A Few Thoughts about the Broncos Game, in no particular order

[Virgil]

It's not very often the Bills play a game where you never feel worried about a loss from the moment of kick off.  The Bills did that twice in consecutive weeks in a game where they always seemed in control.  So much in control, I was a little annoyed when they called a time-out to allow 3 points, preventing the shutout.  I was that confident in our guys that they wouldn't have scored against without it.  With that being said....

 

1 - Gore - The future HOFer was a change of pace back today, and did well doing it.  When he finally came into the game, he was a battering ram up the middle, just punishing a Broncos defense that was already on the field a lot.  You had to laugh at the Billsy moment of Gore losing yards on the first play he could have eclipsed the #3 spot, but he put the record away and then some, a few plays later.  I just want to acknowledge how rare this accomplishment is in a league where running backs are a throw-away position and careers end as players fade out in free agency.  Gore has bounced around from team to team, finding productivity and bringing leadership.  Every single week I read an article about Gore getting other players involved and being a phenomenal role model.  As the media was interviewing Singletary post game, asking him what it was like playing along side Gore, Gore overheard them and told the media to instead ask Singletary about getting his first 10 yard game as that's a big deal for the rookie.  Pure class and I'm glad he got the record while playing for the Bills.

 

2 - Singletary - If you had any questions about the rookie's ability to be a feature back, that was put to bed today.  The kid carried early, and he carried often.  He had some runs where he showed patience behind the line, waiting for holes to open.  He had some runs where he initiated contact and took some defenders with him.  We were a purely run heavy team today and Singletary was the bell cow.  Breaking 100 yards for the first time in his career against a solid defense is nothing to overlook.  He didn't get into the end zone or light up the fantasy rankings, but today was the most impressive game for his rookie season and really showed us a glimpse of what this rushing offense can look like. 

 

In addition, as many of us wondered how the Bills would handle Von Miller; Singletary had quite a few plays where he helped chip Von as he left the backfield, giving Allen that little extra bit of time.  Just another great attribute of this promising rookie.

 

3 - Tre White - Did anyone ball out harder that White today?  And I'm saying this after a game where we only gave up 3 points and multiple defenders had big plays.  Tre was EVERYWHERE.  I say that because he could've easily had two additional interceptions on top of the stellar over the shoulder catch he had in the redzone.  If he wasn't completely shutting down Sutton, he has knocking balls loose, breaking on flat routes to knock balls free, and just overall making Brandon Allen if he was sweating a little down there or if he was having an accident.  Tre is playing at an absolute elite level this season and is on his way to earning a massive payday.  We will definitely need him next week as go up against a team with the deepest receiving core we've played all season.

 

4 - "That's a heck of a win man and this is one heck of a team baby.  Now listen, one game and we are 1-0.  That's the goal every week and keep this in perspective.  Now hit the reset button.  I'm so proud of you guys."

 

5 - Allen - Josh threw an interception and I could not have cared any less.  The ball came out of his hands weird and just sailed on him.  Interceptions are going to happen, but not for Josh in the past few games and this wasn't a poor decision.  This was a play that randomly will happen and the Josh did what makes most of us love him, not care about it going forward.  Josh played fantastic to me today.  I'd go so far as to say it might have been a better performance than last week.  Yes, he got a big help by having the defense need to respect our running attack, but Allen made some amazing throws today that many have been asking to see.  And yes, he hit a BEAUTIFUL deep ball to Smoke which was deliciously over Harris' head.  Brown was taken away from Allen today and it didn't slow him down at all.  Beasley finally had a game where he was a focal point and responded in spades.  His TD pass to Beasley was one I hope other teams take note of and think twice when sending zero blitzes against Allen. 

 

I can tell I'm rambling here a little so here's the point.  Allen showed the accuracy, ability to read defenses and find the right match-ups, and scramble (3rd and long was amazing) in ways that make you realize we have a guy that can literally do anything against anyone.  Today checked all the boxes for me and he did it against a top 5 defense.  Keep it coming Josh.

