A Few Thoughts About the Dolphins Game, in no particular order

[Nihilarian]

3 minutes ago, Straight Hucklebuck said:

This was a coaching loss today. 

 

- Dorsey not getting plays in on time

- The second drive was an absolute joke

- Delayed handoffs being called over and over'

- 2nd and Goal from 1 and you don't call three straight dives??

- Too many times the playclock running down to 3, 2, 1 and barely getting the snap off, and that's what made Bass miss that field. 

 

I agree with this take! 

 

Plus,

 

Man, I used to complain about Daboll calling too many pass plays and Dorsey took it to a different level today.

 

63 passing attempts...yes, 63! Meanwhile 15 run play calls to the RBs. Josh Allen led the team in rushing again this week with 47 rushes on 8 carries.  RB Zack Moss had 4 carries for 46 yards, a 11.5 YPC AVG. Singletary, 9 carries for 13 yards a 1.4 YPC AVG. 

 

Singletary was the leading receiver in catches and yards, 9 rec for 78 yards. 

 

Looking back to last season at how the Bills did so well with the run game you would think that would carry over to this season. Especially with a new O line coach.

 

Situational awareness on offense was lacking all game and the offensive coordinator needs to find a way to get the running game working...and not just with the QB!

 

The entire game was on the Buffalo QB shoulders...it...is...a...team...game!!!

 

First ***** in the armor for the new Buffalo OC and it was a pretty big freaking *****! 

[Norcalbillsfan]

1 minute ago, Virgil said:

I’m not saying his entire performance, but a lot.  If the defense can catch anything, he has 4 picks.  There’s a lot of good, but a lot of bad.  When it came down to it, and the game was his to win, he didn’t get it done on a wide open receiver.  
 

 

Ya no doubt mck was wide open. Hopefully josh can log it away as fuel for the fire.

[DCbillsfan]

23 minutes ago, Straight Hucklebuck said:

Rattled????????

 

The guy escapes so many sacks its not debateable. 

 

If the bar is perfect quarterbacking then good for you. He didn't set his feet on the 4th down to McKenzie, had a couple of wounded ducks that almost got picked, but the guy threw it 63 times today in 90-degree heat with no Diggs showing up in the second half. 

 

How many gut it out first downs did he give this team? 

 

Davis couldn't separate either. 

Well Allen definitely felt the pressure all day because they were getting to him.  Perhaps "rattled" is the wrong word but he was feeling the pressure and he didn't feel comfortable back there.  How's that?

[Beast]

1 hour ago, Virgil said:

The Dolphins were better prepared, had more energy, and played harder.  Lose, but don't get beat in those three phases.  That's on McD.

 

 

 

That's just a hot load of bull####.

[ghostwriter]

Bills have so many injured players at this point that it is just absurd. For two games into the season it seems really, really odd that we have 10 guys out.

 

Despite all of this, I am fairly concerned about Ken Dorsey as a play caller. He isn’t in the same stratosphere as Daboll.

[Sherlock Holmes]

1 hour ago, Virgil said:

Well, if you're going to post angry, go big or go home.  If you are on team "we were injured," feel free to stop reading now.  This game was embarrassing in all aspects of the game, and even beyond to the NFL. 

 

1 - Everyone else - This whole week has been about the players we don't have on the field, yet it was the guys who stayed healthy that made some of the biggest impacts on the game.  In a game of "what if's", there were countless plays you could point to that could have sent this game in a different direction.  Milano with an inexcusable dropped pick 6, Josh with at least 4 passes that should have been easily intercepted, multiple lost yardage plays due to bad snaps, Brown getting just abused at RT until he also leaves the game sick, Bass with an short FG miss that could have been the game winner, and again Allen missing a wide open McKenzie for a touchdown. 

 

2 - Inevitable - If there were one thing that kept me up at night going into this game, it was fear of miscommunication and gap integrity between the safeties and corners.  In a game where the Bills did a great job of limiting Tua, Waddle, and Hill, they folded when it counted the most giving up an inexcusable 3rd and 22 to the Bills goal line.  Without that play, of all of them, the Dolphins stat line is pedestrian and pull off a miracle defensive performance.

