Bills running West Coast Offense?

[jahnyc]

I think one aspect of the Miami game that was an aberration on offense was the lack of designed run plays for Josh and Josh's reluctance to run after scrambling, which I think was a direct result of trying to protect from further problems with his nose injury.

[Old Coot]

Another reason it's not West Coast: that system had many timing patterns. The QB takes his 3, 5 or 7 step drop and routes are timed to the drop so when the QB hits his last step -- Boom-- the ball comes out to the timed route that's open.

[boyst]

1 hour ago, Not at the table Karlos said:

Theres no one open deep. Theres deep shots called a lot but they’re covered. Beane really needs to find receivers that can get open. 

Watch the Madden vision from Amazon Coleman in the first quarter was getting off his man routinely. 

[WideNine]

Allen is playing at a very high level.

It is not just taking the underneath "safe" passes but knowing when teams are playing zone and playing shell coverage capping routes and knowing where the holes will be underneath and in the zones.

His pre-snap reads are so much better, I am sure folks saw him recognize the play side corner blitz and call an "alert" to get the offense in the right set and just as that corner came on the blitz to get pressure in his face he flipped that quick side arm pass to I think Shavers for a long gainer down the right side knowing the Dolphin's D had vacated that space.

So, the Allen of yesteryear would have reacted during the blitz with just his God-given physical abilities to escape and find a way out of the mess he was in. Sure, that was a fun and wild ride that left us all at the edge of our seats either in wonder at his abilities or complaining about sugar-high Josh, but now he recognizes when the blitzes are coming and has a good handle on what the defense has given up to be able to bring that pressure and where he can attack them.

Allen is the epitome of that growth mindset the Bills preach - no matter the success and accolades there are always ways to get better. I am thoroughly enjoying this era of our Bills having a league MVP at QB who is performing like someone who has earned it.

 

[ChronicAndKnuckles]

1 hour ago, boyst said:

We are running some mutant of scheme that is putting us on the field with three tight ends for a couple plays, then an empty set, then pulling our star running back on third down to put in a pass catching running back, and not looking anywhere down the field. 

 

This offense is just like our defense which is the way the NFL is shifting. It is hybrid as *****. 

So much versatility on Bills offense. I would say we are up there with Detroit and the Rams as far as how they can beat you pretty much any way they want. A lot of that is because of Allen of course, but the offensive line is the engine of the entire thing. Both equally great run and pass blocking, pulling, short yardage, you name it. Beane did an incredible job building that unit up.

 

We have put up 30+ points in 3 straight games against a great defense and a couple decent ones. We have 3 starting Tight Ends (Hawes is legit), a top 5 RB, and WRs with a wide array of different skill sets. If I could describe this offense in one word it would be “balanced.” It feels different from other years because of that reason. I mean they could run it the past couple of years, but it finally looks like they are going to peak this season and hit their fullest potential. 

[boyst]

3 minutes ago, ChronicAndKnuckles said:

So much versatility on Bills offense. I would say we are up there with Detroit and the Rams as far as how they can beat you pretty much any way they want. A lot of that is because of Allen of course, but the offensive line is the engine of the entire thing. Both equally great run and pass blocking, pulling, short yardage, you name it. Beane did an incredible job building that unit up.

 

We have put up 30+ points in 3 straight games against a great defense and a couple decent ones. We have 3 starting Tight Ends (Hawes is legit), a top 5 RB, and WRs with a wide array of different skill sets. If I could describe this offense in one word it would be “balanced.” It feels different from other years because of that reason. I mean they could run it the past couple of years, but it finally looks like they are going to peak this season and hit their fullest potential. 

I don't disagree with the talent being there I just don't think we found it yet that will be sufficient to get the job done. We can rely on Allen in the regular season, you can rely on I'm in the playoffs. But I think to win the whole kitten poodle we need to really embrace a structured approach. I don't think we found that yet, and that is that a complaint. 

[ChronicAndKnuckles]

Just now, boyst said:

I don't disagree with the talent being there I just don't think we found it yet that will be sufficient to get the job done. We can rely on Allen in the regular season, you can rely on I'm in the playoffs. But I think to win the whole kitten poodle we need to really embrace a structured approach. I don't think we found that yet, and that is that a complaint. 

