The Truth About the Bills Run Game

[HoofHearted]

THE TRUTH ABOUT THE BILLS RUN GAME

 

There's a lot of misconception about the Bills run game this season, most notable is the notion that the Bills are not successful running from the gun, that the Bills Zone Scheme run game is horrendous, and that the Bills should never run from gun in short yardage situations. I took the time to break down every run concept from Week 1 through Week 10 in order to take a deep dive and flesh out what's real and what's just national media and message board noise.

 

Through the first 10 weeks of the season it appears as though we hang our hat on 5 different run concepts. Three of those concepts being Zone blocking schemes (Mid Zone, Inside Zone, and Duo), one being a Gap blocking scheme (Dart), and one being Man blocking scheme (ISO). We've run each of these concepts at least 20 times on the season. In total we've run 21 different run concepts - 8 Zone (Mid Zone, Inside Zone, Duo, Sprint Draw, Split Zone, Zone Read, Q Draw, and Outside Zone), 9 Gap (Dart, Counter, Pin & Pull, Buck, Long Trap, Power, Q Dart, Q Counter, and Trap), and 2 Man (Iso and Base). All of our top 5 concepts except ISO average over 4 yards per carry but, more importantly, all of our top 5 run concepts have a Success Rate above 65%.

 

Success Rate (SR) is a measure which adds context to our rushing data, something yards per carry does not. We define success rate as a play that gains at least 40% of yards required on 1st down, 60% of yards required on 2nd down, and 100% of yards required on 3rd and 4th down. Dart, which also has the highest yards per carry average of 6.83 yards per carry also has the highest SR at 75.9%. This is clearly our most successful run concept. Dart has been primarily run out of Gun (27/29 attempts), and when run out of gun averages 7.07 yards per carry while only averaging 3.5 yards per carry while run from under center. Similarly, Inside Zone (our second most successful play at 66.7% SR and 4.48 ypc) has an 81% SR when run from Gun as opposed to 45.5% when under center.

 

The Bills are Not Successful Running from Gun

 

Overall, this season we've run 83 times from under center for an average of 5.06 yards per carry and a SR of 54.2% and 123 times from gun for an average of 4.5 yards per carry and a SR of 61.0%. So we are more successful when running from the gun than we are running from under center. When you look at the splits the only time we've been more successful running from under center than gun has been on 2nd and medium (4-7).

 

The Bills Zone Scheme Run Game is Not Good

 

Overall, Zone and Gap have the exact same SR (57.4%). Man schemes have the highest SR at 66.7% which is to be expected because it's run most in short yardage situations where the yardage to gain is easier to attain. Specifically our Inside Zone and Duo concepts, which were ripped in some video that made its rounds around here a few days ago, are both averaging about 4.5 yards per carry or better and a SR of over 60%. The notion that these two schemes have been detrimental to our run game are just false.

 

The Bills Should Never Run from the Gun in Short Yardage Situations

 

In Down and 0-3 yards to go situations the Bills have run from under center 18 times for 4.89 yards per carry and a 66.7% SR while running from gun 30 times for a 5.03 yards per carry average and an 80% SR. Specifically looking at 3rd down situations the numbers still favor running from gun though the samples are admittedly small from under center (Under Center: 3 for 2.67 and 66.7% SR | Gun: 15 for 2.87 and 80% SR).

 

Overall Thoughts

 

It's clear to me from watching the film and going through the data that we have been successful running both out of gun and under center this year. All these rumors being spread by national media and message board members that we should not be in gun or should not be running zone schemes are just rumors. Obviously, scheme is very dependent on what you will see from your opponent, but the data shows that the Bills are establishing a clear identity as to what they want to do in the run game and where they think their strengths lie as a team. What was frustrating was going back and seeing how many times drive stalled out because we refused to run the football even after statistically successful run attempts. This has been one of the biggest components in why our offense has struggled over the last however many weeks.

[Wizard]

Good post. The only point I would argue is some games the running game is non existent (despite overall numbers) and other games (see the Broncos game) both Cook and Murray were running well both in total yardsand per carry, and we went with a pass play on 4th and 1 and several 3rd and 2.

 

It's a good running game with some inconsistency. I am glad to see more RB use on passes. 

Edited November 21, 2023 by Wizard

[Alphadawg7]

4 hours ago, HoofHearted said:

 

 

It's clear to me from watching the film and going through the data that we have been successful running both out of gun and under center this year. All these rumors being spread by national media and message board members that we should not be in gun or should not be running zone schemes are just rumors. 

