UKBillFan

Our defense is always going to have issues when down Hyde, White, Poyer, Rousseau and Edmunds. That’s too many starters for any team to carry. As it is, again, Frasier called up a decent design where we should have got an incompletion. The execution was off. Then, in the final play, Dorsey called up a decent design which left Motor free underneath. The execution was off. Other than not taking the FG over the attempted TD I can’t blame too much on coaching today. With so many players out on defense it was always going to be rough, and the offensive players - particularly Josh - messed the bed when it mattered.

I don’t think you’ve read the memo - it’s all Cam Lewis’ fault.

Our ‘idiot’ DB - basically a 6th round (?) practice squad member against one of the best WRs in the game - got im a great position, did what he thought was right and was undone by a fluke play. Our heroic first round $250m quarterback has, for three weeks in a row, decided the way to win the game is by throwing the ball straight at a defensive player with barely a receiver in sight.

Though he’s the reason we didn’t win in regulation too.

It’s the traditional “point the finger at anything or anyone to take the heat off Josh” approach. Josh kept us in the game but he also cost us it. Any player in Lewis’ position then would go for the interception. If he didn’t we’d all be moaning at hom for not catching the ball (see Milano).

I agree. I’m just pointing out that, even with those individual errors, he was far better today than in the slump games last year.

Last week was a re-run of the Falcons game - strong running, horrific passing.

The Bucs game is probably similar to today - one good half, one poor half, heartbreak in overtime. Chuck in a similarity to the Titans game in as far as the botched final play.

Not that I’m saying we should do it, but the obvious one is Payton.

It feels hopeless because the AFC East is stronger this year and our defense is on the midst of an injury crisis so cannot bail him out. In truth, Josh played better today than he did in his slump games in 2021.

The Colts and Jets covered eight quarters out of 12. He actually played better today overall than he did in either of those games. Then we had his performance against the Falcons, which closely reflected what happened last week and that was week seventeen.

Josh went through a very similar slump last year WITH Daboll.

Weren’t we saying the same thing last year?

Our defense went to pot today after we lost Edmunds.

I’d say Josh at his best is slightly better than Mahomes though there isn’t much in it. Even taking into account the slump Einstein is referring to, Josh’s floor is far lower than Mahomes’ and that’s where the issue lies.

Yes, but I think the Dolphins WR core is why the Dolphins are up there - not the QB. He’s very good but his ceiling is lower than Josh’s. Sadly his floor may be higher, though. In comparison, I think everything with us on offense rides with Josh.

Mahomes and Brady, yes. Rodgers if he can be bothered. Tua is being elevated by Hill and Waddle. Give them to Josh and see what happens, even if we give Diggs to Miami alongside Davis in return. Burrow is very much like Josh - superb one series then messes the bed. Neither of them have much in way of an O Line.

No Hyde, no White, no Poyer, no Rousseau, no Edmunds (our defensive issues today really started when he was withdrawn)… any defense is going to have issues missing that calibre of player. But, at the same time, the brain fades seem to be everywhere.

Maybe I’m being harsh. Just expected him to really boost the D Line and have the QBs plus the running game under constant pressure and stress. As it is, sometimes it feels like they’re still executing plays far too easily from the off. Everyone’s saying the coaches are expecting Josh to carry the Offense. Perhaps I’m being hypocritical in expecting Miller to carry a depleted defense.

He is. This is exactly the Josh we saw against the Jags, the Colts, the Patriots in the wind game (ok, perhaps unfair), the first half of the Bucs and the Falcons.

Sorry, was speaking about his performances on the field. Haven’t had a chance to listen to the interview.

To be honest, I've been pretty unimpressed with Miller for a while now. Hasn't had the impact I expected a player of his talent to have, particularly lately.

He made exactly the same mistake today as he did against the Jets? Though I agree, overall his play was far better today than last week.

Except wasn't he aiming it at Davis?

In truth just one play would have won us the game out of load of boneheaded errors: - FG instead of 4th down and pick - Lewis batting down the ball instead of trying for the interception - Josh's fumble - Diggs catching the ball - Knox catching the ball - The lack of DPI at the death - The final pick If just one of those had happened we'd be talking about a thrilling win right now. But was it bad play calling or was it superb play calling? Four WRs in the end zone left Singletary free for an easy completion underneath, which would have given us vital yardage. It was a great piece of design play with awful execution.