The Buffalo Bills' recent performance has sparked significant debate: Are they too fancy for their own good? After a disappointing 23-20 defeat against the New England Patriots, head coach Sean McDermott voiced his frustration by describing the team's offense as "too cute." This term is not typically associated with an aggressive and high-octane offense like the Bills, widely considered one of the most formidable in the AFC.
Despite outpacing the Patriots in total yards, first downs, and time of possession, the Bills fell short of scoring 30 points for the first time this season, which has become a hallmark of their explosive gameplay. More troubling, they committed three turnovers throughout the game, a crucial factor in their loss. The first of these disasters came during their very first drive, when quarterback Josh Allen mishandled a handoff to tight end Dawson Knox during a jet sweep. The timing was off, likely due to Knox arriving prematurely, causing the ball to hit him squarely in the chest and drop to the ground, where the Patriots eagerly snatched it up.
It's worth noting that Knox, who has participated in 91 games during his career, had not taken a handoff in over six years; in fact, the only previous time he carried the ball was in a game early in his rookie season back in 2019.
McDermott expressed his disappointment with the offensive cohesion, stating, "It just didn't seem like we were in a rhythm offensively enough, and when we did, we had penalties and self-inflicted wounds. This is a pivotal learning opportunity for us. At times, I felt we were trying to be too clever with our strategy."
Emphasizing the importance of maintaining possession, McDermott pointedly remarked, "You cannot turn the ball over and expect to win. Doing it three times is simply unacceptable."
When questioned the following day about whether his remark about being "too cute" specifically referred to the problematic play involving Allen and Knox, McDermott refrained from focusing on a single incident, stating, "I don’t want to single out just one play. It’s about our overall approach; we need to be more physical and urgent in our execution. Some plays are designed to take charge and challenge our opponents, but it’s crucial we return to our fundamental game principles."
In contrast, offensive coordinator Joe Brady appeared unfazed by McDermott’s “cute” critique. When the journalists probed him about the comment, he playfully responded, "Define cute." While the reporter suggested they should clarify this with McDermott, Brady smiled and nodded as he was informed about the head coach’s insistence on simplifying their game strategy.
Brady then enthusiastically dissected the intention behind the criticized play-call and defended its legitimacy. "Did we fumble on that play? Yes. But considering the defensive alignment, handing off to Dawson was a calculated decision. We had a favorable one-on-one scenario, which was dictated by the defense's setup," Brady explained. "To us, involving Dawson on the edge is normal; it’s not a gimmick play but a routine part of our game plan. However, our execution didn’t meet the standard we expect, which was a reflection of our struggles that night."
It’s also noteworthy that since Brady became the offensive coordinator in November 2023, the Bills hold an impressive record of 23 wins against just 6 losses. Following a perfect start of 14-0 at Highmark Stadium, this loss served as a significant wake-up call.
"Ultimately, when you turn over the ball three times, no team can overcome that consistently, no matter how skilled they are, unless their defense also performs at an extraordinary level," Brady pointed out. "Whether you call it cute or not, we simply weren’t good enough last night."
While McDermott and Brady may hold differing views on what constitutes being "too cute" in their offensive strategy, both undeniably agree on one critical point: losing possession of the football is a surefire way to lose a game.
Now we want to hear from you. Do you think the Bills need to tone down their creativity on offense, or is this a matter of execution rather than strategy? Share your thoughts below!
