Chris Simms Unbuttoned on Colts-Bills: he's worried about us

[ganesh]

29 minutes ago, Big C said:

Isn’t it amazing that we finally have a QB that can carry the team?

 

While I largely agree with what he is saying, one thing I do think is that the field position battle can’t possibly be as lopsided as it was this past week. That will make a huge difference.

We knew the Colts had one of the best ST coverage units and I think we tried to do too many things that hurt us and gave us very bad field position. 

 

The Ravens are coming with the #1 ST unit.  We have to respect that.

[Bermuda Triangle]

In general, I agree with Simms.

 

If Allen has an off game, we're sunk.  Our team is 100% dependent upon Allen, and if he doesn't deliver a 300+ yd, 65% completion%+, 0 turnover game, we're in big trouble.

 

When the D has the chance to make a play, they need to seize that opportunity. 

[ganesh]

12 minutes ago, Bermuda Triangle said:

In general, I agree with Simms.

 

If Allen has an off game, we're sunk.  Our team is 100% dependent upon Allen, and if he doesn't deliver a 300+ yd, 65% completion%+, 0 turnover game, we're in big trouble.

 

When the D has the chance to make a play, they need to seize that opportunity. 

Thsi is true for many of the playoff teams because generally  Franchise QBs are the ones that are playing in the playoffs.... Kansas city and TB are  100% dependent on Mahomes and Brady; so are Green Bay, Kansas City or Baltimore.   Only teams that are less dependent o their QBs are Saints,  Rams and Browns.  But the three of them still have Franchise QBs. 

[Bermuda Triangle]

5 minutes ago, ganesh said:

Thsi is true for many of the playoff teams because generally  Franchise QBs are the ones that are playing in the playoffs.... Kansas city and TB are  100% dependent on Mahomes and Brady; so are Green Bay, Kansas City or Baltimore.   Only teams that are less dependent o their QBs are Saints,  Rams and Browns.  But the three of them still have Franchise QBs. 

Generally agree with that, but look at Mahomes, as an example.

 

he threw 2 picks in the Super Bowl last year, but his RB ran for 100+ yards and his D held SF to 20 points.  IMO, it's unlikely that Allen would get such support...heck, our D couldn't hold SF to 20 point this year, without Kittle and Garoppollo. 

[billsfan1959]

I am sure there are a lot of people who feel the Bills might be in trouble with the Ravens, given the Bills' defensive struggles at times throughout this year and last week. I think the coaches and players are tremendously focused right now, well aware of what they need to do, and will be ready to play a home playoff game with a chance to move on to the AFC championship game. 

[ganesh]

26 minutes ago, Bermuda Triangle said:

Generally agree with that, but look at Mahomes, as an example.

 

he threw 2 picks in the Super Bowl last year, but his RB ran for 100+ yards and his D held SF to 20 points.  IMO, it's unlikely that Allen would get such support...heck, our D couldn't hold SF to 20 point this year, without Kittle and Garoppollo. 

If you took the same approach....Our D held up the colts while we were misfiring...and we did hold them down to 24 points (to 10 points until late in the 4th quarter).  

 

While the offense was struggling with field position, the defense had their backs to the wall and kept the entire Colts offense down to 10 points in 3 1/2 quarters.   

[Straight Hucklebuck]

Funny how many fans said all of these same things after the game and were chastised for being too negative. If the Colts are a great team, what does that make the Ravens who beat the Colts handily. 

 

We know the Bills can’t stop the run. They’ve been able to get leads and the other team abandons.

 

The Bills had no pass rush whatsoever Saturday. None.

 

We’ve been thin at linebacker all season. 
 

The Bills at their best are not balanced. They run about 30% of the time and pass the rest. Saturday, we couldn’t just crank up the running game with Allen, Moss and Singletary. Every time we try to get to the edge we lose yards, yet we keep trying it.

 

Are we just the Steelers with a better QB? 

[Big Turk]

I don't necessarily agree we were dominated. I mean we held Indy under 3 YPC through 3 quarters of a game where they desperately wanted to run the ball. That doesn't scream domination to me.

 

Allen had time to throw most of the day. We couldn't run the ball effectively because Buckner kept destroying Morse but that was more of a one on one matchup problem. 

