STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
NFL Team Report - Buffalo Bills</h2><br>PLAYER NOTES<p></p> --QB Josh Allen, per ESPN, has been off target on 22.9 percent of his pass attempts, taking away throwaways and spikes. Part of the problem is he is the second-most pressured QB in the NFL, taking into account sacks, hits and hurries. His figure is 38.9 percent of his dropbacks.<p></p> --RB Keith Ford rushed for 46 yards in his NFL debut, the seventh-highest for a Bills debut in team history, and the most by a Bills rookie in his debut since Marshawn Lynch set the team record with 90 in 2007.<p></p> --WR Robert Foster leads the NFL with an average of 24.6 yards per catch, and he had a career-best 108-yard game last week against the Lions.<p></p> --WR Isaiah McKenzie set career highs with six receptions and 53 yards last week against the Lions.<p></p> --RB Marcus Murphy suffered a dislocated elbow against Detroit and he was placed on the injured reserve list.<p></p> --WR Victor Bolden was signed off the 49ers practice squad and added to the Bills' 53-man roster to take the spot of Murphy.<p></p> --RB LeSean McCoy sat out the Lions game with a hamstring injury and his status this week will likely be questionable.<p></p> --RB Chris Ivory missed the Lions game and he was limited in practice.<p></p> --FS Jordan Poyer set a new career high with 11 tackles against Detroit which was also a season-high for the Bills, and it was the eighth time he's had double-digit tackles in a game.<p></p> --CB Ryan Lewis is still in concussion protocol and did not practice Wednesday.<p></p> PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: RB Keith Ford. Early in the third quarter of Buffalo's victory over Detroit, the rookie undrafted free agent was the last remaining healthy running back available for the Bills. But with LeSean McCoy and Chris Ivory inactive, and Marcus Murphy sidelined, Ford carried the load and finished with 14 carries for 46 yards. Ford had been on the Bills practice squad all year and was just activated the Wednesday before the game. The 220-pounder does not have great speed, but he's capable of taking the ball between the tackles and churning for yardage which, given the state of the Bills offensive line, is the style of the runner the Bills need.<p></p> GAME PLAN: The Bills' running game has been terrible all season, no matter who has carried the ball. This week, it's still uncertain who will be available as LeSean McCoy, Chris Ivory and Marcus Murphy are all battling injuries. Keith Ford is the lone wolf, so it stands to reason the Bills may opt to throw it all day against a Patriots defense that has not been very good against the pass. However, the Patriots are also vulnerable on the ground thanks to weakness up the middle, having just allowed 142 yards to Pittsburgh's Jaylen Samuels. If the Bills can have balance, they may be able to move against New England.<p></p> On defense, the Bills have to protect against the short pass because it has become the mode of operation for Tom Brady. He just completed his longest pass of the season last week, a 63-yard touchdown to Chris Hogan. He has spent most of the year dumping off to running back James White, or finding pesky Julian Edelman on crossing routes. Tight end Rob Gronkowski has been slowed all season by a worn-down body, but he has traditionally killed the Bills so they will have to devote constant attention to him. Look for cornerback Tre'Davious White to match up as often as he can with wide receiver Josh Gordon.<p></p>MATCHUPS TO WATCH<p></p> --Bills LBs vs. Patriots RB James White. White has become Tom Brady's security blanket as he leads the team with 81 receptions and he's second with 699 receiving yards. White does an excellent job finding space in the flats and short zones and then running after the catch. The Bills don't have their best coverage linebacker, injured Matt Milano, so players like Tremaine Edmunds and Lorenzo Alexander, and maybe even Corey Thompson, will have to pick up the slack because the short passing game is how New England is moving the ball this season.<p></p> --Bills QB Josh Allen vs. Patriots secondary. This will be an interesting test for the rookie QB as he goes against a Bill Belichick scheme for the first time. He missed the first game back in October with an elbow injury. The Lions provided a nice blueprint of how to effectively use a spy to limit Allen's running and he had a season-low 16 yards on nine attempts. Look for Belichick to employ something similar, and then to double WR Robert Foster whenever he can. That's what Belichick has always done, take away the No. 1 offensive option, so Allen will have to have a response.
