The Morning After: Bills get a dose of reality that will be needed going forward
The Buffalo Bills failed to live up to lofty expectations in Week 1. The Pittsburgh Steelers came to Orchard Park and handed the Bills an opening-day loss, 23-16.
In doing so, the Steelers exposed the Bills.
Buffalo’s offensive line might soon become the defensive line of 2020 where many clamor for improvement. They didn’t look good and even when quarterback Josh Allen had his chances, he didn’t play great himself.
The defense played well for chunks of the game, but in big moments, did not.
While that’s a tough pill to swallow, it could be a needed one.
Last season, the Bills were the underdog to root for, marching all the way to the AFC title game. In 2021, they’re no defending champion, but they’re a known commodity.
The Steelers were a perfect example of how every team will be gunning for the Bills with something a little extra each week.
Not only that, Pittsburgh kind of had a personal beef with Buffalo after losing to them two years in a row.
The Bills will have several other upcoming opponents on their schedule that are in a similar light. Just look at the AFC East.
Buffalo swept the entire division last season. Think those teams forgot about that? The Miami Dolphins are en route next and despite starting 1-0 on Sunday, they’re going to be eager for 2020 redemption.
It was a lousy Sunday in Buffalo, for sure. But moving forward, the Bills cannot… and won’t… forget the way the Steelers stuck it to them.
Not only will this Bills’ mindset help moving forward… let’s not forgot as observers of this game: the Steelers are pretty damn good, too.
That chip now on Buffalo’s shoulder… combined with facing maybe only one other defensive line that’s as good as Pittsburgh’s (Washington?), are a couple of positives to pull from the loss.
