In the Josh Allen era we have never encountered Bills so complete, so confident, but above all so aware of the path they must follow to achieve success. We leave the open grave version behind to see that it has been replaced by a much more sensible, controlled and efficient one. Under this premise and against one of the greatest powers in the NFL, the Miami Dolphins, we find probably the best Josh Allen we have ever seen.
When you have gifts like those possessed by the Bills’ QB, you can be tempted to make each snap a highlight, a big play, a decisive play to remember and celebrate. Buffalo and Allen himself have been guilty of that for a long time. The Bills are in a Super Bowl window of opportunity, that is obvious because of their team and their differential Quarterback, but they were missing a point of calm and control. This season his desire was to correct that excess and instead of abusing it, the intention is to use Allen’s explosive capacity to the right extent. Do not use it as a rule or out of necessity, but at the right time and when it can do the most damage.
Except in the opening game against the Jets, where Allen himself fell into old vices, the Bills have managed to implement a new game idea that is bringing out the best in the attack as a team, but also the best in their QB. By introducing the resource of the under center game, heavier formations, a different personnel from the perennial eleven established in recent years, the Bills are running more on early downs and running in a more classic way, taking Allen out of the equation and using the before abundant runs designed for his QB, now punctual and very effective – against the Dolphins, only one that resulted in a TD by Allen himself. The first and second downs have a different look, replacing the willingness to be vertical and explosive with a new devotion to the efficiency of the runs and the passing game underneath where Dalton Kincaid is gaining a role as a safety resource and Stephon Diggs is shining like never before thanks to his excellent route running ability.
Against the Dolphins, the script was repeated over and over again, run, short pass and the inability of the Miami defense to close tackles did the rest so that Buffalo’s drives were sustained. And on this basis, from time to time, a handful in the form of an explosive play. Under this formula the defensive unit led by Vic Fangio was absolutely helpless and its shortcomings were very exposed. Being in the zone allowed Ken Dorsey to move Stephon Diggs away from Xavien Howard and pair him with a Cader Kohou to whom the Bills’ star WR took the colors again and again. And under this scheme, Josh Allen took on the appearance of a superstar that should really scare the entire NFL, because he has not lost a bit of his abilities but demonstrates that he has them much more controlled and organized. This is without a doubt the best version of these Bills we have ever seen.
But also, the test came for the defense. With the trendy attack in front, the team that had been able to score 70 points the previous week and the story throughout the week that no one had answers for McDaniel’s offensive proposal because he always found the weak point in the rival defenses. The Bills team couldn’t find it. And with a very clear premise, Buffalo managed to alleviate the Dolphin’s offensive power: Not allowing the passing game on the inside and not allowing the running game on the outside. Saying it is very simple, executing it is within the reach of very few. First, because not many NFL teams have the pair of Linebackers that the Bills have. The deployment of Matt Milano and the surprising emergence this season of Terrel Bernard are offering a balance from the center of defense that the entire unit appreciates. Against the Dolphins they were the metronome that set the tempo, eliminating the damage that the Dolphins’ crossing routes inflict every week and throwing Tua out of rhythm every time he found his favorite resource.
As for the Bills’ defensive front, the pressure that they put on Tua once Terron Armstead left the game is striking, but we must value his ability to fix the Edge to avoid the bleeding on the outside that Miami is capable of. to do with his running game.
I have the feeling that this Bills victory is a declaration of intent in terms of what but much more in terms of how. The rest of the favorites better take note because these Buffalo Bills are going to be a problem this year.
L*to the sufficiency of the San Francisco 49ers*
2023-10-02 15:03:00
#statement #intent #Buffalo #Bills #conclusions #Week