 

Good write up and thanks for the insight and data

 

On this part, I can't speak for the media or other posters...but the only "should not run in gun" stuff I can directly recall is the bone head Dorsey call in back to back weeks on 3rd down and goal inside the 1 when you have Josh Allen at QB.  In back to back weeks, inside the 1 on 3rd down Dorsey called a run from shotgun to Murray.  On both plays Bills lost yards.  First one, Bills went for it and got the TD on a throw on 4th down.  Against the Pats the next week we went for again also and did not convert and got 0 points against Pats, a game we lost by 1 score later that game.

 

There is no run from shotgun, or any formation for that matter, that would have a better statistical conversion rate as a QB Sneak or Tush Push would from inside the 1 yard line with Josh Allen.  

 

And clearly they were going for it regardless (since they did go for it both times on 4th), so you had 2 chances to get less than a yard for a score with Josh Allen on a sneak or tush push.  A play which I believe I saw a stat that it has an 85% success rate on down and 1 or less across the league and the Bills convert over Allens career at a higher rate than that.  And you got 2 plays to get it making it well over a 90% chance to score within those 2 plays.

 

Dumb part, is they snuck Allen later after this to get a first down but not on the goal line.  

 

 

[EmotionallyUnstable]

Great stuff.

 

It’s been debunked that the bills can’t run. The issue is more so that they don’t run, or haven’t when they possibly should have.

 

Two other splits of interest:

 

How has success rate changed based on RB? Cook played roughly half the snaps last week. Is this guy really that bad in pass pro or are they just trying to save his legs a bit? He can be electric with the ball in his hands but why the handcuff? Murray is no slouch and Ty Johnson came out of no where, but I think it’s fair to ask more of a 2nd round pick who we all thought would be a work horse. 
 

How has personnel effected success rate in the ground game? Are we significantly better out of 11, 12, 21 or even with David Edwards as the 6th OL?

 

Thanks for the data and explaination!

 

Edited November 21, 2023 by EmotionallyUnstable

[Old Coot]

Excellent analysis.

 

Over the past several games the RB consistently gets to the 2d level before being hit. This suggests that the OL is opening holes for the RB, something that the OL hasn't been able to do consistently in the past.

 

Do you have any insight as to why the OL is able to open holes? Is it scheme? OL jelling? Something else?

 

[Fan in Chicago]

5 hours ago, HoofHearted said:

 

It's clear to me from watching the film and going through the data that we have been successful running both out of gun and under center this year. All these rumors being spread by national media and message board members that we should not be in gun or should not be running zone schemes are just rumors. Obviously, scheme is very dependent on what you will see from your opponent, but the data shows that the Bills are establishing a clear identity as to what they want to do in the run game and where they think their strengths lie as a team. What was frustrating was going back and seeing how many times drive stalled out because we refused to run the football even after statistically successful run attempts. This has been one of the biggest components in why our offense has struggled over the last however many weeks.

Thanks as always. Very educational. 

 

Your conclusions re-inforce that (1) we didn't have consistency in the play calling and (2) plays did not build over each other. 

Based on what you are saying, our run game is pretty good either from gun or under center. The issue was that we didn't really use that strength to call an overall strong offensivd drive. McD said as much that we need more consistency and rhythm 

Heartening to read that we are much better run team this year . Evidenced by Cook's excellent yards on the ground 

31 minutes ago, EmotionallyUnstable said:

Great stuff.

 

It’s been debunked that the bills can’t run. The issue is more so that they don’t run, or haven’t when they possibly should have.

 

!

 

That's what I am gathering as well

[EmotionallyUnstable]

15 minutes ago, Old Coot said:

Do you have any insight as to why the OL is able to open holes? Is it scheme? OL jelling? Something else?

 

Feels like there are a ton of things at play here:

 

Obviously this goes back to the off season and the Investment in the IOL (Torrence/McGovern). Pair this with the continued light boxes we see when in spread, it’s inviting to run the ball.

 

When it comes to success rate, it just comes down to guys winning 1v1 match ups IMO. What they were able to do yesterday was wildly different than the Bengals game. 
 

Guys just have to stay on bodies, and not get beat at the point of attack. The run scheme is just a numbers game. Get hats on hats and let the athletes do the rest.

[Scott7975]

I dont have time to read all this now but plan to tomorrow.  Its not so much the shotgun runs for me.  Its how they were doing it.  Also its shotgun pistol formation from the half yard line.  That should never happen IMO.

