The offensive gameplan vs the Steelers

[GunnerBill]

Mods might want to merge this with the older Daboll thread and I don't particularly mind if they do but I thought last night was quite an interesting chess match to reflect on in terms of how the Bills offensively approached the game against Pittsburgh.

 

My "bias" such as it is on this subject is well known. I think Josh is a better Quarterback when the ball is in his hands and he can feel in rhythm. I don't think he is as effective when supported by a run heavy game plan that just asks him to throw 1 down in 3 and be on point with that throw. The Bills last night rushed 38 times and passed 25 times and Allen was a relatively pedestrian 13/25 for 139 yards with 1 touchdown and 1 pick.

 

But last night the running was not just to try and take the ball our of Allen's hands. It was, at least in part, a reaction to the way the Steelers set up to defend us. The Bills have had success since the defeat in Cleveland running mainly 11 personnel with McKenzie joining Beasley and Brown, Knox and Kroft splitting time at Tight End and Singletary as the lone back. Last week the Ravens blitzed incessantly and the Bills struggled to adjust with their hot reads and had Josh holding the ball a little too long too often. The Bills came out last night the first couple of drives in mainly that same 11 personnel grouping and making a conscious effort to get it our of Josh's hands quickly. The playcalling on those two drives was 7 passes as compared to 4 runs. However, what they got in terms of a defensive plan from Pittsburgh was quite different. There was a lot of nickel (5 defensive backs) and, at least what it looked like from the broadcast angle, multiple dime (6 defensive back) packages. When faced with that sort of plan the right play is to try and expose that defense by getting physical and that was the adjustment that the Bills made by their third drive. They went to much more of the 12 personnel with DiMarco in the game at fullback and Smith in at Tight End over the two more agile pass catching options and decided to try and grind it out. The pass run ratio on the 3rd drive was 4 passes and 5 runs (albeit including a scramble on a called pass). They ended up going 14 passes to 22 runs the rest of the way (even excluding the final two drives which were both clock bleeding run, run, run and then the kneel down) and without having looked at the numbers yet (Sal C normally tweets them out at some point) my instinct is that both DiMarco and Smith had by far their highest snap counts in over a month.

 

We actually had pretty good success rushing too. Singletary had 21 rushes for 87 yards, which is solid enough, but did fumble twice. Gore was less productive and his legs are clearly declining even week on week at this point. So the question is was it the right approach? It helped the Bills shorten the game and grind out the win, so ultimately, it worked. I found some of the playcalling frustrating at times - the redzone series before the game tying FG being one such occasion and the two 3 and out all run sequences at the end similarly. The point when they needed a drive to win the game it came on the back of Josh Allen throwing the football. But it also helped to stop Pittsburgh's pass rushers from teeing off and helped out offensive tackles who both struggled early but found their feet later.

 

Ultimately, I think it was a really interesting chess match and a definite in game adjustment early from Daboll. It is not necessarily the offense I would like to see us run, but my point is more for those piling on Daboll this morning there was a definite method to what might have appeared to the naked eye to be madness. While I prefer the 11 personnel and the quick passing game as a fit for our Quarterback and the majority of our offensive playmakers it was good to see the Bills have a second plan that they can flip to pretty quickly and still be successful in finding a way to win.

 

[Motorin']

I thought it was encouraging to see a lot of quick routes on the first couple drives. Could have used them all game against the Ravens.

 

That bizarre series with the attempted pass by Gore was terrible play calling. But in a game like this, it's ok to play for fg's because you trust your D to shut them down. 

[Antonio]

Good read, I did notice the increase in 12 personnel and thought it was needed, what I didn´t like at all was to put Gore in there, specially in the red zone. That run to the outside was open for a sec, and I´m sure Singeltary could have turned that corner.

 

But it they were probably trying to set up the next play, the faild trick play. It was just as the Steelers set up the TD pass to Conner, they went to heavy personnel and ran out of it on first down and then went to playaction sucking Milano to the line and leaving Wallace one on one trying to tackle Conner. 

 

After that faild red zone trip, Daball grew some and called a magnificent serie and Josh executed perfectly. It´s almost as if Josh told Dabs to trust him and he did. 

 

PS. Singeltary is just amazing. He has some moves that very few can make. I didn´t mind the fumble, I think must RB would fumble with that kind of punch to the ball. He was looking the green grass in front of him, It was the first time he had a lot of open ground in front of him.

[D. L. Hot-Flamethrower]

23 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

Mods might want to merge this with the older Daboll thread and I don't particularly mind if they do but I thought last night was quite an interesting chess match to reflect on in terms of how the Bills offensively approached the game against Pittsburgh.

