finfanfromrochester

Allen seems to me like a guy that can thrive on turf. If the Bills can stuff Latavius Murray at the line, which isn't that hard to do, then they'll have a shot at keeping it within, say, 14 points.

I was going to ask how this clown became a DC in the NFL, but then I realized that the Raiders DC is equivalent to any other team's waterboy.

The ball is only blurry because it's moving at a higher speed than the players, and the photo is focused on the players, not the ball. The contact between the two is most definitely evident while the ball is still in the air, based on that image. But still my point is that if I had been watching that in real time, I wouldn't ever call it PI. It was a bang-bang play. All I was saying was that once you freeze the shot, one could still technically make the argument it is PI. Even though it's only a difference of milliseconds, there's contact beforehand. If PI worked like that around the league though, there would be 5-10 more penalties a game. So I am actually in agreement with you.

You need to look again. The ball is clearly in view on the left side. It's just blurry. I'll circle it if you'd like.

He's running right into him. Helmet to helmet contact. Arm wrapped inside the receiver like that will get a call every time. The only reason it's debatable is because of how quickly it happened.

I mean that image pretty clearly shows the ball still in the air while contact is being made by the defender.

Check out this image and let me know what you guys think. From a completely technical perspective, that was actually PI http://i.imgur.com/0ArAX3m.png

That was an amazing juke by Miller. I don't know if it's ironic that it happened to Mckelvin, but I won't deny that I got some pleasure out of seeing it. No one in the NFL should ever guarantee a victory. May the Leodis Mckelvin story be a warning to all those big-mouths in the league.

I can agree on that. That first half both teams looked identical. Same strengths, same weaknesses.

I agree that Tannehill is innacurate with long distance throws, but in terms of a talent perspective, I'd give Miami the edge. In my opinion: QB - Miami RB - as of last night, Miami, with Jackson and Spiller healthy it's Buffalo. Although I love what I see from Damien Williams WR - I give the edge to Miami. Watkins and Wallace are pretty evenly matched at the moment, even though Watkins has the potential to be one of the best ever. I'd take Landry, Hartline, Gibson, and Matthews any day over Wiliams, Woods, and Hogan. TE - Miami - Clay is better than Chandler, imo OL - Buffalo DL - Buffalo, but it's close LB - Miami currently. With Alonzo back next year maybe Buffalo CB - Miami with Finn healthy. Safeties - Miami easily K-Buff P-Miami Just a biased Miami fan's honest opinion so take it for what it's worth.

well I wouldn't compare that play to those where Brady or Manning hits the ground in front of the RB. Usually those passes occur within a yard or two of the RB. The thing about the IG call was the fact that Watkins did make that cut toward the middle of the field right after Orton gets rid of it. So while the ball is in the air going towards the sideline, Watkins is actually running away from it for an instant. After he makes the cut back towards the sideline, it's way too late and the ball falls a good 6-7 yards away from him. That's a pretty substantial distance. I've been watching it over and over and, to me, it just seems like the right call. But in reality it could've easily gone either way. I suppose my point is that it's not as awful of a call as folks on this board are making it out to be. Definitely controversial, though.

But that's sort of the point of the intentional grounding penalty. Orton knew that he didn't have enough time for the route to develop, but he threw it anyway to avoid the sack. Watkins was a good 10 yards away from the ball.

The PI was definitely too close to have made that call, but the intentional grounding was clearly the correct call. Orton got rid of the ball before Watkins even had time to cut back towards the sideline. So when Orton got rid of it, Watkins was actually running towards the middle of the field with his back to the ball. The only reason Orton threw it so soon was because of the pressure. If he had waited for the route to develop he would've been sacked. And the holding went both ways. There were at least a couple instances where Miami's D line was clearly being held, yet no call. With a 2-0 turnover differential, Buffalo had plenty of opportunities to win the game. They didn't get any help from the refs, but that most definitely isn't the reason they lost. The O line crumbled in the second half, and once Orton got rattled he just wasn't the same.

Have to agree. If you have a 2-0 turnover differential, then you should almost always expect to win the game. The story of both of these squads so far this season is not capitalizing in the red zone. For the first half the Dolphins also lived up to that, but by the second half the teams really started to distinguish themselves.

I wasn't confident in his abilities after the first few games, but now I am sold he is our long term solution at QB. This is his first year in a new, vastLy different offensive scheme, and with the help of Bill "the quarterback whisperer" Lazor, Tannehill could really become elite in a couple year's time. I mean look at what happened to Foles this year after Lazor left. Coincidence? maybe, but I like to believe otherwise.

I was so absurdly angry watching that first half. The Tannehill fumble was absolutely devastating, but the fact that only 9 total points were scored after 2 quarters with plenty of red zone opportunities says a lot about both of our offenses. Having a bad red zone offense is one of the most frustrating things in football. Both squads were easily driving the ball down the field only to settle for three. I suppose that's also a testament to both team's solid red zone defenses.

i've definitely noticed this trend all year long with the pass rush. part of it concerns me as I'd like our guys to be able hit the QB from the first quarter on, but Wake and Vernon are always such a factor at the end of games, a testament to their conditioning I suppose. and just an obligatory side note: I'm pretty sure there's no such thing as a guaranteed victory in the NFL, and I hope Mckelvin learned his lesson. I definitely wouldn't appreciate any Dolphin's players making a prediction like that before a game, especially against a division rival.

