All-22 Grades for Bills/Saints (The Athletic)

[HappyDays]

https://theathletic.com/2992484/2021/12/02/how-the-bills-overcame-offensive-line-troubles-to-get-back-on-track-all-22-film-review?source=user-shared-article

 

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1. Quick fix helped mitigated poor line play

 

Against the Colts, Allen held on to the ball for an average of 2.91 seconds — his second-highest single-game mark in 2021. With only three days to prepare and the same offensive line facing a highly talented Saints defensive line, the Bills made a clear choice in the name of offensive efficiency.

 

Once again, the offensive line struggled to keep the pocket clean. Four of their five offensive linemen carried a below-average grade, and three lowest-graded Bills players from the Saints film were right guard Cody Ford, left tackle Dion Dawkins and left guard Ike Boettger. Keeping the sanctity of the pocket was a problem that carried over, but the Bills smartly adjusted to prevent it from becoming a humongous issue for the second game in a row.

 

To counter the offensive line struggles, they had Allen get the ball out of his hand quickly all game. On average, Allen took 2.43 seconds to throw. It was his second-lowest single-game mark of the season, behind only the team’s Week 8 victory over Miami, in which Allen averaged 2.22 seconds. Against the Saints, Allen set a season-high mark by completing 82.1 percent of his passes and didn’t allow the Saints’ pressure to derail his day.

 

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2. Dawkins’ struggles continue

 

The last four games have been one of Dawkins’ worst stretches of play since early in his career. Over those last four outings, his GPA was a lowly 2.45 — well below an average mark and nearing replacement-level play. He was a liability against the Jaguars, had just an average performance against the Colts and then was one of the lowest-graded performers against the Saints.

 

Making it even more of a concern, Dawkins was working against a backup defensive end in Carl Granderson for much of the game. He was slow off the snap, a step too slow in his movements and even took a holding penalty when his opponent beat him into the backfield. When asked to get out of his stance and pull outside, Dawkins also failed to secure many of his blocks in the running game. The Saints game was Dawkins’ worst showing since Week 1 against the Steelers, and the recent run of play makes you wonder what’s happening with the Bills’ franchise left tackle.

 

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3. How Gabriel Davis set up a huge play for himself

 

You might see wide recevier Gabriel Davis’ sterling grade and wonder why, considering he took only 42 percent of offensive snaps and finished with two receptions for 47 yards. Well, it was a combination of his excellent route running and separation skills, reading the zone defense well, and most importantly, his excellent blocks that sprung big runs and both touchdowns for Dawson Knox.

 

The Bills ask Davis to do far more of the dirty work than any of the team’s other receivers. As they’ve started to make pin-and-pull blocking much more prevalent the last few games, Davis has been an asset, crashing inside and taking out a defender to free up a pulling offensive lineman or tight end to take on a wide defender. His presence on the field also helped to lull the Saints to sleep on a typical running situation, and Davis and the Bills exploited them for a significant gain on a third-and-short.

 

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4. Tremaine Edmunds was a huge difference-maker

 

With starter Tremaine Edmunds returning to the lineup, the level of play from the middle linebacker position was far higher than it was against the Colts. Edmunds was displaying full instincts, staying clean off blocks, filling running lanes, fighting through traffic and making several tackles to keep the Saints’ best means of offense from getting started. It’s fair to point out that the Saints were down two of their top runners, but the way Edmunds read the plays and put himself in a position to make plays made him an impact run defender. Edmunds has come a long way as a run defender this season to go along with his coverage prowess, and it’s a big reason why he’s graded the third-best of any player on the team this season.

 

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5. Despite two TDs, Knox’s blocking brought his grade down

 

Knox isn’t that all-around tight end just yet, and it cost the Bills several times when they attempted to run the ball. He had a lot of problems keeping his blocking assignment under control. After losing the defender, that player either directly made a tackle or helped force the runner back into other defenders. Knox especially struggled on the Bills’ numerous attempts to rush out wide, where he had to control the defender and turn to shield him from making an impact on the play.