 

My "bias" such as it is on this subject is well known. I think Josh is a better Quarterback when the ball is in his hands and he can feel in rhythm. I don't think he is as effective when supported by a run heavy game plan that just asks him to throw 1 down in 3 and be on point with that throw. The Bills last night rushed 38 times and passed 25 times and Allen was a relatively pedestrian 13/25 for 139 yards with 1 touchdown and 1 pick.

 

But last night the running was not just to try and take the ball our of Allen's hands. It was, at least in part, a reaction to the way the Steelers set up to defend us. The Bills have had success since the defeat in Cleveland running mainly 11 personnel with McKenzie joining Beasley and Brown, Knox and Kroft splitting time at Tight End and Singletary as the lone back. Last week the Ravens blitzed incessantly and the Bills struggled to adjust with their hot reads and had Josh holding the ball a little too long too often. The Bills came out last night the first couple of drives in mainly that same 11 personnel grouping and making a conscious effort to get it our of Josh's hands quickly. The playcalling on those two drives was 7 passes as compared to 4 runs. However, what they got in terms of a defensive plan from Pittsburgh was quite different. There was a lot of nickel (5 defensive backs) and, at least what it looked like from the broadcast angle, multiple dime (6 defensive back) packages. When faced with that sort of plan the right play is to try and expose that defense by getting physical and that was the adjustment that the Bills made by their third drive. They went to much more of the 12 personnel with DiMarco in the game at fullback and Smith in at Tight End over the two more agile pass catching options and decided to try and grind it out. The pass run ratio on the 3rd drive was 4 passes and 5 runs (albeit including a scramble on a called pass). They ended up going 14 passes to 22 runs the rest of the way (even excluding the final two drives which were both clock bleeding run, run, run and then the kneel down) and without having looked at the numbers yet (Sal C normally tweets them out at some point) my instinct is that both DiMarco and Smith had by far their highest snap counts in over a month.

 

We actually had pretty good success rushing too. Singletary had 21 rushes for 87 yards, which is solid enough, but did fumble twice. Gore was less productive and his legs are clearly declining even week on week at this point. So the question is was it the right approach? It helped the Bills shorten the game and grind out the win, so ultimately, it worked. I found some of the playcalling frustrating at times - the redzone series before the game tying FG being one such occasion and the two 3 and out all run sequences at the end similarly. The point when they needed a drive to win the game it came on the back of Josh Allen throwing the football. But it also helped to stop Pittsburgh's pass rushers from teeing off and helped out offensive tackles who both struggled early but found their feet later.

 

Ultimately, I think it was a really interesting chess match and a definite in game adjustment early from Daboll. It is not necessarily the offense I would like to see us run, but my point is more for those piling on Daboll this morning there was a definite method to what might have appeared to the naked eye to be madness. While I prefer the 11 personnel and the quick passing game as a fit for our Quarterback and the majority of our offensive playmakers it was good to see the Bills have a second plan that they can flip to pretty quickly and still be successful in finding a way to win.

 

Good post! My 2 cents is that Daboll doesn't have much confidence in our receivers other than Brown. Josh trusts Brown more than anyone, and he had a drop last night too. I just feel like with better perimeter guys, next year (fingers crossed), he will be more willing to let Josh air it out a bit more.

[billsfan1959]

16 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

I found some of the playcalling frustrating at times - the redzone series before the game tying FG being one such occasion and the two 3 and out all run sequences at the end similarly.

 

I actually did not have a problem with the shift to a more run heavy game plan given the environment, the Steeler's defense, and the way the Bills' defense has been playing - and continued to play last night.

 

However; in the red zone (particularly inside the 10), Allen is the biggest threat for the Bills. Out of the 6 plays they ran, before kicking the FG, they took the ball out of Allen's hands on 5 of them. The only play Allen kept the ball was the 3rd and 2 - which he made. Given the fact that this team has scored very few TDs in the red zone outside of runs or throws by Allen, that series was particularly frustrating. Especially in a game that, barring mistakes, was going to be low scoring and one where they were not going to get that many possessions in the red zone.

[Mrbojanglezs]

I want to see Singletary and Yeldon combination. Hopefully they decide to give Gore some veteran rest the next two weeks because I think Yeldon has more to offer than Gore at this point. With Yeldon on the filed at least you keep the defense guessing with the threat of pass. When Gore is on the field they all key on him and he looks slow, still powerful but slow. His YPC is BAD.

[4BillsintheBurgh]

Good stuff. I hope we add a rb in the offseason that can really attack the outside of the defense. Should give Daboll some different options. I assume he didn't feel comfortable going with the jet sweeps because of watt and dupree.

