Josh Allen-led Bills offense misfires for 2nd straight outing in loss to Atlanta

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — The Buffalo Bills' Josh Allen-led offense is misfiring, and coach Sean McDermott and coordinator Joe Brady have an extra bye week off to figure out what’s gone wrong.

Though injuries are a concern, one place to start could be cutting out the so-called "cute" plays, which have cost the Bills (4-2) in dropping their past two games.

Another is for Brady to begin leaning on his team's strengths, and specifically James Cook. After gaining 87 yards on 17 carries, the running back spent the final 11 minutes cooling his heels on the sideline of a 24-14 loss to Atlanta on Monday night.

Brady, evidently, didn’t get the hint McDermott dropped last week in saying he felt the offense was “too cute at times,” following a 23-20 loss to New England. Buffalo’s opening drive against the Patriots ended with Allen losing a fumble at midfield when flubbing a handoff to Dawson Knox on a tight end sweep.

It happened again on Monday. This time, receiver Elijah Moore recovered a fumble following Allen's botched handoff on third-and-1 from the Buffalo 48, four minutes into the fourth quarter.

“We can be better,” McDermott said, in reference to the play that led to a three-and-out after Greg Rousseau blocked Parker Romo's 37-yard field-goal attempt to keep it a one-score game.

“It’s a good point,” the coach said, when asked why Cook wasn’t on the field. “We've got to dive deep into what we're doing, how we're doing it, making sure we've got the right people in the right positions.”

In the end, Allen was sacked a season-high four times in being asked to do far too much in the face of Atlanta's relentless pressure, while overseeing an injury-depleted offense. Buffalo opened without its leading receiver, tight end Dalton Kincaid (oblique), and then lost its top deep threat when Joshua Palmer twisted his left ankle after a 15-yard catch a minute into the second quarter.

With Palmer accounting for 60 of Buffalo’ 180 yards receiving, the injuries exposed an ongoing weaknesses in a passing attack that lacks an identifiable threat.

Second-year receiver Keon Coleman’s production has all but evaporated. He’s combined for 125 yards receiving over his past five outings since gaining 112 in the opener. And slot receiver Khalil Shakir is struggling to find space with more defenses creeping closer to the line of scrimmage.

In two weeks, Buffalo has gone from squandering an opportunity to open a three-win edge on its division rivals, to sitting second in the AFC East behind New England (4-2).

Say what you will about a Bills defense that allowed 21 points and 335 yards in the first half. The unit, missing numerous key pieces, responded in limiting the Falcons to three points and 108 yards over the final 30 minutes.

This loss to Atlanta was on Allen and an offense that had season lows in points, yards (291), first downs (17) and third down conversions (2 of 9).

Most concerning is how Buffalo stalled after scoring a second-half opening touchdown to cut the deficit to 21-14. Buffalo’s next three possessions ended with two punts and a turnover on downs, when running back Ty Johnson was late turning back to catch Allen’s hurried, underthrown pass on fourth-and-2 at midfield.

Allen was left to defend Brady’s play-calling.

“Listen, if it works it’s a great call. If it doesn’t, it’s not,” the reigning NFL MVP said.

Red zone defense. Aside from the field-goal block, the Bills allowed a touchdown and a field goal on Atlanta's three drives inside the 20. Overall, Buffalo has limited opponents to 10 touchdowns and six field goals on 18 red zone drives.

Third down offense. Buffalo has converted 10 of 28 third down attempts over its past three outings, and is 28 of 72 overall.

Palmer, before he was injured. The offseason free-agent addition showed off his field-stretching ability with a 45-yard catch on the opening play from scrimmage.

Allen. The quarterback looked hesitant in the pocket, and threw two interceptions, his fourth in three outings, plus a lost fumble.

Aside from Palmer and Kincaid, DT DaQuan Jones was a late scratch after hurting his calf in pregame warmups. LB Terrel Bernard did not return after hurting his right ankle. McDermott listed Jones and Palmer as week to week, with Bernard, Kincaid, linebacker Matt Milano (pectoral) and receiver Curtis Samuel (neck/ribs) listed as day to day.

3-21 — Combined record of opponents Buffalo has defeated this season. The two losses are against opponents who are a combined 7-4.

Rest, recover and re-examine over a bye week before returning to visit the Carolina Panthers (3-3) on Oct. 26. Allen has never lost three consecutive starts.

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Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott speaks after an NFL football game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Buffalo Bills, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen speaks during a news conference after an NFL football game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Buffalo Bills, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) is sacked by Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford (20) and defensive end James Pearce Jr. (27) during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

ISLAMABAD (AP) — The International Monetary Fund on Tuesday approved the release of $1.2 billion to Pakistan, giving the cash-strapped country a fresh boost as it works to recover from one of its worst economic crises in years.

The IMF in a statement said its executive board completed two reviews of Pakistan’s economic programs, clearing about $1 billion under its main loan facility and another $200 million from a separate climate-focused program.

With the latest approval, Pakistan has received about $3.3 billion from the IMF since last year. Under the bailout, Islamabad will receive loan installments over 37 months if it meets the agreed conditions.

Pakistan, for decades, has relied on loans from the IMF and friendly nations to meet its financing needs.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the decision, calling it recognition of the government’s reform drive and the “effective implementation” of IMF-endorsed measures. He said the latest IMF decision shows Pakistan is taking the steps needed to stabilize and grow its economy after narrowly avoiding default last year.

In a statement, Sharif also praised Field Marshal Gen. Asim Munir, the country’s powerful army chief and chief of defense forces, for playing a key role in supporting the reform agenda.

He also praised Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and his team for their “tireless work” in pushing through difficult changes. Sharif said Pakistan’s reform and digitalization efforts have now become a global “case study,” but cautioned that shifting from stability to sustained growth will demand further effort.

In a statement, the IMF said Pakistan has made “significant progress” in stabilizing the economy despite a tough global environment and this year’s devastating floods. It noted a stronger fiscal position, higher foreign exchange reserves — now at $14.5 billion — and an uptick in growth. Inflation has risen in recent months because floods triggered by above-normal monsoon rains pushed up food prices, but the fund expects that to ease.

The bailout, approved in 2024, aims to rebuild Pakistan’s reserves, strengthen its tax system and reform loss-making state-owned companies, especially in the energy sector. The climate facility, approved earlier this year, supports efforts to improve disaster management, water use and climate-related financial reporting.

Nigel Clarke, the IMF’s deputy managing director, said Pakistan must stay disciplined as it faces an uncertain outlook. He praised the government’s commitment to meeting next year’s budget targets while responding to flood damage, and urged Islamabad to keep monetary policy tight, allow the exchange rate to move freely and push ahead with long-delayed energy reforms.

Vendors warm themselves around a fire on a cold morning in Lahore, Pakistan, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)