The Bills are now creating "free plays"

[Matt_In_NH]

The Bills have had 3 free plays over the last two weeks, 2 last night and one against the Chargers. They have clearly built this into their offense to take advantage of a jumping defender. The key to get the free play is that the ball has to be snapped while the guy is Offside. Typically when a guy jumps, some lineman will jump too to get the Offside but that just results in 5 yards. That is worst case scenario when you get a jumper, that is a prime opportunity for a big chunk play. What the Packers do and what the Bills have started to do is to always be alert on this and if someone jumps Morse snaps the ball whether Allen has asked for it or not. This is really how you create the "free play" rather than once in a while just getting lucky to have someone jump just prior to you snapping the ball. You are always looking for it, Allen is always hard counting, trying to get guys to jump and the whole offense is trained to go on the snap of the ball in this type of situation. As long as the guy is Offside and it is a penalty there is no risk to the offense, a turnover will get brought back by accepting the penalty. Typically you just go deep, either get a completion or DPI....worst case scenario is you accept the 5 yard penalty. This offense continues to evolve and I love it!

 

There is a cool graphic on this webpage that shows how much Rodgers takes adavantage of these. The other QB's who do this well according to this are Wilson, Stafford, Ben, Brees and Mahomes.....and now Allen.

https://operations.nfl.com/stats-cen...r-than-anyone/

[mykidsdad]

this is really cool to think about. seriously. i never thought about the difference really of a linemen reaching out to ensure the dt or whoever doesn't get back on side. snapping the ball is where its at. very nice area of improvement.

[Warcodered]

Josh has honestly been good at this since his rookie year, he notices a free play and he takes a shot.

[Kelly the Dog]

I liked the one “free play” that wasn’t an Offside yesterday. The play that Diggs got mugged. Josh pointed it out in the middle of the play and then looked downfield. I was laughing while the play was going on. 

[Generic_Bills_Fan]

Seems like our players have gotten a lot better at not jumping on Josh's hardcounts lol that was a huge issue not too long ago

[JohnNord]

Josh is also really practicing a hard count.  Not just  in obvious situations either 

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

Maybe this was what the Jets needed? 🤔

*
😁

[Coach Tuesday]

2 hours ago, Kelly the Dog said:

I liked the one “free play” that wasn’t an Offside yesterday. The play that Diggs got mugged. Josh pointed it out in the middle of the play and then looked downfield. I was laughing while the play was going on. 

Yup - you knew Josh was “locked in” when he started pointing out penalties mid-play with the ball still in his hand!

[Jpsredemption]

Love it. It’s Rodgers-Esque 

[BuffaloRebound]

We are getting to the line quickly which helps.  Gone are the days when it’d take forever to get the playcall in and Josh would be rushing just to get the snap off.  Now we consistently get lined up with 15 seconds left on play clock and Josh gets to survey the defense and use a hard count if he wants.  

[Big Turk]

My favorite thing from last night was Allen scrambling down around the SF 10, stops to point out a flag to a ref and then throws a completion to Beasley...

 

That was absolutely hilarious!

Edited December 9, 2020 by matter2003

[Ralonzo]

Allen almost always snaps it on 1 or on 3 when he’s hard counting. Guess they’re saving 2 for a big situation down the road?

[PromoTheRobot]

8 minutes ago, Ralonzo said:

Allen almost always snaps it on 1 or on 3 when he’s hard counting. Guess they’re saving 2 for a big situation down the road?

 

And did you notice Allen is helping the officials with their calls too? Pointing out a defensive holding on Diggs one play.

[BillsShredder83]

8 hours ago, mattynh said:

The Bills have had 3 free plays over the last two weeks, 2 last night and one against the Chargers. They have clearly built this into their offense to take advantage of a jumping defender. The key to get the free play is that the ball has to be snapped while the guy is Offside. Typically when a guy jumps, some lineman will jump too to get the Offside but that just results in 5 yards. That is worst case scenario when you get a jumper, that is a prime opportunity for a big chunk play. What the Packers do and what the Bills have started to do is to always be alert on this and if someone jumps Morse snaps the ball whether Allen has asked for it or not. This is really how you create the "free play" rather than once in a while just getting lucky to have someone jump just prior to you snapping the ball. You are always looking for it, Allen is always hard counting, trying to get guys to jump and the whole offense is trained to go on the snap of the ball in this type of situation. As long as the guy is Offside and it is a penalty there is no risk to the offense, a turnover will get brought back by accepting the penalty. Typically you just go deep, either get a completion or DPI....worst case scenario is you accept the 5 yard penalty. This offense continues to evolve and I love it!

 

There is a cool graphic on this webpage that shows how much Rodgers takes adavantage of these. The other QB's who do this well according to this are Wilson, Stafford, Ben, Brees and Mahomes.....and now Allen.

https://operations.nfl.com/stats-cen...r-than-anyone/

Awesome find, great article! Thats some next level stuff, thats not happening by accident, thats a well coached team reacting on the fly.  Has to be hard to train that in mentally as an o-lineman

[John from Riverside]

I had to laugh when I saw Josh Allen directing the officials to throw flags WHILE THE PLAY WAS STILL HAPPENING

 

The game has totally slowed down for Josh Allen......