Suggestions on how to address the Bills sudden offensive struggles?

[The Firebaugh Kid]

They just don't use anybody but Diggs and Gabe. Of course, staying on the field has been an issue 2 weeks in a row so we are not seeing additional opportunities for the 3rd and 4th options. 

Kincaid was supposed to be a dazzling wizard and they're NOT GIVING HIM A CHANCE TO RUN DOWNFIELD AT ALL. Every pass he's caught has been for 3-5 yards its ridiculous. Set him FREE. 

[buffblue]

9 hours ago, Einstein said:

Speaking only of this game…

 

We run the most amount of play action in the NFL and the Giants called our bluff the entire first half.

 

The LB’s we’re not biting on the play-action at all (they weren’t even moving). Thats why the running attack was so successful when we finally ran it (when the linebackers aren’t crashing the gaps, you can run nearly at will).

 

It was a scenario where the Giants were begging us to run the ball but Dorsey didn’t figure it out until the second half.

 

 

Or more likely McDermott told Dorsey to run it more. I'm not sure the OC is even sharp enough to recognize this. 

[Coach Tuesday]

They need to find a YAC specialist at the very least.  Davis trying to score some YAC resulted in a hilariously sad, critical fumble - he just can't do it.  McD knows this is a huge problem.

[UKBillFan]

The stupid thing is the first two offensive drives were fine, stopped by a bad drop from Diggs (which IMO was easier than what Knox is being crucified for), a missed tripping call and Davis' fumble. After that, the offense seemed to crumble until the third quarter.

 

So what to do to improve the struggling offense? Just go back to what worked at the start of first quarter and second half.

 

ETA: Watching back, even the start of the third offensive drive was nice - good plays using Diggs and Murray. Then it started to get quirky, with a weird incomplete and Diggs coming close quarters.

Edited October 16, 2023 by UKBillFan

[Big Turk]

IMO, it starts with Allen setting protections properly up front.  Too many pressures seemed to be from Allen not setting protections properly last night and the Giants getting quick pressures from guys that should have been blocked but weren't.  

 

Seemed very similar to the Bengal playoff game...Allen was under duress a lot during that game also, and again, it seemed he didn't seem to know what he was seeing or how to get it blocked.

[Dopey]

9 hours ago, Simon said:

 

I think if Dorsey is more conscientious about not always letting defensive sets dictate to him, that he can call an efficient diversified offense that better suits this team. It feels like he gets in ruts at times and defenders can smell it, which makes things harder on everybody.

Some hard positional coaching from the WR and TE coaches to minimize all the self-inflicted wounds is probably necessary as well.

Thoughts?

 

Edit: 

Please feel free to take any screaming "Fire Him, Cut Him, light his yard on fire!" takes elsewhere.

I will help you with that if necessary.

IMO, Dorsey is fine. Josh lost the Jets game. We had enough plays called by Dorsey that should have been successful in that game, but Josh crapped the bed. Dorsey didn't lose that game. Last night we had 2 wrs wide open on long plays, but they were tripped up by the defender. Not on Dorsey. Diggs dropped a big pass, not Dorsey, Gabe fumbled the ball away, not Dorsey. Bass missed 2 FGs, not Dorsey. We could have easily gotten 30 points if not for these gaffs. Not on Dorsey. The Harty TD was a helluva call and that was coming off of a helluva drive to end the 3rd qt. We also drove down field on our next possession for a TD to Morris. Was that a great play by Josh? Sure, but let's not pretend the Bills didn't move the ball down the field on that score. I think we took about 6 minutes off the clock on that drive. I'm glad you mentioned self-inflicted wounds. If not for the players (not Dorsey) making mistakes in the 1st half, we win by a comfortable margin. 

[Big Turk]

4 minutes ago, Dopey said:

IMO, Dorsey is fine. Josh lost the Jets game. We had enough plays called by Dorsey that should have been successful in that game, but Josh crapped the bed. Dorsey didn't lose that game. Last night we had 2 wrs wide open on long plays, but they were tripped up by the defender. Not on Dorsey. Diggs dropped a big pass, not Dorsey, Gabe fumbled the ball away, not Dorsey. Bass missed 2 FGs, not Dorsey. We could have easily gotten 30 points if not for these gaffs. Not on Dorsey. The Harty TD was a helluva call and that was coming off of a helluva drive to end the 3rd qt. We also drove down field on our next possession for a TD to Morris. Was that a great play by Josh? Sure, but let's not pretend the Bills didn't move the ball down the field on that score. I think we took about 6 minutes off the clock on that drive. I'm glad you mentioned self-inflicted wounds. If not for the players (not Dorsey) making mistakes in the 1st half, we win by a comfortable margin. 

