Buffalo Rumblings - Bills vs. Bears Week 16 coverage: News, previews, updates, and moreBuffalo Bills news, notes, discussions, opinions and analysis. 24/7/365 since 4/7/2007.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48063/buffalorumblings_fave.png2022-12-30T20:00:00-05:00http://www.buffalorumblings.com/rss/stream/232823022022-12-30T20:00:00-05:002022-12-30T20:00:00-05:00After The Snap with Reid and Blake Ferguson
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<p>Tales from two brothers who live life upside down</p> <p id="2kyg1k"><em>After The Snap</em> is back for their third episode as part of the SB Nation family. This time, Reid and Blake end the year with a recap of last weekend’s games, including the <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a>’ victory over the <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a> and the <a href="https://www.thephinsider.com/">Miami Dolphins</a>’ loss to the <a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a> in South Beach. </p>
<p id="sMTuLx">Reid discusses what it feels like playing in cold weather, and whether he feels it plays a physical or mental factor on the game itself. He also shares his experience with his (and the rest of the Bills’ organization’s) troubles traveling back to Buffalo after the Week 16 game due to the blizzard in Buffalo.</p>
<p id="VJqO7E">Both Reid and Blake dive into some college talk with the most recent <a href="https://www.goodbullhunting.com">Texas A&M</a> drama, and the new Cheez-It® NIL deal.</p>
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<p id="MiCmH8"><em>After the Snap</em> airs Fridays at 8:00 p.m. EST on all Buffalo Rumblings and The Phinsider social media, vidcast, and podcast platforms.</p>
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https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2022/12/30/23533126/after-the-snap-with-reid-and-blake-fergusonsaralarson662022-12-30T16:30:16-05:002022-12-30T16:30:16-05:00Bills keep winning, but fan confidence takes a hit
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<figcaption>Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>For some in Bills Mafia, winning games isn’t enough</p> <p id="WJHXLJ">The <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> are winners of seven straight games, victorious in tight affairs amid roster and weather adversity. Theirs is the second-longest winning streak in the AFC, behind only the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a>.</p>
<h2 id="r4kEWB">Bills Mafia still confident, but less than you might expect</h2>
<p id="Om4nGt">During the Bills’ current stretch of victories, they’ve righted a once-floundering divisional ship by winning three games in a row against the <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a>, <a href="https://www.ganggreennation.com/">New York Jets</a>, and <a href="https://www.thephinsider.com/">Miami Dolphins</a>. Buffalo has clinched its third consecutive AFC East crown, and the team remains in the driver’s seat for the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs.</p>
<p id="A30QkK">So what gives, Bills Mafia? Why the drop from 96% last week to 83% this week? It’s the season of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BirYt88a0Pc&t=97s">small hearts growing three times their normal size</a>, after all!</p>
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<p id="ne44u2">Does this boil down to quality of wins, or opponents? Is it concern over the way the Bills have “struggled” in the passing game — namely, the treacherous cold and wind at Soldier Field? I honestly don’t understand the dip, given that offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey has made a concerted effort to better-involve running backs Devin Singletary and James Cook. If anything, the Bills’ offense is more diversified lately, and putting out tape that teams must now digest and prepare for in the weeks ahead. Very important weeks.</p>
<p id="CGKgXt">I can understand those who are concerned about the defensive backfield situation. I’m not fully convinced that cornerback Tre’Davious White is completely back up to speed yet. He may not be his old self until next fall. And true, there have been more than enough plays by cornerback Dane Jackson that make one wonder why rookie corner Kaiir Elam isn’t seeing the field more often. Perhaps things improve on this front if rookie cornerback Christian Benford can return fully from his injury sustained last month.</p>
<p id="k1vLbw">If you’re not confident in the direction of the team and it has nothing to do with my thoughts above, weigh in below with your concerns.</p>
<h2 id="LcIzyK">Who should win the 2022 NFL MVP award?</h2>
<p id="Iy2Tpx"><a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2022/12/23/23523809/josh-allen-mvp-2022-patrick-mahomes-jalen-hurts-joe-burrow">Just last week</a>, we asked Bills Mafia to weigh in with their thoughts on whether quarterback Josh Allen had inserted himself firmly back in the MVP race following a very productive win against the Dolphins. 68% said that was the case, but what has Allen’s recent performances meant for his chances to win the award?</p>
<p id="YCWcMR">On the national level, he still has a bit of catching up to do. Quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes (31%) and Jalen Hurts (30%) are neck-and-neck, with Allen a distant third at 14%.</p>
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<p id="IWBG3A">In truth, this is very likely Mahomes’ award to lose. Performing as he has this season after losing wide receiver Tyreek Hill speaks to his transcendent ability as an NFL quarterback. Hurts has vaulted up the quarterback ladder, leagues beyond what was once considered a purely developmental outlook for his chances as a starter. But while Hurts has put out tape many did not expect to see, at least see this soon, Mahomes continues to surpass the lofty goals he’s already established in the league.</p>
<p id="ypiiRw">It’s okay if Allen doesn’t win MVP this season. Hopefully he’s too busy to even attend the ceremony that happens mere days before the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/super-bowl">Super Bowl</a>.</p>
<p id="sUfM5j"><em>Check out </em><a href="https://dksb.sng.link/As9kz/d3pt?_dl=https%3A%2F%2Fsportsbook.draftkings.com%2Fgateway%3Fs%3D451588095%26wpcid%3D163864%26wpcn%3DSBNation%26wpscn%3DSocial%26wpsrc%3DVox%26wpcrid%3DReacts&pcid=163864&psn=Vox&pcn=SBNation&pcrid=Reacts&pscn=Social"><em>DraftKings Sportsbook</em></a><em>, the official sportsbook partner of SB Nation.</em></p>
https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2022/12/30/23532469/bills-fan-confidence-survey-results-week-17-ken-dorsey-josh-allen-mvp-oddsMatt Byham2022-12-30T09:30:00-05:002022-12-30T09:30:00-05:00Skarey Movies presents: Bills’ turnovers vs. Bears
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<figcaption>Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>We also take a look at angles and do some math</p> <p id="PGPmKA">The <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> journeyed to Illinois to take on the <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a> in yet another “weather game.” The Bills, who had started off on a turnover hot streak, lost the turnover battle after giving the ball away three times. It didn’t do much to change the outcome, as it turned out, but things may be about to change.</p>
<p id="B1xP78">The <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a> and impending playoffs are likely to leave less margin for error. The turnovers looked brutal live, but what does the All-22 film reveal? Will they look better or worse? Skarey Movies investigates!</p>
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<p id="QV8FY3">This week, we cover all three turnovers the Bills fell prey to: two interceptions from quarterback Josh Allen, and a lost fumble from wide receiver Gabe Davis. Each play gets two angles of “fun” as we dissect what happened. But wait! There’s more!</p>
<p id="vpPCY2">This episode also features a subplot, as we examine how different angles can impact how we see the play. This expands into other possible outcomes for the turnover plays, as we <s>over</s>analyze the trio to make sense of it all.</p>
https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2022/12/30/23531973/bills-bears-recap-turnovers-josh-allen-interceptions-gabe-davis-fumbleSkarekrow2022-12-29T10:00:00-05:002022-12-29T10:00:00-05:00Do the Bills have a special teams problem?
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<figcaption>Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Buffalo will look to improve their special teams play as the postseason approaches</p> <p id="t2NVYA">The <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> have won six games in a row, but have run into a recent string of suspect special teams play. Over the past few games, the Bills have seen a blocked punt for a safety, a missed field goal, a missed extra point, multiple opponent punts that were downed inside the five-yard line, and numerous kickoffs and punts that were returned for good yardage.</p>
<p id="w4p5ws">The Bills have been solid on special teams all year, but have seen some uncharacteristic mistakes lately. Luckily, these mistakes haven’t cost them a game yet — but come playoff time, any mistake made will be amplified. Let’s analyze some of the recent mistakes made.</p>
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<h2 id="b30ao4">Missed tackles on kickoff coverage</h2>
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<p id="9ljcI2">In this kickoff coverage, the Bears elect to return the ball to the opposite side of the field from where they field the football. Buffalo has an opportunity to keep this return close to the 25-yard line, but they miss two tackles, which results in the Bears gaining an extra 10 yards on the return.</p>
<h2 id="RLZfUR">Another missed tackle, but not from the kicker</h2>
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<p id="fRvVwS">Kudos to kicker Tyler Bass, who makes a great tackle on this play — but it’s never a good thing if the kicker is making the tackle. Give the Bears credit here; they blocked this return well. But yet again, the Bills miss a tackle that could have saved them 15 yards on the return.</p>
<h2 id="1FluQx">Over-pursuing in kick coverage</h2>
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<p id="pWyKMx">Miami’s return man does a good job of reading this play and bouncing it outside. Seven of the Bills’ coverage men are bunched up by the numbers on the left side of the field, leaving lots of room to run on the right side of the field. Terrel Bernard gets caught squeezing to the inside and loses his contain, which results in a big return.</p>
<h2 id="FKAN93">More bad lane discipline in punt coverage</h2>
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<p id="SwkubI">The Bears should already have decent field position with the Bills kicking from their own end zone, but a decent return almost puts them in field goal range to start the drive. Being a gunner is a hard position, but the Bills have two of the better gunners in the league, and I expect more out of them on this play. The left-side gunner gets tangled up with a block and overruns the return man, and then the right-side gunner misses a tackle, even if it is a tough tackle to make. The most frustrating part of this play is Bernard taking a horrible angle and losing contain, which we have already seen in the kickoff portion of this article.</p>
<h2 id="uN2aAI">Protection breakdown leads to blocked punt</h2>
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<p id="t1mSYV">Blocked punts are never good, especially in a low-scoring game in tough weather. The Bills are lucky this didn’t turn into more points than just a safety (the Bills recovered a fumble on the Jets’ ensuing drive). Plays like these can be tough to come back from against top-notch teams. I’ll preface the analysis by saying that it’s tough to judge who’s at fault here without knowing the play call and what blocking principles the Bills teach on their punt team, but I will analyze it as I see it.</p>
<p id="2errdd">The personal protector, Jaquan Johnson, is usually taught to work his protection from inside out — which he does, but he gets taken out by his own man, and is unable to help on the free rusher. Buffalo’s guard on this play seems to block it correctly, as he passes off the first guy of the twist stunt to the outside and then takes the inside guy. However, the Bills’ tackle on this play, Bernard, doesn’t pick up the outside guy on the twist stunt and allows him to run free. Typically, punt-blocking schemes have their players cover their inside gap first, but Bernard fails to block anyone on this play.</p>
<p id="phxn7L">Regardless of who was at fault on this play, the Jets exposed the Bills’ punt team, and you expect other teams to keep throwing unique looks at them to get another block. Take a look at the play below for a video of the proper way to block a twist stunt on punt team.</p>
<h2 id="DUFVnG">A properly blocked punt rush stunt</h2>
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<p id="I0ILRI">This is the proper way to block a twist stunt on punt team. The Bills’ left guard, Tyler Matakevich, passes off the outside man of the twist and works to the inside man. Then the Bills’ left guard, Tyrel Dodson, picks up the outside man of the twist.</p>
<h2 id="W9kUnj">Let’s try a fair catch next time, shall we?</h2>
