Buffalo could clinch the second seed in the AFC East and AL or miss the postseason entirely depending on what happens in Week 18.
ORCHARD PARK – A month and a half ago, the idea was born Buffalo Bills They will be competing for it AFC East Seemed unlikely, at best.
Before the disaster sat down in 5-5 hours Denver Broncos In Week 10, the head coach Sean McDermott Decided to fire the offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey. buffalo I had more questions than answers. At that time, the Miami Dolphins They were 6-3.
Somehow, the Bill Despite having one of the toughest schedules in the league, they managed to win five of their next six. Now, all odds are in front of them: a chance to win the division for the fourth straight year and make the playoffs for the fifth straight time.
“We’ve been together throughout the season,” the safety said. Jordan Poyer. “…I mean, that’s been our motto for the last seven years. Our backs are against the wall, and we usually play better when our backs are against the wall.”
If they beat Dolphin division title on Sunday night AFC East And will be the second seed in the conference buffalo.
If they stumble upon Miamitherefore buffalo It should be expected Jacksonville Jaguars either Pittsburgh Steelers Lose, or Indianapolis Colts And Houston Texans tie between ties Bill And Dolphin So will also get a postseason berth buffalo.
If not for their six weeks of resilience, the US campaign Bill –A combination of downs, head-scratching moments, close games and big wins, including a 48-20 win Dolphin Week 4– It will be over.
This Bill They come into this Week 18 matchup with an offense that has been disappointing against New England Patriots, an example of persistent inconsistencies. At the same time buffalo Heading into the biggest game of the season, where are the problems? What needs to be improved? Dolphin? And what should the recent positives continue?
Can the Bills find a rhythm on offense?
quarterback Josh Allen Against faced pressure in the first half patriots, and it didn’t turn out well. A line that saw five of its players start every game of the year suffered at times. He completed 0 of 6 passes under pressure and 0 of 5 against the blitz, totaling just seven completions in 20 attempts during the first two quarters.
At the end of the game, center Mitch Morse He shared that there were some misunderstandings on the field, and then there was a conversation on the sidelines to discuss what wasn’t working.
“When things aren’t going our way, like I said before, it’s easy to feel like the world is coming down on you, but we have good coaches and good kids who really have to watch each other’s backs, talk. Out. ,” exposed Morse. “And then when you’re able to do that, communication flows more smoothly.”
Allan — who didn’t have a touchdown pass for the first time this season — described himself as “out of it” early in the game, saying he couldn’t find a rhythm. Allan He completed 5 of 13 passes of 10 or more yards through the air patriots. He has now completed 49.7 percent of those passes this season, his lowest percentage since 2019. Interim offensive coordinator Joe Brady The need to put was shown Allan In rhythm, a correction that should come from the play command.
“Just finding a way to calm his legs and get him into a rhythm, which is also on me and make sure he’s comfortable when he’s in there,” he admitted. Brady. “And, I think I’m confident enough that I don’t have a problem with that. I know we can figure this out.”
Dropped passes and lack of communication with receivers were also factors against New England. This Bill They gave up three deliveries in the game, and 16 of their 24 have come since Week 10.
“I think we struggled with some fundamental issues in the first couple of quarters … just throwing and catching,” he said. McDermott. “…We had some penalties that hurt us as well, and as a whole team — blocks, catches, you know, getting off blocks, killing us with penalties — and that’s where I’m going to have to focus a lot to improve. . those areas.”
Obscure problems are prevented in the red zone buffalo Established a substantial lead despite four takeaways, including an interception returned for a touchdown courtesy of a cornerback. Rasul Douglas. This Bill They finished 2 for 5 in the red zone (a total that included a kneel on the final drive) despite coming into the game leading the league with a 67.3 red zone touchdown percentage.
This Bill Was unable to run the ball in the second half, and this unit has shown the ability to adjust underneath Brady. It will be important to continue in the future. 31 points scored by, perhaps Bill In the first half against Dolphin They won’t see a repeat in Week 4, but the efficiency of that version of the offense should be the goal.
How will Stefon Diggs be involved?
digs is the best receiver Bill, and by a considerable margin; However, he hasn’t enjoyed a game of at least 100 yards since Week 6, and now has four games without a touchdown or 50 yards receiving.
However digs Hasn’t looked as good on offense since the coordinator change, his snap percentage really patriotsCompared to the previous week (vs. 66.2 percent New England compared to 59.6 percent Los Angeles Chargers and 44.6 percent, the worst mark of his career, in a game dominated by the opposing running game. Dallas Cowboys).
McDermott He noted that Diggs’ inconsistent role was not a function of physical issues with the receiver.
“I mean, medically, as far as I know, there’s nothing that affects him and the communication I’ve had through (the head athletic trainer). Nate (Breske) …with regards to that,” he shared McDermott. “And that’s just it Josh Going through your reading and progress, and making sure we’re going through the progress properly.”
Brady He said that some polling numbers digs That’s due to giving the receiver some free plays, or drawing up plays without keeping him on the field, and the drop in production is also related to an increase in the running game and opponents’ focus on stopping it.
“There is an intention, several times, during the week, where we can give it a break,” he admitted. Brady. “But, in critical situations, on third down … obviously we want him on the field.”
Brady Admittedly three plays where digs Wasn’t in front of the playground patriotsIt was designed to be part of a play.
“That was the intention Steve was on the field. When he’s not on the field, that is Josh Trust whoever is in that position to make the play.”
Brady He also said that he changed by watching plays digs For breathing on the field during games, or if it is reported from the box digs will not be on the field for the next play, and there have been other occasions in which the play has already been called, and the offense runs it with other elements.
“There are times when you have to have confidence in the kids that are there,” he described. Brady.
The reality is, when digs He’s not out for a play that requires him to be on the field, impacting the offense. No other receiver on the roster commands attention digsAnd it is not necessary to change it on the plays designed for it.
No aggressive Bill It is better when digs And Allan They are also on the same page, and the primary wide receiver is on the field. defeat Dolphin And achieving success in the postseason will come with better production digs.
Can the Bills defense keep up its pace?
Could the defense do a little more? Bill To end games a little early? Yes, and that is the case throughout the season, with exciting results in front Chargers As the best example. But, it looks like this is going in the right direction at the right time. Douglas It’s a great addition after reaching the trade before the deadline. in eight meetings with BillHas four interceptions, including two against patriotsAnd the aforementioned interception return score, eight pass defenses, two fumble recoveries, one sack and 29 tackles.
initial defensive tackle, Daquan JonesIs back after being on injured reserve with a pectoral problem suffered in Week 5, which is good news for the defensive tackle. Ed Oliverwho is having a career-best year in his fifth season, with 9.5 sacks (previous career high Oliver There were five, imposed in 2019).
In the last six meetings, the Philadelphia Eagles They were the only ones able to score more than 22 points against this defense. From Week 13, the defensive unit of buffalo Allowed one touchdown through the air.
“For probably four weeks now, we’ve just been playing, ‘Bro, we’re really the best,’ and like, I think we all think we’re the best,” he confessed. Douglas. “So, it’s like every time we go out there, every series, every play, we communicate, we talk and we tell each other, ‘Hey, you’re the best, bro.'”
It is the mindset that will help the unit win or win against explosives Dolphin.