 

Rivers had a lot of time back there and was able to convert a lot of 3rd downs to keep drives alive. So we definitely need to get better in that area.

[nucci]

every game is different...just because D didn't play great doesn't mean it will happen again

[ProcessTruster]

Simms is good to listen to.   If he is critical of the Bills, he is serious , as he is totally supportive of the Bills and Allen in general.  I always listen to him, the latest song and dance thing was stupid, but it was just a play on his man-crush on Allen.  It's ok as it fits, if you've listened to him all season.   Simms is strong and his viewpoints are usually solid.  The guy played the game.  He knows what he is looking at.   

[JMF2006]

I heard the Bills players say this team goes as our QB goes plenty of times this year in interviews.

 

They all know Josh is the straw that stirs the drink. 

 

Pretty well everyone that has talked about the game has said that Josh was the difference between winning and losing.

 

The D did just enough to make the 27 points hold up and got lucky on the 4th down play as Pittman had that if it was a better throw from Rivers.

 

The main thing is the Bills prevailed and they should be ready and execute better against the Ravens  

[Drew21PA]

My response is so what?

 

if this were Mahomes which he has done

 

or

 

brady for the pats like he’s done some games

 

or

 

aaron Rodgers of old some ganes

 

they would be praised and glorified not their team takes down 

 

whatever I get it they better fix things this week but so what if Allen balked and bailed the team out it’s what stars do right?  From time to time

[Straight Hucklebuck]

And the other thing on the run game is, since Mike Tolbert, this Coaching staff has been obsessed with slow plodder 3 yards and a cloud of dust RBs.

 

Chris Ivory was this, Frank Gore was this, and Zach Moss is this. No explosion at all, not wiggle at all.

 

They wasted 8-plays in Houston last year on 22 yards from Frank Gore, when it’s not debatable that Yeldon would have been far more productive on 8-touches. Singletary made plays in that game, and he’s stuck in a CJ Spiller-esque time share.

 

If you’re going to run it, show some confidence and just line up and run it. Singletary has been underutilized his first two years, and is a better playmaker than Moss.

 

Yeldon has been effective in limited snaps as a runner and receiver and the staff can’t stand him. 

They want slow, pounding running backs.

 

And that’s why this team has to ditch the run and become their best selves in 4-wide with a back or 5-wide sets abandon the run and throw. 

[billybob71]

May not mean much now but Ravens only had 4 first downs and zero points against Colts in the first half, their only points in first half was a scoop and score on D. They also got gifted an INT that wasnt one they eventually scored 2 TDs at the end of the 3rd and in the 4th. That game was much closer than 24-10 Colts also had a turnover on downs in 4th quarter when Reich tried going play action on 4th and inches in the red zone and another turnover on downs on 4th and 5. Colts D pretty much shut the Ravens down most of the game. 

Edited January 12, 2021 by billybob71

[Beast]

The Bills hadn't played a tough game in almost two months prior to the Colts game. If I had any worry, it was just that. Not being involved in a dog-fight of a game.

 

Now, we have and I am very confident moving forward.

 

The Buffalo Bills will be Super Bowl Champions.

Edited January 12, 2021 by Beast

[teef]

if feel like some fans are already angry at this team before the game has even been played.  

[Stank_Nasty]

gonna say this again because i think it may have slipped through the cracks. The bills defense had a down game and STILL held the 10th best scoring team in the league to 4 pts below their average. People are acting like our the D is in huge trouble after allowing 24 friggin points.... THATS ABSURD.

 

.... Lets not forget they had a play stolen from them that would have sealed that game. THEY MADE THE PLAY TO END IT..... like they have numerous times this year. some of you need to get a grip.

 

[SCBills]

I really have trouble hearing any silver linings from the defense against the Colts.  
 

They did whatever they wanted.   Slow bleed drives all game until they needed to score quick and then we simply let them do that.  
 

Rivers missed Pittman on a 4th down TD.  
 

Rivers missed Pittman on a 3rd down slant that led to a missed FG.  
 

Sure, we forced them into those downs/distance but their drives stalling were more on two crucial missed throws and a few drops that were 95% on Indy.  
 

