Buffalo Bills Week 15: New England (3-11) at Buffalo (11-3), 12/22, 4:25 PM (flexed), CBS

Jim Bob

RIP RJ
Feb 27, 2002
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Didn’t the ravens have one of the best rushing offenses in nfl history the first time we shut them down? I could be totally among that up haha
If you are referring to the 2020 playoff win, the Ravens did lead the NFL in rushing that year.

But, it's not the same as what they are doing this year:

Screenshot 2024-09-24 152040.jpg


23.jpg


I won't put anything past McD, Babich, and the players they have on D. But, this is a different puzzle to solve than that team was.
 

Fezzy126

Rebuilding...
May 10, 2017
9,213
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Couple of thoughts 3 weeks in:
  1. I take back all of my concerns about neutral play pass rates from week #1. I just needed to see that Brady could/would aggressively attack the defense. I know it's just one game, but now that I've seen it I'll feel a lot better about Brady moving forward.
  2. Pass play design, use of pre-snap motion, ability to consistently create personnel mismatches, yes please :thumbu:
  3. I've been saying it for a while, but: Elite QB + Elite OL >>> Elite QB + Elite WRs. Our Oline has been incredible. Hopefully they can keep this up against some tougher, more physical front sevens.
 

yahhockey

Registered User
Jan 23, 2013
3,611
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It was funny when a Chiefs fan complained about them dropping from 1 to 2 in a different power ranking citing the Bills having "only" beaten teams with a combined 2-7 record as the reason they should not have leapfrogged the still unbeaten Chiefs who it turns out, shockingly, have also beaten opponents with a combined 2-7 record, lol. The Chiefs have won by an average of 4.3 points while Buffalo has won by 21.3 points. Oh, the Jacksonville game is an anomaly, fine, they won the other team games by an overage of 13.5 points. Oh, Tua was injured so that doesn't count either, okay then they won their other game by six points which is still more than two of the three KC victories.

Sorry. Chiefs fans are insufferable.
 
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TehDoak

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Feb 28, 2002
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A few thoughts:

#1. I was legit worried about this game. Last year this was the game where the Bills simply vomited all over themselves (and the years previous)
#2. The Bills have not played a legit defense as of yet. They've played flawed defenses that were exploitable, though, I will say its been nice to see the offenses versatility.

Play a cover 2 shell, Buffalo will give you a steady diet of James Cook until you show you can stop the run.

Play a man heavy run stop game, Buffalo will exploit with PA and crossing patterns until you switch.

#3. I still think the injuries in the middle of the defense are exploitable for other teams.


I think we're going to see a boat load of Derrick Henry and horizontal movement with a good mix of PA put in there. I also expect to see a good dose of Lamar running for 1sts like Kyler did against us.

Overall, I expect Baltimore to run a ball control style game and try to go over the top.

Their defensive line overwhelmed Dallas at times, so that will be a good matchup.
 

Der Jaeger

Generational EBUG
Feb 14, 2009
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I wrote something earlier today about how I would draft based on the current team. It'd be a healthy does of linemen. Keep Allen upright and with time, and dominate the line of scrimmage. It's WAY early, but here's how I'd draft to illustrate those points. I used PFF's list, with some projection of my own (over drafting due to what I think will be a rise in stock).

1: Jack Sawyer, DE Ohio State. High energy, physical end who is more brute power than speed. He's the kind of end who will wear down a tackle, won't get bullied, and uses a high end motor to get to the QB. Gets a year behind Epenesa.

2: Wyatt Milum, OT West Virginia. I really wanted Josh Simmons from Ohio State in the 2nd, but Minnesota is doing too well, and Simmons won't fall. Milum is an athletic OT who projects as a LT. I'd either train him for a year or two, or put him at LG now in place of Edwards. The idea would be to eventually flop Dawkins and Milum in a year or two.

2: Jonah Monheim, OL USC. I list Monheim as a OL because he's played everywhere for USC. I think he ends up at center. He's a tall, athletic lineman who could start as soon as McGovern's contract is done. The criticism here is that Buffalo is drafting a depth pick in the 2nd round. But that's what some of these players become anyway. Look at Bishop (safety).

3: Rod Moore, S Michigan. Love this player. Super high IQ. Looks like Micah Hyde to me. Has played in a ton of big games.

4: Nazir Stackhouse, DT Georgia. There are only two really good one technique DTs in this draft. Dontay Corleone is the best and won't make it to Buffalo's pick in the first round. The other is Stackhouse. I'm projecting this pick.