</div>
<div class="flex gap-2">
<div class="font-bold text-gray-600">The Sports Xchange</div>
</div>
<div id="comments" class="pt-6"></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="py-6 space-y-6">
<div class="space-y-4">
<h2 class="md:col-span-2 lg:col-span-3 font-bold text-xl text-gray-800">Recent Stories</h2>
<a href="/feature/testing-buffalo-bill-page" class="group flex flex-col bg-gray-100 hover:bg-white transition rounded-lg overflow-hidden shadow">
<div class="flex flex-col gap-2 p-6">
<h3 class="font-bold text-lg text-gray-800 group-hover:text-gray-700">Testing Buffalo Bill Page</h3>
<div class="text-gray-600 group-hover:text-gray-500 line-clamp-6">
Joe Horrigan knows the Buffalo Bills
</div>
</div>
</a>
<a href="/feature/06e3032cec6e442ab60a7fd8ae1b3701" class="group flex flex-col bg-gray-100 hover:bg-white transition rounded-lg overflow-hidden shadow">
<div class="flex flex-col gap-2 p-6">
<h3 class="font-bold text-lg text-gray-800 group-hover:text-gray-700">Steelers positional analysis: Kenny Pickett stands alone in QB room</h3>
<div class="text-gray-600 group-hover:text-gray-500 line-clamp-6">
2/17/2024If the Steelers were concerned about the uncertain future at quarterback when Ben Roethlisberger retired, the outlook at the position might not be any more ...
</div>
</div>
</a>
<a href="/feature/07f24b7086b24e9e83c29e8bf9cd913b" class="group flex flex-col bg-gray-100 hover:bg-white transition rounded-lg overflow-hidden shadow">
<div class="flex flex-col gap-2 p-6">
<h3 class="font-bold text-lg text-gray-800 group-hover:text-gray-700">49ers coach Kyle Shanahan doesn’t deserve criticism since Super Bowl</h3>
<div class="text-gray-600 group-hover:text-gray-500 line-clamp-6">
Globe StaffUpdated February 17, 2024, 9:38 a.m.Kyle Shanahan has been on the defensive all week following the 49ers’ 25-22 overtime loss to the Chiefs in the Super ...
</div>
</div>
</a>
<a href="/feature/2ae9263e12c74de88c5fb4aa552a1f3e" class="group flex flex-col bg-gray-100 hover:bg-white transition rounded-lg overflow-hidden shadow">
<div class="flex flex-col gap-2 p-6">
<h3 class="font-bold text-lg text-gray-800 group-hover:text-gray-700">New Raiders GM expected to be aggressive in search for top QB</h3>
<div class="text-gray-600 group-hover:text-gray-500 line-clamp-6">
February 17, 2024 - 4:19 PMIf Tom Telesco’s past offers clues about his future, expect the Raiders’ new general manager to be aggressive in bringing in a top-level ...
</div>
</div>
</a>
<a href="/features?skip=22" class="group flex items-center justify-center gap-2 bg-gray-100 hover:bg-white transition rounded-lg shadow px-3.5 py-2.5 text-gray-800 hover:text-gray-700 font-medium">
<span>Read More Stories</span>
<span class="transition-transform group-hover:translate-x-1 motion-reduce:transform-none"><i class="fa-solid fa-arrow-right"></i></span>
</a>
</div>
<div class="space-y-4">
<h2 class="md:col-span-2 lg:col-span-3 font-bold text-xl text-gray-800">Latest Player Notes</h2>
<a href="/note/65f70668f166e2567ab51b31" class="group flex flex-col bg-gray-100 hover:bg-white transition rounded-lg overflow-hidden shadow">
<div class="flex flex-col gap-2 p-6">
<h3 class="font-bold text-lg text-gray-800 group-hover:text-gray-700">How a Wisconsin legend got his German protégé into Badgers pro day</h3>
<div class="text-gray-600 group-hover:text-gray-500 line-clamp-6">
<span class="font-light"> </span>
Mar 15, 2024
Marlon Werthmann put his life on hold for the opportunity in front of him Friday at the McClain Center.Werthmann ...
