The Ripoff Report: Game Thoughts

[WhitewalkerInPhilly]

I am shamelessly stealing this format, because I am pumped for the day and see no current thread up.

 

 

• I have to give it to Dorsey. Yes, the offense has miscues, but for the most part the issues were in execution, not design. Considering that the starters had relatively little playing time in preseason, sloppy play (while not excusable) is an inevitable byproduct of trying to keep starters fresh for the season. I might quibble about exactly how best to handle our rushing attack, but it worked against a pretty good defense and one of the best D-linemen in the game.
• On that note, I want to spend a moment praising how the Bills handled Aaron Donald in particular. Yes, we had the benefit of being able to prioritize against him, but whenever he was one on one he showed why he is so dang good. So the Bills addressed the personnel mismatch with scheme. They ran shifts to take him out of a clear path. Donald was still a force, but the Bills didn't allow him to take over the game, and that is really the best you can ask for when dealing with such an elite player. 
• The Rams invited the Bills to dink and dunk on them early. This was not a surprise to me. What did surprise me was how fast and accurate Josh was getting the ball off. I know he gets the reputation of being an improviser who can make magic out of broken plays, and that reputation is well earned. But this is the guy who everyone (including myself at draft night, hello eating crow) screamed was inaccurate, and he had a single pass hit the ground all night. If Allen can do this against a solid secondary, and this balance continues they are going to be a nightmare to scheme against.
• Feed Motor. I don't hate Moss, but at this point there is a clear pecking order. I don't hate keeping Moss as a backup, but I will not shed any tears for him being placed on the inactive list.
• The usefulness of a fullback in the modern NFL is a hill I will die on. Gilliam showed why with some of those blocks on an all-Pro linebacker.
• I said it elsewhere already, but I saw why the Bills paid Von Miller all that money. It isn't just that he had some nice sacks, it's that his presence opened up room for the others. We've been waiting for Rousseau, Basham and Espenesa to break out, and all notched sacks as well. If their growth continues, this D-line can be scary.
• I am not calling for a red alert over Elam not starting, even as Benford got torched. Considering they had the task of guarding last years triple crown winner, the fact that he was contained as he was while starting 7th and 6th round picks as your starting outside CBs is stunning. I think Elam slowly works his way to a starting role and overall I think the CB situation in general is good enough that we have the luxury of letting Tre White come back healthy.
• Overall, there are miscues but the first game of the season is always wonky. I am licking my chops at the idea of playing a Titans team with a busted secondary and lesser WR and QB talent.

[Big Turk]

The crazy part was, they had 4 turnovers and still demolished the SB Champs at home by 21 points. Could have easily been 30 or 35 without those turnovers as 2 of them came in FG range. No punts. 7 sacks and 16 QB hits with only 1 blitz the entire game. No Tre White. 6th round rookie at CB2 with Elam rotating in, 7th round pick at CB1. Rams had 130 yards of offense they 3 quarters. Just utterly mind boggling how good this team can be.

 

What are they going to do to teams with far less talent when they don't turn it over?

 

This could just get scary this year. Expecting the Bills to lead the NFL in point differential again by a wide margin.

Edited September 9, 2022 by Big Turk

[Ralonzo]

Benford's floor appears to be Levi Wallace. I'm fine with the game he had last night, as a first (surprise) start. The position didn't downgrade but you've got a rookie contract now, and have upside.

[TPS]

8 minutes ago, Bandito said:

I know the Bills are really good, but do you think the Rams will be a top team this year? Based on what I saw, I don't think they will be a top 10 team in the league

Someone might have said that about the Bills after game 1 last year.  They have all the ingredients for a top 10 team.

[Shaw66]

Nice comments.  Thanks.

 

I particularly like your comments about Gilliam.   Man, he was stuffing people in the hole.  It was really fun to watch.  I haven't seen any news; I hope whatever happened to him last night wasn't serious.  Did he come back?

 

What I haven't seen is any discussion about ball security.   I've always disliked how McKenzie catches the ball, and we saw it again last night.  The first interception was on him - ball was there, catch it on the first touch, don't hand it off to the defender.  Even his TD catch looked like he double caught it.   Cook's and Moss's  fumbles both were sloppy.   They need to be better. 

 

On the other hand, I want Crowder on the field more.  He doesn't have ball security problems.  I like the way he catches punts, and he had several very nice, secure catches. 

