A Few Thoughts About The Game, in no particlar order.....

[first_and_ten]

I don't think it should be underestimated how good of a team Cincinnati has right now. They seem solid in every position.

 

With the exception of Denver I am having a hard time naming a team in the AFC that I am certain is better than them.

 

KC? Reid has them playing pretty solid football right now but I still need to see them beat someone better than Dallas or Philly.

 

New England? Somehow they keep putting together wins when it seems they should lose, plus Cincy beat them head to head.

 

Indy? Maybe, they are playing well too and have better QB play.

 

In any case Cincy has to be one of the best few teams in the AFC right now and a beat all to hell Bills team still could have won the game. I'm disappointed for sure but this 2-4 doesn't feel the same as the dead in the water 2-4 teams of years past.

 

You're right, it doesn't feel the same. The losing still hurts but I feel the Bills can compete with just about anyone. That feeling was not there in past years. They have been in every game so far.

[Orton's Arm]

At this point, my biggest concern with this team is the coaching.

 

1. To the original point about Hogan... how can he still be out there with all his drops and Easley on the bench. Every fan watching the game can see that Hogan doesn't have it. Why can't the coaches?

 

2. This continual running up the middle, off center. It's just not working. Stop it. Every fan watching the game can see it. What can't the coaches.

 

3. That 4th and goal play. Really? First of all, after 3 tries, take the easy FG, tie the game and keep your offense's confidence flying high. But, if you do run a play, why pick a play you rarely ever run that calls for a back up lineman and the fullback to be e 2 receiving options? Whe does that make sense?

 

4. OT. you can't go conservative. I understand that an interception ends the game, but punting from your 10 isn't much better. The QB had just had a great drive to tie the game, you gotta give him a chance. The run, run, pass conservative plan is just wrong there.

 

Once again, I see us losing a game that just looked winnable. But our coaching and game plan just came up lacking when the young players needed it the most.

 

Good post!

 

I also fixed a minor error.

Edited October 14, 2013 by Edwards' Arm

[macaroni]

The thing I noticed about the game yesterday was the Bills actually changed up the play call on first down, they actually threw the ball a bit on first and ten. As a matter of fact the overall play calling seemed somehow different than when E. J. was behind center. Did anybody else feel this way????

 

I don't know if the coaching staff is trying to "protect" E. J. by running a vanillia offense while he is in there ... or E. J. is audibling out of of some plays ... or the O co-ordinator just tumbled to the fact that we have the talent to actually mix up the run and pass plays.

 

Neither of the three options really make sense to me ... maybe the third one a little bit ... and maybe the change in offensive game plan is all in my head.

[tennesseeboy]

Puzzled by Gilmore being out there with only one hand. I don't see how he can be effective, no matter how good he is, at cb with that club where his hand should be. I'm cutting the guy a break until he can play with both hands.

[mead107]

The no call on the pass interference was just unbelievably wrong.

 

I think when they sit down in new York and review the refs they should be fined for blowen calls just like they fine players for doing something wrong. It may make them think twice before the make non calls for there favorite teams. Something has to be done

[thewildrabbit]

Just to let fans know what the Bengals DC game plan was against PS QB Thaddeus Lewis.

 

"Lewis came alive late and profited from some questionable play calling and execution from the Bengals’ defense. Only blitzed five times on his 41 drop-backs, two of those were Lewis’ fourth quarter touchdown passes"

 

"- Pressured 11 times, Thaddeus Lewis attempted only four passes (zero completions) and was sacked five times with two scrambles."

 

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2013/10/14/refo-cin-buf-week-6/

 

This tells that most of the game the Bengals mostly only rushed with their front four, so the Bills O line really wasn't tested like they were against the Jets, and their all out blitzing tactics. This reminds me if the Patriots (week one) defensive game plan against EJ in not blitzing and thinking the rookie will make mistakes on his own. Still, Lewis was sacked five times, and I would really hate to think of how badly he would have looked if Cincy's D had played against the Bills the way they played against the Patriots the previous week.

Edited October 14, 2013 by FeartheLosing

[Coach Tuesday]

Just to let fans know what the Bengals DC game plan was against PS QB Thaddeus Lewis.