4: Quincey Riley, CB Louisville. Developmental CB pick who adds depth to the secondary. Douglas might be gone at this point, and Elam would be in his option year.

4: Nick Martin, LB Oklahoma State. Martin is the type of ultra-fast, undersized linebacker the Bills like. He adds more depth, especially if the Bills aren't sure if Milano can stay healthy.

5: Tony Grimes, CB UNLV. A long zone CB who has elite athletic ability. He hasn't translated it yet, but he's worth developing. Could help on special teams immediately.

6: Raheim Sanders, RB South Carolina. A battering ram of a running back. Doesn't have a ton of wiggle but would be an asset on short yardage.

7: Bryce Foster, IOL Kansas. Elite athlete for an offensive lineman. Comparable to Creed Humphries athletically, but hasn't put it together yet. Worth developing.

This draft is the type of draft McDermott would love. Add some depth, lots of rookies developing behind starters, and keeps the lines strong while adding low budget depth to the back seven of the defense.
 
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Selanne00008

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Jun 2, 2006
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Kincaid is currently PFF's second highest rated TE. And Benford is PFF's second highest rated CB.
Interesting. What in the world with the TEs this year.

kelce
Kincaid
laporta
McBride
Andrews
Engram Injured
Njoku injured
Kittle injured

Mostly all duds (Fantasy wise anyways). Who is #1? Let alone top 3
 

Dirty Dog

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If you are referring to the 2020 playoff win, the Ravens did lead the NFL in rushing that year.

But, it's not the same as what they are doing this year:

View attachment 909304

View attachment 909307

I won't put anything past McD, Babich, and the players they have on D. But, this is a different puzzle to solve than that team was.

I mean it is fairly similar? That edwards/dobbins duo was as productive as what the ravens RBs are doing now? I suppose Lamar is a little more productive running the ball this year. Seems pretty similar to me, but maybe I’m oversimplifying things? The main difference is Lamar isn’t throwing an unsustainable TD percent

But regardless, and to the point, it’s a top running offense and it will be a good test
 
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K8fool

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Sep 30, 2018
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stomach of giant parasitic worm
Some Bills thoughts:

Offensively, the Bills look a lot like the Pats post-Moss and Welker. They've got weapons, but Allen is throwing to the open receiver almost every time. I think he forced a couple in the red zone, but that was it. Also, you're seeing designed plays to get the ball out of Allen's hands fast early in the game. Shakir, Smauel, and Cook got touches early. Lots of short throws with YAC potential. It's a ball control passing attack which gets Allen into a rhythm. You saw the outcome of that approach later, as he started hitting open receivers downfield. That's a far cry from the downfield attack he was asked to run under Daboll and Dorsey. And what Brady is doing is working - and it's the correct approach.

Defensively, Buffalo is a zone team with the same personnel requirements as the Tampa 2. You need a lot of talent in the front 4, which allows the back 7 to scheme and work to strength / taking away opposition strengths. Babich is doing a lot to get the QB off the spot, and taking away the downfield reads. Teams will eventually be able to drive on Buffalo, but they'll be longer drives with more opportunity to make mistakes. The flip side is that teams will have opportunity to keep Allen on the sidelines.

The biggest challenge going forward this season is to keep possession offensively and avoid 3 and outs early. Brady is doing a great job of this. Once Buffalo can start to operate with some pressure on the opponent to score, Babich can start to turn up some scheme options, particularly against the pass.

This type of team game is what McDermott was talking about when he said the team needs to play complimentary football. The Pats used to play like that, and they would regularly demolish opponents. Bills are starting to look like that.


Bills need DTs and a high end rush end to eventually replace Epenesa.

I'd also start looking at replacements for Edwards and a longer term LT (with a Dawkins move to LG as he ages).

Bills are winning the line of scrimmage. They need to make sure it stays that way.
The above is as rough a take and downright disrespectful in that I don't understand as I've watched this year along w some baldingers isolation that shows Oliver abusing each of the three teams interior. ,

both lines of the Bills have been impeccable ( Josh mr happy feet tweaker has felt so comfortable in the pocket most of the time he's planting his feet and following thru which has made those plays unstoppable, compared to the the rest of the league . The D including epenesa miller and rouseau. They have sacks from rook and toohil Oliver and other rotations Both DT stacking games playing physically dominate , I'm not sure we could ask for more of an advantage. To help our flaws i back


Another two bills take mystified me as well i. HOCKEY about tage. Lts actually wrote disparaging tage. Trying to motivate his lazy ass? Seriously. Cherry picking and multiple injuries last year from blatant shots from behind addressed by Lindy death squaf. His stats in twenty two and last half of last year gutting thru three injuries I think but not and don't care other than why disparage the lines who give their all the past year plus w pancake Dawkins and the much maligned now perfect Spencer brown. Going after tage is nearly going after Josh as he appears to give his all and wants accountability and I think want to win and step on necks and jam goals down league throats. Instead of stats. He should fn heal and give his injured spot trusting a healthy player but i see few bad traits. Even punching bag Dylan worked over by a white horse will get his confidence soon and put up HIS normal numbers and hits after he gets his pantiies from bunching up.

