The players recognize what needs to be improved, Lopez said. From a pass-rush perspective, it’s no secret that Josh Allen poses a threat when he uses his legs. The Bills quarterback was able to rush for a pair of touchdowns and consistently extended plays that ended up hurting the Cardinals.
If there is a silver lining, the Cardinals were able to generate pressure that forced Allen out of the pocket.
“I thought we had enough opportunities, especially in known pass, to affect him,” Gannon said. “I think we got to capitalize on more opportunities, whether that be a game, whether that be getting on the right person as a low cross or a check down or bringing them down or not fouling or a free runner and get them on the ground.
“Collectively, (we) got to coach and play a little bit better.”
On both sides of the ball, there were flashes of what this team could potentially become in the future. Lopez had a strip-sack that was recovered by defensive lineman Justin Jones, a play that the Arizona native said was “pretty fun.”
Offensively, Kyler Murray and the offense was humming throughout the first half. The team scored on their first three offensive possessions for the first time since 2006. There were also no pre-snap penalties against the offense.
When it comes to getting Harrison more involved, Gannon said the Bills ran a handful of schemes that forced Murray to find other targets.
It was only the first game of the season, and adjustments will be made as the team preps for a divisional matchup against the Rams. It’s one of the reasons why Lopez believes the outcome won’t linger in the locker room.
He heard that message on the plane, when captain Budda Baker got vocal somewhere over middle America.
“(Baker) believes in us so when you have belief from your leaders and guys like that, it makes you hungry,” he said.
