Defense vs Green Bay and their performance

[zow2]

It was disappointing.  I don't really want to hear about how great the "Number 1" defense is when a team you know will hand off and run the ball gashes you for 208 on 31 carries.

Those yards against were not gimmicky QB scrambles and reverses like some weeks, this was just straight smash mouth.

Not only was the tackling poor, but it appears the Packers were taking advantage of the DL gaps and the LB's were not plugging them up at the point of attack....basically just getting out schemed and out physical'd.  The tackling was piss poor and some guys were just going for battering ram type tackles instead of wrapping up.  Stop flying in there like an out of control missile, and just tackle the ball carrier.

 

Anyway,  they'll be fine.  I think this will turn out to be their worst performance of the season vs the run..   But New England will try the same stuff, and maybe Jets too.

[MAJBobby]

31 Carries. 200 plus yards running for packers. 
 

 

 

 

 

end Result a 10 point loss for the packers. 
 

yeah Defense did fine. (You will not win in this league being a run heavy offense.). 

[BuffaloBillyG]

Seeing the defense get run on like that wasn't ideal. 

 

But they didn't give up the big TD run, for the most part kept plays in front of them and let the Packers run the clock out on themselves. Stepped up a couple times with stops on 4th down. Had constant pressure on the QB. One INT and close to a couple more. Most importantly, gave up 17 points. The 2 TDs they did give up were from a spectacular route being run and a highlight real type catch by Doubs. Credit to both of those WRs. 

 

 

[Wayne Cubed]

I’ve got to slightly disagree with this.

 

Frazier refused to bring a safety down into the box and refused to sub off Taron Johnson for a LB. The Pack did exactly what you are meant to do against the cover 2 shell, you run into it and dink/dunk your way down the field.  And that’s going to happen against that alignment. The issue is, can you sustain that many plays in a drive without committing an error.  And when the field compresses as you get towards the goal line can you punch it in for 7? The Pack couldn’t do it. 
 

That’s an effective defensive game plan. Sure, the rush numbers look high but does that matter if they aren’t converting any of those drives? You also have to say that had the offense not laid an egg in the 2nd half, this outcome would have been very different.

[SoCal Deek]

While I didn’t like the run defense I couldn’t help but think the Bills were just scratching their heads wondering what the heck the Packers were doing. It was like watching a boxing match where one guy is way ahead on points and the other guy is still bobbing and weaving well into the late rounds. The Packers are a mess.

[MJS]

Against a good team, they would have lost ...

 

... Oh wait, the Bills already beat all the other good teams and are sitting alone atop the AFC after holding Aaron Rodgers and the Packers to 17 points and beating them by double digits.

 

But sensitive fans are reeling because the Packers got a few rushing yards. Suck it up.

[Johnnycage46]

20 minutes ago, zow2 said:

It was disappointing.  I don't really want to hear about how great the "Number 1" defense is when a team you know will hand off and run the ball gashes you for 208 on 31 carries.

Those yards against were not gimmicky QB scrambles and reverses like some weeks, this was just straight smash mouth.

Not only was the tackling poor, but it appears the Packers were taking advantage of the DL gaps and the LB's were not plugging them up at the point of attack....basically just getting out schemed and out physical'd.  The tackling was piss poor and some guys were just going for battering ram type tackles instead of wrapping up.  Stop flying in there like an out of control missile, and just tackle the ball carrier.

 

Anyway,  they'll be fine.  I think this will turn out to be their worst performance of the season vs the run..   But New England will try the same stuff, and maybe Jets too.

So you don't want to hear excuses but you finish by saying they will be fine?  Cool.

[Green Lightning]

I dunno, we shut down Derrick Henry, Lamar and other solid run games. It look like they never saw a sweep before and picked the wrong gaps plenty of time. Tacking wasn't great. Agree that game plan ended in a the score loss, but a few more stops by the D would have been nice.  All said in done, I'm far more concerned about  Poyer and safety depth. On to NY.

