Its OK for the Bills to be a run-first team

[BuffaloBillyG]

5 minutes ago, Gregg said:

 

I actually liked the way they won last week. Rushing for 249 yards and hogging the ball most of the game for a nice 26-7 win. I would sign up for that every week. 

The ends justify the means. 

 

Had it not been that amazing three minute span by Bosa and Benford to open the second half, that score would have been much closer regardless of the time of possession or rush yards. Ultimately, I would have been content with the win, but if not for the defense we are having an entirely different conversation about the offense this week IMO. 

 

I liken it to people that watch MLB games for the deep balls or the NHL for the fights. People want to see the excitement. They want that 80 yard TD pass more than the 10 play 80 yard 7 minute long drive. We live in clip in a world where a 20 second clip on Twitter is what people want. Attention spans aren't long enough these days. 

[JoshAllin]

Run first sounds fine until it isnt, then youre punting early and watching good teams shut it down and score. I'd prefer a pass first and run later, so you get comfortable leads first 

[Kelly to Allen]

3 minutes ago, Best Williams Available said:

The problem I see with it is that the WRs are not catchers just additional blockers and on the field for that reason alone (which is why we can’t pass it). We are paying a guy or 2 big money to be a threat in the passing game just to clear out for the run. It’s a 1950s offense masquerading as a modern high scoring one. Josh Allen himself is nothing more than a threat in this scheme. It’s stupid and not a sustainable model for winning especially given the non complimentary Defensive philosophy—bend don’t break and hope for turnovers.

 

If this was the plan all along, why why why not sign Cook first vs letting him be the last to be paid? In full it really makes me think they have no plans or ideas and are shooting from the hip patching it together this year.

 

I can relate to a lot of things here and generally agree. 

 

This has been the bills identity under Brady since the middle of 2023. Will they get to the Superbowl? 

 

For me it's whether the bills defense vs the chiefs & Steelers shows up in January. It's always been that for me.

 

 

[BillsShredder83]

9 minutes ago, Gregg said:

 

I actually liked the way they won last week. Rushing for 249 yards and hogging the ball most of the game for a nice 26-7 win. I would sign up for that every week. 

Sure. Anyone would. You think DC's will just let this happen lol

 

Happen 4xs in a row. Each week seeing new wrinkles, from progressively better talent & coaching?

 

Each with the ability to steal working ideas from the last teams effort? All while we have no ability to execute 50% of the playbook? With an OC that has no ability or history of adding to the playbook?

 

Their ceiling is 2nd rd exit. Floor is as bad as ones imagination. 

[billsbackto81]

I love the idea of being a "run first" team (at least in concept) with a generational talent at QB like JA.

 

This gives an offense and OC the ability to dictate whatever they want to any opposing defense with equal efficacy. 

 

When you have a RB/RBs and O line that can consistently get you over 100 yds and a QB that can throw up 300 any given Sunday, that is a deadly combo. 

 

ATM, I have my doubts we have the horses at WR and the OC with the creativity to carry it out.

[BillsShredder83]

3 minutes ago, BuffaloBillyG said:

The ends justify the means. 

 

Had it not been that amazing three minute span by Bosa and Benford to open the second half, that score would have been much closer regardless of the time of possession or rush yards. Ultimately, I would have been content with the win, but if not for the defense we are having an entirely different conversation about the offense this week IMO. 

 

I liken it to people that watch MLB games for the deep balls or the NHL for the fights. People want to see the excitement. They want that 80 yard TD pass more than the 10 play 80 yard 7 minute long drive. We live in clip in a world where a 20 second clip on Twitter is what people want. Attention spans aren't long enough these days. 

Yeah youre talking about the general public with no vested interest in the team.

 

Anybody posting on an obscure message board about this team wouldn't hate a 'boring' SB win lol

 

Your take is appropriate on a BillsMafia FB group lol

[Gregg]

1 minute ago, BillsShredder83 said:

Sure. Anyone would. You think DC's will just let this happen lol

 

Happen 4xs in a row. Each week seeing new wrinkles, from progressively better talent & coaching?

 

Each with the ability to steal working ideas from the last teams effort? All while we have no ability to execute 50% of the playbook? With an OC that has no ability or history of adding to the playbook?

 

Their ceiling is 2nd rd exit. Floor is as bad as ones imagination. 

 

I don't expect they can do that every week. If teams stop Cook, then the Bills are in trouble. Unfortunately, the issues the Bills have will have to be fixed in the offseason which doesn't help this season.

[T.E.]

You shouldn't be looking to limit the number of possessions your offense has when you have the best player at football at QB and a shaky defense, and that's what this staff does. It is a bizarre strategy, and it's why this team has not had success playing from behind the last couple of years.

