‘The Bills have given up just 10 sacks, which is fewest in the league. Their sack rate of 4.2% is second best, behind only Denver (4.0%). Allen’s sublime ability to escape pressure plays into those numbers, but giving up just 10 sacks through eight games speaks to the pass blocking. According to the NFL’s Next Gen Stats, it takes 2.82 seconds for Bills quarterbacks to be pressured, which is the fifth best in the NFL.’
Archives for November 1, 2024
PlayAction column: Bills brace for myriad of screen passes from Dolphins
‘A cool example came near the end of Miami’s first possession against Arizona on Sunday. Miami tight end Jonnu Smith lined up in the backfield and sprinted in motion at the snap to the far right. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa took the shotgun snap, took two steps toward Smith, faked a throw with his left hand and shoveled the ball forward with his right for a middle screen to tight end Julian Hill.’
Bills notes: Buffalo readies for Tua Tagovailoa; Amari Cooper still limited in practice
‘“They still have main core concepts and stuff. Obviously, still run a lot of the same stuff,” Rapp said. “But the offense is a whole new identity with Tua back. … I guess that’s the tricky part of game planning this week, trying to figure out exactly what their offense is gonna look like.”‘
Jim Kubiak: Josh Allen and Bills staff deserve credit, and the team is growing together. Take a look
‘Allen demonstrated remarkable poise, precision and resilience in his eight offensive series against Seattle, completing 24 of 34 attempts (70.5%) for 283 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Allen also ran the ball effectively in this game, with 25 yards on seven attempts. Allen spread the football to seven different receivers, making it difficult for the Seahawks to take any one player away, and this ball distribution, combined with the electrifying James Cook rushing attack, was more than the Seahawks could handle.’
Erik Brady: In Philly, Bills backers love Halloween, Phil Hansen and a place named for ‘Land of the Young’
‘These days she is president of the Downtown Philadelphia Bills Backers. They meet weekly in-season for Bills games at an Irish pub in the shadow of Philly’s City Hall. It’s called Tír na nÓg – Gaelic for “Land of the Young.”‘
Bills defense has been put to the test: Here’s how they grade in midseason report card
‘There is some nuance to the Bills’ pass rushing metrics. They rank just 17th in the NFL in pressure rate at 33.1%, and are 19th in sack percentage at 6.4%, but that’s partially because the Bills blitz at the fourth-lowest rate in the league at 18%. Because they are routinely rushing with four against five offensive linemen and an occasional chip from a back or tight end, that makes it tough to get home.’
Bills Mafia docuseries, produced by HOF wide receiver and Buffalo native, shows fan passion
‘NFL Hall of Famer Andre Reed and Buffalo native Chad Michael Murray are stepping in as executive producers for the upcoming series, ‘Just One Before I Die.’ The show will explore the loyal and passionate fanbase as they continue supporting the Buffalo Bills in their pursuit of that elusive Super Bowl victory.’
Bills’ Josh Allen gets bulletin board material from Dolphins DC ahead of Sunday’s game
‘Despite Allen’s success against Miami throughout his career, the team seems to enjoy giving the quarterback bulletin board material from time to time. The lastest instance of this came on Thursday when Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver took a shot at Allen’s ball security.’
Questions about speed haven’t stopped Bills rookie Keon Coleman from being a big-play threat
‘Coleman’s 4.61-second 40-yard dash initially gave defenses the impression Coleman wouldn’t be able to separate, allowing them to play more press coverage, something Coleman didn’t see a lot in college. Twenty-three of his 34 targets have come against press coverage and he’s learned to thrive, averaging 20.8 yards per catch.’
Dolphins prepare for Josh Allen, believe they can get the ball out: ‘He just kind of hangs it out there like a loaf of bread’
‘“The one thing about Josh is he gives you a chance to get the ball because he is so strong,” Weaver said. “He reminds me a little bit of Steve McNair, Ben Roethlisberger back there where, when you get there, you have to make sure, not only try to tackle him, but you almost have equally as good of a chance as tackling the ball because he just kind of hangs it out there like a loaf of bread. So I think the biggest thing is to throttle down — first thing — let’s make sure we’re securing and try to get the sack and then try to attack the ball in doing so.”’
Friday’s Miami Coverage
Jaylen Wright leads the Dolphins in yards per carry. Why hasn’t he played more? (Miami Herald)
Kelly: Da’Shawn Hand resurrects his once-promising career in Miami | Opinion (Miami Herald)
Dolphins challenge this young player. And the terrible quandary facing coaches on Sunday (Miami Herald)
Examining how Robinson, edge players drafted after him are doing. And Dolphins injury news (Miami Herald)
Dolphins prepare for Josh Allen, believe they can get the ball out: ‘He just kind of hangs it out there like a loaf of bread’ (South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Dolphins’ Jaylen Wright making case for more opportunities; Alec Ingold Miami’s latest injured player (South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Dave Hyde: Tua’s better than this fumbled shot at fans over fumbled shotgun snap (South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Chris Perkins: Dolphins owner Steve Ross, or someone, must force offensive changes on Mike McDaniel — or else (South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Tua Tagovailoa on fumbled snap: Harder than it looks ‘on your couch eating chips’ (Palm Beach Post)
Miami Dolphins did not have Jalen Ramsey on Cardinals’ top receiver late. Here’s why. (Palm Beach Post)
Miami Dolphins’ legendary assistant coach Bill Arnsparger a Hall of Fame semifinalist (Palm Beach Post)
How Tua stayed close to Dolphins during concussion protocol (ESPN)
Tua Tagovailoa blasts critics after mishandled snap, says play only looked easy ‘on your couch eating chips’ (CBS Sports)
Top Quotes: Back to Western New York for a Date with the Bills (MiamiDolphins.com)
Transcript: Mike McDaniel’s Media Availability – October 30 (MiamiDolphins.com)
Transcript: Tua Tagovailoa’s Media Availability – October 30 (MiamiDolphins.com)
Bills caution against complacency with 4-win edge atop AFC East and 2-5 Dolphins coming to Buffalo
‘“It’s cool to be sure,” Rousseau said, when informed the Bills (6-2) are the league’s eighth team since realignment in 2002 to hold a four-or-more-win edge over their division through eight weeks. “But I’d say the biggest thing that comes with being up four wins is being able to battle complacency. You never know. We haven’t clinched anything.”’
AFC East-leading Bills are 13-1 in past 14 against Dolphins, in preparing to host division rival
‘Key matchup – Dolphins WR Tyreek vs. Bills secondary. With 30 catches for 366 yards, Hill’s numbers are already down after topping 1,700 yards receiving in each of his first two seasons in Miami. And his production might not get a boost against a Bills defense that has contained him the past two-plus seasons in Miami. Hill has been limited to 31 catches for 335 yards and two scores in six meetings, including playoffs, against Buffalo.’
Can Bills defeat AFC East rival, Dolphins again?
‘In recent years, matchups between the Bills and Dolphins have taken place with plenty on the line, but there has been an overwhelming theme of Buffalo getting the best of its division foe. This Sunday (1 p.m. ET, CBS) will mark a chance for the Bills to sweep the Dolphins this year and put an exclamation mark on the team’s lead in the AFC East.’
Bernard, Cooper still limited for Bills on Thursday
‘For the Bills, linebacker Terrel Bernard and wide receiver Amari Cooper were limited for a second-straight day, while cornerback Christian Benford went from a full participant on Wednesday to limited on Thursday (wrist).’