NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Buffalo Bills gaining a first down was starting to look like it would be the new "Music City Miracle" for more than a quarter of Sunday's game against the Tennessee Titans.
Without LeSean McCoy (hamstring), Sammy Watkins (calf) and Karlos Williams (concussion), the Bills made moving the sticks look like a nearly insurmountable obstacle, failing to gain a first down until there was 7:10 remaining in the second quarter.
At halftime, the Bills had four first downs, 51 total offensive yards and zero points.
Only two teams have gained fewer first-half yards this season. It's also Buffalo's fewest first-half yards since gaining just 41 in a December 2010 game against the Minnesota Vikings. The Bills' four first downs are their fewest since last week, when they gained just two in a 24-10 loss to the New York Giants.
Tyrod Taylor did not complete a pass until the play that gained the Bills' initial first down. He finished the first half 5-of-11 passing for 36 yards. It's the second consecutive slow start for Taylor, who rebounded in the second half last week against the Giants.
With McCoy and Williams inactive, the Bills divided first-half carries between Boom Herron (four rushes, 15 yards), Boobie Dixon (two rushes, three yards) and Cierre Wood (two rushes, three yards). Wood was carted off with a knee injury late in the first half and will not return.
