Rockinon

Haha. That never gets old.

Important stretch for NE. They play Bills, Colts, Bye, Bills. They could very well go on a 3 game losing streak here. The lead up to the playoffs is going to be fun.

NE is going on a 3 game losing streak starting tomorrow night. Calling it now. Next games Bills, Colts, Bills after the bye. I want to see Bill B. throw a fit like he did last year...haha.

Thread title = Wishful thinking

Yes I remember that thread. But run block how? This has been a bit of a conundrum for me. The RPO could be a handoff to a RB, Josh running or passing. Do they have a specific hole they are trying to open up for the running back. Is it zone blocking, pin and pull or some other blocking scheme. The thing is, I wonder what presnap info the OL is getting so they know how to block. I believe the RPO is useful if not over utilized, but with the multidimensional ways the play can be run it is evident the OLmen are often fighting a losing battle. I've seen Josh actually stick the ball in a RBs gut but not let go of the ball. The poor running back has no choice but to stop his forward progress and wait for Josh to let him go. Let the ball go. Sometime's Josh keeps it himself and often, you can literally see Josh trying to make up his mind while the running back is standing there motionless waiting with the ball in his gut. Sometimes, I think the RPO is just a bad call. OLmen not knowing which way the play is going to go. Josh taking too long to make up his mind and all the while the defense is attacking. I think the decision to have Josh take more snaps under center was a good decision. I see Josh handing the ball off more smoothly, giving the RB a better chance. I also see those RPOs are being run less frequently. There has been a shift in the way the offense is run in recent weeks and I have this itching feeling we are going to see something new this week. My mind is racing trying to figure out what it is. Will they pull a Chan Gailey and spread everyone out? Will they put 2 TEs on the field and play some smash mouth with NE. Pretty sure something is coming. Pretty sure it will be a plan that is aimed at improving the run game. But what? Just hope it isn't designed runs for Josh or an overabundance of RPOs.

Good point. That and running fewer RPOs. They are actually calling run plays in the huddle, tipping the OLmen that they need to run block. Always wonder what the OL is expected to do when an RPO is called.

Wow, that is big. Must take like a lunar year just to run around that guy. A blitz to that side might be effective. Or speed rush to the outside and leave Ed Oliver with plenty of room to take the inside move.

The idea is to wear something that will keep you dry. Once your clothing is soaked, you'll freeze your arse off. Poncho, rain coat...anything that is waterproof. Keep your feet dry too. Waterproof boots. Dress warm, but be sure to keep your clothing dry.

What makes a team "physical?" Well, it ain't leading the league in penalties.

I only have one thing to say on this. Ed Oliver up the middle.

Yeah, there has been a concerted effort to get the run game going, so Allen isn't trying to do it all himself. Pretty hard to do when you are playing backups on the OL. Make no mistake, the run will be a significant part of the game plan. Same with play action. And just when NE thinks they have the offense figured out, sneak in an RPO. You can see from the last couple of games, they have been trying to be more balanced. Now we get some big uglies back on the OL. I think you'll see an improvement.

Yes, getting the ball out quick has been NE's M O for many years. I believe this is coaching. However, if the Buffalo offense can get out to an early lead, that will throw a monkey wrench into that coaching plan. They'll be forced to take shots downfield. This game can get ugly real fast for NE. Of course, same can be said for Buffalo. Funny thing is, I really think the Bills can run the ball in this one. And I think the Bills will be able to run play action because of it. Use their own game plan against them. Over the last couple of weeks, we've seen the Bills committing to the run. I'm certain Belichick is aware of this, but can he stop it? Mix in a little(I can't believe I'm saying this) RPOs and see if they can stop us. I think the RPOs have been over used but a commitment to the run, a mix of play action and RPOs...I don't think they can stop it. This plan works as long as Allen isn't holding on to the ball for an eternity... also something I have seen an improvement on over the past couple of weeks. I honestly think the *Pat's offense will struggle. The story line in this game will be can their defense stop the Bills. Mac Jones has done well, but I am far from anointing him the next Tom Brady.

I think NE had a couple of games where OL starters were out and Jones struggled. They are back practicing now though. Still, Buffalo does do a pretty good job of pressuring any QB.

I'm going Devin Singletary. NE was exposed last week in the run game. We get a couple of starters back on the OL and our backs have a field day. Then Josh puts a dagger through the *Pats hearts with the play action pass.

I think NEs ability to stop the run is suspect and that Buffalo's RBs will be effective against them. Also think that will open up passing opportunities for Josh.

Nice job here. Glad that folks are using percentages instead of totals for the season since NE has one more game played so far. As for penalties, there is a weekly summary about them on Buffalorumblings.com. Not a year to date look, but some really good breakdowns on a week to week basis.

If they do that, they are toast. See bolded.

Go big or go home. Now lets sweep the *Pats.

Love the excel spreadsheet. Someone mentioned that special teams will be huge in this game. True. So will turnovers. Both of these teams are very opportunistic with turnovers. Going to be interesting to see who jumps out with a lead, because who ever is behind, is most likely to make mistakes. Weather will be huge too. Best case, scenario is seeing Mac Jones trying to catch up with his arm, in the rain and snow, against the best pass defense in the league. Oh, that would would be sweet.

Yeah, I believe Hyde and Poyer's experience will help the kid out. The key for all of those guys is communication. Dane is lucky to be in a situation with so many veterans surrounding him. I'm sure they have a plan and the kid will be all right. Certainly not pro bowl level, but at least hold his own.

Dane Jackson is going to do well against this dink and dunk team, I think. Going to be interesting because many believe the Bills will roll extra coverage over to help him out. I don't think that is how they are going to play it. I think they play their game the way they always do and let the kid take his lumps. Really don't believe he'll fail to impress.

I'm not buying into any of the hype surrounding the *Pats. We'll see how awesome Mac Jones is when he faces a real defense this Monday. And we'll see how awesome that defense is with Josh Allen putting them on their heels. That team has had some very lucky breaks this year. I see a big let down for them coming. The media keeps talking about how the Bills are in trouble. They got the wrong team, I say.

They thrive as underdogs. The Bills are about to open up a can of whoopass.

I'm excited to see what Dane can do too. The kid has some skills. Still learning, but he's clearly pretty good in coverage.

McKenzie is useful for a number of reasons on offense. He often goes in motion and it's not necessarily for a jet sweep, though it does give the defense something else to think about. I recall a play where McKenzie went in motion as if he was going to do a jet sweep. Instead, he kept running while Josh dropped back to pass. Josh hit him and he was wide open. Those plays are effective and useful. The argument that McKenzie isn't is flawed. Also, he had some great games as a receiver in the playoffs last year when the rest of our receiving core was beat up.