[OL Pass blocking was terrible times vs. NE & Drops - But a comfortable win]

I was thinking about putting this in a separate post but I hate it when someone opens a thread with nothing other than a player's name.  So here goes.  Spencer Brown.  I thought that after his rookie year, Brown would be All Pro by his third year.  Incredible combine metrics as far as pure athleticism is concerned, huge frame, great attitude, plays with a mean streak.  Yet gets beat over and over again on an outside rush.  Melvin Ingram undressed him in KC playoff game.  On the other hand, he appears to be very good in the run game.  Is it just a question of providing him with a smaller space to operate in?  I get that you don't see 6'7" guards but would moving him inside be an answer?  Draft OT #1 and OG #2 next spring?

[After Twelve Weeks the Bills Have Played Four Home Games]

On top of winning three games away from home field in 12 days, in spite of snow storms, injuries, lack of practice and what-have-you, how about this for a statistical anomaly.  After 12 weeks, the Bills have played seven road games, four home games and one neutral site game.  Despite that and despite playing numerous Top Ten teams in various power rankings (KC, Miami, Minnesota, Baltimore, Tennessee, et al.) the Bills are 9 - 3.  As General George Patton might have said, "Damn, I'm proud of these boys."

[What Happened After Halftime of the Packers Game?]

I'm still struggling with what I'm trying to get at with this post.  It's such a statistical anomaly to go six games with incredibly good stats (one statistically mediocre game at Baltimore in the driving rain) with four picks (one 100% on McKenzie and another a tipped ball) to five games ranging from mediocre to downright awful, with a season's worth of red zone picks, game changing horrible plays, etc.  Maybe it is something physical or something mental but something happened either during the bye week or during the Packer game that has put our Super Bowl hopes in jeopardy.  I really believe one mistake free, "big game" performance and it's all in the rear view mirror.  At least that's my hope.

[What Happened After Halftime of the Packers Game?]

Opened the season crushing the defending Super Bowl champs on the road despite four turnovers.  Crushed last year's AFC #! seed at home.  Lost a freakish heartbreaker at Miami despite a rash of injuries and hellish and unfair conditions on the field.  Came back with a gutsy comeback win on the road at Baltimore.  Destroyed Pittsburgh at home.  Great game on the road for a well-deserved win against arch nemesis KC.  5-1 going into the bye.  

 

I hadn't felt as confident of a win going into a game as I did Green Bay.  Rested, getting some players back going against team at the bottom of the league stopping the run.  Good game to get our run game healthy. Up 24 - 7 at the half.  Offense looked fine.  Defense looked soft against the run, which was a surprise given how sturdy we had been against the run the first six games.  At that point, Josh Allen had 19 TD passes against 4 interceptions and was favorite to win MVP.  He took a couple of big hits early in the second half and hasn't looked the same since.  Since halftime of the Packer game Allen has 4 TD passes against 7 interceptions (including 3 red zone INT's) and a fumble on a QB sneak that cost the Viking game.  He looked bad against the Jets well before the elbow injury.  I'm convinced Allen suffered some sort of injury early in the second half of the Packer game.  It just seems statistically impossible to play 6 1/2 games so well and the next 4 1/2 either mediocre or flat out bad.  Granted, the lousy offensive line play hasn't helped.  Brown has been a big disappointment.  

 

Our defense after getting gouged by Green Bay and the Jets on the ground has rebounded nicely in stopping the run (other than the 80 yard Cook run).  Pass defense has been bad but hopefully that will be cured by getting some of our guys back. 

 

The one thing this team needs is one big game from Allen showing that he is back.  That, and staying relatively healthy and we will be fine.

[All your juicy Odell Beckham gossip]

I'm sure it has been mentioned in this thread more than once but Tre tore his ACL last Thanksgiving.  OBJ tore his during the Super Bowl.  Are you going to sign the guy for the second half of the Super Bowl?  45 pages for this?  Seems kind of nutty.

[Bills pass D with 2+ score leads in the 2nd half has been atrocious lately. What gives?]