That being said, I think our defense had a bad day by their standards, Indy is a bad matchup for us and they played great.   
 

I think our defense matches up better against Baltimore and I don’t expect them to get owned like they were on Saturday.  
 

McDermott and Frazier better be coming up with a plan to combat pulling guards and their fullback as a lead blocker.  Then hem Lamar in the pocket on passing downs.  
 

Edited January 12, 2021 by SCBills

[spartacus]

10 hours ago, Miyagi-Do Karate said:

They were open because the DB’s were running into other defenders on those all games. It was bizarre. 

many times saw Tre White pointing frantically and basically looking confused

defenders moving around before snap

 

not sure why it was not corrected

 

[Ramza86]

I agree...but I would put in a lot of credit to our WRs as well. 

 

Allen and the WRs. Line was ok as well.

[Coffeesforclosers]

I'm with all the people who are worried about RB.  The Bills seem to value elusiveness, patience, pass-catching ability and vision.  I did a little digging and it looks like both RBs are modern takes on Kevin Faulk.  Same size, same skill set, but we don't have Dante Scarnecchia's OLines. 

 

We might need a big, fast, one-cut Correy Dillon type guy that hits the first piece of daylight he sees like a truck.  Moss wants to be that guy and runs like it, but I don't think he's got the power and size to pull it off.

 

The lines are gonna get some attention this offseason thanks to this playoff run.

[turftoe]

9 hours ago, NewEra said:

That played a big role imo.  

Someone needs to sit Roberts down and explain to him how starting at the 25 yard line on a touchback is not a bad thing. 

[Punching Bag]

On defense Bills relied too much on 4-2-3-2 defense.  Johnson (24) made some good plays but by staying in that defense whole game it made it easier on offense.  Linebacker A.J. Klein played just three defensive snaps.

 

[SectionC3]

27 minutes ago, Beast said:

The Bills hadn't played a tough game in almost twp months prior to the Colts game. If I had any worry, it was just that. Not being involved in a dog-fight of a game.

 

Now, we have and I am very confident moving forward.

 

The Buffalo Bills will be Super Bowl Champions.

 

Agreed.  Here's another reality.  We played a stinker on Saturday in which our lines "lost" during the first three quarters and really "lost" during the fourth quarter.  Field position was horrible all day long, in large part to at least one dumb decision by Roberts.  D couldn't get off the field on third downs.  John Brown was a negative.  Game plan might have been a little better (use McKenzie a bit to at least get them thinking and maybe make their D-line run side to side and get a little more tired?).  I don't even think Allen was all that sharp, honestly. (The toe-tappers to Davis were kind of lucky and inflated both our score and his stats.)  And yet we still won.  

 

Basically, this year, we learned that the way to beat us is through a balanced attack and to have our offense have a stinker.  Tennessee wrote the script.  Arizona, although an unlucky loss, was similar.  Our troubles really arise when we play a team like the Titans where we have to sell out to stop the run and the QB is good enough to beat us otherwise.  KC and first NE games were affected by weather and injury, and I don't think they speak to the formula to beat us. 

 

So, long story short, yes we were bad on Saturday, but I completely agree with you.  Now we're used to being in a tough game again, and we won in spite of turning in a clunker.  Let's make Lamar beat us through the air and see what happens.  Let's also see how true they are to their principles - bring on the blitz, and let's let Allen throw it around all day. 

9 minutes ago, Coffeesforclosers said:

I'm with all the people who are worried about RB.  The Bills seem to value elusiveness, patience, pass-catching ability and vision.  I did a little digging and it looks like both RBs are modern takes on Kevin Faulk.  Same size, same skill set, but we don't have Dante Scarnecchia's OLines. 

 

We might need a big, fast, one-cut Correy Dillon type guy that hits the first piece of daylight he sees like a truck.  Moss wants to be that guy and runs like it, but I don't think he's got the power and size to pull it off.

 

The lines are gonna get some attention this offseason thanks to this playoff run.

 

Although he was a lousy run defender, we miss Jordan Phillips's pressure more than people realize.  We also need someone--anyone--who can anchor.  Not having Star hurts.  

