The Bills D has been good for "most" of the first two games

[Goin Breakdown]

Just now, Simon said:

 

They were up 3 scores with a couple minutes left.

It's not the time to be diving all over teh field trying to make heroic plays.

It's time sit back and not get hurt because the scoreboard has become irrelevant.

Agree. The score is not indicative of what the game really looked like. It's an example of how stats don't always tell the whole story. 

[Mikie2times]

We are like the 2018-2019 Chiefs right now. They allowed a lot of points but they got the big stops. They also got a ring in 2019. We will figure it out. In the meantime we are getting the key stops. 

[Brand J]

Biggest issues I see with the defense thus far:

 

Too much space when receivers catch the ball

 

4th downs

 

Red zone defense

[Talley56]

The best defense is a good Allen.

[NoSaint]

10 minutes ago, Ed_Formerly_of_Roch said:

3rd down completions have been the killer. The good news tonight it meant long drives for Lions which doesn't work when way behind.

and that’s the thing - up 3 scores and with Josh moving the ball at will it actually does turn into bend but don’t break a bit when the opponent has multiple guys that can score from anywhere

 

and frankly the 3rd touchdown was 4 down territory trying to keep up and needed referee help 

Edited September 18 by NoSaint

[Thrivefourfive]

The secondary is half the defense, especially with how much Hamlin plays. The secondary sucks right now. Hope they get better but how could I assume they WILL get better? Their leader keeps getting beat. And he’s the only thing that I see this secondary has going for it— the potential of Benford. Has Cole Bishop been doing much? Me just watching the games on the network broadcasts, I haven’t noticed him at all. No run help, no plays at the ball. I could’ve missed a lot so correct me if I’m wrong please. 

[CincyBillsFan]

9 minutes ago, Simon said:

Both games they have had one 16-17 minute stretch where they have really struggled.

Right now those stretches are outliers, not the norm.

With new guys playing new positions under new coaches starting against two good offenses, I will take good defense being played for 3/4 of the game right now.

The 4th down conversions are maddening.  The Lions converted three (4th & 5, 8 & 19) tonight.  But there is something almost fluky about those conversions and if the Bills can correct it they would have had a great defensive night tonight.

 

On the negative side giving up 31 points isn't good though that last TD came in garbage time.

 

On the positive side the Bills have significantly improved their base pass rush with 4 sacks tonight to go along with 3 sacks in week one.   They also held Gibbs to 52yards on 16 carries. That's two outstanding RB's in two games they have done a great job on.

 

If the D improves as the season goes on and I think they will Buffalo is a very dangerous team.

 

 

 

 

[Niagara Dude]

12 minutes ago, Simon said:

Both games they have had a single 16-17 minute stretch where they have really struggled.

Right now those stretches are outliers, not the norm.

With new guys playing new positions under new coaches starting against two good offenses, I will take good defense being played for 3/4 of the game right now.

I see that run defence has improved and were getting more plays from our d-line but secondary have been terrible.

[BillsFan130]

They've had good stretches but for the most part they've been bad IMO.

 

The good news is they should improve as the year goes on as they got a young defence with a rookie DC

[Mr. WEO]

Just now, Playoffs? said:

Here’s the question… if our O is slightly off.. maybe only puts up 21 points… can we feel good about winning that game?

Absolutely not, based on the first2.  The Defense was spotted a 21 point lead…in the first 18 minutes!  It wasn’t enough. 
 

Sunday, the Bills could have walked into the lockerroom with double digit lead with 1:29 in the 2nd.  The D gave up a TD. 
 

31 ppg is a problem. any team that can slow Josh down even a little bit is a threat.  The whole point of the off season shake up was to not have Josh carry the Defense this year.

[Simon]

Just now, Thrivefourfive said:

Has Cole Bishop been doing much? Me just watching the games on the network broadcasts, I haven’t noticed him at all. No run help, no plays at the ball. I could’ve missed a lot so correct me if I’m wrong please. 

 

He's playing all-pro quality football out there in multiple aspects.

[NoSaint]

6 minutes ago, Einstein said:

 

I am quite encouraged by how we have been starting the game.

 

I am mainly concerned with the fact that once the opponent counter punches (figures out what we are doing) Leonard has not had the answers to fix it. 

 

The Lions had to pass that last drive. I mean at one point they were at fourth and 18. We should’ve been able to pin our ears back and stop them cold.

 

there was zero threat of the run and we still couldn’t stop the pass

frankly that last drive should’ve been all backups and jimbo shouldn’t have come out to take the face mask after it 

 

I have more criticism for cook getting his last carry than the 4th and 18 when fans from the stands should be given helmets and jerseys 

[Cray51]

Just now, TFBillsfan said:

They were also going against three backup Olinemen. 

And they pressured Goff plenty and Gibbs was not a rushing factor.

 

Detroit is a playoff team.  Their offense is top 10 in the league.  Buffalo forced pressure, got the scoring gap early, and outside of the final drive were quite effective against that offense.

 

Gibbs is a monster, and Detroit had to get him in the passing game because the running game was stuffed.  Williams is considered the best 2 WR in the league outside of Higgins, he did nothing.  Laporta is healthy, did nothing.  St brown was the key, and there are questions about Alford and Hamlin, st brown exploited that weakness.

 

not many teams have a st brown.  Maybe Seattle with JSN lined up inside 

[Simon]

Just now, BillsFan130 said:

They've had good stretches but for the most part they've been bad IMO.

 

They have absolutely not been bad for the most part. 

It's literally been about 16-17 minutes a game.

[Brianmoorman4jesus]

We need a LB upgrade and I think Benford has been horrendous but it’s coming…it’s coming 

[BillsFan130]

Just now, Mr. WEO said:

Absolutely not, based on the first2.  The Defense was spotted a 21 point lead…in the first 18 minutes!  It wasn’t enough. 
 

Sunday, the Bills could have walked into the lockerroom with double digit lead with 1:29 in the 2nd.  The D gave up a TD. 
 

31 ppg is a problem. any team that can slow Josh down even a little bit is a threat.  The whole point of the off season shake up was to not have Josh carry the Defense this year.

Ya it's definitely a problem . I'm not a McDermott fan and I was hoping for a change years ago.

 

But we got to be honest with ourselves.. The defence for the vast majority has been poor so far this year 

[Simon]

Just now, BillsFan130 said:

I'm not a McDermott fan and I was hoping for a change years ago.

 

This is not a McDermott thread.

[Joe Ferguson forever]

Hairston looks bad.  Gardner - Johnson looks more negative than positive.  Hamlin is a liability.  Hopefully Hairston grows into it.  The other 2 will not.

[BillsFan130]

Just now, Simon said:

 

They have absolutely not been bad for the most part. 

It's literally been about 16-17 minutes a game.

Ok but that's part of the game, no?

 

31 PPG they have let up 

 

Even if you don't count the garbage time TD by Detroit, 27.5 PPG for 2 games is not good

[NoSaint]

Just now, BillsFan130 said:

Ok but that's part of the game, no?

 

31 PPG they have let up 

 

Even if you don't count the garbage time TD by Detroit, 27.5 PPG for 2 games is not good

Detroit averaged 28.3 ppg last season

 

So not good but above average