[clayboy54]

14 minutes ago, Bandito said:

I know the Bills are really good, but do you think the Rams will be a top team this year? Based on what I saw, I don't think they will be a top 10 team in the league

Yeah, cause the Bills only beat the weakest teams.

 

Sure... I got it.

[DasNootz]

12 minutes ago, Bandito said:

I know the Bills are really good, but do you think the Rams will be a top team this year? Based on what I saw, I don't think they will be a top 10 team in the league

I think the loss of Miller really hurts their defense - for both their DL and the DBs.  Ramsey has always been boom or bust (like Diggs brother).  When he makes the INT he's great, but he gets burned a lot too.

I couldn't believe how little they used Allen Robinson last night.  

I don't think they'll be NFC favorites, but they're playoff caliber.

[4thandGoal]

26 minutes ago, WhitewalkerInPhilly said:

I am shamelessly stealing this format, because I am pumped for the day and see no current thread up.

 

 

 

• I am not calling for a red alert over Elam not starting, even as Benford got torched. Considering they had the task of guarding last years triple crown winner, the fact that he was contained as he was while starting 7th and 6th round picks as your starting outside CBs is stunning. I think Elam slowly works his way to a starting role and overall I think the CB situation in general is good enough that we have the luxury of letting Tre White come back healthy.

Torched--  I believe that is too harsh of a word to use. He was targeted 5 times- giving up 3 catches for 55 yards... Maybe the yardage is big here but it was against one of the Top 3 Wrs in the game

[VaMilBill]

I honestly thought Beneford had a better game than Elam last night. Couple miscues in coverage, but nothing egregious. And Beneford supported the run game well. Couple nice tackles 

[SoMAn]

Just now, DasNootz said:

I think the loss of Miller really hurts their defense - for both their DL and the DBs.  Ramsey has always been boom or bust (like Diggs brother).  When he makes the INT he's great, but he gets burned a lot too.

I couldn't believe how little they used Allen Robinson last night.  

I don't think they'll be NFC favorites, but they're playoff caliber.

Sean McVay’s record speaks for itself.  I have little doubt they’ll remain a contender.  
They still have great playmakers on both sides of the ball. 

[boyst]

Benford did not get torched. He was playing under coverage for cover 2. Poyer got sucked into the middle on high cover 2 and was not there to be over Kupp and provide a safety to Benford.

 

However, Benford stuttered on Staffords pump fake, but that's a solid move by a vet QB and that's what happens on experience vs. inexperience. I am not going to beat him up over that too badly despite being a few steps out of place and being late to the play.

 

It was a blown play but I am not putting that solely on Benford and putting more on Poyer. He's a vet who should not have been fooled knowing there is a rookie there.

[colin]

you are the first person i've read (haven't read em all) who mentioned aj epenesa.  he kinda lit up the stat sheet for the red headed step child he's been.  obviously von being added is the biggest get, but i think these young guys are improving as well, and phillips is just a monster for us, he loves our d and our d loves him.

[Ed_Formerly_of_Roch]

Only 5 penalties for 35 years.  Don't recall any holding calls on O line.  Remember 1 procedure call on Brown, 1 d holding in secondary and one by D lineman.  How does a D lineman hold on a running play anyway??

 

As far as Elam goes, lets see what happens next couple of weeks.  Kupp is a slot receiver not a traditional outside guy that a boundary CB would normally be covering.  It may be Elam has much better natural skills, but maybe Benford is more cerebral and made a better match up agaisnt a guy like Kupp.  Could also be the past couple weeks in closed practices, they kept Elam outside top get more work, but had Bedford work against slot guys exclusively just for last nights game.

[JDHillFan]

27 minutes ago, Bandito said:

It is possible. However they looked terrible last night besides C. Kupp and T. Hill. SF and AZ will be tough battles for them within the division

Here’s a question for you - WHY did they look terrible last night?

[clayboy54]

1 minute ago, Bandito said:

My point still stands. The Rams will not be a top team this season. Great win, but this year's Rams team is not as good as last year's.

When the best team in the league makes another team look bad, that does not mean that team is not good. It just means that they are not the best team in the league.

 

You're just spouting off a common talking point. "We haven't beaten anybody good yet."  No, it's more like, "we haven't beaten anybody better than we are." There may be no one else as good as we are, so just get used to our opponents looking bad.

