So what is the Defensive Gameplan?

[Straight Hucklebuck]

This is a question I want to throw out to the community here.  

 

Of course WGR (Howard and Jeremy specifically) repeat themselves over and over again with basic statements like: "don't run the ball", "we don't need balance", "have Josh in empty sets", "we need 30-points to beat the Chiefs" and "our identity is throwing the ball to wide receivers". 

 

With that said, I wanted to get ideas on what the Bills can tangibly do to slow the Chiefs offense? 

 

My lasting memory of the AFC Title Game was watching the Bills play 10-15 yards off Tyreke Hill and him running past everyone. Similarly, Kelce couldn't be stopped either. You look at the Chiefs, and it's those 3 guys, Kelce-Mahomes-Hill, that's the vast majority of their offense. 

 

I think the Bills have to make a choice and live with it: sell out to stop Hill. He is the player on the Chiefs that can go nuclear, go for 190-3 TDs. Can the Bills line a corner up  directly on him (White), and then have another player on top of that (even another Corner)? Treat him as a gunner on Special Teams?

 

Of course Kelce will then benefit from the extra attention on Hill, but you're trying to beat Michael Jordan here in Mahomes, and our pass rush is not going to get him to the ground. 

[Brennan Huff]

We can’t give it away before Sunday 

[MAJBobby]

Pressure Mahomes.  Then outscore them

 

That is what the Offseason and Draft was about.  Lets see.

[Captain_Quint]

You float a poison cheeseburger to Andy Reids locker room before the game. He won't be able to resist it. 

[BringBackFlutie]

2 minutes ago, MAJBobby said:

Pressure Mahomes.  Then outscore them

 

That is what the Offseason and Draft was about.  Lets see.

 

This. You can't stop them.  Make Mahomes as uncomfortable as you can and score when you have the ball.  That's it.

Edited October 6, 2021 by BringBackFlutie

[Don Otreply]

Ever seen the motion picture “M.A.S.H.” think back to the football game…, we have a doctor in the house, don’t we…,

[Straight Hucklebuck]

1 minute ago, BringBackFlutie said:

 

This. You can't stop them.  Make Mahomes as uncomfortable as you can and score when you have the ball.  That's it.

Yup, I don't disagree. 

 

They get to 30 virtually every week, and I'm sure every defense has been tried. 

 

Wait until Kelce and Hill age out of their primes, and bank on the Chiefs not being able to find (2) HOFers again. 

[MAJBobby]

have Tre White Follow Kelce all over the field.

 

Have Hill Doubled

 

Pressure Mahomes and make the WR2 have a game to beat you.

[BIGFOOTspaceman]

I say double Hill and keep Kelce as locked as possible. Rush four, rotate fresh d-lineman in and hope for good pressure. If they beat us with the run game then so be it. 
 

Forcing KC to run should speed the game up a bit but we have to take advantage of every offensive opportunity. 

[First Round Bust]

its our third chance to get the gameplan right in about a year

 

in the regular season game the chefs ran wild - Star is back and hopefully Milano is healthy  and no matter the run game the pass rush needs to be there from the front four with some delayed blitzes to catch Mahomes scrambling (see Ravens game two weeks ago)...

 

Could our best defense also be ball control O as the Chefs D is woeful thus far

 

I also think the team to man and a coach is taking this one very personally...they need this one for their psyche..

[gonzo1105]

The real key to me is have other people besides the 2 beat you. I would bracket Kelce off the line. This involves the DE on his side and the Nickel or LB chucking him within 5 yards. If he splits into the slot then we need to have a Safety pressed on him with a LB looking outside in on him to hit him if he runs an inside route. 
 

The Chiefs favorite concept is an over route where Kelce drags one way across the field while Hill runs a flat post across the field utilizing his speed to stretch a defense. I think someone said that their passing playbook is like 38% of this concept in different variations and formations. 
 

If that’s the case I would play about 5 yards off Hill with a 2 deep shell where Poyer and Hyde have to communicate Hill on all plays and track with him across the field. 
 

Take those 2 away the best you can and make Helaire, Hardeman, Pringle etc beat you. Johnson is supposed to be good enough and should be able to contain Hardeman or Pringle 

[Giuseppe Tognarelli]

Four-man rush, a variety of looks, double Hill, jam Kelce.