I'll start by saying that was one of the most brutal first halves I've witnessed as a Dolphins fan. I don't think either team played especially well, but I figured the Bills were easily on pace to win at halftime. The Bills offensive line really excelled in that first half -- which is why I was so surprised that we were able to get so much pressure on Orton in the second half. I've always thought the Dolphins' coaches were good at second half adjustments, but it seemed like it was more that the Bills O line just became worn down as the second half progressed. I was actually somewhat impressed with Kyle Orton in the first half. It might have been because there was pretty much no pressure on him at all, but he stood in the pocket well and consistently moved the ball down the field, converting some crucial third downs. Once the second half came along, though, it was almost like we were dealing with a different QB. Once we actually got some pressure on him, you could tell he was beginning to get rattled. Throws were becoming way more anticipatory and much more errant. Part of that is on him, but he really didn't have a lot of time to throw on some of those failed third down conversions. I feel like the Bills really abandoned the run in the second half. Dixon was popping off some decent runs in the first half, but it seemed like after that safety the Bills O became much more one dimensional. Bryce Brown is clearly a liability in the run game, but as a receiver he is still dangerous. Props to Mario Williams for being a force as usual. And major props to Chris Hogan who looks a lot better than from when I recall watching him on hard knocks. He seemed to disappear in the second half as well. And where was Sammy Watkins all game? I didn't watch his matchups with Grimes enough to conclude that he was shut down, but he clearly wasn't enough of a factor for you guys. You guys are going to have a brutal D for years to come, so it really seems like it's all coming down to QB play and consistent offensive line play -- as it does for us as well. I've definitely gained a lot of confidence in Tannehill this year, and am now confident that he is our QB of the future. He and Landry already have a nice connection, and I foresee them hooking up a lot in the future. That cut by Landry to score the TD was pretty impressive. Love his fire, he always seems to liven up the team with his attitude. The Bills definitely didn't seem very emotional over the course of the game. The first half both teams were lethargic and flat, but in the second half the Dolphins really distinguished themselves as the team that wanted it more on both O and D. I've got a lot of respect for the Bills, and honestly didn't expect the Fins come out with a win last night. It's nice to be able to get over the Buffalo hump that has seemed to weigh on Tannehill and the Fins for a couple years now. But I expect a tough matchup every time the two of them hook up. I hope you guys can still bounce back this season and keep your playoff hopes alive.

Besides the lack of red zone efficiency, I was somewhat impressed by the Bills O in the first half. The offensive line was near perfect for a little over 2 quarters, then after halftime it all fell apart. We definitely picked up the blitzing in the second half, and after Orton got rattled a couple times, he just wasn't the same guy. He was pretty efficient in the first half. It was killing me seeing him have all that time to throw.

If you would've asked me after the first half, I would've said Orton was playing much better than Tannehill. But that was partly because our D line didn't pressure him once in the first half. The second half was like an entirely new ballgame. He got rattled early and often, and you could just tell he wasn't the same QB after that. His throws became increasingly inaccurate as he anticipated the pressure more and more.

The fins definitely shouldn't discount dixon or brown, but I am much more confident with our front 7 facing those 2 over jackson/spiller. spiller in particular has been a dolphin killer in recent years.

If the Dolphins can put together a solid quick-release offensive gameplan, then they have a good shot. If Lazor is planning on allowing Tannehill to make 5 and 7 step drops all game, then we have absolutely no chance. I don't think the Bills O will get much going without Spiller and Jackson, I have to assume the run game will be all but absent. 6 in the box should be able to counter the run, which will allow for extra coverage on Watkins and extra help for Jamar Taylor opposite Grimes. Should be a good battle, especially in the trenches.

Finn is a huge loss. Huge. Jamar Taylor will take his place, and he's a huge liability in my opinion. I doubt Grimes will get many balls thrown his way, and for good reason, so Taylor better expect to have a busy night. I'm guessing we will have Jimmy Wilson provide him some much needed help for most of the night. Dallas Thomas at RT is even more of a concern. 2 TE sets all night I can only hope.

I think the Bills and Dolphins are in the exact same desperate place Thursday. And history has usually shown both teams to lose during times of desperation/adversity. If the Dolphins lose, it's SOD, bills lose, SOB. One of these two teams is going to turn a corner with a win Thursday. Dolphins have the home field advantage, and the (slightly) better QB. Bills have the advantage where it counts most, in the trenches. Just curious, from your perspective what has been the best way to counteract the bills D line so far this season? Who has done it the best? I presume the Dolphins are going to give you guys a lot of 2 TE looks to help out Dallas Thomas. I am going to upset if we call a gameplan that calls for 5 step drops. Last week for some absurd reason Tannehill was given a bunch of 5 and 7 step drops, and of course he couldn't even make a read before Suh or Ansah reached him.

It sounds like fans of both teams are equally nervous/skeptical about winning this week. It makes sense, we've had pretty similarly tumultuous up and down seasons, each coming off a difficult loss last week. I think both teams have clear distinct advantages. Where does Buffalo need to capitalize? Against our shaky O line. With Albert gone, I'm seriously concerned about how our front 5 will hold up. We couldn't hold up with Albert last time, so we better be much more prepared to counter the Bills effective pass rush...and Dallas Thomas, presuming he plays RT, is going to have to have himself a game.....which is unlikely. I think James will hold up fine transitioning to LT, but RT is going to be a huge question mark. Hopefully Pouncey will make a difference against you guys this time, but even he hasn't been playing well at guard. Where do the Dolphins have the advantage? Well...defensively as well. I was surprised at how well you guys held off our pass rush last time, but assuming they are a little more effective getting to Orton this week, our DBs have got to capitalize on any and all mistakes. I can't imagine this to be a high scoring game. It seems pretty evenly matched unless you look at how the Bills have historically whooped us the past few games. Tannehill is sure to play better at home as he usually does, but in my opinion this game could go either way. Both teams are clearly motivated, it's going to be a battle, but the difference in this game is Ryan Tannehill. If he has some time to implement Lazor's offensive scheme, the Fins have a shot. If not, then 5-5 here we come.