Dan

You may be right. Maybe he just has a different style of coaching. But, there were times when the entire offense is sitting on the bench looking deflated. Then I'd look for Marrone and he's 20yds away looking away from the action looking deflated. It just seemed likenthe wrong message to send a team that needed its head in the game.

After sitting behind the bench and watching Marrone meander about with little interest in what was ocurring on the field, I could totally believe that he doesn't know who's on the field. He looked completely listless and disinterested. If a team takes on the personality of their head coach, then I think the offense does have their identity that everyone wonders about.

That's exactly what I was thinking. I know that if they didn't convert that 4th with 6mins left, it was game over. But, if they punt it away the chances are next to none that they'd get the ball back twice... needing 2 scores. So, you have to go for it! But, Marrone took the safe way out and guess what? We only got the ball once more. Broncos fans were convinced from the outset they would win. Had Buffalo won, I'm convinced half of Denver would have committed suicide. The certainty of their victory was never in doubt. Because it was Buffalo, plain and simple.

Just got in from the game... and here's my random thoughts. We had awesome seats! 3 rows behind the Bills bench on the 40yd line. Sweet! With that said, its a whole different perspective on the game and one that I'm just not used to, some things I just couldn't see. But what I did see: 1. Sammy Watkins is playing hurt. It looked like he had a good game on the stat sheet, but sitting on the bench you could see the pain on his face. At one point in the early 4th quarter he was literally wincing getting up to go back on the field. I'm not sure if its his hip or groin or what, but he's playing through pain. 2. Marrone looks like the most disinterested person in the stadium. I just don't get it. Half the game, he's not even watching what's going on on the field. Do all coaches do this... wander aimlessly looking as though they want to be somewhere else? Because that's how he looked to me. 3. What exactly happened with Hughes? We saw the pass breakup/interference on Sanders, then it looked like a fight over there. Then Hughes came back to the sideline... pissed! 4. Orton for all his sucktitude was the only offensive player I saw on the sideline regularly talking to a coach between series. Most of the others looked like their head coach... disinterested. Another reason I like Marrone less now. 5. It seemed like the best offensive play calling of the season. Was it? I couldn't see the formations and player groupings so much. 6. The penalties were so bad and so lopsided that even the Broncos fans were saying, after the Bills would make a good play... "wait where's the flag. There is it!" Seriously, how many BS calls were there? The jumbotron showed almost no replays so it felt like we got totally screwed! 7. The Bills fans showed up and represented well! It was a great time and we made the best of a crappy game. The Broncos fans, as well, were generally good natured and took my trash talk pretty good. So, we had fun. 8. Go Bills next week!

