Do The Bills Have A Passing Game Problem?

[folz]

1 hour ago, BillsVet said:

 

The answer for this comes down to how you interpret when and why Buffalo traded for Amari Cooper last year.  

 

Yes, after losing to Baltimore and Houston, Beane went out and got Amari. I know that to the we need a stud #1 WR crowd, this was an admission of guilt by Beane, proving that he had botched the WR position. It obviously had nothing to do with Curtis Samuel dealing with a turf toe injury from training camp, and  Shakir getting injured in the Baltimore game and being out for the next two games. We were basically down two receivers (2 of who were supposed to be our top 3 WRs---and our third top receiver was a rookie in his first handful of games) and it was still early in the season (and we weren't expecting Mack to do what he did). We were still transitioning the offense from running it through Diggs, and there were a lot of new pieces. That offense hadn't found themselves yet. Remember, before the season started, Shakir was the only WR to catch a pass from Josh...and then he was out for two games, with Samuel still not being healthy. I think you can maybe knock Beane for not having enough depth at the WR position last year (which he seems to have taken care of this year), rather than that we needed a true #1 stud X-receiver (as how the offense performed the rest of the year proved).

 

Plus, you act as if Amari is what eventually made that offense go. Cooper played in 11 of 20 games for the Bills last year with a total snap count of 21.97%. He had 338 yards (30.7 yards per game average) and 4 TDs on the year. In the playoffs, over three games, he had 6 receptions for 41 yards, no TDs (13.66 yards per game average). Across the season (11 games), he had a total of 4 games over 50 yards (66, 55, 95, and 56).

 

The Bills didn't pick up Amari because defenses had figured out our offense in week 4. The Bills hadn't even figured out their offense yet at that point. It was because the offense didn't yet have an identity and then we were basically down two receivers. Just after that is about the time that the "everyone eats" philosophy started to take off---and work. I don't think it was Amari that made the offense work, it was the new philosophy/the offense finding what worked for them.

 

 

Edited September 19 by folz

[PromoTheRobot]

15 hours ago, BillsFan130 said:

At the end of the day the bills passing attack has been pretty mediocre outside of a couple quarters in 3 total games.

 

I think it's a combination of the receivers not creating enough separation, and Joe Brady not doing a good enough job of scheming them open. (Example, more play action on 1st downs)

 

What do you guys think?

 

I think the fan base is jonesing for "sugar high" Josh when the Bills are only using a portion of their playbook to win games. They are saving stuff for later, maybe even until the playoffs. There are no fantasy points in the NFL.

[newcam2012]

3 hours ago, DapperCam said:

The Bills need a downfield passing game because the defense is bad in the playoffs. No argument from me that a bad defense is the #1 reason the Bills have failed in the playoffs, but we're likely going to see more of the same this season. We need to be able to do both things: run the ball and control the game, push the ball downfield and have moderate success on intermediate throws. It is a basic fact that passing is more efficient than running in terms of EPA/play. It is also a fact that it is very hard to grind out first downs playing small ball against a good defense.

I'd add in the Bills defenses for a few years was ranked very high. Come playoff time they have not performed up to that high ranked defense. Obviously, the defense has been concern come playoff time (injuries have played a big part). Beane and McD have tried numerous things throughout the years to get over the hump.. No need to point them all out. This year they went heavy on defensive acquisitions and draft picks. They even picked up a defensive coach witch seems to contrast McD's D scheme. Through the years there's been moderate success at best. Hopefully, this year is different. 

 

Right now despite the defensive concerns I'm loving the 3-0 record! The division might be wrapped up more quickly as well. I'm trying to be optimistic and hoping this defense really starts to gel and perform well come playoff time. Lots of potential there. Harriston, Walker, Sanders, healthy Oliver and Bosa, return of suspended guys, etc...I think the D might look a lot better in the latter weeks of the season. 

 

With that said, the old pessimist in me thinks the team will have to go to the super despite of McD. Kind of similar to what Raven fan say about Harbaugh when Flacco was on a heater. 

 

Go Bills!!!

[BillsFan130]

26 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

 

I think the fan base is jonesing for "sugar high" Josh when the Bills are only using a portion of their playbook to win games. They are saving stuff for later, maybe even until the playoffs. There are no fantasy points in the NFL.

We will see I guess. Last years playoff offence seemed pretty similar to the 2024 regular season , if not even more conservative 

[Jalan81]

6 hours ago, Magox said:

 

It's beyond silly hearing people bash the Bills offense like it’s been some kind of disaster. If you’re one of those folks, — you’re just showing your lack of knowledge.

 

Let’s talk facts:

#1 in total offensive yards — that means we move the ball better than any other team in the league.

#2 in points Scored — our offense is putting up big time points on the board

#1 in not giving up turnovers — You may think it's boring, but this is how you win games.

