Below are grades for every Buffalo Bills player on every play in the team’s Week 14 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Efficiency Score, which debuted during the bye week, can be found on the furthest right column. Observations will be added later tonight or tomorrow.
(For a quick primer on this project, this is from the introduction article. Here's a link to the entire thing.
"As I re-watch each game, I’ll be assigning number grades to each Bills player on every play this year, so keep in mind... the grades themselves will be inherently subjective. However, they should provide a relatively good idea of which players are struggling and excelling on the field. This system is not precisely how Pro Football Focus grades — they have multiple graders for each game and use a different numbering system — but it’s similar. Below you’ll find that grades were assigned in 0.2-point intervals on a scale from -1.0 to +1.0 on each play for each player."
Offense vs. Steelers
| Player | Overall | Run-Block | Pass-Block | Pass | Run | Receiving | Penalty | Snaps 52 = 100% |
| Tyrod Taylor | 1.2 | 1.2 | -0.4 | 0.4 | 52 | |||
| LeSean McCoy | 0.8 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 43 | ||||
| Richie Incognito | 0.8 | 0.2 | 0.8 | -0.2 | 52 | |||
| John Miller | 0 | 1 | -0.8 | -0.2 | 52 | |||
| Jordan Mills | 1 | 0 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 52 | |||
| Cordy Glenn | 1.2 | 0.2 | 1 | 19 | ||||
| Sammy Watkins | 0.2 | -0.2 | 0.4 | 49 | ||||
| Jerome Felton | 0.2 | 0 | 0.2 | 12 | ||||
| Nick O'Leary | 0 | -0.2 | 0.2 | 12 | ||||
| Justin Hunter | 0 | 9 | ||||||
| Reggie Bush | 0 | 3 | ||||||
| Charles Clay | -0.2 | -0.8 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 50 | |||
| Ryan Groy | 1 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 52 | |||
| Marquise Goodwin | 0.2 | 0.2 | 43 | |||||
| Brandon Tate | 0 | 5 | ||||||
| Cyrus Kouandjio | 1.4 | 0.2 | 1 | 0.2 | 33 | |||
| Mike Gillislee | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 7 | ||||
| Robert Woods | -0.4 | 0 | -0.4 | 27 |
Observations:
Tyrod Taylor - Saved his grade in the final drive of the game, when he made two fantastic throws down the field. Overall though, this wasn't a brutal Taylor performance, but it certainly wasn't spectacular. He ran out of a few clean pockets yet did have some pockets cave in on him quickly, especially in the first quarter. For perspective on his passing score (and this has become a weekly must-add to my observations) Taylor's +1.2 against Pittsburgh was in between his game against the Jaguars (+1.8) and outing agains the Rams (+0.8)
Cyrus Kouandjio - It's been a while since he had to fill in for Cordy Glenn at left tackle, however, juts like earlier in the season, the third-year pro was a reliable replacement. There was one play in which he was beat badly in pass protection. The rest of his reps he eliminated James Harrison and a few other Pittsburgh pass-rushers. I still believe he should be playing over Jordan Mills at right tackle.
John Miller - The most consistent Buffalo offensive lineman of the 2016 season got off to an awful start against the Steelers. His pass-blocking grade was slightly worse than -1.0 through the first quarter, but he slowly worked his way back to a respectable score over the final three quarters. His worst game of the year.
Sammy Watkins - He's had better games. The drop wasn't egregious yet it's a play he normally makes, and he seemed a second or two late as a run-blocker, which usually doesn't happen.
Robert Woods - Two drops (one negated due to penalty) is not normal for him. He saved his grade with a fine reception on the aforementioned final drive.
Charles Clay - Another abnormal effort from a Bills' offensive player. The criticism surrounding Clay's lack of receiving production is warranted, but he's been a tremendous blocker this season. He wasn't against Pittsburgh.
Mike Gillislee - Needs more than two (essentially meaningless) carries in a game. He's a stud.