woops

Week 14: Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos Sunday, December 7, 2014 at 4:05pm TV Network: CBS (TV Map) Announcers: Kevin Harlan, Rich Gannon DirecTV: 715 Bills Radio: On the call: John Murphy (play by play), Mark Kelso (analyst), Sal Capaccio (sideline) Flagship: Buffalo – WGR550 (550AM); Toronto - 590 The Fan; Rochester - WCMF (96.5) and WROC (950AM); Syracuse - WKRL (100.9/WKLL 94.9) Sirius/XM: 113 (Internet 803) ================================================================= Game Preview: The Denver Broncos' newfound offensive diversity might have arrived just in time to deal with the Buffalo Bills' stout pass defense. Then again, the success of that defense seems based almost entirely on the offense it faces, so Peyton Manning and the Broncos' receivers could still do some major damage Sunday in Denver. Buffalo (7-5), in the thick of the wild-card race, started the season with an intimidating rush defense that limited teams to an average of 67.5 yards and 2.79 per carry in six games. In six since, the Bills are allowing 125.2 and 4.85. Read more at ESPN game preview... --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Denver Broncos Week 14 Preview: Buffalo Bills NFL.com Preview: Bills at Broncos NFL.com Game Center Team Stats: Bills Broncos Total Yds/Game.... 319.9 413.9 Total Rush............. 98.2 109.5 Total Pass............. 221.8 304.4 Points/Game.......... 22.0 30.1 Time of Poss.......... 29.5 31.0 ---------------------------------------------- Yds/Gm Allowed... 312.4 302.3 Rush Yards........... 96.3 72.7 Pass Yards........... 216.1 229.7 Points Allowed........ 18.1 23.0 Source: NFL.com Overall Offense: Bills - 24th; Broncos - 5th Overall Defense: Bills - 5th; Broncos - 3rd MatchUp Comparison via SportingCharts.com Injury Report: Buffalo Bills NAME POSITION INJURY WED. THU. FRI. GAME STATUS Carpenter, Dan K Right Groin LP LP LP Probable Dareus, Marcell DT Hip LP LP LP Probable Glenn, Cordy T Illness DNP - - - Gragg, Chris TE Knee DNP DNP DNP Out Hogan, Chris WR Hamstring LP LP LP Probable Rambo, Bacarri S Hamstring LP LP LP Probable Watkins, Sammy WR Hip LP LP LP Probable Williams, Mike WR Calf - LP DNP Out Williams, Kyle DT Illness DNP - - - Woods, Robert WR Ankle LP LP LP Probable Wynn, Jarius DE Knee DNP DNP DNP Out Source: BuffaloBills.com Cleveland Browns NAME POSITION INJURY WED. THU. FRI. GAME STATUS Anderson, C.J. RB Ankle FP FP FP Probable Ball, Montee RB Groin DNP DNP DNP Out Carter, Quinton S Knee DNP DNP LP Questionable Cornick, Paul T Shoulder FP FP FP Probable Hillman, Ronnie RB Foot DNP DNP DNP Out Knighton, Terrance DT Elbow - LP LP Questionable Latimer, Cody WR Concussion - LP DNP Out McCray, Lerentee LB Illness DNP LP LP Probable Montgomery, Will C Knee LP FP FP Probable Smith, Quanterus DE Ribs - - LP Questionable Talib, Aqib CB Hamstring FP FP FP Probable Tamme, Jacob TE Ribs DNP LP LP Questionable Thomas, Demaryius WR Ankle LP DNP LP Probable Thomas, Julius TE Ankle LP LP LP Questionable Thompson, Juwan RB Knee FP FP FP Probable Webster, Kayvon CB Shoulder DNP DNP DNP Out Welker, Wes WR Non-injury DNP FP FP Probable Source: DenverBroncos.com Practice Status Game Status DNP = Did Not Participate in Practice Out = Player will not play LP = Limited Participation - Less than 100% of normal reps Doubtful = 25% chance a player will play FP = Full Participation - 100% of a player's normal repetitions Questionable = 50% chance a player will play Out = Player will not play Probable = 75% chance a player will play (-) = Not Listed = No practice status available (-) = Not Listed - No game status available The Odds: Line: Broncos -10 Over/Under: 48.5 Source: The LineMakers Up to date lines... if you're in Vegas. My Thoughts on the Game: And so here we are... in December, at 7-5, no room to spare, and facing perhaps our toughest team of the year. Where else would you rather be than right here, right now? So, let's go. This game is in no way going to be easy. All week, I keep reading about how we can stop Peyton and the Denver offense. However, I think that's missing the point. Sure, we have to slow Manning down, but we're going to have to score points. During last week's Broncos game, they flashed a stat... in Manning's career, teams that have scored less than 21 points have only beaten him 8 times (or close to that). Against teams scoring more than 21, Manning is closer to a 60% win percentage. So, what does that mean? We have to score! And that's going to be tough with our offense, on the road, facing a solid defense. The Broncos can get after the QB and they're tough to run up the middle on. So, we're going to have figure something out. So what will I be looking for? 1. Our run game. We can't try running up the middle all game. Pot Roast is too big and too strong in the middle. I really think edge rushes are the order of the day. It would be nice to see some creativity to get our backs in space, but I think we all know that won't happen. 2. Miller and Ward. We have to contain them, chip them, do something. The two of them could kill Orton if they don't find a way to slow these guys down. 3. Our secondary. I have no doubt our line will get after Manning. But, he's going to get the ball out fast. Can Gilmore and company handle it? If so, we should be able to cause Manning fits. 4. Denver's Oline. The last 2 weeks they've put 6 linemen in to get the run game going. If they try that again, we have to adjust and shut the run game down. Hopefully, 2 games is enough tape to give Schwartz what he needs to stop their running attack. 5. The field and the crowd. I don't get to go to many games, in fact a very small few. But, I scored tickets and get to see the Bills in person for the first time in years. It's gonna be fun regardless of the outcome; I can't wait to see that kick off! Go Bills!!!

Makes is all the better! Seriously, cool.

Awesome! I won't tell you what I paid for mine then either. If you see a tall dude in Bills gear and an ugly brown hat... that's me. lol It's going to be 4 of us. Me and my sister, Bills fans! And her husband and his dad, life long Broncos fans (that's how we got the tickets: he knows some season holders). Right now the debate is can we force them to go to the Bills backer party and tailgate!!

This is great news... but do we have to resurrect old threads and change the title to report it? It may keep the overall thread count down, but you have to sift through 60 some odd posts to see what's going on. Is it really better to have few, looong threads than several smaller ones?

Jauron ball did it every time. Josh Reed motioned in, which ever side he stopped on, that's where the RB was going every single time. Hackett said he studied previous Bills offenses, looks like he took notes!

...and more informative than all the talking heads.

Everyone here is talking about the Bills defense getting to Manning and keeping it close. That's all well and good. But, in my mind, the key to this game is our offensive line. The Broncos have 2 elite pass rushers on the edge and huge Pot Roast clogging up the middle. I'm not even sure Orton wil survive this game let alone score points.

Orton has had this game circled for months! It's his chance to go back home and prove to Denver they chose the wrong QB over him! Manning is in for a shitstorm of Orton bombs! Trap game? Let's stop making excuses for Denver when they get rolled by Gray! Seriously... with our offensive line, does anyone else think Ware and Miller may kill Orton before the second quarter?

I'm gonna be there! It's a rare Bills game that I have the luck of attending. My brother in law (Broncos fan) scored us great seats, 3 rows up from the visitors bench about 45yd line. Can't wait to see Orton out duel Manning.

Trick question! All QBs not on the Bills' roster are better than any QB currently playing on the Bills' roster.

Precisely. And we've gone from Gailey/Modkins to Marrone/Hacket. Isn't it time we find a real NFL coordinator? Someone that can actually do something other than tread water and hope to get lucky. Unless, of course, anyone thinks we can upgrade our QB to a top 5 talent next season; what's our choice? Stay the course and hope we get lucky?

Exactly! He's doing what he always does... and right now it's easy to say this win was hollow, we won't make the playoffs. But, you could just as easily blame the position of Jupiter as it's rising through his anus for our impending failure. Why? Because we play 3 of the best teams in the league over the next 4 weeks and have little room for error. But, this way, he gets to come back in a few weeks and say.. .see I'm smart, I told you so. It's boring, it's predictable. No, the Bills may not make the playoffs. Yes, our offense blows. But, you know what... we just won a game, we're 7-5 for the first time since 2000!, and we're playing in December for a chance at a playoff spot. I'm going to enjoy every minute of it. (and not read anything JS says)

Actually, I said compare this year to last year, not Gailey's last year... but ok. Should we compare points scored when some of those points are scored by the defense? If you just look at the YPG rank, we've dropped 5 places since Gailey's last year (10 since his good year!). Even that number could be skewed if we factor in starting field position and number of possessions. Regardless of what measure or point in time we're looking at, the trend remains the same. And that is a trend of little to no improvement. Yet, isn't Orton supposed to be an upgrade to Fitz or EJ or Thad? Isn't Sammy an upgrade to Stevie? Isn't Boobie and upgrade to whoever else we had? Shouldn't we expect players to get better the longer they play under one scheme, like most of our offensive players have? And to your point about defenses taking away our strengths... I agree. Which is all the more reason our offense should be mixing things up. But, they're not. We're running the same offense that we have all season, regardless of opponent.