[Beck Water]

6 hours ago, HoofHearted said:

THE TRUTH ABOUT THE BILLS RUN GAME

 

There's a lot of misconception about the Bills run game this season, most notable is the notion that the Bills are not successful running from the gun, that the Bills Zone Scheme run game is horrendous, and that the Bills should never run from gun in short yardage situations. I took the time to break down every run concept from Week 1 through Week 10 in order to take a deep dive and flesh out what's real and what's just national media and message board noise.

 

Through the first 10 weeks of the season it appears as though we hang our hat on 5 different run concepts. Three of those concepts being Zone blocking schemes (Mid Zone, Inside Zone, and Duo), one being a Gap blocking scheme (Dart), and one being Man blocking scheme (ISO). We've run each of these concepts at least 20 times on the season. In total we've run 21 different run concepts - 8 Zone (Mid Zone, Inside Zone, Duo, Sprint Draw, Split Zone, Zone Read, Q Draw, and Outside Zone), 9 Gap (Dart, Counter, Pin & Pull, Buck, Long Trap, Power, Q Dart, Q Counter, and Trap), and 2 Man (Iso and Base). All of our top 5 concepts except ISO average over 4 yards per carry but, more importantly, all of our top 5 run concepts have a Success Rate above 65%.

 

Success Rate (SR) is a measure which adds context to our rushing data, something yards per carry does not. We define success rate as a play that gains at least 40% of yards required on 1st down, 60% of yards required on 2nd down, and 100% of yards required on 3rd and 4th down. Dart, which also has the highest yards per carry average of 6.83 yards per carry also has the highest SR at 75.9%. This is clearly our most successful run concept. Dart has been primarily run out of Gun (27/29 attempts), and when run out of gun averages 7.07 yards per carry while only averaging 3.5 yards per carry while run from under center. Similarly, Inside Zone (our second most successful play at 66.7% SR and 4.48 ypc) has an 81% SR when run from Gun as opposed to 45.5% when under center.

 

The Bills are Not Successful Running from Gun

 

Overall, this season we've run 83 times from under center for an average of 5.06 yards per carry and a SR of 54.2% and 123 times from gun for an average of 4.5 yards per carry and a SR of 61.0%. So we are more successful when running from the gun than we are running from under center. When you look at the splits the only time we've been more successful running from under center than gun has been on 2nd and medium (4-7).

 

The Bills Zone Scheme Run Game is Not Good

 

Overall, Zone and Gap have the exact same SR (57.4%). Man schemes have the highest SR at 66.7% which is to be expected because it's run most in short yardage situations where the yardage to gain is easier to attain. Specifically our Inside Zone and Duo concepts, which were ripped in some video that made its rounds around here a few days ago, are both averaging about 4.5 yards per carry or better and a SR of over 60%. The notion that these two schemes have been detrimental to our run game are just false.

 

The Bills Should Never Run from the Gun in Short Yardage Situations

 

In Down and 0-3 yards to go situations the Bills have run from under center 18 times for 4.89 yards per carry and a 66.7% SR while running from gun 30 times for a 5.03 yards per carry average and an 80% SR. Specifically looking at 3rd down situations the numbers still favor running from gun though the samples are admittedly small from under center (Under Center: 3 for 2.67 and 66.7% SR | Gun: 15 for 2.87 and 80% SR).

 

Overall Thoughts

 

It's clear to me from watching the film and going through the data that we have been successful running both out of gun and under center this year. All these rumors being spread by national media and message board members that we should not be in gun or should not be running zone schemes are just rumors. Obviously, scheme is very dependent on what you will see from your opponent, but the data shows that the Bills are establishing a clear identity as to what they want to do in the run game and where they think their strengths lie as a team. What was frustrating was going back and seeing how many times drive stalled out because we refused to run the football even after statistically successful run attempts. This has been one of the biggest components in why our offense has struggled over the last however many weeks.

 

Thank you!

 

There is a massive amount of data underlying this post.

[Beck Water]

7 hours ago, HoofHearted said:

THE TRUTH ABOUT THE BILLS RUN GAME

 

There's a lot of misconception about the Bills run game this season, most notable is the notion that the Bills are not successful running from the gun, that the Bills Zone Scheme run game is horrendous, and that the Bills should never run from gun in short yardage situations. I took the time to break down every run concept from Week 1 through Week 10 in order to take a deep dive and flesh out what's real and what's just national media and message board noise.