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<p id="h0OoAq">The difference between starting a drive at the 25-yard line as opposed to the one-yard line is massive. Sometimes it’s tough to catch a punt in cold and windy conditions, but it sure looks like Nyheim Hines could have easily fair-caught this play and saved the Bills 20-plus yards of field position.</p>
<h2 id="fM55vT">See previous header</h2>
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<p id="b3u4uy">Don’t get me wrong: I would rather the returner not catch the ball and let it roll than go after a punt they aren’t confident in catching and muffing it. But this ball should have been fair caught. It seems to me there was plenty of time for Hines to run up to the 25-yard line and fair-catch this ball. Again, a difference in field position here is a big deal. Hines needs to be better than this.</p>
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<h2 id="SuQen5">In summary</h2>
<p id="7vAAzo">Bills head coach Sean McDermott always emphasizes the importance of special teams, but their special teams play has been subpar the past few weeks, to say the least. If the Bills want to advance deep in the playoffs, their special teams play needs to step up to the plate and be more consistent than they have been of late.</p>
https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2022/12/29/23529690/buffalo-bills-special-teams-breakdowns-blocked-punt-nyheim-hines-fair-catchB.J.Monacelli2022-12-28T18:00:00-05:002022-12-28T18:00:00-05:00Bills-Bears Next Gen Stats highlight Buffalo’s dominant rushing attack
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<figcaption>Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Devin Singletary and James Cook were quite the one-two punch in Chicago</p> <p id="BWwvm0">The only thing the <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> haven’t clinched in the 2022 NFL season thus far is the No. 1 seed in the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl-playoff-picture">AFC playoff picture</a> after beating the <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a> on Christmas Eve. The division and playoff chances are locked up heading into Week 17, but it seems the Bills have potentially found a new identity on offense — one that doesn’t need to be as centered around quarterback Josh Allen.</p>
<p id="0evWRV">Running backs Devin Singletary and James Cook were unstoppable in Chicago — and the weekly <em>Next Gen Stats </em>(NGS) highlight their excellence.</p>
<p id="XaLaEe">Both running backs found the end zone in the windy and cold conditions in a game where Allen’s turnover spell returned. Cook took 11 carries for 99 yards, plus-46 rushing yards over expected (RYOE), and averaged 9.0 yards per carry (second-highest on the week). Singletary totaled 12 carries for 106 yards, plus-42 RYOE, and averaged 8.8 yards per carry (fourth-highest). The passing attack struggled, which led offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey to lean more heavily on the run game for one of the few times this season. </p>
<p id="fOxeL1">Time will tell how heavily the team continues to rely on their new-found rushing prowess heading into a highly important <em>Monday Night Football</em> showdown with the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a>.</p>
https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2022/12/28/23529643/bills-bears-next-gen-stats-devin-singletary-james-cook-rushing-yards-over-expectedHunter Skoczylas2022-12-28T10:00:00-05:002022-12-28T10:00:00-05:00Where in the world is Stefon Diggs?
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<figcaption>Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Did he run off with the Louvre or something during the game? Our All-22 analysis investigates</p> <p id="glFpv4">Hop in the plane, gang! We’re going around the globe trying to solve a major crime. Carmen Sandiego has absconded with Stefon Diggs. He disappeared right out from under the noses of the <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a>’ offense. Time’s running out to put Diggs back where he belongs. Let’s harness our <s>geography</s> football knowledge and cringe-worthy puns to figure this out. We’re off to Illinois, where rumor has it there was a brief Diggs sighting against the <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a>. </p>
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<h2 id="N668jV">Foiled by a necessary hot read</h2>
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<p id="F7KwXJ">Early on in the game, we see Diggs running a long-developing route. While he does come free as designed, and Josh Allen’s arm is capable of fitting the ball in the window easily enough, the free rusher coming at Allen necessitates a faster option. Allen wisely takes the easy chunk to beat the blitz.</p>
<h2 id="OqELRw">Double the coverage, double the fun</h2>
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<p id="pJ8Z9B">This happened a lot, and I suspect in a lot of other games as well. The Bears seem to have heard of this Diggs guy, and try to blanket him with defensive backs. This throw is probably possible, but the rushing yards were a lot higher percentage.</p>
<h2 id="pnMr7o">A missed opportunity</h2>