 

3 - Safety - I don't know enough about all of the medical protocols or options for teams in a game like this, but you really have to question the NFL after this game.  How Tua was able to clear concussion protocol so quickly makes absolutely no sense.  I haven't seen a QB stagger off the field like that since Joe Montana with the Chiefs against the Bills in the playoffs.  I don't care how well he passed tests in the locker room, there's no way he should have been allowed to play.  To be clear, this has nothing to do with the Bills losing and I don't think Tua beat us on any level.  Between that, the amount of play stoppages for dehydration and cramping, and the amount of players who left the game early, something needs to be done differently.

 

4 - Come and take a walk on the wild side
Let me kiss you hard in the pouring rain
You like your girls insane ("Louder!", "Alright")
So choose your last words, this is the last time
'Cause you and I—we were born to die

 

5 - Allen - You are either a stat person or you aren't, and for this game, I don't care about Josh's stats.  He lost this game for us on offense and I think he would tell you the same thing.  Josh's accuracy on crossing routes was poor, throwing multiple passes behind the receivers.  He threw at least 4 passes that easily should have been picked off, plus the miss to a wide open McKenzie last goal line drive.  While he overcame it, the PF call to lose 15 yards was inexcusable.  Josh was clearly rattled in the second half and started to press too much.  Maybe it was the heat, frustration of some terrible snaps, or playing with only 3 active receivers at times, but Josh needs to be better than this.

 

6 - Play calling - I have to hand it to the Dolphins as they had a very good game plan for our offense and did enough to keep the Bills offense at bay.  Again, you can look at stats all you want, but Diggs was relatively shut down in this game after the first quarter.  Howard left the game for a while and Diggs still couldn't do anything.  Davis was also quiet as we heard Gilly's name more than his.  As for the Bills, they continue to collapse on short yardage plays, can't run to save their life, and flirted with turnovers a lot.  Nothing ever felt fluid for the Bills on offense or defense, in a game that's almost impossible to describe to someone who didn't watch it.

 

7 - Motor - I understand that Moss had a big run in this game.  But beyond that, Motor was the only back doing anything on the field and it's been this way through three games.  Additionally, the running plays on the RPO or out of the shotgun were some of the slowest developing plays I've ever seen.  You would think the offense was running on quicksand and showed no push or burst up front.  And before you point to the loss of the entire right side of our line, this was before those injuries and were runs to the left side.  I know we are a passing team, but this is inexcusable.

 

8 - McKenzie - If there were one shining light on offense, it might have been that we finally saw a McKenzie jet sweep in this game.  McKenzie used his speed on quite a few plays to pick up nice chunks of yards, to the point that makes you wonder why he hasn't been used more up until now.  His 20+ yard catch was a beautiful touch pass by Josh, but an equally great catch by McK.  I also want to know why McK wasn't returned the free kick after the safety.  Was that because it was still a punt, in theory?

 

9 - Special teams - Between the Bass missed FG, being pinned inside our 20 a few times, and Crowder not even getting back to the 25 after the safety, the special teams was another group who found a way to not show up in this game.  Absolutely horrendous job by unit that was healthy coming into the game.

 

10 - Bye Week - I'll be honest, I don't know what to expect through the next 3 weeks.  You can find some solace in how the defense held Waddle and Hill down, but I'm not one willing to crown the Dolphins as a top tier team yet.  Going into Baltimore next week is going to be brutal, and then we still have the Chiefs after that.  I know that it's early, and thankfully we get to play the Dolphins again.  But we may very well need the tie breakers for the Ravens and Chiefs, so it sucks to have these games coming up when we aren't even 50% healthy.  Out of everything, I just hate having a season be defined by injuries, and that's exactly what this season is shaping up to be.

 

For those looking for more about the game, my apologies.  I'm not going to cool down from this game for a long time.  I can handle a loss and was expecting one.  But to lose like this is just pathetic to me.  The Dolphins were better prepared, had more energy, and played harder.  Lose, but don't get beat in those three phases.  That's on McD.