[finn]

10 hours ago, Miyagi-Do Karate said:

I have said this since the KC game—

our defense can basically focus on and stop one thing. They aren’t good enough to stop balanced attacks.  And when the Bills get a lead, it’s great— because they just focus on playing the pass. 
 

The good news is that there aren’t a ton of balanced offenses left— KC, GB, and maybe NO? Everyone else is pretty run or pass heavy. 

I think this nails it, although I'm not sure if it's personnel or approach that determines this outcome. In the Colts game, it's like the coaches decided that they had to stop Taylor at all costs, much like they stopped Henry and (pretty much) Mahomes. As you say, the good news is that not many teams left have the balance the Colts have. Baltimore may be the most unbalanced team of all. Please tell me if you think I'm wrong, but it seems to me that if Jackson isn't allowed to run at all, they lose. If this is the case, then the Bills' formula should work, provided the Bills offense holds up its side of the bargain. 

[BreezeMafia]

He runs his mouth a little much....

[RichRiderBills]

Love the talk...Sims is so great, most of it is spot on...though honestly, most of the teams "lean" on abilities of stars and win becuase of franchise QB. ( see Jackson in Balt game) Cant downplay the grit of WRs and oline in the championship equation. 

 

This is why folks want franchise QBs.

 

Buff is 7-0 versus top 10 Ds. So theres that.

 

He missed one huge flaw in his analysis, the defensive problem was mainly caused by an inability to get consistant pressure. Blitzes did not hit home, base rush ineffective. Whatever we did to adjust did not work. This was a huge shocker to me...versus an immobile ( yet pocket patient) QB.

 

Colts Oline played off their gourd. We've generally got pressure on every QB and failed on saturday.

 

So not an unfixable exploit per say..etc...and requires a lot of moving pieces to replicate. Also got to have a great QB who can read defenses, good RB.

Edited January 12, 2021 by RichRiderBills

[Stank_Nasty]

33 minutes ago, SCBills said:

I really have trouble hearing any silver linings from the defense against the Colts.  
 

They did whatever they wanted.   Slow bleed drives all game until they needed to score quick and then we simply let them do that.  
 

Rivers missed Pittman on a 4th down TD.  
 

Rivers missed Pittman on a 3rd down slant that led to a missed FG.  
 

Sure, we forced them into those downs/distance but their drives stalling were more on two crucial missed throws and a few drops that were 95% on Indy.  
 

That being said, I think our defense had a bad day by their standards, Indy is a bad matchup for us and they played great.   
 

I think our defense matches up better against Baltimore and I don’t expect them to get owned like they were on Saturday.  
 

McDermott and Frazier better be coming up with a plan to combat pulling guards and their fullback as a lead blocker.  Then hem Lamar in the pocket on passing downs.  
 

did whatever they wanted yet scored a whopping 24 pts. 4 less than their average. qb's miss passes man. it happens.

 

The moral of the story is, even if we all agree they D had a less than stellar day, they gave up 24.... 24 points to a top ten offense. nothing to panic about.

Edited January 12, 2021 by Stank_Nasty

[Coffeesforclosers]

16 minutes ago, SectionC3 said:

 

Agreed.  Here's another reality.  We played a stinker on Saturday in which our lines "lost" during the first three quarters and really "lost" during the fourth quarter.  Field position was horrible all day long, in large part to at least one dumb decision by Roberts.  D couldn't get off the field on third downs.  John Brown was a negative.  Game plan might have been a little better (use McKenzie a bit to at least get them thinking and maybe make their D-line run side to side and get a little more tired?).  I don't even think Allen was all that sharp, honestly. (The toe-tappers to Davis were kind of lucky and inflated both our score and his stats.)  And yet we still won.  

 

Basically, this year, we learned that the way to beat us is through a balanced attack and to have our offense have a stinker.  Tennessee wrote the script.  Arizona, although an unlucky loss, was similar.  Our troubles really arise when we play a team like the Titans where we have to sell out to stop the run and the QB is good enough to beat us otherwise.  KC and first NE games were affected by weather and injury, and I don't think they speak to the formula to beat us. 

