Superbowl Takeaways: How to win in today's NFL

[K D]

Watching the Superbowl was eye opening on a number of levels.  It took Foles playing out of his mind and passing for nearly 400 yards in his best game ever just to keep up with Brady and the Pats and the Eagles still would have lost if not for a miracle strip sack in what was sure to be NE's game winning drive.  This is the new NFL and that is how you win.  You put the ball in the air.  You take shots down field.  You go for it on 4th down and take chances.  You get creative with the play calls.  You go for the TD and don't accept just a FG.  Pederson knew that he had to make some tough calls to win and he had the guts to call them on the game's biggest stage.

 

When everyone gets together to watch the Superbowl what often happens is you end up watching the game with people that aren't big football fans otherwise.  It was obvious to many of the casual observers watching with us that this did not look like any Bills game they had seen in recent years.  "This was more exciting than any of ours games.  Why don't the Bills throw it like that?"  For many years the entire Bills organization has been stuck on this notion that you have a strong running game and a strong defense and that will be how you win.  Really?  How well has that worked for us?  We have had some great running teams but where has that gotten us?  If anything, the run game and defense are afterthoughts as yesterday's game surely proved.  You have to score and you have to score fast.  You have to push the ball down the field.  That is how you win championships.

 

If you are content with merely backing into the playoffs and hovering around the .500 mark every year then sure, draft some nice defensive players in the first round (and then trade them away when they don't fit your scheme anymore).  Maybe draft a late round QB and see if he is any good.  Buy a lottery ticket too because hey, you never know.  Hand the ball off to Shady 30 times.  Have a QB that is better at running than throwing.  Be conservative on your play calls.  Take those 3 points when you can.  Definitely punt on 4th and 1.  Run the same boring plays over and over.  Require your defense to get takeaways and make plays.  And make sure you have a good punter.

 

Or hey, maybe change it up a little and put a higher priority on the QB position.  Have a sophisticated passing attack and push the ball to the 2nd level of the defense.  Go for it on 4th down when the stats are favorable.  Don't settle for the 3, take shots into the endzone and get the 7.  Have some creative plays dialed up.  Take some risks don't be so conservative and predictable!

 

I keep waiting for them to "get it."  Sadly, I don't think this new administration does either.  We will see where their priorities lie in April.  Are they ready to do what it takes to take us to the next level and be a real contender?  Or will they be conservative and make the safe picks just to keep pace and keep their jobs?

[mabden]

1 hour ago, kdiggz said:

 For many years the entire Bills organization has been stuck on this notion that you have a strong running game and a strong defense and that will be how you win. 

 

This is what teams with poor to mediocre quarterbacking say.   While there are few instances of mediocre quarterbacks on winning SB teams; Mark Ripen (Washington had a terrific OL) and Trent Dilfer (Ravens had a killer defense) come to mind, it hasn't worked for the Bills.

Edited February 5, 2018 by mabden

[Jerome007]

11 minutes ago, mabden said:

 

This is what teams with poor to mediocre quarterbacking say.   While there are few instances of mediocre quarterbacks on winning SB teams; Mark Ripen (Washington had a terrific OL) and Trent Dilfer (Ravens had a killer defense) come to mind, it hasn't worked for the Bills.

Oh come on. You play to your strengths, period. The saying for years has been "defense wins championships". Now because of yesterday it's all about offense? 

OF COURSE HAVING A SUPERSTAR QB HELPS WIN SUPERBOWLS!!!! It was the same in the most run first/strong defense oriented years. But teams have proven there are different ways to win in the NFL. Credit an overall well designed rule book, even if it has become a more pass happy league.

 

If you happen to not have that elusive superstar QB, you have to find other ways. Jaguars almost beat the Pats, and the Bills almost beat  the Jags... both with no pass offense to mention! A team doesn't get an elite QB just because it makes sense!  All teams are looking for one. They are a rare breed.

[hondo in seattle]

I wouldn't judge too much based on one game.  This SB wasn't representative of the 2017 season as a whole.  Philly had to pass a lot because their D couldn't stop Brady.  If their D was better, of if Brady had a bad game, the run/pass mix would have been different.

Then again, it's a cliche to say today's NFL is a passing league.  It's no secret that rule changes - and scheme evolution - over the years have made aerial attacks the main method of earning both yards and points.  I don't think there are many take aways from the game - other than maybe we should have gotten Nick Foles when we had the chance.  

[Samwell Tarly]

Not to sidestep too far from the OP's original point, the Eagles didn't do what everyone else has done for years against New England. 

  They actually kept their foot on the gas offensively.  Instead if playing worthless prevent defense they went after Brady, and amazingly, they got him to turn it over. 

  You have to take chances to beat the best teams.  Conservative equals predictable in football.  Taking risks doesn't always pay off but not taking risks only gets you so far.  Brady has made a living off teams that get ahead by about ten or twenty and pray that's enough.

