A Few Thoughts about the Dolphins Game (Part II), in no particular order

[Virgil]

Somewhere between the drought and today, we all got a little spoiled.  On some level, it's natural when you have the 2nd highest paid QB in the league and made it to the AFC Championship game last year.  But as we saw this week, where the Jets beat the Bengals and the Chargers lost to the Patriots, every week presents new challenges which can be amplified within your division.  Even on a seven game winning streak against the Dolphins, they've played us tough enough to where we needed to recover onside kicks to seal the game on multiple occasions.  While we want 40-0 games every week, the other team gets paid too.  While the first half of the game wasn't great, I am going to choose and appreciate that we figured it out at half and scored on our last 4 drives to put the Dolphins away, yet again.

 

1 - Beasley - I've been on the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it train," questioning the targeting of Sanders so much and rushing attack dedication.  We beat teams down last year with Diggs, Beasley, and Davis, but seem to want to abandon that success.  However, I have to remind myself that, like with the Chiefs, the NFL will adapt to those in the spotlight and we didn't win the Super Bowl last year.  Change needs to happen if we are going to make that next step.  Now that I've wasted so many words not even talking about Beasley, let me bring it back to our offensive MVP of this game.  After a terrible first half, Allen and the offense switched back to our old ways, which is feed Beasley all over the field until the rest of the defense starts to adjust.  And, if they don't adjust, keep feeding Beasley.  With a dominating 100+ yard receiving effort, Beasley was the go to guy on all downs and really helped the entire offense get into a groove.  While he didn't find the endzone, he was the difference maker on the field.

 

2 - Oliver - Like many, I've been slow to warm up to Ed, but have really seen a turnaround from him this season.  I don't know that he's performed at a top 10 pick talent, but the improvement has been there.  Even with that, it makes no sense why the Dolphins didn't even try to block him on a few plays.  Oliver was an absolute force in this game and was chasing Tua all over the field.  Speaking of Tua, who I don't want to give his own though, have you ever seen a more lucky QB who repeatedly threw up prayers off his back foot and had them completed?  There were at least 3 plays where most QB's would get intercepted for trying that crap, but he kept getting away with it.  That first half could have been a lot worse for the Dolphins had those passes gone the other way.

 

3 - Tre - While Oliver was strong, Tre gets the defensive MVP for me.  While Parker had a good game, the majority of his catches came from the slot, which still blows my mind why more NFL teams don't adjust to that motion set.  Regardless, Tre not only was solid in coverage, he was laying some hits to.  I don't know what got him so fired up, but this might have been the most dominant game I've seen by him this season in both coverage and as a tackler.

 

4 - You can spend your time alone re-digesting past regrets
Or you can come to terms and realize you're the only one who can't forgive yourself
Makes much more sense to live in the present tense

 

5 - Offensive Line - The Dolphins clearly had a defensive strategy for the Bills, and it revolved around bunching 4 defensive lineman between the tackles.  For the most part, it worked in getting Josh to leave the pocket or throw quickly, but the offensive line overall seemed to have a poor day.  Interestingly enough, even with Spencer out, Cody Ford still didn't get the start, leading many and myself to believe that his days in Buffalo are over once that contract expires or any trade offer comes along.  Josh didn't look comfortable in the pocket and you saw him visibly upset on the sidelines, which is very rare to see (but awesome).  As we all know, we are going to face strong front 4 teams in the playoffs, and this is something we need to get fixed.

 

6 - With great risk, comes great exposure - Unlike previous weeks, Frazier was sending a 5th blitzer on quite a few plays.  While the pressure got to Tua, he found a way to get the ball out and offset the blitz for most of the first half.  TJ played on the line and ran free from the outside on  most calls.  We scaled back in the second half, and we saw Addison, Groot, and Hughes start to hit home a little more.  I'm not sure why Frazier dialed up the DB blitzes versus the usually effective Milano blitz, but it seemed like this approach backfired a bit.

 

7 - Allen - First off, garbage time or not, congrats to Josh for tying Cam's rushing record through his 50 games.  When I think about how much of a rushing force Cam was in his first 4 years, it's crazy to think that Josh matched that.  Allen had a rough start to this game and it showed on his face.  I know the weather was good, but it looked like Allen was struggling with his grip and just missing on his throws.  A quick dose of Beasley straightened things out for him and he finished with an overall good stat line.  I will definitely be watching GMFB to see if Allen made the angry runs list after an absolutely punishing run though Miami defenders.  Also, on the first touchdown pass to Gabe, Allen really showed off how strong her was by fighting through defenders before making the pass.  It was really impressive.  However, Josh let his frustration let him try some hero ball and it was almost very costly.  We can't have that Josh.  Trust yourself and your team and don't give up the dumb plays which could have led to an entirely different outcome.