 

So, long story short, yes we were bad on Saturday, but I completely agree with you.  Now we're used to being in a tough game again, and we won in spite of turning in a clunker.  Let's make Lamar beat us through the air and see what happens.  Let's also see how true they are to their principles - bring on the blitz, and let's let Allen throw it around all day. 

 

Although he was a lousy run defender, we miss Jordan Phillips's pressure more than people realize.  We also need someone--anyone--who can anchor.  Not having Star hurts.  

 

Agreed.  We've got a "finesse" LB group, which is just fine in the modern NFL.  You'd rather have your guys swatting passes than producing TFL these days.  But the DL has to keep them clean and develop pressure from the interior.

[SectionC3]

Just now, Coffeesforclosers said:

 

Agreed.  We've got a "finesse" LB group, which is just fine in the modern NFL.  You'd rather have your guys swatting passes than producing TFL these days.  But the DL has to keep them clean and develop pressure from the interior.

 

To me inside pressure is the key with this group.  Hughes pressures, but doesn't get home.  Addison is hit and miss.  Johnson hasn't earned the snaps.  I think Epenesa will be much better next year, but I'm worried about him getting pinned and losing the edge this week.  I'd play Murphy in his place.  But the problems with the ends aren't as serious if we can get a little bit of pressure in the middle.  Unfortunately we're wearing Oliver out having him play 1 sometimes because Star opted out and Butler is inconsistent.  That's basically the problem with the whole thing.  They miss star and they miss Jordan Phillips in a big way. 

Just now, SectionC3 said:

 

To me inside pressure is the key with this group.  Hughes pressures, but doesn't get home.  Addison is hit and miss.  Johnson hasn't earned the snaps.  I think Epenesa will be much better next year, but I'm worried about him getting pinned and losing the edge this week.  I'd play Murphy in his place.  But the problems with the ends aren't as serious if we can get a little bit of pressure in the middle.  Unfortunately we're wearing Oliver out having him play 1 sometimes because Star opted out and Butler is inconsistent.  That's basically the problem with the whole thing.  They miss star and they miss Jordan Phillips in a big way. 

 

And I'll add, Quinton Jefferson seems like a great guy, but I'm not sure that he's had the effect that they had hoped.  So, basically, a bunch of problems came together at one time and forced McD and Frazier to hold the thing together with gum and dental floss this year.  Hence Oliver seeing time at 1 and Justin Zimmer seeing meaningful snaps. 

[DrDawkinstein]

What a GLORIOUS day it is when we are at the point that our worry is "Our Franchise QB carried us to a playoff victory all on his own".

 

WOW what a long way we've come. Frankly, I love to see it. It wont be every game, but it's good to know we have the QB in place to step up when it is needed.

[Heitz]

11 hours ago, zow2 said:

- Every Colts drive went across the 50 and into Bills territory. and they lost. 

 

I feel like they started on the 40 every freaking drive, so no shocker they got over the 50!  Let's hope we can control that field position game this weekend...

 

[thenorthremembers]

10 hours ago, TFBillsfan said:

I really like Motor and Moss, but adding a dynamic RB to this offense next year is a must. Makes our offense even more potent! Hopefully Motor has a strong game against the Ravens.

I am fully on board with this.  Thought about it a little yesterday and I am just not sure where they get that player.   Its not a great runningback class, and Kenyan Drake is probably the best player in free agency.  I wonder if there is anyone we can bring in via trade?

[DCOrange]

Nothing he said is wrong, but that doesn't necessarily mean it'll be the case this week and that's what we're hoping for. Relative to our usual, that was a very bad performance for this team propped up by Allen playing lights out and the Colts pass catchers dropping timely passes. We almost always play better than we did this past week and that'll be required to advance to the AFC Championship.

[blitzboy54]

9 hours ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

Well, the Browns put up 48 points on Sunday and won, so if we look like the Browns that would be good with me.

 

I never like the "if only for this play" and "if only for that play" game, because the fact is, when one play changes the whole game changes.

 

We, too, had our "if only for this play" chances to alter the course of the game - if a potential interception doesn't go right through Hyde's hands.  If the officials don't miss a blatant face-mask on Andre' Roberts but call a hold so we start on the 6 yd line (or even better, if Roberts decides to let it be a touchback so we start on the 25 yd line).  If the fumble our D forced is actually ruled a fumble.  Etc etc etc. 

