Brand J

He is playing better than most of the QBs in the league, like we hope he should be. He’s not playing on a higher level than every QB in the league as another poster suggested. I’m starting to get Edmunds vibes again… There’s a contingent of fans stating what they see, wrt Allen, the offense, and the team’s struggles, and then there’s another group telling them what they’re seeing is wrong. That second group also never criticized the player, it was everyone else around him. “He’s doing his job and well,” as if that player doesn’t need to play better as well.

I’d give Allen a solid B in regards to the whole season. Out of 9 games, he had 2 that were outstanding (MIA, LV), 1 that was “burn the film bad” (NYJ), and the rest ranged from “did enough to win” or “didn’t do enough.” The disjointed offense stems from a lack of a running game and a pass attack that’s too aggressive at times, opting for lower percentage completions over higher ones. You had a QB outwardly expressing to the media that maybe he needs to think less and just play football. Despite having a healthy offense, the Bills are 2-3 in their last 5 games, largely because the offense has sputtered until the 4th. I think I’m fair in my assessment of Allen’s play and that he wasn’t playing at a level above any other QB in the game - a point to which you agreed.

I think it’s more about the directives the refs are getting from the league, than the refs themselves. The competition committee could step in at any point and change the nonsense we’ve been seeing on the field, especially with regards to roughing the passer, but Goodell is on record as saying the calls won’t be modified, even as questionable penalties continue. He said something like he’d rather err on the side of caution than bring more physicality back. It’s gross, but as consumers there’s nothing we can do… unless we stop watching.

Josh leads the league in INTs. The offense over the past 5 weeks has averaged 10 pts through 3 quarters. Analysts are scrutinizing his game, calling for his OC to make changes. Message board video reviews have never been so popular. Josh Allen, right now, is not playing QB at a level above everyone else. That sounded silly just typing it.

Josh Allen is easily playing the QB position better than anyone else in the league right now? Guys, we have to do better than to make statements like this that obviously aren’t true. We all love Allen, but he’s making it tough on himself and the offense in many instances.

Can’t trade Josh due to the ramifications of the move, both in the locker room and with fan morale. There’s only one player I’d trade him for, Mahomes. Actually, I take that back… I might entertain a trade for a young QB on a rookie contract, that looks to be on the rise (Stroud, Lawrence, etc) coupled with multiple first round draft picks, but those teams wouldn’t entertain it, so it’s a moot point.

If only play 5 had gone to Diggs on the crosser 😭 Allen has a pocket too, if he just sits in there, stays patient, and hits the open man, it’s an easy first down and more. It’s either one of these things: a) Allen is not receptive to coaching and isn’t putting in the proper preparation. b) Allen is receptive to coaching, but is being taught incorrectly. c) Allen is receptive to coaching and is being taught well. For all the hand wringing about Dorsey, we’ve seen there are players open down after down, more often than not. Maybe not wide open, as you’d get with busted coverage or someone with elite physical traits, but definitely NFL open. For whatever reason these open players are not being targeted consistently. I do advocate moving on from Dorsey (and by extension this coaching staff), not because I think he’s a terrible coordinator, but because the results aren’t improving. To me, that speaks to either a) or b) above. In the case of a), we’re doomed. If it’s b), easy fix, get another teacher in here. If it’s c), then we’re also doomed because it’d mean that Allen isn’t good enough between the ears to win a championship. Let’s hope for all our sakes it’s b).

My ideal next HC would be an offensive mind and would have a strong personality, a disciplinarian. Harbaugh seems to fit those traits well, but I don’t like him for the Buffalo job. Who else shares those same qualities?

I even saw Kingsley Jonathan on the field in a goal to go situation. Kingsley Jonathan, the sixth DE in the rotation, practice squad type. Are we trying to throw these games?

