My preview of the Dolphins game

[Lothar]

I didn't get to watch the Bills game live out here on the west coast but I did just watch the coaches film on nfl rewind of both the Bills and Dolphins games. Here's what stood out to me.

1. Our offenses are more than just a little similar. Lots of misdirection to try and freeze the linebackers, a somewhat inconsistent, but hopefully improving QB at the helm mixed with taking a couple sporadic shots downfield. Cordy =Albert, I don't care who has the bigger name and Seantrel's at least as good as their rookie right tackle. Their guards may be a little better right now but Woody's better than their backup.

 

2. Defensively, Wake and Vernon played havoc with the Pats* o-line. Soldier looked lost in the second half trying to keep Wake contained. Again, I see Mario and Hughes as very similar to what the Dolphins have on D. The difference in the lines is we have penetrating DTs in Kyle and Dareus and their inside guys are solid but not nearly as explosive.

 

While I was impressed with the Dolphins performance in the second half, I think some of their success can be explained by (a) the heat just wore down the interior of the Pats* defense - I mean Wilfork was getting pushed around by the backup center, kinda ridiculous like, and (b) pretty much every successful play the Pats* had in the second half was called back by a penalty, a blow to the head by Chandler Jones after a 3rd down incompletion deep in their own zone, a holding call after Vereen took it for 25 yards down the sideline, an offensive pass interference wiping out a 20 yard gain as Brady had them driving for the lead (I was just shocked they called it even if it was obvious), just to name a few.

 

What also seemed abundantly clear to me was that Gronk is just a shell of his old self at the moment, still a tough SOB but running and cutting as though his feet were in molasses. Edelman was their only real threat. Either the Miami DBs have gotten immensely better or Lafell and the other wideouts are pretty much incompetent. I'm not sure which is more true at the moment. I think we just flat out have better receivers than New England so that gives me a lot of hope that with a week to prepare for the 5-2 front, if we can get any blocking at all, we should be more successful. The pressure made Brady gun shy and all his intermediate to deep throws in the second half were off target. I'm willing to give some of that credit to Miami but playing at home in 95 degree heat accounted for a good chunk of the Pats* ineptitude in the second half. The biggest difference to me in New England now is that they're missing their best run-stopper and conveniently enough, he will be the difference against Knoshon Moreno when we meet on Sunday.

 

To be honest, I was more worried about the Dolphins before I watched the tape than after. The game might even be close but if EJ takes care of the ball, and in front of a raucous home crowd celebrating the news of the past week, I have a hard time figuring out how we lose this game. I know the pundits think Miami is 3 points better than us, largely based on how inept we looked in the preseason (and oh yes, our past history) but the fact that our offenses look so similar means it'll come down to defense and a couple big plays.

 

Spiller and Jackson and Watkins and Woods vs Moreno and Miller and Wallace and Clay. I like our chances Especially at home.

Edited September 10, 2014 by Lothar

[machine gun kelly]

Lothar, nice review. I was at a sports bar watching the Bills, but was able to catch part of the Pats game.

 

Agreed on just about every point. It was hot last Sunday. It was in the mid 90's and very humid. I live in Tampa so know the weather.

 

The Pats looked gased in the second half. If EJ performs similar to last week, then it's about our front four getting to Tannehill like last year. He still held the ball longer than he should, but their line is better than it was last year, so I don't expect a 5 sack day. I do see us getting pressure on him.

[Dibs]

 

......(b) pretty much every successful play the Pats* had in the second half was called back by a penalty.....

 

Did I just enter some bizarro alternate universe?

[PolishDave]

Nice write up Lothar. Thanks. I am a little more optimistic going into Sunday now.

[Nextera15]

I have the Bills 17-10. Miami won't get wore down like the patsies. Buffalo has a much better run game and much better offensive line than the pats. It will be a run stopping game with many slants and screens again. Chicago has a much better offense than miami, but miami's oline is better as well. I give our defensive front the nod and say we eventually get to the qb, and we shut the run down better than what patsises did. This is our game and we might even get 24 points the more I think about it. Don't be surprised if our special teams come up with a big game this weekend also.