 

On offense, balanced but aggressive. Don't get too cute; i.e., don't activate Breida and overthink it. Do what you do well and take advantage of the KC defense like everyone else does.

[Straight Hucklebuck]

Just now, MAJBobby said:

have Tre White Follow Kelce all over the field.

 

Have Hill Doubled

 

Pressure Mahomes and make the WR2 have a game to beat you.

Yup, this is what I'm saying. 

 

Making a definitive stand and living with it. 

 

Regular Season 2020 Week 6:

Rainy night, play two deep Safeties all night, and the Chiefs run all over the Bills interior defense (without Star L). 

 

AFC Championship Game

No idea what the game plan was. I only watched the game live, and never went back to rewatch it. I feel like we gave every player 10-15 yards of cushion and it was simply run 14 yards, ball arrives in stride, and Kelce/Hill just ran past a shell shocked secondary. 

[TBBills]

14 minutes ago, Straight Hucklebuck said:

This is a question I want to throw out to the community here.  

 

Of course WGR (Howard and Jeremy specifically) repeat themselves over and over again with basic statements like: "don't run the ball", "we don't need balance", "have Josh in empty sets", "we need 30-points to beat the Chiefs" and "our identity is throwing the ball to wide receivers". 

 

With that said, I wanted to get ideas on what the Bills can tangibly do to slow the Chiefs offense? 

 

My lasting memory of the AFC Title Game was watching the Bills play 10-15 yards off Tyreke Hill and him running past everyone. Similarly, Kelce couldn't be stopped either. You look at the Chiefs, and it's those 3 guys, Kelce-Mahomes-Hill, that's the vast majority of their offense. 

 

I think the Bills have to make a choice and live with it: sell out to stop Hill. He is the player on the Chiefs that can go nuclear, go for 190-3 TDs. Can the Bills line a corner up  directly on him (White), and then have another player on top of that (even another Corner)? Treat him as a gunner on Special Teams?

 

Of course Kelce will then benefit from the extra attention on Hill, but you're trying to beat Michael Jordan here in Mahomes, and our pass rush is not going to get him to the ground. 

That seems like something a spy would ask... You will know Sunday night.

[Straight Hucklebuck]

4 minutes ago, gonzo1105 said:

The real key to me is have other people besides the 2 beat you. I would bracket Kelce off the line. This involves the DE on his side and the Nickel or LB chucking him within 5 yards. If he splits into the slot then we need to have a Safety pressed on him with a LB looking outside in on him to hit him if he runs an inside route. 
 

The Chiefs favorite concept is an over route where Kelce drags one way across the field while Hill runs a flat post across the field utilizing his speed to stretch a defense. I think someone said that their passing playbook is like 38% of this concept in different variations and formations. 
 

If that’s the case I would play about 5 yards off Hill with a 2 deep shell where Poyer and Hyde have to communicate Hill on all plays and track with him across the field. 
 

Take those 2 away the best you can and make Helaire, Hardeman, Pringle etc beat you. Johnson is supposed to be good enough and should be able to contain Hardeman or Pringle 

Thanks for this comment, I agree with you. 

 

Greg Cosell talks about Hill in the slot running deep posts. 

 

And if you can only double one player because the defense is tilted too much, then it has to be Hill. 

 

Could the Bills utilize 3-Safety looks and put a coverage Safety on Kelce?

 

 

[Patrick Duffy]

Different from what it was the last 2 meetings that's for sure

[Straight Hucklebuck]

8 minutes ago, First Round Bust said:

its our third chance to get the gameplan right in about a year

 

in the regular season game the chefs ran wild - Star is back and hopefully Milano is healthy  and no matter the run game the pass rush needs to be there from the front four with some delayed blitzes to catch Mahomes scrambling (see Ravens game two weeks ago)...

 

Could our best defense also be ball control O as the Chefs D is woeful thus far

 

I also think the team to man and a coach is taking this one very personally...they need this one for their psyche..

Diggs watching the celebration. 

 

Wonder if Allen gets too amped for this one?

[Niagara Dude]

14 minutes ago, Straight Hucklebuck said:

This is a question I want to throw out to the community here.  

 

Of course WGR (Howard and Jeremy specifically) repeat themselves over and over again with basic statements like: "don't run the ball", "we don't need balance", "have Josh in empty sets", "we need 30-points to beat the Chiefs" and "our identity is throwing the ball to wide receivers". 