 

8 - Special Teams - I'm not going to focus on the Haack shank, but I will acknowledge it.  McKenzie also got in his scare on the muffed punt that easily could have been 6 for the Dolphins.  Instead, I'm going to talk about Bass-O-Matic.  While I know he has the leg to make a 57 yarder, I was still surprised McD sent him out to try.  It looked a little rough off his foot and it squeaked in, but good is good.  For a guy who had everyone on the ledge at the beginning of last season, it's awesome to watch this kid keep making kicks.

 

9 - The Hughes Curse - Maybe the refs know that Hughes tenure with the Bills is coming to the end and they need to find their next victim, but please leave Groot alone.  Can someone tell me how Groot gets his helmet ripped off on a play, but there's not penalty for hands to the face.  There was another flag picked up, that the video replay cleared showed a similar call ignored, and honestly, it looks like the Bills front four were getting manhandled in this game.  I know that every fan cries foul, and I'm not one to normally be that person, but this was a bad game for the refs where "letting them play" gave the Bills a clear disadvantage.

 

10 - The Bad Guys? - We've been at the bottom of the league and disrespected for so long, that it's strange to think of other teams hating our smugness.  Seeing Allen waiving goodbye to Dolphins defenders caught me in the moment.  I've seen him spin the ball at defenders or flex his arms out, but it usually seemed like him hyped up in the moment.  In this case, I will admit that Josh was taunting.  Granted, there's been some brief fighting between players and Josh was very heated earlier in the game.  After winning 7 in a row, with many of them blowouts, I can see where the Dolphins are starting to feel a certain way about the Bills.  I'm not sure I know how to feel about it.  It's very unfamiliar territory. 

 

 

Like the game itself, this review felt a little off.  Anyways, off to the Jaguars, which I will be in attendance at.

 

Go Bills!!!!

Edited November 2, 2021 by Virgil

[stowellez]

Nice write up, as always.  I’ll be in Jax too!  Go Bills!

[Virgil]

5 minutes ago, stowellez said:

Nice write up, as always.  I’ll be in Jax too!  Go Bills!

 

Any parking recommendations? This is my first time. I'm driving to and from Orlando that same day.  Also, tix are stupid expensive for a one win team

[LeGOATski]

I like the taunting. Josh and Wilkins were both going at it. It's a physical and emotional game and you gotta let em air it out a bit unless they're being too disrespectful.

[Fan in Chicago]

38 minutes ago, Virgil said:

In this case, I will admit that Josh was taunting.  Granted, there's been some brief fighting between players and Josh was very heated earlier in the game.  After winning 7 in a row, with many of them blowouts, I can see where the Dolphins are starting to feel a certain way about the Bills.  I'm not sure I know how to feel about it.  It's very unfamiliar territory. 

 

 

Like the game itself, this review felt a little off.  Anyways, off to the Jaguars, which I will be in attendance at.

 

Go Bills!!!!

As always good write-up, Virgil

 

One comment - the Allen "goodbye" becomes the focal point because everyone can see it. It is likely that there was lot of talking going on during the game by the Dolphins D and Allen waited to react until the game was put away. Problem is that words don't show up in pictures and hence, it is Allen who looks like the bad guy. We dont know what happened on the field during the entire game until that point. I would like to believe that Allen is too classy to do marginally crass things like that without provocation. 

Edited November 2, 2021 by Fan in Chicago

[MJS]

Allen was fired up this game and I feel like there is some bad blood forming between these two teams, but after the game he was all smiles and hugged it out with the Dolphins, including Wilkins.

 

Personally, I like seeing the fire, and if you are going to taunt, that's the time you do it because it really doesn't hurt the team much at that point.

 

I'm ready to put Hyde out there to receive punts and kicks. I'd rather have a sure-handed receiver with no return than a dynamic returner with muff issues.

[Special K]

Looked to me like Wilkins was trying to twist Allen's legs and ankles while both were on the ground, and Josh did not take to kindly to it, and taunted him on his way off the field. I didn't like Josh doing that, but I understand why he did it.....Wilkins was being a d-bag probably because he didn't like the fact that the Bills went for 2 on the final play.