I’m curious as to what you see that makes you think it isn’t structured ? 

[TBBills Fan]

41 points week one

30 points week two

32 points week three

 

I'll take it

[boyst]

5 minutes ago, ChronicAndKnuckles said:

I’m curious as to what you see that makes you think it isn’t structured ? 

The consistency theme just isn't there. I can't describe it eloquent words it's just the eye and the sniff test don't muster with the product we're seeing. Nothing seems quite cohesive nor complimentary in a system that works. Using the play action to set up the long ball, using the runs to shut down the pass rush, bouncing it to the outside on runs or speaking the edge to make safeties bite

 

Game package itself is what Josh is describing as taking with the defense gives you. The NFL is doing a lot of that these days, coordination is becoming quite vanilla. I don't know how much Josh is changing it at the line but that also might be something

[WideNine]

11 minutes ago, ChronicAndKnuckles said:

So much versatility on Bills offense. I would say we are up there with Detroit and the Rams as far as how they can beat you pretty much any way they want. A lot of that is because of Allen of course, but the offensive line is the engine of the entire thing. Both equally great run and pass blocking, pulling, short yardage, you name it. Beane did an incredible job building that unit up.

 

We have put up 30+ points in 3 straight games against a great defense and a couple decent ones. We have 3 starting Tight Ends (Hawes is legit), a top 5 RB, and WRs with a wide array of different skill sets. If I could describe this offense in one word it would be “balanced.” It feels different from other years because of that reason. I mean they could run it the past couple of years, but it finally looks like they are going to peak this season and hit their fullest potential. 

 

Hawes is legit - so unselfish as a blocker with great technique and leverage. He brings great effort and intensity to each snap.

You can tell how much the team and O-line appreciate him by how he was mobbed in the EZ - Allen could not even get through the crowd to congratulate him. Having a rookie that acclimates that quickly and provides so much value right out of the gate - kudos scouting and drafting team.


 

[ScotSHO]

57 minutes ago, BigAl2526 said:

I'm sure everybody knows, but the West Coast offense is a language/system for calling plays, originally employing a philosophy of moving the chains by stretching the field horizontally using a short passing game.  Early proponents of the West Cost did not tend to rely on the run, but mixed it in to contribute to the general strategy.  As it has evolved, there are coaches using the West Coast terminology who actually like running the ball and/or mixing in a deep passing game.  Anybody can avoid a deep passing game.  Buffalo, of course, uses Erhardt-Perkins terminology and Brady certainly likes running the ball.

Came here to say this - Erhardt-Perkins not West Coast @TH3.  Where you throw the ball has no bearing on the offensive system.

 

And it's a descendant of the Brady/Charlie Weiss Pats system.  If you can't beat em, become them.

Edited September 20 by ScotSHO

[bmur66]

We run the Eastern Lake Erie Offense. Duh.

[T.E.]

19 minutes ago, boyst said:

The consistency theme just isn't there. I can't describe it eloquent words it's just the eye and the sniff test don't muster with the product we're seeing. Nothing seems quite cohesive nor complimentary in a system that works. 

There is no rhythm or identity regarding the passing game. It's 100% "Force Josh to make something happen." It's worked so far, but I have a feeling it will cause problems when we're not playing the Jets and the Dolphins of the world.

[DaVinci]

From what I have read Miami was running a cover 3 and cover 4 defense preventing deep shots. It was Allen and Brady that were able to successfully

Take what was  available.

[TH3]

20 minutes ago, bmur66 said:

We run the Eastern Lake Erie Offense. Duh.

Exactly!

[ChronicAndKnuckles]

35 minutes ago, boyst said:

The consistency theme just isn't there. I can't describe it eloquent words it's just the eye and the sniff test don't muster with the product we're seeing. Nothing seems quite cohesive nor complimentary in a system that works. Using the play action to set up the long ball, using the runs to shut down the pass rush, bouncing it to the outside on runs or speaking the edge to make safeties bite

 

Game package itself is what Josh is describing as taking with the defense gives you. The NFL is doing a lot of that these days, coordination is becoming quite vanilla. I don't know how much Josh is changing it at the line but that also might be something

I see Josh breaking not just Buffalo records, but NFL records seemingly on a weekly basis. To me the numbers speak for themselves. I want a cohesive offense that flows effortlessly as much as anybody, but it’s the NFL. The cohesiveness & consistency to me is right on the scoreboard. 