[Ga boy]

17 minutes ago, Best Williams Available said:

The problem I see with it is that the WRs are not catchers just additional blockers and on the field for that reason alone (which is why we can’t pass it). We are paying a guy or 2 big money to be a threat in the passing game just to clear out for the run. It’s a 1950s offense masquerading as a modern high scoring one. Josh Allen himself is nothing more than a threat in this scheme. It’s stupid and not a sustainable model for winning especially given the non complimentary Defensive philosophy—bend don’t break and hope for turnovers.

 

If this was the plan all along, why why why not sign Cook first vs letting him be the last to be paid? In full it really makes me think they have no plans or ideas and are shooting from the hip patching it together this year.

Many here said Cook wasn’t worth it, and the GM agreed.  I said all along to pay him, but I never thought he’d make the team run first, and the GM didn’t either.  I really think the GM and coach thought they had WRs to do the job.  Palmer and Samuel they thought were fast enough.  Btw, Cook is worth it, and if he continues catching more passes, it’s gonna be a beautiful thing.

[billsfan89]

Just now, JoshAllin said:

Run first sounds fine until it isnt, then youre punting early and watching good teams shut it down and score. I'd prefer a pass first and run later, so you get comfortable leads first 

 

The easy answer is it depends on what the defense is giving you 

[Ga boy]

15 minutes ago, Gregg said:

 

I don't expect they can do that every week. If teams stop Cook, then the Bills are in trouble. Unfortunately, the issues the Bills have will have to be fixed in the offseason which doesn't help this season.

I think the Steeler game confirmed their identity.  Against Cincy we’ll see the same to keep pretty boy on the bench.  I don’t see how anyone can stop our OL and Cook.  All he needs is a 14 inch hole.  If it’s there, he’ll find it.  Uncanny.

[GoBills808]

19 minutes ago, T.E. said:

You shouldn't be looking to limit the number of possessions your offense has when you have the best player at football at QB and a shaky defense, and that's what this staff does. It is a bizarre strategy, and it's why this team has not had success playing from behind the last couple of years.

not to mention a ridiculous waste of cap space

[mbs]

They should really double down on this. Instead of Josh Allen and his pretty nice runs and occasional passes, why not invest a third of Allen's salary on a better than average receiver for Trubisky? Seems silly to have a Ferrari just sitting around if you prefer to hit the trails in your Jeep.

 

I loved run first with Shady and Tyrod. It's mindbogglingly stupid with Allen, but hey who doesn't feel a tinge of nostalgia?

 

This team is almost literally tying on hand behind its back and that one hand is attached to Josh's throwing arm. I liked the strategy against Pittsburgh, mostly because it wasn't broke and didn't need to be fixed, but making this an identity is only required because Brady can't design a good passing offense, McDermott doesn't seem to want him to, and Bean is on board with it all. All of this makes life harder for Kromer, Josh, Cook, and the whole rest of the organization.

[All_Pro_Bills]

Every game is different. And sometimes the result is unexpected. Look at the Rams on Sunday. Who had the Panthers here?

 

Honestly, I thought the Bills were going to lose to Pittsburgh. So I didn't expect the Bills would be able to run all over the Steelers defense and I didn't expect the Bills defense to be so good against the run either. Maybe the 10 day mini-bye gave the defense time to iron out all their problems? If they perform down the stretch the same way then good things can happen. 

 

The Bengals are 31st against the run but seem to be trending up a bit. The Bills 30th and looking the same. And obviously their passing game with Burrow back and Higgins and Chase at WR will be superior to the Steelers offense. To win I expect the Bills will need to be efficient in the run game but the passing game needs to contribute a lot more. I'm not sure what the status is for Kincaid's availability, or Dawkins, Brown, Palmer, or how much a week more of time for Cooks to come up to speed on the offense will do. A big question is how the pass defense plays against top-end WR's. The weather forecast for Sunday is cold, cloudy, and not a lot of wind so that might not be a factor. 

 

I think its critical the passing game becomes at least functional before the playoffs to have a chance of advancing past the wild card round.

 

[Best Williams Available]

35 minutes ago, Ga boy said:

Many here said Cook wasn’t worth it, and the GM agreed.  I said all along to pay him, but I never thought he’d make the team run first, and the GM didn’t either.  I really think the GM and coach thought they had WRs to do the job.  Palmer and Samuel they thought were fast enough.  Btw, Cook is worth it, and if he continues catching more passes, it’s gonna be a beautiful thing.

How does a fan or GM watch the playoff Chiefs loss and not want to pay Cook or make him a larger part of the offense? Again this judgement by the team is troubling. Coupled with thinking the WRs were good enough is damning.

[That's No Moon]

Allen can be an absolutely devastating play action passer if they set him up for success and actually do it properly. The defense has to play the run with the rb, the run with Allen, and the pass. Puts a lot of players in tough spots.

[BuffaloBill]

I am Ok with winning. If run 1st gets this …. Good