</div>
</div>
</a>
<a href="/note/65f70667f166e2567ab51b24" class="group flex flex-col bg-gray-100 hover:bg-white transition rounded-lg overflow-hidden shadow">
<div class="flex flex-col gap-2 p-6">
<h3 class="font-bold text-lg text-gray-800 group-hover:text-gray-700">Why former Wisconsin football running back Braelon Allen didn't run the 40 at pro day</h3>
<div class="text-gray-600 group-hover:text-gray-500 line-clamp-6">
<span class="font-light"> </span>
Mar 15, 2024
Braelon Allen’s sweat covered his shirt and dripped off his beard as he approached a group of reporters Friday.The ...
</div>
</div>
</a>
<a href="/note/65f70667f166e2567ab51b11" class="group flex flex-col bg-gray-100 hover:bg-white transition rounded-lg overflow-hidden shadow">
<div class="flex flex-col gap-2 p-6">
<h3 class="font-bold text-lg text-gray-800 group-hover:text-gray-700">How can UW recruit its best class ever? It starts with these five prospects</h3>
<div class="text-gray-600 group-hover:text-gray-500 line-clamp-6">
<span class="font-light"> </span>
By Andy Yamashita
Seattle Times staff reporter
Jedd Fisch has lofty recruiting goals at Washington. He didn’t waste any ...
</div>
</div>
</a>
<a href="/note/65f70664f166e2567ab51ad3" class="group flex flex-col bg-gray-100 hover:bg-white transition rounded-lg overflow-hidden shadow">
<div class="flex flex-col gap-2 p-6">
<h3 class="font-bold text-lg text-gray-800 group-hover:text-gray-700">Texas football kicks off spring practice Tuesday. We answer 24 questions for the 2024 team</h3>
<div class="text-gray-600 group-hover:text-gray-500 line-clamp-6">
<span class="font-light"> </span>
Things certainly look fresh for the 2024 college football season, especially on the Texas campus.There’s a new conference ...
</div>
</div>
</a>
<a href="/note/65f70661f166e2567ab51a86" class="group flex flex-col bg-gray-100 hover:bg-white transition rounded-lg overflow-hidden shadow">
<div class="flex flex-col gap-2 p-6">
<h3 class="font-bold text-lg text-gray-800 group-hover:text-gray-700">College Football Playoff: Conferences solve their differences (for now) and agree on general framework for 2026 and beyond</h3>
<div class="text-gray-600 group-hover:text-gray-500 line-clamp-6">
<span class="font-light"> </span>
The FBS conferences and Notre Dame agreed on Friday to continue the College Football Playoff beyond the 2025 season, signing ...
</div>
</div>
</a>
<a href="/note/65f70661f166e2567ab51a7d" class="group flex flex-col bg-gray-100 hover:bg-white transition rounded-lg overflow-hidden shadow">
<div class="flex flex-col gap-2 p-6">
<h3 class="font-bold text-lg text-gray-800 group-hover:text-gray-700">Ball security, leadership key as Aztecs look to identify starting quarterback</h3>
<div class="text-gray-600 group-hover:text-gray-500 line-clamp-6">
<span class="font-light"> </span>
San Diego State seemingly auditions a new starting quarterback on an annual basis.In the past 12 years, the Aztecs have opened ...
</div>
</div>
</a>
<a href="/note/65f7065ff166e2567ab51a5a" class="group flex flex-col bg-gray-100 hover:bg-white transition rounded-lg overflow-hidden shadow">
<div class="flex flex-col gap-2 p-6">
<h3 class="font-bold text-lg text-gray-800 group-hover:text-gray-700">Results and more: A look at what happened at Penn State football’s Pro Day inside Holuba Hall</h3>
<div class="text-gray-600 group-hover:text-gray-500 line-clamp-6">
<span class="font-light"> </span>
Most of those at Penn State’s Pro Day Friday were relatively quiet throughout the afternoon’s workouts, but there was one ...