[Foxx]

good post Gunner, always appreciate your observations.

 

i'm not one to usually question play calling, though i do think different calls would be better at certain times. the one time last night that i thoroughly questioned the call was at the end where, i think, we had a penalty just before the 2 minute warning which caused the clock to stop with 4 seconds remaining before the warning and us in a third down situation. the clock was going to stop after that play regardless, so why not attempt a pass there? other than that, i understand the thinking behind trying to run the clock and limit the possession time on the other side.

Edited December 16, 2019 by Foxx

[Billsfan1972]

I talk to fans not on this site, and all shake their heads at how conservative this team is & the refusal to ram the ball down opponents throats.  

 

But I guess we're not fans for thinking that?

 

Again seemed to be setting up for dinks & dunks & geez 260 yards offense and excuses again.

 

I expect & want more.

 

 

[Bring it]

I felt before the game that we would need to play great defense and run the ball effectively for at least some stretches of the game. They did that! Didn’t like the fumbles but recovered one. Gotta remember that the Steelers defense is really good and Watt is a special player with a knack for stripping the football. He almost had another on Josh but missed the ball!! Playing a similar defense the week before helped too! Daboll made some head scratchers but I think his adjustments were fine. This offense is where the defense was 11/2 years ago. They still need another piece or two and time for Josh to learn! It’s coming!!

 I really wanted this one and it feels great!! 

[GunnerBill]

3 minutes ago, Billsfan1972 said:

I talk to fans not on this site, and all shake their heads at how conservative this team is & the refusal to ram the ball down opponents throats.  

 

But I guess we're not fans for thinking that?

 

Again seemed to be setting up for dinks & dunks & geez 260 yards offense and excuses again.

 

I expect & want more.

 

I want and expect more too. I was just seeking to explain what the thinking was behind the run heavy approach last night. Believe me I take plenty of stick on here for wanting the Bills to pass more. This thread was just supposed to add a proper context to what happened last night.

[4BillsintheBurgh]

5 minutes ago, Bring it said:

I felt before the game that we would need to play great defense and run the ball effectively for at least some stretches of the game. They did that! Didn’t like the fumbles but recovered one. Gotta remember that the Steelers defense is really good and Watt is a special player with a knack for stripping the football. He almost had another on Josh but missed the ball!! Playing a similar defense the week before helped too! Daboll made some head scratchers but I think his adjustments were fine. This offense is where the defense was 11/2 years ago. They still need another piece or two and time for Josh to learn! It’s coming!!

 I really wanted this one and it feels great!! 

He almost got Josh's balls!

[Bring it]

Just now, 4BillsintheBurgh said:

He almost got Josh's balls!

It was close

[SCBills]

We probably score 20-24 if Singletary doesn’t fumble down at the Steelers 25.  
 

We desperately need a better option than Gore though... or for Gore to find a little something extra to finish out the season.  
 

Tough to go with that gameplan when you only have one legit RB, and he’s a rookie. 

[Billsfan1972]

17 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

I want and expect more too. I was just seeking to explain what the thinking was behind the run heavy approach last night. Believe me I take plenty of stick on here for wanting the Bills to pass more. This thread was just supposed to add a proper context to what happened last night.

I got it, but those last two drives, where the Bills just gave it back to Pitt, without even trying for a first down was hard to stomach.

 

It also seemed they seldom threw it downfield.

 

Thankfully Duck was just terrible.  As easy interceptions as anyone could throw. 

[CincyBillsFan]

48 minutes ago, billsfan1959 said:

 

I actually did not have a problem with the shift to a more run heavy game plan given the environment, the Steeler's defense, and the way the Bills' defense has been playing - and continued to play last night.

 

However; in the red zone (particularly inside the 10), Allen is the biggest threat for the Bills. Out of the 6 plays they ran, before kicking the FG, they took the ball out of Allen's hands on 5 of them. The only play Allen kept the ball was the 3rd and 2 - which he made. Given the fact that this team has scored very few TDs in the red zone outside of runs or throws by Allen, that series was particularly frustrating. Especially in a game that, barring mistakes, was going to be low scoring and one where they were not going to get that many possessions in the red zone.

 

My guess is that this is the classic dilemma of play callers.  They overthink things by believing that the opponent EXPECTS us to feature Allen in the red zone so let's cross them up by taking it out of his hands!

 

As an aside, does anyone remember that first year with Bledsoe when we started out 2 - 0 and we thought we were Super Bowl bound and we went down to Miami and tried that same play (stretch run that the RB pulls up and throws the ball) with the RB trying to throw a pass in the red zone.  I think it got intercepted and we lost the game and finished the season 8 - 8.

