The Buffalo Bills are still the No. 5 seed in the AFC playoff picture, but after dropping their last two games and falling behind the New England Patriots in the AFC East standings, there is plenty of cause
for concern as the Bills sit idle in Week 7.
For the first time under head coach Sean McDermott’s watch, the Bills go into a bye week having lost their last two games. The good news for Bills fans is that Buffalo has never lost a game coming off a bye. But the front office, coaches and players face the tough task of figuring out how to fix the problems that derailed them during their last two losses.
Today’s edition of Buffalo Rumblinks leads off by discussing the biggest issues facing head coach Sean McDermott, general manager Brandon Beane and the rest of the team as Buffalo looks to regroup and rediscover its winning ways.
Cause for concern during the bye week
The Bills’ offense, led by reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen, looked like they picked up where they left off to start the 2025 NFL season as the Bills scored at least 30 points in each of their first four wins. But the offense has struggled to put points on the board in back-to-back losses to the Patriots and Atlanta Falcons, offensive coordinator Joe Brady has failed to come up with a consistent usage plan for running back James Cook, and the team appears to be in need of adding another wide receiver before the trade deadline.
And the defense, which has been decimated by injuries, appears to have serious questions at cornerback, safety and in the run stuffing department. The Bills are currently last in the NFL in yards allowed per carry (5.8) and next-to-last in both opponent yards before (3.2) and after contact (2.6) per rush.
Additionally, after tying for the fewest penalties through three weeks (15), Buffalo has been flagged 35 times over the last three weeks, tops in the NFL.
What can the Bills do to address these issues? And which players need to step up and play at a higher level coming out of the bye week?
- What’s cause for concern as unsatisfied Bills go into bye at 4-2 – ESPN.com Buffalo Bills blog
- The Buffalo Bills thought they had it figured out, but Josh Allen still can’t do it all – The Athletic (subscription required)
- Sean McDermott and the Bills coordinators get ready to ‘hunker down and study’ during the bye week – BuffaloBills.com
- 4 things Sean McDermott must do in next two weeks to fix Bills – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
- PlayAction podcast: There are several Bills players that need to step up following the bye week – Buffalo News (subscription required)
- Murphy: Bills have a lot to figure out during bye week – WIVB
- Upon Further Review: Sean McDermott won’t take over defensive play-calling duties, but is that the right call? – Buffalo News (subscription required)
- Sean McDermott publicly defends Bills’ defensive coordinator amidst ugly stretch – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
- Contender or pretender? Parity around NFL should give Bills fans hope amid skid – Buffalo News (subscription required)
Even more Bills news
Examining the game film to analyze how quarterback Josh Allen is coming off his most undisciplined performance in recent memory; plus, making the case for former special teams standout Steve Tasker to be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame; and reliving the best games in the history of Rich Stadium/Ralph Wilson Stadium/New Era Field/Highmark Stadium.
- Jim Kubiak: Josh Allen just had his most undisciplined performance in three years. Have a look – Buffalo News (subscription required)
- Two former Buffalo Bills among Football Hall of Fame seniors candidates for 2026 class – WGRZ
- Steve Tasker was the embodiment of impact of special teams and is worthy of enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame – BuffaloBills.com
- 53 legendary Bills games that made Highmark Stadium iconic – Democrat & Chronicle