Browns had approximately 400 yards total.  Of that, 75 on opening drive (which counts of course) and approximately 150 on last two "garbage time" TD drives with Bills having big leads.  Incredible job to hold Chubb to 19 yards on 15 carries.  I also get playing prevent defense up big late.  Ask the Browns.  They gave up an 80 TD pass under 2 minutes left and cost them loss to Jets early in the season.  Helped ruin their season.  What I don't get, however, is the last drive and not forcing the play away from the sidelines.  Play after play Brisset was completing passes to receivers who stepped out of bounds and stopped the clock burning maybe 5 or 6 seconds.  A completion inbounds burns 30.  Keeping receivers in play would have forced Cleveland to heave something towards the end zone at the end instead of having a shot to recover an onsides kick and causing more heart palpatations in BUFF.

[I think it's clear that Zach Wilson is a bust]

1 hour ago, BillsFanSD said:

I still can't believe we lost to that team.

 

I get losing to Miami and the Vikings.  Those teams aren't as good as we are, but they're legit and bit us on a bad day as legit teams sometimes do.  But the Jets?  Really now.

And yet, we outplayed Miami and lost because of injuries, heat stroke and bad luck.  The Minnesota game, I don't think I've seen a team have like, 20 chances to put a game away and failing to make one play to put the game away.  The Jets, on the other hand, played us pretty even up and deserved to win that game.

[Daryl Williams Still Available]

I started a similar thread a month ago and was enlightened by many posters that, not only is he retired, but he has zero interest at this point in his life in playing football.  Nothing wrong with that.  Which is a shame, He would be a nice fit as guard - tackle backup, maybe even starter.  Last year's play was better than what Saffold and Q have provided this year.

[The 4th & 2 playcalling]

This isn't directly on topic but it's the most recently active concerning the Minnesota game.  Last series.  Diggs catches ball giving us a first down on the Minnesota 20 yard line with 1:25 left and two timeouts (I believe Vikings had two timeouts as well).  Go for TD to Knox in endzone.  Incomplete.  1:12 left on the clock.  Let's say Allen threw ball away on second down with no one open (as many here believe he should have).  Now's it's third and 10 from the 20.  Incomplete pass followed by FG gives Vikings a minute and two timeouts to win the game.

 

If the strategy was to at a minimum to come out of the game with a tie, we should have run or thrown a "safe" pass on first down to run some clock.  Do Vikings call time out to preserve clock?  Do we make them burn a couple of timeouts?

 

It seems that the strategy, if you can call it that, was to win the game without any consideration for playing for a tie, fine.  That's certainly aggressive.  On the other hand, it just leads to more questions how strange the playcalling sequence was to end the game.

[If Hyde and Poyer Are Healthy, We're Undefeated]

16 minutes ago, Mr. WEO said:

 

I can only answer the same question the same way n-1 times.  

 

Just retitle your thread at least....

It's hyperbole, pal.  Clickbait.

[Super Bowl Winning Head Coaches]

Kubiak won a Super Bowl?  Must of missed that.  For who?

[If Hyde and Poyer Are Healthy, We're Undefeated]

3 hours ago, Mr. WEO said:

 

The most obvious reason is that the Colts and the Titans aren't better than the Jets or Vikings last year, yet the Bills lost with Poyer and Hyde in the game.  

 

If you are now saying maybe they would not be undefeated, possibly 8-1 then edit or delete the thread.  Other than "Johnson taking horrible angles" you've given no cogent argument why with Poyer/Hyde, the Bills couldn't beat teams like Tenn and Indy, but without them, the Bills can't lose to the Fins or Vikings (or possibly the Jets?).   Or something...

 

You know, even with Hyde and Poyer, I don't think the Bills beat the '75 Steelers.  Why do you keep referring to last year?  I never said that last year's Bills should have been unbeaten.  The Colts rolled them.  Your argument is just nonsense. Again, with Hyde and Poyer, this team has a very, very good chance of being 9 - 0, or at worst 8 - 1.  Do you deny that?  Did you watch the games?

