‘However, analytics say that McDermott’s decision, given the circumstances, was the right one. But the reality is, in sports, the wisdom of a decision is decided almost solely on its success.’
Archives for October 19, 2021
Jason Wolf: How does a Bills team with so many weapons keep coming up short in red zone?
‘The Bills have scored only 16 touchdowns in 29 trips to the red zone this season, confounding for a team with so many weapons. That’s more trips to the red zone than any team in the league, but just a 55.2% conversion rate, worse than all but six teams.’
‘That’s what 22 does to you’: Titans RB Derrick Henry flattens Bills defense
‘“Some of it, we were sucking up on the play action a little bit there with the play fake and it opens up the middle,” McDermott said. “That’s where they got their receivers. That’s what 22 (Henry) does to you. He makes you commit to the run.”’
Observations: Bills OC Brian Daboll once again coaches with a heavy heart
‘Kirsten’s death comes less than a month after his wife of 68 years, Ruth, passed away Sept. 22. Together, they took Daboll in shortly after he was born and raised him together in their West Seneca home.’
Plays that shaped the game: Derrick Henry shows Bills why he’s NFL rushing king
‘On the long TD run, Bills defensive left end Greg Rousseau didn’t hold containment, getting blocked out of position by tight end Geoff Swaim. That gave Henry a big crease off right tackle. Receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine blocked Jordan Poyer to the ground. Poyer was calling for a holding foul. Linebacker Matt Milano got stuck inside of Rousseau.’
Quarter by quarter: Derrick Henry, Titans bowl over Bills in seesaw battle
‘While Knox’s pass to Allen extended the lead and was a well-done play, there was a downside. Knox injured his hand and his return was questionable. At that point in the game, he had three catches on three targets for 25 yards.’
Report Card: Running game struggles on both sides of the ball factor heavily into Bills’ loss to Titans
‘Penalties also remain an issue – with eight of them being called for 60 yards against. That has to get better.’
Instant reactions: Bills can’t solve kryptonite Titans, lose on failed fourth-down gamble
‘Bad loss. A really bad loss to a Tennessee team that was terrible banged up on defense.’
Bills report card: Buffalo loss to Titans was brutal, but going for win was right call
‘Like I always say with the running game, though, it’s usually not the fault of the backs. The running game is all about winning at the line of scrimmage and the Bills did not do that. It looked like rookie RT Spencer Brown had a rough night, I know LG Jon Feliciano did, and I’ll have to see what else went wrong when I re-watch the game. I’m going to guess that not a lot will look good as the Titans’ talented front won the night.’
Bills lose slugfest vs. Titans; Derrick Henry runs wild on Buffalo’s no. 1-ranked defense (7 observations)
‘Allen faced plenty of pressure from a Tennessee defensive line, led by defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons and linebacker Harold Landry. Those two combined for three sacks of Allen and hit him four times during the game. The Bills offensive line struggled to protect Allen at times, most notably rookie right tackle Spencer Brown. On Allen’s second touchdown, Brown was beat wide but was saved by his quarterback on a roll out to the right that eluded the rusher. He bought extra time and found his target in the end zone.’
Buffalo Bills OL struggles, DL disappoints against Titans (4 reasons to be encouraged, 7 reasons to worry)
‘Buffalo’s pass rush was supposed to get home against a Titans offensive line that allowed more sacks through five weeks than any other team in the league but the defense had no answers on Monday night. The team finished with no sacks and just two quarterback hits in the loss. That doesn’t cut it when you consider Taylor Lewan, one of the Titans’ best OL, left the game with an injury.’
Bills discuss decision to go for win on 4th down vs. Titans: ‘I’ll take Josh Allen 10 times out of 10′
‘“It just looked like there was some penetration there off our left side and they pinched down,” he said. “At the end of the day I trust them, and I’ll trust them again if we’re in that situation again. I’ll take Josh Allen 10 times out of 10.”’
Bills should look to address trenches following loss to Titans (Week 6 report card)
‘Buffalo’s defensive line was the worst unit of the night.’
Five takeaways: Bills come up short on critical fourth down play, fall to Titans
‘Missed opportunities and a lack of execution were a large part of the story for the Buffalo offense during Monday’s defeat. As they have all season, the Bills were inconsistent in the red zone against Tennessee and suffered far too many crucial penalties. Allen finished the game 35-of-47 passing for 353 yards and three touchdowns against one interception, but it wasn’t enough. The Bills QB was sacked three times in the loss, while the Buffalo running game came up small in one of the biggest games of the year, totaling 82 rushing yards on 23 carries.’
Buffalo Bills Week 6 Report Card: Bills lose to Titans 34-31
‘Defensive line: F. “Winning” on the edge means little unless you’re truly pressuring the quarterback or getting sacks. Enough of the moral victories. It’s time for the Bills to find a pass rush. The Bills’ rushers seem to find a way to get close, but not close enough. They need to start finishing the job and putting QBs on their backs.’