A Few Thought about the Jets Game, in no particular order

[Virgil]

One of the toughest parts about writing these is not knowing what the Bills plan was going in.  There are so many plays where you assume one player missed their assignment, when maybe they were the one who reacted first to cover up for someone else.  That thought typically keeps my perspective in check and I try to only focus on the end results of the play or a specific engagement between players.  Regardless, it's tough to not give into the eyeball test.  With that being said, I lead into #1 of our Jets scrimmage results.

 

1 - Klein - I was really impressed with Klein's game in place of Edmunds as he made multiple plays that stood out.  One of my biggest complaints about Edmunds is that he doesn't make those game changing plays often enough to make me want the team to commit to him long term.  On the very first series of this game, Klein almost made one of those plays.  He crept up to the line after the ball was snapped, getting lost in the mass of blockers and making White think the middle of the field was open.  As White set to throw, Klein stepped back into his zone and almost had an interception off his hands.  With Edmunds, I feel like he would have stayed in the zone the whole time, discouraging the pass in the first place.  Same end result, but Klein had the bigger play opportunity.  Beyond that, Klein has some amazing solo tackles in space, and shot the gap with speed for a tackle for a loss.  Klein played like a missile waiting for his target and I honestly hope to see more of him at MLB.

 

2 - Brieda - My fantasy team be damned; it's hard to not love the 3 headed monster we saw yesterday.  Brieda caught a beautiful pass on a wheel route for the first touchdown and then showed power and speed for a rushing touchdown later.  He didn't get a lot of carries, but he made the most of them, possibly showing Motor and Moss that their spots in the split aren't secured.  Speaking of Motor, he was frustrating with his unassisted fumble, but also finally executed an outside zone run play (CALL THOSE MORE DABOLL).  Overall, everyone got a rushing touchdown, but Brieda set the tone early and hopefully gets to see more touches.  I also loved that Josh had him at the podium for the post game, while taking ownership for their turnovers (even if Allen's interception hit the ground.  I mean, seriously?!)

 

3 - Allen - Anyone else get the vibe that he just didn't care about coverage in this game and wouldn't be denied.  He threw up multiple balls that just gave his receivers a chance.  This was seen most with Diggs, even calling the same play back to back.  Their chemistry is undeniable and they feed off each other.  With Diggs great play, comes Allen confidence, and then everyone else benefits.  All had some beautiful passes, but also kept the fire on the sidelines when forced to punt.  If there is a sugar-high Josh, this was "Don't ***** with me" Josh.  He also had a really nice run that was negated by a BS holding call against Dawkins.  Allen had some misses and wasn't perfect, which I only say because he is capable of it, but he was overall the MVP candidate we know he can be. 

 

4 - Holding hands are daughters and sons
And their faiths are falling down, down, down, down
I have wished for so long
How I wish for you today
 

5 - GABE! - I don't think I realize how much I love watching this kid play until he showed up big in this game.  I get that Sanders can squeak open deep, but Davis just straight blew by his cover guy and the safety.  Davis also showed great concentration on a deep ball that was tipped around.  I don't care how many snaps it cuts into for Sanders (who made an amazing one handed catch against PI), we are a better team when Davis is taking the top off defenses and keeping them honest.  I don't know what the snap counts were, but Daboll needs to keep it going.  Also, Davis had a few good blocks to help the run game, something Sanders also struggles with.

 

6 - Secondary - What else can you say except, Mike White is going to need trauma counseling after this game.  Every single starting defensive back recorded a turnover, which the defensive line helped with tipped passes at the line.  Of all the interceptions, Tre's may have been my favorite.  Similar to Klein's almost interception earlier in the game, Tre was shadowing a mid zone and another player.  However, once White released the ball, Tre showed off his closing speed and acted like the deep safety, pulling in the pick easily.  Everyone played a part in this game and Wallace played phenomenally, laying some hits in the process.  Poyer's interception at the goal line was the final punch in the stomach and it was just a great day overall as they slammed the book shut on the ascending Mike White story.

 

7 - McKenzie in Motion - It's hard to wonder how much the Bills pay attention to the online criticism, because the McKenzie motion sweep was back on display in this game again, even scoring a Touchdown off it.   As said all week, it's not that the play is unstoppable, but it's just one more thing the defense has to think about before pinning their ears back and going after Josh.  McKenzie also had a great return game today, almost breaking one.  Just another example of the 2020 gang getting involved again.