39 minutes ago, WideNine said:

 

Hawes is legit - so unselfish as a blocker with great technique and leverage. He brings great effort and intensity to each snap.

You can tell how much the team and O-line appreciate him by how he was mobbed in the EZ - Allen could not even get through the crowd to congratulate him. Having a rookie that acclimates that quickly and provides so much value right out of the gate - kudos scouting and drafting team.


 

Oh, he’s going to be a problem. I love Knox, but this guy is the future. I can’t wait to see what does for the rest of the season. I see many big plays on the horizon. 

[RochesterLifer]

1 hour ago, WideNine said:

Allen is playing at a very high level.

It is not just taking the underneath "safe" passes but knowing when teams are playing zone and playing shell coverage capping routes and knowing where the holes will be underneath and in the zones.

His pre-snap reads are so much better, I am sure folks saw him recognize the play side corner blitz and call an "alert" to get the offense in the right set and just as that corner came on the blitz to get pressure in his face he flipped that quick side arm pass to I think Shavers for a long gainer down the right side knowing the Dolphin's D had vacated that space.

So, the Allen of yesteryear would have reacted during the blitz with just his God-given physical abilities to escape and find a way out of the mess he was in. Sure, that was a fun and wild ride that left us all at the edge of our seats either in wonder at his abilities or complaining about sugar-high Josh, but now he recognizes when the blitzes are coming and has a good handle on what the defense has given up to be able to bring that pressure and where he can attack them.

Allen is the epitome of that growth mindset the Bills preach - no matter the success and accolades there are always ways to get better. I am thoroughly enjoying this era of our Bills having a league MVP at QB who is performing like someone who has earned it.

 

Agreeing with and echoing your thoughts, I found Joe Brady's comments on the game:

“I think if teams want to play split safety and give us the opportunity to be able to run the ball, and if Josh shows that he can be efficient to take those underneath throws, at some point, they’re going to have to switch that up,” Brady said. “And then it opens up the deep throws. … I think Josh is doing an elite job right now of, if it’s not there, checking it down, finding the open (receiver), getting our guys RAC (run after catch) and be able to convert first downs.” 

Buffalo Bills OC explains lack of deep passes against Miami Dolphins (It's a free read)

 

My belief is, at this point in his career, try whatever you want on defense. Josh will recognize it, adjust, and beat you. It's good times at One Bills Drive. More folks on Two Bills Drive would do well to enjoy it.

[LABILLBACKER]

2 hours ago, SoonerBillsFan said:

At some point not attacking deep is gonna bite us.   But not yet.

Teams will eventually just stack the box and bring their safeties up.  Without a true X, this hybrid west coast will eventually get jammed. 

[WideNine]

On 9/20/2025 at 11:04 AM, DaVinci said:

From what I have read Miami was running a cover 3 and cover 4 defense preventing deep shots. It was Allen and Brady that were able to successfully

Take what was  available.

 

Miami defenders get paid too and their leading solo tacklers I believe were Dodson and Rasul Douglas...players the Bills let walk. Maybe they had something to prove being sent to a team of mediocracy and controversy and seeing all the positive coverage for the Bills?

 

How many plays did the Bills have that were just one defender away from breaking it to the house? 

 

With key defensive pieces not in our lineup I am taking their current performance with a grain of salt. That being said, Babich leaving Tre on an island with no help against good receivers on critical downs in order to send or drop the extra man is not working... especially in the red zone.

 

Every team will take that lay up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 25 by WideNine

[Doc Brown]

I wanted to see how much different Allen was in Dorsey's offense against Miami in Brady's.  It was pretty funny.  There's got to be a happy medium.

 

2003 WC game

 

 

Last game

 

Edited September 20 by Doc Brown