[clayboy54]

Just now, Bandito said:

The Rams will be good this year. Just not a top team. The Rams are not the best team in the league right now. Don't think they are close to it. I can think of 5-10 teams who would've beat them last night.

How could you possibly say that when these other teams have yet to play a single down of real football? I just don't get the speculation.

[JerseyBills]

46 minutes ago, Bandito said:

I know the Bills are really good, but do you think the Rams will be a top team this year? Based on what I saw, I don't think they will be a top 10 team in the league

Good question.  Is Stafford 100% healthy? Was it rust? Or are the Bills just that good? We shall see but I think we are just that good and are going to see a bunch of blowouts vs playoff teams. 

Especially if this DL does that. They were dominant, especially against the run. LA tried time and time again to get the run game going and were unsuccessful.  Jones and Settle looked phenomenal.  Beane does it again 

[ILBillsfan]

1 hour ago, WhitewalkerInPhilly said:

I am shamelessly stealing this format, because I am pumped for the day and see no current thread up.

 

• I am not calling for a red alert over Elam not starting, even as Benford got torched. Considering they had the task of guarding last years triple crown winner, the fact that he was contained as he was while starting 7th and 6th round picks as your starting outside CBs is stunning. I think Elam slowly works his way to a starting role and overall I think the CB situation in general is good enough that we have the luxury of letting Tre White come back healthy.

They stted coming into the game they would both play...yeah Benford got the start but the snaps for the two were about equal so really nothing to note imo...this was a zone heavy scheme and I think that benefits Benford whereas Elam is more the man player.....how great it is to know you have these two young CB's behind Jackson and White when he gets healthy...I look forward to what Frazier does with the D then

[Ralonzo]

40 minutes ago, Shaw66 said:

I particularly like your comments about Gilliam.   Man, he was stuffing people in the hole.  It was really fun to watch.  I haven't seen any news; I hope whatever happened to him last night wasn't serious.  Did he come back?

 

 

Gilliam was beating Bobby Wagner to a fruit juicy pulp. In response, Wagner saw Gilliam crossing the formation left to right on a pass that went to the left on a drag behind Gilliam, and he just decided to level Reggie who was neither looking nor expecting to be hit. In other words, a cheap-shot. I was surprised it got absolutely zero mentions, it was a dirty, frustration-motivated play. You saw McD lay into the ref standing there when he came to check on Reggie; that was why.

 

Gilliam was stunned but did return.

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

7 minutes ago, JerseyBills said:

Good question.  Is Stafford 100% healthy? Was it rust? Or are the Bills just that good? We shall see but I think we are just that good and are going to see a bunch of blowouts vs playoff teams. 

Especially if this DL does that. They were dominant, especially against the run. LA tried time and time again to get the run game going and were unsuccessful.  Jones and Settle looked phenomenal.  Beane does it again 

 

I do think Stafford is rusty - the whole training camp pitch count piece.  But the bills pass rush was beating him up all night.  Sacked a ton, and there were a few where he got the ball off and got absolutely crushed.  

[DasNootz]

6 minutes ago, Bandito said:

The Rams will be good this year. Just not a top team. The Rams are not the best team in the league right now. Don't think they are close to it. I can think of 5-10 teams who would've beat them last night.

In the NFC, I think TB is likely the favorite, with LAR, GB, SF (maybe NO) all in the mix.
From the AFC, I'd take Buffalo, LAC, KC over LAR, with Cincy, Denver, Baltimore, Colts and Raiders all in the same tier.

[JerseyBills]

2 minutes ago, Bleeding Bills Blue said:

 

I do think Stafford is rusty - the whole training camp pitch count piece.  But the bills pass rush was beating him up all night.  Sacked a ton, and there were a few where he got the ball off and got absolutely crushed.  

This DL reminded me of the Hughes-Williams-Dareus-Super Mario line. Just dominated in every aspect while rotating guys in n out. Our biggest weakness last year looked like a great strength 

[nbbillsfan]

18 minutes ago, Bandito said:

Because the Bills are good. But the Rams did not impress me much. Take off the homer glasses and use your eyes!

Just because the rams looked bad last night, does not mean they will be a bad team - it’s a long season, they just won a superbowl with a similar roster, and have an elite coach.