</div>
</div>
</a>
<a href="/note/65f7065ef166e2567ab51a4a" class="group flex flex-col bg-gray-100 hover:bg-white transition rounded-lg overflow-hidden shadow">
<div class="flex flex-col gap-2 p-6">
<h3 class="font-bold text-lg text-gray-800 group-hover:text-gray-700">Defense dominates first two weeks of Oregon State spring practice as Beavers ready for 2-week breather</h3>
<div class="text-gray-600 group-hover:text-gray-500 line-clamp-6">
<span class="font-light"> </span>
CORVALLIS – Oregon State hit the break of spring practices Saturday, not exactly the midpoint but a good place to assess ...
</div>
</div>
</a>
<a href="/note/65f7065ef166e2567ab51a31" class="group flex flex-col bg-gray-100 hover:bg-white transition rounded-lg overflow-hidden shadow">
<div class="flex flex-col gap-2 p-6">
<h3 class="font-bold text-lg text-gray-800 group-hover:text-gray-700">Dillon Gabriel to have similar input, autonomy as Bo Nix had in Oregon’s offense</h3>
<div class="text-gray-600 group-hover:text-gray-500 line-clamp-6">
<span class="font-light"> </span>
Published Mar. 16, 2024, 6:26 p.m.By James CrepeaEUGENE — Dillon Gabriel will have much of the same autonomy as Bo Nix did ...
</div>
</div>
</a>
<a href="/note/65f7065df166e2567ab51a1d" class="group flex flex-col bg-gray-100 hover:bg-white transition rounded-lg overflow-hidden shadow">
<div class="flex flex-col gap-2 p-6">
<h3 class="font-bold text-lg text-gray-800 group-hover:text-gray-700">Two transfers, one underclassman who impressed in Missouri football's spring game</h3>
<div class="text-gray-600 group-hover:text-gray-500 line-clamp-6">
<span class="font-light"> </span>
With that, spring camp’s a wrap.Missouri football held its Black & Gold spring game Saturday in front of a healthy crowd ...
</div>
</div>
</a>
<a href="/notes?skip=20" class="group flex items-center justify-center gap-2 bg-gray-100 hover:bg-white transition rounded-lg shadow px-3.5 py-2.5 text-gray-800 hover:text-gray-700 font-medium">
<span>See More Player Notes</span>
<span class="transition-transform group-hover:translate-x-1 motion-reduce:transform-none"><i class="fa-solid fa-arrow-right"></i></span>
</a>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</main>
<!-- =========={ FOOTER }========== -->
<footer class="bg-gray-900" aria-labelledby="footer-heading">
<h2 id="footer-heading" class="sr-only">Footer</h2>
<div class="mx-auto max-w-7xl px-6 pb-8 pt-16 sm:pt-24 lg:px-8 lg:pt-32">
<div class="xl:grid xl:grid-cols-3 xl:gap-8">
<div class="space-y-8">
<a href="/" class="flex items-center justify-between md:justify-start gap-3">
<img src="/static/images/Pro_Football_Hall_of_Fame_logo.svg.png?v=c6d7cf3613f0e96a1fab7aab706baba8318bf3d016f59cbaef2b968d81cb8a3078e61f99dee19ca3a6a4bf476d34981c18a5b19f15ac2da0ae29d677be70ebad" alt="NFL Hall of Fame" class="w-2/12" />
<img src="/static/images/hall-logo.svg?v=7142371ad3e955e1749283170eb357dfed785130bc4b7018879d586e9bac3d40a3b7041b25e105981fd507b5f139a52b87438262733cadfa76f763ec18812523" alt="Hall of Football" class="w-6/12" />
<img src="/static/images/tsx_logo.png?v=eb566de558e45b6331e9b1ddba019c212d34ad6dddeab86829489d36e4974961a8dd4926d489b9ac8eaeeacdafce8a6f4974b5a97dd7df4694d4642b94c437ea" alt="The Sports Xchange" class="w-2/12" />
</a>
<p class="text-sm leading-6 text-gray-300">Hall of Football is owned and operated by The Sports Xchange (TSX), which has provided news, analysis, and research for fans and professionals since 1987.</p>
<div class="flex space-x-6">
