As of 9:15 p.m. ET, fans of the Buffalo Bills were still waiting for their team to cross the end zone on Monday Night Football.
The Denver Broncos held the Bills out of the end zone in Orchard Park, N.Y., and members of the “Bills Mafia” were fed up with watching another slow start for their current 5-4 team.
‘This Is Pathetic:’ Buffalo Bills Fans Get Vocal About Slow Start
Forget jumping on tables during Bills tailgates — fans were jumping on the criticism train.
“The Bills are losing 9-0 at home against a mid team. I don’t even care if the Bills win this game, this is pathetic,” one fan said on X (formerly known as Twitter).
Others went on to take a melancholy tone.
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“If you know a bills fan just know we’re not okay right now,” another fan posted.
Even longtime Bills reporter Sal Maiorana started to lose faith.
“I did not even give it a moment’s thought that the Bills would lose this game. I have changed my mind,” Maiorana said.
How Bad Was the Bills’ Start? Buffalo Lost the Football Early
Turns out the first play of the game became a prelude to a bad night of offense.
On the first play of the game, quarterback Josh Allen hit James Cook for a short four-yard gain. However, Cook coughed up the football on a fumble. Linebacker Alex Singleton helped jar the ball loose and Ja’Quan McMillian pounced on it.
ON THE FIRST PLAY OF THE GAME
The #Broncos rip it away from James Cook 👀pic.twitter.com/P9p9WGrJR1
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) November 14, 2023
But that wasn’t the only miscue with the ball. Allen, on the subsequent drive, fired the ball down the middle and directed it toward Gabe Davis. However, Justin Simmons was right there for the interception.
The ball goes through the hands of Gabe Davis and Justin Simmons picks it off!
2 possessions for the #Bills and 2 turnovers 😮 pic.twitter.com/jAbPBiHRpO
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) November 14, 2023
Buffalo’s next two drives ended in two punts. The offensive display was so slow and predictable that even a former NFL passer fired off a suggestion online directed to Buffalo.
Former NFL Quarterback Offered Suggestion to Bills During Game
ESPN NFL analyst Dan Orlovsky opted to put on an imaginary coaching hat and then sent this suggestion to the Bills during the first half.
“I plead with you Bills. Use motion at the snap. Put the QB under center and run some play action. It doesn’t have to be every snap but please do it some. You excel at it. Thank you and may God have mercy on your soul,” Orlovsky posted on his X account.
I plead with you Bills.
Use motion at the snap
Put the QB under center and run some play actionIt doesn’t have to be every snap but please do it some. You excel at it.
Thank you and may God have mercy on your soul
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) November 14, 2023
Did Buffalo, somehow, take in Orlovsky’s advice?
The Bills managed to end their scoring drought close to 9:30 p.m. ET. Rookie tight end Dalton Kincaid snuck behind the Broncos’ defense for this 22-yard touchdown — ending their scoring drought.
We know he’s a rookie, but how do you lose a 6-foot-4, 258 lb tight end 🤷♂️
Dalton Kincaid with a easy score for his second career TD. pic.twitter.com/LWs0fqm2OB
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) November 14, 2023
Buffalo, though, has been ripped for slow starts in 2023. This offense was held to one touchdown in the first half before falling 24-18 to the Cincinnati Bengals. In the stunning 29-25 loss to the New England Patriots, the Bills settled for only a field goal in the first two quarters.
Even in the 14-9 win over the New York Giants, the Bills didn’t score their first touchdown until the fourth quarter. Finally, the Jacksonville Jaguars game saw just one first-half touchdown on the Bills’ side before losing 25-20.
For one month, the Bills’ offense has become stagnant. Monday’s first half versus Denver presented a carryover — and Bills fans were relentless in their criticism.
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