A Few Thoughts about the Panthers Game - Community Edition

[ChronicAndKnuckles]

I wanna add that Reggie Gilliam was the lead blocker and sprang Cook loose on both of his long TDs. I rewatched the game and he was responsible for a lot of good blocking, but these 2 plays stood out the most. Gilliam is the secret weapon to the running game. 

Edited 11 hours ago by ChronicAndKnuckles

[CNYfan]

Just arrived back from Charlotte. 

Had 9th row tix at the 40, behind Bills bench.

A few of my thoughts:

   Poyer and Thompson are important stabilizing factors for the D.

   96 Walker is doing a lot of very good work out there.

    Hairston made some plays but was being effectively blocked by a WR on runs in his direction. 

     Josh Allen was bad the first half but Andy was worse.

              The second they faked that toss pitch and Josh got hit like running back after  5 yard gain.   After that hit he was much better.

     I felt the Bills were well coached.  There was a good plan, the 4-3, 4 -2-5, substitutions were good and the power running game was nice.

Edited 10 hours ago by CNYfan

[Ed_Formerly_of_Roch]

7 hours ago, Virgil said:

4 - Offensive line - While we still can't seem to pick up a stunt (which is going to be really bad again the Chiefs next week), the line and Hawes were absolutely dominant in rush protection.  The fact that Cook's 64 yard run was up the middle and he got within 5 yards of almost every defender, and STILL was not even touched....wow.  Just wow.

 

7 - Hairston - I don't think I realized how much I needed to see Hairston make that tackle on the swing pass until it happened.  That was an absolute hit for a guy that had questions about his size and tackling ability.  He didn't just tackle the guy, he came in at him like missile.  If that's a sign of things to come, our secondary just go a whole lot better. 

 

8 - Bishop and Hancock? - Am I crazy or is that the best duo unit we've seen at safety so far this season?  I'm not dumping on Poyer, but Hancock flashed some speed out there.  Catching Dowdle from twenty yards away to save a touchdown is no easy feat.  Maybe it was the pressure up front too, but the safety play seemed to be more relaxed and confident out there.

 

 

4  It seems like they are just constantly collectively blocking in the wrong direction.  Is there some tell the line is giving and teams have picked up on it a just go the opposite direction untouched??

 

7  White has been an issue, but even prior to this week, with Hairston coming back , CB was set for this season.

 

9  Think we'll see Poyer on what are likely running plays and Hancock against the pass.  For everyone who was dumping on Rapp, his problem all along could have been the knee which from what was stated an issue since late in training camp. It's hard to keep up with WR with 2 good knees, no less on one.

[Ralonzo]

8 hours ago, Virgil said:

The Chiefs in the regular season appear to be Josh's 7 iron.

 

Someone caught the Roy McAvoy reference

Edited 8 hours ago by Ralonzo

[CincyBillsFan]

8 hours ago, Virgil said:

 

2 - Passing Game - At this point, I don't know if I should be calling out Brady or Allen.  I've never seen Allen play this poorly for so many games since his rookie season.  I'm not an All-22 film study person, but I wish I was right now.  Josh didn't complete a pass beyond the line of scrimmage in the first quarter and his accuracy was off.  Not only that, but you could see it on his face that he's just not mentally there right now.  Is it because guys aren't getting open?  Is it because we are only calling conservative plays that keep the defense off the field?  Or is it a little bit of both?  Either way, the passing game we've almost taken for granted over the past few years is really struggling and we aren't going anywhere until we figure it out.

 

Watching tonight's game provides all the answers to your questions:

 

*  I've seen wide open receivers for both teams multiple times tonight.  I saw 1 wide open Bill downfield the last 2 Bills games.

 

*  Tonight 2 Commander WR's made toe tapping catches within inches of the sideline.  An expected catch by an NFL WR.  The last 2 games I've seen 3 different Bills WR's unable to keep their feet in bounds on virtually the same passes.  All 3 would have converted 3rd downs and extended drives.

 

As others have pointed out in the absence of Palmer, Brady & Allen do not trust the WR's to make plays downfield.  BTW, against the Falcons, Allen hit Palmer for downfield completions of 18 & 52 yards on their first 2 possessions before Palmer left with an injury.