Offense Through Week 14
| Player | Overall | Run-Block | Pass-Block | Pass | Run | Receiving | Penalty | Snaps (840 = 100%) | Efficiency Score |
| Tyrod Taylor | 18.6 | 7.8 | 8.4 | 0 | 2.4 | 816 | 2.279411765 | ||
| LeSean McCoy | 23.2 | -0.4 | 1 | 18.4 | 3.2 | 1 | 578 | 4.01384083 | |
| Glenn Gronkowski | -1 | -0.8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -0.2 | 8 | -12.5 | |
| Cordy Glenn | 22.2 | 6.2 | 15.6 | 0.4 | 655 | 3.389312977 | |||
| Richie Incognito | 20.4 | 12.2 | 8 | 0.2 | 835 | 2.443113772 | |||
| Eric Wood | 3.6 | 6.8 | -3.4 | 0.2 | 659 | 0.5462822458 | |||
| John Miller | 27.4 | 16 | 10.6 | 0.8 | 840 | 3.261904762 | |||
| Jordan Mills | 1.6 | 4 | -2 | -0.4 | 809 | 0.1977750309 | |||
| Cyrus Kouandjio | 6.6 | 1.2 | 5 | 0.4 | 193 | 3.419689119 | |||
| Ryan Groy | 5 | 3.4 | 1 | 0.6 | 318 | 1.572327044 | |||
| Sammy Watkins | 2.2 | 0.6 | -0.2 | 1.8 | 0 | 156 | 1.41025641 | ||
| Robert Woods | 7.4 | 3.4 | 0.4 | 4.4 | -0.8 | 515 | 1.436893204 | ||
| Marquise Goodwin | 1 | 0.8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.2 | 471 | 0.2123142251 | |
| Greg Salas | 1 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 0 | 36 | 2.777777778 | ||
| Charles Clay | 11 | 7.4 | 1.6 | 1.4 | 0.6 | 664 | 1.656626506 | ||
| Jim Dray | 1.2 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 4 | ||
| Reggie Bush | -0.4 | -0.2 | 0.4 | -1 | 0.4 | 0 | 87 | -0.4597701149 | |
| Jerome Felton | 8.8 | 6.6 | 1 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 224 | 3.928571429 | |
| Nick O'Leary | 8.8 | 6.2 | 1.4 | 0 | 1.8 | -0.6 | 296 | 2.972972973 | |
| Walt Powell | 4 | 1.8 | 0.2 | 0 | 2.4 | -0.4 | 295 | 1.355932203 | |
| Mike Gillislee | 10.6 | 0 | 2.8 | 6.6 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 212 | 5 | |
| EJ Manuel | 0.2 | 0 | 0.2 | 0 | 26 | 0.7692307692 | |||
| Jonathan Williams | 1.2 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 0 | 0 | 72 | 1.666666667 | ||
| Brandon Tate | -0.8 | -0.2 | 0.2 | -0.6 | -0.2 | 130 | -0.6153846154 | ||
| Michael Ola | -0.2 | -0.2 | 11 | -1.818181818 | |||||
| Justin Hunter | 1 | 0.2 | 0.8 | 0 | 281 | 0.3558718861 | |||
| Gerald Christian | 0.2 | 0 | 0.2 | 18 | 1.111111111 | ||||
| Percy Harvin | 0.8 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 67 | 1.194029851 | ||||
| Seantrel Henderson | -0.2 | 0.2 | -0.6 | 0.2 | 34 | -0.5882352941 | |||
| Patrick Lewis | -0.2 | 0.2 | -0.4 | 17 | -1.176470588 | ||||
| Dez Lewis | 0.2 | 0.2 | 14 | 1.428571429 |
Top 3 Efficiency Scores:
1. Mike Gillislee
2. LeSean McCoy
3. Jerome Felton
Defense vs. Steelers
| Player | Overall | Run Stop | Pass Rush | Coverage | Penalty | Snaps (75 = 100%) |
| Jerry Hughes | 0.8 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 30 | ||
| Leger Douzable | 0.4 | 0.4 | 47 | |||
| Adolphus Washington | 0.4 | 0 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 37 | |
| Preston Brown | 0.2 | 0 | 0.2 | 75 | ||
| Zach Brown | -0.2 | -0.8 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 70 | |
| Brandon Spikes | -0.4 | -0.4 | 13 | |||
| Marcell Dareus | 0.8 | 1 | 0 | -0.2 | 75 | |
| Lorenzo Alexander | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0 | 0.4 | 0 | 54 |
| Stephon Gilmore | 0 | 0 | 75 | |||
| Nickell Robey-Coleman | 0.4 | 0.4 | 29 | |||
| Kevon Seymour | -0.2 | -0.2 | 5 | |||
| Corey Graham | 0.2 | 0 | 0.2 | 72 | ||
| Shaq Lawson | -0.2 | -0.2 | 0 | 46 | ||
| Jonathan Meeks | 0 | 3 | ||||
| Corey White | -0.6 | -0.4 | -0.2 | 29 | ||
| James Ihedigbo | 0.4 | 0.4 | 46 | |||
| Ramon Humber | 0 | 0 | 4 | |||
| Deandre Coleman | 0.6 | 0.8 | -0.2 | 24 | ||
| Ronald Darby | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0 | 71 | ||
| Jerel Worthy | 1 | 1 | 19 |
Observations:
Marcell Dareus - Yes, there were a few plays late in the game in which Dareus looked tired. When doing the snap count adding, I saw he played all 75 defensive plays, which is unheard of for a defensive tackle. In the middle of his winded stretch, he executed a brilliant swim move and haulted Le'Veon Bell in his tracks. Dareus was sent to the ground more often than usual but had his typical stack-then-shed plays against he run.
