Week 14: Steelers at Bills on SNF

[Hapless Bills Fan]

6 minutes ago, Pokebball said:

Revel in the fact that the fewer doubters that exist right now are in the small minority.  A year ago, the small minority was made up by those that believed.  That pendulum has swung a lot in the last year.

 

But....my fava beans!  My Chianti!

[Boxcar]

On 12/8/2020 at 7:42 AM, YoloinOhio said:

Steelers could be down their top 2 corners to injury and down to 3rd string MLB.

Great, giving their fans excuses. Which by the way, they are already putting out there.

[The Wiz]

Just now, Boxcar said:

Great, giving their fans excuses. Which by the way, they are already putting out there.

You play the schedule (that covid-19) gives you.

 

Sucks to be them for sure but I'm not going to act like it doesn't make me grin a little.

[RichRiderBills]

What do people think about Big Ben taking off Wednesday? 

 

DeCastro and Villanueva? 

 

Josh is working ....hurt too.

[The Wiz]

1 minute ago, RichRiderBills said:

What do people think about Big Ben taking off Wednesday? 

 

DeCastro and Villanueva? 

 

Josh is working ....hurt too.

They've been killed with their schedule because of TN and Balt honestly.  Rest days for them at this point in the season is normal but even under their current situation might not be enough.

[Boxcar]

1 minute ago, The Wiz said:

You play the schedule (that covid-19) gives you.

 

Sucks to be them for sure but I'm not going to act like it doesn't make me grin a little.

It's just annoying because the Bills are a better team, all injuries aside. It shouldn't bother me but guys like Keyshawn Johnson are saying "where's Buffalo's signature win?" (Uh, try against the Seahawks, dummies) and the Steelers being somewhat injured gives them more excuses.

 

And, amazingly, when people are now talking about the Bills' defense, it's all magical. "Oh they figured something out!" Nothing to do with Edmunds being injured, Milano being injured, White being injured at times. But the Steelers are super quick to cry about losing Dupree and Bush. Every team has had to deal with this stuff.

[BillsFan619]

2 hours ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

No, I don't think you want a game manager out of a #1 pick.  I'll go further, I don't think you can have a game manager #1 pick at QB...because a #1 pick who is starting for his franchise and stays starting, is going to expect to be paid "market rate" for a #1 pick.  And then it's going to get harder and harder to keep an impregnable wall at OL and a great run game and great defense around him.

 

On the other hand, a number of QB have started out at "game manager" level and taken a step as they learn to read defenses and react appropriately.  So that's one strategy.   Because he's being asked to be a game manager now, doesn't mean he'll remain a game manager forever. 

 

It's just a question of "wait and see", which I have no problem with in the media applied to any young QB

Great thoughts, bro!

 

Brady and Big Ben started out this way too and then grew into their own over time.

[The Wiz]

3 minutes ago, Boxcar said:

It's just annoying because the Bills are a better team, all injuries aside. It shouldn't bother me but guys like Keyshawn Johnson are saying "where's Buffalo's signature win?" (Uh, try against the Seahawks, dummies) and the Steelers being somewhat injured gives them more excuses.

 

And, amazingly, when people are now talking about the Bills' defense, it's all magical. "Oh they figured something out!" Nothing to do with Edmunds being injured, Milano being injured, White being injured at times. But the Steelers are super quick to cry about losing Dupree and Bush. Every team has had to deal with this stuff.

We probably care more about these things than the team does.  They know what they have and don't have.  I don't care if they roll out the red carpet to the playoffs and division with other teams doing us favors or not.

 

I remember having to MAKE the playoffs from other teams having to do us favors.

 

We're in the drivers seat right now, not in the trunk.  

 

Some people want to diminish a Bills win then let them.  All it proves is they haven't really watched 2-3 full games of this team other than what has been on primetime.

[YoloinOhio]

14 minutes ago, RichRiderBills said:

What do people think about Big Ben taking off Wednesday? 

 

DeCastro and Villanueva? 

 

Josh is working ....hurt too.

Ben never practices on Wednesdays. The tackles might be rest day. Villanueva in particular has been showing his age. 

