11-27-2016, 06:26 PM
Now whatever slim hopes we had of avoiding a losing season are officially gone. My thoughts...
1. I have no problems admitting the Jaguars are not a very good team. Anyone who has read my posts this year can attest to this. In the picks thread in the AFCS forum, I picked the Bills to win this game. But my ire is reserved for easily the most deserving unit: the officials. The disparate treatment of the two teams by the officials offends traditional notions of fair play and without question cost the Jaguars this game. This was the most egregiously anti Jaguars officiating seen since the opening week game, where-after the fact- the NFL acknowledged some 16 blown calls that all went against the Jaguars. The first half fumble that was conveniently ruled down due to forward progress was bad enough on its own. But there were other equally egregious applications of the rules that cost the team in the second half. The first was a pass interference call that negated Gipson's INT. There were two things that made that call particularly bad. First, there was virtually no contact on the play. Secondly, the pass was clearly uncatchable, as it was overthrown by several yards. The receiver didn't even bother to jump for the ball. As bad as that penalty was, it was made even worse by the P.I. NOT called when Allen Robinson was absolutely mauled by the Bills DB later in the half. Combined, the selective application/enforcement of the pass interference "rules" leaves me to wonder if there is actually any written rule on that subject at all. It seems to me officials have the liberty to apply it as they see fit, depending on the outcome they want. Finally, I'm mystified as to how a player who first steps out of bounds and then is knocked out of bounds completely does not trigger a stoppage of the clock, which cost the Jaguars their last time out. The NFL has, once again, surrendered any and all pretense of objectivity with the horrid officiating witnessed today. Even the Bills fans are admitting we got screwed. http://boards.buffalobills.com/showthrea...the-screws
2. While Bortles' stats will seem pedestrian, to me this was one of the three best games he had this year. This game, the Indy game, and the week one game against the Packers are the three games where he looked like Bortles from last year throwing the ball. Bortles seemed confident and decisive in his throws, and they didn't seem to flutter hopelessly as they had so many times this season. Had Hurns held onto a deep pass down the sideline, combined with the penalties outlined above, this game could have had a different outcome.
3. It's too bad Ivory got hurt, because when he was in, the running game performed well, almost running at will. Yeldon and Robinson had some decent runs, and Bortles' scrambles certainly bolstered the offense overall and rushing stats. But his fumble aside, Ivory had this running game going. I hope he is okay. We will need his physicality the next couple of weeks.
4. I have to give kudos to the defense, especially in the first half. That was one of the most impressive displays of football overall this side of the ball had in years. They stifled one of the best rushing offenses and generated plenty of pass rush. Even Tyson Alualu made his presence known in some positive ways in the first half. The second half, the team was hit with some big plays. In post game, FT placed blame on McCoy's long run on Gipson and Ramsey, and naturally I defer to his analysis over mine, but it appeared to me Alualu also bears some responsibility by being moved out of his gap. The scoreboard shows 28 points surrendered, but overall the defense played well.
5. There were good contributions made by some backups, especially on the offensive side. Koyack, Sterling, and Reed all played pretty well against a pretty good defense. Yeldon and Denard Robinson also had their moments.
6. Once again, special teams play hurt this team in a major way. The long punt return allowed set up the Bills first TD right before half. There were two different illegal formation penalties on the punt cover team that gave the Bills 10 more yards, and the mishandling of punts continued. When the book is closed on the Bradley era here, a major chapter on his failures needs to be devoted to the special teams.
7. Rookie Watch:
A) Jalen Ramsey-had a couple of impressive tackles in run support early, but was beaten for a TD (maybe two), and also on a deep pass to Watkins. On the Watkins play, he had good coverage, but was pushed off at the end on another play conveniently missed by the refs.
B) Myles Jack-Seemed to get good playing time. He stuck out to me on a couple of plays. He was at Sam on the left side of the defense and held up pretty well at the point of attack. On another play, he contained a scramble by Tyrod Taylor. Many have been saying this all year, but he needs more playing time.
C) Yannick Ngakoue-Had an outstanding game against a good LT in Cordy Glenn. He beat Glenn for a sack in the first half, and had a couple of other pressures.
D) Sheldon Day-did not stand out much to me
E) Brandon Allen-DNP
8. After being ejected from the Raiders game, Malik Jackson said he will apologize to his teammates by his play. He has kept his word, because since then he has played some very good football, especially over the past two weeks. Today, IIRC, he registered a sack. Dante Fowler had a decent showing as well, getting some pressure and, for the 2nd week in a row, no stupid penalties.
9. Speaking of stupid penalties, was anyone else ready to explode had the defense jumped off sides this week when Manuel was in the game?
10. Bottom line: This team has been so bad for so long, I've been numb to ambivalent after many of the losses. But this game left me particularly rankled, because overall the team played well. Ultimately, the officiating and not so special teams betrayed this team again.
