Bills Report Card: Taking a look at the team’s biggest surprises and letdowns through the first six weeks of the NFL season
Taking a look at the 2025 Buffalo Bills through six weeks of the NFL season.
The Buffalo Bills are well within the 2025 NFL season, with more than a handful of surprises on both sides of the football. Head coach Sean McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane believe the team has what it takes to raise the Lombardi Trophy when the season ends.
Injuries, some issues on defense, and ‘everybody eats,’ forcing some to not eat, here are all of our superlatives for the first trimester of the NFL season.
Offensive superlatives
MVP: QB Josh Allen
Come on, was it going to be anyone other than the reigning MVP? Quarterback Josh Allen has been otherworldly, once again. Allen put the team on his back in Week 1, showcasing to the world that he was every bit deserving of the MVP award. Allen has totaled more than 1,300 yards passing with 11 touchdowns, and 254 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. He’s every bit as awe-inspiring on the football field as he was in 2024. Don’t let back-to-back losses fool you, Allen is that dude.
Glue guy: LT Dion Dawkins
Bills offensive lineman Dion Dawkins is a fan-favorite, and it’s both because of his off-the-field personality and his on-the-field abilities. Dawkins has been a game-changer and a staple on the Bills’ offensive line since joining the organization. Josh Allen hasn’t been taken down much through six weeks, and part of that success in keeping the quarterback upright is because of the efforts from Dawkins and his counterparts on the offensive line.
Biggest surprise: TE Jackson Hawes
When the Bills drafted tight end Jackson Hawes with the 173rd overall pick, no one could have anticipated what transpired in the team’s first six weeks. Hawes has been an instrumental blocker, which has allowed both Allen to be protected and the team to run the ball efficiently. It’s not only that, as Hawes has flexed his muscles in the passing game, showing that he can also be a reliable target in the offense when and if his name is called.
Biggest disappointment: WR Joshua Palmer
The veteran receiver was brought in during the offseason, with hopes of making an impact with Allen and the offense. Unfortunately, Palmer has left much to be desired through six weeks. Whether it’s the ‘everybody eats’ offense, just not having his number called as much, the team spent big bucks to bring him in, and his performance has been underwhelming. Plenty of time to turn things around for Palmer as the season progresses.
Turning point of the last six weeks: Week 1 vs. Ravens
Allen and the offense made a statement in the team’s Week 1 victory. If there was any doubt that Allen wasn’t a superstar and the offense has what it takes, the Week 1 performance should’ve answered all those questions, and then some. The reigning MVP was electric in the comeback, showing the world that as long as No. 17 is at the helm, no game is fully out of reach. Again, don’t let the back-to-back losses fool you, Allen is capable of putting the team on his back and helping drive the team to victory in some impossible situations.
Offense overall grade: B
Defensive superlatives
MVP: Next-man up
Buffalo has been battling through injuries, with linebacker Matt Milano and defensive tackle Ed Oliver being sidelined for multiple games. They aren’t the only players missing time, as the team has had to deploy a next-man-up mentality through the early portion of the season. The defense has its struggles, but Buffalo has been able to remain competitive with an influx of outside factors wreaking havoc on the health of the defense. Everyone deserves their flowers on the short-handed unit.
Glue guy: LB Terrel Bernard
Linebacker Terrel Bernard is one of two captains for a reason. Both he and Allen are leaders on and off the football field, and when they speak, the team listens. The hard-hitting linebacker has shown up in big moments, further testament to the hard work and dedication he puts into his craft.
Biggest surprise: S Cole Bishop
Ahead of the season, critics were ready to write off safety Cole Bishop. In the team’s preseason, Bishop looked a bit lost with McDermott telling everyone to trust the process. Trusting the process has worked, and while the defense has its fair share of issues, Bishop hasn’t been one of them. There hasn’t been a lot of news about Bishop since before the season began, and in this case, no news is good news. A missed tackle on running back Bijan Robinson during the team’s loss to the Falcons shouldn’t sour what’s been a much better season for Bishop.
Biggest disappointment: EDGE Greg Rousseau
Head coach Sean McDermott mentioned Greg Rousseau by name, alluding to the fact that the team needs to see more out of him moving forward. The front four isn’t getting sacks, but pressures have been there for the team — especially quick pressures. Unfortunately for Rousseau, sacks are going to be one of the biggest barometers of outside noise, and after signing a contract extension, the organization and fan base are clamoring for more from Rousseau as the season progresses. Rousseau was able to get some pressure and block a field goal in the Week 6 loss, but the team will need to see more of that moving forward.
Turning point of the last six weeks: Week 6 vs. Falcons
For better or worse, the turning point will be the devastating Week 6 loss to the Falcons. The first half was abysmal, but the defense stood strong in the second half, despite all the injuries, to give Allen and the offense a chance to come back in the contest. While the defense has had its issues through the first six weeks, they were able to turn it around in the second half against the Falcons, despite a loss. With the loss, it could be a turning point for the season in that this could be exactly what the team needed to see to bring in some more help on the defensive side of the football as the trade deadline approaches.
Defense overall grade: C+
2025 draft class superlatives
Overachiever: TE Jackson Hawes
The rookie tight end has been turning heads across the league with his performance on the field. He was the highest-rated rookie according to Pro Football Focus and one of the best tight ends from the same system. The blocking tight end has also shown prowess in the passing game, catching every single pass that comes his way, even finding the end zone. Offensive coordinator Joe Brady said that Hawes was the best blocking tight end prospect he’s ever seen, and Hawes has shown that with his play.
A special shoutout goes to Deone Walker, who should also be listed as an overachiever for what he’s been able to do through the first six weeks. In the loss against the Falcons, Walker was one of the lone bright spots for the team, looking like a real difference-maker for the defense moving forward. Walked is tied for fourth in the NFL for tackles for loss with seven, tied with Broncos’ Nik Bonitto.
Rookie we need to see more from: DB Jordan Hancock
The rookie defensive back was taken in the fifth round of the NFL draft and is another case of just not getting enough reps on the field in games. Hancock shone during the preseason in limited reps, with fans eager to see him on the field when it matters. The defensive backfield is lacking for Buffalo, with cornerbacks Tre’Davious White and Christian Benford not living up to the hype in the first six weeks. Hancock’s lack of reps or competition in that room is something to keep an eye out for as the season progresses.
Underachiever: EDGE Landon Jackson
The rookie defensive end just hasn’t been able to get meaningful reps in a game, as he’s been a healthy scratch on more than one occasion. It’s just a case of not enough tape to look at for Jackson, who was the 72nd overall pick in the 2025 draft. Fellow rookie Deone Walker has outshone Jackson through the early stages of the season, leaving the Bills Mafia disappointed with the early returns.
Draft class overall grade: B-
Coaching report card
Grade: B
Buffalo has one of the best teams in the league, despite experiencing some hiccups early in the season. However, after some back-to-back losses, there are still some glaring issues with the team that the fan base was hoping would’ve been fixed heading into the season. A lot to correct, but overall the team has a winning record heading into the Bye Week.
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