I love how Bortles, Yeldon, Robinson, and Hurns are playing, but one point of emphasis that I think would greatly improve our chances of winning if they improved on it, would be to reduce the amount of 3-and-out's we have.
Out of 83 drives this season, 23 have ended in a 3-and-out, which is about 28% of the time. This currently ranks 31st in the league.
Too many times have we given up great field position to our opponents, and our defense is simply not good enough to hold off an offense if they only have to go 25 yards to get in scoring range.
Who holds the number 1 and 2 spots in this category? Undefeated New England and Cincinnati, each at 11.5%.
3 and outs are demoralizing. Yesterday felt like quit a few were on dropped balls.
Quote:3 and outs are demoralizing. Yesterday felt like quit a few were on dropped balls.
5 drops yesterday, which led to Bortles having a stretch of like 8 incompletions over a few drives late, iirc.
Quote:3 and outs are demoralizing. Yesterday felt like quit a few were on dropped balls.
The momentum turned once we got stuffed at the goal line. I wonder what would have happened if we just put the 3 points on the board. Would the Bills D have folded up a little bit after giving up such a long drive for points to start the 2nd half?
Just something to chew on
This team isn't good enough to overcome dropped balls, Holding penalties, and sacks. If those don't happen, We go down the field.
How can we overcome it? Glad you asked.
Step 1: Get a Z receiver to take pressure off Hurns/Robinson and stretch the field.
Step 2: Get a speedy back like MJD, Sproles, etc. Perfect compliment to Yeldon
Step 3: Get Thomas and Bortles more acclimated with each other.
Step 4: Better depth all around.
Step 5: Better kicker.
Gimme 2 of those 5 and the Jags will become lethal.
Edit: Added a Step 5. lulz
Quote:The momentum turned once we got stuffed at the goal line. I wonder what would have happened if we just put the 3 points on the board. Would the Bills D have folded up a little bit after giving up such a long drive for points to start the 2nd half?
Just something to chew on
I would have kicked the FG.
Take the points, go up by 3 possessions and put the pressure back on EJ.
Instead they drove the length, got points, tired out our D and put the pressure on us.
Drops and Bortles throws getting a little more errant during the second half. He seemed to have been throwing off his back foot more frequently in the second half, but there also appeared to be more pressure.
Quote:Drops and Bortles throws getting a little more errant during the second half. He seemed to have been throwing off his back foot more frequently in the second half, but there also appeared to be more pressure.
Yeah I noticed on a couple throws, including the INT, he seemed to fall away from the throw.
Quote:I would have kicked the FG.
Take the points, go up by 3 possessions and put the pressure back on EJ.
Instead they drove the length, got points, tired out our D and put the pressure on us.
I agree. Being very aggressive is commendable. However, in situations such as that, they should've "dialed it back" a bit. A sizable lead, and a chance to go up 3 scores, you should take the FG try.
Marvin Lewis did the same thing earlier this season against the Ravens. They were up 14-0 with the ball inside the 5 yard line. They got stuffed on the first 3 downs. Instead of taking the FG and going up 3 scores, they went for it and failed. It very nearly cost them that game. They were lucky it didn't.
Quote:5 drops yesterday, which led to Bortles having a stretch of like 8 incompletions over a few drives late, iirc.
Which directly affects his qbr which some people get hung up on.
Quote:Which directly affects his qbr which some people get hung up on.
Yeah... not me.
Bortles was a bit off yesterday. But JT80 and he don't seem to be on the same page just yet.
But Bortles played well enough and led a helluva final drive to put points up.
Had the poise to to throw to Hurns instead of jogging for the easy first down.
I'm good with Bortles.
Quote:Yeah... not me.
Bortles was a bit off yesterday. But JT80 and he don't seem to be on the same page just yet.
But Bortles played well enough and led a helluva final drive to put points up.
Had the poise to to throw to Hurns instead of jogging for the easy first down.
I'm good with Bortles.
I agree completely with everything you said. I think it's a matter of timing with JT and Bortles. And maybe JT is still playing with his hurt hand in the back of his mind. Who knows. I think if we give it some more time to gel and it will pay dividends. Bortles is one of the few things on this team i don't worry about.
Quote:I love how Bortles, Yeldon, Robinson, and Hurns are playing, but one point of emphasis that I think would greatly improve our chances of winning if they improved on it, would be to reduce the amount of 3-and-out's we have.
Out of 83 drives this season, 23 have ended in a 3-and-out, which is about 28% of the time. This currently ranks 31st in the league.
Too many times have we given up great field position to our opponents, and our defense is simply not good enough to hold off an offense if they only have to go 25 yards to get in scoring range.
Who holds the number 1 and 2 spots in this category? Undefeated New England and Cincinnati, each at 11.5%.
At 1st, I thought this post was going in the direction of stating the obvious.(e.g. need to reduce "3 and outs") but you supported it by citing some pretty good facts about how that transitions to wins and losses ..... :thanks: