Week 14: Steelers at Bills on SNF

[Mat68]

1 hour ago, Scott7975 said:

No idea wtf they are talking about...

 

 

Next Gen Edge: Buffalo Bills' short pass defense could stifle Pittsburgh Steelers (nfl.com)

 

Nice stats in this quick vid

He is league average when pressured.  He is the best at evading pressure, and when not pressured is top of the league.  No differant than any qb in the history of football.  If they are ON.  The only way to stop them is pressure them.  Buffalo fans welcome to what its like having a good qb.  Basically, no matter what defensive scheme they play, the key to success is getting him on the ground.  I dont think this is a swipe at Allen but more a compliment.  Schematiclly, good luck.  You better pressure and not let him find a rythem.

[JGMcD2]

2 minutes ago, Logic said:

I'm seeing a lot of "we need to establish the run" talk regarding this game, and I can certainly understand that -- especially with the Steelers down a few linebackers.

HOWEVER...I can't help but wonder if this will be another opportunity to sling the rock all over the yard.

I saw on Cover 1 this morning that the Steelers defense has faced the MOST empty sets of any defense in the league, and have surrendered the most yardage against that set. Knowing how much Allen and Daboll love empty sets any way, it might be just what the doctor ordered. It would help Josh ID what the defense is doing and would help keep the Steelers from employing some of their most exotic blitz packages.

I felt this way against the 49ers as well. 
 

If we are able to give Josh enough time to throw I think we’re able to continue to pass at a high volume. The Chargers blew us up two weeks ago and it caused major issues... Watt has that same ability to do what Bosa did. 
 

It’s going to come down to protection and getting Josh in a rhythm. If he gets some passes completed early on that first drive and moves the ball down the field like he’s been used to most of the year.. it’s going to be a long day for Pittsburgh. 

[Hapless Bills Fan]

4 minutes ago, JGMcD2 said:

If Avery Williamson’s scouting ability is the difference in the game, then more power to him. 
 

I’m sure it will help give players and understanding of things but the last time he saw us we were kind of discombobulated. I think we’re a different team from week 1 and a different team from when we played the Jets a second time as well. 

 

Concur

[Logic]

7 minutes ago, JGMcD2 said:

I felt this way against the 49ers as well. 
 

If we are able to give Josh enough time to throw I think we’re able to continue to pass at a high volume. The Chargers blew us up two weeks ago and it caused major issues... Watt has that same ability to do what Bosa did. 
 

It’s going to come down to protection and getting Josh in a rhythm. If he gets some passes completed early on that first drive and moves the ball down the field like he’s been used to most of the year.. it’s going to be a long day for Pittsburgh. 

This would be a really good week to have a healthy John Brown.

I read that the Steelers defense does a really good job clogging up the middle of the field and making it a dangerous area to throw into -- but consequently, the areas outside the hashes are where to attack them most effectively. That being the case, it certainly helps that Joe Haden will miss the game. Diggs should have his opportunities. In my estimation, this may be a week of tough sledding for Cole Beasley, and we may need Gabriel Davis to step up.

[Hapless Bills Fan]

11 minutes ago, JGMcD2 said:

I felt this way against the 49ers as well. 
 

If we are able to give Josh enough time to throw I think we’re able to continue to pass at a high volume. The Chargers blew us up two weeks ago and it caused major issues... Watt has that same ability to do what Bosa did. 
 

It’s going to come down to protection and getting Josh in a rhythm. If he gets some passes completed early on that first drive and moves the ball down the field like he’s been used to most of the year.. it’s going to be a long day for Pittsburgh. 

 

Part of why Bosa blew us up, from what I saw, was that Josh had guys open in the short, quick pass game and didn't take them.

One of the thing I liked best about the 49ers game was that Josh did take some of them. 

And it was the difference in the game at times , to move the chains and keep driving.

 

But there were still more to be taken.  One of the things that jumped out at me on film is how often, when Josh extended the play and launched a hair-raising tight window laser, there was an open receiver with a much easier throw available much earlier, sometimes on the same side of the field.  Example, there was a secondary route laser to Beasley down the R sideline where Diggs had been standing wide open about 5 yds downfield for, like EVER.  "Josh!  Gathering cobwebs here!  Hey kid!  Show a bro some love!"  When Josh rolled out right, Diggs even repositioned and crouched a bit, he was expecting the throw.