#1 in 30+ points per game since last year in the league - meaning we are consistently beating the crap out of opposing defenses.

#2 in TIme of Possession - against the Ravens we had it for 34 minutes 49 seconds, against the Jets for 38 minutes and 21 seconds and against the Dolphins for 31:47 for an average of 34 minutes and 41 seconds. 

#3 Rushing attack in the league at 166 ypg

 

Red zone offense is at 71.43% which means we get to the Red zone and we are putting in the endzone.

 

Now let’s rewind to last season:

We were top 2 in scoring, top 5 in yards, and top 5 in third-down conversions.

Josh Allen was top 3 in total touchdowns.

We had one of the most balanced and explosive offenses in the NFL.

 

So when people infer the offense is boring or the receivers don't get "separation"  - all I hear is - "I don't know jack squat about what a successful football team looks like"  it’s just lazy talk. I think some of you would prefer a team like the Bengals who throws the ball 40 times a game to WR's.    How did that work out for them last year?   You’re ignoring the numbers and reacting emotionally. 

 

Bottom line: this offense is elite. 

How does any of that matter when all they needed to do was get one yard for a first down and they couldn’t do it. You could have the best stats for the last 100 years but we failed absolutely failed when we needed to move the ball.

[JGMcD2]

Our offense is a massive, MASSIVE problem...

 

... for the rest of the NFL. 

[Kirby Jackson]

I just thought of another analogy (and sorry if it has been used). I’m a Yankee fan. The Yankees lead baseball in runs scored AND runs scored via the HR. They have slugged and beaten up on bad teams. I do not look at their runs scored and think, “that’ll be great in the playoffs.” When you play the best teams you need to be able to win in a variety of ways. Right now, the Bills can win with an elite running game, never turning it over and Josh being the best player in the world. So while, it’s great that the Bills score a lot, when things tighten up, can Josh get enough help from his receivers? He did vs. Baltimore (who always chokes). For me, I wish that the Bills had, or do, make a move for a guy that wins on the outside because he’s better than the guys trying to defend him.

[UKBillFan]

1 hour ago, Magox said:

 

 

But it didn't really work did it? It's only thanks to an absolutely idiotic move from Sieler that the offense got a second bite of the cherry in the fourth. Otherwise, three punts in a row and an ailing defense returning to the field to face a buoyant Dolphins offense.

 

It's great if it works. It spluttered last night despite, yes, the Bills scoring over 30 again. The second half for the most part was ugly, against an undermanned Fins defense.

[BillsFan130]

11 minutes ago, JGMcD2 said:

Our offense is a massive, MASSIVE problem...

 

... for the rest of the NFL. 

1. I never said the offence is a problem. I don't think anyone has said that lol

 

2. I said the PASSING game has been an issue for most of the year outside of a couple quarters. In particular The Baltimore 4th quarter, and the 2nd quarter of the dolphins game.

Do you really disagree with that?^

[Magox]

10 minutes ago, UKBillFan said:

 

But it didn't really work did it? It's only thanks to an absolutely idiotic move from Sieler that the offense got a second bite of the cherry in the fourth. Otherwise, three punts in a row and an ailing defense returning to the field to face a buoyant Dolphins offense.

 

It's great if it works. It spluttered last night despite, yes, the Bills scoring over 30 again. The second half for the most part was ugly, against an undermanned Fins defense.

It did work, we scored over 30 points, Passing game was extremely efficient with over a 130 QB rating with over 160 yards rushing and no turnovers.

 

You guys live in some weird bizarro world

[Orlando Buffalo]

53 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

 

I think the fan base is jonesing for "sugar high" Josh when the Bills are only using a portion of their playbook to win games. They are saving stuff for later, maybe even until the playoffs. There are no fantasy points in the NFL.

I agree and I am also jonesing for Sugar High Josh, so I am very conflicted. 

[UKBillFan]

21 minutes ago, Magox said:

It did work, we scored over 30 points, Passing game was extremely efficient with over a 130 QB rating with over 160 yards rushing and no turnovers.

 

You guys live in some weird bizarro world

 

If it wasn't for Sieler's idiocy we would have gone had 3 & out punts three times in a row, due to poor play-calling and execution. With a tied game, we would be giving the ball back to a Miami offense we had shown little chance of stopping. Take seven off the board there and we're on 21, not 28. We scored 31, but seven of those were at least partially down to Sieler and three thanks to the defense/Tua. Now, if the Bills were facing a great defense then that's one thing. But they were facing an undermanned and weakened defense last night, yet it spluttered.

