Buffalo Bills Coach Joe Brady Takes Blame For Josh Allen, Gabe Davis Miscommunication
The Buffalo Bills were one play away from knocking off the team with the best record in the NFL.
But on that play on third down, quarterback Josh Allen and receiver Gabe Davis weren't on the same page on what could've been the game-winning touchdown in Sunday 37-34 overtime loss to the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field.
With just over six minutes left in overtime, Allen threw the ball toward the middle of the field where the Eagles had no defenders, while Davis was open up and cut toward the corner.
The missed opportunity proved costly, as after Tyler Bass made a 40-yard field goal, the Eagles drove right down the field, and Jalen Hurts scored on a 12-yard run to seal a gut-wrenching loss for the Bills.
Interim offensive coordinator Joe Brady spoke about the play with Allen and Davis and took the blame for the two players being able to connect on Buffalo's final on offense.
"That falls on me as offensive coordinator," Brady said. "There's nothing easy about it from Josh Allen's standpoint of it's a blitz zero situation where there's a lot of guys coming at you. You're going to have to drift and make a decision on the fly. We didn't connect on it, and Gabe is not at fault. Josh is not at fault. As the offensive coordinator, I've got to point the thumb at myself."
The Buffalo Bills are averaging 33 points per game with Joe Brady as the offensive play caller.
© Gregory Fisher, USA TODAY
While the miscommunication likely cost the Bills (6-6) a must-win game in which they were up by 10 points heading into halftime and the fourth quarter, Brady has rejuvenated the Bills offense through two games. Buffalo scored 32 points against the New York Jets and 34 against the Eagles, two of the better defenses in the NFL.
The Bills hadn't scored over 30 points in back-to-back games since their dominant stretch from Week 2 through Week 4.
Allen has regained his MVP form from earlier in the season, as he has thrown for 614 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions in Brady's first two games as the offensive play caller. Against the Eagles, Allen completed 29 of 51 passes for 339 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception, and he had his best game of the season on the ground with 81 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
Davis also had a strong day with six catches for 105 yards and a touchdown that gave Buffalo a 31-28 lead with under two minutes left in regulation.
The Bills' offense is back rolling again, and if Brady can get everyone back on the same page, especially in pivotal moments of a game, they'll be capable of carrying the team down the stretch as they make a push toward the playoff picture.
