Buffalo Rumblings
On paper, the Buffalo Bills had a fairly comfortable win over the New Orleans Saints. For anyone watching, we know there was a long stretch of the game where it was anything but comfortable. Rather than focus on one player or group for this week’s analysis/recap, I decided to pick a few highlights and a few lowlights and put them under the microscope.
I know you’ve seen this a million times already but surely you’re fine seeing it again. I think wide receiver Khalil Shakir’s contact balance and ability to continue through multiple tackles has been discussed, so let’s toss in that tight end Dalton Kincaid went in motion to act as a lead blocker for the screen pass to Shakir. The play would be successful gaining just a few yards on 2nd & 5 but goes the distance instead.
I point out in the clip that traditionally you might have more success with a quick bounce to the outside given the blocking but Shakir plowed through confidently, which of course worked. See below for a little conversation on the defense, which deserves a bit of shame on this play too.
There are some parallels between the first two touchdowns of the game, with individual effort from Khalil Shakir and Kendre Miller shining brightly. That said, missed tackles will always be partially on the defense at minimum, and both defenses missed some opportunities.
For what it’s worth, I think the Bills’ defensive woes between these two plays were greater than the Saints’. This is especially true for nickel cornerback Taron Johnson who was free to hit the gap that Miller was coming through and just spun off him without wrapping up.
On 3rd & 11 I want to be clear that I believe the deep shot to midfield is preferable to a run to give better punting position. Quarterback Josh Allen’s head suggested this was a half-field read with his first scan going to center field. Not liking what he saw, Allen tried for wide receiver Keon Coleman who looks to be one-on-one on the outside. At the time of the decision, safety Jonas Sanker hadn’t committed to any receiver yet. He correctly read Allen and went full board for the landing point. Whether Allen didn’t see Sanker or felt he could fit it in, I don’t know. The result was the same though.
If I had to wager, I think I’d put a bet on Coleman running nearly full speed if not full. As a result, I don’t think there’s much he could do to gain elevation and disrupt this one.
When’s the last time it felt like the Bills completely blew up a trick play? Thanks to Cole Bishop the answer is now “last Sunday.” Unlike some analysis, I won’t focus on Bishop’s physical speed because I don’t find that impressive at all on this snap. He wasn’t...