 

"Lewis came alive late and profited from some questionable play calling and execution from the Bengals’ defense. Only blitzed five times on his 41 drop-backs, two of those were Lewis’ fourth quarter touchdown passes"

 

"- Pressured 11 times, Thaddeus Lewis attempted only four passes (zero completions) and was sacked five times with two scrambles."

 

https://www.profootb...cin-buf-week-6/

 

This tells that most of the game the Bengals mostly only rushed with their front four, so the Bills O line really wasn't tested like they were against the Jets, and their all out blitzing tactics. This reminds me if the Patriots (week one) defensive game plan against EJ in not blitzing and thinking the rookie will make mistakes on his own. Still, Lewis was sacked five times, and I would really hate to think of how badly he would have looked if Cincy's D had played against the Bills the way they played against the Patriots the previous week.

 

You can bet that the Dolphins will be bringing the heavy blitz next week. It could get ugly.

[mrags]

 

 

Simon if you have noticed, I don't argue with you all that much about anything, let alone about defensive backs. But my friend, Gilmore hurt us today. And I do await the time that he proves to be worth such an early pick, let alone a "shutdown corner." Do you see it coming?

i agree with a few things here.

 

Number 1. Don't ever disagree with Simon

 

Number 2. Gilmore definitely hurt us today.

 

He was an absolute liability with that club in his hand. He was favoring which side he hit with and one arming tackles because he was worried about it. IMO.

 

But that should reflect how well he played last year as a rookie. He definitely looked good last year and we can only hope it continues and he progresses. But yiu were right about yesterday. I suspect that he will be limited as long as that club Is on his hand. IMO, if they are going to use him with that thing in, use him in nickle and dime packages where he's not covering the top WRs. That should even things up a bit.

[zow2]

Two things not mentioned that stoodout for me on Sunday...

 

The Bengals front 7 were scary. I haven't felt that way about any D we've played this year. Those guys seemed athletic and angry. I give Thad and the O alot of credit for what they did out there. If Cinci's offense can produce, they will be a tough out in the playoffs.

 

Was it me or did Jermaine Gresham blatantly hold on those screen passes. He would square up and grab our guys by the outside of shoulder pads, gripping them, and drive the Bills defender down the field. Is that really allowed? seems like holding but in a pushing manner....where the defender can't get off. If it is allowed then every Bills TE should use that technique...but our guys often get called for holding.

[thebandit27]

i agree with a few things here.

 

Number 1. Don't ever disagree with Simon

 

Number 2. Gilmore definitely hurt us today.

 

He was an absolute liability with that club in his hand. He was favoring which side he hit with and one arming tackles because he was worried about it. IMO.

 

But that should reflect how well he played last year as a rookie. He definitely looked good last year and we can only hope it continues and he progresses. But yiu were right about yesterday. I suspect that he will be limited as long as that club Is on his hand. IMO, if they are going to use him with that thing in, use him in nickle and dime packages where he's not covering the top WRs. That should even things up a bit.

 

His club hand definitely limited his ability to fight blocks and tackle; I think we all agree on that.

 

I'm still waiting on this one, however: how many completions did he allow, given that he played a decent number of defensive snaps?

[HurlyBurly51]

Two things not mentioned that stoodout for me on Sunday...

 

The Bengals front 7 were scary. I haven't felt that way about any D we've played this year. Those guys seemed athletic and angry. I give Thad and the O alot of credit for what they did out there. If Cinci's offense can produce, they will be a tough out in the playoffs.

 

Was it me or did Jermaine Gresham blatantly hold on those screen passes. He would square up and grab our guys by the outside of shoulder pads, gripping them, and drive the Bills defender down the field. Is that really allowed? seems like holding but in a pushing manner....where the defender can't get off. If it is allowed then every Bills TE should use that technique...but our guys often get called for holding.

 

Yes, I saw that on some of those Gresham blocks as well. The announcers even commented on one play the great block by Gresham. But that is holding. Just didn't get called.

