Well we have reached the Halftime of the season. With the Bills reaching the mark at .500. Which a month ago, looked like a fantasy. The team is getting better by the game. Getting healthier by the day. Sure there is a QB question on who should be the starter. But as long as both are winning and not making mistakes it doesn't matter. We have our number 1 back, who looks like the real deal and already a fan favorite.
Lets take a peak at the numbers.
Total Offense. Rank: 31st 275 Yards/game 16.2 Pts/g +7 TO
Well coming into this year we all thought the offense would be more explosive then it is. The struggles of the QB position this year, has been the main reason for their struggles. JP Losman has gone up, down, and up again. While Trent Edwards now is seen as the future, even though he didn't set things on fire. The loss of Mcgahee has been quelled by the emergence of Lynch, and the Oline which was restructured in the offseason, now seems to be coming together. Though WR, still seems to be a issue, and the TE's need more then ever to be involved.
Positives!
Marshawn Lynch, sure there was hype around him and expectations, but I can say I am positively pleased with the results. He has more yards and touchdowns then Mcgahee. Plus he seems to get that extra yard that Willis never did. Hes Solid, and it don't get better then solid.
Offensive Line. The yards per carry isn't high and probably the same as last year. But right now they are giving the time to throw. It takes time to get the run blocking schemes down and meshing with the guy next to you. As the year goes on, and the need to run increases, the yards per carry will increase.
Negatives :(
Quarterback. Really JP Losman nor Trent Edwards have really lit it up this year, with the exception of that game against the Bengals. Losman hasn't made the huge mistakes, but lacked the key play at the critical time, especially early in the season. Edwards made two huge mistakes, one cost them the Cowboy game, the other interception in the Ravens game, almost did. He does seem to have a grasp of reading plays, but tends not to take the big shot, and goes to the easier throw.
Offensive Coordinator. Just has not called good games this year. The Broncos game, and the Cowboys game are losses you can put right on him for his calls. Sometimes you shake your head at the calls. Though the Bengals game seemed a little different, it seemed he called plays that shows he had confidence in the players. Mr. Fairchild needs to call plays that will show he thinks the players can do it.
Total Defense Rank 29th 371 Yards/game 19.5 Pts/g 29:49 ToP/G
The defensive rank is a little misleading. They give up a bunch of yards, but when it counts will hold down an offense. Except in the Steelers and Patriots games. If you take out those games they defense is only giving up 14 points a game. Right now only give up the 12 least points in the league. Thats pretty bang up job for a banged up unit. Injuries have shifted people around but also shows the Bills have pretty decent depth and in some positions put guys in the proper role. Like Jabari Greer being the other starting corner. Though there are some major disappointments.
Positives!
Backup depth. John Digiorgio, George Wilson and Jabari Greer have shown, that they can play in this league and play very well. Its terrible that we can't see Paul Pozlusny get better game by game and be a beast. But John Digiorgio actually is talented and smart. Also shows how good a coach Perry Fewell is, can he also call offensive plays?
Young defensive tackles. Kyle Williams and John Mccargo, show growth every game and have made the Bills much better against the run lately. Both are quick and break through the line. Game by game, John Mccargo loses the bust label game by game, people slapped on him too quickly.
Donte Whitner. Still makes mistakes in coverage, but is good against the run and turning into the big hitter the defense needs back there. Still won't forgive him for not diving for that onside kick in the Dallas game. What were you doing Donte?
Negatives :(
Schobel and Kelsey. 3 Sacks between them is unacceptable. There is hardly any pressure from these two. Hargrove has shown more pressure. Because I think hes insane, but crazy is good. They haven't faced big time tackles this year, and absolutely show no QB pressure. The only Qb pressure these days seems to come from LB blitzes. I'm not sure if they are playing the run more, but bring the heat boys. Especially in two weeks.
Injuries. Its really slows the progress for next year, and Pozlusny has to learn again on the job. We've seen it take McCargo a couple games just to back in the flow of things. Plus a lost year for Ko Simpson doesn't help a young safety. Youbouty, had a lost year last year, with family issues, now with injury he is slowly making himself expendable for a young corner next year.
Lets take a peak at the numbers.
Total Offense. Rank: 31st 275 Yards/game 16.2 Pts/g +7 TO
Well coming into this year we all thought the offense would be more explosive then it is. The struggles of the QB position this year, has been the main reason for their struggles. JP Losman has gone up, down, and up again. While Trent Edwards now is seen as the future, even though he didn't set things on fire. The loss of Mcgahee has been quelled by the emergence of Lynch, and the Oline which was restructured in the offseason, now seems to be coming together. Though WR, still seems to be a issue, and the TE's need more then ever to be involved.
Positives!
Marshawn Lynch, sure there was hype around him and expectations, but I can say I am positively pleased with the results. He has more yards and touchdowns then Mcgahee. Plus he seems to get that extra yard that Willis never did. Hes Solid, and it don't get better then solid.
