10-15-2015, 05:57 PM
(10-15-2015, 05:49 PM)Benton Wrote: I haven't watched a lot of this year's Bills, so I could be off on some of this. Feel free to criticize anything I may be assuming too much on. But...
Ryan likes to blitz. That's ok when you've got players in the back that can shut down the occasional big play that blitzing gives up. But you don't have anyone that can stop Green 1-on-1. Your safeties and nickel corners don't pair up well with our guys on mid to long plays. So that means Rex is either going to blitz anyway (and risk giving up another 40ish point game if it goes the same way as last time) or he's going back off and cover against the pass, which lets up do what Marvin likes to do — chew up yards and eat up clock.
The only thing I'd pick nits with is the idea that they can't (or maybe more accurately, won't) match up 1-on-1 with Green. I'd be shocked if they don't stick Gilmore (my preference because he's bigger) or Darby on an island against Green. For better or worse, Rex is likely to live or die by his CBs (and it's worked very well so far--those two guys aren't giving up anything). Robey, the nickel corner, isn't a slouch, but he's a clear cut (or two) below those two, so he's probably a guy that will split wins/losses in coverage against a guy like Sanu (for example).
EDIT: Rex really likes to do it this way because most teams can't keep up with Buffalo's defensive front for prolonged drop-backs, which forces them to get the ball out very quickly. Dictating this style of offense to opposing teams limits their playbook. That said, the LBs and safeties have to do a better job of play recognition and tackling than they did against NE and the Giants to make it work.
Where Buffalo's safeties lack is in intermediate coverage--they're all former CBs, so they've got deep speed and good ball skills, which protects them (generally) from the bigger plays. They do, however, get hit with the 15 and 20-yard stuff...that's where Brady and Eli made their money against this defense.