 

Top 5 grades:

1) Allen (A-)

2) Diggs (A-)

3) Davis (A-)

4) Edmunds (A-)

5) Milano (A-)

 

Bottom 5 grades (worst to 5th worst):

1) Boettger (C-)

2) Dawkins (C-)

3) Ford (C)

4) Jackson (C+)

5) Bryant (C+)

 

I also want to mention that Williams was the 6th worst graded player with a C+. The offemsive line is still a huge problem, Allen just covers it up.

[maddenboy]

2 minutes ago, HappyDays said:

The offemsive line is still a huge problem, Allen just covers it up

Until he doesnt.

 

It seems that the O-line woes lead to JA17 playing frustrated.  Then playing Hero.  He loses patience i think.

[HappyDays]

19 minutes ago, maddenboy said:

Until he doesnt.

 

It seems that the O-line woes lead to JA17 playing frustrated.  Then playing Hero.  He loses patience i think.

 

He played very well against the Saints, and Daboll had a good game plan. They did exactly what they needed to do to counter poor pass protection. That quick pass style gives us a lower margin for error but it's the only way we're going to move the ball consistently this year.

[MWK]

Why won't he ever give F's? Seems most every grade hovers around a B

 

[H2o]

This year, much more so than last seemingly, rides on JA's shoulders. Especially with Tre White going down for the rest of the year, the Bills will go as far as JA's arm takes them. Go Bills, beat the Pats!!!

[Matt_In_NH]

It's great that Brown and Feliciano will be available.  But Dawkins has been really bad, hoping he shows some improvement, not much else can be done without really blowing up the line positions.

[SCBills]

Dion Dawkins needs to get his act together.   Getting Spencer Brown back (hopefully) solidifies the right side of the line.  Morse has been solid at C, but you have to imagine Belichick also knows Dawkins struggles and will be lining Judon up over him early and often.  

[TheBrownBear]

1 minute ago, SCBills said:

Dion Dawkins needs to get his act together.   Getting Spencer Brown back (hopefully) solidifies the right side of the line.  Morse has been solid at C, but you have to imagine Belichick also knows Dawkins struggles and will be lining Judon up over him early and often.  

The thought actually made me shiver.  Judon is nasty and will eat Dawkins alive.

 

Have to wonder if Dawkins isn't dealing with some extra fatigue issues stemming from his Covid battle in the offseason.  

[BuffaloRebound]

Dawkins personally blew up 2 of our first 3 drives.  Bad left tackle play is tough to overcome.  

[First Round Bust]

18 hours ago, LOVEMESOMEBILLS said:

 

The blocked punt was in 2019's home game. While you could point to the blocked punt as the decisive play, there were other factors such as Allen throwing 3 INTs & getting knocked out.

 

  We won a close one in last year's home game where Cam's fumble was the decisive play.

another week and another weak overall performance by the O-line against injury-riddled Saints D line...regarding Knox, anything he gives us for blocking is a bonus, also his surgically repaired hand his swollen-puffy as shown on the post-game TV interview on NBC, so what can you expect from him regarding blocking with that condition hampering his strength and push, etc

[BuffaloBillyG]

13 minutes ago, mattynh said:

It's great that Brown and Feliciano will be available.  But Dawkins has been really bad, hoping he shows some improvement, not much else can be done without really blowing up the line positions.

 

While Dawkins hasn't been himself at all this year I don't think it's coincidence that his worst games have come when either Ike or Ford are next to him. Feliciano being back should help a bit. 

[Hapless Bills Fan]

8 hours ago, HappyDays said:

https://theathletic.com/2992484/2021/12/02/how-the-bills-overcame-offensive-line-troubles-to-get-back-on-track-all-22-film-review?source=user-shared-article

 

Joe B. IMHO puts a key factor in the better passing results last and gives it one line:

 

He says, "The Bills quickly got into their offensive groove on Thanksgiving, using the quick passing attack, going after the rookie cornerback and employing a more legitimate threat to run the ball."