 

If Josh adjusts his mindset and takes more of those short quick passes that are being schemed into Daboll's plays (and are there for the taking), the ball will be gone before Watt arrives and we will be carving the Steelers up...dare I say...like roast duck?

 

Anyway, several have commented here that those short quick throws and screens are effectively an extension of the run game, and for us probably a more successful extension.  IF Josh will take them.  The Gunslinger is neither dead, nor is he sleeping.

 

2 minutes ago, Logic said:

This would be a really good week to have a healthy John Brown.

I read that the Steelers defense does a really good job clogging up the middle of the field and making it a dangerous area to throw into -- but consequently, the areas outside the hashes are where to attack them most effectively. That being the case, it certainly helps that Joe Haden will miss the game. Diggs should have his opportunities. In my estimation, this may be a week of tough sledding for Cole Beasley, and we may need Gabriel Davis to step up.

 

Except I think the same was true of SF last week...weren't most of Cole's receptions outside the hashes?  He even made a quick double toe-drag move I hadn't seen him flash before.

[Hapless Bills Fan]

8 hours ago, NI Bills Fan said:

I'd be surprised if this hasn't been posted here already, but I thought it a good, encouraging read so thought I'd share. Maybe the wrong thread so apologies for that...

 

https://www.syracuse.com/buffalo-bills/2020/12/bills-josh-allen-details-why-he-took-something-from-aaron-rodgers-throwing-mechanics.html

 

I was looking for a good place to put this myself.  The embedded interview is really good IMO, worth a listen.

 

Wouldn't be amiss to give it its own thread IMHO.

[Logic]

6 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

Except I think the same was true of SF last week...weren't most of Cole's receptions outside the hashes?  He even made a quick double toe-drag move I hadn't seen him flash before.

Good point.

I'm curious to know how good the Steelers' nickel back (Mike Hilton, I believe?) is. I think a big part of Beasley's success against the 49ers is that they were down to their third or fourth string nickel. 

In any case, given that the Steelers defense leads the league in sacks, I hope Daboll has a good screen and quick-game audible package dialed up.

[Mat68]

The steelers matchup poorly vs our offense imo.  Yes, Watt will get a sack or 2 but there is 0 reason to be scared of their pass defense.  They played trash Qbs or horrid olines all season.  Buffalo is favored for a reason.  Pittsburgh would need a complete turn around on offense to score enough to beat us.  Only reason I think about slowing down and running more is if the weather is bad.

[CincyBillsFan]

2 hours ago, YoloinOhio said:

 

 

This was the game in which the Bills didn't punt right?  It was a series of weird stuff that happened to keep us out of the end zone but if the Jets D figured the Bills out they sure didn't show it that day.

 

 

 

[That's No Moon]

13 minutes ago, CincyBillsFan said:

 

This was the game in which the Bills didn't punt right?  It was a series of weird stuff that happened to keep us out of the end zone but if the Jets D figured the Bills out they sure didn't show it that day.

 

 

 

He's not wrong. On the goal line they love the play action half roll to the left with the te dragging across the back of the EZ. They run it all the time

[SCBills]

55 minutes ago, Mat68 said:

The steelers matchup poorly vs our offense imo.  Yes, Watt will get a sack or 2 but there is 0 reason to be scared of their pass defense.  They played trash Qbs or horrid olines all season.  Buffalo is favored for a reason.  Pittsburgh would need a complete turn around on offense to score enough to beat us.  Only reason I think about slowing down and running more is if the weather is bad.

They’ve also had Bud Dupree most of the year to account for much of their defensive numbers.  Dupree was playing lights out in a contract year. 

[BillsFan619]

It looks like the Steelers aren’t traveling to Buffalo until tomorrow on game day.

[RiotAct]

11 minutes ago, BillsFan619 said:

It looks like the Steelers aren’t traveling to Buffalo until tomorrow on game day.

[The Wiz]

26 minutes ago, BillsFan619 said:

It looks like the Steelers aren’t traveling to Buffalo until tomorrow on game day.

Not really surprised. About an hour flight and games not until Sunday night. 

 

Smart to let their guys rest at home the night before. 

[MasterStrategist]

1 hour ago, Logic said:

Good point.

