Bills 34, Patriots 31: Buffalo's Run Defense Stout Again

by Brian Galliford on Sep 27, 2011 1:01 PM EDT in Buffalo Bills Opinion

Heading into Sunday's game against the New England Patriots, we talked about how the Buffalo Bills had been routinely shredded by the Patriots' running game - and how if they wanted to pull an upset win, they'd need to stop the run and make New England's offense unbalanced.

The Bills did exactly that in defeating the Patriots 34-31. Although the Patriots still managed to rush for 111 yards, the Bills slowed down their two top runners, BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead.

In two games in 2010, Green-Ellis and Woodhead combined to rush for 337 yards - at 6.6 yards per carry - and scored three touchdowns in two Patriots wins. On Sunday, that duo combined to carry the ball 16 times for 39 yards - just a 2.4 yards-per-carry average. Tom Brady put the ball in the air 45 times while his top two runners totaled just 16 rushes. That's the epitome of unbalanced, especially considering New England played most of the game with a lead.

New England was able to pick up some fluky rushing yardage here and there. Wes Welker picked up 19 yards on an end around, and rookie Stevan Ridley gave the Bills some problems when he entered the game, rushing for 42 yards on six carries. That helped New England boost its rushing total, but the damage was done at that point; with Green-Ellis and Woodhead shut down, the Bills had already climbed back into the game.

Today, Buffalo's run defense ranks just No. 24 in the NFL, and they're still surrendering 116 rushing yards per game. That's still 54 fewer yards than they allowed a year ago. We've said all along that it'd only take moderate improvement against the run for the Bills to be more competitive. That's exactly what's happened thus far.

Of course, the fact that the Bills are averaging 37.7 points per game is helping matters, as well.

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the Patriots still managed to rush for 11 yards

Typo?

Shun the non Billievers!

by Superduff on Sep 27, 2011 1:06 PM EDT reply actions

Obviously. :)

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by Brian Galliford on Sep 27, 2011 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions

They’ve also done it against some above average run teams — particularly oakland and KC, but new england as well.

I have low expectations. But high hopes.

by greysquirrel on Sep 27, 2011 1:07 PM EDT reply actions

I think this point is lost. It’s the YPC that I’m more concerned with, rather than the total. The YPC is very low, especially compared to last year, against three teams that are above average rushing teams. Don’t sleep on NE’s run game…they tend to always rank in the top ten.

"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.

by stetzwebs on Sep 27, 2011 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions

I think the 24th ranking and 116 yards allowed is totally misleading

I think this unit has been borderline fantastic. In routine run situations, they’ve completely shut down the opposition, including a pair of top 5 or 6 RB’s in Charles and McFadden. I’m trying to remember, but I can’t think of too many instances where the opponent has converted short yardage plays or picked up a good chunk of yards on 1st down on a normal type run.

What’s killed the rush D numbers have been reverses (Welker, Denarius Moore) and runs out of spread formations like what KC did on their one scoring drive and NE did with Ridley. They still need to make those plays, but right now those types of playing haven’t killed us. I’m sure we’ll see more misdirection from opponents and offenses spreading us out, but slowly I think the run defense will improve in those areas. I’m really happy with the way they’ve shut down the running game between the tackles thus far.

~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."

by Kurupt on Sep 27, 2011 1:12 PM EDT reply actions 4 recs

Agreed…. totally. There’s such a contrast between this year and last.

I suspect the raw numbers will improve once they play some teams that aren’t as strong on the ground.

by Pistol on Sep 27, 2011 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions

The pass defense, specifically lack of pass rush, is not helping matters either. The more opposing teams remain on the field by passing for first downs, the more downs they have to run the ball and rack up rushing yards. Those 3, 4, and 5 yards gains add up quickly when the defense gives them more downs to work with.

What are you doing? It's a game of touch football, every time I look over you're on your ass again.

by cujo217 on Sep 27, 2011 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions

I wouldn’t say the Bills made the Pats unbalanced. The Patriots aren’t particularly interested in running the ball, particularly against the Bills pass rush, and put up a huge lead by passing the ball. Their running game is a change up to effective passing. They’re not the Raiders or Chiefs who lead with the run.

The Bills pass defense made some plays on Sunday; I don’t think that had anything to do with effectively stopping the run. Of the 4 interceptions, 3 were on first down and 1 was on 2nd and 2. It’s not like the Bills forced the Pats into 3rd and 11s based on stuffing two runs.

But as mentioned by Kurupt, the run defense looks even better than the raw numbers suggest. If you give up runs of 20, 2, 3, 2, 0, and 3, that’s 6 yards a carry. That’s better than 5, 7, 8, 4, 3, and 9 yards which is the same 6 yards a carry but is probably leading to more first downs. I’ll be interested to see how their DVOAs shake out later this afternoon.

by Pistol on Sep 27, 2011 1:30 PM EDT reply actions

If you give up runs of 20, 2, 3, 2, 0, and 3, that’s 6 yards a carry. That’s better than 5, 7, 8, 4, 3, and 9 yards

Very true. Theres a difference between being run on at will on first and second down, and giving up the occasional 20 yarder on a draw or misdirection.

I have low expectations. But high hopes.

by greysquirrel on Sep 27, 2011 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Byrd

My impression on Byrd is that he has been filing really well this year. He laid a few licks on Pat’s back this week and seems to be able to balance react to the run without getting killed on Play Action.

On goal-line/short yardage I feel like Heard has been holding his ground well. Maybe not getting much penetration but anchoring well.

by TedWashington'sRobotDance on Sep 27, 2011 1:37 PM EDT reply actions

I have been very impressed with Byrd’s development as an overall player. I’d like to see a little more of the ball hawk, but he’s a more complete player and is becoming a force as a tackler.

Thank you thank you thank you thank you sireric for bringing the furious punching cat back into my life. - poz

by bluecollarbuffalo on Sep 27, 2011 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions

couldn’t agree more. He’s not missing many tackles and has even shown that he can dish out the odd hit.

by Morningw00d on Sep 27, 2011 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions

I said this in a post above, but don’t think NE’s rushing offense isn’t great…they routinely rank toward the top in the league in rushing. They were #9 last year, ahead of the Vikings, for instance.

"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.

by stetzwebs on Sep 27, 2011 1:45 PM EDT reply actions

If we can hold a team to 120 yrds or less, then its a big improvement. Better than last year @ 169 yrds.

Maybe they’re sacrificing blitzes for run protection. That’s fine, the Bills are winning. At some point we need show more pressure. It’s a great thing to be 3-0 and have improvements to make…keeps them focused and the future looks good!

by Dareurush! on Sep 27, 2011 1:45 PM EDT reply actions

i think i run D has improved 10 fold

Most of the yards are at the end in garbage time buffalo held mcfadden under 100 rushing same with charles and lawfirm if a team has to use all 3 backs to make it a hundy then we’re doing something right are pass d now thats another thread

. Nobody and I mean Nobody circles the Wagon Blasters like our Buffalo Bills. The Wagon is coming to collect your soul.-abayarde

by Gpluehri on Sep 27, 2011 1:51 PM EDT via mobile reply actions