A Tale of Two Halves...Our Defense

[Wizard]

Looking for insights on the differences between our 1st Half and 2nd Half Defense.

 

What adjustments were made? Did the Bengals end up going cold after being so dominant the first half?

 

I am asking to learn, but I am also afraid of this type of game in the playoffs. The type of game where the Bills offense puts up 30+; however, the defense gives up 30+, and we don't get the heroic plays like we did with Benford and Epenesa at the end of the game. 

 

As much as we want a #1 receiver and less Mesh concepts on offense, our defense is probably more important heading into and through a playoff run.

 

What made the 2nd Half defense above average?

 

 

 

 

 

[dorquemada]

To my untrained eye it seemed like we sent more guys to disrupt burrow’s rhythm

[HappyDays]

1st stop: Higgins dropped a pass on 2nd and 10, followed by an overthrow to an open Chase on 3rd down

2nd stop: Benford made an elite play

3rd stop: Phillips got his hand up and the ball took a favorable bounce

 

No adjustments that made a difference. Cincy had its way with us except when they made mistakes and/or individual players made great plays.

 

I don't take anything positive away from the 2nd half defensive performance other than that Benford is fully back to his elite level of play and that gives us at least some kind of chance this year.

 

Edited 18 hours ago by HappyDays

[boyst]

I said this and was insulted: our defense wasn't playing a bad game in the first. Our pass rush was not aggressive by design but also was not going to be effective in the cold snow; no traction.

 

Burroughs was electric. Hitting amazing windows, making the perfect timing on reads, and playing an A+ half. Our run defense was stout in those conditions, too.

 

Building up a running head of steam on a run is going to win vs a defense trying to scramble.

 

The Bengals played an incredible first half. 

[Pecker]

This is the modern nfl.  Defenses largely have no chance against the best qbs/teams.  You just wait for them to drop a pass, miss a block, deflected pass, etc. 

[ganesh]

I think the offense having long drives in the 2nd half made a big difference. 

[ticketssince61]

I was wondering if the improved field conditions had an impact

 

With the snow coming down, it was almost impossible for defenders to react to the receivers

 

 

[Walking Tall]

The Bills have elite adjustments at halftime. In the first half….not so much.

[djp14150]

9 minutes ago, Wizard said:

Looking for insights on the differences between our 1st Half and 2nd Half Defense.

 

What adjustments were made? Did the Bengals end up going cold after being so dominant the first half?

 

I am asking to learn, but I am also afraid of this type of game in the playoffs. The type of game where the Bills offense puts up 30+; however, the defense gives up 30+, and we don't get the heroic plays like we did with Benford and Epenesa at the end of the game. 

 

As much as we want a #1 receiver and less Mesh concepts on offense, our defense is probably more important heading into and through a playoff run.

 

What made the 2nd Half defense above average?

 

 

 

 

 

Drives were

 

TD- drive had a 3 and 10+

TD— drive has 3rd and 10+

TD— DPI

punt

——

punt

TD

pick 6

interception

TD

 

Bills….

FG

TD+2

downs

kneel at end of half

—-

TD

fumble into end zone 

TD

TD

end of game 

 

 

In 2nd half they were able to get a 3 and out and get 2 turnovers.

 

 

 

[Slack_in_MA]

13 minutes ago, dorquemada said:

To my untrained eye it seemed like we sent more guys to disrupt burrow’s rhythm

And they finally dropped a few passes.

[dayman]

Today was the Bengals you do what you can if your this current roster. They did enough today!

 

In general, it’s very often this team is a tale of two halves. It’s a problem. A HUGE part of why we aren’t good is that we always seem to start slow. 
 

According to AI just now, this year, the Bills rank 27th in points allowed in the first quarter (one of the worst in the league). They rank 5th in the next 3 quarters combined (one of the best in the league).

 

There is a serious issue with defensive coaching on the first 3 to 4 drives in almost every game.