 

 

I want to see an epic meltdown as bad as OC Ken Dahmer...err I mean Dorsey just had

[CoudyBills]

1 hour ago, thenorthremembers said:

I am not inane, obviously someone had to line up at QB.  But if you think the QB that had 400 yards passing. 2 tds, and picked up multiple 1st downs on his own is to blame for a loss you're being petty.  He did more than enough to get his team a W.

Certainly debatable.  The 2nd through 4th down on the goal line possession was all Josh.

[Sherlock Holmes]

20 minutes ago, HappyDays said:

I think the expectations around Allen have gotten ridiculous. I'll agree this is his worst game since the regular season last year but he was also the only reason we were in it. Davis didn't look right, Diggs got cramped up and exhausted, McKenize and Knox had to get IVs at one point, Kumerow left the game early. Allen was getting beat up and running around all day in 100 degree weather with very little rest in between drives. He made several exceptional plays. We needed someone else on offense to make one.

Plus he got his balls mangled...

[Max Fischer]

Buck up, Virgil. This team fought all game and nearly overcame obstacles that would have crushed any other team in the league. If even Mitch Morse was healthy, the Bills would have won going away. 

[GunnerBill]

15 minutes ago, Nihilarian said:

I agree with this take! 

 

Plus,

 

Man, I used to complain about Daboll calling too many pass plays and Dorsey took it to a different level today.

 

63 passing attempts...yes, 63! Meanwhile 15 run play calls to the RBs. Josh Allen led the team in rushing again this week with 47 rushes on 8 carries.  RB Zack Moss had 4 carries for 46 yards, a 11.5 YPC AVG. Singletary, 9 carries for 13 yards a 1.4 YPC AVG. 

 

Singletary was the leading receiver in catches and yards, 9 rec for 78 yards. 

 

Looking back to last season at how the Bills did so well with the run game you would think that would carry over to this season. Especially with a new O line coach.

 

Situational awareness on offense was lacking all game and the offensive coordinator needs to find a way to get the running game working...and not just with the QB!

 

The entire game was on the Buffalo QB shoulders...it...is...a...team...game!!!

 

First ***** in the armor for the new Buffalo OC and it was a pretty big freaking *****! 

 

The problem with the run game is we cannot run block. Not the number if runs we call. Moss had 1 big run from a Dolphins breakdown.

 

Take that run out we had 13 carries 25 yards excluding Josh. 

 

It wasn't on Daboll. It isn't on Dorsey. It is on the offensive line and the players there are not good enough except for Dion and Morse who are both good (not great).

[Generic_Bills_Fan]

25 minutes ago, HappyDays said:

I think the expectations around Allen have gotten ridiculous. I'll agree this is his worst game since the regular season last year but he was also the only reason we were in it. Davis didn't look right, Diggs got cramped up and exhausted, McKenize and Knox had to get IVs at one point, Kumerow left the game early. Allen was getting beat up and running around all day in 100 degree weather with very little rest in between drives. He made several exceptional plays. We needed someone else on offense to make one.

Allen was working miracles with that supporting cast imo…I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt on that missed td late. 

[mannc]

25 minutes ago, HappyDays said:

I think the expectations around Allen have gotten ridiculous. I'll agree this is his worst game since the regular season last year but he was also the only reason we were in it. Davis didn't look right, Diggs got cramped up and exhausted, McKenize and Knox had to get IVs at one point, Kumerow left the game early. Allen was getting beat up and running around all day in 100 degree weather with very little rest in between drives. He made several exceptional plays. We needed someone else on offense to make one.

Josh’s first 25 or so throws were pretty much perfect…then guys started going down, he got less time to throw and I assume he started to feel the effects of the heat.  I can’t imagine how exhausting it had to be for him to be running around all day behind that line, throwing 63 times in that heat. I’m actually surprised he was able to finish the game…

[Xwnyer]

Fins got away with a helmet to helmet hit on Knox n many what should have been PI calls

[SDS]

1 hour ago, JoPoy88 said:

garbage takes, as usual.

Don’t have a have a report list that’s a mile long from you?