[YoloinOhio]

7 hours ago, Miyagi-Do Karate said:

 

Tbh, I have yet to see any evidence that Josh can play well in poor weather conditions.  He looked pretty bad against KC on a cool night with a light rain. 

KC was a bad game but there was rain the entire time and he was hurt.  As far as just wind, the rams game this year was very windy and Allen threw the ball well. I think he has the arm strength to cut through the wind that might be better than what Ben has at this point of his career. But as I said Ben is very used to playing in the wind so maybe he will adjust. 

[EmotionallyUnstable]

3 hours ago, wjag said:

 

 

Hmm.  I see lots of quick passes over the middle of the field.  Temptation will be to try and run on these guys.  Everyone is expecting a repeat of last week's passing attack.  Seems like the Bills switch it up this week.  Every week's attack type seems different.

This, to me, screams screen game. 

[Hapless Bills Fan]

39 minutes ago, RichRiderBills said:

What do people think about Big Ben taking off Wednesday? 

 

DeCastro and Villanueva? 

 

Josh is working ....hurt too.

 

I think the Steelers have gotten screwed by the Covid reschedules.  And Big Ben at 38 shoulda started nomming down on those kale shakes and avocado ice cream and sleeping in a hyperbaric chamber some time ago.

 

[The Wiz]

2 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

I think the Steelers have gotten screwed by the Covid reschedules.

They sure have.  All in the process of being 11-1.  They have had to scrape out wins so I don't necessarily think they are out of this game at all.  Should be a tough out for sure.

[Pokebball]

2 hours ago, YoloinOhio said:

Line is now Bills -2.5 according to ESPN app

My source just went to 3.0

[RichRiderBills]

28 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

I think the Steelers have gotten screwed by the Covid reschedules.  And Big Ben at 38 shoulda started nomming down on those kale shakes and avocado ice cream and sleeping in a hyperbaric chamber some time ago.

 

 

The 10 sacks is amazing. Espc w how bad line has been and inability to run. 

 

Found this too...

 

https://steelersdepot.com/2020/12/steelers-can-no-longer-share-the-non-concern-about-batted-passes-after-washington-seals-win-with-tipped-pass-pick/

 

 

Edited December 11, 2020 by RichRiderBills

[wjag]

28 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

I think the Steelers have gotten screwed by the Covid reschedules.  And Big Ben at 38 shoulda started nomming down on those kale shakes and avocado ice cream and sleeping in a hyperbaric chamber some time ago.

 

 

Ben's definitely not a threat to run.  🙂   One of my all time favorite stats is Dan Marino's career rushing total.  87 yards in 17 years for a scintillating 0.3 yards per attempt, ie 1 foot at a time..

 

Head to head passing stats very close.

[InEnemyTerritory]

Why is everyone so mad about TV personalities doubting Allen?  Max Kellerman calls Brady trash.  There's never going to be agreement.

[wjag]

1 minute ago, InEnemyTerritory said:

Why is everyone so mad about TV personalities doubting Allen?  Max Kellerman calls Brady trash.  There's never going to be agreement.

 

Well that one is okay  🤔

[RichRiderBills]

Hey do you guys recall how much a QB running killed us in our losses? This killed us on 3rd downs in all 3 Ls . 

 

You have a QB who cant do that i dont know if we lose any of those games.

[finn]

2 hours ago, The Wiz said:

We probably care more about these things than the team does.  They know what they have and don't have.  I don't care if they roll out the red carpet to the playoffs and division with other teams doing us favors or not.

 

I remember having to MAKE the playoffs from other teams having to do us favors.

 

We're in the drivers seat right now, not in the trunk.  

 

Some people want to diminish a Bills win then let them.  All it proves is they haven't really watched 2-3 full games of this team other than what has been on primetime.

I imagine the producers of these shows aren't going to allow all the personalities to rave, except maybe for the darlings like Brady (in the past) and Mahomes (now), who can do no wrong. Someone has to be the contrarian to spark discussion and controversy. 

[Solomon Grundy]

So glad game is in Buffalo. DEFEND OUR DIRT!!!