And that's the point... we don't have one of the top 5 QBs in the league. So, why draw up a game plan that asks your QB to come out throwing, especially when its against a defense that excels at defending the pass? As stated upthread, there's ways to design an offense to mask your player's weaknesses. All coaches do that, yet our staff are reluctant to do that. Our guards suck, so why do the majority of the run plays follow them? Our QB sucks, so why do we keep throwing deep outs? Our TEs suck, so why do we put all 3 on the field at the same time!? Why do we rarely see screens? Where's the misdirection? Play action? Where's any sort of creative play design that would mask a weakness and take advantage of an aggressive defense that's stacking the box? Yes, Orton makes bad reads and misses throws. That's not the point. The point is the OC is consistently putting him in the position to miss those exact same reads and throws over and over. And its the same with the run game. The bottom line is this... this team is in all likelihood goinf to miss the playoffs again. We have a top 5 ranked defense, and a bottom 10 ranked offense. If you look at all major indices, the defense has improved this year in comparison to last year. On the other hand, a similar comparison shows the offense is either the same or slightly worse, statistically. Supposedly, we upgraded our line and WR positions with draft picks, added more depth at RB, upgraded the QB position, and we have a second year in the system. At what point do you say the offensive coaching isn't getting it done?

I'm just glad I'm not the only one looking around wondering who that guy was!

Good to see you back, Bill! I gotta say, Kyle Williams shoving Manziel down like that was amazingly awesome! Regarding Sammy, anyone think he may be hitting the proverbial "rookie wall"?

Thanks. LOL I think. We got lucky with that crapastic offense, but I'll take it. For at least one more week... we're in the thick of it!

You're very welcome! Can someone please explain how Thigpen is active and expecting to play, while Mike Wiiliams isn't even dressed again? What has The Caveman done to get in the dog house all season?

