Ran Mesh to Free Myself Up to Write This

Bills lose in embarrassing fashion to the Houston Texans 23-19. Fall to 7-4.

I’m going to be honest — I don’t even know where to begin. I went to bed angry, woke up angry, and stayed angry writing this. A couple weeks ago, I wrote about how it shouldn’t be this difficult. Today, I feel that again — except now it’s been fully solidified. This team is consistently outcoached.

I’ve known it for a while. Last night just cemented it.

There’s a lot I want to talk about. If I get rolling, this might turn into a full rant. Not the plan, but this thing already started looser than I expected, so who knows.

The Offense

What a performance (derogatory). What a game from Joe Brady (also derogatory). I cannot believe this is an NFL offensive plan. People keep saying the Bills are running three concepts, and I didn’t want to believe it. But it’s absolutely true.

Mesh. Duo. Tunnel screen. Those are the three. You’ve got a 1-in-3 shot of guessing right. If Allen is under center, it’s Duo — 100% of the time. Shotgun? Flip a coin between Mesh and Tunnel. And if the ball is held longer than two seconds? Mesh.

This isn’t even my original observation. It’s national media guys casually noticing it while watching all 32 teams. So if they can pick it up? Imagine what a defense spending 60 hours on the Bills specifically is going to see.

Thursday night, it looked like Houston knew the Bills’ call on almost every snap.

And look: the Texans are an elite defense. They’re usually prepared. But Thursday? It looked easy. It looked like they were reading the Bills’ plays off of a script.

Meanwhile, the Bills let Allen get obliterated all night. Protection calls were baffling. Five-man protection against Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter is a choice I wish the Bills would have stopped making. Multiple times, I thought Allen wasn’t getting back up. And not once did I notice extra protection, chips, anything. Just straight-up malpractice.

But this also exposes Joe Brady’s real issue: He cannot adjust mid-game.

The pass rush was cooking from the opening drive. No adjustment. None. The run game was working — James Cook ripped a 45-yard touchdown because Houston got too aggressive. But outside of a late-game, four-straight-run sequence that gassed Cook and ended in a turnover on downs, Brady refused to lean into what was actually working.

Just push the ball downfield. Over and over. Regardless of context.

This is the biggest red flag with him. You can’t install a game plan and run it start-to-finish like it’s Madden Franchise Mode. Even the Bills defense — with all its flaws — adjusts mid-game.

The offense? Not even close.

The Defense

This wasn’t the abysmal performance that we’ve seen recently with this defense. I think they were probably saved by Houston’s woeful rush offense. But it was still a tough game for them. Making a stop is always a victory - but it seemed even more surprising in this one when it happened. They shouldn’t be getting beat by the likes of Davis Mills.

Pressure was nearly non-existent for the Bills. Getting to the quarterback was not on the menu. It seemed that the only times that they could were when they blitzed an extra safety – and even then, they still weren’t getting home. With a more competent quarterback, this game would’ve likely been a lot uglier as a result. Mills had time back there – which is a shame because the coverage looked like a bright spot for most of the night.

Most of the plays resulted in Mills dropping back, having a cup of tea back there, a wide receiver meandering open, Mills hitting them, and then three Bills defenders missing tackles, before one of them finally decides to bring them down.

And therein lies the issue with last nights – and almost every other game this seasons – defense. The tackling was atrocious. Multiple times, they had third down stops against the Texans. They would have running back Woody Marks dead to rights in the backfield and he would bounce off two or three men and find his way to a first down.

I haven’t decided if it’s poor technique, or undersized players that are the culprit. Probably a combination of both. I’d likely lean more towards the size though, with some technique sprinkled in for flavor.

On top of that, the Bills are running so many backups out there. It only got worse in this one. Linebacker Terrell Bernard and cornerback Maxwell Hairston both left the game with injuries. But the defense was able to overcome and put together a few stops late in this one to keep the team in the game. The in-game adjustments were working. Only on that side of the ball though.

My Take

I think I’m fully in the clean house this offseason camp. It’s time. By no means do I think this coaching staff is bad. At least McDermott, anyway. But I do think that the team has gotten away from him and general manager Brandon Beane. It happens – and I think it happened.

After all, this isn’t a bad football team – it’s a stale one. And if Terry Pegula isn’t willing to go that far, then at very least the coordinators need to go. I think we need some established coordinators on both sides of the ball that know this league, and can fully implement their systems. Yes, that means defensively too. I think if McDermott can settle more into a CEO role, it would serve him well. Or, at very least, better.

But overall? I don’t know. It just might be time.

Week 12 Preview: Buffalo Bills @ Houston Texans

Bills look to keep their foot on the gas as they face top defense in the league.

