Bills (3-0) vs Bengals (0-3) Postgame thread

[Boatdrinks]

Just now, vincec said:

I'm confused by the Bills RB strategy. I thought it was a "go with the hot hand" type approach, but Gore was averaging 6 yards per carry but he's not getting the rock. Instead they are running the QB, McKenzie, Yeldon. Can Gore just not carry the ball 25 times if needed? If that's the case then they need another option besides Yeldon so that they don't have to run Allen and the WRs so much.

Their strategy was to lean on Singletary and Gore with contrasting styles. No Singletary hurt, as Yeldon has issues with fumbling. That was a major limitation. They used those other players because the Bengals have issues on the edges, but Gore isn’t the best guy to get on the edge. 

[Solomon Grundy]

3 minutes ago, Reed83HOF said:

Have to really tip my cap to Cover1
 

 

Did he ever receive his media credentials from the team?

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

2 minutes ago, vincec said:

I'm confused by the Bills RB strategy. I thought it was a "go with the hot hand" type approach, but Gore was averaging 6 yards per carry but he's not getting the rock. Instead they are running the QB, McKenzie, Yeldon. Can Gore just not carry the ball 25 times if needed? If that's the case then they need another option besides Yeldon so that they don't have to run Allen and the WRs so much.

 

I don’t think Gore can carry the ball that much. 

 

What puzzles me is why they think Yeldon is better than marcus Murphy. 

[Solomon Grundy]

Just now, JR in Pittsburgh said:

 

I don’t think Gore can carry the ball that much. 

 

What puzzles me is why they think Yeldon is better than marcus Murphy. 

Or Shady??? Shady, Motor and Gore would've been a helluva trifecta

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

Just now, the skycap said:

Or Shady??? Shady, Motor and Gore would've been a helluva trifecta

 

Agreed— but I don’t think they could have kept Shady as basically the 3rd stringer (which is my understanding of why he was cut). But Yeldon?! He is really bad. 

[Boatdrinks]

Just now, the skycap said:

Or Shady??? Shady, Motor and Gore would've been a helluva trifecta

Yep. They must’ve been concerned about McCoy handling a reduced role. They didn’t need the cap space. 

[YoloinOhio]

Just now, the skycap said:

Or Shady??? Shady, Motor and Gore would've been a helluva trifecta

They wanted Singletary to be the main guy. Shady wasn’t going to handle a backup role well and they knew that. Plus it didn’t make sense $$ wise to have an 8 mill backup. 

Just now, Boatdrinks said:

Yep. They must’ve been concerned about McCoy handling a reduced role. They didn’t need the cap space. 

I think it would have been a really weird dynamic 

[vincec]

4 minutes ago, JR in Pittsburgh said:

 

I don’t think Gore can carry the ball that much. 

 

What puzzles me is why they think Yeldon is better than marcus Murphy. 

I guess they think Yeldon is a better receiver.

 

Today was a day that they were dominating with the run and they could have really rammed down their throats but they just didn't have the backs available to do it. To me, that's a hole in their running game.

[DuckyBoys]

5 minutes ago, JR in Pittsburgh said:

 

I don’t think Gore can carry the ball that much. 

 

What puzzles me is why they think Yeldon is better than marcus Murphy. 

Yeldon is more effective as a pass catcher  They need Singeltary back quickly  Gore is great as a between the tackles guy and to finish off games late  Bills dont really have a 3 down back

[CincyBillsFan]

Man I ate half a bottle of Tums today.  My observations:

 

*  3 - 0.  That's all that really matters.  3 - 0.

 

*  I'm sure my son and I were not the only Bills fans deeply concerned that we weren't up by at least 3 TD's at half!  When you out-gain the opponent 257 yards to 77 yards you should be up 24 - 0.

 

I'll start with the negative first - THE BAD today:

 

*  Josh Allen's really awful, exasperating, terrible throw that got intercepted.  We know this is going to happen let's just hope it's only once every four games!

 

*  TJ Yeldon fumbling on 1st down in the RED ZONE!  At that point we were on our way to putting the Bengals down and going up 18 - 0.  After that fumble we were uneven on offense the rest of the day.

 

*  Offensive coordinator Brian Debald.  The play calling, particularly in the 2nd half was way to cute.  A key play that happened before Allen's INT was a 3rd & 1 that should have been a Frank Gore off tackle run.  We were driving and any points probably puts the game away.  Running a cutsie reverse was an example of hubris this team can't afford.  Look I get that in studying the film Dabold thought he could use misdirection to beat the Bengals in the same way as the 49's did.  But early on it was clear that Cincy had worked on this yet Dabold kept going to it.

 

*  The Defense.  I'll give them a break for giving up a TD after the Allen INT.  But how on earth does an elite defense allow the Bengals to go on an 82 yard drive at home leading 14 - 7?  Then they allowed the Bengals to drive into FG range and take the lead.  And don't tell me about "momentum".  At HOME with a LOUD crowd you don't give up 10 straight points in the 4th quarter.  Hang the 1st TD on Allen's bad pass.  But after that the defense played very poorly until the game ending INT.

 

Now for the GOOD:

 

*  We WON the game.  Everything else is secondary.

 

*  Josh Allen.  Other then that bad pass Allen had a very good game.  With Fellicano out there was immediate pressure up the middle on half the passing plays.  Most QB's would have been sacked 3 - 4 more times then Allen was today.  Don't forget that Allen had about 15 fantastic passes today.  And you can't teach what Allen did at the end of the game.  A QB either has it or he doesn't.  To take the Bills 78 yards for a game winning TD making several great plays in the drive is CLUTCH.  And CLUTCH is huge for a QB.  Allen's run to escape a sack and put the Bills in the red zone on that drive was every bit as spectacular as Dawson Knox's catch & run.

 

*  Dawson Knox.  We might have that stud TE that has eluded this franchise for the last 20 years.  He caught his 1st TD pass and had two runs after the catch that were as nasty as I've ever seen.  My goodness on the winning TD drive I was worried that Knox would start going horizontal looking for Bengal players to run over.  Given that Knox missed most of training camp & the preseason he is only going to get better. 

 

* The Bills Defense.  They held Cincy without a 1st down for their 1st 4 possessions.  They did everything in their power to get us a blowout win and save us the emotional roller coaster we had to endure.  And while they softened in the 2nd half they had the game winning INT.

 

*  Frank Gore.  He was a warrior out there and I can't think of anyone I would trust more then him at the goal line.

 

*  The Offense.  Sure they went into hibernation a bit to soon but the stats don't lie:  416 total yards and 25 first downs.

 

*  Beasley & Brown.  These two guys are not dominating WR's but they are consummate professionals.  They make a lot of nice catches.

 

*  Bills fans.  The stadium was loud!  It sounded great on TV.  Clearly crowd noise impacted the Bengals all day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Solomon Grundy]

6 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said:

They wanted Singletary to be the main guy. Shady wasn’t going to handle a backup role well and they knew that. Plus it didn’t make sense $$ wise to have an 8 mill backup. 

I think it would have been a really weird dynamic 

You're always an injury away from starting. IJS

[PromoTheRobot]

8 minutes ago, the skycap said:

Or Shady??? Shady, Motor and Gore would've been a helluva trifecta

 

Shady is benefiting from the change of scenery. We are fine with Gore and Singletary.  If Marcus Murphy is still around I'd bring him back

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

4 minutes ago, vincec said:

I guess they think Yeldon is a better receiver.

 

Today was a day that they were dominating with the run and they could have really rammed down their throats but they just didn't have the backs available to do it. To me, that's a hole in their running game.

 

4 minutes ago, DuckyBoys said:

Yeldon is more effective as a pass catcher  They need Singeltary back quickly  Gore is great as a between the tackles guy and to finish off games late  Bills dont really have a 3 down back

 

I guess I don’t see Yeldon as being a particularly great pass catcher or 3rd down back. I feel like it’s a role he took on out of necessity in Jax to stay on that roster.

