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

[buffaloboyinATL]

13 hours ago, Success said:

For starters, I am NOT a defensive mind, at all.  But from my viewpoint, it seems like we never press - our CB's and safeties generally drop back and give a ton of cushion, trying to prevent the "big play," but often giving up chunks of yards in the process and long, time-consuming drives.

 

I guess that's often called "bend, don't break."  Which can work. But today was rough.

 

Are we lacking personnel?  I feel like we have good LB's and a decent enough line, and I like our CB's.  Safety is a weak point, but overall, it seems like we're not playing up to our talent level or potential.  This is about as bad a defense as I've seen since Allen got here.

 

Our style of Defense can be nerve wracking to watch, because the opponent tends to move the ball downfield, slowly but surely.  The key is that we either have to bow up in the red zone, and hold them to a FG, or be opportunistic, and force a turn over.  
 

I personally prefer this style, because it limits the big plays from our opponents.  This style requires very strong tackling ability, and unfortunately we missed at the initial point of contact yesterday, and that lead to so big plays.  
 

That is part of why getting a sure tackler like Milano back in the mix, will make a big improvement in our run defense. (IMO)

[colin]

11 hours ago, JohnNord said:

Baltimore was just a ***** show.  I didn’t have a problem with the Bills coaching today as much as I did with the players.  
 

here’s an example I used.  Everything was taken by the coverage call.  Tua gets a first down because of poor interior DL play.   Game is probably over if there was a better rep by Oliver/Jones
 

 

You can find many other examples where players were in position to make plays and they couldn’t get Achane down.  A lot of times this fell on Dorian Williams.

 

It’s not all “adjustments” like some here want to believe.  Players have to execute and many times this season they just haven’t.  

 

ed oliver was stood up by one guy, and couldn't get off of him to grab tua as he was running by, he likely didn't see him because oliver is so short.

 

maybe his hamstring is still not right, but that seems to be trend with him, monster for about 3 or 4 games where he is healthy, and then hurt for most of the rest of the games, or just not effective.

 

he's just not a difference maker.

[US Egg]

2 hours ago, ganesh said:

so overall in your humble opinion - the D sucks !

They only did enough to win.

[NewEra]

Miami played their best game of the year and were a Keon Coleman drop and bs holding call away from getting blown out.

 

credit to them for taking what McD and Babich gave them all game.  Everything underneath

[PoundingDog]

2 minutes ago, colin said:

maybe his hamstring is still not right, but that seems to be trend with him, monster for about 3 or 4 games where he is healthy, and then hurt for most of the rest of the games, or just not effective

To me, it is a talent issue. 

 

The likes of Chris Jones - HOF level - will beat 90% OL one-on-one consistently, match-up in terms of skillset included. Oliver is not at that level. Like most DL-men, good ones as well, has particular strength and weakness where match-up plays a big role. You see he pops for a few games with favorable match-ups, then not much in others.

[Logic]

What's wrong with our defense?

Nothing.

Yesterday, as others have said, a good offensive play-caller and a highly motivated team featuring two excellent WRs, an excellent RB, and a QB playing at a high level played their best game of the year against the Bills....and the Bills defense STILL made a big play to turn the ball over, and that one extra possession wound up being what won them the game.

Further, I think they're always going to be a bend-but-don't-break defense, and to that end, they are excellent in the red zone this year. I think they'll always be vulnerable to the run because their priority is not getting beaten over the top.

But zooming out and looking at the larger picture: The Buffalo Bills are ranked 8th in scoring defense despite missing various key defensive players at various points in the season, including arguably their best player Matt Milano, who hasn't taken a single regular season snap this year.

To be ranked 8th in scoring defense in such a transitional year -- new DC, new position coaches at various spots, two new safeties, etc -- is pretty impressive if you ask me. There are improvements to be made for this defense -- particularly in terms of stopping the run and getting more effective and impactful safety play -- but I think they're doing quite well as it is, particularly considering all the coaching and personnel changes and injuries.

Edited Monday at 03:46 PM by Logic

[Gilberto]

8 minutes ago, NewEra said:

Miami played their best game of the year and were a Keon Coleman drop and bs holding call away from getting blown out.

