On to the JAGS

[NewEra]

42 minutes ago, hondo in seattle said:

 

Whatever it turns out to be, with $50 million guaranteed, the opportunity cost was substantial.  We could have signed a Pro Bowl offensive lineman, for example.  

We could’ve signed Terror Armstead or Brandon Scherff.  No other pro bowl lineman.  No thanks on 30 year old injury prone Armstead that plays the same position as our best OLmen.  And no thanks on making a 30 year old guard the highest paid

 

ill take elite pass rushing, Super Bowl winning von all day every day.  Not even close to a debate imo

[Richard Noggin]

3 minutes ago, NewEra said:

 

ill take elite pass rushing, Super Bowl winning von all day every day.  Not even close to a debate imo

 

I like the analogy of bringing Diggs into the Bills WR room, which coincided with an unmistakable elevation in the play of the rest of the room. They really did seem to dial it up a notch, as a group. More competitive and focused at the catch point, for example. 

 

While we didn't see that same coinciding uptick in pass rush effectiveness sustained following Von's injury last season, there's no doubt we saw it while he WAS on the field (and Rousseau et al were still fully healthy). We're definitely seeing the starting four performing at a HIGH level without Von out there so far in 2023, so can't wait to see the product once he's back in the rotation. 

[Comebackkid]

7 hours ago, Beck Water said:

 

Now let's pump the brakes on that "D that the Bills have struggled against in the past".

 

Bills lost to the Jags 6-9 in 2021.  At that time, Urban Meyer was the HC and Joe Cullen was the DC.  Cullen came to the Jags from the Ravens, where he was their DL coach under first Dean Pees then Wink Martindale.  But before that his coaching "roots" go back to .....Lovie Smith and Leslie Frazier.

 

Currently, under Doug Pederson, we have Mike Caldwell as the DC.  Caldwell came from the Bucs, where he coached linebackers under Todd Bowles.  He came with Bowles from the Jets and before that the Cardinals.  But if you follow him back a bit further--- he coached for the Eagles under Andy Reid with Jim Johnson and Sean McDermott.

 

Anyway, the Jags now run a 3-4 base D while under Meyer/Cullen I believe it was a 4-3.  End Roy Robertson-Harris and LB Josh Allen are constants, and K'lavon Chaisson is still on the team.  Cisco and Jenkins are still the safeties, and there's some CBs who were starting who are now depth. 

 

Whether we'll have more or less trouble now, can't tell you - all I can tell you is 1) just because we had trouble 2 years ago doesn't mean trouble now, due to personnel changes, coaching changes scheme changes, etc 2) we better take them seriously, Or Else.  I think we wouldn't have had trouble in 2021 if we'd come into the game taking them more seriously, and if Daboll had a Plan B on tap other than to run empty sets and boatrace them with the passing game

I think maybe the main thing to keep in mind is our 0-line not only has a hearbeat but is playing fairly well.  

[Doc Brown]

51 minutes ago, hondo in seattle said:

 

Whatever it turns out to be, with $50 million guaranteed, the opportunity cost was substantial.  We could have signed a Pro Bowl offensive lineman, for example.  

We also may have won the Super Bowl last year if he didn't suffer that ACL injury.  Joe Burrow had enough time to read the bible in the pocket before the pass rush got there in that Divisional game.  It's not like he was a whiff of a signing before that as we arguably don't win the Ravens or Chiefs game without him in the lineup.  Just really unlucky.  Pickings were slim in free agency on the offensive line that year as well.

[HappyDays]

15 hours ago, SoonerBillsFan said:

It's a trap game.

 

I bet McDermott right now is secretly thankful for the 2021 Jags loss. However much these guys are feeling themselves after an epic beatdown, he can show them that tape and humble them. No concerns in my mind that they are going to be unfocused in this one.

[Joe Ferguson]

On to London. I say, we should have tea and krumpets before the game.  Cheerio!