1. I have no problems admitting the Jaguars are not a very good team. Anyone who has read my posts this year can attest to this. In the picks thread in the AFCS forum, I picked the Bills to win this game. But my ire is reserved for easily the most deserving unit: the officials. The disparate treatment of the two teams by the officials offends traditional notions of fair play and without question cost the Jaguars this game. This was the most egregiously anti Jaguars officiating seen since the opening week game, where-after the fact- the NFL acknowledged some 16 blown calls that all went against the Jaguars. The first half fumble that was conveniently ruled down due to forward progress was bad enough on its own. But there were other equally egregious applications of the rules that cost the team in the second half. The first was a pass interference call that negated Gipson's INT. There were two things that made that call particularly bad. First, there was virtually no contact on the play. Secondly, the pass was clearly uncatchable, as it was overthrown by several yards. The receiver didn't even bother to jump for the ball. As bad as that penalty was, it was made even worse by the P.I. NOT called when Allen Robinson was absolutely mauled by the Bills DB later in the half. Combined, the selective application/enforcement of the pass interference "rules" leaves me to wonder if there is actually any written rule on that subject at all. It seems to me officials have the liberty to apply it as they see fit, depending on the outcome they want. Finally, I'm mystified as to how a player who first steps out of bounds and then is knocked out of bounds completely does not trigger a stoppage of the clock, which cost the Jaguars their last time out. The NFL has, once again, surrendered any and all pretense of objectivity with the horrid officiating witnessed today. Even the Bills fans are admitting we got screwed. http://boards.buffalobills.com/showthrea...the-screws
2. While Bortles' stats will seem pedestrian, to me this was one of the three best games he had this year. This game, the Indy game, and the week one game against the Packers are the three games where he looked like Bortles from last year throwing the ball. Bortles seemed confident and decisive in his throws, and they didn't seem to flutter hopelessly as they had so many times this season. Had Hurns held onto a deep pass down the sideline, combined with the penalties outlined above, this game could have had a different outcome.
3. It's too bad Ivory got hurt, because when he was in, the running game performed well, almost running at will. Yeldon and Robinson had some decent runs, and Bortles' scrambles certainly bolstered the offense overall and rushing stats. But his fumble aside, Ivory had this running game going. I hope he is okay. We will need his physicality the next couple of weeks.
4. I have to give kudos to the defense, especially in the first half. That was one of the most impressive displays of football overall this side of the ball had in years. They stifled one of the best rushing offenses and generated plenty of pass rush. Even Tyson Alualu made his presence known in some positive ways in the first half. The second half, the team was hit with some big plays. In post game, FT placed blame on McCoy's long run on Gipson and Ramsey, and naturally I defer to his analysis over mine, but it appeared to me Alualu also bears some responsibility by being moved out of his gap. The scoreboard shows 28 points surrendered, but overall the defense played well.
5. There were good contributions made by some backups, especially on the offensive side. Koyack, Sterling, and Reed all played pretty well against a pretty good defense. Yeldon and Denard Robinson also had their moments.
6. Once again, special teams play hurt this team in a major way. The long punt return allowed set up the Bills first TD right before half. There were two different illegal formation penalties on the punt cover team that gave the Bills 10 more yards, and the mishandling of punts continued. When the book is closed on the Bradley era here, a major chapter on his failures needs to be devoted to the special teams.
7. Rookie Watch:
A) Jalen Ramsey-had a couple of impressive tackles in run support early, but was beaten for a TD (maybe two), and also on a deep pass to Watkins. On the Watkins play, he had good coverage, but was pushed off at the end on another play conveniently missed by the refs.
B) Myles Jack-Seemed to get good playing time. He stuck out to me on a couple of plays. He was at Sam on the left side of the defense and held up pretty well at the point of attack. On another play, he contained a scramble by Tyrod Taylor. Many have been saying this all year, but he needs more playing time.
C) Yannick Ngakoue-Had an outstanding game against a good LT in Cordy Glenn. He beat Glenn for a sack in the first half, and had a couple of other pressures.
D) Sheldon Day-did not stand out much to me
E) Brandon Allen-DNP
8. After being ejected from the Raiders game, Malik Jackson said he will apologize to his teammates by his play. He has kept his word, because since then he has played some very good football, especially over the past two weeks. Today, IIRC, he registered a sack. Dante Fowler had a decent showing as well, getting some pressure and, for the 2nd week in a row, no stupid penalties.
9. Speaking of stupid penalties, was anyone else ready to explode had the defense jumped off sides this week when Manuel was in the game?
10. Bottom line: This team has been so bad for so long, I've been numb to ambivalent after many of the losses. But this game left me particularly rankled, because overall the team played well. Ultimately, the officiating and not so special teams betrayed this team again.