Week 13 Bills @ 49ers in Phoenix PreGame Thread

[JGMcD2]

1 minute ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

Say more?

 

In addition to Covid, I personally believe Matt Hasselbeck knows a thing and maybe playing with a linebacker brace on his L shoulder kinda hindered Josh passing in the Tenn and KC games, especially at the beginning of the game before he got his adrenaline going enough to "feel no pain".  He had notably low completions in the 1Q each of those games.

The way the Chargers attacked last week gave our defense line fits. It actually really all started in the 2nd half of the AZ game. 
 

Saleh is one of the best defensive minds in the game and will most likely find a way to do that again, if we continue to let that happen it’s going to put Josh in a position where he feels the need to make plays. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but if it’s too forced, that’s when the risky throws into crowds of people and sack-fumbles pop up. 
 

Defensively I am not too worried. I think we can confuse Mullens enough and as long as we rally to the ball and tackle we should be fine. Deebo and company seem to make their biggest plays after breaking tackles... so if we get sloppy there it’ll be an issue. It’s going to come down to fundamentals... our defense for 3 years was very good because they were always where they needed to be and made you beat them over and over again to score. It seems like that is back, but if the 49ers get rolling it’ll be because they’re back to being sloppy technique wise. 

[par73]

Game line is now SF -2. Bills perception as overrated and a prime time pinata?                                                                                 

[wjag]

Same OLINE intact for two consecutive games.  Hopefully, that parlays into better rushing attack tonight.

[Hapless Bills Fan]

5 minutes ago, Nextmanup said:

Love your objectivity here, but be careful...people around here will be coming for you with shivs when you aren't looking.

 

Question: why do you believe "objectivity" is a good description of "they can't soundly beat anyone (including the Jets) and always seem to tank in primetime"

 

Those are statements of perception, right?  Because objectively, we won in Primetime against Dallas and the Steelers last year.  You could say "yeah, well Titans and KC this year", but at best then the objective statement would be "have tanked so far this season in Primetime" or "50/50 in the last 2 years in primetime" right?

 

 

[billsherd]

55 minutes ago, SlimShady'sSpaceForce said:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Maybe my parents will finally watch it"😃

[Dick_Cheney]

38 minutes ago, Dan said:

The one thing I’m certain of... if the Bills have 10pt lead in the 3rd quarter, the flags against us will start flying fast and furious.

 

Some things really are certain in life, aren't they.

[Hapless Bills Fan]

8 minutes ago, JGMcD2 said:

The way the Chargers attacked last week gave our defense line fits. It actually really all started in the 2nd half of the AZ game. 
 

Saleh is one of the best defensive minds in the game and will most likely find a way to do that again, if we continue to let that happen it’s going to put Josh in a position where he feels the need to make plays. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but if it’s too forced, that’s when the risky throws into crowds of people and sack-fumbles pop up. 
 

Defensively I am not too worried. I think we can confuse Mullens enough and as long as we rally to the ball and tackle we should be fine. Deebo and company seem to make their biggest plays after breaking tackles... so if we get sloppy there it’ll be an issue. It’s going to come down to fundamentals... our defense for 3 years was very good because they were always where they needed to be and made you beat them over and over again to score. It seems like that is back, but if the 49ers get rolling it’ll be because they’re back to being sloppy technique wise. 

 

I assume from context you mean "offensive line" not "defense line", since the discussion is Saleh and impact on Josh?

All fair points.  Josh was under a lot of pressure.

 

What can you pick out about what they're doing, and WHY it gave our OL fits?  All I got is that Bosa was "crunk up" for us (and AWOL against the Pats, go figgur), and that Dawkins and Williams seemed to be playing with "slow feet" in the 2nd half  (maybe a bit out of shape from the Bye followed by the perennial OL Weight Gain Contest eg Thanksgiving)

 

 

6 minutes ago, billsherd said:

"Maybe my parents will finally watch it"😃

 

LOLOLOL was that Horrible Harry?

[Blank Stare]

12 minutes ago, billsherd said:

"Maybe my parents will finally watch it"😃

Spoken like a true punter. 😂 

8 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

LOLOLOL was that Horrible Harry?

Sounded like Bojo, but I could be wrong. 

