Stubborn Bills Drop 3rd Straight Division Game, Now Dwell in AFC East Basement
November 9, 2008 by Tim Anderson
Filed under Bills, NFL Football
Regardless of your political affiliation, five days ago the American people (as evidenced by exit polling) decided that they were tired of the same old, same old. I wish the Bills coaching staff could come to the same realization. Their stubborn game planning has got to go. Moreover, their lack of flexibility in half-time adjustments is even more infuriating. We could talk about the quarterback play, the anemic running game, or the poor O-line and D-line play until we’re blue in the face, but this one falls on the coaching staff. The only question that remains is where to begin?
When are the Bills going to accept the fact that rushing only 4 players is not going to get the job done on defense? I said before the game this week that they’d have to play an aggressive style defense to win - they didn’t. All game long, Matt Cassel had all day to scan the field and make plays. Wasn’t it evident by the end of the first half that he was going to consistently beat the Bills with the intermediate stuff? It was to me. Yet they remained stubborn, and refused to bring any heat outside of the front four.
Likewise, I said during the week that Wes Welker had to be contained by jamming him at the line, or not giving him the space off the line of scrimmage to get free. Did the Bills do this? No. In fact, on multiple occasions I watched Buffalo D-backs trot at least 5-yards back, giving Welker an abundance of room to work with - and he took advantage. On key 3rd and long plays (which believe me, were few and far between), the defense backed off Moss and Gaffney, affording them plenty of space to get off the line of scrimmage, and consequently allowed them to convert on 1st down plays. Of course, they didn’t give up the big play, but in some ways I would have preferred it, considering New England held the ball for nearly 38-minutes, while still scoring 20 points.
Additionally, the running game continues to struggle mightily. Aside from a few big runs (and by big, I mean 5+ yards - sad I know), they were once again stymied by a defense that had little problem pushing the big O-linemen of the Bills back on nearly every play. In fact, it is worth noting that even on those plays where Lynch, or Jackson on a couple of instances, were able to make a few yards on a carry, it was only because tackles were broken in the backfield.
Edwards is now on a 3-game regression. Expected and natural in his progression, yes. Coming at a good time, no! All I can hope is that there are enough intelligent football fans in Buffalo to examine the entire situation, and not bury this kid before he has a fighting chance to survive. No doubt the media will be ready to pounce, but I truly believe that #5 has thicker skin than some of his predecessors, and will not allow it to shatter his confidence.
Finally, and I would like to preface this by saying that in no way did any of the following have any influence on the outcome of the game, I am compelled to offer up a complaint about the 15-yard personal foul call to open the game against Ko Simpson. What an absolute joke this call was! Only one week after the fine, then rescinded fine, on Justin Tuck of the Giants, NFL officials hand New England 15 free yards after Ko Simpson simply ran into Randy Moss just after a ball had gone off of his fingertips. Should we start shopping for NFL apparel in the aisle where skirts are sold? I hope it doesn’t come to that, but I’m beginning to wonder if it may.
Game Balls
Offense: Roscoe Parrish; Parrish caught 4 passes for 31-yards, 3 of which were big catches at key times.
Defense: Ryan Denney; Not only did he lead the team in tackles, but he batted down 2 Cassel passes, and was solid at stopping the run - relatively speaking of course.
Special Teams: Leodis McKelvin; It’s too bad that so many great returns were wasted by an inept offensive attack.
Quick Hits
-The longest run of the day for the Bills? Eight yards. Not going to get it done.
-James Hardy did catch a touchdown pass, albeit a meaningless one. Nevertheless, he looked good while doing it. Buffalo need to see more of that out of him going forward.
-No surprise that on two 3rd and 1’s, the Bills passed twice (1/2). It’s sad to have that little confidence in your running game.
What more can be said? Even with my seemingly endless rant about the coaching staff, this game was absolutely dominated by New England. For 3 straight weeks Buffalo’s defense has had no answer for an opposing team’s offense, and have watched a team nickel and dime them to death. And, make no mistake, there is enough film out there to set the table for each of the Bills remaining 7 opponents, and they’ll employ that same offensive attack. That is, unless Buffalo open their eyes, and start to play with some reckless abandon.
All seems lost right now for Bills’ fans, I know, but when the dust settles later this week, we will still be 5-4, and very much in the playoff hunt. Of course, it will still take at least 5 of the next 7 to have a chance to get in, but I don’t think that is an impossibility. Next week, it’s MNF back in Orchard Park, and I know we fans will be their bringing everything we’ve got to get the Bills back on the winning track. Hopefully, Buffalo will bring that same intensity. Until then…
Go Bills!
timanderson@sportstalkbuzz.com
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November 10th, 2008 at 3:10 am
Its amazing what 3 weeks can do for a team.
I don’t get why the Bills don’t try to run the ball more. They have 2 good RBs and if they could just use them more, they will do a lot better.
This team is not playing with the fire they had at the beginning of the season, and they need to regain that focus.
I’m not convinced that its the coaching staff thats really the problem, aside from not running enough, I believe that players just need to exicute a lot more.
This funk needs to end NOW. A win at home against the improving Browns would be just what the doctor ordered.
November 10th, 2008 at 8:07 am
I am not indicting the coaching staff for everything, in fact all I am asking is for them to be a bit more aggressive. The players need to step up too, especially the O-line, which is simply not wanting it enough in the run game.
As for running the ball, they haven’t abandoned the run game, they are just ineffective at it. Their pass run ratio was 23/18, which is not overwhelming in either direction. The issue is that they are incapable of opening a hole for either of their backs. They see contact almost immediately after receiving the ball.
November 10th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
true enough. It also makes it hard to run when you are trailing. They need to try more screens and short outs, then move back to the run. But you are right on, with the o-line needing to make holes.
November 10th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
They actually have been utilzing a lot of what you describe. The quick hits to Lynch and Jackson (especially Lynch of late) have been increasing, however teams are starting to catch on, and those plays are losing effectiveness as well.
November 10th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
I personally think this team is in trouble. Wins against Seattle, Oakland and St. Louis had this team winning with mirrors as they say. Sorry to rain on the parade Tim.
Edwards need to take this team by the neck and win one next week badly.
November 10th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
I agree with you Zach. I’ve said all along that their schedule will help them have a shot at the playoffs this year. And, looking at the remainder of it, I still think it is reasonable that they will be in the picture as the season winds down - exactly what I said before the season started.
I’ll admit that the San Diego win somewhat pushed me over the edge in terms of my feeling that they had a shot at the division, but realistically, that is completely out of the realm of possibility now. It’s wild card or bust.