Again, some of you are incorrect about Harty’s route. He was gaining separation around the 30 yard line and if Allen had led him properly (thrown to a spot closer to the middle of the field and ahead of him so he had to go get it), the defender would be in trail position and could only tackle Harty after the catch is made (assuming it is), or commit pass interference. The defender would only be able to turn around and look for the ball if his target is slowing up and looking. If Harty doesn’t slow, the defender can’t turn around because he will lose speed. I referenced a quote earlier because it was accurate in regard to speedsters: “if he’s even, he’s leaving,” but he has to be properly led. Harty’s route was okay. A stutter and go might have gotten him Tyreek Hill separation, but if the defender didn’t bite he’d be ahead of Harty. The ball placement was bad. It’s a low percentage throw all around anyway, because dropping it in a bucket to a WR running full speed is a difficult pass to complete, even for the most accurate QBs. You’d probably see more pass interferences than completions on those passes. The last beautiful deep ball I’ve seen Josh throw was the one that hit Gabe Davis in stride against KC. Or maybe it was the Pittsburgh one to Davis. He can do it.

At least no pass rusher that went after Groot is tearing up the league. That would sting. But yeah, he’s more Phil Hansen than he is Bruce Smith. A good, complementary player, not an all pro.

I remember that. One could argue it’s likely because the first read is based on pre snap alignment and expectations, where the QB thinks he’s going to go with the ball (usually as a result of film study). I’d be curious how many other top QBs rank at the bottom in terms of throwing to their first read.

You’d hope every single long bomb pass would veer towards the middle of the field if it’s open, rather than the sideline, so if Harty’s route was designed to go sideline but he had green grass on his left shoulder, the players have to be on the same page and adjust to that in real time. I’d expect the QB to go MoF every time if it’s open and if a receiver stays sideline that’s on the receiver. I put this pass on Allen either way. @dave mcbride Puts this on Harty, he wants to see 1 to 2 yards of separation, but 808 is right, a lot of separation is created while the ball is in the air. There’s a saying in football, “If I’m even, I’m leaving” this was one of those cases. A better ball produces a better result.

You’re looking at the players positioned after the result of the pass and not where they’d be with a properly thrown ball. He started getting ahead of his defender at 30, wasn’t much separation, but it was starting. Had Allen launched the ball inside and gave him something to run under, the players would be in an entirely different position after the pass.

Agreed. People are complaining about Harry’s route or his perceived lack of speed, but if Allen leads him inside and really chucks it out there, I think you’d see a different result. You can see right around the 30 Harty’s starting to pull away from the defender, looks back, and sees that Allen throws a ball that gives him no chance so the play is over. Allen has to throw him a moon ball he can chase.

He has these misses every game, he’s not the best at reading the field. I didn’t have a problem with the pass to Harty, but throw one that isn’t craptastic. Lead him inside and up so he can run under it. The safety on that side was too far back to be a concern.

The funny thing is Burrow actually had an intentional grounding in the same game with the same referee crew and they didn’t call it. Can’t remember the quarter and down, but he was about to get sacked and just chucked the ball. We were all yelling “grounding?!”

No, the last time we beat the Bengals was in 2019 with Andy Dalton at QB. Burrow was drafted in 2020.

The Burrow led Bengals are only 2-0 against us and are already claiming they own us.

This reminds me of Gailey’s “it was his turn” comment (ie an explanation that isn’t really an explanation).

No one is going to hate you for this take, it’s been echoed many times already. I said in another thread that in order to finally win a Super Bowl, with Allen’s playing style, I worry that we have to have an all star roster to make up for his mistakes. Or at least an all star offense: a wall of an OL, two #1 receivers, a great RB, etc. I think it’s clear watching Allen he doesn’t look like the most prepared player on the field, he’d prefer to play instinctual (his words).

Josh needs to become a more cerebral QB. We’ve all been saying this for awhile now, but at this point I don’t know if it happens.

I wish Rousseau would’ve taken a big step forward this year, but it seems he’s the Robin to a Batman. The Phil Hansen to a Bruce Smith. None of our defensive lineman are feared by other teams. Collectively, when healthy, they’re great and can play off of each other. Individually? Just “good,” but good isn’t good enough.

I was amazed to see he had 91 turnovers. I knew it was a lot, but… wow. They were easier to stomach when the offense was scoring TDs, but when the offense has 10 points on average through 3 quarters like these last few games? I’m starting to wonder if Josh Allen has what it takes, discipline and focus wise, to win a championship, or if he requires a loaded roster to make up for his mistakes.

It’s easy to see why the HC and QB 5 year rule hasn’t been broken in the history of the league. Franchises move on from one or the other and it’s time to get a new captain to run the ship. McD is Doug Collins, we need to find Phil Jackson.