Edited December 11, 2020 by Solomon Grundy

[EmotionallyUnstable]

5 hours ago, Solomon Grundy said:

So glad game is in Buffalo. DEFEND OUR DIRT!!!

edit: DEFEND OUR RUBBER PELLETS 

[YoloinOhio]

 

 

[wjag]

Feels every bit as good this morning.  
 

My football enjoyment list:

 

1.  Watching Buffalo Bills win

2.  Watching Patriots lose

3.  Watching Ravens lose

4.  Watching Brady throw pick sixes and incomplete passes.  

[BillnutinHouston]

I'm finding the Steelers' injury report far more interesting than the Bills'.

 

To me, Joe Haden being out is key against our offense.

[Dont Stop Billeiving]

14 hours ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought the Bills spent almost all of their time in 1-1 or 1-0 personnel - even when they run

*rummage*  *rummage* Yes here we go (be sure set to 2020)

74% 1-1 personnel (3 WR)

17% 1-0 personnel (4 WR)

 

SoooooooOoooooo... how ya gonna decide when to bring on that sub-package? 

Daboll sez: "Go ahead and assume it must be a run play 'cuz you see Lee Smith's big ass on the field"

 

Great point, Daboll does a solid job mixing run and pass out of those 3 and 4 WR looks to keep the defenses guessing. And sub-package or not, Pittsburgh is going to have less talented and experienced back up ILBs on the field who we need to take advantage of. 

 

In this game, I'd hope to see more of Knox and Lee Smith lined up next to Darryl Williams to help block TJ Watt with the occasional chip and slip for a TE screen. TJ Watt might be the DPOY this season, but if he has one weakness, it's his size (6'4" and 252 lbs). I'm sure this is overly simplistic and Watt being a bit lighter allows him to be so quick and agile, but I'd use Williams and a TE to just pound him into the ground on every play and hopefully tire him out. 

 

Then use every misdirection/jet motion/RPO trick we have in the book and make it difficult for those LBs to trust their eyes and stay disciplined in their gaps. 

[nucci]

1 hour ago, BillnutinHouston said:

I'm finding the Steelers' injury report far more interesting than the Bills'.

 

To me, Joe Haden being out is key against our offense.

down a couple really good LBs too

[YoloinOhio]

 

 

[SCBills]

GMFB straight up trash talking Cam Heyward about the Buffalo game this morning in their interview.   Good stuff, let’s make their predictions look good.   
 

 

Edited December 11, 2020 by SCBills

[Solomon Grundy]

1 hour ago, BillnutinHouston said:

I'm finding the Steelers' injury report far more interesting than the Bills'.

 

To me, Joe Haden being out is key against our offense.

Gonna have to contain Watt/Heyward. They can make Josh have a long night

[SCBills]

1 minute ago, Solomon Grundy said:

Gonna have to contain Watt/Heyward. They can make Josh have a long night

With their LB situation, and the fact they excel at pressuring the QB, I was very encouraged to see an actual play call that dumped it off to the RB last week, along with a check down to Knox in the middle of the field.   
 

Hope to see more of those easy throws in positions where we can test their LB’s.   

[Solomon Grundy]

2 minutes ago, SCBills said:

With their LB situation, and the fact they excel at pressuring the QB, I was very encouraged to see an actual play call that dumped it off to the RB last week, along with a check down to Knox in the middle of the field.   
 

Hope to see more of those easy throws in positions where we can test their LB’s.   

This would be a great call up game for a receiving RB like Yeldon.

[SCBills]

Just now, Solomon Grundy said:

This would be a great call up game for a receiving RB like Yeldon.

I’ve given up on ever thinking this will happen.  I like what Yeldon brings to the table when he’s played, but McD & Daboll obviously feel different. 

[finn]

I'm not too worried about the Steeler's running game, even though they'll have Connor back, but I do worry about Juju Schuster and Claypool. White can take one of these more or less out of the game, but that leaves Levi on the other one. Claypool going deep...yikes. Ebron at TE is no slouch, either. But I guess if they can't handle this crew there's no way they can handle KC. So bring it on!

[PaattMaann]

7 minutes ago, Solomon Grundy said:

This would be a great call up game for a receiving RB like Yeldon.