 

you would think we could get a legit 3rd down RB (or maybe that is a role for Singletary).

[YoloinOhio]

 

[Boatdrinks]

4 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

 

Shady is benefiting from the change of scenery. We are fine with Gore and Singletary.  

 

Thats IF Singletary stays healthy. He hasn’t , so it’s a problem. Can’t rush a hammy 

[YoloinOhio]

4 minutes ago, the skycap said:

You're always an injury away from starting. IJS

Of course but Shady still envisions himself as “the man.” Hes obsessed with his stats and getting to 12k. He was facing a season of reduced carries behind gore and Singletary and I don’t think he would have reacted to that role well given his priorities.. It seemed that the Bills  gave him a chance to hang onto his RB1 role but Singletary beat him out. He may not be technically #1 yet but rest assured they see him there eventually this year and not Gore, sooner than later. They want him to have the ball.

[CincyBillsFan]

25 minutes ago, Distorted One said:

I'm usually not one to support the naysayers but I feel it's warranted right now.  It's realistic at this point.  Allen proved it with that STUPID pick today.  Atrocious!  He just cannot, absolute cannot do that anymore.   I think we all sense this could be very powerful offense if they can put together a complete game without turnovers.  We gotta remember that JA is still extremely raw though.  Realistically we may not see a ton of success this season as he still has so much more to learn that he didn't get a chance to in college.

 

I saw Garrafalo throw 2 bad INT's in the 1st quarter today.  He also lost a fumble.  It happens.  Allen's throw was atrocious.  If it happens every game then we have a problem.  if it happens every 4 or 5 games it's not a  big deal because Allen's positive plays more then compensate. 

 

And for the record I don't think the offense can be powerful yet.  Certainly not with Singletary AND Felliciano out.  The O-line is much improved but it's average at best right now.  The receivers are much improved but they to are average.  Ditto for the running game.  Our TE's are going to be studs by the end of the season but right now they are rookies.  Allen is still a raw prospect.  He is going to make mistakes.  But I saw some amazing plays out of Allen today. 

 

Last season we had the 2nd worst offense in the NFL.  This year we're going to be solidly in the middle of the pack.  That's a huge improvement but we still have a ways to go before we become a dominating O.  The trajectory is in the right direction though and that's what really matters.

 

 

 

[CommonCents]

For those who watched from home how loud was the crowd on tv?

[Boatdrinks]

6 minutes ago, CincyBillsFan said:

 

I saw Garrafalo throw 2 bad INT's in the 1st quarter today.  He also lost a fumble.  It happens.  Allen's throw was atrocious.  If it happens every game then we have a problem.  if it happens every 4 or 5 games it's not a  big deal because Allen's positive plays more then compensate. 

 

And for the record I don't think the offense can be powerful yet.  Certainly not with Singletary AND Felliciano out.  The O-line is much improved but it's average at best right now.  The receivers are much improved but they to are average.  Ditto for the running game.  Our TE's are going to be studs by the end of the season but right now they are rookies.  Allen is still a raw prospect.  He is going to make mistakes.  But I saw some amazing plays out of Allen today. 

 

Last season we had the 2nd worst offense in the NFL.  This year we're going to be solidly in the middle of the pack.  That's a huge improvement but we still have a ways to go before we become a dominating O.  The trajectory is in the right direction though and that's what really matters.

 

 

 

Yep, the issues on O right now look like communication issues on the OL ( missed pickups on stunts etc) , decent ( not great ) WRs , RB injury and turnovers. Allen’s INT was a product of him forcing the throw while not wanting to get called for grounding again ( earlier throwaway didn’t get to the LOS) and started with the bad protection. He’s unwilling to take a sack at times, but needs to learn to “ live to fight another down” . The Bills TO differential probably isn’t good right now and needs to improve. 

