Joe Brady’s first four games as Buffalo’s head coach have shown a clear theme: he wants the Bills on the front foot, even if that means taking some unnecessary heat early in games.
That mindset showed up again in Week 4 against New England, when Buffalo won the coin toss and chose to receive. The result was a three-and-out that covered just five yards and burned 1:31 off the clock.
The Bills did get a helpful opening return from wide receiver Greg Dortch, and rookie punter Tommy Doman Jr. followed with a strong punt that defensive back Te’Corey Couch helped keep out of the end zone, pinning the Patriots at their own three-yard line. But New England answered with a 12-play, 97-yard touchdown drive that took 6:28 and flipped the early momentum.
Brady defended the decision on Monday when Associated Press reporter John Wawrow pressed him on whether there’s a point where offensive aggression goes too far, especially with a banged-up defense. Wawrow asked:
“I understand the importance of being aggressive and the philosophy behind it, especially when it comes to the offense, but is there a point where you become too aggressive on offense that it hurts the team? Especially when you’re trying to compensate for a defense that’s banged up and still I guess…”
Brady first asked what the question was about, and when Wawrow clarified - “Well, I guess taking the ball first, the last interception, I mean the only interception, and just the quick-strike philosophy.” - Brady pushed back.
“No. I think, look, we’ve won the coin toss twice, you know.
Against Detroit we took the ball and we won, and this past week we obviously had a three-and-out - so our start wasn’t good enough. But I don’t think that has anything to do with, our defensive philosophy.
Look, it’s hard to score in the league. Right?”
That answer only sharpens the debate. Buffalo’s aggressive approach worked against Detroit in Week 2, when the offense opened with a touchdown drive in the new Highmark Stadium. But the Patriots game was a reminder that taking the ball first can backfire fast if the opening possession stalls, especially when the defense is dealing with injuries and might need a little breathing room.
Ian Eagle and Ross Tucker added another wrinkle during the broadcast, saying Brady told them the Patriots’ defensive injuries may not have been the clean advantage many assumed. Buffalo had prepared for cornerback Christian Gonzalez, only to adjust late once he was ruled out and the coverage picture became less clear. That helps explain why the Bills’ opening series never got rolling, even if it doesn’t excuse the lack of execution.
Brady also told the broadcasters that his thinking was simple: “we have Josh Allen” and teams have to defend him. That’s a strong argument, but it also comes with a responsibility to turn that edge into seven points, not settle for a flat opening and hand the opponent a chance to settle in.
In a game where the Bills were dealing with their biggest division rival and a Patriots team looking to get itself right, the decision to take the ball first didn’t pay off. And with overtime rules what they are, the choice to start with the offense first feels even riskier.
Sunday’s call blew up in Brady’s face. The next test is whether he treats it like a lesson or keeps rolling the dice the same way.
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Josh Allen Took The Blame After Buffalos First Loss
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Afterward, Allen didnt try to shift the blame or soften the moment. He pointed to a late interception as the play he wished he had back, saying he should have simply thrown the ball out of bounds instead of forcing it. For a Bills team that has leaned on its quarterback to make the right call when the game tightens, the answer now is how quickly he and the offense can turn a tough lesson into the next snap. [Read more 🡒]