 

Kubiak in TBN points out that against the Saints, the first series featured 7 runs in 10 plays.  He had 11 runs and only 4 passes in the entire first Q.

https://buffalonews.com/sports/bills/jim-kubiak-how-bills-run-game-helped-allen-plus-breaking-down-crazy-whip-route-to/article_cb8a0588-509c-11ec-b445-979a945d9867.html

 

The message to the opposing defense is clear: you got to play the run

 

In contrast, the 1Q play selection against the Colts was 8 passes and 3 runs, 2Q 10 passes 5 runs.  The passing game worked OK until Mistake - 6 of 8 (but with a pick) in the 1Q, 8 of 10 in the 2Q - but the message to the Colts was "no serious run threat to worry about here".  Then once the Bills went into the 2nd half down 24-7 with our defense unable to stop their offense, what were the alternatives?

https://buffalonews.com/sports/bills/jim-kubiak-more-bills-running-game-sputters-more-josh-allen-will-try-to-do-too/article_aa71dab2-4c0d-11ec-baa9-d75d7bba8cc7.html

 

Frankly, this article illustrates a problem with Joe B's analysis overall.  He gets caught up in stats and doesn't stop to consider if the stats are cause, or if they are effect.

 

The Bills started out the Colts game trying for a relatively quick passing game IMHO.  But because the Colts didn't see a real commitment to run, they were able to do what other teams have done - Cover 2, smother the middle of the field, change coverage after the snap to force Josh to figure it out.  They were also controlling the clock on offense when they had the ball.  So Allen had to look for the deeper passes, especially in the 2nd half.

 

In contrast, in the NO game, the Bills sent a strong message from the start "we will run, and we will run Allen, and you must account for this".  This opened up the short/intermediate passing game.

 

 

7 hours ago, HappyDays said:

 

He played very well against the Saints, and Daboll had a good game plan. They did exactly what they needed to do to counter poor pass protection. That quick pass style gives us a lower margin for error but it's the only way we're going to move the ball consistently this year.

 

But the point is - it was enabled by an initial commitment to the run, IMO, and it was able to continue because our defense was stopping the Saints and we had a lead.

 

Credit where Credit is due: Joe gives a good analysis of Dawkins struggles (though again - no consideration of who Dawkins has been playing next to for the last 4 games - MAYBE who Dawkins is next to might make a difference?). I like his play breakdown of Davis (and how the RUN THREAT set up that play, am I showing a theme here?)

 

As usual, Joe B's grades are opaque to me and therefore I can not give them much weight.

[Hapless Bills Fan]

28 minutes ago, BuffaloRebound said:

Dawkins personally blew up 2 of our first 3 drives.  Bad left tackle play is tough to overcome.  

 

Our first 3 drives resulted in 2 scores.  So perhaps that was not the problem?

 

The 4th and 5th drives perhaps you'd have more point.  Dawkins had a bad holding penalty on the 4th drive (although the Bills overcame and converted), and let 94 get to Allen and hit his arm on the 5th drive leading to an INT

[BuffaloRebound]

9 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

Our first 3 drives resulted in 2 scores.  So perhaps that was not the problem?

 

The 4th and 5th drives perhaps you'd have more point.  Dawkins had a bad holding penalty on the 4th drive (although the Bills overcame and converted), and let 94 get to Allen and hit his arm on the 5th drive leading to an INT

Yes.  2 of first 4.  And 3 of first 5.  And even if you convert the first down after a 10 yard holding penalty, you’re still 10 yards behind where you could’ve been and the drive ended in an interception.  

‘Blew up’ probably more appropriate for first 2 of 5 drives.  Hugely impacted negatively first 3 of 5.  

