The Buffalo Bills clawed back from a lackluster first half to defeat the Arizona Cardinals 34-28 in Week 1.

Buffalo struggled mightily in the first half, falling behind the Cardinals by two touchdowns. The Bills allowed Arizona to score on their first three drives of the game. The Bills offense finally found the end zone with just under two minutes in the first half.

Arizona possessed the ball for over 20 minutes in the first half.

The second half was a different story for the Bills. The offense moved decisively down the field, scoring 24 points to take control of the game. After throwing only five passes in the first half, quarterback Josh Allen further took control of the game with his arm and legs.

Buffalo's defense prevented QB Kyler Murray from having a comfortable pocket during the final half of the game. The Bills put more pressure on Murray and prevented him from breaking the pocket. Buffalo's defense allowed fewer than 100 total yards to Arizona after halftime.

Here is the rest of Bills Wire's instant analysis of Week 1:

Scoring Recap

First quarter

ARI 7, BUF 0: Michael Wilson 5-yard receiving touchdown from Kyler Murray. Matt Prater PAT. (7:47)

Second quarter

ARI 10, BUF 0: Matt Prater 29-yard field goal. (14:57)

ARI 10, BUF 3: Tyler Bass 37-yard field goal (9:47)

ARI 17, BUF 3: James Connor 3-yard rushing touchdown. Matt Prater PAT. (2:40)

ARI, BUF 10: Josh Allen 7-yard rushing touchdown. Tyler Bass PAT (0:19)

Third quarter

ARI 17, BUF 17: Mack Hollins 11-yard receiving touchdown from Josh Allen. Tyler Bass PAT (9:51)

BUF 24, ARI 17: Khalil Shakir 11-yard receiving touchdown from Josh Allen. Tyler Bass PAT (2:37)

Fourth quarter

BUF 24, ARI 20: Matt Prater 31-yard field goal. (13:32)

BUF 31, ARI 20: Josh Allen 6-yard rushing touchdown. Tyler Bass PAT (8:44)

BUF 31, ARI 28: DeeJay Dallas 96-yard kickoff return. James Connor completes the two-point conversion. (8:31)

BUF 34, ARI 28: Tyler Bass 39-yard field goal. (1:56)

It was over when...

It took a while, but the Bills last-minute stop of Arizona at Buffalo's 29-yard line officially put the game to rest. Arizona faced a fourth-and-seven. Under duress, Kyler Murray threw up a pass to Greg Dortch. Bills cornerback Ja'Marcus Ingram closely defended Dortch, forcing the incompletion. The Bills knelt down the final 29 seconds of the game for the victory.

There would be no "Hail Murray" this afternoon.

Key stats

• Josh Allen accounted for four touchdowns (two rushing and two passing) on the afternoon. He totaled 271 total yards in the game.

• Keon Coleman led the Bills with four catches for 51 yards.

• James Cook led all players in the game with 71 rushing yards.

• Nine different receivers caught passes from Josh Allen.

• Greg Rousseau was a menace, registering three sacks.

The deciding factor

Josh Allen.

Buffalo's offense finally got things going along in the second half. The Josh Allen hero ball became a bit more reserved and less reckless in the second half. He ended the day 180of-23 for 232 passing yards and two touchdowns. He rushed nine times for 39 yards and two touchdowns.

The defense made their mark in the third quarter. With the game tied at 17, Greg Rousseau forced a strip-sack. On the ensuing drive, the Bills took the lead for good.

Everybody eats?

It was a slow go in the first half for the Bills offense. The Bills leaned heavily on Josh Allen and James Cook to keep the offense afloat.

During the second half, the Bills spread the wealth and moved the ball fairly well. Nine different receivers caught passes from Josh Allen. Khalil Shakir scored a remarkable touchdown, while Mack Hollins ran a solid route to score his first touchdown since Week 14 of the 2022 season.

Injury report

• Slot cornerback Taron Johnson suffered a forearm injury on the game's opening drive. Johnson did not return to the game.

• Josh Allen suffered a left-hand injury in the fourth quarter. He did not miss any time.

What's next?

Buffalo travels to Miami to take on the Dolphins in a prime-time tilt on Thursday night. Miami won their opening game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1. Jason Sanders made a 52-yard field as time expired to give the Dolphins the victory

This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: Instant analysis: Bills Week 1 comeback victory vs. Cardinals