[Russ 'Em]

Bill usually I can't wait to read your post about the games each week. Having said that, you phoned this one in. Maybe you wrote off the Bills chances early like the rest of the country and therefore didn't watch as intently as usual. If I see you stroke Searcy's ego, or bag on Kyle Williams in one more of these posts I'll puke. I think you put more effort into looking up Grateful Dead tunes then watching Gilmore play. If you did you would see that he was playing with one hand. A press corner playing one handed is the wrong move by the coaching staff. I did agree with you on two points though. Chris Hogan? Seriously? Easly really only plays ST? What a joke. I know people didn't want to keep around a developmental WR prospect, but could Darrick Rodgers be any more useless then Hogan? The second point I agree with, no its not giving kudos to a kid that juggles the ball every attempt he makes to catch it, but Coach Marrone going for it on fourth down. People are going to hate, but with a team like ours, we need to be aggressive; Offense, defense and special teams.

 

Come on Bill. Every one plays through injuries. You need to step it up.

[CodeMonkey]

A press corner playing one handed is the wrong move by the coaching staff.

I agree 100%.

 

but Coach Marrone going for it on fourth down. People are going to hate, but with a team like ours, we need to be aggressive; Offense, defense and special teams.

There is a very fine line between aggressive and stupid. And with the play called, along with the personnel in the game, they crossed the line in my opinion.

[FLFan]

 

I agree 100%.

 

 

There is a very fine line between aggressive and stupid. And with the play called, along with the personnel in the game, they crossed the line in my opinion.

The real problem were the calls on second and third downs. Those were the times to be more agressive. At that point, they should have kicked the field goal, which ended up being the difference in the game. Mike Smith of the Falcons made the same boneheaded mistake against the Jets and it cost him that game. I have seen him do it repeatedly, so clearly he is incapable of learning. Hopefully, Marrone is not.

[Fixxxer]

Can someone tell when the obvious PI on Goodwin happened? somehow I missed that play and I would like to watch it.

[Bill from NYC]

Erik Pears, Urbik, Wood, Legursky.......these are veterans. I will be surprised if at least two of those guys...Pears and Legursky...don't need to be replaced with starting quality players by next season.

 

As much as I respect him, I'm not sure if Kyle Williams will last much longer. He has taken a big time beating.

[KGUNBILLS]

The thing I noticed about the game yesterday was the Bills actually changed up the play call on first down, they actually threw the ball a bit on first and ten. As a matter of fact the overall play calling seemed somehow different than when E. J. was behind center. Did anybody else feel this way????

 

I don't know if the coaching staff is trying to "protect" E. J. by running a vanillia offense while he is in there ... or E. J. is audibling out of of some plays ... or the O co-ordinator just tumbled to the fact that we have the talent to actually mix up the run and pass plays.

 

Neither of the three options really make sense to me ... maybe the third one a little bit ... and maybe the change in offensive game plan is all in my head.

It would make sense to get EJ as comfortable with the offense as possible. They don't want him to be unsure about his ability. I would think they are taking baby steps with him to allow him to develop. Also, it makes the FO look good if he does well.

[macaroni]

It would make sense to get EJ as comfortable with the offense as possible. They don't want him to be unsure about his ability. I would think they are taking baby steps with him to allow him to develop. Also, it makes the FO look good if he does well.

But making him constantly face 3rd and long isn't a real confidence builder ...

[4BillsintheBurgh]

Totally agree on the Easley comments, this guy could be the big, physical receiver the team needs but apparently someone on the coaching staff doesn't think he's worth a shot. He could be another Eric Moulds.

With Stevie out, it seemed to me Hogan got most of the slot work in the 3 wide set and Graham/Woods handled the 2 wide sets. I think we would see more of Easley if Graham or Woods went down, I don't think he's much of a slot guy and more of an outside guy.

 

I think/hope we will see more of Goodwin instead of Hogan in the 3 wide sets if Stevie is out, assuming Goodwin is healthy. I assume Goodwin wasn't ready this week just coming off the injury.

 

Thad needs to find Chandler more often, he was getting open.

[PolishDave]

Thad needs to find Chandler more often, he was getting open.

 

I have seen a few people on this forum mention this and I agree.

 

Chandler is being under-utilized in a big way. He looks open a lot. He gets the last 2 tough yards. He also tends to catch the slightly off target passes that the other receivers drop.

 

If fitz could complete passes to him as often as he did, then these other quarterbacks should be able to do the same. I think it is a hidden asset on this team that could produce very handsome dividends if he was targeted in the passing game more.