 

To me, a lot of it is on Allen not setting protections properly.  I keep saying it, but it looked very similar to the Bengal playoff loss from last year.  Allen seemed confused by the blitzes the Giants were running, didn't have the protections set properly and didn't know where the "answer" was on offense to get the ball out quickly.  Seemed to get much better in the 2nd half, so hopefully that is a positive sign moving forward. 

 

There were several plays where multiple Bills OLinemen were standing around blocking air as 2 Giant defenders were on top of Allen almost unblocked from the snap...IMO, that points to protection calls being wrong and telling them to block the wrong people.

[UKBillFan]

9 hours ago, CincyBillsFan said:

It's a tale of two half's no?  In the first half the O and Allen struggled a great deal.  In the 2nd half they were surgical.  Three possessions and 2 TD's on two very long drives.  A 3rd possession and we just missed a game sealing completion on a nice call & play.

 

Again the defense didn't lay as well as the score indicates. No TO's and they allowed the Giants to go on multiple long drives that while not yielding points took a lot of time off the clock and robbed the O of 2 and probably 3 more possessions.

 

 

 

I wouldn't say Josh struggled in the first two and a bit series - thought he looked excellent, albeit let down by his receivers. Then it all went to pieces until the third.

This may be blasphemy but I don't think Diggs is playing as well as usual at the moment. He ran the wrong route last week whilst this week dropped a catchable ball, committed a false start and dropped a further tough catch, but one top quality WRs get their hands on, to end the third offensive series.

 

Regarding the defense, they're down White, Milano and Jones so, IMO, they've decided to rush Miller back to offset that before he's fully ready. I have every sympathy for them and it's down to the offense to make plays and help them out. Not the other way round.

 

 

[TheyCallMeAndy]

Gabe has had 2-3 drops, but has otherwise been really solid. Knox is playing injured. 
 

There are no roll outs, no screens, only draw we run is the delayed SG handoff on 2nd and 10, and we tend to abandon the run once the passing offense starts to sputter. 
 

The personal is fine. 

[Beast]

3 minutes ago, TheyCallMeAndy said:

Gabe has had 2-3 drops, but has otherwise been really solid. Knox is playing injured. 
 

There are no roll outs, no screens, only draw we run is the delayed SG handoff on 2nd and 10, and we tend to abandon the run once the passing offense starts to sputter. 
 

The personal is fine. 

Knox is playing injured?

 

What is the injury? Broken hands?

[Dubie54]

10 hours ago, FireChans said:

In all seriousness, we need a legitimate, intentionally-schemed, slot position player that can run option routes that Josh trusts.

 

It is, by far, the biggest problem going with the offense currently. It was the biggest problem last year as well. We have ZERO players in that role. Part of that may be a lack of talent there. Part of may be an unwillingness of Dorsey's to use.

 

With Diggs and Davis on the boundary, both as deep to intermediate route options, we need a guy running 8-12 yard routes with the freedom to cut up the seam, or curl in on the soft spots in the zone. This offense doesn't have it. They haven't had it since Cole Beasley lost his legs. And Josh desperately needs it.

How many plays have you seen Harty or Shakir used as slot receivers? I’m not saying we don’t ultimately need upgrades to our receiver corps but these guys are quick and shifty and we need to use them more. 

[dave mcbride]

3 minutes ago, Beast said:

Knox is playing injured?

 

What is the injury? Broken hands?

Actually, he was questionable coming in with a wrist injury. Maybe he sits if Kincaid had been cleared. The injury may have affected the play. 

[dave mcbride]

Just now, Dubie54 said:

How many plays have you seen Harty or Shakir used as slot receivers? I’m not saying we don’t ultimately need upgrades to our receiver corps but these guys are quick and shifty and we need to use them more. 

Slot receivers are about being able to repeatedly run option routes, and that requires total trust between the QB and the receiver. It's why Kelce is always open. They are trying to work Kincaid up to being that player, but it takes time. Shakir and Harty aren't that player. 

[section122]

I would like to see Dorsey on the field.  I cant find anything but I think I remember Daboll and Josh did better when he moved down to rhe field.

 

It helps with communication and having a presence is important I feel.  

