Home Sport live NFL Cooper shines in first game with the Bills as Allen bounces back from a slow beginning in 34-10 victory over Titans.

Cooper shines in first game with the Bills as Allen bounces back from a slow beginning in 34-10 victory over Titans.

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Cooper shines in first game with the Bills as Allen bounces back from a slow beginning in 34-10 victory over Titans.

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ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — In a standout performance, Amari Cooper snagged the decisive touchdown in his first game for the Buffalo Bills, while quarterback Josh Allen rebounded from a lackluster first half to launch two touchdown throws, guiding the Bills to a convincing 34-10 victory over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. This game marked Allen’s 100th career start, and he helped the Bills overcome a 10-point deficit, leading them to improve to 5-2 for the season.

Cooper’s 12-yard reception for a touchdown came just five days after he was traded from the Cleveland Browns, marking a significant first catch for him with the Bills. Ty Johnson also made an impact, scoring on a 4-yard catch, while James Cook and Ray Davis contributed to the scoring through their rushing touchdowns.

Throughout the first half, Allen struggled, completing only 4 of 11 passes for 65 yards. However, he excelled in the second half, finishing the game with 21 completions out of 33 attempts and a total of 323 yards. This performance not only marked his first 300-yard game of the current season but also his 26th for his career. Notably, he accomplished this feat against a Titans defense that had been ranked first in pass defense and had yet to allow over 200 passing yards this year.

Improving his starting record to 68-32, Allen joined an elite group that includes legends such as Joe Montana, Terry Bradshaw, Brett Favre, and Aaron Rodgers, matching them for the sixth-most wins within the first 100 starts of a quarterback.

The Bills, who sat atop the AFC East, took control of the game by scoring on their first four possessions of the second half, flipping a 10-7 halftime deficit into a commanding lead, especially after recovering from a sluggish start that saw them trail 10-0 early on.

The momentum shifted dramatically at the beginning of the third quarter when the Titans turned the ball over on downs after rookie DeWayne Carter tackled Tony Pollard for a loss of three yards on a crucial fourth-down attempt. Following this, Allen efficiently maneuvered his team down the field, needing just six plays to cover 41 yards, capped by a throw to a wide-open Cooper, who had appeared to receive clarification on the play from rookie Keon Coleman moments before.

Cooper initially struggled to secure a contested catch along the sidelines but ultimately finished the game with four receptions for 66 yards, providing flashes of his capability to stretch the field, which was essential for a Bills receiver corps that was finding it difficult to gain separation. Coleman also showed his prowess, making four catches for a career-high 125 yards, although he had a touchdown called back after officials determined his toe was out of bounds on the play.

On the downside, the Titans slipped further into a disappointing 1-5 record, their worst season start since 2015 when they began at 1-6. The quarterback switch did little to invigorate an offense that had been struggling throughout the season, as they had now failed to score more than 17 points for the fifth time this year.

Backup Mason Rudolph stepped in for injured Will Levis and began the game positively, connecting on a 4-yard touchdown pass to Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, putting the Titans up 10-0, only to see their offense fall silent for the remainder of the game across their last eight drives. Rudolph ended the day with 25 completions from 40 attempts for 215 yards, along with one touchdown, an interception, and a lost fumble.

The Titans have faced significant challenges recently, losing 23 of their last 30 games since starting 2023 with a promising 7-3 record. They are now 2-12 over their last 14 road contests, with their only two victories coming at Miami, including a decisive 31-12 win on September 30.

In terms of injuries, the Titans saw OL Jaelyn Duncan leave the game due to a hamstring injury, while LB Kenneth Murray also exited with a shoulder injury. For the Bills, WR Curtis Samuel was ruled out after sustaining a shoulder injury in the first quarter, and LB Terrel Bernard did not return after injuring his ankle during the third quarter.

Looking ahead, the Titans are set to face the Detroit Lions next Sunday, while the Bills will travel to take on the Seattle Seahawks on the same day.

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