 

Through the first 10 weeks of the season it appears as though we hang our hat on 5 different run concepts. Three of those concepts being Zone blocking schemes (Mid Zone, Inside Zone, and Duo), one being a Gap blocking scheme (Dart), and one being Man blocking scheme (ISO). We've run each of these concepts at least 20 times on the season. In total we've run 21 different run concepts - 8 Zone (Mid Zone, Inside Zone, Duo, Sprint Draw, Split Zone, Zone Read, Q Draw, and Outside Zone), 9 Gap (Dart, Counter, Pin & Pull, Buck, Long Trap, Power, Q Dart, Q Counter, and Trap), and 2 Man (Iso and Base). All of our top 5 concepts except ISO average over 4 yards per carry but, more importantly, all of our top 5 run concepts have a Success Rate above 65%.

 

Success Rate (SR) is a measure which adds context to our rushing data, something yards per carry does not. We define success rate as a play that gains at least 40% of yards required on 1st down, 60% of yards required on 2nd down, and 100% of yards required on 3rd and 4th down. Dart, which also has the highest yards per carry average of 6.83 yards per carry also has the highest SR at 75.9%. This is clearly our most successful run concept. Dart has been primarily run out of Gun (27/29 attempts), and when run out of gun averages 7.07 yards per carry while only averaging 3.5 yards per carry while run from under center. Similarly, Inside Zone (our second most successful play at 66.7% SR and 4.48 ypc) has an 81% SR when run from Gun as opposed to 45.5% when under center.

 

The Bills are Not Successful Running from Gun

 

Overall, this season we've run 83 times from under center for an average of 5.06 yards per carry and a SR of 54.2% and 123 times from gun for an average of 4.5 yards per carry and a SR of 61.0%. So we are more successful when running from the gun than we are running from under center. When you look at the splits the only time we've been more successful running from under center than gun has been on 2nd and medium (4-7).

 

The Bills Zone Scheme Run Game is Not Good

 

Overall, Zone and Gap have the exact same SR (57.4%). Man schemes have the highest SR at 66.7% which is to be expected because it's run most in short yardage situations where the yardage to gain is easier to attain. Specifically our Inside Zone and Duo concepts, which were ripped in some video that made its rounds around here a few days ago, are both averaging about 4.5 yards per carry or better and a SR of over 60%. The notion that these two schemes have been detrimental to our run game are just false.

 

The Bills Should Never Run from the Gun in Short Yardage Situations

 

In Down and 0-3 yards to go situations the Bills have run from under center 18 times for 4.89 yards per carry and a 66.7% SR while running from gun 30 times for a 5.03 yards per carry average and an 80% SR. Specifically looking at 3rd down situations the numbers still favor running from gun though the samples are admittedly small from under center (Under Center: 3 for 2.67 and 66.7% SR | Gun: 15 for 2.87 and 80% SR).

 

Overall Thoughts

 

It's clear to me from watching the film and going through the data that we have been successful running both out of gun and under center this year. All these rumors being spread by national media and message board members that we should not be in gun or should not be running zone schemes are just rumors. Obviously, scheme is very dependent on what you will see from your opponent, but the data shows that the Bills are establishing a clear identity as to what they want to do in the run game and where they think their strengths lie as a team. What was frustrating was going back and seeing how many times drive stalled out because we refused to run the football even after statistically successful run attempts. This has been one of the biggest components in why our offense has struggled over the last however many weeks.

 

OK I had to sit back and digest a bit.

 

I have a couple of questions.  You mention top 5 run concepts, but then 16 other run concepts (21 total). 

1) just to help me contextualize, do you know or can you estimate how frequent the "top 5" are vs the others? 

2) again to help me contextualize, any estimate about what success rate the other concepts have, again, aggregate?

3) I think this is an important ask to some here - any different success ratio in the red zone?  I think there has been a lot of angst on this board about shotgun run play calls in a 'goal to go' situation.  Since the defense is condensed in this situation, it seems to me the success could be affected?

 

I hope these are straightforward asks, I don't mean to be a PITA looking at a massive data endeavor and saying "please Sir can I have some more?" 🥣

 

Last Q just curious, what video is this which ripped our Inside Zone and Duo?

 

Thanks! 

 

[EmotionallyUnstable]

@HoofHearted Any thoughts on why we don’t see any pistol from this team? 
 

A lot of the benefits of being under center and in gun, but rarely do I recall seeing us use it.

[HoofHearted]

6 hours ago, Beck Water said:

 

OK I had to sit back and digest a bit.

 

I have a couple of questions.  You mention top 5 run concepts, but then 16 other run concepts (21 total). 

1) just to help me contextualize, do you know or can you estimate how frequent the "top 5" are vs the others? 

2) again to help me contextualize, any estimate about what success rate the other concepts have, again, aggregate?

3) I think this is an important ask to some here - any different success ratio in the red zone?  I think there has been a lot of angst on this board about shotgun run play calls in a 'goal to go' situation.  Since the defense is condensed in this situation, it seems to me the success could be affected?