[If Hyde and Poyer Are Healthy, We're Undefeated]

28 minutes ago, Mr. WEO said:

 

They got blown out by Indy/Wentz/Taylor last yea with Poyer/Hyde/Milano/Tre White.  They gave up 34 the Titans  with Poyer/Hyde.  

 

But THIS year, they would be undefeated with those two in every game.  Or maybe not, you are now saying...?

Have no idea why you keep referring to last season.  My opinion is that with Hyde and Poyer they win both Miami and Minnesota.  NYJ closer call but it's not J. Johnson taking horrible angles at running backs either.  Yes, in all three games the offense left something to be desired but again, the thesis is that THIS YEAR, with Hyde and Poyer we would be minimum 8 - 1, very possibly 9 - 0.

[One Year Ago Today: More things change......]

3 minutes ago, Airseven said:

Jets game definitely felt like the Jags game from last year. Bills have too much talent to get their doors blown off again like that Colts game (although perhaps the Vikings loss was even worse). Another mid-year swoon is sending them down the power (pain) rankings:

 

1. Chiefs
2. Eagles
3. Vikings
4. Dolphins
5. Ravens
6. Titans
7. Cowboys
8. Giants
9. Jets
10. Bills
11. 49ers
12. Bengals
13. Commanders
14. Chargers
15. Seahawks
16. Bucs
17. Patriots
18. Packers
19. Colts
20. Cardinals
21. Steelers
22. Rams
23. Lions
24. Bears
25. Falcons
26. Panthers
27. Broncos
28. Browns
29. Jaguars
30. Saints
31. Raiders
32. Texans

Power rankings are worth about as much as mock drafts, but just for fun, let's assume this one is accurate.  So far this season, Bills have (1) beat #1 on the road; (2) lost a heartbreaking game at home to #3 that they should have put away about six times; (3) lost to #4 on the road when half the team keeled over with heat stroke; (4) beat #5 on the road; (5) destroyed #6 at home; (6) lost a tough game to #9 on the road; (7) easily beat #19, #21 and #22; and (8) no games to date against #24 - #32.  Despite all that, we still have games left against #3, #9, #12 (road); and #17 (2).  This may end up being the most brutal schedule in the history of the team.

[If Hyde and Poyer Are Healthy, We're Undefeated]

13 hours ago, Mr. WEO said:

 

How undefeated were the Bills last year with these two playing?

What does that have to do with the price of tea in China?  This year they lost to Miami by two in a brutal game where Bills players were keeling over with heat stroke.  This is personal opinion of course but if Hyde and Poyer play in that game, they win.  Granted, offense wasn't great even though they put up almost 500 yards of offense.  NYJ loss, don't know.  Again, offense wasn't great, not sure two safeties would have made that much of a difference stopping the NYJ run game.  Minnesota?  Absolutely convinced they win that game in a walk if Hyde and Poyer play.  

[As good as Jefferson's catch was, it may not even been the best catch yesterday...]

wow.

[Bills defense had 12 men on the field for Dalvin Cook red zone stop in OT]

I wasn't looking for a silver lining from this game but then the thought occurred to me, what if this had been a playoff game or - heaven forbid - a Super Bowl and to lose a game like this.  This would have been 10 times worse than 13 seconds because we had at least 5 or 6 times when you're about this close to saying game over (scoring TD to go up 17, 4th and 18, 81 yard run, executing a QB sneak, and on and on).  It would have been time to find the nearest bridge.

[The 4th & 2 playcalling]

16 minutes ago, Wayne Cubed said:

There is no 4th down if Josh hits a wide open Davis on 3rd down... and I do mean wide open, instead he hesitates.

 

Why are Davis and McKenzie right next to each other?  That can't be right.  Somebody had to mess up.

[Dorsey’s lack of adjustments in the second half; 12 second half points in the last 3 games]

I go back, yet again, to the Green Bay game.  Not just the second half, but the whole mentality going into that game.  We're coming off a bye and GB has one of the two worst run D's in the league.  It was an ideal game to run the ball more and at least attempt to provide some balance to the offense.  OK, really didn't do that in the first have but you come out with a 24 - 7 lead at the half.  You're going to pound, pound, pound the ball in the second half, right?  Nope, it's the Packers who do that!! We play like we're behind 24 - 7.  This team hasn't looked remotely right since the second half of the GB game.