[mjt328]

32 minutes ago, JGMcD2 said:

I don’t completely disagree with the view, but those  weren’t actual prime time games. Those were necessary because of COVID, they weren’t planned and almost every team in that situation has looked sluggish. 
 

Maybe historically they tank in prime time, but what do Dick Jauron’s collapses have to do with this team? They beat Dallas in Dallas on Thanksgiving and Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh on SNF last year. Not quite tanking in prime time. 
 

I’m concerned for tonight’s game for various reasons, but none of them are media driven storyline reasons like “Bad in prime time” or “Don’t have any blow out wins” 

 

The Dallas and Pittsburgh games last year were great wins for an emerging Wild Card level team.  But they mean very little for a team trying to win the AFC East and establish themselves as a championship contender.  Don't forget that both of those teams ultimately missed the playoffs last year.

 

Regardless of the original scheduling, primetime is primetime.  Night games and playoff matchups get another level of fans, most of whom never watch the Bills on Sunday afternoons.  The whole NFL world was watching against the Titans and Chiefs.  And instead of establishing themselves as the class of the league, the Bills embarrassed themselves in back-to-back weeks.

 

I know that it's not a popular opinion on this message board, but the 2020 Bills (on a team level) have been very disappointing to me.

Sitting at 8-3 is nice.  The improvement from Josh Allen has been great.  But outside of the passing offense and the return game, this team has regressed from last season.  My standard for a "successful" year has always been winning double-digit games, winning the AFC East and winning at least one playoff game.  Falling short in any of those areas is just not OK with me.  And when I see this team play (regardless of record), I see the division being way too close for comfort and I just don't see them beating anyone in the playoffs.

 

 

Edited December 7, 2020 by mjt328

[Doc Brown]

18 minutes ago, par73 said:

Game line is now SF -2. Bills perception as overrated and a prime time pinata?                                                                                 

Seems to be predicated on our suspect run defense and them getting healthier.

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

8 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

I assume from context you mean "offensive line" not "defense line", since the discussion is Saleh and impact on Josh?

All fair points.  Josh was under a lot of pressure.

 

What can you pick out about what they're doing, and WHY it gave our OL fits?  All I got is that Bosa was "crunk up" for us (and AWOL against the Pats, go figgur), and that Dawkins and Williams seemed to be playing with "slow feet" in the 2nd half  (maybe a bit out of shape from the Bye followed by the perennial OL Weight Gain Contest eg Thanksgiving)

 

 

 

LOLOLOL was that Horrible Harry?

 

I mean - the patriots had 2 ST TDs in that one in the first half.  They basically just ran the ball the rest of the game - 23 total pass plays and i imagine many of them being quick hitters.  Not exactly a game bosa can influence quite as much.

[transplantbillsfan]

https://theathletic.com/2240098/2020/12/04/bills-49ers-josh-allen/

Why Josh Allen is the X-factor against the 49ers and 4 other Bills thoughts

By Joe Buscaglia Dec 4, 2020 13 

The Bills handled business against the Chargers, as their defense and running game each took a big step forward. Now, the degree of difficulty increases with their Monday night matchup.

 

When the Bills take on the San Francisco 49ers in Arizona, they’ll face an injury-ravaged yet talented roster, led by one of the best head coaches in the NFL in Kyle Shanahan. The Bills aren’t taking the 49ers (5-6) lightly. With a win, the Bills would move to 9-3 for a second straight season. It would also make their Week 14 showdown with the undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday Night Football all the more intriguing.

 

How do the Bills match up with the 49ers and what are the keys to a victory? Here are five thoughts to get you ready for what could be a very tight contest.

1) Josh Allen has the chance to take yet another step forward

The Bills have faced challenges throughout the season that have forced the passing attack to adapt, but none of their previous opponents have quite the three-level talent the 49ers do. This matchup is the biggest test to date for the Bills’ offense. Coming off his worst performance of the season against the Chargers, Josh Allen will be up against a 49ers defense that frustrated the Los Angeles Rams last week. Even without Nick Bosa, Dee Ford and Solomon Thomas, the 49ers’ defensive line forces the issue against opposing offensive lines. Arik Armstead leads the way, with the ability to line up anywhere along the line and use his length to disrupt plays regularly. Kerry Hyder is also an underrated disruptor, and first-round pick Javon Kinlaw continues to show potential. They help set the table for an impressive linebacking duo of Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw, who both excel in coverage. In the secondary, free safety Jimmie Ward presents another big challenge, and cornerbacks Richard Sherman and Jason Verrett are perfectly suited for their scheme. There isn’t an easy answer for the Bills, which is why Allen will be the X-factor Monday night.