 

I hope these are straightforward asks, I don't mean to be a PITA looking at a massive data endeavor and saying "please Sir can I have some more?" 🥣

 

Last Q just curious, what video is this which ripped our Inside Zone and Duo?

 

Thanks! 

 

Yeah, I can get all the data out to you guys probably later today. I’ll need to figure out the best way to present it. Hopefully I’ll be able to add multiple screen shots or may just have to put it in a Google sheet and make it public.

 

I’ll also be able to get to all the rest of the comments later today as well, but wanted to at least provide an update first thing this morning.

 

This is the video I was referring to. He starts talking about the run game around the 11:00 minute mark.

 

 

[PBF81]

9 hours ago, Old Coot said:

Excellent analysis.

 

Over the past several games the RB consistently gets to the 2d level before being hit. This suggests that the OL is opening holes for the RB, something that the OL hasn't been able to do consistently in the past.

 

Do you have any insight as to why the OL is able to open holes? Is it scheme? OL jelling? Something else?

 

 

Better OL is a big part of it.  

 

Torrence was a great draft pick.  

 

 

That's a big part of peoples' stated frustrations, the lack of much emphasis on our OL on Beane's watch.

 

 

[mabden]

One of the things I noticed with the shotgun run calls, in this game, the running back came to Allen for the ball vs Allen going to the running back to hand off the ball.  IMO, (obviously) having the back moving to the ball, generates more momentum towards the LOS, than standing still waiting for Allen to get him the ball.

[ganesh]

12 hours ago, Old Coot said:

Excellent analysis.

 

Over the past several games the RB consistently gets to the 2d level before being hit. This suggests that the OL is opening holes for the RB, something that the OL hasn't been able to do consistently in the past.

 

Do you have any insight as to why the OL is able to open holes? Is it scheme? OL jelling? Something else?

 

It is the improved play of Spencer Brown and the new guys at Guard position settling in with this scheme.

[Big Turk]

Will be interesting to see if the Bills stick to a more heavy run game going forward...don't expect them to be over 50% like they were against the Jets very often, but there may be something to be said about running more frequently to try and open up the pass game and deep shots from teams bringing more people to the box to try and stop the run.

[Straight Hucklebuck]

So the obvious statement here is - if the Bills are averaging 4-6 ypc out of any alignment, then we should be pounding the rock more.  

[eball]

Nice work @HoofHearted!

[msw2112]

13 hours ago, Old Coot said:

Excellent analysis.

 

Over the past several games the RB consistently gets to the 2d level before being hit. This suggests that the OL is opening holes for the RB, something that the OL hasn't been able to do consistently in the past.

 

Do you have any insight as to why the OL is able to open holes? Is it scheme? OL jelling? Something else?

 

 

I think it's a combination of a few things:

 

1.  The new guards - McGovern and Torrence - are an upgrade at the position.

 

2.  The guys who remain (Dawkins, Morse, Brown) are more familiar with Kromer's scheme.  Kromer has a proven track record, but maybe it took some time for guys to adjust to his scheme and coaching style.

 

3.  Brown is healthier and more experienced than he was last season and is thus a better player.

 

4.  Health - the OL has remained healthy and intact all season (although I don't want to jinx it)

 

5.  Commitment to the run - a team needs to continue to pound the ball and wear down the defensive line.  The Bills have not been willing to do that in the last few years.  Having a QB like Josh Allen should open things up for the run game and the Bills need to take advantage of this.

[Long Suffering Fan]

18 hours ago, HoofHearted said:

The Bills are Not Successful Running from Gun

 

Great job, Hoof.  I appreciate this analysis.

 

If I were to quibble, I would say that it is not all shotgun runs in all situations that are the problem.  The ones that don't pass (my) eye test are ones to Cook, on a delay with him standing there, where he runs between the tackles.  Sometimes Josh even has to move toward Cook to give him the ball while he was standing there waiting for it. 

 

The same run is not as bad with other RBs and the one where Cook runs in front of Allen and takes the shotgun handoff also seems to be better.  I don't know if it is just because Cook is at his best when he has speed or that he is running outside.

 

13 hours ago, Alphadawg7 said:

There is no run from shotgun, or any formation for that matter, that would have a better statistical conversion rate as a QB Sneak or Tush Push would from inside the 1 yard line with Josh Allen.  

 

This.  Even if you don't run the Tush Push, threatening it forces the defense to commit to stopping it.  Just going to shotgun in that situation seems counter intuitive...and we had a very obvious example where it failed spectactulary.