Injuries vs Steelers - Update from McDermott

[EmotionallyUnstable]

2 minutes ago, SoonerBillsFan said:

Put him on Kelsey and blitz kermit.

Not something they’ve done historically. We’ll see if it changes with the injuries. I don’t expect it to. 

[SoonerBillsFan]

Just now, EmotionallyUnstable said:

Not something they’ve done historically. We’ll see if it changes with the injuries. I don’t expect it to. 

I agree with you 100%...but that is why we need to.  IMHO from here on out, do **** different. Give them stuff they don't expect or haven't seen.

[dickleyjones]

7 minutes ago, SoonerBillsFan said:

Put him on Kelsey and blitz kermit.

blitzing mahomes is unwise. 

[EmotionallyUnstable]

3 minutes ago, dickleyjones said:

blitzing mahomes is unwise. 

Yes that’s why teams don’t do it. He is one of the least pressured QBs in the league. 
 

6 minutes ago, SoonerBillsFan said:

I agree with you 100%...but that is why we need to.  IMHO from here on out, do **** different. Give them stuff they don't expect or haven't seen.

 

I see no reason to. We’ve been holding our own vs them. What’s the reason to mix it up? Injury?

[SoonerBillsFan]

5 minutes ago, EmotionallyUnstable said:

Yes that’s why teams don’t do it. He is one of the least pressured QBs in the league. 
 

 

I see no reason to. We’ve been holding our own vs them. What’s the reason to mix it up? Injury?

In part yes.  But that Vikings game last year I took my grandson to, I remembered post game him saying he knew what we were going to do and what routes Davis was going  to run.

 

That has just stuck with me.

[skibum]

Well, they invested all that money in the DL, and that unit's mostly healthy enough. Maybe they should just play with 7 down linemen. Imagine a defensive front of Floyd-Epenesa-Jones-Oliver-Joseph-Rousseau-Miller. Who needs linebackers? 

 

On a positive note, I feel a little better knowing that we are mostly pretty healthy in the trenches, on both sides of the ball. That's where the big games are won and lost - hopefully they can play to that strength on Sunday. 

[BuffBillsForLife]

33 minutes ago, SoonerBillsFan said:

Put him on Kelsey and blitz kermit.

Blitzing Mahomes is a bad idea, he's probably the best scrambling (not running) QB in the league.  I think in the regular season game last year against them the Bills didn't blitz a single time and won.

[GoBills!]

12 minutes ago, skibum said:

Well, they invested all that money in the DL, and that unit's mostly healthy enough. Maybe they should just play with 7 down linemen. Imagine a defensive front of Floyd-Epenesa-Jones-Oliver-Joseph-Rousseau-Miller. Who needs linebackers? 

 

On a positive note, I feel a little better knowing that we are mostly pretty healthy in the trenches, on both sides of the ball. That's where the big games are won and lost - hopefully they can play to that strength on Sunday. 

Just have Rousseau pancake Kelce at the line and force them to throw to rice and Toney 

[SoonerBillsFan]

3 minutes ago, BuffBillsForLife said:

Blitzing Mahomes is a bad idea, he's probably the best scrambling (not running) QB in the league.  I think in the regular season game last year against them the Bills didn't blitz a single time and won.

I hope so.

[0017]

47 minutes ago, JohnNord said:

It’s all guess work - my guess this was derived from the banged up bills guy which goes back to my original point about him.
 

 

How the hell is that not a fumble and a recovery by Spector?!? Sorry I know it’s off topic but it just pisses me off 🤬

[strive_for_five_guy]

3 hours ago, since79 said:

Was at game, never saw Bernard’s injury.   May have avoided a worse injury.   Leg got whipped into rolling under, not a landing or planting of foot to take full body weight on impact.   Ugly as it looked a planted foot would have done more damage.   Hope for the best.  
 

 

Looks like what I call a rolled ankle.  Had many in my basketball days, but def will be tough for Bernard to be ready by next Sunday.  These guys are in better shape than I ever was, although they also trying to move at a much faster clip too.  Fingers crossed Bernard is using a hyperbaric chamber.

[Big Turk]

23 minutes ago, strive_for_five_guy said:

Looks like what I call a rolled ankle.  Had many in my basketball days, but def will be tough for Bernard to be ready by next Sunday.  These guys are in better shape than I ever was, although they also trying to move at a much faster clip too.  Fingers crossed Bernard is using a hyperbaric chamber.

 

They also have access to much better treatments around the clock

[Generic_Bills_Fan]

1 hour ago, 0017 said:

How the hell is that not a fumble and a recovery by Spector?!? Sorry I know it’s off topic but it just pisses me off 🤬

The theory from Steelers fans is it grazed off muths facemask while he was out of bounds but I think it’s completely inconclusive.  If that was ruled a fumble on the field as it should’ve been it stands 100%

[Big Blitz]

1 hour ago, dickleyjones said:

blitzing mahomes is unwise. 