[gonzo1105]

Dude , it was pretty clear that the Bills were very content letting the Packers run the ball down the field with a 17 point lead. The Packers had a 7 minute drive down 17 and got stuffed on 4th and 1 to get zero points. 
 

it’s like the Packers were like we’ll be content with a 10-17 point loss versus losing by 24 to 30. It was weird. 
 

 

[Bermuda Triangle]

I thought that the game plan defensively was bizarre.  You're content letting GB run the ball down your throat, knowing that by doing so, you're letting them bleed clock, which in turn leads to fewer possessions for your offense?

 

[nuiwek]

1 minute ago, Bermuda Triangle said:

I thought that the game plan defensively was bizarre.  You're content letting GB run the ball down your throat, knowing that by doing so, you're letting them bleed clock, which in turn leads to fewer possessions for your offense?

 

Yeah, because we were up by 17

[strive_for_five_guy]

If this happens again next week against the Jets, MAYBE I’ll be worried.  But up 24-7 at the half, the Bills were seemingly very content not letting up a big play to a HOF QB.  Should be feeding time for this Defense next weekend.

[Virgil]

I mean, wasn’t it more bizarre that the Packers kept running the ball in the 4th when down by 17?   If we did that, you’d be writing that post.  

[78thealltimegreat]

The Packers basically became Army out there all that was missing was Rogers running the triple option.
It was a bizarre game plan and the Bills just kept staying in their cover 2 shell and didn’t really seem to care. If the Pack had 10 minute drives.

One thing it does do. It puts a lot of pressure on Allen to produce points on the drives he gets and if he’s even a little off like late 3rd/4th quarter then the Bills have issues. 

[CincyBillsFan]

1 hour ago, zow2 said:

It was disappointing.  I don't really want to hear about how great the "Number 1" defense is when a team you know will hand off and run the ball gashes you for 208 on 31 carries.

Those yards against were not gimmicky QB scrambles and reverses like some weeks, this was just straight smash mouth.

Not only was the tackling poor, but it appears the Packers were taking advantage of the DL gaps and the LB's were not plugging them up at the point of attack....basically just getting out schemed and out physical'd.  The tackling was piss poor and some guys were just going for battering ram type tackles instead of wrapping up.  Stop flying in there like an out of control missile, and just tackle the ball carrier.

 

Anyway,  they'll be fine.  I think this will turn out to be their worst performance of the season vs the run..   But New England will try the same stuff, and maybe Jets too.

Our defense was only disappointing if you gave the points and bet the mortgage on covering.  From a "win the football game POV" it was a solid concept and effort by the Bill's on D.

 

 

[Big Turk]

1 hour ago, SoCal Deek said:

While I didn’t like the run defense I couldn’t help but think the Bills were just scratching their heads wondering what the heck the Packers were doing. It was like watching a boxing match where one guy is way ahead on points and the other guy is still bobbing and weaving well into the late rounds. The Packers are a mess.

 

Von Miller and Groot said as much after the game...they both were shocked the Packers kept running the ball.

[All_Pro_Bills]

52 minutes ago, Wayne Cubed said:

I’ve got to slightly disagree with this.

 

Frazier refused to bring a safety down into the box and refused to sub off Taron Johnson for a LB. The Pack did exactly what you are meant to do against the cover 2 shell, you run into it and dink/dunk your way down the field.  And that’s going to happen against that alignment. The issue is, can you sustain that many plays in a drive without committing an error.  And when the field compresses as you get towards the goal line can you punch it in for 7? The Pack couldn’t do it. 
 

That’s an effective defensive game plan. Sure, the rush numbers look high but does that matter if they aren’t converting any of those drives? You also have to say that had the offense not laid an egg in the 2nd half, this outcome would have been very different.