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<p id="fwaKER">The answer, by the way, is “yes” — there were some missed opportunities to feed the ball to Diggs, and here’s a big one. Playing Devil’s Advocate, though, it’s not unreasonable to suspect that Allen assumed the deep safety would float toward Diggs. If Allen knew how this would have played out and thrown to Diggs, this might be a touchdown. Another thing to clarify: all games have missed opportunities like this one.</p>
<h2 id="PwbcKm">More pressure problems</h2>
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<p id="N26Y0b">For this play, I pause at about where I think Allen would be making the throw to Diggs to bring him open, assuming he makes the throw. If I timed it as right as I’d like to think, you can see that the pocket has already broken down, and Allen is having to go into self-preservation mode. This seems like a good play design to bring Diggs open, and if executed well, it may even be another missed touchdown opportunity.</p>
<h2 id="38M3Zp">Finally, a catch!</h2>
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<p id="vkuPLL">I won’t dive too much into the analysis here. Diggs runs a curl route and is open quickly. Allen throws it pretty much on time, and Diggs is able to get some yards after the catch.</p>
<h2 id="Omo1JC">Diggs the two-point decoy</h2>
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<p id="zvvBTr">I want to highlight a couple things here from the pause. The first is that the Bears are so worried about Diggs, they essentially completely forget about Khalil Shakir. This is about as easy of a score as you’ll see. The other thing I want to highlight is that Diggs is full-on celebrating and the ball is only halfway to Shakir. He’s also the first to run up and celebrate the score.</p>
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<h2 id="8h4WfN">In summary</h2>
<p id="gmoTNg">First and foremost, I don’t think there’s any issue with Diggs right now. He’s playing at the high level we’ve come to expect. He didn’t get the ball against the Bears as much as we’d have liked, due to a variety of factors. Quick pressure and double coverage from the Bears were huge components. Could schematic changes help? Yep. Putting Diggs into quicker-developing routes would likely do the trick. That said, the attention on Diggs did help free up his teammates.</p>
<p id="2kjzx9">I’d also like to add a blurb here on team chemistry. There’s been a little buzz that Diggs might be unhappy about his number of targets, and for the record, I’m not ruling it out. There’s still plenty of on-screen evidence, though, that he’s a team-first player.</p>
https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2022/12/28/23528866/bills-bears-game-analysis-stefon-diggs-josh-allen-khalil-shakirSkarekrow2022-12-28T09:15:00-05:002022-12-28T09:15:00-05:00Singletary, Cook carry Bills to victory in Chicago
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<figcaption>Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Buffalo posts its best rushing game in several seasons to help secure a victory in Chicago</p> <p id="D2JIuO">The <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> defeated the <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a>, 35-13, in a cold and windy Week 16 matchup. The Bills ran all over the frozen tundra of Soldier Field, racking up 254 rushing yards on 31 attempts for a staggering 8.2 yards per carry, while also accounting for three touchdowns on the ground. </p>
<p id="AehzGb">Leading the way for the Bills’ rushing attack were running backs Devin Singletary (who ran for 106 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries) and James Cook (who ran for 99 yards and a TD on 11 carries). Singletary led all running backs in <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2022/12/26/23526726/bills-bears-snap-counts-dane-jackson-kaiir-elam-james-cook-khalil-shakir">snaps played</a> with 37 snaps (58%), while Cook played 26 snaps (41%).</p>
<p id="B0RfsJ">After Week 16, the Bills now lead the NFL with 5.3 yards per carry. Let’s take an end-zone camera angle view look at how Buffalo found success running the ball against the Bears.</p>
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<h2 id="iNcQls">24-yard run by Cook</h2>
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<p id="FTDncf">Here, the Bills run a well-executed draw play that results in a 24-yard gain. The offensive line really sells the pass, and entices the defensive linemen to rush up the field. Cook reads this play well — he declines to take the wide-open hole straight up the middle, and instead follows his lead blocker to the outside. That lead blocker, left guard Rodger Saffold, makes a pancake block down the field, which helps Cook gain extra yardage.</p>
<h2 id="Lb2ItS">15-yard run by Singletary</h2>
