ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Despite significant offseason changes to their wide receiver corps and defense, the Buffalo Bills' constant remained quarterback Josh Allen. In the season opener against Arizona on Sunday, Allen proved vital when the Bills fell behind by 14 points, taking charge with both his arm and legs.
Allen's standout performance, which included four total touchdowns, was highlighted by a leaping 6-yard scramble that put the Bills ahead 31-20 with 8:30 remaining. On the play, Allen hurdled Arizona safety Budda Baker and was pushed into the end zone by another defender, capping a 28-3 Buffalo run that spanned halftime.
“I thought it was the flyover,” said left tackle Dion Dawkins, likening Allen's leap to the Air Force jet that soared over the stadium during the national anthem. “What goes up, must come down, and I hoped he’d come down in the end zone—and he did.”
Allen explained his mid-air decision was spontaneous, knowing Baker’s ability to deliver a big hit. “I probably can’t make a habit of doing that, but here we are,” Allen said, adding he was awaiting tests on his heavily wrapped left hand after the game. He finished 18-of-23 for 232 yards, throwing two 11-yard touchdowns to Mack Hollins and Khalil Shakir.
The game, played in windy conditions with gusts up to 30 mph, was a thrilling back-and-forth contest. Arizona’s DeeJay Dallas returned a kickoff for a touchdown—under the NFL's new rules—bringing the Cardinals within three points at 31-28 in the fourth quarter.
The Cardinals had built a 17-3 lead early, with James Conner's 3-yard touchdown marking the first time since 2006 that Arizona scored on their first three drives. However, the Cardinals struggled to maintain momentum, while Buffalo's offense and young defense came alive.
Greg Rousseau led Buffalo’s defense with a career-high three sacks, including one that forced a fumble in the third quarter. That turnover set up the Bills' go-ahead score, when Shakir rolled over a defender to reach the end zone. The defense later sealed the win when Damar Hamlin and Ja’Marcus Ingram broke up Kyler Murray’s pass on fourth-and-7 from Buffalo’s 29-yard line with 26 seconds left.
Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon lamented his team’s inability to hold onto their early lead. “We’ve got to be better. We were up 17-3 and lose the game,” Gannon said.
Kyler Murray completed 21-of-31 passes for 162 yards and a touchdown, adding 57 rushing yards. Rookie receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona's top draft pick, had a quiet NFL debut with just one catch for 4 yards.
Bills head coach Sean McDermott praised the contributions from new and backup players, particularly Ingram, who played more than expected due to injuries.
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