transplantbillsfan Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 (edited) https://theathletic.com/1444151/2019/12/08/bills-going-to-feel-good-about-sleeping-tonight-despite-losing-to-ravens?source=shared-article Baltimore’s pinball-machine offense (first in points and rushing yards, second in total yards) experienced unprecedented frustration: Fewest yards (257, 164 below average). Second-fewest first downs (18, seven below average). Third-fewest plays (59, eight below average). Fewest rushing yards (118, 90 below average). Second-lowest yards per carry (3.6, 2.0 below average) Fewest rushing first downs (six, six below average). Tied for second-lowest passing yards (139, 74 below average). Third-lowest yards per pass (5.3, 2.5 yards below average). Since 2000, the Bills — and we’re talking some bad teams — had a .619 win percentage when limiting opponents to no more than 257 yards and 18 first downs. Jackson completed 16 of his 25 throws for 145 yards and three touchdowns. He ran 11 times for 40 yards, ending a streak of nine games with at least 60 rushing yards. The Ravens led the NFL in explosive plays coming into Sunday, averaging 6.1 runs of at least 10 yards and 1.4 passes of at least 20 yards. They had two such runs and one such pass Sunday. The Ravens hadn’t punted more than three times in a game and totaled only six punts over their previous five games. Sam Koch kicked it away seven times. .... Alexander explained how McDermott labels performances on a four-square chart: play well and win; play well and lose; play poorly and win; play poorly and lose. “Today we played good, but we lost,” Alexander said. “It’s not like they outmatched us and we don’t belong on the field with them.” Calm confidence was evident in Buffalo’s postgame den. No sense of panic or peril was evident like in the Cowboys’ locker room Thanksgiving night. I really think that little tidbit from Lorax is pretty revealing. McDermott DOES preach moral victories to his players, at least to some degree. Edited December 9, 2019 by transplantbillsfan 5 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wvbillsfan Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 Buffalo walked off the field really believing they will see them again. Love the confidence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirAndrew Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 (edited) Great information. Today was a huge moral victory for the defense imo. It reconfirmed they can shut down the best. I’m ok with preaching the moral victory to the defense, let’s just hope the same isn’t said for the offense. Edited December 9, 2019 by SirAndrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsFan130 Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 Played really well. Kind of makes it even more frustrating the Bills lost today because of that. If offence plays even half descent and Josh hits on a few more of those throws, Bills most likely win. Predicted a loss so all in all not horrible but just disappointed in the Offence 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurker Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 7 minutes ago, transplantbillsfan said: I really think that little tidbit from Lorax is pretty revealing. McDermott DOES preach moral victories to his players, at least to some degree. I'd call that simply keeping everyone level-headed. Teams like the Cowboys and Browns seem to be in emotional tailspins all the time. The Bills guys play exactly the opposite and you can't discount that approach as being something bad. Good on McD. Now just get them to the next level... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aussie Joe Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 Our man JA needs to step up in these big games and not waste these efforts from our D... Second time this year after the Pats game that a lot of good play has been squandered.. Still... lots to be happy about on that side of the ball.. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Vader Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 No doubt at all that this was a defensive game. Key drops and poor pass protection really hurt us today on offense. Despite all of that, our defense gave us chances to stay in it. We had a real chance of sending it into overtime. Not taking anything away from the Ravens, their defense played as good as ours, and they earned the win. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vod Kanockers Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 The only difference between Buffalo and Baltimore is their RPO offense. Baltimore has very short read and throw options, where as Buffalo is trying to turn JA into an actual QB that will withstand the test of time and gimmicks. I’ll be patient. Baltimore has very well designed short passing options which allowed LJ to thrive. Kudos to GR for making that happen. Solid short term plan. While BD has gone the long route as far as development, I still wouldn’t mind seeing some of these short “gadget plays” incorporated into the red zone offense. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clearwater cadet Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 oline was really bad today. Wr dont seen they can win 1 on 1 in man. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJS Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 The real difference was the pressure they got on Allen (including the forced fumble deep in our own end that led to a TD for them). Gotta get that cleaned up. The oline needs to do better. Allen needs to throw the ball away a little bit more. The OC needs to realize what's happening and dial up the short, quick passing game, screens, etc to handle the pass rush. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
transplantbillsfan Posted December 9, 2019 Author Share Posted December 9, 2019 1 hour ago, MJS said: The real difference was the pressure they got on Allen (including the forced fumble deep in our own end that led to a TD for them). Gotta get that cleaned up. The oline needs to do better. Allen needs to throw the ball away a little bit more. The OC needs to realize what's happening and dial up the short, quick passing game, screens, etc to handle the pass rush. OC was a predictable idiot today. I don't know why he went away from all of the pre-snap motions considering it's been a staple of our offensive success. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ganesh Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 4 hours ago, MJS said: The real difference was the pressure they got on Allen (including the forced fumble deep in our own end that led to a TD for them). Gotta get that cleaned up. The oline needs to do better. Allen needs to throw the ball away a little bit more. The OC needs to realize what's happening and dial up the short, quick passing game, screens, etc to handle the pass rush. We keep saying the short quick pass...they didn't exist yesterday with the way our OL played. When everyone is covered and the running lanes are choked, you are in for a long day. The Bills played poorly upfront...or rather the Ravens played great on defense. The difference in the ball game was that our Defense gave away 3 TDs while theirs restricted it to 3 FGs.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 To me the biggest difference between Baltimore and buffalo on O is that Baltimore can pass and run block (which is helped with their disguise, I can count on three fingers the number of run plays we executed vs Baltimore which I didn't know were runs as soon as we lined up) and they have large targets. The one armed catch that Knox made was a perfect ball that came down in a place where only he could catch it. Smaller wrs need horizontal space to get open, we need at least one other guy who can be open while covered because our online and scheme just doesn't create large enough windows for ja at this point in his career. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Utah John Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 The O line was overwhelmed. I think Cody Ford is really struggling at RT and the rest of the players are trying to compensate. There have to be some hot reads available for the times when other teams bring pressure. The hot read can't be Josh Allen evading three guys and throwing it away while running for his life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil The Thrill Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 6 hours ago, Mark Vader said: No doubt at all that this was a defensive game. Key drops and poor pass protection really hurt us today on offense. Despite all of that, our defense gave us chances to stay in it. We had a real chance of sending it into overtime. Not taking anything away from the Ravens, their defense played as good as ours, and they earned the win. “Key drops and poor pass protection hurt us”..... as did really bad play from the QB. Funny how that last part was left out 1 hour ago, colin said: To me the biggest difference between Baltimore and buffalo on O is that Baltimore can pass and run block (which is helped with their disguise, I can count on three fingers the number of run plays we executed vs Baltimore which I didn't know were runs as soon as we lined up) and they have large targets. The one armed catch that Knox made was a perfect ball that came down in a place where only he could catch it. Smaller wrs need horizontal space to get open, we need at least one other guy who can be open while covered because our online and scheme just doesn't create large enough windows for ja at this point in his career. Right but smaller receivers can get open vertically. Josh needs to give them a better chance to make a long catch. This was the difference in the game IMO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunnerBill Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 The Bills D is for real. All those that were worried earlier in the season about a defense that was just feasting against bad offenses.... well we have just played the top 2 offenses in the league and we are still 3rd in yards per game and 2nd in points per game. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pine Barrens Mafia Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 12 minutes ago, GunnerBill said: The Bills D is for real. All those that were worried earlier in the season about a defense that was just feasting against bad offenses.... well we have just played the top 2 offenses in the league and we are still 3rd in yards per game and 2nd in points per game. As I've said all year, they're like butter: smooth and unctuous. Love this defense, LOVE this defense. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billsfan714 Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 Leslie Frazier doesn't get enough credit on this board. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Turk Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 Bills need one win against anyone in their next 3 games and they are in the playoffs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunnerBill Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 1 hour ago, billsfan714 said: Leslie Frazier doesn't get enough credit on this board. This. 100% this. When the D has a bad day Frazier gets blamed. When it consistently limits good teams McDermott gets all the credit. Frazier was a terrific hire, not only a defensive guy but as a sounding board for Sean. I am a big believer in first time Head Coaches having a guy who has been a Head Coach in a coordinator role or assistant HC role to lean on. Frazier is perfect in that role because he doesn't seek the limelight, he isn't flashy, but the defensive gameplans are consistently excellent. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlimShady'sSpaceForce Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 Damn I should apply for a job there... I had all those #'s last night It's no wonder Timmy doesn't come here any more The Bills Defense contained Lamar. 1 blown coverage allowed him to pass for over 100 yards (139) and the team 118 TOTAL rushing yards and score a TD. 1 NON CALL by the refs of 12 man in the huddle gave them 7 points LJ's 40 rushing yards is the 2nd lowest yardage gained of the season 11 for 40 3.64 ypc The 2nd fewest was against KC (46) where the Ravens Lost. His lowest * Rushing in a game was against Miami when they won 59-10. When you can pass at will, why run?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finn Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 Of course moral victories are important. They're key to coming back strong. The Bills defense was the best the Ravens faced all year, and they're arguably the best in the league now. Everyone is harping on what the offense did wrong, which is fine and normal, but this game could have gone either way. They're ready to meet the Ravens again, and they showed how to shut down Jackson. Someone on the Ravens fan board said that for the first time the Ravens looked like they had a gimmick offense and that thank god other teams don't have the athleticism the Bills have. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrober38 Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 Our defense is exception. McDermott and Fazier have done an incredible job. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Vader Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 6 hours ago, Phil The Thrill said: “Key drops and poor pass protection hurt us”..... as did really bad play from the QB. Funny how that last part was left out Right but smaller receivers can get open vertically. Josh needs to give them a better chance to make a long catch. This was the difference in the game IMO Yes, there was bad QB play. The drops by receivers and terrible pass protection also contributed to this, would you not agree? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TPS Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 6 hours ago, Phil The Thrill said: Right but smaller receivers can get open vertically. Josh needs to give them a better chance to make a long catch. This was the difference in the game IMO Yes, he didn't have a lot of time, but he did on some key deep ones. They probably win that game if he hits one of Smoke or Foster. Beasely's was inches off down the sideline. There may have been one more...? To beat good teams, you have to make (some of) those plays when you get the opportunities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil The Thrill Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 1 hour ago, Mark Vader said: Yes, there was bad QB play. The drops by receivers and terrible pass protection also contributed to this, would you not agree? Yeah I would 100% Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hebert19 Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 In years past we get shellacked in that game. This years team is different. Let's beat the steelers and then get the o right for playoffs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bills Survivor Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 The scary part is that I don't think we've seen the high water mark of this defense.. Edmunds is beginning to show real flashes of being an All-Pro MLB. He'll only get better as his play diagnosis continues to improve. He's filling out his freakish frame and starting to impose himself on ball carriers in ways we didn't see last season. Edmunds, White, and Oliver are phenomenal pieces to build around moving forward. Could not be more excited to watch these guys in the coming years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts