Bills defeat Cardinals in nail-biter to open 2024 season

Orchard Park, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - The Buffalo Bills opened the 2024 season in style with a thrilling 34-28 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park.

The Cardinals received the opening kickoff and went right to work moving the ball down the field, thanks, in large part, to running back James Conner. Between quarterback Kyler Murray's arm and Conner on the ground, the Cardinals offense made quick work of the Buffalo defense.

After a questionable personal foul call by the officials on a third down, which granted the Cardinals a first down, Arizona scored moments later when Murray connected with wide receiver Michael Wilson for a five-yard touchdown pass.

Following a great return by Bills kick returner Brandon Codrington, the Bills offense was not able to produce points on the board. In fact, Bills quarterback Josh Allen was strip-sacked in the pocket and Cardinals defensive tackle Roy Lopez recovered the fumble.

The Cardinals offense continued to give the Bills defense a run for their money early on, as they marched down the field and back into scoring position.

After a good stop by Bills cornerback Rasul Douglas on third down, the Cardinals put three points on the board with a 29-yard field goal from kicker Matt Prater.

The Bills offense rebounded on its following drive, getting into field goal range for kicker Tyler Bass. Despite failing to put up seven points on the board, Bass was able to successfully complete a 37-yard field goal for the first points of the game for Buffalo.

Once again, the Cardinals offense gave the Buffalo defense fits, and march right back down the field for another scoring drive. This time, it was Conner finding the end zone from three yards out to give Arizona a 17-3 lead in the second quarter.

In the closing minutes of the first half, the Buffalo offense needed to get something going with a touchdown drive. Allen and company were able to do just that, as the Bills quarterback rushed to the right for a seven-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to 17-10 before halftime.

The Bills got the ball to start the second half on their 40-yard line after Prater's kickoff did not reach the landing zone of the new dynamic kickoff.

Buffalo was able to make quick work of the mishap with a touchdown drive to tie the game at 17-17, as Allen connected with wide receiver Mack Hollins for an 11-yard touchdown.

After and exchange of punts between both teams, the Buffalo defense came up with a big play to turn the tide of the game. Pass rusher Greg Rousseau managed to get to Murray for a strip sack, which was recovered by linebacker Dorian Williams.

For Rousseau, it was his third sack of the game, which tied a franchise record for the most sacks in a single game.

Allen and the offense immediately took advantage of the opportunity, as wide receiver Khalil Shakir bounced off a couple tacklers before rolling into the end zone for an 11-yard touchdown reception.

It was the Bills' first lead of the game, as they took a seven-point advantage in the third quarter.

The Cardinals offense needed a score to keep the game within reach, and were able to get into scoring range once again. However, Murray and company stalled on third down within the Buffalo red zone, and left it to Prater to lessen the deficit from 31 yards out.

Buffalo was able to march down the field on its next offensive drive with the help of a big 28-yard pass to rookie Keon Coleman. Two plays later, Allen capped the drive by hurdling over safety Budda Baker and into the end zone for a six-yard touchdown run.

Needing an immediate response, the Cardinals got just that with a 96-yard kick return touchdown from DeeJay Dallas. It was the first kick return touchdown in the NFL coming with the new dynamic kickoff rules.

Conner closed the gap to just three points with a successful run on the two-point conversion attempt, making the score 31-28, Bills.

With 4:30 remaining in the game, the Bills got the ball back again with the chance to put the dagger through the hearts of the Cardinals, needing just a touchdown. However, the Bills failed to find the end zone, but still managed to tack on three points with a 39-year field goal from Bass to make it a six-point game, 34-28.

The Cardinals were gifted outstanding field position to start their next drive after Bass' kickoff went out-of-bounds.

Despite getting into Buffalo territory and threatening to take the lead in the dying moments of the game, the Cardinals were unable to capitalize thanks to a breakup play on fourth down courtesy of Bills defensive back Ja'Marcus Ingram.

The Bills were then able to kneel out the clock and seal the Week 1 victory in front of a sold-out crowd at Highmark Stadium.

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GAME RECAP

First Quarter:

7-0 ARIZONA: Cardinals touchdown (7:54) - Kyler Murray lobs a 5-yard touchdown pass to Michael Wilson. (Matt Prater's extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 13 plays, 70 yards, 7:13

Second Quarter:

10-0 ARIZONA: Cardinals field goal (15:00) - Matt Prater's 29-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive info: 10 plays, 60 yards, 5:27

10-3 ARIZONA: Bills field goal (9:51) - Tyler Bass' 37-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive info: 9 plays, 51 yards, 5:10

17-3 ARIZONA: Cardinals touchdown (2:44) - James Conner rushes up the middle for a 3-yard touchdown. (Matt Prater's extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 13 plays, 71 yards, 7:07

17-10 ARIZONA: Bills touchdown (0:25) - Josh Allen keeps it himself for a 7-yard touchdown run. (Tyler Bass' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 7 plays, 70 yards, 2:21

Third Quarter:

17-17 TIE: Bills touchdown (9:55) - Josh Allen fires a strike over the middle to Mack Hollins for an 11-yard touchdown. (Tyler Bass' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 10 plays, 60 yards, 5:09

24-17 BUFFALO: Bills touchdown - Josh Allen finds Khalil Shakir, who escapes for an 11-yard catch-and-run touchdown. (Tyler Bass' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 5 plays, 21 yards, 2:48

Fourth Quarter:

24-20 BUFFALO: Cardinals field goal (13:35) - Matt Prater's 31-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive info: 8 plays, 58 yards, 4:05

31-20 BUFFALO: Bills touchdown (8:44) - Josh Allen scrambles 6-yards to the right for a touchdown. (Tyler Bass' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 10 plays, 70 yards, 4:48

31-28 BUFFALO: Cardinals touchdown (8:31) - DeeJay Dallas returns a kick 96 yards for a touchdown. (Arizona's two-point conversion attempt is successful)

34-28 BUFFALO: Bills field goal (2:00) - Tyler Bass' 39-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive info: 5 plays, 21 yards, 2:34

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SKYWORKS EQUIPMENT RENTAL STATS OF THE GAME:

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What's next:

The Bills will travel to South Florida for the first of two divisional matchups with the Miami Dolphins on Thursday night. Kickoff from Hard Rock Stadium is slated for 8:15 p.m. ET on the official voice of the Bills - WGR Sports Radio 550.