 

With that said, I wanted to get ideas on what the Bills can tangibly do to slow the Chiefs offense? 

 

My lasting memory of the AFC Title Game was watching the Bills play 10-15 yards off Tyreke Hill and him running past everyone. Similarly, Kelce couldn't be stopped either. You look at the Chiefs, and it's those 3 guys, Kelce-Mahomes-Hill, that's the vast majority of their offense. 

 

I think the Bills have to make a choice and live with it: sell out to stop Hill. He is the player on the Chiefs that can go nuclear, go for 190-3 TDs. Can the Bills line a corner up  directly on him (White), and then have another player on top of that (even another Corner)? Treat him as a gunner on Special Teams?

 

Of course Kelce will then benefit from the extra attention on Hill, but you're trying to beat Michael Jordan here in Mahomes, and our pass rush is not going to get him to the ground. 

I would rush 4 and mix in some delayed blitzes,  the core of our gameplan should be to double Kelce & Hill and make other players beat us.  Also some clean hits on Mahomes would help,  something we never had in title game.  While i prefer sacks,  getting pressures and hits are just as important.  End of the day we cannot just allow Mahomes to sit back there and get comfortable .

[BringBackFlutie]

Just now, Straight Hucklebuck said:

Diggs watching the celebration. 

 

Wonder if Allen gets too amped for this one?

 

Is grass green?

 

He'll have to figure it out. 

[Straight Hucklebuck]

1 minute ago, Niagara Dude said:

I would rush 4 and mix in some delayed blitzes,  the core of our gameplan should be to double Kelce & Hill and make other players beat us.  Also some clean hits on Mahomes would help,  something we never had in title game.  While i prefer sacks,  getting pressures and hits are just as important.  End of the day we cannot just allow Mahomes to sit back there and get comfortable .

So then it comes down to what Sal Capaccio says: winning one on one battles. 

 

Our DE's are going to have to play the game of their lives. 

[Brianmoorman4jesus]

I say double Hill. And take your chances 

[gonzo1105]

3 minutes ago, Straight Hucklebuck said:

Thanks for this comment, I agree with you. 

 

Greg Cosell talks about Hill in the slot running deep posts. 

 

And if you can only double one player because the defense is tilted too much, then it has to be Hill. 

 

Could the Bills utilize 3-Safety looks and put a coverage Safety on Kelce?

 

 

I would the Bills need to put as much speed on the field as possible for this game. I don’t believe that Milano or Poyer will be out they were kept out as a precaution last week. 
 

Don’t be surprised if the defense is something along the lines of Epenesa, Rousseau, Oliver, Hughes on the Dline

 

DE: Epenesa

DT- Rousseau

DT- Oliver

DE-Hughes

LB- Milano

LB- Edmunds

CB- White

CB-Wallace

CB-Johnson 

SAF- Poyer

SAF- Hyde

 

 

[Patrick Duffy]

2 minutes ago, gonzo1105 said:

I would the Bills need to put as much speed on the field as possible for this game. I don’t believe that Milano or Poyer will be out they were kept out as a precaution last week. 
 

Don’t be surprised if the defense is something along the lines of Epenesa, Rousseau, Oliver, Hughes on the Dline

 

DE: Epenesa

DT- Rousseau

DT- Oliver

DE-Hughes

LB- Milano

LB- Edmunds

CB- White

CB-Wallace

CB-Johnson 

SAF- Poyer

SAF- Hyde

 

 

Yeah would love to see Epenesa and Rousseau make a substantial impact this game. If so it could be the difference maker.

[Straight Hucklebuck]

5 minutes ago, gonzo1105 said:

I would the Bills need to put as much speed on the field as possible for this game. I don’t believe that Milano or Poyer will be out they were kept out as a precaution last week. 
 

Don’t be surprised if the defense is something along the lines of Epenesa, Rousseau, Oliver, Hughes on the Dline

 

DE: Epenesa

DT- Rousseau

DT- Oliver

DE-Hughes

LB- Milano

LB- Edmunds

CB- White

CB-Wallace

CB-Johnson 

SAF- Poyer

SAF- Hyde

 

 

That was a key takeaway from the AFCCG, the speed disparity Chiefs offense, Bills defense. 

 

[Bobby Hooks]

I like the action we were getting from our dbs rushing the qb in the Miami game. But I fear what Mahomes would do to us if we used a db to rush. 
 