Edited September 19 by UKBillFan

[Rochesterfan]

2 minutes ago, UKBillFan said:

 

If it wasn't for Sieler's idiocy we would have gone 3 & out three times in a row, due to poor play-calling and execution. With a tied game, we would be giving the ball back to a Miami offense we had shown little chance of stopping. Take seven off the board there and we're on 21, not 28. We scored 31, but seven of those were at least partially down to Sieler and three thanks to the defense/Tua. Now, if the Bills were facing a great defense then that's one thing. But they were facing an undermanned and weakened defense last night, yet it spluttered.

This isn’t true - the Bills went 3 and out once.  The 2nd punt was on a 6 play drive.  The Bills had already gotten one 1st down on the Sieler drive - so no they would not have gone 3 and out 3 times in a row.

 

Yes they may have punted 3 times in a row - with one called back, but they did not go 3 and out.

 

 

[DrBob806]

17 hours ago, stlbills13 said:

Playcalling wasn't quite as sharp tonight 

Every fan base cries about play calling, it's ridiculous. 

 

Virtually every play in a team's playbook is designed to score a TD. Players must execute at a high level against pro defenses, who can take such plays away. 

[UKBillFan]

Just now, Rochesterfan said:

This isn’t true - the Bills went 3 and out once.  The 2nd punt was on a 6 play drive.  The Bills had already gotten one 1st down on the Sieler drive - so no they would not have gone 3 and out 3 times in a row.

 

Yes they may have punted 3 times in a row - with one called back, but they did not go 3 and out.

 

 

 

Thanks - considering I've just watched the game back I should have picked up on that!

 

Plus, I said I was watching back without emotion involved as I know what happens, but I'm not sure if it's worked that way.

[BillsShredder83]

5 hours ago, Kirby Jackson said:

That’s a great question. I think that the development of Cook into a star, along with elite OL play, probably still keeps the Bills from getting totally bottled up against a bad team. They could certainly drop a game to a bad team but it would probably have to be like 31-24. I don’t see any situations where bad teams hold the Bills under 3 or 4 scores. 

About the only problem with a weak schedule we have like this year, is iron sharpens iron so to speak.  Were going to come across, and have already come across a good defense... but I am a bit nervous we'll see these softer teams all year, and when it comes down to crunch time, we'll be rusty - whether thats the players, or coaches strategy - with how well we are able to go back into air attack mode.  I think that Lions & Rams game last year served us well to be prepared for that outcome.  We got some of that in Baltimore game, but I hope we have atleast one more game where we need to stand in a phone booth and trade blows!

[BillsVet]

1 hour ago, folz said:

The Bills didn't pick up Amari because defenses had figured out our offense in week 4. The Bills hadn't even figured out their offense yet at that point. It was because the offense didn't yet have an identity and then we were basically down two receivers. Just after that is about the time that the "everyone eats" philosophy started to take off---and work. I don't think it was Amari that made the offense work, it was the new philosophy/the offense finding what worked for them.

 

Lot of non-sequiturs and selective amnesia in your post, but this section is about as wrong as wrong can be.  As in:

 

1. They had an offensive scheme, injuries or not, by Week 4.  I'm just spit-balling, but that's what an OC spends his off-season and camp doing: designing and installing the offense.

2. No identity? You do know that players are acquired and a scheme installed during off-seasons?  That's kind of what forms your identity.

3. "Everyone eats" was the mantra during camp.  It didn't surface like a submarine in the middle of the season. 

4. The GM traded for a WR for a reason.  Was that because the 3rd round pick was burning a hole in his pocket?  Was it because he liked the guy personally? Maybe it was because the WRs were just plain bad and incapable of getting open so Josh didn't get slammed onto the turf anymore waiting on them.. 

[Thrivefourfive]

10 hours ago, oldmanfan said:

Guess you didn’t watch the Ravens game.  But continue with your dissonance

Eh, I’m not seeing anything at all that would scare a team down field. Don’t worry, I won’t make this personal. I’d love to see it though. 

[RunTheBall]

Do you guys actually pay attention to what type of defensive alignment teams are using against us? It plays a huge part in the lack of a downfield passing game. Yes, I would like to see us improve in that area but if a team like Miami plays a defense that blankets the deep/intermediate routes (Hint : it’s called a 2 high shell or Cover 2) then the easy yards are underneath.

 

Remember when Josh was called a turnover machine? That was when teams started using 2 high against us and he just kept chucking it deep with Dorsey/Gabe. Josh has evolved to take what the defense is giving. Now, when the opposing team lines up in man I’d love to see us take more shots downfield. The deep ball is Josh’s worst throw and it would be good to get him some practice before the playoffs.

 

,

[ChevyVanMiller]

Some good insight into the lack of deep shots against the Dolphins in this article.
 

https://www.newyorkupstate.com/buffalo-bills/2025/09/buffalo-bills-oc-explains-lack-of-deep-passes-against-miami-dolphins.html