 

Am I like the only one around who really thinks this team can go 12-4 on a season? I said 10-6 or 11-5 but feel if we get a few good bounces then 12-4. This miami game will be tough but we have them beat. Many put us down but we are much tougher than people think.

[HamSandwhich]

Very nice write up. I need to get this NFL rewind. It is just awesome!

[Webster Guy]

Lothar, posting a good one at 3:45am.

 

this point spread should be Bills favored by 4. we swept them last year. NE hasnt had a solid defense in many many years , not surprised Moreno gashed them.

 

not sure if I agree about Miami having weak interior D linemen, but I do know that running right at Cam Wake (and most speed rushers) can be very effective.

 

i called the Biils winning by 3 in chicago, they'll win by 4 sunday. (Im assuming Aaron Williams is playing otherwise I would say Bills by 1).

 

relax and enjoy the show.

[YoloinOhio]

 

 

Did I just enter some bizarro alternate universe?

lol. Those refs are going to be suspended. Roger won't stand for this!

 

Lothar, nice review. I was at a sports bar watching the Bills, but was able to catch part of the Pats game.

 

Agreed on just about every point. It was hot last Sunday. It was in the mid 90's and very humid. I live in Tampa so know the weather.

 

The Pats looked gased in the second half. If EJ performs similar to last week, then it's about our front four getting to Tannehill like last year. He still held the ball longer than he should, but their line is better than it was last year, so I don't expect a 5 sack day. I do see us getting pressure on him.

very well done, thank you! Should be a close, hard fought game. Hopefully we can get it done!!!

[bowery4]

I only saw redzone and highlights later but good assessment. Tannywacker looks a bit better this year. Wake is a challenge for any RT but I agree with WG that we need to run at him. They have decent lines but are less talented on the outsides on both sides of the ball. They always play the patsies* tough but they do look better than last year, we seem to have the more talented team though. I think home field with the week we have had we can win, should and will.

[mabden]

From what I saw of the Miami - NE game, the difference makers for Miami were Wake and Moreno.

 

Take those guys away and they lose talent, effort, spirit, and leadership.

 

Tannehill is still mediocre at best and only late in the game did he start connecting with his (wide open due to heat exchange) receivers.

[ALLEN1QB]

My wife and I are making the trip this weekend to the game. This will be my first Bills game in over 20 years and her first. That place is going to be rocking. It is not going to be very fun for the Dolphins. I see a big win for the Bills 27-6 sounds pretty good. See you all there.

[SageAgainstTheMachine]

The Dolphins are walking into a buzz saw this weekend. I'd give us 50/50 odds in their house and 90/10 odds in our house given this week's events.

[sjjr]

The Bills offense should be running a lot of screens, draws and cutbacks early to slow down Vernon and Wake. The Dolphins have had trouble with this in past games versus the Bills, especially Spiller. As the game goes on, the big Bills line should wear down the Dolphins front.

 

If Gilmore plays, the secondary should matchup well with the Dolphin receivers too. Might have some trouble with Moreno and Miller out of the backfield catching the ball.

 

Have to think the Bills matchup well though, especially at home.

[BreezeMafia]

Bill Lazor is the Miami new offensive coordinator. He was Chip Kelly's QB Coach here in Philly in 2013. Bill is bringing a fast paced offense to Miami, and I think that + the hot weather led to the successful rushing Miami had in the second half last week vs New England. The Bills on D need to be successful on 1st and 2nd down's to create 3rd long opportunities. We cant have our defense getting gassed in the first half then not have anything left in the 3rd or 4th quarter.

[cage]

My wife and I are making the trip this weekend to the game. This will be my first Bills game in over 20 years and her first. That place is going to be rocking. It is not going to be very fun for the Dolphins. I see a big win for the Bills 27-6 sounds pretty good. See you all there.

 

ditto w/ me.... haven't been the Ralph since early 2000s, irconically that was also against the Fish. Looking forward to an outstanding day!!

[Wayne Cubed]

Great post, I also watched it on NFL Rewind and will echo what you have said.

