A Quick Look at the Buffalo Bills

by Chris on Nov 18, 2008 1:08 PM CST in 2008 Campaign Comment 39 comments

Make sure you check out Buffalo Rumblings for actual Bills analysis.

Team Stats - Game Averages

	Pts	Yrds	Pass	Rush
Off	22.8	320.8 (24th)	227.0 (13th)	93.8 (28th)
Def	21.1	301.6 (13th)	202.8 (14th)	98.9 (13th)

Lots of turnovers

After starting out the season going 5-1, the Buffalo Bills have lost four straight games. In those four losses, the Bills have, ahem, thirteen turnovers.

Bodes well for the team with the second best turnover ratio, yes?

Eight of those turnovers have been interceptions by the Bills' starting quarterback Trent Edwards. The Bills have also fumbled the ball ten times in that four game stretch, losing five of them to their opponents.

Down Analysis Report

Nothing too surprising here but take a look anyway:

1st Down - 142 rushing plays (3.76 average yards per rush), 120 passing plays (7.67 average yards per passing play
2nd Down - 77 rushing plays (3.52 average yards per rush), 116 passing plays (4.7 average yards per passing play)
3rd Down - 37 rushing plays (4.24 average yards per rush), 87 passing plays (7.29 average yards per passing play)
4th Down - 1 rushing plays (0 average yards per rush), 2 passing plays (2.5 average yards per passing play)

Pretty typical stuff I'd say.

Injuries

Last night against the Browns, the Bills' cornerback Jabari Greer injured his knee, forcing the Bills to play two rookies at corner. First-round pick Leodis McKelvin and fourth-round pick Reggie Corner played the rest of the game.

From the Fans

Here a few snippets taken from Buffalo Rumblings which I hope capture the current sentiments of Bills' fans.

No, what Buffalo needs are some difference-makers. Guys to lean on. Buffalo is a star-less team, and it's become painfully apparent over the past month that they need a couple of stars.

Right now, Buffalo is stuck at "average"; they started the season at "very good".

Meanwhile, the Bills were able to find a pass rush tonight - against a pretty good Browns offensive line, no less. No, it's still not consistent, but it was enough to force Brady Quinn into completing just 39 percent of his passes.

Wait, teams are supposed to be looking for a pass rush?

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Comments

Regarding The Bills

Their QB’s completion percentage may look impressive, but the guy flat-out sucks. Last night he was playing one of the worst defenses in the league and he threw three interceptions in his first four drives. He also didn’t look downfield at all after the first quarter. If Marshawn Lynch hadn’t been on, Trent Edwards may very well have finished the night with less than 100 yards passing. He’s recovering from a concussion a few weeks ago and he’s definitely gun shy out there.

Supporting the lesser of two evils is still supporting something evil.

by UCrawford on Nov 18, 2008 1:22 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for the info UC

Arrowhead Pride

by Chris on Nov 18, 2008 1:23 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Also

The Browns weren’t mounting that great of a pass rush, so it’s not like Edwards was getting run all over the field. He had time, he just kept screwing up with bad reads and stupid decisions.

Supporting the lesser of two evils is still supporting something evil.

by UCrawford on Nov 18, 2008 1:25 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Be prepared to see the Chiefs employ a lot of 7 or 8 man coverages on Sunday. Edwards is, statistically, one of the deadliest quarterbacks in the league against the blitz. Our last four opponents have rarely blitzed; Cleveland spent most of their evening rushing 3 guys. Hence the time to throw, and hence Edwards having nowhere to go with the ball. What’s sad is that after a month of the same defense, we still haven’t figured out how to beat it.

Buffalo Rumblings - all you care to know about the Buffalo Bills and more

by Brian Galliford on Nov 18, 2008 4:08 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, I Wouldn't Worry Too Much About That

Our head coach rarely comes up with a defensive gameplan that capitalizes on another team’s weaknesses. There’s a reason we’re 1-9.

Supporting the lesser of two evils is still supporting something evil.

by UCrawford on Nov 18, 2008 4:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Upon reviewing the stats

from last night, the Bills only recorded one sack on Brady Quinn and it was Kawika Mitchell. Can the D-line get to the quarterback?

by Ilamuku on Nov 18, 2008 4:21 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

They Can

There was only one sack but Quinn was getting knocked around pretty consistently. The Bills were blitzing him most of the night and he had a lot of trouble adapting. He got smacked hard a few times.

Supporting the lesser of two evils is still supporting something evil.

by UCrawford on Nov 18, 2008 4:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

If Thigpen gets that D on

Sunday… I hope the staff has worked with him on getting rid of the ball instead of taking a sack. That was probably the only major disappointment I had with his play.

by Ilamuku on Nov 19, 2008 2:16 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

True

a few of the times he had no choice (trying to get rid of the ball would likely have ended in a NO INT) but there were a few where he just held on to the ball too long, probably hoping something would open up…

by PVChiefsfan on Nov 19, 2008 7:56 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

What I mean be get rid of is...

if it ain’t third down, throw it away (out of bounds) if the rush is coming. I know he was trying to create when he left the pocket but he could have easily threw it away before being sacked. I know he’s young and it will come with time so complaint rescinded.

by Ilamuku on Nov 19, 2008 4:37 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

In short, no. The Bills aren’t getting any pressure unless they blitz. Our defensive ends are ridiculously awful.

Buffalo Rumblings - all you care to know about the Buffalo Bills and more

by Brian Galliford on Nov 19, 2008 8:20 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

So's Our Right Tackle

Why do you think we call him Sackintosh? :)

Supporting the lesser of two evils is still supporting something evil.

by UCrawford on Nov 19, 2008 2:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Marshawn Lynch, On The Other Hand

May very well put up 150+ yards on us. He was very good yesterday.