Edited 18 hours ago by dayman

[TFBillsfan]

1 minute ago, dayman said:

Today was the Bengals you do what you can if your this current roster. They did enough today!

 

In general, it’s very often this team is a tale of two halves. It’s a problem. A HUGE part of why we aren’t good is that we always seem to start slow. 
 

According to AI just now, this year, the Bills rank 27th in points allowed in the first quarter (one of the worst in the league). They rank 5th in the next 3 quarters combined (one of the best in the league).

 

There is a serious issue with defensive coaching on the first 3 to 4 drives in almost every game.

It’s almost like they roll out their soft zone every game and then make adjustments. I was banging my head watching our DB’s give them 10 yards of cushion. With zero pressure, Burrow picked them apart! 
 

It’s concerning how bad our pass rush is. Also I know Hairston got beat on the 2nd TD against Higgins, but head scratching why Tre played so much. Higgins pushed off but they don’t call it on the offense. 

[Einstein]

21 minutes ago, dorquemada said:

To my untrained eye it seemed like we sent more guys to disrupt burrow’s rhythm

This is definitely part of it.

[oldmanfan]

Burrow is a great QB.  But it made no sense to me to play soft zone on a slippery field.  Their receivers knew where they were going and you can’t adjust quickly on a sloppy field.  We are a better defense playing more man and blitzing 

[Disgusted ills fan]

15 minutes ago, ***** said:

This is the modern nfl.  Defenses largely have no chance against the best qbs/teams.  You just wait for them to drop a pass, miss a block, deflected pass, etc. 

 

Unless your Houston's defense playing at home on a Thursday night.

[CincyBillsFan]

19 minutes ago, HappyDays said:

1st stop: Higgins dropped a pass on 2nd and 10, followed by an overthrow to an open Chase on 3rd down

2nd stop: Benford made an elite play

3rd stop: Phillips got his hand up and the ball took a favorable bounce

 

No adjustments that made a difference. Cincy had its way with us except when they made mistakes and/or individual players made great plays.

 

I don't take anything positive away from the 2nd half defensive performance other than that Benford is fully back to his elite level of play and that gives us at least some kind of chance this year.

 

The Bills O also dominated TOP in the 3rd quarter protecting the Defense.  In the 4th the Bengals had what should have been a back breaking TD drive after the Cook fumble to go up 28 - 18.

 

The D did get a couple of critical stops and TO's but was woeful on 3rd down.

 

 

[mabden]

20 minutes ago, ganesh said:

I think the offense having long drives in the 2nd half made a big difference. 

The Bills ate up most of the 3rd quarter.

[Ga boy]

34 minutes ago, HappyDays said:

1st stop: Higgins dropped a pass on 2nd and 10, followed by an overthrow to an open Chase on 3rd down

2nd stop: Benford made an elite play

3rd stop: Phillips got his hand up and the ball took a favorable bounce

 

No adjustments that made a difference. Cincy had its way with us except when they made mistakes and/or individual players made great plays.

 

I don't take anything positive away from the 2nd half defensive performance other than that Benford is fully back to his elite level of play and that gives us at least some kind of chance this year.

 

Keep in mind that Burrow is one of the best.  Going forward I don’t think we’ll face one better  … Mahomes and Stafford are equal.

[nosejob]

IDK, let's drop back 10 yds in a zone, give up 7 yd passes that go past the yellow line and just not give up the big play. I don't get it. I was thinking De Ja Vu.  If the 2nd half adjustments are McD taking things over, then that explains in house hirings. If not for flags and miracles, we would have been screwed. I am extremely thankful for the win, but this defense

is one day gonna be useless, like grab your ankles type.  Good tune up for next week though. Keep praying for miracles. As much as I like the win, Burrow could end up being Brady 3.0. Maybe he'll stay healthy next year. He's the last guy I wanna face in the playoffs. Glad we shut that door today. Thank you Josh!

[DuckyBoys]

How about they start aggressive on defense next week  ?  Not soft zone till were ankle deep in it