 

I’m spying and rushing 3 at least 75 percent of the time on most every play I think a pass is coming especially on 3rd and long.  Mahomes is going to run… a lot.  
 

I’ll show blitz up at the line but drop constantly.   Make those trash WRs make plays.    
 

Then as they get used to that, when it matters late bring 5-6.  
 

 

Or …… start with the latter plan then finish with the former.  Idk I’m just a fan.   

[Brand J]

Chiefs fans say the Raiders ran a 5-2-4 and beat up their OL all game. They don’t think Buffalo has the horses up front to replicate that success, namely one Maxx Crosby. 

[Generic_Bills_Fan]

35 minutes ago, Brand J said:

Chiefs fans say the Raiders ran a 5-2-4 and beat up their OL all game. They don’t think Buffalo has the horses up front to replicate that success, namely one Maxx Crosby. 

Didn’t need it the last couple times we beat them 😂. Man kc losin this one is a bit of a narrative changer as far as the head to head goes at least.  We’d be 4-1 against them in the last 5 with that 13 seconds loss as the only loss with 4 of those being at arrowhead 

Edited January 17 by Generic_Bills_Fan

[Dr.Sack]

30 minutes ago, Brand J said:

Chiefs fans say the Raiders ran a 5-2-4 and beat up their OL all game. They don’t think Buffalo has the horses up front to replicate that success, namely one Maxx Crosby. 

I like the 5-2-4 because it dictates to Mahomes he won’t have all day to throw the ball.
 

I still like a 3-2-6 Cincy Bengals alignment, using Epenesa/Rousseau/Floyd as the Mahomes spy. Rush 3 spy with most athletic DL. 

 

 

 

 

 

[LABILLBACKER]

3 minutes ago, Dr.Sack said:

I like the 5-2-4 because it dictates to Mahomes he won’t have all day to throw the ball.
 

I still like a 3-2-6 Cincy Bengals alignment, using Epenesa/Rousseau/Floyd as the Mahomes spy. Rush 3 spy with most athletic DL. 

 

 

 

 

 

We don't have a dlineman fast enough to catch Mahomes. The spy would have to be Dorian.  I'm concerned about our pass rush which wasn't exactly dominant against Rudolph.

[Dr.Sack]

1 minute ago, LABILLBACKER said:

We don't have a dlineman fast enough to catch Mahomes. The spy would have to be Dorian.  I'm concerned about our pass rush which wasn't exactly dominant against Rudolph.

Mahomes isn’t fast, what he does have is top-level change of direction speed. Look at his 3-cone drill. His ability to juke is next level. Sam Hubbard is no more the athlete that Floyd, Rousseau or Epenesa is. The key to containing Mahomes is not buying the pump fake, or juke, and not running at him full speed, rather setting a wide base and getting wide on the toes and diving and wrapping up one of his legs or waist. 

[That's No Moon]

Just now, LABILLBACKER said:

We don't have a dlineman fast enough to catch Mahomes. The spy would have to be Dorian.  I'm concerned about our pass rush which wasn't exactly dominant against Rudolph.

Steelers weren't holding the ball most of the time and they did get some shots in. Pass rush didn't need to be big last week, run defense did, and it was. 

 

I think this week's approach will be somewhat similar to last.  Stack up Pacheco and don't let him get going, keep Mahomes bottled up in the pocket as much as possible because he's better when he's allowed to escape and freelance.  Not that he runs that much, he moves around to buy time also which draws players out of position which he then exploits and he does it very well.  I'm not worried so much if we are sacking him 10 times. That's not going to happen.  Keep him penned in and squeeze the pocket on him, good lane discipline, etc.  Get hands up and deflect passes. It's not going to work all the time, and he's going to get out, but you need to limit it. You certainly don't blitz him very often if at all and if you do it you do it with people who can run.

[Buffalo716]

33 minutes ago, LABILLBACKER said:

We don't have a dlineman fast enough to catch Mahomes. The spy would have to be Dorian.  I'm concerned about our pass rush which wasn't exactly dominant against Rudolph.

Umm epenesa , Floyd , Oliver , Shaq Lawson, and Rousseau  all run 17+ mph and can catch mahomes ... 

 

These are world class athletes it's about angles and containing

Edited January 17 by Buffalo716

[JerseyBills]

13 hours ago, WhitewalkerInPhilly said:

Word from reporters, so it wasn't just a fever dream

 

 

Awesome!!! 

 

But what about Taron?? That'd be a massive loss

Nvm, just seen day to day with concussion 

Edited January 17 by JerseyBills

[Bills!Win!]

This is the Sabres Vs hurricanes 2006. What could’ve been…All these injuries 

Edited January 17 by Bills!Win!

[Bob Jones]

Any word on Sam Martin?

[Bockeye]

9 hours ago, dickleyjones said:

blitzing mahomes is unwise. 

100%!  We are going to need our playmakers on the D Line to win their individual battles big time - esp with our LB’s and CB’s dinged up. 

