A Few Thoughts about the Cardinals Game, in no particular order

[Virgil]

Hey everyone, it's been a minute.  I honestly didn't know if I was going to write one of these this year, as they started to feel a bit stale to me over time.  But after seeing our final depth chart and watching the game yesterday, I found myself with a lot of things to say.  Now, I didn't take notes like I have in the past, nor did I look anything up to confirm what I think I saw out there, so I may be horribly wrong on some things.  As for the writing style and commitment to writing these every week, I can't comment on either right now.  So for those who weren't a fan in the past, feel free to move along now.

 

1 - Under 200 yards - This really isn't so much about the Bills game, as it is a reminder that it's only week 1.  I was really surprised at how few quarterbacks did not throw for more than 200 yards yesterday.  I was honestly surprised to see that Murray didn't break that mark either.  I bring it up because, we know that type of performance isn't going to hold up over time and many teams are working out the kinks.  Additionally, we have no idea how good the Cardinals will be this season.  We could have beaten a decent playoff team for all we know.  Basically, it's week 1 and there's still a lot to learn.  I mean hell, Baker Mayfield scored the most fantasy points in some leagues.  

 

2 - The damn rotation - Let's get my first potential fact check gone wrong out of the way now.  Is it me, or on the first two Cardinal touchdowns occur when we had 3 out of 4 backups playing on the defensive line?  I understand that the Cards had long drives and our guys were getting tired, but c'mon McD/Babich, we can't commit to the rotation THAT much.  One of my biggest concerns about our team going into this year is the lack of depth at key defensive positions and I felt like that showed up in moments today.  However, when the game was on the line, it looks like our main guys were in and you could see a difference.  

 

3 - Clenched for no reason - If there's one thing I don't miss about the NFL season, it's that feeling of inevitable doom.  Maybe it's the BBFS still alive in me, but I could feel my cheeks clench every time Cook carried the ball, Bass lined up for a field goal, Hamlin dropped deep in coverage, and Cam Lewis was on the field.  I kept waiting for one of them to make a huge mistake, and was pleasantly surprised when it never happened.  I think Cam took some bad angles a few times, but nothing that really overall hurt us.

 

4 - Most of the time change is a good thing and I think that’s what it’s all about–embracing change, being brave, doing whatever you have to so everyone in your life can move forward with theirs, and maybe it’s the only way you can truly make her be happy.

 

5 - Von Miller - While I have to give credit where it is due, as he did push the lineman into Murray at the end of the game that led to him tripping for a sack, I was concerned about his lack of impact and playing time in this game.  I don't know if Von is still being conditioned back into playing shape or if it's all part of the rotation, but AJ seemed to be taking more snaps by a bit.  I know it's not my money, but I just see millions of dollars going to waste with him on the bench.  But if this is his output level, then oh well.

 

6 - Groot - I can't help but feel pessimistic when I write this, but I just watched this monster earn 20+ a year this game.  Groot was a game wrecker in so many ways today and, while I loved it, couldn't help but think about yet another cap hit coming up.  But seriously, he impacted so many plays and was easily the defensive MVP out there.

 

7 - Hello? - While I loved the ball distribution on offense, anyone else surprised at the lack of catches/targets to Kincaid?  I say targets more so because Josh did not miss much, so I'm surprised we didn't utilize him more.  And speaking of players I'm surprised I didn't hear their name more, Ed Oliver anyone?  And last on my, "what was that?" parade; I really hope O'Cyrus isn't taking a step back.  I think he had a rough game today.

 

8 - Billsy - Be honest, was anyone surprised that we were the first team to allow a kick-off return for a touchdown in this new format.

 

9 - TJ - Has anyone heard an injury update on Taron yet?  This might be the biggest dark cloud from this victory to me.  TJ is a absolute anchor in our ability to run a nickel defense and I think his absence would absolutely force some adjustments to our scheme.  The idea of Hill and motion next week seems a lot scarier without him.

 

10 - MVP - The Josh Allen MVP conversation started yesterday and I'd say he overall lived up to the billing.  Not just because of his play, but by his comments after the game as well.  Josh acknowledged that he had Coleman open on his first TD run, but made the decision to keep it for himself.  Beyond that, he did hold onto the ball too long on the fumble, just missed the deep shot to MVS, and then had one bad throw at the feet of someone on a third down play.  Other than that, Josh was an absolute monster.  We only had 3 points going into the last 2 minutes of the first half and still hung up 30 points.  That's incredible if you think about it.  If the defense could have gotten off the field at all in the first half (thanks refs O'Cyrus), I think this game is out of hand much quicker.  