I agree with a lot of this but the game reminded me the New England game last year.  As for a defensive game plan wouldn't it have been smarter to go 4-3-4 instead of the base nickel in order to take away the run and force Rodgers and the Packers to pass?  Why allow them to control the ball and control the clock and basically execute the offensive game plan they developed for the game.  Their WR group is limited in both talent and experience.  Its rule number one of defensive game planning try to take away what the opponent does best?  Instead they allowed the opponent to do what they do best given the circumstances the Packers faced.  They won because the offense was just too much for the Packers, and likely any NFL, defense to contain.  Even on what you can argue was an off night for Josh Allen.  They need to be sharper and cleaner against the Jets next Sunday.  

[Big Turk]

12 minutes ago, Virgil said:

I mean, wasn’t it more bizarre that the Packers kept running the ball in the 4th when down by 17?   If we did that, you’d be writing that post.  

 

It was so bizarre it had the Bills defenders wondering what was going on.

Just now, All_Pro_Bills said:

I agree with a lot of this but the game reminded me the New England game last year.  As for a defensive game plan wouldn't it have been smarter to go 4-3-4 instead of the base nickel in order to take away the run and force Rodgers and the Packers to pass?  Why allow them to control the ball and control the clock and basically execute the offensive game plan they developed for the game.  Their WR group is limited in both talent and experience.  Its rule number one of defensive game planning try to take away what the opponent does best?  Instead they allowed the opponent to do what they do best given the circumstances the Packers faced.  They won because the offense was just too much for the Packers, and likely any NFL, defense to contain.  Even on what you can argue was an off night for Josh Allen.  They need to be sharper and cleaner against the Jets next Sunday.  

 

They "controlled the clock" themselves out of the game as time ran out.

[Chewmylegoff]

15 minutes ago, 78thealltimegreat said:

The Packers basically became Army out there all that was missing was Rogers running the triple option.
It was a bizarre game plan and the Bills just kept staying in their cover 2 shell and didn’t really seem to care. If the Pack had 10 minute drives.

One thing it does do. It puts a lot of pressure on Allen to produce points on the drives he gets and if he’s even a little off like late 3rd/4th quarter then the Bills have issues. 

Issues like only winning by 2 scores?  I’ll take those issues. Sign me up.

[Dopey]

To anyone complaining, Aaron is their best player, if he wants to hand the ball off, by all means , let him. 

[dorquemada]

it does feel like they let off the gas in the 2nd half but it never felt like the game was in danger.  It was an odd feeling 2nd half for sure, my daughter called it a 'low energy game'.  I'd like to see better focus next week, and expect we will.  Dillon is the exact kind of RB that had given them fits though, so not too much of a surprise.

[Big Turk]

4 minutes ago, Dopey said:

To anyone complaining, Aaron is their best player, if he wants to hand the ball off, by all means , let him. 

 

As well as the Packers ran, the Bills were happy to let them keep running down 17 and not let Rodgers try and throw them back into the game.

[Generic_Bills_Fan]

This take is genuinely insane to me…the packers have some tough runners and there was no reason to get out of nickel coverage in the second half up three scores.  It’s really not a mystery what happened 

 

people are saying ‘if tonyan doesn’t get hit with that opi it’s a different game’ which is massively contradictory….yea of course giving up a long passing td would change the game that’s why we stayed in nickel coverage most of the game 😂. Our offense was poop the whole second half and we still won comfortably….if gb knew we’d have trouble on the offensive side the entire second half their gameplan on offense would’ve completely changed.  

 

 

Edited October 31, 2022 by Generic_Bills_Fan

[LABILLBACKER]

Can't deny disappointed in our tackling last night. We met the runner several times near the line LOS only to slide right off or get carried.  The bye week was evident on both sides for us. As usual Tremaine struggles in run support  vision. I'm sure we'll clean things up but it will be a concern going forward. 

[NewEra]

40 minutes ago, Bermuda Triangle said:

I thought that the game plan defensively was bizarre.  You're content letting GB run the ball down your throat, knowing that by doing so, you're letting them bleed clock, which in turn leads to fewer possessions for your offense?

 

…..and less possessions for GB—- we were up 2-3 scores—- 

 

what don’t you understand?