<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/sports-xchange/" target="_blank" class="text-gray-500 hover:text-gray-400 text-2xl">
<span class="sr-only">LinkedIn</span>
<i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin"></i>
</a>
</div>
</div>
<div class="mt-16 grid grid-cols-2 gap-8 xl:col-span-2 xl:mt-0">
<div class="md:grid md:grid-cols-2 md:gap-8">
<div>
<h3 class="text-sm font-semibold leading-6 text-white flex items-center gap-2"><i class="fa-solid fa-football fa-fw"></i>Preps</h3>
<ul role="list" class="mt-6 space-y-4">
<li>
<a href="/preps" class="text-sm leading-6 text-gray-300 hover:text-white">Latest News & Notes</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="/prep/ratings?ranking_id=" class="text-sm leading-6 text-gray-300 hover:text-white">Ratings</a>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="mt-10 md:mt-0">
<h3 class="text-sm font-semibold leading-6 text-white flex items-center gap-2"><i class="fa-solid fa-graduation-cap fa-fw"></i>NFL Draft Scout</h3>
<ul role="list" class="mt-6 space-y-4">
<li>
<a href="/features" class="text-sm leading-6 text-gray-300 hover:text-white">Latest News & Notes</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="/cfb/teams" class="text-sm leading-6 text-gray-300 hover:text-white">Teams</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="/player/ratings?ranking_id=" class="text-sm leading-6 text-gray-300 hover:text-white">Ratings</a>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
<div class="md:grid md:grid-cols-2 md:gap-8">
<div>
<h3 class="text-sm font-semibold leading-6 text-white flex items-center gap-2"><i class="fa-solid fa-shield fa-fw"></i>Pro Football</h3>
<ul role="list" class="mt-6 space-y-4">
<li>
<a href="/nfl_features" class="text-sm leading-6 text-gray-300 hover:text-white">Latest News & Notes</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="/nfl/teams" class="text-sm leading-6 text-gray-300 hover:text-white">Teams</a>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="mt-10 md:mt-0">
<h3 class="text-sm font-semibold leading-6 text-white flex items-center gap-2"><i class="fa-solid fa-trophy fa-fw"></i>Hall of Fame</h3>
<ul role="list" class="mt-6 space-y-4">
<li>
<a href="/hofs" class="text-sm leading-6 text-gray-300 hover:text-white">Recent Hall of Fame Stories</a>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="mt-16 border-t border-white/10 pt-8 sm:mt-20 lg:mt-24">
<p class="text-xs leading-5 text-gray-400">©<script>document.write(new Date().getFullYear())</script> The Sports Xchange. All rights reserved.</p>
</div>
</div>
</footer>
<script src="/static/js/jquery-3.6.4.min.js?v=6913f9128895022b08339049963616cb09bbc61bd759a45c3bf7cb6662854f0c3ef16d975758468c34cd607176c011d9c62f5fcb8196cba93d0b4b265760747e"></script>
<script src="/static/js/plotly.min.js?v=a8cca95f0be13f9712eebf9dfc13afb3aa92d319a96a0ee5540833aad7ace213d48ea1a1650310a035a02064ca97e09738bc4aad659ad66e840d408c6290fcee"></script>
<script src="/static/js/flowbite.min.js?v=09453b0f96202c849a154e82a425e65c6e9d6430fb468601a1c1f0ba4c9ded2624172d29ee03f7cd71922ceb49d5b10b2672ba698060e2dee19e5d1df0393660"></script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="/static/js/comments.js?v=75fa06f9940025e48e822761e5ffd57823c34ebd04636803f6d08b70a146d0360b304adbdbb2cc1e1686620862c3d94512a714acb1ea55855cb9db5c5d8c4115"></script>
<script type="text/javascript">
// get any comments for this feature
$(document).ready(function() {
load_comments(
'note',
'strategy-and-personnel',
''
)
})
</script>
</body>
</html>