulance, Williams was not having a good performance. He was the recipient of two separate personal foul penalties that cost his team, he was taken out of run plays by blockers, and he even fell down in coverage a couple of times. Sunday against the Patriots was not his best, considering how well he played last week against Indianapolis.
26) QB Tyrod Taylor
Plays on the Field: 72/72
Grade vs. Patriots: C
- The Week One success of Tyrod Taylor is still out there and was a welcomed sight, but, now both he and the Bills will have to work hard to find that success once more. The blue print of how to stop Taylor is now out, and it’s on him to prove teams he can overcome the latest defensive scheme against him and regain some success for the team. On the first drive of the game, Taylor through short passes for yards after catch, and was able to use his legs. The drive resulted in a touchdown, and then the Patriots adjusted. They decided to take the short throws away from Taylor, kept eight-to-nine players in the box to take away his mobility, and dared him to throw it deep. Really, the Bills quarterback was just hesitant to do so, as it’s evidenced by the two tweets below:
Tyrod Taylor has to spot Percy Harvin (37-yard line) on this play. Had time in the pocket, safety was 15 yards away. pic.twitter.com/WO5ehLZhqv
— Joe Buscaglia (@JoeBuscaglia) September 23, 2015
Same series, 2 plays later. Woods WIDE OPEN at the 29 w/ safety 16 yards away. Taylor has time. Doesn't pull trigger pic.twitter.com/ZCil4O0aPW
— Joe Buscaglia (@JoeBuscaglia) September 23, 2015
As the game went on, the Bills had to sling the ball around, and the Patriots backed off their game plan with the contest — at that point, at least — well in hand. Taylor will see a similar defense against the Miami Dolphins, and now it’s on him to correct the problem. If he doesn’t, it could very well be a festering problem. It’s still a bit too early for that, though.
27) S Corey Graham
Plays on the Field: 83/86
Grade vs. Patriots: C
- In his first full game as a starting safety for the Buffalo Bills, Graham drew a tough assignment against a really good Patriots offense, and really couldn’t withstand them. Graham was caught flat-footed in the secondary as a single-high safety at times, he missed a tackle or two, and was covered up in run support.
28) RG John Miller
Plays on the Field: 72/72
Grade vs. Patriots: C -
- For the second straight week, rookie right guard John Miller is in the bottom-five of the grades for the Bills, but he is legitimately struggling to start the season. Whether it’s the length of his arms, or just a lack of experience, but Miller hasn’t been able to find his footing in the NFL just yet. He did start off strong in the first quarter, but as the game went on, Miller’s performance dipped considerably in one-on-one matchups. It doesn’t get any easier for him next week against Miami’s Ndamukong Suh
29) S Duke Williams
Plays on the Field: 7/86
Grade vs. Patriots: D
- Here’s the perfect way to sum up Duke Williams’ day:
Upon motion, complete disarray for Duke Williams pic.twitter.com/g7E8sq9BbV
— Joe Buscaglia (@JoeBuscaglia) September 23, 2015
And not to mention this, the day after the Bills lost to the Patriots:
Well, there's one of 4 players Rex could be talking about here, and he's praised Butler & Rambo. Likely Duke Williams pic.twitter.com/T08jDmgyqY
— Joe Buscaglia (@JoeBuscaglia) September 21, 2015
He probably won’t be seeing the field anytime soon.
(**Author's Note: Will be adding the other 14 explanations throughout the day Wednesday**)
Players with below 15 snaps (that were inconsequential to the game)
WR Chris Hogan (11)
FB Jerome Felton (10)
CB Mario Butler (8)
TE MarQueis Gray (5)
T Cyrus Kouandjio (1)
Previous All-22 Reviews:
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