[BuffBillsForLife]

I hate that the jags have already been in London for a week while the bills will have jet lag but what can you do?  No way the league would have the jags fly to london two separate times.

[chongli]

 

[Behindenemylines]

6 hours ago, poo said:

I'm a be in Ithaca Sunday morning at an Airbnb. I doubt we'll have NFL Network to watch at the house. Anyone recommend a bills bar/restaurant we could attend in the Ithaca area? Kid friendly would be a huge plus. Thanks family!

I have not been but Uncle Joes Tavern was mentioned to me by some folks in Cortland when I was down there. 

[DaBillsFanSince1973]

How Bills OC Ken Dorsey is unlocking best parts of Josh Allen, Stefon Diggs

theathletic.com

 

1. Speaking of Dorsey, the way he’s incorporated the play-action passing game into the offense this season has helped this passing offense become one of the most efficient in the league through four games. Josh Allen has a 158.3 passer rating and is completing a league-high 81 percent of his passes when the Bills use play action. Last season, Allen was in the top five of passing attempts and EPA/dropback on play action, so it’s not a new thing that he excels in this area. But Dorsey said he and his staff put even more emphasis on finding different ways to lean on it heading into this season. He also said the way the team has been running the ball creates more opportunities in the play-action passing game.

 

 

6. In terms of expected points added, the Bills offense ranks No. 3 in the NFL and their defense ranks No. 4. They are the only team that ranks in the top four of both categories. They are also No. 3 in turnover margin, even after starting the season with a four-turnover game against the New York Jets. This Bills team isn’t much different than the one that was a Super Bowl front-runner a season ago. The balance and top-end talent are there if they can sustain this level play.

 

10. The Bills’ plan is to practice Thursday in Orchard Park before traveling Friday to England to practice there in the afternoon. This is a different approach than the one the Bills took last time they traveled to London in 2015, but it’s more in line with how teams have handled it in recent years. What’s interesting about this game is the Jacksonville Jaguars played in London last week and are staying over there this week. I’m not sure it’s much of an advantage, considering that’s a long time to spend away from home. Their body clocks will be better adjusted, but they’re also going to be eager to get back to Jacksonville. The Jaguars offense is in the bottom 10 in the league in EPA/play, but their defense ranks fifth in run defense EPA and ninth in passing defense EPA. This might be Allen’s best test since Week 1.

-------

NFL Week 5 Power Rankings: Buccaneers balling without Tom Brady; Texans climbing, Steelers fall seven spots

cbssports.com nfl power rankings

 

1. 49ERS There is no doubt who the best team in the league is right now. They do face a tough test Sunday night against the Cowboys.

 

3.  CHIEFS It wasn't easy against the Jets, but they found a way. The offense still isn't clicking yet the way we've come to expect. When is the big game from Patrick Mahomes coming?

 

4. BILLS They looked dominant in blowing out the Dolphins. The defense has really impressed so far this season, especially in terms of the pass rush. Josh Allen is playing like an MVP again.

 

23. BENGALS At 1-3, their season is hanging in the balance right now. The offense was non-existent against the Titans and now Tee Higgins is hurt, which won't help.

 

[eball]

15 hours ago, Sierra Foothills said:

Because of the "Trap Game Police" we're no longer allowed to use that terminology. If you want to convey that concept you have to refer to it as "a possible upset game."

 

If you want to expand on the concept you're allowed to say things like "the Bills could possibly let their guard down" or some such language

 

It’s really a very simple concept called “the better team usually wins.”  Are there upsets?  Of course, but history tells us it’s not because one team “overlooked” the other team or “let their guard down” because they were thinking about the following week’s opponent.

 

Amazing that people still can’t grasp this.

 

[BillsPride12]

21 hours ago, Matt_In_NH said:

I need another day to revel in that game and the Patriots smack down...I live in NE.  I need more than one day to move on.