[If Hyde and Poyer Are Healthy, We're Undefeated]

Point of the post is not revisionist history or wishful thinking.  Some injuries are devastating, some not as much.  If Hyde and Poyer play yesterday, we 100% win that game.  Probably win in Miami as well.  If Poyer can come back healthy and team with Hamlin, I think we'll be ok.

[If Hyde and Poyer Are Healthy, We're Undefeated]

This is NOT an excuse.  EVERY team suffers injuries.  Baltimore's season was wiped out last year with injuries.  Chargers this year.  Pittsburgh lost the Defensive Player of the Year for half a season.  

 

But if Hyde and Poyer were healthy and played every game this year, I believe this team is 9 - 0, maybe 8 - 1 (possible would have lost Jets debacle regardless).  It's pretty obvious that they are the heart and soul of this defense.  

 

Right now, forget about home field.  Goals: (1) cross your fingers we are healthy as possible going into playoffs; (2) clean up the turnovers; (3) find a way to run for first downs on 2nd and short and 3rd and short.   

[The Play Calling….]

Defense needs either Hyde (obviously he won't be there) or Poyer back there.  It's a big problem when they are both out.  It's kind of crazy but I keep thinking the season turned during a win.  Leading GB 27 - 10, Cook carries it down to the GB 3.  Second and goal.  Run it twice and kick the FG or run it three times and score a TD or pin GB deep. Instead, incompletion , then Interception.  GB makes it tiny bit of a nailbiter.  Same type of thing happened over and over today.  Refusal to run on second and short or third and short or when we did, couldn't make a yard or two.  Aren't going to win a Super Bowl if you can't gain a yard or two on the ground when you need it.  Oh, yeah Dorsey's play-calling is awful.

[NFL Week 10 - Vikings at Bills post game thread]

Last three second halves and OT; zero touchdowns, four field goals, five interceptions (four in the red zone), one fumble, outscored 43 - 9 defense gashed over and over by the run.  Brutal, brutal, brutal.

[[Name Only Title] Ed Oliver]

This thread got me to thinking about 2023 (I still believe in 2022!) and what the Bills defense might look like and how resources should finally flow to the offense.  So what could D look like next year:

 

CB - White, D. Jackson, T. Johnson, Elam, Benford.  You can't be any more stacked than this.  No FA's, no draft choices.

S - If Hyde is healthy (obviously, big if) I don't see them holding on to Poyer.  Love Poyer but Hamlin can play SS with Hyde next to him.  I'd like to see Neal backing up one of the spots.  No FA's, maybe a late draft choice.  Wouldn't mind not seeing J. Johnson on the field again.

OLB - Milano backed up by Bernard.  No FA's, no draft choices.

ILB - I don't think they resign Edmunds.  I'd like to see them try to pry Bobby Wagner off the Rams or someone similar.  Vet with instincts and aggression but not the athleticism of Edmunds.  Or resign Dodson as a cheaper alternative.  Can Spector be a viable backup?

DE - Miller, Rousseau, Epenesa, Basham.  Let Lawson walk.  No FA's, no draft choices.

DT - Oliver (same deal as Edmunds this year - let him play out fifth year and see if it is worth resigning him), Jones, Settle.  Let Phillips walk.  No FA's, maybe middle round draft choice.  

 

That leaves a lot of room to upgrade at OL, WR, possibly RB.  Defense should be fine.

[Josh Allen injury update(officially questionable - expected to start per Ian Rappaport)]

5 minutes ago, KeLLy1278 said:

I knew this would happen (Allen getting hurt) and many people on here laughed and made fun of my posts.  I said that it is all fun and games until you get hurt.  Whether it is bad awareness in the pocket or taking off and running without sliding.  This style of play has a very short shelf life.

What an incredibly bad take.  Is this sarcasm?  Bad awareness in the pocket?  His right tackle was beat like a drum and he was trying to make a throw.