If Only They Could Tackle..It's Not Just the Coaching

[Ed_Formerly_of_Roch]

I posted this in another thread  I wonder if opponents are seeing something on film that shows the Bills are slow to line up as this is the 2nd week now the other team ran plays fast before the defense was set.

[DJB]

It still comes a lot to coaching . Not every single guy on the field stinks at tackling . 
 

Mcdermott is to blame here for the most part 

 

Its his team, his defense and yet his D continues to suck year after year 

[HappyDays]

55 minutes ago, Buffalo716 said:

McDermott is clearly willing to let people take a long time running down the field.. between the 25s.. and then he clamps it

 

In the first 3 games we gave up TDs on 71.43% of red zone trips which ranks 27th in the NFL... Then today we gave up 2 TDs on 4 RZ trips but one of those stops only happened because Rattler threw a horrible ball on 3rd down.

 

That's not exactly "clamping it." Bend don't break doesn't work when they, you know, break.

 

The defensive metrics look okay, like yards per play we are 15th, yards per game we are 10th. But situationally it has been a bad defense. All the metrics don't really matter when you are bad on 3rd downs and in the red zone. Because those plays are what decide drives and game scripts.

[Buffalo716]

11 minutes ago, HappyDays said:

 

In the first 3 games we gave up TDs on 71.43% of red zone trips which ranks 27th in the NFL... Then today we gave up 2 TDs on 4 RZ trips but one of those stops only happened because Rattler threw a horrible ball on 3rd down.

 

That's not exactly "clamping it." Bend don't break doesn't work when they, you know, break.

 

The defensive metrics look okay, like yards per play we are 15th, yards per game we are 10th. But situationally it has been a bad defense. All the metrics don't really matter when you are bad on 3rd downs and in the red zone. Because those plays are what decide drives and game scripts.

Still technically only allowed 19 points 

 

And 130 passing yards ... I meant more the run defense clampens up inside the 25 Historically with McDermott.. between the twenties sometimes teams go for five six yards a carry and it does get tighter when McDermott's back is against the wall typically

 

A lot to clean up.. but bills are allowing 22 ppg and we're still getting two good players back and our first round pick 

 

If you're allowing 170 yards on the ground you could be giving up 28 30 points in the NFL.. the bills played there c-minus game and scored 30 again 

 

They got a lot of work to do but if this is the bills c+ defense it has room to get better.. it certainly is not our A+ game

 

All the best offenses and defenses in the NFL get better as the season progresses .. in December we will know a lot more.. hoecht and ogunjobi are going to help a good amount at run stuffing and some pressure 

Edited September 29 by Buffalo716

[GASabresIUFan]

If only they had Oliver, Milano, Hoecht, Ogunjobi, and Hairston.  I wonder if nearly 50% of the intended starting defense had something to do with our issues against the run?  

[JohnNord]

3 hours ago, Rich Stadium Original said:

Say what you like about the defensive scheme and play calling, but these stats courtesy of NextGen and the NFL review of the game show in many (but not all cases) the defense was in position but just couldn't make the play.

 

Courtesy NFL.com:

Yielding 189 yards on the ground, Buffalo allowed 165 yards rushing after contact, the third-most by a team in a game since at least 2018, according to Next Gen Stats

This is why I laugh at the fans who call for McDermott’s head any time the defense falters.  There were multiple times where the defense was in a good position today and they just failed to make a tackle.  
 

that’s on the players and not coaching.   How it gets better - I’m not sure 

3 minutes ago, GASabresIUFan said:

If only they had Oliver, Milano, Hoecht, Ogunjobi, and Hairston.  I wonder if nearly 50% of the intended starting defense had something to do with our issues against the run?  

Losing Ed Oliver is like playing without your top defensive player.  I think Oliver, Hoecht and Ogunjobi are going to help get the Javon Soloman’s and Jordan Phillips off the field.  That should’ve a nice upgrade.  

[DeltaDigital]

1 hour ago, Don Otreply said:

Even homers like Gunner bill, me and others are less than happy about the defense, the bigger difference is we don’t ride that horse all season long, as crappy as the “D” played the opponent was held to 19 points, and we are scoring 30 or more every game so far, gotta like that😁👍🍸🚬

The opponent was Spencer rattler and the worst rated run defense in the NFL. If they hold KC to 19 I’ll eat my shoe. 
 

systematic failure of drafting and decision making on the sidelines. 
 

It’s a crime against Josh Allen, and the people of buffalo. 

Edited September 29 by DeltaDigital

[Ecmic82]

If they could more often than not get a stop on their opponent’s opening drive, the Bills might be able to better leverage their offense to produce a snowball-rolling-down-hill game script. 
 

But they can’t get early stops. Seven touchdowns allowed in their last 12 opening drives defensed (including all three playoff games), along with two field goals.

 

What they consistently allow their opponents to do on opening drives is a huge issue, and it leaks into the rest of the game (today was a great example). It’s unacceptable.

[Niagara Dude]

4 hours ago, Rich Stadium Original said:

Say what you like about the defensive scheme and play calling, but these stats courtesy of NextGen and the NFL review of the game show in many (but not all cases) the defense was in position but just couldn't make the play.

 

Courtesy NFL.com:

Yielding 189 yards on the ground, Buffalo allowed 165 yards rushing after contact, the third-most by a team in a game since at least 2018, according to Next Gen Stats

The whole defensive scheme is all on Mcdermott,  how many years do we have to continue to see a garbage defence from a man who tells everyone he knows defence

1 hour ago, GerstAusGosheim said:

 

Leslie was a pretty big name when we hired him. And he had the #1 and #2 ranked D in his final 2 years. 

