• Google+

FanPost

Thoughts on the Jacksonville Game

Stay connected for news and updates

I finished watching the Jacksonville game last night.  Here are my thoughts on the game:

-Buffalo isn't really playing a ton of Bullough-Fairbanks 3-4.  I saw only three snaps where the starters lined up in their traditional spots (NT over the center, two 5-technique ends, etc).  The defense that Buffalo is playing is of the "over" variation, primarily, and the 46.  The over defense is similar to what Wade Phillips ran in Dallas, where DeMarcus Ware was listed as an OLB but was really the right end.  The "right end" was really a DT, the NT was another DT, and the left end  was a left end.  Lots of penetration in that Dallas defense, at its best.  

-The way Buffalo is running their over is with Carrington and Kelsay playing the OLB that's really and end.  I haven't seen practice, but I didn't notice Carrington dropping into coverage any.  The other OLB is alternating, mostly playing at the line of scrimmage, but also playing off the ball in somewhat of a tradition 4-3 OLB role.

-Buffalo is playing a ton of 46, with five players at the line of scrimmage.  In this defense, Dareus and Williams are playing DT's, Johnson and Carrington are ends, and Batten was the OLB playing like a 3-4 OLB.  This was Buffalo's best defense on the night, though they didn't blitz.  Having five players at the line, with the size they bring, was tough for Jacksonville to block.

-Buffalo's defense is huge.  Steve Tasker noted it, and it's noteworthy.  Just two years ago, Buffalo fielded a small fast defense.  Now, almost every front seven player is big for the position.  The run defense and pass rush may not be great, but I don't think the defense will get pushed around in past years.

-Buffalo's receivers are, not to beat my drum, a lot like San Diego's.  Easley, Johnson, and Nelson are a big trio.  They are using their size advantage to body shield defenders away from the ball.  Easley did it on his touchdown catch.  This is, by the way, one of the two major weaknesses in the Patriot defense.  New England struggles against big WR's and fast TE's.  

-The offensive line still isn't truly blowing anyone off the ball, though they looked pretty good.  A can't say that Levitre was better than Bell (that's Ron's job), or vise versa, but Fitzpatrick looked pretty clean in the pocket.

That's it for my brain dump...

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

There are 23 Comments. Load Now. Loading

Shortcuts to mastering the comment thread. Use wisely.

C - Next Comment
X - Mark as Read

R - Reply
Z - Mark Read & Next

Shift + C - Previous
Shift + A - Mark All Read

Comment Settings

Live comment alert: Hide it!

Comments for this post are closed.