 

6 - Defensive Line - If you were told a defensive line was going to have a solid day today, I think many would've assumed Josh would've been running for his life.  Quite the opposite as Shaq came out of his coma and Eddie had his first real sack today.  Both guys had great days and seemed to have their way with the Broncos offensive line any time they made the choice to take them on one on one.  Brandon Allen was sacked, knocked down, and overall off his mark due to the pressure.  There's a stat out there that it's the most sacks for the Bills in two games since sometime (Sorry, I'm not looking it up).  Credit to McD for continue to run stunt blitzes and give different looks.  I really think he's finding ways to put these guys in a position to win.

 

7 - Penalties - The only negative note I have about today's game was the insane amount of holding penalties that knocked us out of scoring position.  The holding call at the Broncos 1 yard was a killer.  More than that, we had multiple calls (none against Lee) that tried to slow the game down.   More frustrating was that the camera's never showed the replays.  There was one play where the commentators said they couldn't see why a hold was called and the players seemed frustrated.  The penalties kept quite a few more points off the board and absolutely killed a drive right before half.  I hope to hear more about these as people review the film and I hope they get this cleaned up as we have teams who will take better advantage of this going forward.

 

8 - Special Teams - Speaking of best games of the season.  Bojo and Roberts were absolutely huge today.  They gave us great field position all day and pinned the Broncos inside the 20 on quite a few plays.  These guys either took a beating or were unheard of until recently, but you can put this victory on these guys as much as anyone.  I'm happy to see this unit get some love and come together at a crucial time in this season.  We might even be at the point where we can consider them a strength and, like I said before, we are going to need them coming soon.

 

9 - Halftime Adjustments - If there's one thing I've really banged the drum for this season, it's how flat we look after halftime on offense and lack of overall adjustments.  Not only did our defense step it up a notch and hold Brandon to -4 yards through the 3rd quarter, but we scored a touchdown immediately after coming out of the tunnel.  The teams ability to make these adjustments is a major check on the list of things great teams do.  I think the Broncos only had 3 plays of over 10 yards in this game, and only one of them came in the second half on a broken tackle run by Lindsay, which was completely inconsequential.  Just great job. 

 

10 - Execution - Hearing McClappy talk about the teams opportunities mainly coming from lack of execution has always seemed like a blow off response in his dry post-game press conferences.  As the Bills have now put two back to back solid games, I can now see what he meant.  Yes, the coaches have done a great job making tweaks to their scheme.  But more importantly, you can see that they are still relatively running the same type of plays, but the the players are executing at a much higher level.  I almost want to throw up saying it, but it makes sense now and I think we are finally seeing the team that McD envisioned for us.  I feel as confident in this team as I have in the past few years.  It's not about the record of the teams we've played against, it's about how we've put them away and executed the plays called on the field.  The defense is communicating well, Allen is finding the right reads, we can run hurry up or ground and pound.  McD has Frazier and Daboll in the right spots and this team is playing like a family.  I don't know how the next 3 games will go, but I expect to see a competitive team out there playing their style of football.

 

Bonus - Special Credit needs to go to our offensive line today.  Ford held his own today against Von.  Feliciano held his own after taking over for Morse.  Just a great game for these guys in both protected Josh and opening holes for Singletary.  The 400 yards of offense we had today started and stopped with them.

 

 

*Around the League

- I watched Brady throw a 22 yard "bomb" to Edelman.  He had to #### his arm back and really let it fly.  It's the first time I've ever laughed at Brady as I realized how hard that throw was for him when Allen would've thrown that with a flick of his wrist

- On 3rd and 6 on their last drive, Brees hit Thomas on a fade route. The same exact play we missed against the Browns.  Since we missed it, I feel like I'm seeing that same play executed all over the league in similar situations. 

-Saints had a PI call overturned against them.  Someone might want to follow Sean around as he may need an alibi

 

 

**LAMP! - I'm sorry, but I have to say this on here.  I took a bunch of crap for suggesting the Bills let Foster run a jet sweep or reverse.  Man did I forget how fast that kid can be.  I mean, wow.  With his size and speed, he put us in great field position and reminded many of us what a talent he is if only he can keep it all together.  I was bummed to see him pull up lame after his catch and run.  I hope he gets healthy. 

 

Go Bills!

Edited November 25, 2019 by Virgil

[Orlando Buffalo]

Allen was my pleasant surprise today, since he actually made a mistake and then settled right back down. Early this season he allowed one mistake to become four, he is impressing me so much right now.

[Houston's #1 Bills Fan]

Great review. Hit all the points! Thanks!! Always enjoyable reading after a game. Let's Go Bills!! Turkey day awaits!!