Both boards are friggin brutal. After win like somebody poisoned ur narcotics.

Pricks

6 hours ago, LTS said:
Last season stats:
162nd in FOW%. Of the top 162, there were 18 players in the top 162 that had 100 face-offs or less. Even if you exclude them, Tage is just inside the 1op 150 players in FOW%
  • 31st in goals
  • 70th in assists
  • 52nd in total points
  • 95th in +/-
  • 44th in TOI/GP.
What metrics is anyone looking at that says Tage Thompson is worth this consideration?
He is tied for 1st in height at 6'6, with Nick Bjugstad,Michael Rasmussen, and Aliaksei Protas though!


I guess here's hoping for one or both against Houston...
Good. Full health or fook it
 

Jim Bob

RIP RJ
Feb 27, 2002
59,359
40,645
Rochester, NY
Couple of thoughts 3 weeks in:
  1. I take back all of my concerns about neutral play pass rates from week #1. I just needed to see that Brady could/would aggressively attack the defense. I know it's just one game, but now that I've seen it I'll feel a lot better about Brady moving forward.
  2. Pass play design, use of pre-snap motion, ability to consistently create personnel mismatches, yes please :thumbu:
  3. I've been saying it for a while, but: Elite QB + Elite OL >>> Elite QB + Elite WRs. Our Oline has been incredible. Hopefully they can keep this up against some tougher, more physical front sevens.
I asked Joe Marino the other day if we can give Kromer a lifetime contract.

Apparently, his original thought when he came back was that he would retire after last season. But, things are going so well, he has extended his stay.

While people are wondering how long the Bills can keep Brady around, I am worried about Kromer retiring a little bit more as I think the odds are greater that he retires after this year than Brady getting a head coach job after a good season and a half run of good OCing in the NFL with Josh Allen as his QB.
 

kirby11

Registered User
Mar 16, 2011
10,247
5,206
Buffalo, NY
A few thoughts:

#1. I was legit worried about this game. Last year this was the game where the Bills simply vomited all over themselves (and the years previous)
#2. The Bills have not played a legit defense as of yet. They've played flawed defenses that were exploitable, though, I will say its been nice to see the offenses versatility.

Play a cover 2 shell, Buffalo will give you a steady diet of James Cook until you show you can stop the run.

Play a man heavy run stop game, Buffalo will exploit with PA and crossing patterns until you switch.

#3. I still think the injuries in the middle of the defense are exploitable for other teams.


I think we're going to see a boat load of Derrick Henry and horizontal movement with a good mix of PA put in there. I also expect to see a good dose of Lamar running for 1sts like Kyler did against us.

Overall, I expect Baltimore to run a ball control style game and try to go over the top.

Their defensive line overwhelmed Dallas at times, so that will be a good matchup.
I'm worried they have some success with the run and then hit Likely in the intermediate space with room to run off PA when Spector and Williams start moving forward too aggressively
 
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TageGod

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Aug 31, 2022
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I love Josh Allen, but rings do matter when you are getting into a GOAT conversation.
Thats why I said best football player. Size, strength, throwing, running. He is the best overall talent to ever play. He usually slightly outplays Mahomes (probably the goat) statistically in the playoffs. If the defense did not fail them, it would be so much different, which is why the conversations about Allen are about being overrated, which is not even his fault. The lack of hardware is impacting how he is actually perceived.
 
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Zman5778

Moderator
Oct 4, 2005
27,345
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Cressona/Reading, PA
Thats why I said best football player. Size, strength, throwing, running. He is the best overall talent to ever play.

"Best" =/= "Best overall talent"

There have been PLENTY of supremely talented football players who don't come anywhere near the conversation of best football players ever.

Brady is arguably the best QB of all time, but not necessarily the most talented when it comes to size, strength, throwing, running.

JaMarcus Russell had it all -- size, strength, throwing, running........but amounted to absolutely nothing.
 

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