Offensive predictability

[OpIv37]

Why is no one talking about this?

There were several spots throughout the game where Buerlien and Tasker would say something like "I'd expect a heavy dose of McCoy behind the left side of the OL," and sure enough, the next play was McCoy to the left. If the announcers know what the next play will be, you can be damn sure their DC knew what the next play would be.

The O lacks talent. Adding predictability is a death sentence.

[kingJofNYC]

Some of us are, we are way too predictable. Against Cincy we ran a lot of PA early in the game, but we went away from in the 2nd half. In the second half we would get a decent run on 1st and then go right back to the run on 2nd down. That's a blitz down, Cincy was selling out on 2nd down a ton, it's amazing that we couldn't hit them with a PA pass for a big chunk in that 2nd half. Second half became a typical run run pass scenario, and we kept ending up in 3rd and long situations because our run game went nowhere on 2nd down. It was run run pass all 2nd half. 2nd and 6, lets run! McCoy gets blown up, so back to 3rd and long. Everyone in the building knew when we were running.

The absolute worst is when we line up in these 2 TE 2 RB sets to run on 3rd and short. Smart to pack the box so they can sell out to stop the run! They know we have no courage to throw it over the top, so lets run out of heavy sets instead of spreading and running.

Then we have the OL, they're clearly not cut out to zone block. We have guys that know how to gap block, and it worked great for 2 seasons, but now they're being asked to run these wide stretch runs. To be fair, we did install more gap runs against the Falcons but there's no real creativity in the run game like there was with Roman/Lynn. Last season we ran well against 8 man boxes even though we didn't have healthy receiving options, because the coaches involved Tyrod in the run game. He effectively blocked a defender because someone had to account for him on run options. All of that is gone. We're running a scheme the OL are unfamiliar with, benching players that don't fit the scheme, removing a legitimate run threat from the game plan, and telling McCoy to go out and make everyone miss so he can get some yards.

Long story short, it's sad that the new guys came in and tore down what worked. This sound familiar to anyone?

[jamze132]

Dennison definitely needs to incorporate more of what worked in the past in regards to the running game. it's atrocious right now.

[Goobylal]

Going back to the run-blocking schemes of the past 2 years is the minimum they should be doing over the bye. Beyond that, they need to address the receiver position.

[Mr. Pink]

People still point out that the WRs are bad/thin...there's a QB here who doesn't believe in throwing to them so what does it matter who's lining up on the outside or slot?

Zay Jones leads the team in targets and gets literally 5 a game.

[BillsFanCupp38]

One thing I hate that has happened multiple times this year is that when we get a turnover at midfield we never stick the dagger in the heart. For whatever reason we get uber conservative and end up settling for field goals. Absolutely mind boggling. Almost after every turnover we get in their territory we run the ball on first down and lose yardage. Dennison needs to break this horrible habit.

[baalworship]

Denver fans celebrated when Dennison left. Apparently he would call the plays often in the first half and Denver would look like crap. Then Kubiak would call plays in the 2nd half and they would move the ball. We have him because McCoy and Childress turned us down. I would have preferred Childress. Could see him developing a QB the right way. Dennison needs to go because I can't imagine him helping a rookie QB if they draft one early in 2018.

[kingJofNYC]

One thing I hate that has happened multiple times this year is that when we get a turnover at midfield we never stick the dagger in the heart. For whatever reason we get uber conservative and end up settling for field goals. Absolutely mind boggling. Almost after every turnover we get in their territory we run the ball on first down and lose yardage. Dennison needs to break this horrible habit.
Spot on. Instead of running a PA shot play to cut the opponents throat and take full control, we run Shady into an 8 man box. Good stuff.