I'm curious to know how good the Steelers' nickel back (Mike Hilton, I believe?) is. I think a big part of Beasley's success against the 49ers is that they were down to their third or fourth string nickel. 

In any case, given that the Steelers defense leads the league in sacks, I hope Daboll has a good screen and quick-game audible package dialed up.

Hilton is very good, as is Sutton.  

 

The Steeler defense, even with missing pieces, is going to be tough.  Heyward, Tuitt, Alamulu (ex Jags 1st rounder) have been playing great in their front 3.  Then Watt is a beast, and in the secondary Nelson is good and Minkah is outstanding.  

 

I think someone mentioned the "empty sets" against the Steelers, and agree thats a great plan. Forces them out of some of their exotic blitzes, ie: middle lb and corner blitzes (which they use alot with Hilton), and more into a straight 4 man rush/stunts.  Tomlin isn't shy about sending 5 or even 6 against empty tho either, especially if we pick them part with a 4 man rush...he isn't going to set back and let teams drive the field, he's super aggressive almost an opposite of Frazier.

 

Like Wash did last week, need to take advantage of some quick passing, then make them pay on the blitzes with occasional deep shots or YAC.  This is a game I wouldn't mind seeing Yeldon active for, as that is another area to attack them with.  

 

Now all that said, Haden and Spillane being out is HUGE. Haden has come alive and been a lockdown corner for them, and Spillane has been a big surprise filling in for Bush (he's been a very reliable cover LB).  Then with Vince Williams out (who is their thumper, and typical MLB blitzer), this could be a much more conservative defense look to at least start the game

[Sammy Watkins' Rib]

1 hour ago, JGMcD2 said:

If we are able to give Josh enough time to throw I think we’re able to continue to pass at a high volume. The Chargers blew us up two weeks ago and it caused major issues... Watt has that same ability to do what Bosa did. 

 

I think it is a huge plus for us that we've already played Bosa and saw how he wrecked our rhythm that day. And since that was jut two games ago I'm pretty confident we will have a plan going into this one in how to limit TJ's effectiveness. 

 

 

[Solomon Grundy]

1 hour ago, Logic said:

I'm seeing a lot of "we need to establish the run" talk regarding this game, and I can certainly understand that -- especially with the Steelers down a few linebackers.

HOWEVER...I can't help but wonder if this will be another opportunity to sling the rock all over the yard.

I saw on Cover 1 this morning that the Steelers defense has faced the MOST empty sets of any defense in the league, and have surrendered the most yardage against that set. Knowing how much Allen and Daboll love empty sets any way, it might be just what the doctor ordered. It would help Josh ID what the defense is doing and would help keep the Steelers from employing some of their most exotic blitz packages.

I'm not looking for the Bills to go 2TEs and run the ball. I want them to go spread and hit them with occasional runs up the gut and some throws to RBs to slow Watt/Heyward down. Have Moss make them make some business decisions 

[RiotAct]

13 minutes ago, Buffalo619 said:

It’s going to be an awesome game!! It will be a great experience for the select few who see it live. Excited to be part of it!! What a great year!!

 

The players, coaches, officials, and staff?

[JGMcD2]

11 minutes ago, Sammy Watkins' Rib said:

 

I think it is a huge plus for us that we've already played Bosa and saw how he wrecked our rhythm that day. And since that was jut two games ago I'm pretty confident we will have a plan going into this one in how to limit TJ's effectiveness. 

 

 

Yes, for sure. Plus we faced Watt last year as well when their defense was at full(er) strength and managed to a good him wrecking the game... that being said he played a great game 

 

4 tackles, 2 TFL, 2 QB hits, 1 FF, 0.5 sack and 1 PD. 
 

Hard to outright stop him, just gotta keep him in check. 

[K-9]

1 hour ago, CincyBillsFan said:

 

This was the game in which the Bills didn't punt right?  It was a series of weird stuff that happened to keep us out of the end zone but if the Jets D figured the Bills out they sure didn't show it that day.

 

 

 

Yeah, the Jets figured out our tendencies enough to hold us to 422 yards of offense, including 307 passing yards by Allen, and nearly 35 minutes of possession time. True, we didn’t find the end zone and I give the Jets credit for that, but we shot ourselves in the foot time after time with 11 penalties for over 100 yards as well.