JÂy RÛßeÒ Posted March 23, 2021 Share Posted March 23, 2021 (edited) Up until the bye, we SUCKED in the 3rd quarter. In the 10 games before the bye, we were outscored 76-30 (including being shut out 5 times) in the 3rd quarter. The only team we outscored was the Jets, when we got 2 of our 6 field goals. In the 9 games after the bye (including playoffs), we totally reversed that suckage and outscored opponents 82-35. We were never held scoreless while we held 5 teams off the scoreboard (including Indy & Baltimore in the playoffs). I wonder what caused the change? Coaches/coordinators, making better halftime adjustments & managing things better? Players/team leaders, not losing intensity during the intermission? Maybe we won the toss & deferred to get the ball in the 3rd more often after the bye... #ThingsThatMakeYouGoHmmm Edited March 23, 2021 by JÂy RÛßeÒ 12 2 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick Duffy Posted March 23, 2021 Share Posted March 23, 2021 Yeah I remember the 3rd quarter issues. Could be a few things as to why they improved. Adjustments, as I'm sure coaches etc were also aware of the 3rd quarter issues. They got better all around as season went on also, so got more familiar with each other maybe. Anyway, if the run game improves like we all hope, every quarter will get better. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed_Formerly_of_Roch Posted March 23, 2021 Share Posted March 23, 2021 So was the difference due to defense stopping the opposing team or our offense moved the ball consistently therefore limiting the opposing teams time with the ball? I'll guess the second one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick Duffy Posted March 23, 2021 Share Posted March 23, 2021 (edited) 11 minutes ago, Ed_Formerly_of_Roch said: So was the difference due to defense stopping the opposing team or our offense moved the ball consistently therefore limiting the opposing teams time with the ball? I'll guess the second one! Yeah the D definitely had a part in it. Think the D made the biggest, noticeable improvement around the 2nd half of the season because they sure did struggle, a lot early on Edited March 23, 2021 by Patrick_Duffy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dat Posted March 23, 2021 Share Posted March 23, 2021 Basically my expert analysis was.... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hjnick Posted March 23, 2021 Share Posted March 23, 2021 Early in the year, it felt like we got more conservative offensively starting the second half.... letting teams catch back up to us... guess we learned that lesson (of what NOT to do)in the off week. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jletha Posted March 23, 2021 Share Posted March 23, 2021 I think something that has to be acknowledged in this as well as the defenses rise in the back half of the season was the quality of QBs we played. Aside from Herbert, who was a rookie, we played god awful QBs all in a row after the bye. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chandler#81 Posted March 23, 2021 Share Posted March 23, 2021 It was troubling -especially that no one could put their finger on it. With this team, there is one constant we can count on to fix an issue. Josh Allen. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Governor Posted March 23, 2021 Share Posted March 23, 2021 Last year I think it was 2nd quarters. This year 3rd. Rarely have we put together 4 solid quarters. Maybe 2 or 3 times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John from Riverside Posted March 23, 2021 Share Posted March 23, 2021 27 minutes ago, JÂy RÛßeÒ said: Up until the bye, we SUCKED in the 3rd quarter. In the 10 games before the bye, we were outscored 76-30 (including being shut out 5 times) in the 3rd quarter. The only team we outscored was the Jets, when we got 2 of our 6 field goals. In the 9 games after the bye (including playoffs), we totally reversed that suckage and outscored opponents 82-35. We were never held scoreless while we held 5 teams off the scoreboard (including Indy & Baltimore in the playoffs). I wonder what caused the change? Coaches/coordinators, making better halftime adjustments & managing things better? Players/team leaders, not losing intensity during the intermission? Maybe we won the toss & deferred to get the ball in the 3rd more often after the bye... #ThingsThatMakeYouGoHmmm It was the running joke last year. I am hoping our D is going to return to dominant so we dont even notice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JÂy RÛßeÒ Posted March 23, 2021 Author Share Posted March 23, 2021 (edited) Maybe McDermott started entering the halftime locker room more like this: IT'S FU@@ING EMBARRASSING! Edited March 23, 2021 by JÂy RÛßeÒ 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Logic Posted March 23, 2021 Share Posted March 23, 2021 One great thing about our coaching staff is that they relentlessly self-scout, recognize and work on their shortcomings. If I had to describe this ability, I'd call it........wait for it........ A growth mindset. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buftex Posted March 23, 2021 Share Posted March 23, 2021 5 minutes ago, hjnick said: Early in the year, it felt like we got more conservative offensively starting the second half.... letting teams catch back up to us... guess we learned that lesson (of what NOT to do)in the off week. I remember this whole issue...and as I recall, during that stretch of bad 3rd Qtrs, the Bills had scored on nearly every first possession of the second half. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJB Posted March 23, 2021 Share Posted March 23, 2021 (edited) Pretty sure that's the quarter some of our coaches go for a poop. They may want to try and hustle up during half time. Edited March 23, 2021 by DJB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billsfan89 Posted March 23, 2021 Share Posted March 23, 2021 The other team wearing down the defense via the ground game was a very prominent issue in the third quarters if I am remembering correctly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hjnick Posted March 23, 2021 Share Posted March 23, 2021 17 minutes ago, Buftex said: I remember this whole issue...and as I recall, during that stretch of bad 3rd Qtrs, the Bills had scored on nearly every first possession of the second half. Not sure, but the Orig Post said we scored 30 pts in 10 games in the third. guess we hit field goals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billsfan89 Posted March 23, 2021 Share Posted March 23, 2021 19 minutes ago, The Governor said: Last year I think it was 2nd quarters. This year 3rd. Rarely have we put together 4 solid quarters. Maybe 2 or 3 times. After the by the team put together 4 games where they dominated almost wire to wire. Pats, Broncos, 49ers and Fins for sure. Light switch definitely went on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Royale with Cheese Posted March 23, 2021 Share Posted March 23, 2021 @Gugny 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gugny Posted March 23, 2021 Share Posted March 23, 2021 57 minutes ago, JÂy RÛßeÒ said: Up until the bye, we SUCKED in the 3rd quarter. In the 10 games before the bye, we were outscored 76-30 (including being shut out 5 times) in the 3rd quarter. The only team we outscored was the Jets, when we got 2 of our 6 field goals. In the 9 games after the bye (including playoffs), we totally reversed that suckage and outscored opponents 82-35. We were never held scoreless while we held 5 teams off the scoreboard (including Indy & Baltimore in the playoffs). I wonder what caused the change? Coaches/coordinators, making better halftime adjustments & managing things better? Players/team leaders, not losing intensity during the intermission? Maybe we won the toss & deferred to get the ball in the 3rd more often after the bye... #ThingsThatMakeYouGoHmmm This is something I kept an eye on for the majority of the season. It was very troubling. Some said I was crazy or seeing things, but the proof is in the stats. Here's a week by week look at the season re: the 3rd quarter: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Royale with Cheese Posted March 23, 2021 Share Posted March 23, 2021 8 minutes ago, billsfan89 said: After the by the team put together 4 games where they dominated almost wire to wire. Pats, Broncos, 49ers and Fins for sure. Light switch definitely went on. 9% of Barkley's career TD passes came against the Fins in week 17. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YattaOkasan Posted March 23, 2021 Share Posted March 23, 2021 (edited) IMO its a small sample size and thats why it changed so suddenly. In those ten games there were many drives where most of hte work was done in the 3rd quarter and then they punched it in at the start of the 4th. Really dont think this was a thing. 3 drives i quickly found that started in the 3rd, were in the opponents territory at the start of the 4th and went for 7 in the 4th Raiders, NE (1st game), Seattle. 21 point swing there. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202010040rai.htm https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202011010buf.htm https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202011080buf.htm Edited March 23, 2021 by YattaOkasan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malazan Posted March 23, 2021 Share Posted March 23, 2021 1 hour ago, JÂy RÛßeÒ said: Up until the bye, we SUCKED in the 3rd quarter. In the 10 games before the bye, we were outscored 76-30 (including being shut out 5 times) in the 3rd quarter. The only team we outscored was the Jets, when we got 2 of our 6 field goals. In the 9 games after the bye (including playoffs), we totally reversed that suckage and outscored opponents 82-35. We were never held scoreless while we held 5 teams off the scoreboard (including Indy & Baltimore in the playoffs). I wonder what caused the change? Coaches/coordinators, making better halftime adjustments & managing things better? Players/team leaders, not losing intensity during the intermission? Maybe we won the toss & deferred to get the ball in the 3rd more often after the bye... #ThingsThatMakeYouGoHmmm Ritual sacrifice to heathen gods Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevewin Posted March 23, 2021 Share Posted March 23, 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, JÂy RÛßeÒ said: Maybe McDermott started entering the halftime locker room more like this: IT'S FU@@ING EMBARRASSING! Funny - I just started watching Letterkenny a couple months ago and am realizing now that for years on sports msg boards I've been subjected to letterkenny references that just totally flew over my head (esp HFBoards) Edited March 23, 2021 by stevewin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoCal Deek Posted March 23, 2021 Share Posted March 23, 2021 They switched from Rice Crispie Treats to orange slices. That works every time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloBill Posted March 23, 2021 Share Posted March 23, 2021 Keep in mind the lack of an off-season last year and injuries hit the Bills. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoBills808 Posted March 23, 2021 Share Posted March 23, 2021 The two biggest things that turned the season around (other than Allen's injury and the COVID rescheduling) were when Spain got cut and the loss to the Cardinals. Particularly the Spain thing, I think there was something going on behind the scenes that affected the squad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freddie's Dead Posted March 23, 2021 Share Posted March 23, 2021 (edited) Over the 2nd half of the season, it became increasingly apparent that Josh Allen is the best QB in the NFL. If we ever get a running game.... Edited March 23, 2021 by Freddie's Dead Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProcessTruster Posted March 23, 2021 Share Posted March 23, 2021 2 hours ago, Freddie's Dead said: Over the 2nd half of the season, it became increasingly apparent that Josh Allen is the best QB in the NFL. If we ever get a running game.... balance, shmalance, its a passing league. light 'em up. the Bills bread and butter , their "fastball", as McD puts it, is the pass game. We gonna call this pass game "Cowboys and Mustangs" ! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyDays Posted March 23, 2021 Share Posted March 23, 2021 Every season that McDermott has been here the team has looked much better the 2nd half of the season. It's the mark of a good coaching staff. Look at our 2nd games against the Dolphins and Patriots. We went from competitive matchups to blowing them out of the water even with our backups. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BADOLBILZ Posted March 24, 2021 Share Posted March 24, 2021 (edited) 7 hours ago, JÂy RÛßeÒ said: Up until the bye, we SUCKED in the 3rd quarter. In the 10 games before the bye, we were outscored 76-30 (including being shut out 5 times) in the 3rd quarter. The only team we outscored was the Jets, when we got 2 of our 6 field goals. In the 9 games after the bye (including playoffs), we totally reversed that suckage and outscored opponents 82-35. We were never held scoreless while we held 5 teams off the scoreboard (including Indy & Baltimore in the playoffs). I wonder what caused the change? Coaches/coordinators, making better halftime adjustments & managing things better? Players/team leaders, not losing intensity during the intermission? Maybe we won the toss & deferred to get the ball in the 3rd more often after the bye... #ThingsThatMakeYouGoHmmm They just wised up and started coming out playing to win in the second half instead of playing not to lose/trying to protect leads. It was a long running weakness of the team and it was becoming part of McD's identity. Go back to 2017........turtling right after halftime @NYJ game and putting the game on a tired defense triggered their epic 3 game slide.........the issue kept propping its head up all the way thru the blowing of the 16 point lead in the WC game. After the Hail Murray blown second half lead they shed that conservative tendency.........and were rewarded. Edited March 24, 2021 by BADOLBILZ 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJS Posted March 24, 2021 Share Posted March 24, 2021 You know, I think the team overall just got better and more consistent. And partly I think it was just happenstance. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scuba guy Posted March 24, 2021 Share Posted March 24, 2021 First off if you look at the game threads after the arizona game there were alot of posters on tbd mention the 3rd quarter jinx Then next game we scored right away in the 3rd quarter and no one really talked about it again. Its called drive the players were more focused after that game and wanted to blowout teams not just sit back and say on to the forth quarter. The team realized it's know or never. There was a team diff did not want to feel that hurt again like they did after the arizona game. Team effort and coaches. That is why the bills were the highest score g team in the league from that game on Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Otreply Posted March 24, 2021 Share Posted March 24, 2021 There was lots of gripes and gnashing of teeth over this issue, while that dubious streak was happening, it was a combination of coaching and execution. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
\GoBillsInDallas/ Posted March 24, 2021 Share Posted March 24, 2021 14 hours ago, Don Otreply said: There was lots of gripes and gnashing of teeth over this issue, while that dubious streak was happening, it was a combination of coaching and execution. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punching Bag Posted March 24, 2021 Share Posted March 24, 2021 Opposition teams used to know third quarter was time for offense to work since most of crowd were in bathrooms, in food/beer lines or getting an illegal smoke. No fans in stands solved this dip in audience participation issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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