Groot, Oliver, and Walker.......game-wreckers out there today!!

[Special K]

The D had its struggles today, but the D-line  played amazing.

 

If a play was made on D, is was likely one of these three guys making it!

 

The D is still a work in progress, but these three playing like they did today will go a long way......

 

Go Bills!!!

[Ed_Formerly_of_Roch]

But I just read in another thread how the D-line sucked and we need to trade for a pass rusher!!

[Got 2 Billieve]

These 3 guys showed up today in a big way.  Rest of defense not so much.  A lot to clean up in that backfield.  Run defense looks like same old.  Middle of the field was open all day today and never felt like an adjustment was made in that regard. Long way to go and time to get better. 

[Joe Marino]

No more Hamlin. Ever.

[dayman]

They all had some plays, especially Walker. But we had no pass rush all game and let CJ Stroud look like he was great for much of the game. They also ran it fine all game including big gashes in critical moments. The Dline did not play good.

Edited September 14 by dayman

[Bills!Win!]

3 hours ago, Ed_Formerly_of_Roch said:

But I just read in another thread how the D-line sucked and we need to trade for a pass rusher!!

Maybe we trade for Von Miller 

[BillsFan130]

31 minutes ago, Joe Marino said:

No more Hamlin. Ever.

Ya. I'm hoping he was out there just cause Hancock was nursing an injury.

 

The dime look has to have Hancock out there when he's healthy 

[Magox]

Yeah they were, here is a great rep by both with clean wins that led to a QB pressure and incomplete pass

 

 

[Ralonzo]

1 hour ago, Joe Marino said:

No more Hamlin. Ever.

 

Except for he outplayed Stone in preseason. By like, a lot.

[Magox]

Another great rep.  Walker loves chucking these linemen around with that club

 

 

[DJB]

1 hour ago, Joe Marino said:

No more Hamlin. Ever.

I’ve been saying it for 5 years . 
 

[ganesh]

1 hour ago, dayman said:

They all had some plays, especially Walker. But we had no pass rush all game and let CJ Stroud look like he was great for much of the game. They also ran it fine all game including big gashes in critical moments. The Dline did not play good.

Neither dud they have any pass rush. Today, the OL was outstanding in pass protection. 

[pennstate10]

I don’t think Walker had a great game given the overall poor run defense. 
 

But he flashed several times. 
 

And he was held constantly. 
 

Ironic that the official decided to call holding on the play he was holding. 

[Simon]

Just now, pennstate10 said:

I don’t think Walker had a great game given the overall poor run defense. 

 

The Texan RBs averaged 3.5/yrds carry; which if the Bills D maintained that number over the course of a season, they would likely finish #1 in the NFL.

Last year they gave up over 5 yrds/carry.

[LTT_BBFL]

The run defense was pretty good for most of the game minus the long run and a few other minor ones. Way better than the last few years. 

[Richard Noggin]

13 minutes ago, Simon said:

 

The Texan RBs averaged 3.5/yrds carry; which if the Bills D maintained that number over the course of a season, they would likely finish #1 in the NFL.

Last year they gave up over 5 yrds/carry.

 

7 minutes ago, LTT_BBFL said:

The run defense was pretty good for most of the game minus the long run and a few other minor ones. Way better than the last few years. 

 

They didn't get blown off the line much today; the Texans' "successful" short-yardage/goal line sequences typically saw the LOS being stacked up or reset in our favor, with 2nd/3rd level Bills defenders attacking upfield shoulders and eventually just barely letting the back fall forward for a 1st or TD. There is a lot to learn from and be encouraged by in many of those reps, despite the surrendered 1sts or TDs. 

 

My favorite fundamental distinction so far with this year's D (and STs) is that our guys are aggressively attacking their blockers' upfield shoulders, seeking to keep that boundary arm free to make a play or at least disengage, all while re-setting the edge of the play and forcing the ball carriers back towards reinforcements. Just target the upfield shoulder and trigger hard downhill, at least plugging the lane by standing up the blocker, but ideally also playing through the block to get hands on the ball carrier. It was a cornerstone of how Vrabel, for example, and his edge colleagues played under Belichick. Not bad fundamentals to emulate when seeking to stand your ground against the run.

[Shortchaz]

1 hour ago, Magox said:

Another great rep.  Walker loves chucking these linemen around with that club

 

 

Future wealthy man and team captain 

[GunnerBill]

5 hours ago, pennstate10 said:

I don’t think Walker had a great game given the overall poor run defense. 
 

But he flashed several times. 
 

And he was held constantly. 
 

Ironic that the official decided to call holding on the play he was holding. 

 

I promise you Walker had an excellent game overall. Now Ed.... that was more up and down. Largely up second half, down first. But Walker was excellent. He and Groot were by far our best defensive players. 

 

The run game issues are largely linebackers - particularly Williams - not filling. He has never seen a wrong gap he doesn't want to crash that fella.

[machine gun kelly]

I’m with GB.  I was reminded looking at these posts of past years, where people jump to nit pick on so many things, and it comes across like some fans want perfection.  That’s just not practical as this has been a team most of the off season considered by many insiders as a lead candidate to represent the AFC in the SB along with us.  I saw a tough fought game on both sides, and what was promising to me was much more downfield throws with a great deal more air yards than the last couple of years.

 

That to me was very promising as many have been begging to get the ball in the air more.  Josh had a great game.  I was disturbed by Cook’s late fumble as he just can’t do that anymore, but toBrady’s credit and Josh, they threw to him on a short out on the next play or two.  So he wasn’t benched as McD used to do.  That’s not a criticism of McD, but moreso Brady saw the value in keeping him in the game and letting it go.

 

Overall I liked what I saw from Walker, GROOT (maybe this is a more natural fit for him than the trad. 4-3 End), and spotty but good play from Oliver.  Oliver did miss most of 2025.  It does look like our secondary has some work to do to get used to this system.

[bmur66]

Did Chubb play?