 

8 - Pass Protection - I can't say that I watched each offensive lineman in this game, but I did notice the extra help Daboll gave the front line.  We kept one or two guys in extra to block on a good majority of the snaps, which led to more time in the pocket.  There was one breakdown play where a free DB came in from the strong size and neither Knox or the HB chipped him.  I don't know how Allen didn't see him coming, but it was a solid hit on him that none of us want to see.  Regardless of how it happened, the pass protection was there and Allen put up over 300 yards easily.  On a side note, it also felt like the receivers were getting deep quicker than normal.  There were a few plays where Allen threw it up and I was surprised to see how far downfield out guys got already. 

 

9 - Defensive Line - I'm really curious to see the snap counts for this game, and possible where they lined up, as it was tough to keep track of for this game.  It looked like Oliver, who also played a statless great game, was lined up on the end a few times.  AJ seemed to have his snap count increased, and potentially at the expense of Groot.  Again, I'm not sure what the strategy was and it's hard to complain with the outcome.  We tipped quite a few passes, but pressure was mediocre.  Boogie absolutely leveled a guy in the backfield, which was my highlight of the 4th quarter.  What I found the most interesting was when we decided to blitz.  It seemed like we sent extra pressure on 2nd down the most, but had some 3rd and longs where we only sent 3.  Again, I can't argue with the result, but I was surprised we didn't go after White earlier more often.  Side note, anyone disagree with the flag against AJ for roughing?  I don't know what he could have done differently on that play.

 

10 - McD - While there is no excuse for last weeks debacle, you have to give McD credit for having his team ready this game.  McD didn't mince words all week to the press and called people out as needed.  Allen was pissed, Diggs had swag, and the trio ran angry.  Poyer and Hyde had the secondary jumping and Klein was shot out of a cannon.  I know we played the Jets, but as we've learned these past few weeks, there are no easy wins.  We have a decent stretch of games coming up against teams that show promise.  McD needs to keep this going if we want to secure the one seed.

 

 

On to the Colts and the surprisingly solid Wentz and Pittman is sneaking up the receiving stat boards.  Star being out against Taylor, arguably the best active RB in the game right now, but we are still the better team and need to get it done at home.

Go Bills!

[npeartisgod]

Man, I look forward to these each week. Well done, as always. Good game for the team to get their groove back as we head to the tough stretch.

Go Bills!

[marky]

Also Knox. Offense is different without him. Davis when Beasley comes back. Full cast sure is going to be fun.

[cale]

Great recap, Virgil. I also read your Why this Offense is different post last week and it seemed like this week we went throwback on the offense. And it worked. I don't know why Gabe isn't in games more. He is great. It's almost like the coaches bought a new luxury toy in Sanders and now feel like they need to use him more. When Davis is more versatile. He is going to go elsewhere this season and become All World.

I like Brieda. I think I would like Antonio Williams better. They guy went to RB University. But I agreed with all 8 points in that post.

 

At any rate, great review.

 

Thank you,

Charles

[DrDawkinstein]

This was the get-right game we needed before this next string of 4 games, which will be a true test.

 

McD better have the coaches and players ready to recreate this exact performance, from playcalling and scheme to execution.

 

Nice to see it against the Jets, even better since they are in the division, but we'll need to see this focus and determination if we are going to survive the next month.

[LeGOATski]

You don't think Singletary set the tone by getting 15 yards on the very first run?

[SectionC3]

I’m just going to say it.  Gabe Davis is going to see much more action moving forward (the deep threat has been sorely lacking), and Sanders is going to start to kick into the slot and take some reps from Beasley.  Won’t be popular, but we will be better for it.  

 

And, as far as the running backs go, I’m done with all of them.  Singletary’s ball security issues are going to preclude second contract for him, Moss is the equivalent of a .250 hitter in baseball who does everything decently but nothing particularly well, and Breida is  cast best with only a few touches a game.  

[qwksilver]

Glad to see you back. 

This was a complete game in all 3 phases.

I really liked Allen under center, opens up a legitimate play action which we don't really have out of the shotgun and gives the RBs some momentum after the handoff.

 

Pearl Jam was an excellent choice...

[Dukestreetking]

1 hour ago, Virgil said:

5 - GABE! - I don't think I realize how much I love watching this kid play until he showed up big in this game.  I get that Sanders can squeak open deep, but Davis just straight blew by his cover guy and the safety.

 

I agree, but a question: does GD look like he has a "play thru it" injury, like turf toe or something?

 

He's running....funny. Seems to have a hitch in his giddy-up. Even seen it in practice vids.

 

Maybe just me, but he still looks a little off.