Edited September 22, 2019 by Boatdrinks

[Fixxxer]

I really don't care much for Yeldon, so if I'm McDermott, I cut him and bring back Murphy, Bellichick style.

[Rico]

42 minutes ago, Boatdrinks said:

Well, it hasn’t been playcalling imo. They’ve simply had poor execution and definitely issues with pass protection. Bottom line, this team isn’t a finished product. They truly don’t have a consistent , reliable running game to lean on and the passing game needs another weapon. Allen has been trying to force things in each game thus far, and it has cost them with turnovers and stalled drives. This looks like a team that could win 7 games or could in ten if things fall their way. They still have a lotto work on. Lost in all this is that special teams still seems shaky as well. 

Me, I see a brand new OL that still hasn't gelled yet & dealing with injuries. If Josh has better protection, the O looks a whole let better. Add all the new skill players, and I'm thrilled to be 3-0 regardless of who they've played.

[DuckyBoys]

7 minutes ago, CommonCents said:

For those who watched from home how loud was the crowd on tv?

LOUD and sustained

[Cripple Creek]

1 hour ago, Joe in Winslow said:

 

It's not just you. I'm underwhelmed.

 

 

Two weeks in a row I don't remember hearing Jerry Hughes name mentioned during a broadcast.

[CommonCents]

Just now, DuckyBoys said:

LOUD and sustained

I hope the defense chants were on tv when Harrison was down. All the other guys couldn’t help but jump around out there.

[Fixxxer]

27 minutes ago, CincyBillsFan said:

Man I ate half a bottle of Tums today.  My observations:

 

 

*  Offensive coordinator Brian Debald. 

 

 

 

?

 

thread worthy post.

[CincyBillsFan]

10 minutes ago, Boatdrinks said:

Yep, the issues on O right now look like communication issues on the OL ( missed pickups on stunts etc) , decent ( not great ) WRs , RB injury and turnovers. Allen’s INT was a product of him forcing the throw while not wanting to get called for grounding again ( earlier throwaway didn’t get to the LOS) and started with the bad protection. He’s unwilling to take a sack at times, but needs to learn to “ live to fight another down” . The Bills TO differential probably isn’t good right now and needs to improve. 

 

This is it in a nutshell!  He seems to take it personally if he loses yards.  But for every bad INT he throws trying to avoid the sack he seems to make several big plays because of his ability to avoid the sack and either run for a big gain or hit a big pass.  He had at least 4 of those plays today that led to 18 points (2 TD drives and 1 FG drive).

 

 

[SlimShady'sSpaceForce]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If this is a repeat it’s worth it 

 

 

 

 

 

[CLTbills]

3 hours ago, MAJBobby said:

OMG I hate how this team goes into a shell when playing with the lead. Can we just stop getting cute and stop going into a shell. 
 

also what the heck is going on after halftime. Three weeks this team looks like trash after half. 
 

glad for the win but damn it should have never been close. 

Getting really tired of the Isaiah McKenzie end-arounds on 3rd and 2 when you have Josh freaking Allen under center.

[Dan]

8 minutes ago, SlimShady'sGhost said:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If this is a repeat it’s worth it 

 

 

 

 

 

Am I mistaken... he didn't give the team a day off?   See you Wednesday was followed with let's keep working.   Given the magnitude of next week's game... I glad to hear that.   This is not the week to take a day off. 

[Warcodered]

1 hour ago, MILFHUNTER#518 said:

We just won and are 3-0, and you have to be like this? Go back to Sabrespace, man. Your shtick works there.

 

 

Any update on his condition?

 

[Cripple Creek]

58 minutes ago, NoHuddleKelly12 said:

I have no doubt Allen will acquit himself well. Brady needs to be worried about our D too, BTW.

Not from a pressure perspective he doesn't. Third string tackle today and you wouldn't know it. I get that McDermott doesn't like to blitz much but they are somewhat predictable up front right now.

[WhitewalkerInPhilly]

53 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

 

It's when the offensive line gets blown up. Happening a lot.

