Tue Oct 14 10:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Bills in Crisis: McDermott Calls for ‘Ground Zero’ Reset After Falcons Loss
**ATLANTA** – The Buffalo Bills are reeling heading into their bye week after a demoralizing 24-14 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Monday night. Head Coach Sean McDermott, visibly frustrated, declared the team needs to “start from ground zero” after their second consecutive defeat.
“We’ll figure out things on offense, defense and special teams,” McDermott stated in his post-game press conference. “We’ve got to start over and start from ground zero and figure this thing out and work our tails off to do it.”
The loss drops the Bills to 4-2, putting them behind the New England Patriots in the AFC East standings. McDermott repeatedly emphasized that the team’s effort was simply not good enough.
Adding to the Bills’ woes, injuries plagued the team throughout the game. Tight end Dalton Kincaid was sidelined with an oblique injury, while defensive tackle DaQuan Jones suffered a calf injury during pre-game warmups. Wide receiver Joshua Palmer and linebacker Terrel Bernard also sustained ankle injuries, further depleting the roster. McDermott acknowledged the team hopes to recover some players during the bye, but offered no guarantees.
The Bills’ defense struggled mightily in the first half, surrendering a staggering 335 yards, the most in a first half since 2001. Falcons’ running back Bijan Robinson and wide receiver Drake London accounted for the majority of the damage, racking up 152 and 147 yards respectively.
While the defense showed improvement in the second half, the Bills’ offense sputtered against a strong Falcons’ passing defense. Quarterback Josh Allen threw two interceptions, and the team punted six times. Allen was sacked four times and was pressured on nearly half of his dropbacks. Right tackle Spencer Brown emphasized the offensive line’s responsibility to protect Allen after the game.
Despite the team’s struggles, Allen took accountability for his performance, saying, “I’ve got to be better. Protections, IDs, movement in the pocket. I’ve just got to be better.”
Adding to the unusual circumstances, offensive coordinator Joe Brady joined Allen and his fellow quarterbacks by their lockers after the game, a rare occurrence signaling the seriousness of the situation. The team also curiously sidelined running back James Cook, despite his strong performance, on all third and fourth down plays.
With the bye week offering a chance to regroup, Allen acknowledged the weight of the loss. “It’s going to eat at me the next two weeks,” he said, adding that the team would put their focus towards their next opponent, the Carolina Panthers, on October 29. The Bills face significant challenges as they look to rebound from their recent struggles and regain their position as a top contender in the AFC.
First Piper 