Crucial Buffalo Bills issue that derailed Josh Allen and the offense could prove to be detrimental
Buffalo Bills fans aren't happy, and it's perfectly understandable. After the first three weeks of the season, the Bills looked like a wagon that couldn't be stopped. The passing defense was shutting down opposing pass attacks, and the offense looked like something out of Willy Wonka's dreamland with the creativity that it showed. Buffalo was putting […]
Buffalo Bills fans aren't happy, and it's perfectly understandable.
After the first three weeks of the season, the Bills looked like a wagon that couldn't be stopped. The passing defense was shutting down opposing pass attacks, and the offense looked like something out of Willy Wonka's dreamland with the creativity that it showed. Buffalo was putting up 37.3 points per game over that stretch. It was all smiles, and the "everybody eats" mantra was so well-received that people (me, I'm people) were asking for it to be on t-shirts.
Then the last two weeks happened. Josh Allen has thrown one touchdown pass in the last eight quarters, the team has averaged 15.0 points per game in the last two games, and elements that made the offense so fun have vanished seemingly overnight.
Early in the season, offensive coordinator Joe Brady was utilizing pre-snap motion not just for the sake of movement, but for the sake of putting opposing defenses in distress.
I'm well aware that leading wide receiver Khalil Shakir was absent from this game, but Curtis Samuel has the speed and agility to be the motion man on those same concepts. Where did it go?
Where are the quick slants? The screens? The mesh concept? The wheel routes out of the backfield that have proven so deadly? The orbit? This offense was scheming guys wide open in the first three games, and it couldn't have looked further from that in Sunday's matchup.
The result? Josh Allen started the game 1/9 for 24 yards, and finished completing only 30% of his passes for 131 yards and a touchdown. Mind you, these numbers happened while playing catch-up, when Allen's arm should be doing plenty of damage.
Repetitively, Brady's play calling was far worse than questionable, including running the ball on numerous 2nd and 10 situations, scripting a deep shot to Mack Hollins in the first drive of the game, and all but refusing to to use motion concepts that were layups for Allen earlier in the season.
Brady deserves blame, but so do the players for the execution on the field. On few occasions, screen plays were called and not executed. The wide receivers proved unable to generate separation, leaving Allen with nowhere to go with the ball other than contested situations. It was all around a bad showing.
These issues have to get fixed. Yes, getting Shakir back in the fold will be a huge plus, but the trends in play calling have gone back to when Shakir was healthy and on the field. Brady has to find ways to scheme guys open instead of putting them in situations where they have to create space on their own.
Let's discuss rookie Keon Coleman, for instance. We know he's big and athletic, but he's not a polished route runner. So how do you get him the ball other than back-shoulder throws? How about some slants and deep overs? Let's see Coleman utilize his speed and YAC ability without having to cook a cornerback in a complicated way.
The Bills are staring at a Week 6 Monday Night Football meeting with the New York Jets, and both teams will be carrying tons of pressure coming off consecutive wins for each of them. Wherever Brady put his bag, he needs to find it so he can get back in it, and quickly.
Bills HC Sean McDermott explains despicable decisions that cost Buffalo the game
That simply cannot happen.
Follow along all season for all the latest Buffalo Bills news. You can also find me on X @JonHelmkamp.
