The Hook and Ladder plays. Just circumstantial and lucky or are we on to something?

[BRH]

Not to break out THAT word, but how Billsy would it be for us to lose every time the play is run AGAINST us next year?

[Scott7975]

Its just a play in the book. Its nothing new. If we ran it a ton then other Ds would start preparing for it. It works because we don't, unlike the bubble screen. The good news is that this play takes really good execution and they have obviously executed it well.

[machine gun kelly]

15 hours ago, Puckman5 said:

Desperation moves. Get cute with them during the regular season and we're all bitching about the fumbles.   

Teams don’t run often because they usually fail, and fumbles are the least of it.  They are typically done in desperation as one of the last plays of a game.  Is it fun, sure, but also scary as hell.

[Sammy Watkins' Rib]

Just want to bump this thread now that Joe Brady has officially been retained and promoted to HC. There were a few comments that a pending Joe Brady departure would mean this play would be scrapped which was certainly a reasonable thought. But now that he has been promoted to HC, I think the door is certainly open for the Bills to expand the use of this play. 

 

Personnel wise, I think both Shakir and Ray Davis are kind of the ideal guys you want running these plays. 

[ChronicAndKnuckles]

On 1/23/2026 at 1:31 PM, Sammy Watkins' Rib said:

What are everyone's thoughts on these plays?

 

The three plays are listed below. Average gain of 32 yards. These are the only plays I recall us running the hook and ladder play this season but someone chime in if we attempted it at other times this season. 

 

Broncos:  27 yard gain.  2nd 10 @Buf 41 3 yard pass to Shakir, lateral to Ray Davis gain of 24 yards

Eagles: 25 yard gain.  4th and 10 @ Buf 29 4 yard pass to Shavers, lateral to Davis for 21 yards

Texans: 44 yard gain. 4th and 27 @ Buf 30 11 yard pass to Plamer lateral to Shakir for 33 yards

 

All three came in desperation mode in the 4th quarter on the Bills final drive of regulation in got to score mode. The Broncos hook and ladder was on 2nd down where as the other two were on 4th downs. All three 10+ yards to go. 

 

I'd like to see us expand on this play going into the 2026 season but not in these desperation mode scenarios. Can we successfully run these plays in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd quarters? Our guys have looked sure handed running the play. Seems the risk of a turnover might be worth the potential gain.

 

I think Ben Johnson has run these with some success with both the Lions and the Bears? Has anyone else seen other teams run them with regularity and success?

No way. Keep them in your pocket for those desperation moments. Those plays SHOULD’VE won those respective games. It is a very useful thing that you don’t want to wear out in less important situations. 

[Sweats]

I could see teams figuring out the formation and figuring out the ole hook and ladders on deck real quick.

[BillsShredder83]

On 1/23/2026 at 1:38 PM, TheFunPolice said:

I saw another team run it as well (can't remember which)

 

It's a great play because you don't see it much. I would like it to be something we do semi-often (like every few games) because it gives the D one more thing to worry about. If you fly to the ball you could be in deep trouble. 

I saw Detroit run it 2-3x's before I saw us run it.

 

To me there's arguments both ways.  Saving it for a must have is the ultimate weapon up the sleeve.  The only way you roll it out more is if you have at least 2-3 similar type plays that are sneaky as hell and available for the must have moments (this is very obviously preferred, but takes a special mind).

 

The argument for using it more is obviously its a play that works... but defenses will adjust and be ready for it... the return argument is, it'll always be in the back of a DB's head, and it alters their decision making process.  Could help your guys get more YAC without doing it, because theyre guarding against it.... you could flash it a decent amount, fake it, and see your guy go off for a big gain.

[TheFunPolice]

2 hours ago, BillsShredder83 said:

I saw Detroit run it 2-3x's before I saw us run it.

 

To me there's arguments both ways.  Saving it for a must have is the ultimate weapon up the sleeve.  The only way you roll it out more is if you have at least 2-3 similar type plays that are sneaky as hell and available for the must have moments (this is very obviously preferred, but takes a special mind).

 

The argument for using it more is obviously its a play that works... but defenses will adjust and be ready for it... the return argument is, it'll always be in the back of a DB's head, and it alters their decision making process.  Could help your guys get more YAC without doing it, because theyre guarding against it.... you could flash it a decent amount, fake it, and see your guy go off for a big gain.

 

A fake hook and ladder where it looks like it's setting up like the D saw on tape could make them either break off the WR thinking their film study is about to result in a  huge play for them, or at least make them think twice and slow up a bit, giving the WR an advantage. 

[Jerome007]

It was amazing, it worked 3 times. And come on, 4th and 27 against the #1 defense and it worked. Impressive.