 

if you only watched us play the colts/jags last yr you would think we were trash

[Shaw66]

5 minutes ago, Ralonzo said:

 

Gilliam was beating Bobby Wagner to a fruit juicy pulp. In response, Wagner saw Gilliam crossing the formation left to right on a pass that went to the left on a drag behind Gilliam, and he just decided to level Reggie who was neither looking nor expecting to be hit. In other words, a cheap-shot. I was surprised it got absolutely zero mentions, it was a dirty, frustration-motivated play. You saw McD lay into the ref standing there when he came to check on Reggie; that was why.

 

Gilliam was stunned but did return.

Thanks.  I remember seeing McD animated about it.  And I also remember thinking that it was odd how he got hit on that play.   It didn't seem like a normal football collision.  

 

Wagner's been a good player for a long time.  Too bad he did that.  

 

Some of Gilliam's blocks were stunning.  

 

 

[balln]

6 minutes ago, JerseyBills said:

This DL reminded me of the Hughes-Williams-Dareus-Super Mario line. Just dominated in every aspect while rotating guys in n out. Our biggest weakness last year looked like a great strength 

This current line is even better . Both in run d and pass rush 

[Tanoros]

25 minutes ago, Bandito said:

My point still stands. The Rams will not be a top team this season. Great win, but this year's Rams team is not as good as last year's.

The NFC isn’t nearly as strong as the AFC and the Rams have great talent on their team, add that it’s the first game of the season, they will be fine, barring major injury, the Rams are guaranteed playoff team. 
 

The Bills are damn good, and Allen was basically his 2021 playoff version, which is damn near unstoppable. Then add to the number 1 defense a true game changing pass rusher, it’s no wonder the Rams struggled. Any team in the league would struggle against the Bills playing the way the Bills did. 
 

Rams division is tough sure, but Murray has shown he can be trusted for a full season, and Lance is no guarantee, while Jimmy G. is limited if they end up going that route. Donald was kept in check tonight, I don’t think that happens most games, he’s a game wrecker. 
 

Your reaction feels very similar to many peoples reaction after our opening loss to the Stealers last year. The season is long, there are ebbs and flows, and the Rams are very talented. Do you think they will have a Super Bowl hangover and not be as hungry this year? Why do you feel the Rams will be so much worse? In addition, who would you rank above them in the NFC? Packers (new wr’s) Bucs (banged up o-line) Eagles (young developing Hurts, but not a lot of weaknesses) Any one of those 3 have potential issues that may arise as well. 

[The Frankish Reich]

15 minutes ago, Ralonzo said:

 

Gilliam was beating Bobby Wagner to a fruit juicy pulp. In response, Wagner saw Gilliam crossing the formation left to right on a pass that went to the left on a drag behind Gilliam, and he just decided to level Reggie who was neither looking nor expecting to be hit. In other words, a cheap-shot. I was surprised it got absolutely zero mentions, it was a dirty, frustration-motivated play. You saw McD lay into the ref standing there when he came to check on Reggie; that was why.

 

Gilliam was stunned but did return.

Thanks for the explanation. I missed all of that - if the network doesn’t replay it I’m always hesitant to run it back myself and get out of synch with real time action. 
I like Gilliam and the idea of having a FB to mix up the sets, and I think we’ll continue to see more of him this year. 

[Beck Water]

1 hour ago, Bandito said:

I know the Bills are really good, but do you think the Rams will be a top team this year? Based on what I saw, I don't think they will be a top 10 team in the league

 

Time will tell, but I think they will be in the NFC playoff's certainly and may win the division.  We'll see what the Cardinals look like out the gate.  They may be 4th or 5th in the NFC, which might make them arguably not a top-10 team in the NFL given how deep the AFC looks, but will put them in contention to repeat as NFC champions.  I'm thinking in the mix with Bucs, GB, Cardinals, possibly Panthers if Mayfield comes through and McCaffrey stays healthy, maybe Cowboys.

 

That was McDermott's post-game analysis, he sounded sincere when he said he'd be surprised if the Rams didn't prove to be a good (or very good, not sure) team this year.

 

We looked really bad when Pittsburgh had our number in the season opener, and then...

 

[The Frankish Reich]

4 minutes ago, Tanoros said:

The NFC isn’t nearly as strong as the AFC and the Rams have great talent on their team, add that it’s the first game of the season, they will be fine, barring major injury, the Rams are guaranteed playoff team.