[Mango]

Wasn’t a huge fan of the taunting. Could have been a flag. I heard the Dolphins did that to the Bills after the first three and out of the game. EDIT: That makes the whole thing make a bit more sense. 

 

I would not be shocked if Josh gets a flag in the next few weeks as an “all right settle down” moment from the refs. 

Edited November 2, 2021 by Mango
Words

[UConn James]

At the end of point 9, you meant, “… gave the Dolphins a clear advantage”, right? They were mauling our DL and it was crickets. On the almost-sack of Tua on the first(?) drive on a 3rd & 9, Hughes was getting mugged, his shoulder pads were being dragged/ripped across his chest. We get the early sack there, the first half goes quite different, I believe, if only in field position improvement.

[billybrew1]

Enjoy the game live!

 

Go Bills!

[Hapless Bills Fan]

30 minutes ago, Special K said:

Looked to me like Wilkins was trying to twist Allen's legs and ankles while both were on the ground, and Josh did not take to kindly to it, and taunted him on his way off the field. I didn't like Josh doing that, but I understand why he did it.....Wilkins was being a d-bag probably because he didn't like the fact that the Bills went for 2 on the final play.

 

This.  Not only did Wilkins try to Gator-roll Josh, but you can believe there was some jawing going on as well.  "Bye Felicia!"

 

Well, @Virgiland @Mango could be right about getting a flag and so forth, but Man!  At that point in the game, how Chickenshit would that be?

[bmur66]

1 - Beasley - Is this guy always open or what? It seems like all Allen has to do is decide to feed him and he eats.

[GETTOTHE50]

I like seeing Josh fired up. I like seem him taunt. Shows he still cares even though he has the second largest contract ever in NFL history (I think?). Dont ever lose that competitive fire Josh.

[Peace Frog]

There were a few bad & non calls by the refs this game but the one that got me was when Tua was about to get sacked, he threw it straight to the ground about 5 yds ahead while still between the tackles, not close to the LoS and no eligible receiver around. It should of been intentional grounding but no flag was thrown.

Edited November 2, 2021 by Peace Frog

[CSBill]

5 hours ago, Virgil said:

9 - The Hughes Curse - Maybe the refs know that Hughes tenure with the Bills is coming to the end and they need to find their next victim, but please leave Groot alone.  Can someone tell me how Groot gets his helmet ripped off on a play, but there's not penalty for hands to the face.  There was another flag picked up, that the video replay cleared showed a similar call ignored, and honestly, it looks like the Bills front four were getting manhandled in this game.  I know that every fan cries foul, and I'm not one to normally be that person, but this was a bad game for the refs where "letting them play" gave the Bills a clear disadvantage.

 

 

Thanks Virgil, as always great work. And enjoy Florida this weekend. This is a great time of year to be there.

 

Concerning the Groot play, on the broadcast they did not have a replay of it, and it happened away from the ball so it was hard to see anything. Does anyone have a video of it? I know there has been a lot of angst about it here on TBD, but I wonder if McD or Beane sends a replay and note about it to the league? And if so, do refs ever get fined or called out for obvious misses, or egregiously bad calls? Not sure this was one, but would love to see the replay.

[Doc Brown]

I always feel rooked because i read your comments in order.

[No_Matter_What]

Doesn't Josh have some history with Wilkins specifically? I am not sure but I feel there was something in the past.

[Peace Frog]

1 hour ago, CSBill said:

 

Thanks Virgil, as always great work. And enjoy Florida this weekend. This is a great time of year to be there.

 

Concerning the Groot play, on the broadcast they did not have a replay of it, and it happened away from the ball so it was hard to see anything. Does anyone have a video of it? I know there has been a lot of angst about it here on TBD, but I wonder if McD or Beane sends a replay and note about it to the league? And if so, do refs ever get fined or called out for obvious misses, or egregiously bad calls? Not sure this was one, but would love to see the replay.

 

Groot was dehelmeted (Is this a word? It is now!) by the RT #77.  It happens at the 11:50 mark.

 

 

Edited November 2, 2021 by Peace Frog

[Fixxxer]

6 hours ago, LeGOATski said:

I like the taunting. Josh and Wilkins were both going at it. It's a physical and emotional game and you gotta let em air it out a bit unless they're being too disrespectful.

 

I didn't like the wave good bye at first, but seeing Josh and Wilkins hug after the game was nice to see. 

 

 

When will this coaching staff throw Bates into the starting line up? I know he's the back-up to everyone on that oline, but at least give him some reps at OG against the Jaguars and see what he's got. 