 

-The Pats* looked warn down, and I think that accounted not just for the defensive line but also the offensive line as well. Cameron Wake sprung to life in the 2nd half, when the OL seemed to be wearing down. In the first half, for the most part, Brady was able to stand in the pocket and deliver. I think this also explains why the Pats* running game went into the crapper. The Dolphins were without Ellerbe, Wheeler and Misi during the game, yet the Pats* weren't able to run all over the Dolphins, thought that was odd. I believe all 3, definitely Ellerbe, will be out this week vs the Bills.

[truth on hold]

The Bills offense should be running a lot of screens, draws and cutbacks early to slow down Vernon and Wake. The Dolphins have had trouble with this in past games versus the Bills, especially Spiller. As the game goes on, the big Bills line should wear down the Dolphins front.

 

If Gilmore plays, the secondary should matchup well with the Dolphin receivers too. Might have some trouble with Moreno and Miller out of the backfield catching the ball.

 

Have to think the Bills matchup well though, especially at home.

Who's going to cover Wallace? From what I could tell on highlights he owned Revis.

[YoloinOhio]

 

Who's going to cover Wallace? From what I could tell on highlights he owned Revis.

last year we shut him down in both games except for on long completion in the first game but I always worry about those little fast guys vs Gilmore Edited September 10, 2014 by YoloinOhio

[Hapless Bills Fan]

Aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh. First off, great post, THANKS! It's so nice to get back to folks posting ACTUAL KNOWLEDGEABLE FOOTBALL CONTENT instead of repetitive drivel welling up from a bottomless pit of ignorant punkitude (y'all know what I mean).

 

While I was impressed with the Dolphins performance in the second half, I think some of their success can be explained by (a) the heat just wore down the interior of the Pats* defense - I mean Wilfork was getting pushed around by the backup center, kinda ridiculous like, and (b) pretty much every successful play the Pats* had in the second half was called back by a penalty, a blow to the head by Chandler Jones after a 3rd down incompletion deep in their own zone, a holding call after Vereen took it for 25 yards down the sideline, an offensive pass interference wiping out a 20 yard gain as Brady had them driving for the lead (I was just shocked they called it even if it was obvious), just to name a few.

 

This has to be an alternate universe. Can we possibly dip from the same refreshing pitcher of referee fairness this Sunday?

 

I hope the Wilforks have unlimited text and talk or Bianca's gonna run up big text overages noting Wilfork's to-do list

 

What also seemed abundantly clear to me was that Gronk is just a shell of his old self at the moment, still a tough SOB but running and cutting as though his feet were in molasses. Edelman was their only real threat. Either the Miami DBs have gotten immensely better or Lafell and the other wideouts are pretty much incompetent.

 

The Hoodie has long been a proponent of the "next man up" idea, that he doesn't need stars, he will pick up young nobodies and drill them into shape. Welker? B-bye, Amendola is just as good (not). Branch, Lloyd, who needs them? It has worked for a long time. It may be finally biting him. Keep in mind NE won the division last year by running, yep, that's right, running. While they still had far more pass attempts, Brady's completion % has sagged from 65% two years ago (17th in running attempts) to a still-respectable but far more human 60.5% completions. Pats were 2nd in the league in rush attempts in 2012 and 9th last year, both big jumps from 17th the previous year.

 

Now part of that is McDaniels installing a more balanced attack. But part of it is Brady not having the quality targets he once had. Welker, Gronkowski, Hernandez, Branch or Lloyd vs Edelman, Amendola, and who? Belichek has been very fortunate in his player acquisitions, developing young players and having them emerge when needed (Edelman, for example). That only works when you have a core of proven players for the best to rise into.

 

If our guys come out fired up and play hard, we can get this done. LET'S GO BUFFALO!

Edited September 10, 2014 by Hopeful

[truth on hold]

last year we shut him down in both games except for on long completion in the first game but I always worry about those little fast guys vs Gilmore

He represents a different challenge than the bears larger WRs who don't have that speed. Im thinking same about Gilmore, maybe they have mckelvin on him with man with help over the top all day.