Bills Article by Pat Kirwan

[BuffOrange]

Nah, there is a direct correlation. Bills opponents knew the run defense was terrible, so they would game plan to run all the time and focus less on passing. Of course when you're focused less on passing the passing game won't be as great. Of course when you're running the ball for 4.7 ypc you don't have to pass as far (leading to less gain per pass play).

 

So now we're changing the argument from attempts/game to gameplanning and length of pass attempts?

 

Here are the other bottom rush defenses and where they ranked vs. the pass per Football Outsiders:

32. Rams - 29th

31. Chiefs - 19th

30. Browns - 28th

29. Saints - 9th

28. Bucs - 23rd

26. Titans - 25th

25. Raiders - 26th

 

Definitely a direct correlation.

[San Jose Bills Fan]

So now we're changing the argument from attempts/game to gameplanning and length of pass attempts?

 

Here are the other bottom rush defenses and where they ranked vs. the pass per Football Outsiders:

32. Rams - 29th

31. Chiefs - 19th

30. Browns - 28th

29. Saints - 9th

28. Bucs - 23rd

26. Titans - 25th

25. Raiders - 26th

 

Definitely a direct correlation.

Yes. It seems our friend Muggins is being a bit obstinate.

 

The worst teams in the league against the run have to stack the box and overplay the run, thus making themselves even more vulnerable to the pass, not less vulnerable to the pass.

 

In addition, the Bills were a middle of the road team in terms of sacks and pressures. The defense could make a big leap if they improve even marginally against the run and in pressuring the quarterback.

 

As others have pointed out, Denver went from 29th to 7th last year when they switched to the 3-4. Green Bay went from 22nd to 2nd last year when they switched to the 3-4.

 

Kansas City showed no improvement when they made their switch so it's not a guarantee. You still need the players.

 

Clearly the Bills have one of the most talented secondaries in the league, Muggins' contrariness notwithstanding.

[muggins]

In addition, the Bills were a middle of the road team in terms of sacks and pressures. The defense could make a big leap if they improve even marginally against the run and in pressuring the quarterback.

They were worse than average and lost their main pressure guy who had 2x the sacks that anyone else on the team had.

 

Clearly the Bills have one of the most talented secondaries in the league, Muggins' contrariness notwithstanding.

I said pass defense, not secondary Pass defense includes our pedestrian pass rush and penalties incurred while flailing your arms trying to catch Randy Moss.