 

Side note - Did anyone else feel like we got the C squad to support this game?  The refs, announcers, and even the camera crew all seemed shaky to me.

 

Moving on - I'm still very worried about our defense (depth and size).  I think Miami will be a very interesting test for us, but as long as the offense is humming like it did, we will be in every game.  However, like last year, I believe McD will improve the defense as we go alone and the team will gel.  It was fantastic to see the offense gel well so early on.

 

Go Bills!!!!

Edited September 9 by Virgil

[Riverboat Ritchie]

Please keep writing these this season. I always look forward to reading them. Thank you. 

[Big Turk]

The Bills allow under 200 yards passing in about half of the games over the past 4 years...there seems to be a consistent disconnect between how well the defense is compared to league average...I don't know if it's because we see a play for like 20 yards and then are like "oh crap! He shouldn't have let that happen!" and then remember that more than the other 3 and 4 yard catches they allow, but it seems to happen a LOT.

 

But for the Bills, 200 yards passing allowed is almost like their standard.

 

Edited September 9 by Big Turk

[mannc]

Allen averaged 10 yards per passing attempt yesterday and the Bills had 14 plays that gained more than 10 yards.  McDermott/Brady kept the Cards in the game with "play not to lose" football on the last couple of possessions.  It was as if they thought Tyrod Taylor was still their quarterback.  

Edited September 9 by mannc

[Old Coot]

I hope you do keep giving us your thoughts after each game.  I enjoy your perceptive analyses.

[RoyBatty is alive]

Thanks Virgil, you do a great job on this.

 

One comment, you mentioned he threw it at someone feet, when I saw that particular play i think he was more or less just throwing it away,  He he very very few balls which were simply poorly thrown.

 

Totally agree on the J Allen MVP, I though he played an extraordinary game, especially in the second half when he, more or less, appeared to not be denied a victory, especially with those TD runs and a few key first down runs.

Edited September 9 by RoyBatty is alive

[Success]

Groot has to be a Bill for the long-term. It will hurt cap-wise, but he is so disruptive.

 

Edited September 9 by Success

[No_Matter_What]

15 minutes ago, Virgil said:

2 - The damn rotation - Let's get my first potential fact check gone wrong out of the way now.  Is it me, or on the first two Cardinal touchdowns occur when we had 3 out of 4 backups playing on the defensive line?  I understand that the Cards had long drives and our guys were getting tired, but c'mon McD/Babich, we can't commit to the rotation THAT much.  One of my biggest concerns about our team going into this year is the lack of depth at key defensive positions and I felt like that showed up in moments today.  However, when the game was on the line, it looks like our main guys were in and you could see a difference.  

 

 

Well Virgil, that one one pessimistic reading overall. I like these but this one feels weird to me.

 

EDIT: Just to clarify, for example your comment re Groot is really strange. Guy gets 3 sacks and your main idea is that it is a bad thing since now we have to pay him? I dunno man

 

Anyway, as for the rotation, here are the snap counts. I wouldn't call this "damn rotation"

 

Oliver 50, Jones 45, Johnson 13, Carter 7

Rousseau 48, Epenesa 38, Miller 29, Toohill 11

 

 

 

Edited September 9 by No_Matter_What

[Solomon Grundy]

Kaiir Elam missed the tackle on KO return. IJS

[Ethan in Cleveland]

6 minutes ago, mannc said:

Allen averaged 10 yards per passing attempt yesterday and the Bills had 14 plays that gained more than 10 yards.  McDermott/Brady kept the Cards in the game with "play not to lose" football on the last couple of possessions.  It was as if they thought Tyrod Taylor was still their quarterback.  

To be fair to Brady Allen threw a bad ball to Johnson on 3rd down. 

The QB run on 3rd down on the last drive was weak though. Bills have two very good TEs surely you could scheme one of them open for a 4yd curl

[zow2]

Cowherd just said the Bills are too Josh Allen-centric again.  He knows Allen is great but asks where's his help?  I guess he doesn't watch Cook, Knox, Shakir, Keon, Hollins, Kincaid, Samuel, etc...

