2008 Year End Statistics

by J2 on Jan 6, 2009 11:51 AM EST

TOTAL FIRST DOWNS	287	293
FIRST DOWNS (Rushing-passing-by penalty)	107 - 167 - 13	113 - 167 - 13
THIRD DOWN CONVERSIONS	81/203	73/202
FOURTH DOWN CONVERSIONS	7/16	8/16
TOTAL OFFENSIVE YARDS	4882	5217
OFFENSE (Plays-Average Yards)	956 - 5.1	971 - 5.4
TOTAL RUSHING YARDS	1842	1946
RUSHING (Plays-Average Yards)	439 - 4.2	455 - 4.3
TOTAL PASSING YARDS	3040	3271
PASSING (Comp-Att-Int-Avg)	309 - 479 - 15 - 6.9	301 - 492 - 10 - 7.0
SACKS	24	38
FIELD GOALS	30/38	34/41
TOUCHDOWNS	35	34
(Rushing-Passing-Returns-Defensive)	16 - 14 - 2 - 3	18 - 14 - 0 - 2
TIME OF POSSESSION	30:03	29:56
TURNOVER RATIO	-8

Opponents are on the right and Buffalo Bills are on the left

Two things that jumped out to me are in purple. Turnover ratio and sacks. If you scan the rest of the stats here you can see overall we are right on par with our opponents in most stats.

As Brian has pointed out - if we were more careful with the ball and had our turnover ratio closer to even we could easily be in the playoffs right now. Especially when looking at games like Cleveland in which we should have won.

The sack differential needs to be fixed. We all know that getting pressure on the QB is vital - but we really dropped the ball in that department and got sacked too many times. Getting a FA or drafting a pass rusher is a must.

I highlighted in grey the field goals and yardage by our opponents. The reason I did this was because it shows that our "bend but don't break" philosphy is working. I am not a huge fan of this defense - but even if you look at touchdowns we have one more than our opponents. The theory is working - however it makes it tough for the offense to get good field position - which backs them up and makes it overall much tougher for the offense. Which is a reason I am not a fan of the Tampon 2 bend but don't break defense.

The reason I wanted to do this post was to show everyone that we really are not that far off. I know we played a cup cake schedule, but we are not getting blown out of games and the margin of victory for any game is usually very close. I think it was a decent decision to retain DJ because of the lack of options out there - plus the fact that Cowher or Schottenheimer will be available next year most likely. I know they are not banking on trying to get one of those two - but the option is out there and Bills fans can at least hope if things don't work out we have one of those two to turn to.

Lets see what DJ can do this last year. We play a much more difficult schedule (AFC/NFC South) but they realize that the fans are not happy which I believe will make them spend some $$ on at least two good free agents. Plus the continued development of key players like Trent, Leodis and S. Johnson will help the Bills next year more than this year.

All is not lost in Bills land by looking at our stats this year compared to our opponents. We need those few playmakers in order to take that next step. Stop turning the ball over should be a priority in OTAs and camp while getting pressure on the opposing QB should also be addressed. Hopefully the "inner circle" will get us a few playmakers in FA and draft a good pass rushing DE in the first this year.

Just another great fan opinion shared on the pages of BuffaloRumblings.com.

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Comments

I’m glad people are starting to notice that a conservative zone defense can be very effective. Now all we need is a pass rush and this defense will bend a little less than they do now and a little better play from the defensive line on counters, the linebackers in pursuit and Donte Whitner in coverage and this defense will break a little less too.

I also want to point out that the Bills sack number (as in us getting sacked and not us sacking the opposition) will definitely go down next year with Losman off the team. Trent got sacked 23 times despite dropping back to throw over 400 times. Losman got sacked 15 times and only dropped back to pass about 130 times. What a pathetic difference.

by kaisertown on Jan 6, 2009 12:49 PM EST reply actions

that

is ludicrous:

Trent got sacked 23 times despite dropping back to throw over 400 times. Losman got sacked 15 times and only dropped back to pass about 130 times. What a pathetic difference.

MARVelous

by MARVelous on Jan 6, 2009 1:01 PM EST up reply actions

I wouldn’t be surprised if JP doesn’t play anywhere next year. He’s horrible

Maybe now you'll never slime a guy with a positron collider

by J2 on Jan 6, 2009 1:05 PM EST up reply actions

Somebody will give him a shot because of the beard.

The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.

by sireric on Jan 6, 2009 1:18 PM EST up reply actions

Losman is the pits. No way he makes a roster next year, at least he shouldn’t…

~K
"I’m Kurupt with Buffalo Rumblings. I am worth hundreds!"

by Kurupt on Jan 6, 2009 1:14 PM EST up reply actions

CFL

everything goes better with a BIG MACK

by keuka121 on Jan 6, 2009 2:07 PM EST up reply actions

i hope

the vikings sign him. I live in mpls and would love to see all my friends go through JP era!