[clayboy54]

Listen to Von Miller’s post-game presser. He clearly says they played for the pass and he couldn’t understand why they kept running. If they expected pass every play and got runs on nearly every play, yeah, that’s why GB got over 200 rushing yards. However, in the end it worked out.

 

I would say that the O looked good on the three consecutive scoring drives. Then they inexplicably coasted. It showed as incredibly (for this team) unfocused and lackluster play. Unfortunately, even good teams have a very difficult time turning it on once you’ve turned it off. The only cure for that is to keep the foot on the gas. However, in the end it worked out.

 

so, the moral of this story is… In the end, it worked out.

 

 

[DabillsDaBillsDaBills]

Our run DEF was getting chewed up the entire game, it's not like the Packers went from ineffective running while the game was close to racking up yards in garbage time. 

 

Yea, ultimately the defense only allowed 17 points, but if those GB 4th and shorts had gone differently I think we'd be having a very different conversation. 

 

Jordan Phillips tackling technique was so fricking weird. He had multiple plays where he didn't try to tackle the ball carrier with his arms- he just threw his shoulder and body weight into the guy. I can't imagine a coach would ever teach that technique.... was he trying to injure the GB runners? Was Phillips other shoulder injured in some way ? I noticed he had one of his shoulders taped up

[Bermuda Triangle]

5 minutes ago, NewEra said:

…..and less possessions for GB—- we were up 2-3 scores—- 

 

what don’t you understand?

this was the game plan from the get go.  Green Bay moved the ball on their first possession, and couldn't convert on 4th down (probably because they thew instead of run).  

 

Green Bay was hoping that we'd make mistakes on offense (which we did), and that they'd be able to take advantage of same (which they did, to an extent).  Clearly, they had little to no faith in their ability to move the ball through the air - I just found it odd that we let them play to their strengths.

 

[dorquemada]

4 minutes ago, DabillsDaBillsDaBills said:

Jordan Phillips tackling technique was so fricking weird. He had multiple plays where he didn't try to tackle the ball carrier with his arms- he just threw his shoulder and body weight into the guy. I can't imagine a coach would ever teach that technique.... was he trying to injure the GB runners? Was Phillips other shoulder injured in some way ? I noticed he had one of his shoulders taped up

 

Agreed that it was an odd technique but was also a big boy play.  It was asserting physical dominance.  I'd prefer he tackled in the more traditional fashion but part of me really enjoys watching him be the biggest strongest guy on the field

[78thealltimegreat]

32 minutes ago, Chewmylegoff said:

Issues like only winning by 2 scores?  I’ll take those issues. Sign me up.

I think we all do as long Allen plays at a high level it doesn’t really matter 

[henry jones]

With how the pass defense started to look late in the 4th quarter, I was pretty happy they kept running the ball!! 

[NewEra]

14 minutes ago, Bermuda Triangle said:

this was the game plan from the get go.  Green Bay moved the ball on their first possession, and couldn't convert on 4th down (probably because they thew instead of run).  

 

Green Bay was hoping that we'd make mistakes on offense (which we did), and that they'd be able to take advantage of same (which they did, to an extent).  Clearly, they had little to no faith in their ability to move the ball through the air - I just found it odd that we let them play to their strengths.

 

We had a 2 score lead in the first quarter. Their strength bleeds the.clock…..  that’s why I don’t find it odd.  They didn’t want to get beat deep.  
 

Aaron Jones also made something out of nothing on more than a couple occasions.  Dude is an animal

[Rubes]

Jesus, if the offense scores a TD there with first and goal instead of Allen throwing a bone-headed INT, this would be a completely different conversation.

 

[Generic_Bills_Fan]

23 minutes ago, DabillsDaBillsDaBills said:

Our run DEF was getting chewed up the entire game, it's not like the Packers went from ineffective running while the game was close to racking up yards in garbage time. 

 

Yea, ultimately the defense only allowed 17 points, but if those GB 4th and shorts had gone differently I think we'd be having a very different conversation. 