Still, if they get there fast enough could catch Mahomes off guard and could lead to a turnover or two. 
 

Im excited about the game but really don’t feel all that optimistic about a win. Kinda need to see it to believe it against the chiefs at this point. 

Edited October 6, 2021 by Bobby Hooks

[Straight Hucklebuck]

I like the idea of bringing down a Nickel corner to jam Hill when applicable. If the Bills are going to double him anyways, jam him with Neal, or a like player, then trail him with Tre White. 

 

Have the player that jams Hill initially stay in low-zone to cover quick turn around routes, screens, as well as spy Mahomes. 

 

Maybe the jam delays Hills from open speed, leaving only one safety over the top. 

[CSBill]

It’s a simple old-school approach this week: “Don’t let them score points.”

[Ethan in Cleveland]

Same as it should be every week. Rush the passer with four guys and drop into zone coverage. That is what the Bills are built to do. Beane upgraded the DL and it is time for them to deliver.

Any good QB eats up the blitz most of the time. The key is to sprinkle in some blitz packages enough that you get a big play from time to time. 

[Steel City Mafia]

Pray 

[Process]

Way more concerned about the offense

[Nineforty]

48 minutes ago, Don Otreply said:

Ever seen the motion picture “M.A.S.H.” think back to the football game…, we have a doctor in the house, don’t we…,

 

 

[Royale with Cheese]

Don't do anything differently you wouldn't do to another good QB.  We respect Mahomes too much IMO.  Go after him, if they score, they score.  Eventually aggressiveness pays off.  They have an elite offense so they're going to move the ball at will...might as well take chances on making a play.

[JohnBonhamRocks]

Has anyone tried rushing 3 regularly?

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

43 minutes ago, Straight Hucklebuck said:

Yup, this is what I'm saying. 

 

Making a definitive stand and living with it. 

 

Regular Season 2020 Week 6:

Rainy night, play two deep Safeties all night, and the Chiefs run all over the Bills interior defense (without Star L). 

 

AFC Championship Game

No idea what the game plan was. I only watched the game live, and never went back to rewatch it. I feel like we gave every player 10-15 yards of cushion and it was simply run 14 yards, ball arrives in stride, and Kelce/Hill just ran past a shell shocked secondary. 

 

Regular season - edmunds played all RPOs as passes.  Probably shouldve changed it up based on the weather.  

 

Champ game - Sat in soft zones, couldn't tackle.  They also couldn't get pressure.  Tampa basically played zone in the super bowl, but tackled better and did get pressure.  

 

I'm personally content to play most of the game in zone.  But they need to play very physical.  Rough them up at the LOS.  Disguise the zone concepts and man plays you sprinkle in.  Front 4 has to get pressure, blitzing opens up passing lanes in their offense.  

[Clyde Smith]

Stop that underhand shovel pass he seems to connect with everytime in the RZ.

[Gisele]

We need to go back to the Sic 'em defense.  

[Straight Hucklebuck]

9 minutes ago, Royale with Cheese said:

Don't do anything differently you wouldn't do to another good QB.  We respect Mahomes too much IMO.  Go after him, if they score, they score.  Eventually aggressiveness pays off.  They have an elite offense so they're going to move the ball at will...might as well take chances on making a play.

I like that too.

 

This was Cleveland’s take on Kansas City in their Playoff game and the opener.

 

Bring them on.

 

 

[Max Fischer]

 

[buffalo2218]

1 hour ago, Don Otreply said:

Ever seen the motion picture “M.A.S.H.” think back to the football game…, we have a doctor in the house, don’t we…,

Ok so who do we give the needle to? Oliver? Star?

[Straight Hucklebuck]

19 minutes ago, dneveu said:

 

Regular season - edmunds played all RPOs as passes.  Probably shouldve changed it up based on the weather.  

 

Champ game - Sat in soft zones, couldn't tackle.  They also couldn't get pressure.  Tampa basically played zone in the super bowl, but tackled better and did get pressure.  

 

I'm personally content to play most of the game in zone.  But they need to play very physical.  Rough them up at the LOS.  Disguise the zone concepts and man plays you sprinkle in.  Front 4 has to get pressure, blitzing opens up passing lanes in their offense.  

“Front 4 has to get pressure”

 

It's what Beane invested in.

 

It’s what the Bills saw as their primary weakness, Defensive Line depth.