Ok Pal....NOW We're on to the Jags! 

[Sierra Foothills]

6 minutes ago, eball said:

 

It’s really a very simple concept called “the better team usually wins.”  Are there upsets?  Of course, but history tells us it’s not because one team “overlooked” the other team or “let their guard down” because they were thinking about the following week’s opponent.

 

Amazing that people still can’t grasp this.

 

 

eball, with all due respect, we've all seen plenty of NFL games where a favored team underestimated and lost to an inferior team. These games are often accompanied by postgame interviews by the losing team admitting as much.

 

In sports it does occasionally happen that the better team loses because they didn't take their opponent seriously enough.

 

Anyone who has followed sports has seen this.

[RichRiderBills]

1 hour ago, DaBillsFanSince1973 said:

How Bills OC Ken Dorsey is unlocking best parts of Josh Allen, Stefon Diggs

theathletic.com

 

1. Speaking of Dorsey, the way he’s incorporated the play-action passing game into the offense this season has helped this passing offense become one of the most efficient in the league through four games. Josh Allen has a 158.3 passer rating and is completing a league-high 81 percent of his passes when the Bills use play action. Last season, Allen was in the top five of passing attempts and EPA/dropback on play action, so it’s not a new thing that he excels in this area. But Dorsey said he and his staff put even more emphasis on finding different ways to lean on it heading into this season. He also said the way the team has been running the ball creates more opportunities in the play-action passing game.

 

 

6. In terms of expected points added, the Bills offense ranks No. 3 in the NFL and their defense ranks No. 4. They are the only team that ranks in the top four of both categories. They are also No. 3 in turnover margin, even after starting the season with a four-turnover game against the New York Jets. This Bills team isn’t much different than the one that was a Super Bowl front-runner a season ago. The balance and top-end talent are there if they can sustain this level play.

 

10. The Bills’ plan is to practice Thursday in Orchard Park before traveling Friday to England to practice there in the afternoon. This is a different approach than the one the Bills took last time they traveled to London in 2015, but it’s more in line with how teams have handled it in recent years. What’s interesting about this game is the Jacksonville Jaguars played in London last week and are staying over there this week. I’m not sure it’s much of an advantage, considering that’s a long time to spend away from home. Their body clocks will be better adjusted, but they’re also going to be eager to get back to Jacksonville. The Jaguars offense is in the bottom 10 in the league in EPA/play, but their defense ranks fifth in run defense EPA and ninth in passing defense EPA. This might be Allen’s best test since Week 1.

-------

NFL Week 5 Power Rankings: Buccaneers balling without Tom Brady; Texans climbing, Steelers fall seven spots

cbssports.com nfl power rankings

 

1. 49ERS There is no doubt who the best team in the league is right now. They do face a tough test Sunday night against the Cowboys.

 

3.  CHIEFS It wasn't easy against the Jets, but they found a way. The offense still isn't clicking yet the way we've come to expect. When is the big game from Patrick Mahomes coming?

 

4. BILLS They looked dominant in blowing out the Dolphins. The defense has really impressed so far this season, especially in terms of the pass rush. Josh Allen is playing like an MVP again.

 

23. BENGALS At 1-3, their season is hanging in the balance right now. The offense was non-existent against the Titans and now Tee Higgins is hurt, which won't help.

 

 

Give me a break with the Chiefs. I'd say we have them literally 20/22 better players on their roster. 

[Pete]

4 minutes ago, RichRiderBills said:

 

Give me a break with the Chiefs. I'd say we have them literally 20/22 better players on their roster. 

The Bills are going to smash the Chiefs when they play them.  The Bills have eclipsed the Chiefs in talent by a long shot, and Josh has surpassed Mahomes.

[DaBillsFanSince1973]

50 minutes ago, RichRiderBills said:

Give me a break with the Chiefs. I'd say we have them literally 20/22 better players on their roster. 