Week 13: Cleveland Browns at Buffalo Bills Monday, November 30, 2014 at 1:00pm TV Network: CBS (TV Map) Announcers: Greg Gumbel, Trent Green, and Evan Washburn DirecTV: 706 Bills Radio: On the call: John Murphy (play by play), Mark Kelso (analyst), Sal Capaccio (sideline) Flagship: Buffalo – WGR550 (550AM); Toronto - 590 The Fan; Rochester - WCMF (96.5) and WROC (950AM); Syracuse - WKRL (100.9/WKLL 94.9) Sirius/XM: 119 (Internet 803) ================================================================= Game Preview: Mike Pettine received the opportunity to coach the Cleveland Browns after one successful season running the Buffalo Bills' defense. Thanks to an expedited snow thaw, Pettine returns to suburban Buffalo for the first time Sunday as the Browns and Bills each try to improve their playoff chances. While Pettine's Browns rank 20th in total defense this season (367.1 ypg), the Bills under defensive coordinator and former Detroit coach Jim Schwartz are fourth (312.2). Cleveland (7-4), however, is one game ahead of the Bills (6-5), though both remain outside of playoff position. Read more at ESPN game preview... --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Spoiler Alert: Week 13 Mike Pettine's Cleveland Browns turnaround built on experience NFL.com Preview: Browns at Bills NFL.com Game Center Team Stats: Bills Browns Total Yds/Game.... 322.9 366.9 Total Rush............. 97.5 117.5 Total Pass............. 225.5 249.4 Points/Game.......... 20.0 17.4 Time of Poss.......... 29.4 28.8 ---------------------------------------------- Yds/Gm Allowed... 312.2 367.1 Rush Yards........... 98.4 134.9 Pass Yards........... 213.8 232.2 Points Allowed........ 18.8 19.9 Source: NFL.com Overall Offense: Bills - 24th; Browns - 10th Overall Defense: Bills - 4th; Browns - 21st MatchUp Comparison via SportingCharts.com Injury Report: Buffalo Bills NAME POSITION INJURY WED. THU. FRI. GAME STATUS Carpenter, Dan K Right Groin LP LP LP Probable Gragg, Chris TE Knee DNP DNP DNP Out Rambo, Bacarri S Hamstring LP DNP DNP Out Smith, Lee TE Illness DNP - - - Woods, Robert WR Ankle LP LP LP Probable Wynn, Jarius DE Knee DNP DNP DNP Out Source: BuffaloBills.com Cleveland Browns NAME POSITION INJURY WED. THU. FRI. GAME STATUS Joe Thomas T -- Full Participation in Practice -- Tashaun Gipson S Knee Did Not Participate In Practice Out Jordan Cameron TE Concussion Limited Participation in Practice Questionable Marlon Moore WR Hamstring Did Not Participate In Practice Out Jabaal Sheard LB Foot Did Not Participate In Practice Questionable Karlos Dansby LB Knee Did Not Participate In Practice Out Barkevious Mingo LB Shoulder Full Participation in Practice Probable Ahtyba Rubin DT Back Limited Participation in Practice Questionable Source: NFL.com Practice Status Game Status DNP = Did Not Participate in Practice Out = Player will not play LP = Limited Participation - Less than 100% of normal reps Doubtful = 25% chance a player will play FP = Full Participation - 100% of a player's normal repetitions Questionable = 50% chance a player will play Out = Player will not play Probable = 75% chance a player will play (-) = Not Listed = No practice status available (-) = Not Listed - No game status available The Odds: Line: Bills -2 Over/Under: 41.5 Source: The LineMakers Up to date lines... if you're in Vegas. My Thoughts on the Game: I honestly can't remember a season like this in all my years of following this team. Since the start of the season we've had a new owner, Kelly Tough, a new QB, a Snowvember, bitter losses, a beat down destruction of the Jets, the wonderful support for Talley, and now... a must win game to enter December with visions of meaningful games in our heads. It's been such a crazy year! ...and we have another 5 games to go. At home, against the Browns, we need to get another big win this week. But, it won't be easy. Sure, the Browns are the worst ranked Defense overall that we've faced all season. But that's largely due to their run defense. The Browns are currently ranked 29th in the league against the run, giving up 135 yds/gm. However, their pass defense is ranked 8th, as well as their scoring rank. Hence it seems easy to run on them, but not score so much. And what is our offense's weakness... running and scoring. So, I expect a pretty close game. It also won't surprise me to see the Bills get ultra smart and come out throwing, no way anyone will expect that! Seriously, this should be the week we get our run game back on track. I certainly hope so. If we can't do it against the Browns, it just can't be done. Here's what I'll be watching for: 1. Our Offensive game plan. Of all the games to pound it on the ground, this should be it. Hopefully, we do and we find success. 2. Donte Whitner. All I want to see from him is Freddie plowing over him with a big stiff arm. Is that too much to ask? Otherwise, I expect him to be largely a non factor. Imagine that. 3. Mario Williams. He's been an absolute terror the last few weeks. I look forward to him destroying Hoyer. 4. Marrone vs Pettine. These two should be quite familiar with each other. It'll be interesting to see who comes out with a better game plan, a more fired up team, and ultimately who makes the better adjustments at half time. Go Bills!

I would add to that.... what good young QBs are they going to find as well? Is there anyone in the league currently to trade for that's a sure fire upgrade? Are there any top "sleeper" draft prospects (considering we don't have a first round pick)? I honestly don't know. So, if you consider next year we'll have Orton/EJ and perhaps another questionable signing (i.e. Bradford, RG3, mid-round draft pick, etc.), my question then becomes what has Hackett shown to make anyone believe that in year 3 he'll suddenly wake up and figure out how to put our current players in the best position to win? Essentially, I think we're in a position where it's easier to upgrade the offensive design and play calling (i.e. new OC) than it is the QB and possibly line. I would add that I'm also highly skeptical of replacing Marrone. I feel the team is close to breaking through. If you bring in a new HC, that invariably means overhaul of assistants, defensive/offensive schemes, many players, and so forth. I truly don't think we need to do all that to become a winning franchise. But, we do need to upgrade our offensive production and I've seen no improvement from year 1 to year 2 with our current offense. Hence, to keep status quo and hope year 3 sudnly it all clicks seems illogical.