GunnerBill

There was that one and one going the other way that Williams missed where the Bills absolutely whiffed on Rattler scrambles.

Ultimately it falls on McDermott, sure. But the 3rd down issues are very specific to this coordinator. Leslie consistently had top 10 3rd down defenses, McDermott had a middle of the pack 3rd down defense. The Bills were 4th worst in the league last year and are 8th worst through four games despite giving up none in 11 vs the Jets. That is a Babich issue and the tape tells a tale, his design on 3rd down is utter trash.

The defense is just bad. Bad fundamentals, bad situationally, inconsistent pass rush. The one thing is HAS done well is splash plays. But that's a tough way to live week to week. It simply has to be better. I'd be willing to consider a coordinator change but I doubt it happens.

I think he had to take both of them. The first one was on the refs. The second one was on the coaches. Babich and whichever position coach hadn't got his right group out were the blame but ultimately that is a Head Coach accountability point. McDermott needs to leave his guys in no doubt that is not tolerated. In another situation burning that timeout hurts. I actually didn't like the timeouts at the end of the half this week. Josh had already used one, so we were down to two. He took the first on a 3rd and 2 with 1:36 left. Didn't like that. I was fine with how they used them last week on 2nd and 5 and then 3rd and 7. But to use one on 3rd and 2 when even if the Saints milk the clock there they have to run a play leaving about 50 seconds on the clock. If you stop them and it's 4th down THEN call a timeout, sure. Otherwise I'd let them play out 3rd and 2 and if they convert, and you can stop them on 1st down and get 2nd and long THEN call timeout. Calling timeout on 3rd and 2 there was not smart clock / situation management.

Yes when Milano's back you can persuade me there is a case for some more base with Shaq, Matt and Bernard.

Sure, for a snap here and a snap there. Walker is a 3 tech in a 1 techs body.

You think the Head Coach is to blame for tackling? I am not sure I agree with could "easily have lost" I never felt we would lose yesterday or vs Miami. Baltimore, sure. But the defense does suck. It has made some exceptional plays - Oliver in the opener, Bishop last night.... but it's fundamentals have been woeful. And some of the defensive playcalling is mystifying. I'm not saying it is all on Bobby Babich but the Bills have never had this level of 3rd down issue until he became DC. At some point you have to hold him accountable.

I'd go QB - B+ RB - A+ OL - C- OC - C DL - B- LB - C DB - C DC - D+ McD - C+

Definitely don't do that one. A Davis play is like waving the white flag. Dennis Allen? He is the DC in Chicago. Brandon Staley is the defensive coordinator for the Saints.

Agree with these two. That was Bishop's best game of the year and the interception was incredible. Big for the Bills because Taylor Rapp has had a really rough start to the year and their safety play does concern me. But on the flipside my patience has just about expired with Dorian Williams. It's a shame because I liked that pick and he is a physical specimen who can run and hit but he loses too many reps between the ears. I am not saying cut him but this is not the guy who long term succeeds Matt Milano. The Bills will have to go back to well and try and draft that next spring (somewhere in the mid rounds ideally).

Yep. And a false start. He was poor last night. Two penalties, two bad FG snaps, whiffed block. I think this might be his last year.

I can't find what I said in here.... but I didn't love the pick, that's true. I think some of the reasons I didn't still sort of apply. He is another 3 tech, the plays he has made so far have been primarily lined up there and while I have been pleased with his impact (he has been better than I'd have predicted off the bus, no doubt) it does mean we have a bit of a logjam at the 3 tech position without an answer long term at the 1. The good news is he looks MUCH more like the guy on the 2023 film than the guy who played for Kentucky last year. He is moving much better.

While I definitely agree with that.... there were a couple where it was just a terrible playcall, Bosa half assed it last night when he had to play the run. There is zero doubt in my mind. That is not good enough and he needs a rocket up his arse. Yes, we want him to rush the passer, yes, when Hoecht is back we might have a better option to play opposite Greg on some of those early downs and intermediate distance plays and allow Bosa to be more of a rush specialist.... but he has to play better too. They are both 3 techs.

They tried to lean into the pass more in the first half yesterday after that second drive and look where it got us! James Cook HAS to be the featured piece in this offense. Because after Josh he is the best player, and by a long way too. He IS our best playmaker. The drive that put us up 21-10 after half is how this offense HAS to play. It isn't the way I'd have built the team if I was the GM but it is the way Brandon Beane has built it. Run James Cook, short passes and YAC with Shakir, then Coleman and Kincaid sprinkled in as intermediate pieces. Palmer, Knox and Hawes as nice change up pieces. In the second quarter (before the final possession after the INT to run out the half) they ran 11 plays, used Cook just twice, tried one other gimmick run with Moore and called 8 passes. That sequence was 11 plays for minus 6 yards. It should be beyond doubt at this stage that the offense is not just the coaches choosing to play this way. It's the way the Bills have to use the talent we have. Criticise the build all you like, that is legit. I still worry it will come down a time pressured drive in the playoffs to win the game and our lack of ability to go down the field will undermine us. What is particularly concerning to me is if anything happens to Cook. Cross everything we have. Because this style doesn't work if Ray Davis and Ty Johnson are your lead backs. Just watch the Chargers yesterday.

Agree. I don't know what the answer is. There are three possible solutions I guess if you move on: 1. McD does it again like he did in 2023 - but for 2/3rds of that season it meant him doing two jobs poorly. He did find his groove down the stretch run a bit and that was the last time our D looked even somewhat good but feels a risk. 2. Ryan Neilsen - has DC experience but was fired twice in two years before landing here and the Jags D that looked awful with him last year immediately looking decent with the new chap would be a concern. 3. Al Holcomb - was the other finalist when Babich was hired. Had three games as an interim DC in Arizona and a season as DC in Carolina with mediocre results but hard to tell how much that was on him given the talent. I don't love any of those to be honest. But I think the point where they have to try something is coming. Never good news for a coordinator when the first word that comes to mind to describe a defense is "uncoordinated" 😆

There were definitely a couple of times when that happened and it seemed like the design. Some of the D calls today made no sense whatsoever.

The tackling was ATROCIOUS today. There is plenty to criticise on the coaching. I thought both coordinators had poor days playcalling. But the fundamentals of tackling were just abysmal.

I thought he had a nice bounce back 2nd half. Buf his first half was rough.

He slipped on that play to be fair.

Allen Cook Shakir Bishop (I disagree with @HappyDays I actually thought he played reasonably well even apart from the INT which was an awesome play) Johnston (I thought was brave on the punt knowing he was getting lit up and then to tough it out for the hold - chapeu buddy)

Was ANOTHER terrible snap by Ferguson.

Made of tough stuff Aussies.

That is a dirty hit. Well done to the punter. Brave boy to stay in and kick the ball knowing he was going to get lit up. But I think that is him done for the year.

Offensive line played its worst game in a LOOONG time

He was in position made Kamara try and cut and he slipped cutting.