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

[Ballhawk]

On 9/10/2024 at 4:11 PM, Shaw66 said:

It isn't a utilization question.  The Bills call the play, the the defense deploys, and the Bills run the play the way the defense dictates.  The system is designed so that all the receivers run their routes and Allen knows which guy is open.  I think the completion to Knox was one of those.  Allen just knew that Knox was going to be the open man.  If the open man is Kincaid, great.  If not, he isn't targeted.  

 

The way we can tell it works that way is that other than maybe the long pass to Coleman late in the game, Allen wasn't throwing contested balls.  They were because a passing offense like this generates predictable open receivers, so Allen knows where to go on each play.   It was quite impressive yesterday.  

 

As great a day as Allen had, imagine if he'd also connected with Valdez-Scantling!   Allen knew he had THAT open receiver, too.   Tough throw in that wind, but Allen nearly dropped it in there.  Well-thrown ball to an open receiver. 

I think you're right Shaw, but it just seems like the Bills never dictate to the defense. I mean we've been double and triple covering Travis Kelce for years and still they get the ball to him. I'm waiting for the day when this offense (is opportunistic yes, in taking what is offered), but also good enough at what it does that it can overcome defensive adjustments. Our running game in the second half against the Cards is another example of us not being able to overcome the defense's adjustments.

IMO, the best teams do both (dictate what they do well and adjust to the opponents scheme). The only example I see of our offense dictating regardless of the defensive scheme is on QB sneak on 3 or 4th and 1. 

[Shaw66]

1 hour ago, Ballhawk said:

I think you're right Shaw, but it just seems like the Bills never dictate to the defense. I mean we've been double and triple covering Travis Kelce for years and still they get the ball to him. I'm waiting for the day when this offense (is opportunistic yes, in taking what is offered), but also good enough at what it does that it can overcome defensive adjustments. Our running game in the second half against the Cards is another example of us not being able to overcome the defense's adjustments.

IMO, the best teams do both (dictate what they do well and adjust to the opponents scheme). The only example I see of our offense dictating regardless of the defensive scheme is on QB sneak on 3 or 4th and 1. 

That's nice to say, but the whole point is that that is NOT the Bills' philosophy, and if you're going to sit around waiting for the Bills to dictate, you're going to be sitting and waiting a long time.   McDermott is very much a take-what-the-defense gives you guy.  He wants players who are good at attacking wherever the defense is weak, because those are the easiest yards to get.  

 

The obvious example is the endless discussions over the summer about the wide receiver room.  All summer, people kept complaining that the Bills didn't get a wide receiver who is a difference maker, the kind of guy you're talking about in Kelce.   McDermott doesn't want to be structured that way, because when you run into a team that stops your difference maker, where do you go next?   People this week were saying they were disappointed Kincaid didn't get more targets, and we didn't see much of Samuel.  That's exactly the point - the ball is going to go where it's easy, and that's why Allen completed over 75% of his passes.  All easy throws.  

 

Lamar Jackson is the ultimate difference maker, but when you stop Lamar, what do the Ravens have left?

 

For McDermott, it's very much a true team game.  His view is that 11 guys executing together are better than 10 guys and a difference maker.  And that seems to be exactly why Diggs is playing for Houston.