[Punching Bag]

8 hours ago, GoBills! said:

Just have Rousseau pancake Kelce at the line and force them to throw to rice and Toney 

 

Kadarius Toney was inactive in wild card round with a hip injury.

[WhitewalkerInPhilly]

9 hours ago, BuffaninSarasota said:

That's awesome! Low dose psychedelic therapy!

Oh and Rasul coming back is pretty sweet too.

[Xwnyer]

1 hour ago, Bills!Win! said:

This is the Sabres Vs hurricanes 2006. What could’ve been…All these injuries 

sure looking that way especially on the Defense if I recall we were playing 4 Men that came up from Rochester

[Bills!Win!]

3 hours ago, JerseyBills said:

Awesome!!! 

 

But what about Taron?? That'd be a massive loss

Nvm, just seen day to day with concussion 

Amazing that he got carted off yet he’s day to day 

[RobbRiddick]

4 hours ago, JerseyBills said:

Awesome!!! 

 

But what about Taron?? That'd be a massive loss

Nvm, just seen day to day with concussion 

I can't see him clearing concussion protocol in such a short week

[boyst]

the DL matters the most and can make LB's look better this week than they are.

 

i fully expect Johnson to clear concussion protocol - i just do. spector, as well.

 

if we can constantly get at mahomo with 4 and a godo spy 5th guy then we can cause some problems.

 

bernard will end up playing all wrapped up and pain free. maybe a snap count with package use.

[RyanC883]

9 hours ago, LABILLBACKER said:

We don't have a dlineman fast enough to catch Mahomes. The spy would have to be Dorian.  I'm concerned about our pass rush which wasn't exactly dominant against Rudolph.

 

did we go after Rudolph, like send enough guys?  The Steelers OL is a bit underrated.  Looked like we rushed 4 most of the game, but I'm not sure (had to "watch" the second half on the radio while driving kids to lax practice).    

 

I worry about giving Mahomes too much time.  But a coverage sack could work.  Perhaps some delayed blitzes where we drop Williams, then send him?  

[TrentEdwardsCheckDownOn4th]

Why is everyone saying the injuries are so bad. Already confirmed Douglas is going to play, davis is back and most of our other injuries are Day to day . I'd imagine most if not all with the day to day designation play. Every team has injuries at this point. I think we are decently healthy and playing at home. No excuses.

[drummernut74]

Will Jordan Phillips be active this week?  He has now served the 4 games on IR

[mannc]

3 minutes ago, TrentEdwardsCheckDownOn4th said:

Why is everyone saying the injuries are so bad. Already confirmed Douglas is going to play, davis is back and most of our other injuries are Day to day . I'd imagine most if not all with the day to day designation play. Every team has injuries at this point. I think we are decently healthy and playing at home. No excuses.

Overall, the Bills have been as healthy as any team in the league this year.  

[The Frankish Reich]

3 minutes ago, mannc said:

Overall, the Bills have been as healthy as any team in the league this year.  

Well ... on offense, yes. The O line starting 5 were intact all year. The only significant injuries were Knox and then Davis, and their injuries didn't overlap.

But we paid the price on defense, and the injuries are stacking up at the worst time.

[uninja]

4 minutes ago, mannc said:

Overall, the Bills have been as healthy as any team in the league this year.  

We are now, but our defense took some big hits this season and it took them a couple of weeks to figure it out. 

[EmotionallyUnstable]

10 hours ago, Brand J said:

Chiefs fans say the Raiders ran a 5-2-4 and beat up their OL all game. They don’t think Buffalo has the horses up front to replicate that success, namely one Maxx Crosby. 

This is generally a look you’d use to stop the run and keep you Lbs clean.

 

9 hours ago, Dr.Sack said:

I like the 5-2-4 because it dictates to Mahomes he won’t have all day to throw the ball.

I still like a 3-2-6 Cincy Bengals alignment, using Epenesa/Rousseau/Floyd as the Mahomes spy. Rush 3 spy with most athletic DL. 

 

 

 

 

 

I don’t see how? We don’t really do this. We’re more likely to get that double A dog look with both backers. Putting the 6 on the LOS generally allows for simulated looks or pressures.

 

A 5 man front is not ideal vs this team IMO. We really are going to want to try and stop the run with our front 6 (traditional 4-2). Putting any more resources into that with alignment really hurts our ability to play zone. 

[BearNorth]

I do worry if we use our "fast" D lineman to contain Mahomes, that Pacheco and Edwards-Helaire will shred us, Chiefs have a great interior OL, probably the best in the league.  I can see a lot of Mahomes shovel passing to the backs and Kelce to slow down whatever pass rush we throw at him.  Our LB's and secondary are beat up.  Wouldn't Daquan/ Linval pushing the pocket be a good strategy?

[BearNorth]

If Gabe can't go, are we better off keeping Shakir in the slot and using Harty/Sherfield as the #2 WR, or do we go 12 personnel with Knox and Kincaid, and use Shakir as the #2 wideout.  Chris Jones has to be game planned for, and likely we will have to help Spencer and Torrence.