[BRH]

Everything was great as usual, but I have to ask about this.

 

"With Edmunds, I feel like he would have stayed in the zone the whole time, discouraging the pass in the first place."

 

Really, what evidence do you have for this "feeling"?

 

Klein had a really good game because he was being asked to play a position that fits him (unlike when he had to step in for Milano last year).  But you seriously don't think Edmunds would have had an even bigger impact?

 

[DrDawkinstein]

1 minute ago, BRH said:

Everything was great as usual, but I have to ask about this.

 

"With Edmunds, I feel like he would have stayed in the zone the whole time, discouraging the pass in the first place."

 

Really, what evidence do you have for this "feeling"?

 

Klein had a really good game because he was being asked to play a position that fits him (unlike when he had to step in for Milano last year).  But you seriously don't think Edmunds would have had an even bigger impact?

 

 

Not to answer for Virgil, but as someone who feels the same way... it is tough to think that since Edmunds rarely makes much of an impact normally. For a guy with his size and reach, I would expect him to be making more plays in the middle of the field like Kuechley used to. But Edmunds hasnt been anything like that.

[Special K]

25 minutes ago, SectionC3 said:

I’m just going to say it.  Gabe Davis is going to see much more action moving forward (the deep threat has been sorely lacking), and Sanders is going to start to kick into the slot and take some reps from Beasley.  Won’t be popular, but we will be better for it.  

 

I think this is a preview of what we will see next year as well....Beasley is in the final year of his contract, I believe, and probably won't be re-signed. I think they would make a good trio of WR's.

[krf139]

One seed? Let’s focus on the division first - which we lead by .5 game more than 1/2 way through 

[Apocalypse Nuts]

I would like these weekly posts so much more if not for that god awful profile picture, Virg.  Just being honest.  It only detracts from your content 

[BillsFanSD]

I know we have an embarrassment of riches at WR, but I'd like to see more of Gabe Davis, and I don't mean next season.

[Ramza86]

I like what Brieda brought to the table on the run. Not that he should be starting....but that his outside speed will keep defensive linemen and linebackers honest. 

 

The mckenzie jetsweep and outside run for speedy backs will ultimately save Josh Allen a lot of pain and help mask offensive line issues.

 

Am I crazy in thinking Singletary is the most talented RB on the team?

 

I just feel like hes does the most with the least. he makes defenders look silly so much. Wish he was a little bit faster. 

[Ed_Formerly_of_Roch]

Agree with most of the write up.

 

Hope they stay with 3 RB active, more of Davis and McKenzie.  Klein is worth keeping around in the off season , recall a number of posters here stating he'll be cut after this year to free up $$, but great backup to have and can step in for either Edmunds or Milano.  Amazing the difference when Allen has more time to pass, but do think the line will look very different next year inside.

 

 

More of a question than a comment, posted this elsewhere too:

 

I'm not one to complain much about calls by the refs as just feel overall they even out and fans always think their team is way drawing the short end of the straw.

The one call I am trying to figure out was the personal foul on AJ Epinesa towards the end of the game.  They showed a replay not a very good angle though, but didn't notice anything that looked bad.  Could have been the wrong number.  Not that officials would ever make a mistake like that!

[DrDawkinstein]

1 minute ago, Ed_Formerly_of_Roch said:

Agree with most of the write up.

 

Hope they stay with 3 RB active, more of Davis and McKenzie.  Klein is worth keeping around in the off season , recall a number of posters here stating he'll be cut after this year to free up $$, but great backup to have and can step in for either Edmunds or Milano.  Amazing the difference when Allen has more time to pass, but do think the line will look very different next year inside.

 

 

More of a question than a comment, posted this elsewhere too:

 

I'm not one to complain much about calls by the refs as just feel overall they even out and fans always think their team is way drawing the short end of the straw.

The one call I am trying to figure out was the personal foul on AJ Epinesa towards the end of the game.  They showed a replay not a very good angle though, but didn't notice anything that looked bad.  Could have been the wrong number.  Not that officials would ever make a mistake like that!

 

I think they got him for going into the QB's legs. Cant go low. Of course, they didn't care that Epenesa was engaged with another player who pushed him down and into the QB's knees. BS call. But I believe that is what they saw that triggered the flag.

[Ethan in Cleveland]

I was in the club when AJ got that penalty. Even the Jets radio guys didn't think it was a penalty. 

[Florida Bills Fanatic]

Great recap!  You nailed it.  Thanks for taking the time to do this.  It's much appreciated.