[Ethan in Cleveland]

13 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

Our first 3 drives resulted in 2 scores.  So perhaps that was not the problem?

 

The 4th and 5th drives perhaps you'd have more point.  Dawkins had a bad holding penalty on the 4th drive (although the Bills overcame and converted), and let 94 get to Allen and hit his arm on the 5th drive leading to an INT

My gut tells me this is all still COVID deconditioning and the short week really impacted him.  I expect him to look better coming off this mini-bye.

[vincec]

I see good grades from "The Ford Report" (with posters calling people who doubt Ford like Joe B biased) and bad grades from The Athletic. Did they watch different games? 😂

[Ethan in Cleveland]

As a well documented Edmunds skeptic, I still did not see A- play from him but I also did not see any major negative plays.  He looked solid.  New England's o-line and run game will be a better gauge of his play.  If he continues to get better they can have a solid MLB for another 7 years and he will just turn 30 at that point.  He will be expensive but will be an anchor (in a good sense) for years to come.  I was in favor of picking up his extension for just this reason. Let him prove it on the field before they invest huge money.  

 

Love Knox, but agree his blocking is still not good.  

[Hapless Bills Fan]

10 minutes ago, BuffaloRebound said:

Yes.  2 of first 4.  And 3 of first 5.  And even if you convert the first down after a 10 yard holding penalty, you’re still 10 yards behind where you could’ve been and the drive ended in an interception.  

‘Blew up’ probably more appropriate for first 2 of 5 drives.  Hugely impacted negatively first 3 of 5.  

 

Are we still talking about the same game?

How did Dawkins "blow up" the first drive, which ended in a TD after 7 successful run plays and had no penalties?

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202111250nor.htm

 

9 minutes ago, vincec said:

I see good grades from "The Ford Report" (with posters calling people who doubt Ford like Joe B biased) and bad grades from The Athletic. Did they watch different games? 😂

 

I don't how about "The Ford Report" but @Freddie's Dead openly acknowledges he's got no knowledge of the assignment and is going play-by-play what he sees.  Neither he nor Joe B have played organized football.

 

The thing is at least our Freddie goes through play by play and tells you what he's seeing and how he's grading, which is more than I can say for Joe B.

[vincec]

7 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

I don't how about "The Ford Report" but @Freddie's Dead openly acknowledges he's got no knowledge of the assignment and is going play-by-play what he sees.  Neither he nor Joe B have played organized football.

 

The thing is at least our Freddie goes through play by play and tells you what he's seeing and how he's grading, which is more than I can say for Joe B.

I guess, or maybe it just shows the futility of this kind of micro-analysis without knowing anyone's assignments or even the play design beyond the most basic level.

[FilthyBeast]

1 hour ago, HappyDays said:

https://theathletic.com/2992484/2021/12/02/how-the-bills-overcame-offensive-line-troubles-to-get-back-on-track-all-22-film-review?source=user-shared-article

 

 

 

 

 

 

Top 5 grades:

1) Allen (A-)

2) Diggs (A-)

3) Davis (A-)

4) Edmunds (A-)

5) Milano (A-)

 

Bottom 5 grades (worst to 5th worst):

1) Boettger (C-)

2) Dawkins (C-)

3) Ford (C)

4) Jackson (C+)

5) Bryant (C+)

 

I also want to mention that Williams was the 6th worst graded player with a C+. The offemsive line is still a huge problem, Allen just covers it up.

 

He covered it up last year too which is why it made zero sense for Beane to not adequately address the oline and not sure how you can rewatch the AFC championship game tape with a straight face and think it was simply an anomaly.

 

Dawkins obviously gets a pass this year considering what happened right before the season with his covid experience, but both guard spots have to be a top priority in the offseason in addition to releasing feliciano and Williams.

 

Bigger issue with this team though is terrible cap situation Beane has created and there probably won't be much we can do to address all this teams glaring holes outside the draft.