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<p id="pWaLCk">The amount of moving pieces in this play can be overwhelming, and it proved to be so for Chicago’s defense. The Bills run pre-snap jet motion across the line of scrimmage, then at the snap they fake a handoff going to the backside of the play — and they also pull the backside left tackle to be a lead blocker on the play side. On top of that, they run a read-option look with Allen — and Singletary forces the outside defender to focus on Allen, which allows Singletary to run free into the secondary. I enjoyed this play design by offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey. There was a lot of misdirection, which fooled the Bears.</p>
<h2 id="neRViz">16-yard run by Cook</h2>
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<p id="h2GuF1">Another draw play by the Bills here, but this time the offensive line is a little more deliberate in their run blocking. Notice how there weren’t any big “pile driving” blocks on this play. All of the linemen used their leverage to position their backsides inside, creating running lanes for Cook. Cook makes an excellent cut to start this play. He continues to impress as the season progresses.</p>
<h2 id="RoCplu">33-yard TD by Singletary</h2>
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<p id="iOu704">The Bills run an inside one-back power run play by pulling the backside tackle to be the lead blocker. The double team block by center Ryan Bates and right guard Greg Van Roten knocks the defensive tackle on the ground, and allows them both to get to the second level. Tight end Dawson Knox executes a perfect cut block on the backside defensive end. Right tackle Spencer Brown pulls from the backside to deliver a perfect lead block, which clears the way for Singletary to run untouched to the safety. Singletary puts an impressive juke move on the safety and scampers into the end zone. The Bills will take their running backs one-on-one with a safety any day of the week. Well executed all the way around by the Bills’ offense.</p>
<h2 id="O3DmaM">27-yard TD by Cook</h2>
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<p id="9NJlJx">The Bills dial up a zone-blocking run play for this 27-yard score by Cook, and the only person to touch him was wide receiver Stefon Diggs, just before he crossed into the end zone. Once again, the Bills’ offensive line really only “get in the way” of the Bears’ defensive linemen to make holes for Cook to run through. Cook makes this cutback at the end look easy, but I can assure you that any change of direction while running full speed on frozen grass isn’t as easy as it looks. Maybe Diggs can wait until Cook crosses the goal line next time before he gives a celebratory push?</p>
<h2 id="dA12gH">26-yard run by Singletary</h2>
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<p id="TE8VjP">Singletary has an innate ability to squirt out the other side of a crowded line of scrimmage, just like he does in this play. The double-team block by Brown and Van Roten moves their defender just enough to create a hole for Singletary to explode through on his way to a big chunk gain.</p>
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<h2 id="SieTPH">In summary</h2>
<p id="Awhibo">The Bills will need to run the football effectively as the playoffs approach. In Week 16, the Bills were forced to run the ball more often than normal because of the weather conditions, and they excelled at it. Looking back on the 2021 season, Singletary separated himself as the lead back in the last four games of the season, helping the Bills to win four straight matchups while averaging over 80 yards rushing per game and scoring six total touchdowns. This type of performance by Buffalo makes me feel comfortable with their stable of running backs heading into the playoffs, because this year they have two guys getting hot to end the season.</p>
https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2022/12/28/23526958/bills-bears-game-analysis-all-22-devin-singletary-james-cookB.J.Monacelli2022-12-28T08:15:00-05:002022-12-28T08:15:00-05:00A trio of rookies assist in a division-clinching Bills win
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<figcaption>Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Jimbo may permanently be Himbo</p> <p id="PUp6M6">The <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> have officially clinched the AFC East for the third consecutive season. There are still two games remaining in the regular season, but the rest of the division has not been able to keep up with the Bills’ six-game winning streak, leading to a 12-3 record through Week 16. </p>
<p id="YHdYrl">Buffalo traveled to face the <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a> this past weekend for a freezing Christmas Eve matchup against a team void of much success. It was a must-win showdown against a quarterback who’s been a threat to tally the greatest rushing season in the history of the league at his position. The AFC’s No. 1 seed was able to stall quarterback Justin Fields on the ground throughout the day, while the offense sputtered through the first half. It wasn’t until the second half where Bills offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey figured out that Chicago’s defense had zero answers for Buffalo’s rushing attack. It felt like a game where records could have been set with more volume — the Bills ran for 254 yards on 31 carries Saturday afternoon.</p>