 

credit to them for taking what McD and Babich gave them all game.  Everything underneath

 

I completely agree with this. For all the criticism of the Bills defense yesterday (and most of it valid), Miami played a great game on offense. They executed and made key plays at the right moments and minimized penalties and mistakes. I feel like people on this forum expect every singly opposing team drive to end in a 3-and-out or a turnover, and if that isn't the case then the defense is criticized. This simply is not realistic. We WON lol!! The defense did ENOUGH to win. period. 

[colin]

20 minutes ago, PoundingDog said:

To me, it is a talent issue. 

 

The likes of Chris Jones - HOF level - will beat 90% OL one-on-one consistently, match-up in terms of skillset included. Oliver is not at that level. Like most DL-men, good ones as well, has particular strength and weakness where match-up plays a big role. You see he pops for a few games with favorable match-ups, then not much in others.

 

I think this is largely true, but I still have an issue with the scheme.  aside from just no difference makers (closest we have is a healthy milano and TJ at his best), we have too many holes with who we put out there (elam seemed weak yesterday, hamlin is obviously not great, dorian either has a knee still or just isn't ready to execute the scheme, TB is not right either).  and eliminating all the holes isn't possible (for any team) but our scheme especially on short passes and runs sort of exposes our holes at each position.  the real salve for all of this is a sick DL.  a wreaker or two on the line sort of covers up all the issues and gives us some negative plays in the run game.  if after the no gain stop on the last or second last drive by TB on first down, we had some DL hit the turbo button and create a negative play or a holding, we force a punt.  without that, our db's are scrambling to stop a big gainer from getting bigger.

 

this game reminded me of the kc loss in the playoffs last year.  kc did it with more passing, but a fluke turnover stopped them, like it stopped miami, and we forced one single punt.  the difference is davis had a huge touchdown catch vs diggs dropping a dime, and bass nails the go ahead.  i also think we managed the clock well in the miami game vs the kc game.

 

if miami can put us there, then kc, baltimore, cinci, maybe pittz, an top nfc teams can too.  it's just frustrating knowing that our FO, coaches, and roster just have no answers for a well executed O.

[Don Otreply]

12 hours ago, JohnNord said:

lower-quality teams like Houston?   Also shouldn’t that mean that their adjustments should have worked against 2-6 Miami?
 

 

I just feel that the “adjustments” discussion is a tired narrative.  They have tried different things in the second half this season and it’s worked.  

Against lesser teams, nuthin but luv, 😁👍

[Big Turk]

Insightful video up about how the Dolphins use motions and misdirections to create angles and alleys and double teams against the Bills...

 

Also said Bills played more conservative with Benford out in coverage and played 2 high the most that they have all season.

 

 

Edited Monday at 04:28 PM by Big Turk

[eball]

52 minutes ago, NewEra said:

Miami played their best game of the year and were a Keon Coleman drop and bs holding call away from getting blown out.

 

credit to them for taking what McD and Babich gave them all game.  Everything underneath

 

Seriously.  I don’t think Miami can play any better and they still lost to the Bills.

 

The ultra-conservative game plan on D was intentional.  And it basically worked, since the Bills didn’t trail after halftime.

 

It’s a shame the Bills don’t have the ‘85 Bears D.  The unit is dealing with injuries, youth, and yesterday, a very good Miami game plan.

 

You don’t win them all by 20 points, and most of us knew Miami would treat this as a do-or-die game for their season.

 

Now, if the Colts’ offense is successful next week I might have a different take…

 

[NewEra]

7 minutes ago, eball said:

 

Seriously.  I don’t think Miami can play any better and they still lost to the Bills.

 

The ultra-conservative game plan on D was intentional.  And it basically worked, since the Bills didn’t trail after halftime.

 

It’s a shame the Bills don’t have the ‘85 Bears D.  The unit is dealing with injuries, youth, and yesterday, a very good Miami game plan.

 

You don’t win them all by 20 points, and most of us knew Miami would treat this as a do-or-die game for their season.

 

Now, if the Colts’ offense is successful next week I might have a different take…

 

Our defense is predicated on our opponents making mistakes as well as our players making big plays.  Taron did just that yesterday.  Just keep them relatively healthy come playoff time