What’s it gonna take to improve /prioritize our run defense?

[notpolian]

It can be a problem if a team really sticks with pounding the rock.  I just re-watched most of the 49ers game and Rapp saved us multiple times with last line of defense diving tackles.  The DL interior linemen have to be better.  Lions game is the ultimate test IMO.

[machine gun kelly]

16 minutes ago, Matt_In_NH said:

They are not going to stop with the light boxes because overall the strategy is successful.  The scheme is to allow runs to some degree to focus on pass defense above all.  Fire the coach is what it would take to change it.  I would not do that.

I’m glad you wrote it as I can’t keep stating the obvious as we stop. The pass, explosive plays, etc. amd surrender some of the run.  Oh, yeah, 35-10 for a 10-2 record, the first in 33 years.  C’mon.  A terrible pass defense means 350-375 yards, and a bad run defense in a game is what 160 yards.  We just ran for 220 yards ourselves against the defending NFC champs, and beat the world champs a couple weeks ago.

In the last four years, we’ve had two bad losses due to the run.  Indy, and Baltimore.   Who beat both teams in the playoffs?  Oh, yeah, us.

 

Were gojng to beat the Rams, amd then we’ll be tested against Detroit.  I’m not against Howard picks the Bills where he stated this morning, he could see a close loss in two weeks, and winning in a neutral sire in the SB.

 

 

[HappyDays]

2 hours ago, gonzo1105 said:

I know a lot of people think Jones will be cut but his cap hit is solid so if I recall. We might eat it tho as I think 2026 is the next reset per say 

 

I think Beane will do his signature move of getting DQ to accept a pay cut. That's what Beane always does when a player clearly isn't living up to their contract but he doesn't want to take the entire dead cap hit with no return.

[Big Turk]

Another thread?

 

They are NEVER going to prioritize run defense.

 

NEVER.

 

NEVER.

 

Is that enough NEVER'S so we can stop with this?

 

They are willing to give up some runs due to lightning boxes and defending deep passes in a two high shell.

 

As they are allowing an average of 18.7 PPG and scoring almost 30, it tends to work pretty well because most teams cannot keep running the ball when they are behind double digits in the 2nd half.

Edited December 3 by Big Turk

[Neo]

What’s it going to take?  A new coaching staff.   We’re getting exactly the run defense they want.

[Thurman#1]

11 hours ago, BuffaloBillyG said:

Philosophy is one key.

 

The Bills are ok with giving up some on the ground as long as everyone gets to where they should be and limits most plays. When they don't is where you see those long runs break out.

 

They don't want to give up the big play in the pass game. They go smaller/quicker instead of bringing in guys that are thumpers against the run. Last time we had a true thumper LB I believe was Brandon Spikes. 2 down guy that comes out on 3rd and medium/long. 

 

If you want to stop the run you have to commit to it, which means different players and mindset. Oddly enough, once a team gets to the 5 yard line and closer...it SEEMS (no stats to back me up) that the run defense does a great job a lot of the time. 

 

Now if we could just stop all those 3rd and longs it would get us off the field and help the run D out as well 

 

Yeah, this is it.

 

The way they play, teams are going to be able to run a bit on them. If your RB can turn those openings into chunk plays, we have to play different, and that makes passing on us easier. 

 

Knowing how prolific our offense is, the coaches feel opponents are going to have to want to score quickly and that - generally - requires passing.

 

It does seem that Daquan isn't playing this year the way he has in the past. Is it age? Injuries? Hard to say, but he's not having a great year, and Oliver has been up and down as well. If they return to form, things would improve. McDermott loves to have a big run-stopping block-eater in the middle, and DaQuan hasn't lived up to his own standards this year.

[WideNine]

This D and the desire to play light boxes will and has worked well against most teams, particularly if we can get the jump on them early with the box score.

 

I still think Baltimore, Detroit, and Philly would present a lot of issues for our defense.

 

Oliver is a bit light and can be moved and with the extra blockers better teams have shown they can get them out to the second level and gash us on longer runs.

 

Our saving grace has been shoestring tackles by Rapp and some very timely turnovers and sacks.

 

We have shown more ability to tighten up in the red zone. We will see when we play Detroit... I struggle seeing them settling for field goals.

 

 

 

 

 

[ganesh]

4 hours ago, Big Turk said:

Another thread?