Jerel Worthy - Usual disruptive day for him. No surprises.
Deandre Coleman - Same as against Jacksonville. Surprisingly solid run-stuffer.
Zach and Preston Brown - Bell's wait-and-see running style drove them crazy all afternoon, and neither got off blocks well. Preston played with more active hands later in the game, which helped his grade. I saw a mention from Sal Capaccio earlier in the week on Twitter that Zach may be in self-preservation mode, only a few weeks away from free agency, and it did seem like he was playing with that mindset against Pittsburgh. For the majority of this season, he's been fast in everything he's done and shedded blocks well. Not in Week 14.
Jerry Hughes - When he was on the field, he was effective, as usual, but he's just not creating the same kind of pressure he has the past three seasons. His pass-rushing arc has not been as tight.
Shaq Lawson - Needs more opportunies as a pure pass-rusher. Overall, his day wasn't great, as he was glued to a handful of blocks against the run. In the second half, he played better and discarded blockers on a few occasions.
Ronald Darby - After the weird downfield reception to Antonio Brown he watched fly right over his head, Darby had a strong afternoon. He came downhill for the run with a ton of aggression.
Corey White - Remained the weak link in the secondary.
Defense Through Week 14
| Player | Overall | Run Stop | Pass Rush | Coverage | Penalty | Snaps (882 = 100%) | Efficiency Score |
| Jerry Hughes | 18 | 8.6 | 3.2 | 2.6 | 3.6 | 723 | 2.489626556 |
| Jerel Worthy | 6.6 | 5.2 | 1.2 | 0 | 0.2 | 125 | 5.28 |
| Kyle Williams | 19 | 16 | 1.6 | -0.2 | 1.6 | 654 | 2.905198777 |
| Leger Douzable | 2.6 | 3 | -0.6 | 0.2 | 0 | 365 | 0.7123287671 |
| Corbin Bryant | 3.2 | 2 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.8 | 224 | 1.428571429 |
| Adolphus Washington | 5.2 | 3.2 | 1.2 | 0 | 0.8 | 294 | 1.768707483 |
| Preston Brown | 9.4 | 4.6 | 2.2 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 877 | 1.071835804 |
| Zach Brown | 13.6 | 6.4 | 1.8 | 4.2 | 1.2 | 727 | 1.870701513 |
| Brandon Spikes | 0.4 | 1 | -0.4 | -0.4 | 0.2 | 123 | 0.325203252 |
| Marcell Dareus | 10.8 | 8.2 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 267 | 4.04494382 |
| Ramon Humber | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 1.176470588 |
| Lerentee McCray | 0.4 | 2 | -2.8 | 0.2 | 1 | 159 | 0.251572327 |
| Lorenzo Alexander | 5.4 | 3.6 | -0.4 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 608 | 0.8881578947 |
| Stephon Gilmore | 1.4 | 0 | 0 | 2.2 | -0.8 | 865 | 0.161849711 |
| Ronald Darby | 6 | 1.2 | 0 | 4.2 | 0.6 | 635 | 0.9448818898 |
| Nickell Robey-Coleman | 3.4 | -0.2 | -0.2 | 3 | 0.8 | 481 | 0.7068607069 |
| Kevon Seymour | -0.6 | 0.2 | 0 | -0.8 | 0 | 203 | -0.2955665025 |
| Corey White | -1.8 | -0.6 | -0.2 | -1.2 | 0.2 | 255 | -0.7058823529 |
| Aaron Williams | 2.4 | 0.6 | -0.4 | 2 | 0.2 | 338 | 0.7100591716 |
| Corey Graham | 7.6 | 2.4 | 0 | 5 | 0.2 | 868 | 0.8755760369 |
| Duke Williams | -1.8 | -0.2 | 0 | -1.6 | 0 | 91 | -1.978021978 |
| Robert Blanton | 1 | 0.4 | 0 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 269 | 0.3717472119 |
| Jonathan Meeks | -2.4 | -0.4 | 0 | -2 | 0 | 77 | -3.116883117 |
| Shaq Lawson | 2.4 | 1.6 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 184 | 1.304347826 |
| James Ihedigbo | 0.6 | 0.8 | -0.2 | 0.2 | -0.2 | 146 | 0.4109589041 |
| Deandre Coleman | 1.4 | 1.6 | -0.2 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 3.684210526 |
Top 3 Efficiency Scores:
1. Jerel Worthy
2. Marcell Dareus
3. Deandre Coleman