[Ethan in Cleveland]

2 minutes ago, Solomon Grundy said:

Kaiir Elam missed the tackle on KO return. IJS

So did Gilliam

[Virgil]

9 minutes ago, Big Turk said:

The Bills allow under 200 yards passing in about half of the games over the past 4 years...there seems to be a consistent disconnect between how well the defense is compared to league average...I don't know if it's because we see a play for like 20 yards and then are like "oh crap! He shouldn't have let that happen!" and then remember that more than the other 3 and 4 yard catches they allow, but it seems to happen a LOT.

 

But for the Bills, 200 yards passing allowed is almost like their standard.

 

 

Agreed.  The stat line for the Cards at the end of the game did not reflect what I thought I was watching.  It was strange

[Ethan in Cleveland]

Just now, zow2 said:

Cowherd just said the Bills are too Josh Allen-centric again.  He knows Allen is great but asks where's his help?  I guess he doesn't watch Cook, Knox, Shakir, Keon, Hollins, Kincaid, Samuel, etc...

Agree. That is such a lazy take. Yes one guy didn't go off for 125 yards but Allen and Brady spread the ball all over.

 

[Virgil]

5 minutes ago, RoyBatty is alive said:

Thanks Virgil, you do a great job on this.

 

One comment, you mentioned he threw it at someone feet, when I saw that particular play i think he was more or less just throwing it away,  He he very very few balls which were simply poorly thrown.

 

Totally agree on the J Allen MVP, I though he played an extraordinary game, especially in the second half when he, more or less, appeared to not be denied a victory, especially with those TD runs and a few key first down runs.

 

I'll have to watch the play again.  I thought both Josh and the receiver had time and it was just a poor throw.  I think I remember Josh reacting after the throw as if he messed up as well.  I really don't remember much beyond that

6 minutes ago, Success said:

Groot has to be a Bill for the long-term. It will hurt cap-wise, but he is so disruptive.

 

 

Oh, we absolutely have to bring him back, I just feel like with Josh getting a new deal as well, our days of making a FA splash might be gone for a while.  

5 minutes ago, Solomon Grundy said:

Kaiir Elam missed the tackle on KO return. IJS

 

Didn't he bounce of the returned as he collided with one of our own?  I only saw the replay once

[mannc]

3 minutes ago, Ethan in Cleveland said:

To be fair to Brady Allen threw a bad ball to Johnson on 3rd down. 

The QB run on 3rd down on the last drive was weak though. Bills have two very good TEs surely you could scheme one of them open for a 4yd curl

The Cardinals were selling out to stop the run the last two possessions of the fourth quarter...a play action call or two would have absolutely killed them.

[gonzo1105]

We did get the C team, idk how many people were like let me watch Bills Cards

[Virgil]

3 minutes ago, zow2 said:

Cowherd just said the Bills are too Josh Allen-centric again.  He knows Allen is great but asks where's his help?  I guess he doesn't watch Cook, Knox, Shakir, Keon, Hollins, Kincaid, Samuel, etc...

 

Completely lazy take by him.  The run/pass balance was strong and we don't utilize a number one.  I think Shakir, Cook, and Coleman all had solid moments

[Big Turk]

7 minutes ago, RoyBatty is alive said:

Thanks Virgil, you do a great job on this.

 

One comment, you mentioned he threw it at someone feet, when I saw that particular play i think he was more or less just throwing it away,  He he very very few balls which were simply poorly thrown.

 

Totally agree on the J Allen MVP, I though he played an extraordinary game, especially in the second half when he, more or less, appeared to not be denied a victory, especially with those TD runs and a few key first down runs.

 

There was a ball or two that looked like it sailed on Allen from the wind, but other than that he was on point. Besides the overthrow on the TD to MVS.

[Desert Bills Fan]

Thanks for the write up once again. I always enjoy hearing what other intelligent fans saw/felt about the game!

 

Von Miller: I was not impressed again. For the $$ invested his performance is now elevated to JAG. I was hoping to see less of him as the game went on.

too many times he was pushed upfield beyond the QB or RB and the Cards just ran right where he was supposed to be.

 

Kincaid: I agree too quiet of a day from him.

 

the Oline: too many penalties! but I thought performance wise they looked good - albeit against a bad defense. 

Defense: Groot is the new star on D. Overall mediocre. Second half they prevented scoring but felt typical bend don’t break because our players are mostly mediocre… this may be good enough if the offense ramps up.