Offensive Line. The yards per carry isn't high and probably the same as last year. But right now they are giving the time to throw. It takes time to get the run blocking schemes down and meshing with the guy next to you. As the year goes on, and the need to run increases, the yards per carry will increase.
Negatives :(
Quarterback. Really JP Losman nor Trent Edwards have really lit it up this year, with the exception of that game against the Bengals. Losman hasn't made the huge mistakes, but lacked the key play at the critical time, especially early in the season. Edwards made two huge mistakes, one cost them the Cowboy game, the other interception in the Ravens game, almost did. He does seem to have a grasp of reading plays, but tends not to take the big shot, and goes to the easier throw.
Offensive Coordinator. Just has not called good games this year. The Broncos game, and the Cowboys game are losses you can put right on him for his calls. Sometimes you shake your head at the calls. Though the Bengals game seemed a little different, it seemed he called plays that shows he had confidence in the players. Mr. Fairchild needs to call plays that will show he thinks the players can do it.
Total Defense Rank 29th 371 Yards/game 19.5 Pts/g 29:49 ToP/G
The defensive rank is a little misleading. They give up a bunch of yards, but when it counts will hold down an offense. Except in the Steelers and Patriots games. If you take out those games they defense is only giving up 14 points a game. Right now only give up the 12 least points in the league. Thats pretty bang up job for a banged up unit. Injuries have shifted people around but also shows the Bills have pretty decent depth and in some positions put guys in the proper role. Like Jabari Greer being the other starting corner. Though there are some major disappointments.
Positives!
Backup depth. John Digiorgio, George Wilson and Jabari Greer have shown, that they can play in this league and play very well. Its terrible that we can't see Paul Pozlusny get better game by game and be a beast. But John Digiorgio actually is talented and smart. Also shows how good a coach Perry Fewell is, can he also call offensive plays?
Young defensive tackles. Kyle Williams and John Mccargo, show growth every game and have made the Bills much better against the run lately. Both are quick and break through the line. Game by game, John Mccargo loses the bust label game by game, people slapped on him too quickly.
Donte Whitner. Still makes mistakes in coverage, but is good against the run and turning into the big hitter the defense needs back there. Still won't forgive him for not diving for that onside kick in the Dallas game. What were you doing Donte?
Negatives :(
Schobel and Kelsey. 3 Sacks between them is unacceptable. There is hardly any pressure from these two. Hargrove has shown more pressure. Because I think hes insane, but crazy is good. They haven't faced big time tackles this year, and absolutely show no QB pressure. The only Qb pressure these days seems to come from LB blitzes. I'm not sure if they are playing the run more, but bring the heat boys. Especially in two weeks.
Injuries. Its really slows the progress for next year, and Pozlusny has to learn again on the job. We've seen it take McCargo a couple games just to back in the flow of things. Plus a lost year for Ko Simpson doesn't help a young safety. Youbouty, had a lost year last year, with family issues, now with injury he is slowly making himself expendable for a young corner next year.
I'm not gonna do a season highlight package or whatever, the past is past, and I'll save that for the end of the year. I like to look forward, since I feel its positive.
Next 8 games.
The next 8 games should be an interesting ride with this team. It will show if they are for real or just pretending. A lot of games are very winnable. They need to go 6-2 to even think of making the playoffs. The AFC South is so tough, that they might have 3 teams in. 2 games against the Dolphins help. But that game in Jacksonville is huge, its a must win. The patriots I'm marking as a loss. But if they can beat the Jags in Jacksonville, it will be a huge boost. They can beat the Skins, the Browns game will be interesting. Because I think you can hang points on them. The giants I have no idea if they are really good or not. But that season ender against Philly is interesting. The eagles are imploding as we watch. So who knows if they will play for pride or will pack it in. It could be a game thats a must win for the Bills, and if the eagles have folded, could have a repeat of that Steeler game several years ago.
My prediction.
I think they will just miss out and finish 9-7. But it will raise questions, for next year at QB. Especially if Losman has a great finish. Buckle up Bills fans, the next 8 games should be interesting.
Next 8 games.
The next 8 games should be an interesting ride with this team. It will show if they are for real or just pretending. A lot of games are very winnable. They need to go 6-2 to even think of making the playoffs. The AFC South is so tough, that they might have 3 teams in. 2 games against the Dolphins help. But that game in Jacksonville is huge, its a must win. The patriots I'm marking as a loss. But if they can beat the Jags in Jacksonville, it will be a huge boost. They can beat the Skins, the Browns game will be interesting. Because I think you can hang points on them. The giants I have no idea if they are really good or not. But that season ender against Philly is interesting. The eagles are imploding as we watch. So who knows if they will play for pride or will pack it in. It could be a game thats a must win for the Bills, and if the eagles have folded, could have a repeat of that Steeler game several years ago.
My prediction.
I think they will just miss out and finish 9-7. But it will raise questions, for next year at QB. Especially if Losman has a great finish. Buckle up Bills fans, the next 8 games should be interesting.
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