 

Also eliminate the shotgun runs from the playbook unless you are gonna have josh pull it and run once in a while.  It's a telegraphed play and a wasted down more often than not.

[Royale with Cheese]

1 hour ago, Coach Tuesday said:

They need to find a YAC specialist at the very least.  Davis trying to score some YAC resulted in a hilariously sad, critical fumble - he just can't do it.  McD knows this is a huge problem.

It wasn’t a fumble and he made the first two guys miss on the tackle.

[Dopey]

I expected a problem with Jax on offense. Jet lag is a real thing. The Jags being there for 2 weeks was a huge advantage. Not mad at all about that one. I expected it. 

As for the Giants game:

Quit dropping passes. 

Quit fumbling the ball.

Bass need to hit his FG attempts.

Josh can't keep throwing picks. 

If players execute Dorsey's plan, we beat the Jets and we're 4-1. First place in the AFCE. That Jets game is what hurts the most so far. And that's on Josh, not Dorsey. I believe we're fine moving forward. 

[UKBillFan]

3 minutes ago, Dopey said:

I expected a problem with Jax on offense. Jet lag is a real thing. The Jags being there for 2 weeks was a huge advantage. Not mad at all about that one. I expected it. 

As for the Giants game:

Quit dropping passes. 

Quit fumbling the ball.

Bass need to hit his FG attempts.

Josh can't keep throwing picks. 

If players execute Dorsey's plan, we beat the Jets and we're 4-1. First place in the AFCE. That Jets game is what hurts the most so far. And that's on Josh, not Dorsey. I believe we're fine moving forward. 

 

Josh was playing badly, it's up to the OC to speak to him and get him on an even keel. Well, Dorsey or Brady. Josh is human. He will may mistakes, he seems an emotional guy so spiralling is a possibility. So someone needs to be with him to get him out of the funk. They failed against the Jets.

 

Being the OC isn't just about playing calls, it's about man management. Is Dorsey the best person to manage Josh? I have my doubts. Saying that, Josh did seem to reset after going off the rails in the second quarter last night.

[colin]

Einstein (name appropriately) pointed out how the g men were very determined in what they were doing, biting on nothing, and stunting and gaming up front to disrupt longer routes.  if they aren't gonna bite, running out of an under center formation would be productive, which it was, but we decided to not bother with all of that, and to just play into the D's trap instead.

 

we need some zone beaters, and to figure out where our run game gives us the best returns.  imo we can absolutely run the ball, but we power into loaded boxes and do foolish things like a telegraphed sprint draw from shot gun over and over.

 

to me, josh's biggest weakness is reading the pre snap d and adjusting protections or audibling into a better play for the situation.  

 

its clear we need to run play action, and we need to actually run the ball.  the runs and passes should look identical to the d, and the thing is they don't.  we have such tendencies that guys just know what we are doing.

[Dopey]

1 minute ago, UKBillFan said:

 

Josh was playing badly, it's up to the OC to speak to him and get him on an even keel. Well, Dorsey or Brady. Josh is human. He will may mistakes, he seems an emotional guy so spiralling is a possibility. So someone needs to be with him to get him out of the funk. They failed against the Jets.

 

Being the OC isn't just about playing calls, it's about man management. Is Dorsey the best person to manage Josh? I have my doubts. Saying that, Josh did seem to reset after going off the rails in the second quarter last night.

I wasn't upset with Josh's play last night. The whole first half was on the players. I listed 3 things before even mentioning Josh. IMO, Dorsey is being made out as a scapegoat for the players. Diggs drop, Davis fumbling, Bass missing FGs, Josh's pick. Not to mention we had 2 wrs wide open and they were tripped up by the db. The Davis trip was a TD in the making, IMO. Crap happens and that's not on Dorsey. That 3rd qt drive was awesome. 2 tds ion the 4th. The players didn't help make this an efficient offense last night. 

[TheyCallMeAndy]

5 minutes ago, Dopey said:

I wasn't upset with Josh's play last night. The whole first half was on the players. I listed 3 things before even mentioning Josh. IMO, Dorsey is being made out as a scapegoat for the players. Diggs drop, Davis fumbling, Bass missing FGs, Josh's pick. Not to mention we had 2 wrs wide open and they were tripped up by the db. The Davis trip was a TD in the making, IMO. Crap happens and that's not on Dorsey. That 3rd qt drive was awesome. 2 tds ion the 4th. The players didn't help make this an efficient offense last night. 

All fair points as well.