[VirginiaMike]

Good assessment!  It was a joy watching the game today and that's not always true, even when we are winning.  Next up -- the Cowpokes.

 

[John from Riverside]

I thought Allen's deep ball to Brown was a thing of beauty today.....he might be finding his stride there

[Kelly the Dog]

Wasn't the play Foster came up lame the crossing pass he caught and not the reverse he ran? I heard someone on the post game say the same thing so maybe I drank more than I thought I did. But I thought he looked like he pulled up on the pass play for good yardage and not the run play. 

[Big C]

1 minute ago, Kelly the Dog said:

Wasn't the play Foster came up lame the crossing pass he caught and not the reverse he ran? I heard someone on the post game say the same thing so maybe I drank more than I thought I did. But I thought he looked like he pulled up on the pass play for good yardage and not the run play. 

 

This is correct

[Virgil]

1 minute ago, Kelly the Dog said:

Wasn't the play Foster came up lame the crossing pass he caught and not the reverse he ran? I heard someone on the post game say the same thing so maybe I drank more than I thought I did. But I thought he looked like he pulled up on the pass play for good yardage and not the run play. 

 

You know what,  you're right.  I remember now because the commentator made a comment about that only being his first catch.  I'll edit. 

 

He was blazing on both plays

[SCBills]

2 minutes ago, John from Riverside said:

I thought Allen's deep ball to Brown was a thing of beauty today.....he might be finding his stride there

Definitely hoping it’s one of those things where now that he hit one, they’ll start coming in bunches.  

[Stank_Nasty]

Fosters speed was NOTICEABLE on his 2 big plays. Showed the extra gear on both.  Something that had been missing from the team all year 

Edited November 25, 2019 by Stank_Nasty

[SCBills]

1 minute ago, Virgil said:

 

You know what,  you're right.  I remember now because the commentator made a comment about that only being his first catch.  I'll edit. 

 

He was blazing on both plays

There’s fast, and then there’s FAST... 

 

Of course we knew he is a deep threat, but my goodness, that was some next level speed. 
 

This guy is absolutely worth investing a roster spot in, no matter who we bring in over the offseason. 
 

 

Edited November 25, 2019 by SCBills

[Kelly the Dog]

Just now, Virgil said:

 

You know what,  you're right.  I remember now because the commentator made a comment about that only being his first catch.  I'll edit. 

 

He was blazing on both plays

He was. And it wasn't his first catch either. So they got it wrong. I was glad they got him involved with the reverse to utilize his speed. I still think he can be a valuable contributor this season. Hopefully the injury is minor. 

[MarkyMannn]

Milano might have had as good a game as T White

[ALLEN1QB]

Roberts is a special team stud.

[BuffaloBillies]

Enjoy and agree with your write ups every week, but second week in a row without mentioning Milano? Dude is the difference for this defense. Played awesome again this week. He is the reason for many punts.

[Virgil]

1 minute ago, BuffaloBillies said:

Enjoy and agree with your write ups every week, but second week in a row without mentioning Milano? Dude is the difference for this defense. Played awesome again this week. He is the reason for many punts.

 

I'm sensitive to mentioning him.  I have a man crush on the guy and have mentioned him many times. 

 

I think he's a stud and have focused on him a lot

[The Wiz]

So what's the new narrative from the media. The 8-3 bills still aren't as good as their record indicates or are the 3-8 broncos actually as bad as their record. 

 

I'll hang up and listen. 

[hemma]

Really happy Beane brought Roberts into the fold.

That guy is fearless.  He knows he can get at least 1 yard and he'll go get it.  

[Kelly the Dog]

Just now, The Wiz said:

So what's the new narrative from the media. The 8-3 bills still aren't as good as their record indicates or are the 3-8 broncos actually as bad as their record. 

 

I'll hang up and listen. 

Amazingly, both. 

[Virgil]

1 minute ago, The Wiz said:

So what's the new narrative from the media. The 8-3 bills still aren't as good as their record indicates or are the 3-8 broncos actually as bad as their record. 

 

I'll hang up and listen. 

 

It won't matter if we lose to the Cowboys next week.  We'll be back to the same team who can't beat anyone with a winning record.  However, the Cowboys get that same label.

 

It's a battle of the mediocre scheduled