 

We’ve seen him take on a challenge like this before, when the Bills traveled for a nationally televised game against an underachieving yet talented Cowboys team with a good defense. Allen had the best individual performance to that point of his career in a win on Thanksgiving. While the Bills’ defense helped force turnovers, Allen took over the game. Now against San Francisco, the Bills need their quarterback to perform above expectations, especially with how well the 49ers bottle up the run. The 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh will look to confuse Allen with different coverages and blitzing schemes. This will serve as a good dress rehearsal for Allen, in terms of what he could see both next week against Pittsburgh and later on in the playoffs. We’re going to learn a lot about Allen and just how far he’s come in primetime on Monday night.

[Roundybout]

NOOOOOO 

 

 

[Stank_Nasty]

Bills break their mind blowingly long 46 game drought without a defensive td tonight.... BOOK IT.

Edited December 7, 2020 by Stank_Nasty

[transplantbillsfan]

1 minute ago, BillsEnthusiast said:

NOOOOOO 

 

 

 

Are we ever happy when we get any officials?

[Roundybout]

2 minutes ago, transplantbillsfan said:

 

Are we ever happy when we get any officials?

 

Of course not, I just had a little PTSD from that second half kickoff last season. 

[Plano]

5 minutes ago, transplantbillsfan said:

 

Are we ever happy when we get any officials?

this loser POS owes us one.

 

He knows it too. 
 

Someone get the concrete shoes ready....JIC

[YoloinOhio]

2 minutes ago, BillsEnthusiast said:

 

Of course not, I just had a little PTSD from that second half kickoff last season. 

How about the “illegal blindside block”??? 

[JGMcD2]

3 minutes ago, mjt328 said:

 

The Dallas and Pittsburgh games last year were great wins for an emerging Wild Card level team.  But they mean very little for a team trying to win the AFC East and establish themselves as a championship contender.  Don't forget that both of those teams ultimately missed the playoffs last year.

 

Regardless of the original scheduling, primetime is primetime.  Night games and playoff matchups get another level of fans, most of whom never watch the Bills on Sunday afternoons.  The whole NFL world was watching against the Titans and Chiefs.  And instead of establishing themselves as the class of the league, the Bills embarrassed themselves in back-to-back weeks.

 

I know that it's not a popular opinion on this message board, but the 2020 Bills (on a team level) have been very disappointing to me.

Sitting at 8-3 is nice.  The improvement from Josh Allen has been great.  But outside of the passing offense and the return game, this team has regressed from last season.  My standard for a "successful" year has always been winning double-digit games, winning the AFC East and winning at least one playoff game.  Falling short in any of those areas is just not OK with me.  And when I see this team play (regardless of record), I see the division being way too close for comfort and I just don't see them beating anyone in the playoffs.

 

 

If the Steelers beat the Bills the end up being tied for a WC slot. Pittsburgh was sitting at 8-6... it was a pretty big game. Dallas also finished a game back of the division, they win that game and they’re tied. The context of when they played during the season matters a little bit... they also mean a little bit because it shows that they don’t collapse in prime time like you suggested. 
 

It’s not a problem having a dissenting opinion on the performance of the team. You should probably enjoy things a little bit though, if you’re going to be upset about 8-3 and controlling our own destiny in the division, which is an improvement over last year already, you’re never going to enjoy it at all.
 

Division is close, but we beat both the teams trailing us, other than beating them... we can’t control what other teams do against them. 6/8 wins have come against teams that are .500 or better and our 3 losses have come against teams .500 or better. Find me another team who has played that level of competition this year and has continued to win, idc about the margin of victory. They’ve found a way to win against good teams, what’s so disappointing about that?

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

2 minutes ago, BillsEnthusiast said:

 

Of course not, I just had a little PTSD from that second half kickoff last season. 

 

The intention of downing it in the endzone.  Then kneel dude... thats such an absolute garbage call.  Mental lapses in like 99% of situations will come back to bite you, but for some reason they got a pass.