 

Jordan Phillips tackling technique was so fricking weird. He had multiple plays where he didn't try to tackle the ball carrier with his arms- he just threw his shoulder and body weight into the guy. I can't imagine a coach would ever teach that technique.... was he trying to injure the GB runners? Was Phillips other shoulder injured in some way ? I noticed he had one of his shoulders taped up

If the 4th and shorts had gone differently lol on the obvious running downs we made all the plays we needed to and we’re just gonna completely discount that?  

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

6 minutes ago, NewEra said:

We had a 2 score lead in the first quarter. Their strength bleeds the.clock…..  that’s why I don’t find it odd.  They didn’t want to get beat deep.  
 

Aaron Jones also made something out of nothing on more than a couple occasions.  Dude is an animal

 

There was a 3rd and 1 where he stiff armed a DT in the backfield and got like 8 yards.  He was on a mission.  

[Generic_Bills_Fan]

28 minutes ago, Bermuda Triangle said:

this was the game plan from the get go.  Green Bay moved the ball on their first possession, and couldn't convert on 4th down (probably because they thew instead of run).  

 

Green Bay was hoping that we'd make mistakes on offense (which we did), and that they'd be able to take advantage of same (which they did, to an extent).  Clearly, they had little to no faith in their ability to move the ball through the air - I just found it odd that we let them play to their strengths.

 

Gb was hoping they’d catch us stacking the box to stop the run in the second half and it just didn’t happen.  Thank goodness fans don’t call the plays.  I’m not sure how much of it was on lafleur and how much was rodgers audibling into run plays but this was a mess of a game plan on their part.  Especially given that doubs made some clutch receptions every chance he got.  
 

they were down 3 scores and their first two possessions in the second half took over 11 minutes and netted 3 points.  Our offense had one of the worst halves I’ve seen in two years and we still crushed them 

Edited October 31, 2022 by Generic_Bills_Fan

[NewEra]

6 minutes ago, Bleeding Bills Blue said:

 

There was a 3rd and 1 where he stiff armed a DT in the backfield and got like 8 yards.  He was on a mission.  

A true difference maker at the RB position

[DabillsDaBillsDaBills]

10 minutes ago, Generic_Bills_Fan said:

If the 4th and shorts had gone differently lol on the obvious running downs we made all the plays we needed to and we’re just gonna completely discount that?  

 

They tried passing on the early 4th down. Our run defense had 1 good play (the late 4th down stop)

[SectionC3]

2 hours ago, Wayne Cubed said:

I’ve got to slightly disagree with this.

 

Frazier refused to bring a safety down into the box and refused to sub off Taron Johnson for a LB. The Pack did exactly what you are meant to do against the cover 2 shell, you run into it and dink/dunk your way down the field.  And that’s going to happen against that alignment. The issue is, can you sustain that many plays in a drive without committing an error.  And when the field compresses as you get towards the goal line can you punch it in for 7? The Pack couldn’t do it. 
 

That’s an effective defensive game plan. Sure, the rush numbers look high but does that matter if they aren’t converting any of those drives? You also have to say that had the offense not laid an egg in the 2nd half, this outcome would have been very different.

This.  To beat us with this game plan the opposition has to be perfect.  Score TDs in red zone. Turnovers.  Win fourth down.  Get a special teams play. Hold Bills offense to probably 24 or less.  
 

Sure, it was a little frustrating to watch Aaron Jones run wild.  But let’s not forget he is a really, really good back and all that GB accomplished last night by running as much as they did was to burn the clock while they were behind.  

7 minutes ago, NewEra said:

A true difference maker at the RB position

One of the best backs I’ve seen in person.  He played big boy football yesterday.  Our LBs are going to be sore today. 

[nedboy7]

Is this to distract us from the fact that Josh's play is what caused us to lose.  I mean win by 2 scores.  Lay off the D. 

 

 

Edited October 31, 2022 by nedboy7