[Wraith]

20 minutes ago, mannc said:

Josh’s first 25 or so throws were pretty much perfect…then guys started going down, he got less time to throw and I assume he started to feel the effects of the heat.  I can’t imagine how exhausting it had to be for him to be running around all day behind that line, throwing 63 times in that heat. I’m actually surprised he was able to finish the game…

Thank you! I feel like I’m in bizzaro world with some of these opinions. Allen was by far the best player on the field today. Gee could the reason he finally missed a throw at the end be because he was exhausted? My god, it’s possible he was the only player on offense who didn’t crawl off the field at some point. He was incredible today. 

[newcam2012]

1 hour ago, Billever76 said:

But Josh got the ball to Davis and Davis dropped it 😆......this game was only close bc of allen

He didn't drop it. It got knocked out of his hands. 

[Trogdor]

1 hour ago, Victory Formation said:

Bills have so many injured players at this point that it is just absurd. For two games into the season it seems really, really odd that we have 10 guys out.

 

Despite all of this, I am fairly concerned about Ken Dorsey as a play caller. He isn’t in the same stratosphere as Daboll.

I can't believe the cramps. I know it was hot and that stadium is a cheat code, but a lot of these dudes grew up playing down south and I've never seen anything like that. If I had to guess they didn't up their salt intake at all. That's on the training staff and not having them prepared for the heat. 

[newcam2012]

1 hour ago, Virgil said:

Thanks boss.  I think a lot of people forget that these are alway meant to be examined in a vacuum.  I’m not talking about the prior two games or the teams body of work, this is about just this game.  
 

If we lost because of those injuries, I’d be better about it.  The defense only gave up 21 points, and I’d argue it was really 14.  If you knew that prior to the game, you’d expect to win. 
 

Injuries contributed, and we put up a lot of yardages, but failed to execute when it matter with core players.  That it what I’m focusing on. 
 

I knew I’d get a lot of hate for this one, but I’m also furious about how this game was handled.   These types of mistakes is what leads to 13 seconds and all the other Bills misery 

Virgil, I agree with your take 100%. Of course you knew you would get slack when you criticized Allen. Allen wasn't the steady rock we've grown spoiled to see. Of course, it as due to the injuries and perhaps the heat. It wasn't all ob Allen. It was a team loss via miscues. Allen especially in the 2nd half just wasn't as consistent as he needed to be. He seemed panicked at times and made rookie like throws at times. Especially, that series in the end where the Bill's failed to score. Your franchise QB has to get a TD. To boot, he short armed a sure TD to little dirty. He will make That throw 99 out of 100 times. That just can't happen!!! Allen needed to be superman today. That's a bit unfair to him. Maybe that's too high of a bar? It is a team.game too and the depleted oline sucked in the 2nd half.  He will no doubt come back better. Allen is the least of this teams worries. 

 

[Maine-iac]

Everything that could have gone wrong did.  Every phase of the game had mistakes made.  Missed throws, missed kicks, missed blocks, missed catches (defense and offense).  The turnover at the beginning of the game that got them in it really hurt.  Overall a missed opportunity of a game.  Heal up and come back hungry.  It's only week three.

[Nihilarian]

40 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

The problem with the run game is we cannot run block. Not the number if runs we call. Moss had 1 big run from a Dolphins breakdown.

 

Take that run out we had 13 carries 25 yards excluding Josh. 

 

It wasn't on Daboll. It isn't on Dorsey. It is on the offensive line and the players there are not good enough except for Dion and Morse who are both good (not great).

63 pass attempts is downright ridiculous to ask a QB to throw in one game... This OC put the entire game on the QB's shoulders. That is on the OC! 

 

1 hour ago, HappyDays said:

I think the expectations around Allen have gotten ridiculous. I'll agree this is his worst game since the regular season last year but he was also the only reason we were in it. Davis didn't look right, Diggs got cramped up and exhausted, McKenize and Knox had to get IVs at one point, Kumerow left the game early. Allen was getting beat up and running around all day in 100 degree weather with very little rest in between drives. He made several exceptional plays. We needed someone else on offense to make one