Leslie did what McDermott asked him to do,  how many playoff failures do we need to see before someone realizes SEAN does not know defence

[Big Blitz]

It’s definitely the run D.  Massive problem.  
 

Perspective:

 

Bills have rushed for 654 yards on 133 carries for a 4.9 ypc

 

Our opponents:  657 yards on 109 carries for a 6.0 ypc. 

 

 

A little skewed bc of Henry - who has done absolutely nothing since facing us.  

[Simon]

1 hour ago, Don Otreply said:

Even homers like Gunner bill, me and others are less than happy about the defense,

 

Wait, are you saying that you can present an alternate opinion without being an obnoxious jackass and in a way that you will still be respected?!

And that being a pariah is primarily about how you act and not about what you think?!?!?!

What a stunning concept!!!

 

[SCBills]

38 minutes ago, HappyDays said:

 

In the first 3 games we gave up TDs on 71.43% of red zone trips which ranks 27th in the NFL... Then today we gave up 2 TDs on 4 RZ trips but one of those stops only happened because Rattler threw a horrible ball on 3rd down.

 

That's not exactly "clamping it." Bend don't break doesn't work when they, you know, break.

 

The defensive metrics look okay, like yards per play we are 15th, yards per game we are 10th. But situationally it has been a bad defense. All the metrics don't really matter when you are bad on 3rd downs and in the red zone. Because those plays are what decide drives and game scripts.

Bills trying the less popular “bend and break” defense. 
 

Extra fun when we get multiple shots of Allen sitting on the sideline. 

[Buffalo716]

We also run the lightest box in the NFL 

 

McDermott was ahead of the trend 8 years ago and at the end of the day our two linebacker system is not really good at keeping the run numbers down between the twenties .. even though we have had some solid run defenses here 

 

We don't play big

 

And it makes us susceptible to the run occasionally but that doesn't mean we can't stop it when McDermott buckles down

 

Of course not happy with how it looks but they are professionals and need to get better

 

Edited September 29 by Buffalo716

[GASabresIUFan]

24 minutes ago, JohnNord said:

This is why I laugh at the fans who call for McDermott’s head any time the defense falters.  There were multiple times where the defense was in a good position today and they just failed to make a tackle.  
 

that’s on the players and not coaching.   How it gets better - I’m not sure 

Losing Ed Oliver is like playing without your top defensive player.  I think Oliver, Hoecht and Ogunjobi are going to help get the Javon Soloman’s and Jordan Phillips off the field.  That should’ve a nice upgrade.  

People act that you can just drop anyone into the roles that Oliver and Milano and other play on the defense.  No matter how good or talented or experienced that replacement player is, they are always a down grade.  

 

The key for the Bills is to weather this injury storm over the next few weeks and begin to get players back.  I think people will be pleasantly surprised with how much the D improves.

[Niagara Dude]

8 hours ago, Big Turk said:

 

Bosa is definitely a game changer

 

OK ..and they allowed 19 points and 298 yards.

Dude  this stuff?

 

I'm not saying it was good, but it sure as heck wasn't like the Ravens against the Chiefs either.

Dude did you not see the Saints no name QB  miss a wide open WR in the end zone that would have given them the lead?  Sorry but the Bills could have easily lost 3 of their first 4 games because our defence sucks

[bmur66]

8 hours ago, GASabresIUFan said:

If only they had Oliver, Milano, Hoecht, Ogunjobi, and Hairston.  I wonder if nearly 50% of the intended starting defense had something to do with our issues against the run?  

Oliver will be back

Milano is unreliable unfortunately

Hoecht will be a good addition

Ogunjobi I don't know

Hairston is a rookie that missed training camp

There will also be more injuries

Players have to make tackles!

[GunnerBill]

9 hours ago, DJB said:

It still comes a lot to coaching . Not every single guy on the field stinks at tackling . 
 

Mcdermott is to blame here for the most part 

 

Its his team, his defense and yet his D continues to suck year after year 

 

You think the Head Coach is to blame for tackling? 

2 hours ago, Niagara Dude said:

Dude did you not see the Saints no name QB  miss a wide open WR in the end zone that would have given them the lead?  Sorry but the Bills could have easily lost 3 of their first 4 games because our defence sucks

 

I am not sure I agree with could "easily have lost" I never felt we would lose yesterday or vs Miami. Baltimore, sure. But the defense does suck. It has made some exceptional plays - Oliver in the opener, Bishop last night.... but it's fundamentals have been woeful. And some of the defensive playcalling is mystifying. I'm not saying it is all on Bobby Babich but the Bills have never had this level of 3rd down issue until he became DC. At some point you have to hold him accountable. 

[HIT BY SPIKES]

12 hours ago, Rich Stadium Original said:

Say what you like about the defensive scheme and play calling, but these stats courtesy of NextGen and the NFL review of the game show in many (but not all cases) the defense was in position but just couldn't make the play.

 

Courtesy NFL.com:

Yielding 189 yards on the ground, Buffalo allowed 165 yards rushing after contact, the third-most by a team in a game since at least 2018, according to Next Gen Stats

 

So some how with the disproportionate amount of draft and salary cap resources we have spent on the D in the past few years we have been able to select players with poor tackling skills?

 

Is that what you are saying?

 

It is not only the defensive and play calling which our Head Coach is clearly responsible for.

 

Was our Head Coach at all influential in the defensive players we drafted and signed? 

[ganesh]

12 hours ago, DeltaDigital said:

Championship level O with nobody on defense that can change the game

To be fair, the defense bailed out the offense in the 2nd quarter.  Otherwise, the score could have been different.

[Big Turk]

4 hours ago, Niagara Dude said:

Dude did you not see the Saints no name QB  miss a wide open WR in the end zone that would have given them the lead?  Sorry but the Bills could have easily lost 3 of their first 4 games because our defence sucks