[wjag]

Marcus Peters, Baltimore Ravens said in an interview last year that JA17 does more trash talking on the field than anyone else he plays against.  He said in the same interview he was cool with it as trash talking is part of the NFL.   Wilkins and Allen hugged it out after the game.  

[Fixxxer]

39 minutes ago, No_Matter_What said:

Doesn't Josh have some history with Wilkins specifically? I am not sure but I feel there was something in the past.

 

IIRC, Wilkins was ejected in one of the games against us in his rookie year, though I don't remember exactly why. 

[Just in Atlanta]

Allen waving bye — to a team we’ve dominated for four years — did not sit well on me. I’m sure that defender legit caused him to do it. But reserve that for a team that has bullied us, like the Titans or Chiefs.

Edited November 2, 2021 by Just in Atlanta

[DCbillsfan]

21 minutes ago, Fixxxer said:

 

IIRC, Wilkins was ejected in one of the games against us in his rookie year, though I don't remember exactly why. 

https://www.google.com/search?q=christian+wilkins+tossed+from+game&oq=christian+wilkins+tossed+from+ga&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j33i160l3j33i299.19256j0j4&client=ms-android-verizon&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8#

 

Wilkins threw a punch

[SlimShady'sSpaceForce]

13 hours ago, Virgil said:

Somewhere between the drought and today, we all got a little spoiled. 

Spoiled!!??

 

WFT u talking about Willis? 😆 

 

When it’s 3rd and 15

I don’t have to sit and hope he can make the play 😎 

 

I know he CAN make the play more often than not

 

The first half was a Trick

The second half was a Treat 

Edited November 2, 2021 by SlimShady'sSpaceForce

[Ethan in Cleveland]

I wish I had time and knew more about O-line play because there was a distinct difference in performance between first and second half. The play calls seemed similar yet both the run and pass blocking were better.  Maybe they just played better or maybe it was a scheme change. Either way nice adjustment.

 

Refs missed calls both ways. They missed Pass Interference on White and they called hands to the face on their d-lineman when he was lifting shoulder pad not helmet.

 

The punter is a problem.  He's not good at anything.  He doesn't have a strong leg, shanks as many as Bojo did, and he hasn't bee that good at pinning teams deep.  Bad signing so far.

 

Hughes was a beast. Oliver had one of his best games. Allen was great at times but still missed Sanders deep with a ball with no arc. All QBs miss from time to time and Allen has shown more deep ball accuracy this year. You just wish he would consistently put some air under the ball and let our WRs make a play.  Nitpicking I know but that was another missed TD.

 

One more thing. Lofton kept saying they were playing zero coverage with no safety. To me that is when you play man coverage and blitz your safety. Looked to me they were playing four quarters with four DBs lined up about 12 yards off the LOS.  What did others see?

[Big Turk]

I have an out of town friend who is a Dolphins fan and basically he is starting to feel about the Bills the way we felt about the Patriots for so long...

 

You expect two automatic L's on the schedule when it comes out and expect at least one to be a blowout.

[Buffalo Junction]

37 minutes ago, Ethan in Portland said:

I wish I had time and knew more about O-line play because there was a distinct difference in performance between first and second half. The play calls seemed similar yet both the run and pass blocking were better.  Maybe they just played better or maybe it was a scheme change. Either way nice adjustment.

 

Refs missed calls both ways. They missed Pass Interference on White and they called hands to the face on their d-lineman when he was lifting shoulder pad not helmet.

 

The punter is a problem.  He's not good at anything.  He doesn't have a strong leg, shanks as many as Bojo did, and he hasn't bee that good at pinning teams deep.  Bad signing so far.

 

Hughes was a beast. Oliver had one of his best games. Allen was great at times but still missed Sanders deep with a ball with no arc. All QBs miss from time to time and Allen has shown more deep ball accuracy this year. You just wish he would consistently put some air under the ball and let our WRs make a play.  Nitpicking I know but that was another missed TD.

 

One more thing. Lofton kept saying they were playing zero coverage with no safety. To me that is when you play man coverage and blitz your safety. Looked to me they were playing four quarters with four DBs lined up about 12 yards off the LOS.  What did others see?

They mixed more single high and zero coverage in as the game progressed. Beasley’s resurgence forced their hand. 

[Son of a K-Gun]

35 minutes ago, Ethan in Portland said:

The punter is a problem.  He's not good at anything.  He doesn't have a strong leg, shanks as many as Bojo did, and he hasn't bee that good at pinning teams deep.  Bad signing so far.

