Game week thread - Bengals at Bills (flexed to 1pm ET)

[CincyBillsFan]

2 hours ago, WotAGuy said:

 At the beginning of the year, it looked like the offense couldn’t be stopped, and now I cringe when Allen goes back to pass - is he going to get blasted, throw an awful pick, or have Cook wide open in the flat but throw it high to Coleman who misses it?
 

So all your concerns about the Bills passing game center around Allen screwing up - nice.  Well like you I also worry when Allen drops back to pass but for different reasons.  You see based on watching the games I worry that:

 

*  a pass rusher will beat his blocker one on one and blast Allen

 

*  or that his WR's won't get separation

 

*  or his receivers won't make any tough catches and sometimes drop the easy ones.

 

*  or the opposing D has schemed to hem Allen in cutting down on his runs and our OC hasn't prepared an answer.

 

*  or we'll get a penalty that puts the Bills behind the sticks

 

*  or the D gives up several early game scoring drives putting pressure on Allen to make things happen and he responds by forcing throws that are intercepted.

 

 

16 hours ago, atlbillsfan1975 said:

Because this team has shown over the last 2 months they struggle with consistency. The Bengals are a desperate team who believes they have a shot to win their division. They got their QB back and the entire team has responded. The Bills have zero pass rush since KC, and now no Bosa or Epinesa. Josh is without his best receiver. Not saying they can’t win, just don’t see them as the favorite and not a 5.5 favorite.

Epinesa was a full go on Friday and is not on the injury report.

[Chaos]

2 hours ago, boater said:

 

I didn't say anything about the Bengals.

 

But since you brought it up, their roster also sucks. It is a QB, 2 WR, and a bunch of JAGS.

 

You said if we lose, its a roster problem.  But if the rosters are equal, and we lose does that not seem more like a coaching problem. 

[Don Otreply]

18 hours ago, atlbillsfan1975 said:

How the heck are the Bills favored in this game??

Simple answer is , Josh Allen,

[Rubes]

3 hours ago, WotAGuy said:

This is a really interesting game, given how the league has played out this year. The unexpected has been happening a lot, teams have risen from the dead to knock off better teams, teams are up and down week to week, and games play out much differently than stats or recent performances would suggest. 
 

There’s no consistency this year, except for New England. They haven’t tripped up, whereas the Bills and every other team has had their bumps/potholes in the road. At the beginning of the year, it looked like the offense couldn’t be stopped, and now I cringe when Allen goes back to pass - is he going to get blasted, throw an awful pick, or have Cook wide open in the flat but throw it high to Coleman who misses it?
 

Like @finn, I feel like this game will be a good barometer of whether the Bills are going to get their shlt together and go on a run, or be a consistently inconsistent first round playoff loser. 

 

I agree with your take, including my thoughts every time Allen drops back to pass. It used to be I loved seeing him drop back, expecting something awesome. Now I hold my breath.

 

I actually felt like last week would be a good barometer for the Bills—on the road against a lesser team they *should* beat—and aside from the self-destructive mistakes in the first half, I thought they passed the test well. I agree that this week is another good test—but then again, it seems like *every* week is going to just be another test.

 

3 hours ago, RichRiderBills said:

Yes, they generated five turnovers against the Ravens. But watching this game the Ravens move the ball pretty easily. Just committed a lot of boneheaded turnovers in the Red zone. To be honest with you, the Ravens were sleepwalking through this game and Lamar Alexander looked like he didn't care. It was a strange game. 

 

I have no doubt that the former senator from Tennessee didn't care at all about that game.

 

[Rockinon]

10 minutes ago, Rubes said:

 

I agree with your take, including my thoughts every time Allen drops back to pass. It used to be I loved seeing him drop back, expecting something awesome. Now I hold my breath.

 

I actually felt like last week would be a good barometer for the Bills—on the road against a lesser team they *should* beat—and aside from the self-destructive mistakes in the first half, I thought they passed the test well. I agree that this week is another good test—but then again, it seems like *every* week is going to just be another test.

 

Still, this offense needs him to drop back and also be a threat to run. He just can't have games where he is getting sacked 7 friggin' times. I think Allen's ability to scramble is an xfactor that drives defenses crazy trying to defend. His cannon for an arm isn't what makes him special. It's his ability to scramble and make plays off script.

Edited 1 hour ago by Rockinon

[Pokebball]

8 minutes ago, Rockinon said:

Still, this offense needs him to drop back and also be a threat to run. He just can't have games where he is getting sacked 7 friggin' times. I think Allen's ability to scramble is an xfactor that drives defenses crazy trying to defend. His cannon for an arm isn't what makes him special. It's his ability to scramble and make plays off script.

A QB whose has the ability to scramble and make plays simply should not be getting sacked 7 times. How in the hell does that happen? 

[Rockinon]

15 minutes ago, Pokebball said:

A QB whose has the ability to scramble and make plays simply should not be getting sacked 7 times. How in the hell does that happen? 

That was that Houston defense. They had Allen's number in that game. Can't imagine any other defense in the league able to do that.

[HaldimandBills]

33 minutes ago, Pokebball said:

A QB whose has the ability to scramble and make plays simply should not be getting sacked 7 times. How in the hell does that happen? 

Few things. The Texans have shut down the Rams to 14 points. Kept a Bucs team with all their pieces to 20 points. Shut the Niners down. Shut the Colts down. Only teams they didnt shut down was the Jaguars who had a ton of special team points and a few turnovers. The Seahawks put up 27 points but also remained committed to the run game unlike us. 

 

The more I think about that Texans game the more a few things are ringing true. It was a short week which always favors the defensive team, let alone the best defense in the NFL. The Bills were the road team which also doesn't play into their favour. Not an excuse but its a part of the equation. 

 

Ultimately though I think that game comes down to hubris. The Bills felt they had one of the best Offensive Tackle pairings in the NFL that could handle the Texans edge rushers. They were wrong. Joe Brady has to answer for not providing additional support for Dawkins who ended up concussed and Brown who was injured. I blame hubris for the Dolphins loss and Falcons loss as well. I am not sure why the Bills have come out flat against lesser competition. 

 

My limited faith in this team is that they seem to perform when their backs are against the wall leading into a game. Only game I cant really explain is the Patriots game. From I remember the refs threw a ton of ticky tack penalties on the offense the first three drives which kept putting the Bills behind the sticks which was frustrating and had not happened before or since. My confidence in this Bills team all comes down to the Patriots rematch. If they come out flat that game then this years Bills simply dont have IT.

[ChronicAndKnuckles]

2 hours ago, CincyBillsFan said:

So all your concerns about the Bills passing game center around Allen screwing up - nice.  Well like you I also worry when Allen drops back to pass but for different reasons.  You see based on watching the games I worry that:

 

*  a pass rusher will beat his blocker one on one and blast Allen

 

*  or that his WR's won't get separation

 

*  or his receivers won't make any tough catches and sometimes drop the easy ones.

 

*  or the opposing D has schemed to hem Allen in cutting down on his runs and our OC hasn't prepared an answer.

 

*  or we'll get a penalty that puts the Bills behind the sticks

 

*  or the D gives up several early game scoring drives putting pressure on Allen to make things happen and he responds by forcing throws that are intercepted.

 

 

Epinesa was a full go on Friday and is not on the injury report.

For real. I refuse to believe that Allen has “lost a step” at 29 and forgot how to play a position after just winning an MVP. He’s made some dumb throws, but that’s just Allen. Last year was an outlier as far as turnovers.