<p id="sXK8m6">Three rookies played a role in the tean’s success on Saturday, with familiar faces being the catalysts for success. Let’s talk rookie performances from a big 35-13 win over the Bears.</p>
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<h3 id="RYyVAH">CB Kaiir Elam</h3>
<p id="M7okQO">Elam seemed to have a solid game on Saturday. Fields did very little in the passing game throughout the afternoon, going 15-of-23 for 119 yards. The Bears hit two passing plays of 20-plus yards. One of those plays was with Elam trailing fellow rookie Velus Jones Jr. in coverage. The Bills were clearly in a zone coverage, likely with matching rules since Elam trailed Jones on a crosser to the other side of the field. Fields placed a beautiful ball between Elam and a sinking Tre’Davious White. It’s difficult to dictate fault on the play without a true look at All-22 to determine what coverage Buffalo ran. That 44-yard play given up was the only passing play Elam was really involved in. He was relatively quiet the rest of the game, a good sign for a corner’s play on the day.</p>
<p id="wvebHv">Elam will have a huge test against the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a>’ receiving corps on the national stage next Monday night. That will be a big gut check for the Florida alum.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="IkIWrS">
<h3 id="gPxP48">RB James Cook</h3>
<p id="VCQB35">Second-round pick James Cook is now flexing his muscles down the home stretch of the regular season. Another dazzling performance saw Cook nearly achieve his first 100-yard rushing milestone. Though it didn’t happen, he did score his second touchdown on the ground of the season. 11 carries for 99 yards will do just fine for Cook. He’s seeing things develop in front of him at a much higher level. He’s also getting more opportunity to show off his coveted athleticism and set runs up for himself. It’s a night-and-day shift for Cook from Week 1 to the latter stages of the 2022 season.</p>
<p id="HjzXwM">Watch the video below. Left tackle Dion Dawkins takes on immediate penetration from the rusher pushing inside — playing into his leverage. Cook makes a quick cut to avoid the penetration, then sticks his foot in the ground just as he gets the defensive tackle to peek his way. Before the defensive tackle can react, Cook is through the hole and taking off for an easy first down. Cook has a subtle running style, but he’s explosive, and he’s really starting to get what it means to be a back at the NFL level.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Bills rookie James Cook with another splash play against the Bears. His lateral quickness and ability to accelerate are popping today.<br><br>The second-round pick out of Georgia has 55 yards from scrimmage on 4 touches in the first half. <a href="https://t.co/5RsdVMjBHP">pic.twitter.com/5RsdVMjBHP</a></p>— Seven Rounds in Heaven (@7RoundsInHeaven) <a href="https://twitter.com/7RoundsInHeaven/status/1606730220094066690?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 24, 2022</a>
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<h3 id="lFpb7k">LB Terrel Bernard</h3>
<p id="mtdG01">Bernard continues to be a factor on special teams, but he’s not going to be one on defense this year. Tremaine Edmunds and Matt Milano are healthy. Bernard will look to see what role he can carve for himself in 2023.</p>
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<h3 id="PkNyP9">WR Khalil Shakir</h3>
<p id="EnBAvo">Shakir made a notable play for the first time in weeks for the Bills in this game. He scored on a two-point conversion on the first score of the second half to pull the Bills ahead, 14-10. A coverage bust resulted in the fifth-rounder being wide open to tiptoe the back of the end zone. Shakir also had a five-yard reception in this game. It’s not going to show big in the stat sheet, but Shakir has made plays when his number’s been called. I’m still high on Shakir’s future with the Bills.</p>
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<h3 id="vUOLg2">CB Christian Benford</h3>
<p id="MuGCp5">Benford remains on Injured Reserve with an oblique injury. There may be room for him to crack the rotation once again upon returning, since the cornerbacks room hasn’t necessarily lit the world on fire this season. Benford could still return during the regular season, but that hasn’t been something guaranteed by head coach Sean McDermott.</p>
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<h3 id="q9pc0y">LB Baylon Spector</h3>
<p id="DNKdwt">Spector is now amongst the consistent healthy scratches with the addition of A.J. Klein back to the linebacker room. A healthy Edmunds and Milano does not trend in Spector’s favor. He beat the odds of making the team in the preseason. It will be interesting to see if he can vault himself to another roster spot in 2023.</p>
https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2022/12/28/23528667/buffalo-bills-rookies-2022-kaiir-elam-james-cook-khalil-shakirMaxwell Owens