100%.  He makes every punt look a lot closer than it should be and then when he does get it off the adventure continues.  When he was brought in this offseason we were told about his prowess for pinning teams deep, but I haven't noticed him being substantially better than other punters so far in that regard.  I did hear it mentioned that McBeane liked the idea of special teams continuity and they have Bass, Haack and Ferguson all signed through the next three years, so hopefully we aren't stuck with pisspoor punting for another two and a half seasons just for the sake of a consistent holder...

[WhoTom]

2 hours ago, SlimShady'sSpaceForce said:

The first half was a Trick

The first half was a Treat 

 

A perfect summary!

[The Frankish Reich]

10 hours ago, Virgil said:

10 - The Bad Guys? - We've been at the bottom of the league and disrespected for so long, that it's strange to think of other teams hating our smugness.  Seeing Allen waiving goodbye to Dolphins defenders caught me in the moment.  I've seen him spin the ball at defenders or flex his arms out, but it usually seemed like him hyped up in the moment.  In this case, I will admit that Josh was taunting.

There’s a saying in politics, but it’s true in sports too: “The party (team) in power is always smug and arrogant;

the party (team) not in power is always insane.”

Let’s be honest: the Pats did cheat a little, but their dominance over us (and the rest of the NFL) did make us all a little nuts. Everything was unfair, a cheat, rigged by the NFL. and we hated their arrogance. Just say the names: Brady. Welker. Gronk. Edelman. 
Haha. The shoe’s on the other foot now, so let’s enjoy the kicking we give the rest of the league. 
Nicely done as always, Virgil. Enjoy the Taming of the Jaguars! Just don’t be (too) smug ….

[LeGOATski]

2 hours ago, Just in Atlanta said:

Allen waving bye — to a team we’ve dominated for four years — did not sit well on me. I’m sure that defender legit caused him to do it. But reserve that for a team that has bullied us, like the Titans or Chiefs.

It happens in the moment, based on what's going down on the field.

 

You don't plan ahead of time who you're gonna talk smack to. If you're doing that, then you're already losing.

[Coach Tuesday]

The McKenzie thing - he's done that several times this season already.  I don't understand how they can keep sending him back there.  Eventually he's going to muff one in a critical situation - he's just not up to the task.  And the rookie isn't the answer either - they need help at PR.

[sullim4]

34 minutes ago, Son of a K-Gun said:

100%.  He makes every punt look a lot closer than it should be and then when he does get it off the adventure continues.  When he was brought in this offseason we were told about his prowess for pinning teams deep, but I haven't noticed him being substantially better than other punters so far in that regard.  I did hear it mentioned that McBeane liked the idea of special teams continuity and they have Bass, Haack and Ferguson all signed through the next three years, so hopefully we aren't stuck with pisspoor punting for another two and a half seasons just for the sake of a consistent holder...

 

I want to see them draft a punter in the later rounds next year.  Haack is terrible.  I'd rather have Bojo and that says a lot.

[Robert Paulson]

33 minutes ago, sullim4 said:

 

I want to see them draft a punter in the later rounds next year.  Haack is terrible.  I'd rather have Bojo and that says a lot.

no way, bojo can't hold- the packers are missing kicks left and right with him. the coach basically called out bojo 2 weeks ago after all the missed kicks in cincy.

 

his punting is not where it needs to be but he is money on holds. 3pts

[GETTOTHE50]

4 hours ago, Just in Atlanta said:

Allen waving bye — to a team we’ve dominated for four years — did not sit well on me. I’m sure that defender legit caused him to do it. But reserve that for a team that has bullied us, like the Titans or Chiefs.

 

its the fish dude. we are sworn and mortal enemies. i want to beat the ***** out of them every time we play and rub it in. we should hate their guts with everything weve got.

[SlimShady'sSpaceForce]

3 hours ago, WhoTom said:

 

A perfect summary!

Doh. 
 

typo fixed 

 

 

[RiotAct]

still waiting for you to quote Lukin.

[WhoTom]

51 minutes ago, SlimShady'sSpaceForce said:

Doh. 
 

typo fixed

 

Ha! I didn't even notice the typo - my brain just knew "2nd half."

 

[SlimShady'sSpaceForce]

9 minutes ago, WhoTom said:

 

Ha! I didn't even notice the typo - my brain just knew "2nd half."

 

funny how that works