 

I'm a Bills fan and I am by no means doom and gloom. I was confident in getting to the AFC Championship before last week. It's the playoffs and I'm grateful we won, but anyone that thinks that game wasn't a step back is diluting themselves. The odds of those kicks being missed is slim and that receiver was WIDE OPEN. These are not subjective plays. It's ok to criticize your team, really it is. It doesn't mean it has to be the same way next week but there was hesitation all over the place and it came from the booth. They can be better and the "process" apply' s to them too. I would be shocked if McDermott wouldn't agree. I've seen a lot of self reflection and growth from this staff. Remember how horrible he used to be with time outs and 4th downs? Now he's tip of the spear. Maybe it's a good thing. If they learned from it. But it was less then their best

 

The Browns smoked a joke of team that we were all hoping to play. The Browns have been marginal most of the season. Yes, I too would love it if Baltimore mailed it in like the Stealers. I think we all know that's unlikely. 

 

If this team plays like it did the last 6 weeks of the season I think we win comfortably, if they play like we did Saturday we loose and probably by a lot. 

[Big Turk]

Simms...don't worry bro. We got this.

[SCBills]

36 minutes ago, Stank_Nasty said:

did whatever they wanted yet scored a whopping 24 pts. 4 less than their average. qb's miss passes man. it happens.

 

The moral of the story is, even if we all agree they D had a less than stellar day, they gave up 24.... 24 points to a top ten offense. nothing to panic about.

I honestly don’t understand this line of thinking.  
 

Keep in mind, I’m not a complete hater of our defense as I believe they will be better against the Ravens, both due to style and simply playing better. 

 

The Colts scored 24 because they had the ball for 2/3 of the game.   It’s hard to score a ton when you have 5-8 minute drives, every time, until they needed urgency, and then they simply sliced through the D like a hot knife through butter.  
 

First team to have 450+ yards, no turnovers, and lose.   
 

Every meaningful drive went into our side of the field.  
 

Edited January 12, 2021 by SCBills

[Stank_Nasty]

7 minutes ago, SCBills said:

I honestly don’t understand this line of thinking.  
 

Keep in mind, I’m not a complete hater of our defense as I believe they will be better against the Ravens, both due to style and simply playing better. 

 

The Colts scored 24 because they had the ball for 2/3 of the game.   It’s hard to score a ton when you have 5-8 minute drives, every time, until they went down by 14, and then they just sliced through the D like a hot knife through butter.  

and i dont understand yours. i dont care how long they possessed the ball. the d gave up 24 points. thats merely an average output in todays NFL. AGAIN, for as sub-par as we both felt they played, they held a top ten scoring team to 4 pts below their average and made the play at the end of the game that should have sealed it(fumble). So how awful were they really? come on, man...... also FTR, the colts possessed it for 34 minutes. 6 mins shy of the 40 it would take to have it for 2/3's

 

Edited January 12, 2021 by Stank_Nasty

[SCBills]

10 minutes ago, Stank_Nasty said:

and i dont understand yours. i dont care how long they possessed the ball. the d gave up 24 points. thats merely an average output in todays NFL. AGAIN, for as bad as the D was, they held a top ten scoring team to 4 pts below their average and made the play at the end of the game that should have sealed it(fumble). 

 

 

Agree to disagree.  They came into that game wanting to minimize possessions, bleed clock and make good use of every chance they had.  

 

They scored 24, possessed the ball for 2/3rds of the game, never turned it over and moved into our side of the field, which - at the very least - kept us pinned back on offense.  

 

They did everything they wanted on O, except for self inflicted wounds on two critical missed throws by Rivers, drops to open guys in the flat and a missed chip shot FG.

 

Then, when we went up by 14, I figured hey.. at least it takes them forever to  move the ball and the clock is not their friend in the 4th Q... nope... they then just moved the ball like the greatest show on turf. 

 

 

 

Edited January 12, 2021 by SCBills

[Simon]

6 minutes ago, Stank_Nasty said:

i dont care how long they possessed the ball.

 

I think you should care because every second they have it, Josh Allen does not.

That affects the entire game, not just the BillsD vs ColtsO matchup.