Supporting the lesser of two evils is still supporting something evil.

by UCrawford on Nov 18, 2008 1:23 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm going to stick my neck out

I think we actually have a chance in this game. They really didn’t look that good in the bits of the game I saw last night.

Also, the wife and I will be in the stands on game day and I will be wearing my lucky hat.

Blame my wife!

by sir eccles on Nov 18, 2008 2:02 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Nice

I also think we have a shot. Trent Edwards has looked terrible.

by primetime 07 on Nov 18, 2008 2:05 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm Not That Optimistic

Mainly because Buffalo is good in the areas that are problems for us. They’re effective at defending the pass (their rush was very solid last night) and they’ve got a very talented running back duo in Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson (who they love using). If they have to rely on Trent Edwards to put points on the board we can beat them, but I have a feeling that what they’ll do is pound it down our throats the entire game (as Jauron likes to do), dominate time of possession and wear our defense down. They’re basically the kind of team Herm wanted the Chiefs to be, but unlike the Chiefs they have enough talent at their key positions to run that kind of offense.

Supporting the lesser of two evils is still supporting something evil.

by UCrawford on Nov 18, 2008 2:28 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

But We Could Win

Jauron’s almost as bad at running a team as Herm is.

Supporting the lesser of two evils is still supporting something evil.

by UCrawford on Nov 18, 2008 2:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

A glowing recommendation

by primetime 07 on Nov 18, 2008 2:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm worried about the pass rush

They rushed the Borwns as tho they were standing in line waiting for the plane trip back to Clevelend. Quinn had a split second to drop and throw and get it in the vicinity of the reciever…that timing concerns me and our line. I think that Thiggy’s going to be on his back a lot if they don’t hold the rush.

Bill Parcell’s: "You are what your record says you are."

by THE_TRUTH on Nov 18, 2008 2:37 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yup

I hope he makes it through this one intact. And the rest of the season for that matter.

Supporting the lesser of two evils is still supporting something evil.

by UCrawford on Nov 18, 2008 2:52 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I've got a feeling that Kawika's going to want to make a point from wathcing him last night.

Bill Parcell’s: "You are what your record says you are."

by THE_TRUTH on Nov 18, 2008 3:21 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

And if McSackintosh is playing

by Ilamuku on Nov 18, 2008 3:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I've Got A Buddy Who's A Rabid Bears Fan

And he still hates Jauron for how badly he ran that team when he was Chicago’s coach.

Supporting the lesser of two evils is still supporting something evil.

by UCrawford on Nov 18, 2008 2:51 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Your confidence is deserved. Buffalo has always sucked at Arrowhead Stadium. I think you guys have way more than just a chance.

Buffalo Rumblings - all you care to know about the Buffalo Bills and more

by Brian Galliford on Nov 18, 2008 4:09 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

I saw the home team has won 10 of the last 11 between us two.

by primetime 07 on Nov 18, 2008 4:12 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Umm...

Home field advantage has disappeared. The Raiders and Donkeys have won here as of late.(sorry for the depressing reminder)

by Eric Allen on Nov 18, 2008 8:19 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I think we might have some success

getting pressure up the middle. Their interior blocking didn’t look that great. I also agree with UC, Lynch might give our ragtag LBs fits. He was reading the field very well last night. But if nothing else, I think we might be able to get in the kicker’s head! Can a 1-9 team actually taunt anyone?

by TheQ on Nov 18, 2008 6:55 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

We lose this game on special teams

Enough said

by DLChiefs on Nov 18, 2008 7:09 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

That might be a little too prophetic

Our special teams has really struggled because a lot of normal S.P. players are starting for us at other positons. Roscoe Parrish is quite scary (closest thing to a Madden character in real life).

by TheQ on Nov 18, 2008 7:26 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Leodis McKelvin is scary fast.

Out ran Josh Cribbs last night.

by Eric Allen on Nov 18, 2008 8:21 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Man, I forgot about McKelvin

Cribbs is another incredible returner. I personally think he is better than Devin Hester!

Yes, let the Boo Birds come forth! I said it.

by TheQ on Nov 18, 2008 8:30 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

He's Better Than Hester This Year

Hester’s been really ordinary this year, in fact. I don’t think he’s even the primary kick returner right now.

Supporting the lesser of two evils is still supporting something evil.

by UCrawford on Nov 18, 2008 10:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

He was benched

For Daniael Manning at one point.

by primetime 07 on Nov 19, 2008 7:49 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

That's Why I Tend To Be Skeptical Of People Who Talk About How Many Records A KR/PR Will Set

That career has a ridiculously short life expectancy even by NFL standards.

Supporting the lesser of two evils is still supporting something evil.

by UCrawford on Nov 19, 2008 2:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

He might set a

record against our special teams!:)

by Eric Allen on Nov 19, 2008 4:03 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Who? Hester?

Fortunately we don’t play the Bears for awhile so we won’t be finding out. :) I think we play the NFC West and East before we play the NFC North teams again.

Supporting the lesser of two evils is still supporting something evil.

by UCrawford on Nov 19, 2008 10:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

No McKelvin.

by Eric Allen on Nov 20, 2008 3:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

That I Won't Argue With

He made a sweet runback on MNF.

Supporting the lesser of two evils is still supporting something evil.

by UCrawford on Nov 20, 2008 4:25 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Derek Fine

It’s been nice to see the gradual emergence of Fine, whom I thought was a reach for the fourth round. Certainly a higher character Jayhaw alumnus than Aqib Talib.

by Dan Holmes on Nov 20, 2008 8:20 PM CST reply actions 0 recs