 

I think Singletary and Moss are just as good at catching out of the backfield as Yeldon. We just dont do much of it. 

[SCBills]

14 minutes ago, finn said:

I'm not too worried about the Steeler's running game, even though they'll have Connor back, but I do worry about Juju Schuster and Claypool. White can take one of these more or less out of the game, but that leaves Levi on the other one. Claypool going deep...yikes. Ebron at TE is no slouch, either. But I guess if they can't handle this crew there's no way they can handle KC. So bring it on!

What did we do against Seattle?   I think White covered DK most of the game, which left others to hold down Lockett and Moore.  
 

Another element of their passing offense to be aware of are the incessant shallow crossers they run with Diontae Johnson.   
 

Big Ben seems to be getting rid of the ball insanely quick, so I don’t know that our pass rush will even have enough time to get home from the EDGE most plays.   I’d send Klein, Edmunds, Milano etc on blitzes up the middle as Big Ben isn’t mobile enough to get away from immediate pressure in his face.   Fake the blitz and drop as Ben will look to attack the vacated spot from a blitzer.  Maybe the occasional corner blitz. 

 

 

Edited December 11, 2020 by SCBills

[The Wiz]

4 minutes ago, SCBills said:

What did we do against Seattle?   I think White covered DK most of the game, which left others to hold down Lockett and Moore.  
 

Another element of their passing offense to be aware of are the incessant shallow crossers they run with Diontae Johnson.   
 

Big Ben seems to be getting rid of the ball insanely quick, so I don’t know that our pass rush will even have enough time to get home from the EDGE most plays.   I’d send Klein, Edmunds, Milano etc on blitzes up the middle as Big Ben isn’t mobile enough to get away from immediate pressure in his face. 

Funny that you mention Big Ben and his quick release.  Just saw this on nfl.com.

 

Apparently we have been pretty good against the quick passers.  We don't necessarily get pressure or sacks but have been good in short/quick pass coverage.

 

https://www.nfl.com/videos/next-gen-edge-bills-short-pass-defense-could-stifle-steelers

 

Edited December 11, 2020 by The Wiz

[SCBills]

2 minutes ago, The Wiz said:

Funny that you mention Big Ben and his quick release.  Just saw this on nfl.com.

 

Apparently we have been pretty good against the quick passers.

 

https://www.nfl.com/videos/next-gen-edge-bills-short-pass-defense-could-stifle-steelers

 

Interesting.  I wouldn’t have thought that, but I guess that’s because I always have nightmares of Fitzmagic games where he simultaneously catches the snap and throws.  

[YoloinOhio]

4 minutes ago, SCBills said:

What did we do against Seattle?   I think White covered DK most of the game, which left others to hold down Lockett and Moore.  
 

Another element of their passing offense to be aware of are the incessant shallow crossers they run with Diontae Johnson.   
 

Big Ben seems to be getting rid of the ball insanely quick, so I don’t know that our pass rush will even have enough time to get home from the EDGE most plays.   I’d send Klein, Edmunds, Milano etc on blitzes up the middle as Big Ben isn’t mobile enough to get away from immediate pressure in his face.   Fake the blitz and drop as Ben will look to attack the vacated spot from a blitzer.  Maybe the occasional corner blitz.   Basically, what I’m saying is... hit Big Ben.  Attack him like we did Russ. 
 

 

 

Ben is the quickest in the league in getting rid of the ball this year mainly because he doesn’t want to get hit. He’s only been sacked 10 times more for that reason than his OL protection. He’s a different Ben than we are used to seeing. Still effective in the passing game but he’s not dropping back, scrambling, throwing deep downfield as much. 

[SCBills]

2 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said:

Ben is the quickest in the league in getting rid of the ball this year mainly because he doesn’t want to get hit. He’s only been sacked 10 times more for that reason than his OL protection. He’s a different Ben than we are used to seeing. Still effective in the passing game but he’s not dropping back, scrambling, throwing deep downfield as much. 

Yea, I’ve only seen him play twice this year, but it was a lot of short, quick hitters - relying on YAC, with the occasional deep sideline throw to Claypool.