 

Wasn't the story going into training camp "how long will it take for the pieces on the O-line to gel?" 

 

Morse was out the whole camp

 

 

53 minutes ago, Joe in Winslow said:

 

You're nuts if you think 7 is a possibility. 

At this point? Agreed.

 

Tennessee and the Eagles are looking way less intimidating as expected. The Redskins look as bad as expected. Miami is looking like a division II college team. Even if you prematurely chalk up the Pat's game as a loss (which you shouldn't) there is no reason why it's crazy that Bill's aren't 7-1 or 6-2. At the half way point.

 

Yes, it's harder after that, but that is a nice number of wins banked.

[Cripple Creek]

58 minutes ago, vincec said:

I'm confused by the Bills RB strategy. I thought it was a "go with the hot hand" type approach, but Gore was averaging 6 yards per carry but he's not getting the rock. Instead they are running the QB, McKenzie, Yeldon. Can Gore just not carry the ball 25 times if needed? If that's the case then they need another option besides Yeldon so that they don't have to run Allen and the WRs so much.

Gore, cannot at his age, be that guy any longer, IMO.  That is a big miss for this team right now.  Gore did well today but I don't think we can expect him to do more. Singletary is an unknown at this level.  Can he carry a team?

 

I sure hope so.

[klos63]

31 minutes ago, CommonCents said:

For those who watched from home how loud was the crowd on tv?

The announcers commented that it quieted down a lot when Cinci came back.

[Cripple Creek]

54 minutes ago, Boatdrinks said:

Yep. They must’ve been concerned about McCoy handling a reduced role. They didn’t need the cap space. 

That's the only answer that makes sense.  

[Pine Barrens Mafia]

Just now, WhitewalkerInPhilly said:

 

Wasn't the story going into training camp "how long will it take for the pieces on the O-line to gel?" 

 

Morse was out the whole camp

 

 

At this point? Agreed.

 

Tennessee and the Eagles are looking way less intimidating as expected. The Redskins look as bad as expected. Miami is looking like a division II college team. Even if you prematurely chalk up the Pat's game as a loss (which you shouldn't) there is no reason why it's crazy that Bill's aren't 7-1 or 6-2. At the half way point.

 

Yes, it's harder after that, but that is a nice number of wins banked.

 

im not so sure it is.

 

Dallas and maybe baltimore are the only REALLY tough looking games outside of the pats.

 

[MAJBobby]

1 hour ago, MILFHUNTER#518 said:

You think we looked like trash in the 2nd half of the Jersey Jets game?

3rd QTR we did. 

[RiotAct]

13 minutes ago, Warcodered said:

 

what the..... 

[Cripple Creek]

44 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said:

Of course but Shady still envisions himself as “the man.” Hes obsessed with his stats and getting to 12k. He was facing a season of reduced carries behind gore and Singletary and I don’t think he would have reacted to that role well given his priorities.. It seemed that the Bills  gave him a chance to hang onto his RB1 role but Singletary beat him out. He may not be technically #1 yet but rest assured they see him there eventually this year and not Gore, sooner than later. They want him to have the ball.

Eventually meaning that there is a hole in the roster. It's shown all 3 weeks, today, obviously, for the entire game.  It is a need and not a little one.  Beane and McDermott's willingness to go with Singletary and Gore minus McCoy created a void.

 

Talk through over and around it all you want. They didn't need the cap $ and McCoy, reportedly, is the one who convinced Gore to sign here.  Don't you suppose that McCoy would have considered that his role would automatically be reduced because of that?

 

You don't cut talent to keep lesser talent. Nobody can argue that is exactly what happened in this instance.

[Bob in STL]

1 hour ago, JR in Pittsburgh said:

 

I don’t think Gore can carry the ball that much. 

 

What puzzles me is why they think Yeldon is better than marcus Murphy. 

Because Murphy cannot pass block.  Not even a little bit.  

Edited September 23, 2019 by Bob in STL