MARVelous

by MARVelous on Jan 6, 2009 3:36 PM EST up reply actions

Don't be cruel

I couldn’t wish that on anyone, except Pats, Jets and Dolfins fans

~K
"I’m Kurupt with Buffalo Rumblings. I am worth hundreds!"

by Kurupt on Jan 6, 2009 3:39 PM EST up reply actions

LOL – Cassell doesn’t get franchised – Brady gets reinjured and JP is running the show. I would LOVE to see that

Maybe now you'll never slime a guy with a positron collider

by J2 on Jan 6, 2009 3:43 PM EST up reply actions

Belichick

would probably turn him into a servicable QB though

~K
"I’m Kurupt with Buffalo Rumblings. I am worth hundreds!"

by Kurupt on Jan 6, 2009 4:02 PM EST up reply actions

I would be pissed

I think if i saw that puke in the silver red and blue, throwing TDs to Randy Moss, I will stop watching football. I don’t think Belichick is doing that.

The Bills CAN win every game

by killascript on Jan 7, 2009 9:21 AM EST up reply actions

Belichick would punch him in the face a la Buddy Ryan.

The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.

by sireric on Jan 7, 2009 12:59 PM EST up reply actions

u also have to realize we had the easiest schedule in the league. So our “opponents” aren’t exactly world beaters. Compare this to an average of the top 5 teams in the AFC and I’m sure the numbers would be much more off

MARVelous

by MARVelous on Jan 6, 2009 12:54 PM EST reply actions

i did refer to “cup cake schedule”

but I also think that except for maybe 2 or 3 teams a year – any team can beat any team (except Lions of course)

Maybe now you'll never slime a guy with a positron collider

by J2 on Jan 6, 2009 12:59 PM EST up reply actions

oops

i just read that you mentioned that. But, it does have an affect. Bottom line is what separates us, an average team ranked 22-15 in NFL power rankings from a legit top 7-8 team is simple

1) a QB that can lead an offense against top ranked defenses and make plays in big games (Trent vs New England 1st game 13/23 120 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT, Trent vs Mia #1 21/35, 227 yds, 1 pick, Trent vs NYJ #1, 24/35, 289 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT)

2) a dominant defense that forces sacks, and many more turn overs

Until we generate a QB that can make more big plays, and do it in the games we really need him too, and put a defense on the field that makes plays, not just gives up huge chunks of yardage and hopes for FG’s, we will continue to be a middle of the pack team

MARVelous

by MARVelous on Jan 6, 2009 1:00 PM EST reply actions

I wouldn’t say the bend but don’t break philosophy was working. It’s not like our D did a whole lot to win us games, but then again, I suppose that’s not why they’re out there. I would have to say the D didn’t lose us many games, but I wouldn’t say it was working all that well.

If Brady was healthy, I’m sure the Pats would have put up at least 35 or so a game on us instead of 17. Would the stats looks as good then?

Sacks and turnovers, wow that sounds familiar! I’ve been hoping we address the pass rush for years in order to improve in these areas…Maybe we’ll finally see something done this year!

I’m surprised the turnover margin wasn’t worse…

~K
"I’m Kurupt with Buffalo Rumblings. I am worth hundreds!"

by Kurupt on Jan 6, 2009 1:19 PM EST reply actions

Idk Matt Cassel did pretty well this season...

Matt Cassel 2008: 21 tds, 3,693 yards, 11 int.
Tom Brady 2006: 24 tds, 3529 yards, 12 int.
not too different. I omitted Brady’s 2007 stats cause those were inhuman and I didnt think he’d be able to do that again. I think that stats against the patriots were pretty much on target this year maybe one or two more tds but thats about it. Not saying that Tom Brady wouldnt make a difference but Matt Cassel is not too shabby either.

by billsstein on Jan 6, 2009 4:09 PM EST up reply actions

Brady didn’t have Moss and Welker in 2006 though, so you can’t just compare the stats at face value. Reche Caldwell and a 35 year old Troy Brown were NEs starters in 2006.

by kaisertown on Jan 6, 2009 4:15 PM EST up reply actions

You think the Pats would have just gone into safe mode like they did w/Cassel? They’d have been scoring 35-40 again and probably looking at a 14-2 record, at least….Cassel played very well, but Brady would have had them churning out the points again….

~K
"I’m Kurupt with Buffalo Rumblings. I am worth hundreds!"

by Kurupt on Jan 6, 2009 4:41 PM EST up reply actions

The stats are nice,

but watching teams like the Ravens and Eagles play defense this past weekend tells me how far our defense is away from being one of the best in the NFL. Our offense could be a Center away from great things, which is why I think it is so important we get a dominant Center instead of just settling for some guy who doesn’t embarrass himself on a weekly basis.

"The Bills have no playoff aspirations"

by Joe P. on Jan 6, 2009 7:31 PM EST reply actions