So....what's up with the D?

[PoundingDog]

We don't have that "play above the scheme" guy at D line, or any level and it shows. Miami has an average to below average O-Line but if the scheme allows them to get a guy squarely on a Bills defensive player, that play works most of the time.

 

Give McDaniel credit. The theme today is to run the ball and quick passes from Tua; don't let Bills D line get started. And Bills offense had a couple of miscues the first half so Miami did not have the need to change things up to chase points.

 

I don't know how many teams in NFL have a speed threatening WR duo like Hill and Waddle, and a trigger man getting ball out fast and accurate like Tua. It's a perfect storm against the Bills today. 

[JohnNord]

8 minutes ago, BillsFan130 said:

They dared Miami to run/do short passes and execute long drives all game long. And Miami did.

 

They need to mix in more run blitzes and pressures, because in my opinion it's way too passive and predictable 

 

 

They tried that and the blitz didn’t get there.  Tyreek beat Elam for a deep pass in one-on-one coverage.  Front four needs to get more pressure…though they likely won’t face a team that gets the ball out faster than Tua

[Simon]

1 minute ago, JohnNord said:

The interior DL hasn’t played well consistently either - specifically Daquan and Oliver.  

On Tua’s 4th down scramble, the Bills secondary took away every WR but the DL allowed him to break contain up the middle.

 

Oliver had dropped into a shallow zone by design and Daquan was riding pine by then.

[BillsFan130]

Just now, JohnNord said:

They tried that and the blitz didn’t get there.  Tyreek beat Elam for a deep pass in one-on-one coverage.  Front four needs to get more pressure…though they likely won’t face a team that gets the ball out faster than Tua

Ya sorry I meant on 1st downs- like on obvious run downs they should mix in more run blitzes to get them in 2nd and longs

 

Hard to play defence when it's 2nd and 3 every time 

[Toledo Bill]

Jones is washed, Oliver is too light (and disappears),  other than Groot our defensive ends are Jags, our linebackers are undersized. We looked like terrible tacklers today, also. Any strong running team will have a field day going forward against this defense.

[Bob Chandler's Hands]

9 minutes ago, BillsFan130 said:

They dared Miami to run/do short passes and execute long drives all game long. And Miami did.

 

They need to mix in more run blitzes and pressures, because in my opinion it's way too passive and predictable 

 

 

At least in a game where Miami seemingly ran at will they were able to hold Tua to a mere 25 of 28 passing. 

 

[That's No Moon]

4 minutes ago, BillsFan130 said:

They dared Miami to run/do short passes and execute long drives all game long. And Miami did.

 

They need to mix in more run blitzes and pressures, because in my opinion it's way too passive and predictable 

 

 

Miami did, except when you make Miami do that they limit their own output.  They really seem to thrive on chunk plays and when you can slow them down they just never get that juice that they get when you allow them to get huge plays.  To their credit they didn't get frustrated today and kind of stuck to the plan, but the reason Bass' kick ended the game was because it took Miami so long to tie the game. The last drive took them almost 5 minutes which was too much time, yet also not enough.

 

Miami's scoring drives today. 9 plays, 14 plays, 9 plays, 11 plays, 9 plays.  If the Bills play them 10 times and force them to do that, they'll beat them at least 9.  Weirdly, that seemed to be Miami's defensive game plan also. Make Allen take the short throws all day, be methodical and wait for him to make mistakes or get impatient.

[Maine-iac]

No kidding how are we ever going to win a game playing like this ..............

[Jerboski]

The DL isn’t very good 

Williams is learning 

the safeties lack athleticism 

[dave mcbride]

Just now, MJS said:

It is a week to week league. The Dolphins offense is DESIGNED to attack our weaknesses (short passes, strong run game, insane speed, lots of screens, etc.) Their offense is really good when it clicks. Tua played the best game I've ever seen him play (and still lost to us).

Tua was amazing today, and McDaniel put on the ultimate coaching clinic vs McDermott’s D. They had answers on virtually every play, and the only game I can think of that compares in the Allen era was the January 2021 AFC championship, where KC jumped out to a 38-9 lead. Miami’s D was also terrible, which is why the Bills squeaked it out. If Coleman holds onto the ball and Torrance doesn’t get the ridiculous holding penalty, the Bills score 38 (because they wouldn’t have needed the 61 yarder).

[Success]

4 minutes ago, Maine-iac said:

No kidding how are we ever going to win a game playing like this ..............

 

We're winning games - generally because of JA, as per usual.  I think it's okay to have a little concern about the defense after how they looked today at home.

 

[DrDawkinstein]

1 minute ago, Bill51390 said:

Oliver has been useless and injuries. 

 

For what it's worth, it looked like McD/Babich had Oliver back in coverage on one of the Dolphins TDs, so not sure it's all Ed's fault.

Just now, Simon said:

 

Oliver had dropped into a shallow zone by design and Daquan was riding pine by then.

 

Ok so I wasnt just seeing things. Darn it. Even worse.

[JP51]

Plenty of problems... but where is Ed Oliver?

[HurlyBurly51]

3 minutes ago, Success said:

 

We're winning games - generally because of JA, as per usual.  I think it's okay to have a little concern about the defense after how they looked today at home.

 

Some people can’t do nuance

[DrDawkinstein]

Just now, Success said:

 

We're winning games - generally because of JA, as per usual.  I think it's okay to have a little concern about the defense after how they looked today at home.

 

 

Yep. Another classic where Josh does something legendary (that TD toss to Morris) to take a 7 point lead late in the game... and somehow Josh ends up having to get the Bills in FG territory with under 2 min to go.

 

Chalk one up for McD's phenomenal regular season record (won by Josh despite the coaching).

[Big Turk]

The Bills typically play with light boxes preferring to play two high shells. They also usually play a nickel over front aligned to the strong side almost exclusively on D, meaning teams can find ways to attack it early on before the Bills adjust and do different things within that to help.

 

Today the adjustments didn't work so well.

 

It happens. Typically the Fins have success running the ball but the Bills shut the passing game down. They didn't today. Benford being out probably hurt some, but Fins stayed patient and kept taking what the Bills gave them, which isn't usually what happens.

 

In typical form, people are going to freak out and overreact.

 

Bills D has a lot of new pieces and they are probably still working thru some things. They haven't been up to their really good form we expect in most games. Likely they don't have the right pieces they want to run it as well as they normally do, but they are making due. Would expect them to continue to get better thru the end of the year.

 

 

[DrDawkinstein]

Just now, JP51 said:

Plenty of problems... but where is Ed Oliver?

 

As we've been saying, dropping back in coverage. Yikes.

[Bob in STL]

39 minutes ago, Simon said:

 

Dorian Williams and Damar Hamlin are both problem spots and Miami spent the majority of their day attacking those two.

I hope that both of them are backups by New Years.

Milano coming back will move Williams to the bench and ST.  
 

I don’t see anyone moving Damar out unless we get a player before the deadline. 

[TheyCallMeAndy]

I suspect the A22 will reveal Miami went heavy A LOT and Bills exclusively stayed in Nickel. 

[PoundingDog]

So are we missing the rookie Carter?