I agree. it goes to show different takes on the same team(s) from different sources. it's what we have seen the last 3 weeks, a bills team running like a well oiled machine. much to be played out yet, early but no one can deny they are on the right track while teams like the bengals (injury is part of the game, who steps up?) are falling off the rails and other then kelce and swift, not too much talk about with the chiefs. early though. rankings are obviously week to week but early on you see the teams playing at a high level. 

 

NFL Power Rankings, Week 5: 49ers reclaim No. 1 spot; Seahawks, Buccaneers crack top 10

nfl.com nfl power rankings week-5

 

1. San Francisco 49ers 4-0  

 

2. Kansas City Chiefs 3-1  

 

Patrick Mahomes had one of the stranger outings of his career in a 23-20 victory over the Jets, perhaps switching bodies with Zach Wilson for the middle part of the Sunday night tilt. I didn’t expect Mahomes to go full Mamba and unleash the legs quite that much, but that’s what he does on off nights. And it’s a big part of what makes him the best.

 

Pat can beat you -- on the road, in the fourth quarter -- with his fourth-best pitch. Kansas City’s defense was humbled a bit after a really strong start to the season, but all told, the Chiefs survived a scare in prime time. Now three wins removed from the Kickoff Game loss to the Lions, the Chiefs are getting their mojo back -- while acquiring a whole new legion of fans. 

 

3.  Buffalo Bills 3-1  

 

The Bills turned an early shootout against the Dolphins into a boat race. The four-touchdown margin of victory was yet another reminder that when the Bills are on, they are as tough to stop as anyone out there.

 

When the defense faltered early, the offense picked up the slack -- to the point where it wasn’t clear whether Josh Allen or Tua Tagovailoa operated the most explosive group. By the end of the statement victory over Miami, it was fair to say Buffalo's defense had turned in an excellent effort.

 

That’s how good teams are built, knowing the heavy lifting won’t always be evenly split.

 

That Week 1 loss to the Jets suddenly feels like a distant memory, and over the next seven weeks, the Bills face one team that currently owns a winning record (Tampa Bay in Week 8). Could this team be 10-1 when it visits Philadelphia in Week 12?

 

6. Miami Dolphins  3-1

 

8. Baltimore Ravens  3-1

 

Don’t forget these guys. With a 3-1 record that includes two big divisional road wins, the Ravens are in great shape again following the shocking home loss to Indianapolis. The Ravens weren’t about to let another backup QB beat them, with the Roquan Smith-led defense taking the wheel against the Deshaun Watson-less Browns.

 

That unit allowed 166 yards on 65 plays, made 10 tackles for losses and forced three turnovers, absolutely stifling a Cleveland team that was supposed to have the league's best defense itself.

 

My eyes see a Bills team on a Mission!!

Edited October 4, 2023 by DaBillsFanSince1973

[Scott7975]

8 hours ago, hondo in seattle said:

 

Whatever it turns out to be, with $50 million guaranteed, the opportunity cost was substantial.  We could have signed a Pro Bowl offensive lineman, for example.  

 

They wanted to build to beat Mahomes. They wanted a pass rusher that could get there.  It was a good signing.  Just unfortunate his season got ended.

[The Wiz]

😂

 

 

 

[BearNorth]

12 hours ago, Warriorspikes51 said:

Tomorrow’s practice report will be extremely interesting.  If Von looks great, he may talk Beane and Sean into letting him play in London

Our pass rush has 13 sacks and a multitude of hurries in the last two games, I think McD will be glad to have Von, but think he may be very deliberate using him after Tre's injury. 

 

In our next 7 games, Jax is .500, TB is 3-1, everyone else we play is 1-3. 

 

I would be thrilled is Von played a few series starting in a couple of weeks, but he is needed for the Philly, KC, Dallas games in weeks 12, 14, 15.

 

Edited October 4, 2023 by BearNorth

[The Wiz]