Report card: Bills top Giants, 14-9

Check out Bills Wire’s Week 6 report card for the Buffalo Bills (4-2) following the team’s 14-9 win against the New York Giants (1-5):

Quarterback: C+

It wasn’t the best of days from Josh Allen and the entire passing game. The slow start was the main takeaway from the Bills.

Overall, Allen was 19-for-30 passing for only 169 yards. He had an interception on a ball that was tipped but throwing for two touchdown passes on an off day is still solid

Running backs: B+

Like the rest of the offense, the backs took a bit of time to get going. Once they did, it was their best game in weeks.

James Cook did not start but eventually got an extended run in the backfield. He finished with 71 yards and a 5.1 average, while veteran Latavius Murray ran for 45 yards.

Damien Harris was taken off the field in an ambulance. Thankfully, all updates have been positive since then.

Wide receivers: B-

Mixed bag. Another strong outing for Stefon Diggs who had 10 catches and an even 100 yards. Gabe Davis had only 21 yards and a fumble–but he gets a pass after scoring in four-straight outings.

A final nice touch: Deonte Harty had his first touchdown with the Bills.

Tight ends: C

Just like when first-round rookie Dalton Kincaid does play (he was inactive due to injury vs. the Giants), there wasn’t a ton to take from this group. Dawson Knox had a measly 17 yards on three catches.

Quintin Morris found the end zone, though. It was the first time he was targeted this season and it went for a game-winning touchdown.

Offensive line: B+

Allen wasn’t sacked which was a positive. He did have a lot of times where he appeared to be running around to find time to throw the ball.

Where the Bills offensive line found their groove. was in the run game. It was actually ironic that was the case.

The Giants’ pass rush has lacked at times this year but they have great run defenders such as defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence. Buffalo’s front five handled him.

Defensive line: B

The Bills defensive front continued to cause problems for an opposing quarterback, this time it was former friend Tyrod Taylor. Taylor was sacked three times but his mobility is well know. He only managed 24 rushing yards and was contained for most of the game.

Greg Rousseau and AJ Epenesa were among those with sacks. Rousseau had two tackles for loss as well.

Early on, the Bills shut down Giantsrunning back Saquan Barkley but he eventually ripped off some runs in the second half including runs of 34 and 19.

Linebackers: B+

Dorian Williams made his first-career start in place of Matt Milano (leg). The third-round rookie had a solid debut with 10 tackles and a QB hit.

Terrel Bernard remained an impactful player. He had three tackles for loss, including a huge one on the goal line against Barkley at the end of the first half. Bernard does lose points for his late pass interference penalty which the Bills luckily bailed him out of.

Secondary: B+

Similar to linebacker, it was an above-average day for the Bills secondary. There were just a few mishaps sprinked in. Former first-round pick Kaiir Elam was one of the players Taylor managed to complete passes against. Elam’s end-zone penalty was also bailed out like Bernard’s was.

But there’s no doubting there were some huge efforts by the Bills secondary.

At the top, Taron Johnson’s game-saving pass deflection was exactly that–regardless of a penalty that could have been called. Christian Benford returned from a shoulder injury and had a key fourth-down pass breakup.

Special teams: D

Not a day to envy Buffalo’s specialists. Tyler Bass missed two field goals. Returner Deonte Harty only returned one punt for three yards. Punter Sam Martin did place one boot inside the Giants’ 20.

Coaching: C-

The Bills had another slow start. Not the trend Sean McDermott wants in his team and he’s got to figure that out.

In a close one, McDermott opted for not trying field goals he usually would. Bass had misses, but that felt weak.

Allen throwing instead of draining more clock with a run was another call that felt wrong late. That’s more on offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey.

Story originally appeared on Bills Wire