 

1. Keep scoring.

2.  Keep knocking Brady down. 

3. No lead is safe.

4.  Keep moving the ball.  Brady can't hurt you while he's stuck on the bench watching your offense.

5. Knock Brady down some more.  Its the one thing that gets under his skin.

6. Brady's gonna get his yards and points, that's a given.  You have to out shoot him.  YOU CAN'T OUTLAST HIM.

Edited February 5, 2018 by Jigsaw2112

[hondo in seattle]

3 minutes ago, Jigsaw2112 said:

Not to sidestep too far from the OP's original point, the Eagles didn't do what everyone else has done for years against New England. 

  They actually kept their foot on the gas offensively.  Instead if playing worthless prevent defense they went after Brady, and amazingly, they got him to turn it over. 

  You have to take chances to beat the best teams.  Conservative equals predictable in football.  Taking risks doesn't always pay off but not taking risks only gets you so far.  Brady has made a living off teams that get ahead by about ten or twenty and pray that's enough.

 

1. Keep scoring.

2.  Keep knocking Brady down. 

3. No lead is safe.

4.  Keep moving the ball.  Brady can't hurt you while he's stuck on the bench watching your offense.

5. Knock Brady down some more.  Its the one thing that gets under his skin.

 

I'm not sure how much #2 and #5 helped.  Brady through for over 500 yards with a passer rating north of 100.

 

#1 was Philly's key to success and understanding #3 & #4 helped them make good calls.  

[Samwell Tarly]

1 minute ago, hondo in seattle said:

 

I'm not sure how much #2 and #5 helped.  Brady through for over 500 yards with a passer rating north of 100.

 

#1 was Philly's key to success and understanding #3 & #4 helped them make good calls.  

It does seem to throw off his timing and focus.  Not completely, but enough to open the window.  Plus I like seeing him get knocked down.?

[Gugny]

1 hour ago, kdiggz said:

Watching the Superbowl was eye opening on a number of levels.  It took Foles playing out of his mind and passing for nearly 400 yards in his best game ever just to keep up with Brady and the Pats and the Eagles still would have lost if not for a miracle strip sack in what was sure to be NE's game winning drive.  This is the new NFL and that is how you win.  You put the ball in the air.  You take shots down field.  You go for it on 4th down and take chances.  You get creative with the play calls.  You go for the TD and don't accept just a FG.  Pederson knew that he had to make some tough calls to win and he had the guts to call them on the game's biggest stage.

 

When everyone gets together to watch the Superbowl what often happens is you end up watching the game with people that aren't big football fans otherwise.  It was obvious to many of the casual observers watching with us that this did not look like any Bills game they had seen in recent years.  "This was more exciting than any of ours games.  Why don't the Bills throw it like that?"  For many years the entire Bills organization has been stuck on this notion that you have a strong running game and a strong defense and that will be how you win.  Really?  How well has that worked for us?  We have had some great running teams but where has that gotten us?  If anything, the run game and defense are afterthoughts as yesterday's game surely proved.  You have to score and you have to score fast.  You have to push the ball down the field.  That is how you win championships.

 

If you are content with merely backing into the playoffs and hovering around the .500 mark every year then sure, draft some nice defensive players in the first round (and then trade them away when they don't fit your scheme anymore).  Maybe draft a late round QB and see if he is any good.  Buy a lottery ticket too because hey, you never know.  Hand the ball off to Shady 30 times.  Have a QB that is better at running than throwing.  Be conservative on your play calls.  Take those 3 points when you can.  Definitely punt on 4th and 1.  Run the same boring plays over and over.  Require your defense to get takeaways and make plays.  And make sure you have a good punter.

 

Or hey, maybe change it up a little and put a higher priority on the QB position.  Have a sophisticated passing attack and push the ball to the 2nd level of the defense.  Go for it on 4th down when the stats are favorable.  Don't settle for the 3, take shots into the endzone and get the 7.  Have some creative plays dialed up.  Take some risks don't be so conservative and predictable!

 

I keep waiting for them to "get it."  Sadly, I don't think this new administration does either.  We will see where their priorities lie in April.  Are they ready to do what it takes to take us to the next level and be a real contender?  Or will they be conservative and make the safe picks just to keep pace and keep their jobs?

 

If you have Jim Schwartz, keep him around so you don't have to get rid of all the players who don't fit your scheme anymore.

 

OR

 

Hire Rex Ryan.

 

Wanna win?  Have an owner with an open wallet and a shut mouth.  Get the right guys in place (GM/HC) and KEEP THEM.  Consistency is key.

[Hapless Bills Fan]

9 minutes ago, hondo in seattle said:

I'm not sure how much #2 and #5 helped.  Brady through for over 500 yards with a passer rating north of 100.

 

#1 was Philly's key to success and understanding #3 & #4 helped them make good calls.  

 

It's a hard point to argue when the QB passes for >500 yds, but the pressure and knocking-down that Philly did achieve made a difference, you bet.

57% completions is low for Brady.  You think 4 more completions by Brady couldn't have tipped the game?

[Over 29 years of fanhood]

So you can win Super Bowls as long as your QB situation is somewhere between Tom Brady and Nick Foles ... got it