The Rams took a step back personnel-wise. The Bills took a step forward. The Rams are still very talented, and their management has shown the creativity to adapt and get better as the seasons goes on, so I’d expect some clever cap manipulation and a key trade acquisition or two before the deadline. 

[Beck Water]

47 minutes ago, colin said:

you are the first person i've read (haven't read em all) who mentioned aj epenesa.  he kinda lit up the stat sheet for the red headed step child he's been.  obviously von being added is the biggest get, but i think these young guys are improving as well, and phillips is just a monster for us, he loves our d and our d loves him.

 

This is a good point.  I feel cautiously optimistic that Miller is having the same effect on our DL that Diggs had on our WR room.  Diggs set a new standard in the way he practiced and prepared and the whole WR room "leveled up" as a result.  Miller seems to be having the same effect helping the rest of the DE "level up".

 

2 minutes ago, The Frankish Reich said:

The Rams took a step back personnel-wise. The Bills took a step forward. The Rams are still very talented, and their management has shown the creativity to adapt and get better as the seasons goes on, so I’d expect some clever cap manipulation and a key trade acquisition or two before the deadline. 

 

Excellent point.  It's a long season and the Rams have shown themselves willing and able to make in-season moves to improve.

Edited September 9, 2022 by Beck Water

[corta765]

1 hour ago, Bandito said:

I know the Bills are really good, but do you think the Rams will be a top team this year? Based on what I saw, I don't think they will be a top 10 team in the league

 

I tend to avoid making major assumptions off the first four weeks especially but what a team is until at least mid season. The Rams are a bit of a work in progress on offense and defense right now as they had a bunch of major changes player wise. Buffalo also is just really really loaded this year and motivated so this stuff happens.

 

I do think there may be some signs on the dashboard that the Rams defense may be weaker as their talent is not what it has been. But overall they probably will be fine and the NFC in general is just weak.

[WhitewalkerInPhilly]

For the record, I think that the Rams are going to be a good team. There's a number of things that made Week 1 a rough start for them: Van Jefferson was out, meaning they had no strong second punch other than Kupp. They didn't play starters in preseason, so their tackling was poor. 

 

I think they pull themselves together a bit going forward. I still think they win their division. But if I am being completely honest, I remember watching the Super Bowl and thinking that both the Bills and Chiefs were better teams. 

[Kwai San]

4 hours ago, Bandito said:

The Rams will be good this year. Just not a top team. The Rams are not the best team in the league right now. Don't think they are close to it. I can think of 5-10 teams who would've beat them last night.

 

The Lambs WERE NOT a top team last year either.  As it usually always happens the ball bounced their way a few times and they ended up where they did.

[jkeerie]

5 hours ago, Ed_Formerly_of_Roch said:

Only 5 penalties for 35 years.  Don't recall any holding calls on O line.  Remember 1 procedure call on Brown, 1 d holding in secondary and one by D lineman.  How does a D lineman hold on a running play anyway??

 

As far as Elam goes, lets see what happens next couple of weeks.  Kupp is a slot receiver not a traditional outside guy that a boundary CB would normally be covering.  It may be Elam has much better natural skills, but maybe Benford is more cerebral and made a better match up agaisnt a guy like Kupp.  Could also be the past couple weeks in closed practices, they kept Elam outside top get more work, but had Bedford work against slot guys exclusively just for last nights game.

I think what is key in the analysis of the DBs is that Kupp was the only one catching the ball.  Robinson and the other wide receivers were non-entities the entire game.  That was due not only to the play of the D line, but also those young DBs.

[SirAndrew]

15 minutes ago, Kwai San said:

 

The Lambs WERE NOT a top team last year either.  As it usually always happens the ball bounced their way a few times and they ended up where they did.

Agree, and Stafford has never been a consistent QB, but he did play well enough at the right time to win a title. Stafford is never the Manning or Brady type who enables his team to have near perfect seasons. He’s going to have a fair amount of bad games. 

[SirAndrew]

5 hours ago, VaMilBill said:

I honestly thought Beneford had a better game than Elam last night. Couple miscues in coverage, but nothing egregious. And Beneford supported the run game well. Couple nice tackles 

Benford will continue to look good if Von Miller and this D line keeps it up. A decent pass rush is absolutely transformative, and makes everyone better. It’ll be great to get Tre back, but these young corners will benefit greatly from the pass rush. We won’t be as dependent on Elam’s immediate development with a strong line.