It’s Week 12 and the Buffalo Bills are traveling to Houston to take on the 4-5 Texans on Thursday Night Football. This is a game that, by all accounts, Buffalo should be able to get a W. Davis Mills is starting for the Texans in place of CJ Stroud, who is out with a concussion – and that should bode well for a Bills defense that is still searching for some answers.

On the Bills side of things, rumor has it that wide receiver Keon Coleman will not be dressed for the second straight week. The Bills offense looks to build off last weeks momentum that saw the NFL’s reigning MVP find the endzone on six occasions. But it won’t be easy as the Texans boast the leagues best defense, who are capable of turning any game into a dog fight.

All Gas, No Brakes

The old mantra in the league is that defense wins championships. It’s something that most Bills fans would only partially agree with right now, and it’s because we know what the offense is capable of. Last weeks tilt vs the Bucs was evidence of that. And if it’s something that can be pulled off vs this Texans defense, it might be their most impressive performance to date. It won’t come easy. Texans defensive ends Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. have wreaked havoc on opposing offenses. It’s slightly concerning considering this is a season where Josh Allen has looked less comfortable in the pocket than he has in maybe the last five years.

But he is the reigning MVP and we have seen him step up in the biggest moments before. He looked far more comfortable last week with wide receiver Tyrell Shavers getting more run on the outside, as well as former-Bill/future-Bill Gabe Davis being brought back into the fold. It seemed to click things back into place a week ago. And if it continues to look that way against this defense, the confidence of the team, and the fan base, will skyrocket. Considering what the conversation was just a week and a half ago, that would be incredibly impressive to see.

After all, James Cook’s best use in this game might be as a passing weapon. The Texans have the third ranked rush defense in the entire league. Their defensive line is one of the best in the league, making runs up the middle difficult, even in light boxes. And linebacker Aziz Al-Shair is rangy enough to meet Cook on the outside if they try that, as well. The Bills would be best served to use their quick passing game in this one. But even then, the Texans also have the third ranked pass defense. Derek Stingley could still pose a problem.

No Run D? No Problem

The jury has been out on the Bills defense this year. The pass defense looks much improved, with second year Safety Cole Bishop playing out of his mind, and rookie cornerback Maxwell Hairston looking like he belongs. But the run defense has still been suspect – and I think that is being generous. The Bills run defense ranks 31st in the league heading into Week 12. And it doesn’t look like that is going to change any time soon.

Thankfully, it shouldn’t be an issue in this one. The Texans run offense has been weak this season. Ranked 23rd in the league - and onto fourth round rookie running back Woody Marks - if there was a game to get the run defense right this would be it. But it shouldn’t be their primary concern. If the offense does it’s job, the Texans should be playing catch up for most of the game.

If they can get out to an early lead, the Texans will have to rely on quarterback Davis Mills to move the ball. A tall task for any backup quarterback. But he has weapons. Wide receiver Nico Collins should have the Bills secondary gravitating his way. But outside of that? The Bills seemingly don’t have a ton more to worry about with the passing game. The Texans offensive line is a travesty, and the Bills should be looking to create pressure and make things difficult for Mills.

My Take

I’m cautiously optimistic about this one. I think the Bills at very least attempt to keep running the offense wide open. But it’s not going to come without speed bumps against a defense like this. It’ll definitely be lower scoring than we’re used to. And there is a small chance that that could bode well for the Texans. After all, they have won two straight.

Prediction

This is one that I don’t think will be a blowout. I think the Texans will keep the Bills in check for the most part. But I also think that the Bills defense will dominate the Texans offense, giving the Bills offense more opportunities to put up points.

Buffalo Bills – 24, Houston Texans – 14

Nickel City Power Rankings: Week 12

Week 11 is complete. Things have started to stabilize a little bit more. We’re starting to fully understand What these teams are. Then again, there are some basement dwellers that have won a couple straight (Dolphins) and some perennial favorites that are ready to be buried (Chiefs). So what do we really know? Let’s hash it out!

1.  Los Angeles Rams (8-2) (Last Week: 1) – This is the most impressive team in the league, bar none. The fact that they aren’t the unanimous favorite amongst all platforms is flat out wrong.

2.  Philadelphia Eagles (8-2) (Last Week: 2) – At least to me, they’re solidly the number two team in the league. Nothing they do is super impressive. But they keep making games ugly and then winning them.

3.  New England Patriots (9-2) (Last Week: 5) – They deserve the jump. Winners of eight straight. Drake Maye is an MVP candidate. I’m just waiting (or hoping) for the bubble to burst.

4.  Indianapolis Colts (8-2) (Last Week: 3) – They didn’t do anything wrong in their bye week to deserve the drop. The Patriots are just the flavor of the week.

5.   Denver Broncos (9-2) (Last Week: 7) – They’re atop the AFC. I don’t think their way of winning is completely sustainable, but they are a great team. They deserve top five.

6.  Seattle Seahawks (7-3) (Last Week: 4) – Dropping them a little bit. Only because they lost, but it was to the best team in the league. So I can’t really hold that against them.

7.  Buffalo Bills (7-3) (Last Week: 9) – The Bills opened up their offense. They need to keep playing with that kind of reckless abandon. If they do, they should keep moving up this board.

8.  Green Bay Packers (6-3-1) (Last Week: 12) – They won against the Giants in not very convincing fashion. But so many more teams are a lot more underwhelming than them.

9.  Detroit Lions (6-4) (Last Week: 6) – How is this team with this amount of talent 6-4? Turns out the loss of Ben Johnson was bigger than anticipated.

10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-4) (Last Week: 8) – This team is extremely injured. And when they get healthy, I could see them as a serious Super Bowl contender.  

11. Chicago Bears (7-3) (Last Week: 13) – It hasn’t been the most impressive 7-3. But 7-3 is 7-3. And I don’t think the league is ready for the Bears to be good again.

12. San Francisco 49ers (7-4) (Last Week: 14) – Kyle Shanahan always has his team in the running, regardless of who the quarterback is. And Brock Purdy is back now.

13  Kansas City Chiefs (5-5) (Last Week: 11) – It brings me so much joy to push them down this far. And I know I’m supposed to root for them against the Colts – I don’t think my body will physically allow me to. I want the Colts to bury them.

14. Baltimore Ravens (5-5) (Last Week: 16) – They’re coming back. The Steelers are in their sights. Just as expected. They would’ve been higher if not for an ugly win against the lowly Browns.

15. Jacksonville Jaguars (6-4) (Last Week: 17) – What an impressive win against the Chargers. They’ll lose a stupid one soon to make up for it though.

16. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4) (Last Week: 15) – They have to just be staring at their rearview mirror waiting for the Ravens to catch them. Especially now that Rodgers is hurt. Scary times.

17. Los Angeles Chargers (7-4) (Last Week: 10) – Chargers gonna Charger. What a rough loss to the Jaguars. After all, can’t make it too hard on the Chiefs, right?

18. Houston Texans (5-5) (Last Week: 18) – A dogfight win against the Titans. Their defense is the one thing that’s keeping them in games. And it’s good enough to beat anyone in the league. Including the Bills.

19. Carolina Panthers (6-5) (Last Week: 19) – A three point win this week against the Falcons is unfortunately not enough to get me to move them out of this spot.

20. Minnesota Vikings (4-6) (Last Week: 20) – Can anybody else play quarterback? It doesn’t feel like a stretch to think this is a competitive team with literally anybody else.

21. Dallas Cowboys (4-5-1) (Last Week: 21) – Even after a dominant win over the Raiders, it’s not enough to get me to move them. Get a defense and then we’ll talk.

22. Miami Dolphins (4-7) (Last Week: 26) – I know they only beat the Commanders this week, and it was only by three points, but two straight, and at least one of them was impressive.

23. Arizona Cardinals (3-7) (Last Week: 22) – Getting blown out always results in you dropping spots. I just can’t put them below any of the teams that are frequenting this area of the list.

24. Atlanta Falcons (3-7) (Last Week: 23) – Every game that they play is close. They just can’t seem to win any of them. Especially now that Penix is out for the rest of the year.

25. Cincinnati Bengals (3-7) (Last Week: 24) – They need Joe Burrow back so bad. And they’re going to get it. But is there a point? It’s far too late to make any kind of a run.

26. Washington Commanders (3-8) (Last Week: 25) – They lost to the Dolphins. Not that I, a Bills fan, can talk. But still. They lost to the Dolphins - who only scored 16 points.

27. New York Giants (2-9) (Last Week: 27) – Winston is always a fun watch. But 2-9 is 2-9 and seeing them win a game the rest of the way will be a surprise.

28. New Orleans Saints (2-9) (Last Week: 28) – They continue to lose. They’re going to continue to lose. And they need a real life quarterback in the worst way.

29. Las Vegas Raiders (2-8) (Last Week: 30) – They lost to the Cowboys. But they still looked better than the Jets. So they get to move up a spot.

30. Cleveland Browns (2-8) (Last Week: 31) – They lost to the Ravens. But they still looked better than the Jets. So they get to move up a spot.

31. New York Jets (2-8) (Last Week: 29) – They lost to the Patriots. And Justin Fields looked so incompetent that they’re moving to Tyrod Taylor. But they’re not the Titans. So 31 it is.

32. Tennessee Titans (1-9) (Last Week: 32) – They are the Titans.