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Ken Dorsey. Jamie Germano via Imagn Content Services / USA TODAY NETWORK

Why now was the time for Bills to cut ties with OC Ken Dorsey

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 11/14/23

Following a 24-22 defeat to the Denver Broncos on “Monday Night Football,” Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott told reporters he needed some time to evaluate things before deciding what changes needed to be made to snap the Bills out of their funk.

It turns out he needed less than 24 hours, as the Bills fired offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey on Tuesday morning.

On the surface, things didn’t appear to be that bad offensively for the Bills. They rank seventh in total offense (370.1 yards per game) and eighth in scoring (26.2 points per game). But the eye test will tell you it was clear now was the time to cut Dorsey loose.

Despite leading the league in touchdown passes (19) and ranking fourth in passing yards (2,600), quarterback Josh Allen has just looked off this season.

Allen leads the NFL in turnovers by a QB (14) and interceptions (11). In fact, he’s been picked off in six straight games and he’s only had two games this year without an interception. Per Pro Football Focus, Allen is tied for the most interceptions on passes of 20 yards or more (five) and tied for the 11th-most turnover-worthy plays (10).

Bills fired offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey. But Buffalo's struggles go far beyond the play calling.

Josh Allen has 14 turnovers this season, 2 more than the next-closest players (Desmond Ridder and Max Jones each have 12). pic.twitter.com/x7lV9hv6S6
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) November 14, 2023

Beyond Allen’s shortcomings, the offense as a whole has also struggled.

Buffalo has been outscored by teams it has no business losing to like the New York Jets and New England Patriots, who rank 30th and 31st, respectively, in points scored per game.

The Bills average 32.2 points per game in their wins, but they only muster 20.2 points per game in their losses. They have trailed by double digits entering the fourth quarter in three of their last four losses, where they seemingly rely on Allen for late-game heroics to try and spark a rally.

Buffalo has scored a first-quarter touchdown just four times this season.

The average time it takes the Bills to score their first touchdown of the game is 20:05 — well into the second quarter. In fact, they’ve scored their first touchdown in the second quarter or later in six of their 10 games.

Buffalo has scored more than 24 points just once since Week 4, and of the 16 touchdowns the team has scored since then, Allen has had a hand in 15 of them (10 passing, five rushing).

With quarterbacks coach Joe Brady taking over the OC duties, it would behoove him to have a better game plan than expecting Allen to lead miraculous second-half comebacks.

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