WideNine

That is interesting. There were times we used wider splits when running the ball back in Daboll's days when we were in spread to create more room for our pretty vanilla inside zone runs. But just having Dion with the wider split is a bit different and he also does not line up as far back from the LOS as other LTs in the league. There was a time when OTs would line up fairly deep from the LOS so they could better contain that outside rush from gaining the edge. NE OL used to remind me of a phalanx of Canadian geese. The NFL cracked down on that in the off season as they are supposed to be lined up on the LOS, but they allow for some leeway now and probably more subjectivity than any of us like as to when they will flag an infraction. Supposedly OTs must have their helmet aligned with at least the belt line of the center to avoid being flagged. First Dion has to be very light on his feet to make this work. I know he likes to get his hands on defensive lineman and engage as soon as possible. Perhaps the wider split would make it harder for defensive lineman to create as much confusion with protections when running stunts and twists. Maybe just a personal preference... (Why Dion why??) 😁

Should include Shakir in that list. Not sure the aggregate tells the full story as all these receivers seem to be getting better the more game reps they have with Allen. The only one where I feel the timing is stubbornly a tick off is Allen to Kincaid. They connect, but still too many near misses and circus catches. Must be something deceptive with Kincaid's speed. Either way when folks pump Burrow's tires I always think yeah he is good, but who else has an elite WR that they have played with since college (Ja'Marr Chase). That is quite a luxury for building chemistry.

Agree. He suffered turf toe early and for an explosive guy whose game is planting and changing direction that really impacts their game. Usually something that hangs around for a while and easily reaggravated. Had that once when I was a younger man playing sports. Also pulled groin and tore a hammy so can relate to all those things. Sucks for him, but it just means that other guys get to eat more.

That....was...awesome

Yes and well-deserved. He took the heat for that strange gadget play that blew up earlier this season and took it on the chin. A well-timed OP as he deserves so much credit for melding this offense together with so many serviceable players with very different skill sets and getting the results of having effective game plans, execution, and adjustments. Allen has grown so much under him using motion and other keys to recognize coverages, calling out protections, and playing more within the structure of the offense. Playing within the structure more and being balanced with calling runs, he has limited the toll on Allen's body by limiting the necessity of QB runs and having to do so much off schedule. And he and Kromer are in great lock-step on both pass pro, and our run blocking schemes that they keep Allen clean and we have a highly effective run game that teams have to account for. I think there is more meat on the bone as I think we had the ball within the 5 twice and came up empty vs Detroit. Crazy to think that if we had those we would have been closing in on 60 points. Even Josh said as much in his presser after the game, that it may sound silly with the score they had, but they left some points on the field and that bothered him. Our offense needs to stay hungry like that as I feel our path to winning is going to be simply scoring first and scoring more than our opponents as our defense is not quite as dominant this season keeping teams off the scoreboard, but they have been opportunistic. Brady is doing a great job.

KC has usurped the role of team I hate most because they have been in the way. That being said another 5 seasons of crushing the Dolphins and another decade of crushing the Patriots will go a long way to evening out my sense of karma.

Regardless I remember that play and that hip-drop was nasty and if it tore up Allen's knee it could have really impacted his career. For all the times I want to shout "just let them play the game" I never like to see that move, crack blocks, or that alligator roll when they have a QB's legs. Does anyone have a link to that mic'd up clip?

It does make you wonder how much they actually dive into the X's and O's. Grudens expressions are really funny, "WTH, are you guys talking about?".

This. With so much arm strength Allen's biggest challenge was always touch, and ball placement hitting receivers in stride on those shorter screens, wheels, slants, and drag routes. Certainly has come a long way, there have been so many well placed balls that allow all that RAC we have piled up.

True, and I also like when I see Allen sprinkling in some reps where he climbs the pocket or escapes to his left and make those throws. Those are not easy throws for a right handed QB to make, but Allen threw some gems yesterday while on the move to the left without much as a break in stride. He puts defenses in so much conflict whether to close on him or stay back in coverage and if they are rolling coverage to the right he has other tools in the box he can use when needed. Not that he always has to make those high-difficulty tosses, but just knowing he can gives defenses one more thing to worry about. And I think we can all applaud the kind of slides he made yesterday too. He did not go into them too early setting up short down and distance but right beyond the marker to convert the down. And he slid while under good control and in better position to avoid or defend a late hit. Loved the quick slide and the way he popped right up off the turf. Why lay down there inviting defenders to do their worst to "avoid" hitting you.

Campbell looked downright twitchy in his presser talking about how they had planned for Allen to contain and have a spy on him. We don't play the Lions often, but Allen has been there done that with so many teams. They were not showing him anything new.

True.. and OBD has found some gems in the draft and it is the most comfort I have had with our OL depth in a long time. Kromer is one heck of a coach and really has this group humming. Torrence seems to be putting in the work to improve his pass pro sets. The false starts across the line have to get cleaned up a bit, but other than that this has been a real solid season keeping Josh clean. We even execute screen plays and use some elaborate motion, pulling and blocking schemes that work.... I had just about given up on my Bills being able to pull off a screen play

And at least the d-line and backers came out swinging early and we were able to stuff the run and do the things needed to take an early lead. Fine making it a boat race after that. Will be interested in the all-22 what we did to shut down their run. Oliver must have heard folks asking where has he been this season...he played like the guy we saw last year. Got pressure on Goff most the game too...they still made a lot of plays down field. Like us they have a lot of receiving weapons. I did not hear Coop's name called so assuming Detroit focused on and doubled him to take him away. Will see what the tape gurus say. Rapp has been such a solid tacker that it makes it that much more noticeable when you see Lewis grabbing air and bouncing off receivers.

What negativity? It was a great win in their house on the road and the Bills had a snow day to boot. The defense on neither side showed up and that is just a fact on the score board and for the record books.

Probably because they are not casual fans that just look at the W/L column. It is ok to enjoy a win and love what this team does well and hate what this team sucks at. No big mystery. The bigger mystery is why folks ask this same question after every win.