 

They are NEVER going to prioritize run defense.

 

NEVER.

 

NEVER.

 

Is that enough NEVER'S so we can stop with this?

 

They are willing to give up some runs due to lightning boxes and defending deep passes in a two high shell.

 

As they are allowing an average of 18.7 PPG and scoring almost 30, it tends to work pretty well because most teams cannot keep running the ball when they are behind double digits in the 2nd half.

So they need Josh Allen.   Go Bills !!!

[Snowbowl]

Since we’ve been struggling against the run and Dorian Williams was a tackling machine maybe we should play three linebackers more in early downs. Not all the time but in likely run situations and if the weather dictates more of a run game. I know we haven’t done it much and don’t practice it much. But our last three games would be a good time to try it and get ready to use it some if needed in the playoffs. If not that then what are we going to do against a run heavy team like the Ravens?

[NickelCity]

[Bermuda Triangle]

32 minutes ago, Snowbowl said:

Since we’ve been struggling against the run and Dorian Williams was a tackling machine maybe we should play three linebackers more in early downs. Not all the time but in likely run situations and if the weather dictates more of a run game. I know we haven’t done it much and don’t practice it much. But our last three games would be a good time to try it and get ready to use it some if needed in the playoffs. If not that then what are we going to do against a run heavy team like the Ravens?

Who comes off the field for the 3rd LB?

[eball]

Aside from Henry’s 87 yarder, when exactly has an opponent’s running game hurt the Bills this year?

 

[Bermuda Triangle]

27 minutes ago, eball said:

Aside from Henry’s 87 yarder, when exactly has an opponent’s running game hurt the Bills this year?

 

IMO, the run D was not good against NYJ, IND or the 2nd MIA game.

[Big Turk]

2 hours ago, ganesh said:

So they need Josh Allen.   Go Bills !!!

 

No, they allow teams to run by choice.

 

And for good reason. Teams take points off the board when they choose to run versus pass.

 

Shouldn't be that hard to understand. Far easier to give up points by teams throwing one pass deep and scoring that way than by running 12 plays without making a mistake.

43 minutes ago, eball said:

Aside from Henry’s 87 yarder, when exactly has an opponent’s running game hurt the Bills this year?

 

 

It's really mind boggling people don't understand the Bills would rather allow teams to have some success running versus allowing them to have similar success throwing deep.

 

Been talked about as nauseum. This is BY DESIGN that the Bills play light boxes and encourage teams to run.

[Solomon Grundy]

13 hours ago, mannc said:

I’m not sure about that.  Simmons appears to be MUCH bigger than lil’ Ed. Maybe he just bulked up…

Simmons was a beast in college. Injuries was a factor in his draft status.

[agilen]

1 hour ago, Bermuda Triangle said:

IMO, the run D was not good against NYJ, IND or the 2nd MIA game.

3-0 in those ones….

[philholbroo]

just get a good lead, that will help your run d. just dont play soft zone though like the tendency is for mcdermott.

[Dr.Sack]

Depends on the opposing offenses personnel.
 

12 personnel probably will want to stay in our Base Nickel. This works great against a team like KC that has more pass catching TEs. 

 

22 personnel with Ricard at FB, (Andrews, Likely/6th OL), I say match with 4-3. To make it even “doper” McD could keep Taron on the field and take out a safety and play cover 1. This way you still have the ability to play zone and avoid PA rub routes and cap Flowers running vertical or overs.

[Mikie2times]

2 hours ago, agilen said:

3-0 in those ones….

Try having an actual contender do it when you can’t play with a lead 

Edited December 4 by Mikie2times

[eball]

6 hours ago, Bermuda Triangle said:

IMO, the run D was not good against NYJ, IND or the 2nd MIA game.

 

You didn’t answer my question.  How did that hurt the Bills?  The Indy game was a 17-point lead until the final seconds.  The Jets game was only close because of a busted Hail Mary at the end of the first half.  Miami played their best game of the season and still couldn’t beat us.

 

Would the Bills like to stuff every running play at the line?  Of course.  But their philosophy and scheme is to limit big plays, and those typically come in the passing game.  They have made a conscious decision to rely upon their front four and LBs to “control” the run game while they focus on shutting down big plays in the passing game.

 

It seems to have served them well.  We all know that playoff results will be the the proof in the pudding.