 

 

 

[JoshAllenHasBigHands]

16 minutes ago, Billsfan1972 said:

I got it, but those last two drives, where the Bills just gave it back to Pitt, without even trying for a first down was hard to stomach.

 

It also seemed they seldom threw it downfield.

 

Thankfully Duck was just terrible.  As easy interceptions as anyone could throw. 

You play the team across from you. The Steelers lead the league in turnovers, so you shouldn't give them chances to get them. Plus, their QB is an UDFA. If you put the ball in his hands under pressure, you are going to be fine. If they are playing Tom Brady or Mahomes, it is a different story. 

[Bangarang]

The goal line drive where we ran it 3 times and lost yardage made me want to punch holes in the drywall. 
 

I will forever pound the table for Allen to throw the ball more. 

[Nuncha]

The drive that resulted in the FG was very hard to watch once they reached the 10 yard line.  If Gore was going to throw nobody was open

46 minutes ago, 4BillsintheBurgh said:

He almost got Josh's balls!

Yup I saw that...looked like a crotch shot to me.

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

1 hour ago, GunnerBill said:

Mods might want to merge this with the older Daboll thread and I don't particularly mind if they do but I thought last night was quite an interesting chess match to reflect on in terms of how the Bills offensively approached the game against Pittsburgh.

 

My "bias" such as it is on this subject is well known. I think Josh is a better Quarterback when the ball is in his hands and he can feel in rhythm. I don't think he is as effective when supported by a run heavy game plan that just asks him to throw 1 down in 3 and be on point with that throw. The Bills last night rushed 38 times and passed 25 times and Allen was a relatively pedestrian 13/25 for 139 yards with 1 touchdown and 1 pick.

 

But last night the running was not just to try and take the ball our of Allen's hands. It was, at least in part, a reaction to the way the Steelers set up to defend us. The Bills have had success since the defeat in Cleveland running mainly 11 personnel with McKenzie joining Beasley and Brown, Knox and Kroft splitting time at Tight End and Singletary as the lone back. Last week the Ravens blitzed incessantly and the Bills struggled to adjust with their hot reads and had Josh holding the ball a little too long too often. The Bills came out last night the first couple of drives in mainly that same 11 personnel grouping and making a conscious effort to get it our of Josh's hands quickly. The playcalling on those two drives was 7 passes as compared to 4 runs. However, what they got in terms of a defensive plan from Pittsburgh was quite different. There was a lot of nickel (5 defensive backs) and, at least what it looked like from the broadcast angle, multiple dime (6 defensive back) packages. When faced with that sort of plan the right play is to try and expose that defense by getting physical and that was the adjustment that the Bills made by their third drive. They went to much more of the 12 personnel with DiMarco in the game at fullback and Smith in at Tight End over the two more agile pass catching options and decided to try and grind it out. The pass run ratio on the 3rd drive was 4 passes and 5 runs (albeit including a scramble on a called pass). They ended up going 14 passes to 22 runs the rest of the way (even excluding the final two drives which were both clock bleeding run, run, run and then the kneel down) and without having looked at the numbers yet (Sal C normally tweets them out at some point) my instinct is that both DiMarco and Smith had by far their highest snap counts in over a month.

 

We actually had pretty good success rushing too. Singletary had 21 rushes for 87 yards, which is solid enough, but did fumble twice. Gore was less productive and his legs are clearly declining even week on week at this point. So the question is was it the right approach? It helped the Bills shorten the game and grind out the win, so ultimately, it worked. I found some of the playcalling frustrating at times - the redzone series before the game tying FG being one such occasion and the two 3 and out all run sequences at the end similarly. The point when they needed a drive to win the game it came on the back of Josh Allen throwing the football. But it also helped to stop Pittsburgh's pass rushers from teeing off and helped out offensive tackles who both struggled early but found their feet later.

 

Ultimately, I think it was a really interesting chess match and a definite in game adjustment early from Daboll. It is not necessarily the offense I would like to see us run, but my point is more for those piling on Daboll this morning there was a definite method to what might have appeared to the naked eye to be madness. While I prefer the 11 personnel and the quick passing game as a fit for our Quarterback and the majority of our offensive playmakers it was good to see the Bills have a second plan that they can flip to pretty quickly and still be successful in finding a way to win.

 

I was hoping someone would get into this. Good post.

 

my thought was that they figured the best way to neutralize the the Steelers pass rushers was to run right at them. 
 

my one gripe was why they didn’t do

some bootleg passes to mix in with those runs, especially the last offensive drive. We needed a first down to ice the game— why not run a boot leg on 2nd and 5 and get the first down to run out the clock?