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As far as the run defense...think it always goes to the defensive tackles. If you look at the history of the best run stuffing LBs in the history of the Bills and the NFL, they probably had a dominant DT in front of them. Even if the Tackles weren't making the play themselves, they were occupying a double team that meant less pressure on the linebackers behind them. Fridge Perry - Mike Singletary Siragusa/Sam Adams - Ray Lewis Bills just don't have THAT guy at the position since Kyle William

The difference is this year our run defense is completely shot. Playing close games where the other team can run is a recipe for disaster. I feel it’s time to let it rip and put Josh and co together with our pass defense, which is far better.

Pope.

Telegraph, telegram. You both are showing your age 🙂

As always, great writeup. I really appreciate your thoughts on the game, as you hit on all the key things. On the coaching thing, I couldn't help but think to myself, who is calling this defense? I know they showed McD with a playsheet, but Bobby is still in the booth, and I'm thinking that at the moment, both are involved. I would love to see Bobby on the sideline and erase all doubt. To me, the defensive calls felt a lot more like the 1st half against Atlanta. Specifically remember a 3rd and 12, where we chose to sit back and play soft coverage, and allow the conversion. It was a very vanilla look, no disguise, no pressure. I thought to myself, was that McD? McD is typically more aggressive in those situations. I don't think we'll ever truly know. They'll likely continue to say that it's a collaborate effort between the 2. As for the run D, it always starts with the D-line, but Bernard playing with a bad wheel, and both Milano, and Poyer not having any wheels at this point, all contributes. I was really surprised that Shaq Thompson was a full go at practice and was then inactive. I'm wondering if that has to do with the short turnaround, and Bernard already being banged up. Maybe McD sits Bernard this week, and gives him a full 2 weeks to rest that ankle. I would love to see a lot more of Shaq and Dorian. If Bernard could get fully Healthy, Ideally, I would like to see Shaq and Bernard, assuming Shaq is able to play Milano's WLB role.

Terrible bc he got the ball ripped out at one point? I recall his stellar return, exciting the crowd and amping up the team immensely. And recall he was JUST signed a few days ago. I think his debut was a huge success.

MGK, you're right. When I said all our normal starters were healthy, I should have said they were healthy enough to suit up. I just thought the box score was really unexpected. Shavers leading the pack! Latu with more yards than Shakir! Cook finally getting used in the passing game! I also didn't expect the Bills to sign Hardman and was glad to see him run a go route even if it didn't quite connect - just to get it on tape. Cook will find bigger holes if opponents respect our intermediate and deep games. And receivers will get open more often when teams respect our run game and we force them to defend the entire field - horizontally and vertically - instead of just the short stuff. I think the Bucs game will give opposing defenses more to think about because it wasn't a typical run-Cook, throw-short-to-Shakir-and-Kincaid game plan.

What has made me more confident was a post-game breakdown (I think after Carolina) where the upshot was "he's pretty much always in the right position" To me, that's the thing. There's always going to a process throughout his career to get better at battling receivers but if he's in the right place with those athletic traits? I heard him described as "the best pure safety in the 2024 draft" Obviously DeJean has been great for the Eagles so that's my hope for rough comp

i don’t know, man. I don’t see the Texans doing anything on offense. I just worry about turnovers giving them a chance to score points. I would prefer to play very conservatively, especially on a short week.

Is it just me or did Bishop emerge the minute Rapp went out and he partnered with Poyer?

All you guys saying HOF, slow your roll! I think he is a second ballot HOFer only.

agree 100%. I am super glad he's back and you can see the comfort level between him and Allen immediately. I'll take the occasional dumb mistakes or misrun routes

It's a number of issues at every level of the defense - The edge isn't set by the end properly, or they take the bait and end up too far upfield while also enabling linemen to advance to the 2nd level Linebackers struggle to shed, or shoot the wrong gap and take themselves out of the play Secondary angles have been poor, and the tackling among this group is probably the worst of each unit

Yep. Additional by subtraction. The passing game looked like a different animal yesterday. IDC about Tampa’s bad pass defense. The Fins & Falcons both stifled Allen and they aren’t exactly world beaters.

You make a lot of assumptions...

Mahomes hasn't been very good in recent weeks. He threw this awful INT in FG range in a game decided by 3 points: Also threw this terrible pick six that was overturned by a questionable illegal contact penalty: I thought he would get back to his high standard of play this year after a couple middling seasons but it hasn't happened.

It's the Texans. Go in there and smash them!

I said before the game to put Gabe / Shavers opposite Palmer and it should stay that way. However, i do think Keon as a redzone guy could pay big. Just a matter of who and how many do you suit up on gameday.

I think he could become one of the best ever. I will go with HOF

agreed. I know what play you are talking about too. I think it was the long tucker TD catch (not to be confused with the long Tucker TD run!). Bernard strikes me as very slow from a reaction point. Milano strikes me knowing where to go, but not being able to physically get there. taron seems to just be out of sorts— maybe playing too undisciplined to make up for physical shortcomings?

My girl likes the D

I predicted Bishop to be the best player out of that Bills draft class. He’s one of those complete Safety’s like Polamalu that is both a ball hawk and savage hitter. I think he has potential to be a top 5 player at his position.

lol, had me googling "when did fantasy football start?"

There is about a handful of people that are going to get the “Earnie” reference.