kungfoodude

Yes, that is how taking advantage of your opponents weaknesses works. It's certainly complicated by our own weaknesses and the stream of errors but people are having some amazing recollections of what actually transpired in this matchup. We led the game until 6:10 remained in the 2md half. We scored to pull within a one score game(28-20) at the 0:10 mark of the 3rd quarter. We were driving for that potential game tying score at 10:54 of the 4th quarter when Dalton's pass was intercepted by ATL who drove 84 yards in 5:09 to take a 34-20 lead. This potential scoring drive which we basically were running all over them, I might add. So, basically had we likely just, IDK....kept running the ball maybe this is an entirely different outcome. Some of you guys apparently thought you were watching the Bears game. This was far closer to the Cincy game in which a few key plays kept us from potentially winning. As I said, the opponent was a bottom 5 rush defense. Act accordingly.

They literally did not have the lead the whole game. I am not surprised this was missed by you because it doesn't appear you watched it.

It's not really necessary. There are better and more versatile options for part time lead blockers in the modern game.

Atlanta passed for over 500 yards on 58 passing attempts to 18 rushing attempts against team that is bottom 5 in pass defense and top 12 in rushing defense. They rushed for 225 yards on 38 attempts to 30 passing attempts against a team that is bottom 5 in rushing defense and 23rd in pass defense. Notice how they adjusted their offensive gameplan to suit the opponent? That's what smart football looks like. We don't do that.

Davante must be seriously scarred by some of his QB experiences. Either that or he is just a weird fuging guy.

I mean that is great in theory but his struggles are usually him not being able to withstand stronger, more physical players. He has to be exceptional in terms of technique to overcome some of that. IMO, his best value is what he has been for us. High level backup OL that can fill in at multiple spots.

I am looking at our history especially recent, which is rather unkind. Currently we have no idea how many long term starters we have. Mingo was pitched as such a player last season, he is quite clearly a bust. Same as TMJ before him. These guys are all way too early in their careers to be calling any shots, positively or negatively. We have two very good recent examples of this. Jeremy Chinn was widely regarded by us all as being a postential franchise defender. Instead, he is not longer on our team and never ended up reaching his initial heights. Chuba Hubbard was widely hated and mocked his first couple of years. He is now statistically one of the best rushers in the NFL and he has dramatically improved in most aspects of his game. I still believe this was a bad draft(for several reasons) but we are at least a full season(likely more) away from knowing. We just differ on our perspectives of franchise direction. I don't think it has tilted upwards and you believe we are on the rise.

I don't think there is any rush on QB minus maybe make another offer to Dalton(at a reasonable price). If there is a high caliber QB available in the draft(seems less likely this class), then take one. If there is a decent gamble at QB in the 4th round or lower, fine, take a swing. I would much rather keep Dalton than get Darnold. We have seen Darnold look competent with a high caliber offense. That isn't here and I don't think that's a successful path moving forward. Let someone else give him the Matt Cassell/Jimmy G type deal and figure out the truth.

Well the situation for RB's is quite good. I would rather he play so we can see him alongside Chuba. If Chuba looks like the far better back, it might change the calculus in the offseason(maybe).

Gotta put SOME pressure on the man. That was a dumb move by Buffalo.

It isn't. Bryce is the biggest contributor to almost all his sacks.

They ran 15 times in the first half(22-17 ATL lead). They ran 8 times in the third quarter(28-20 ATL lead). They ran the ball 15 times in the 4th quarter(3 were Kirk kneel downs).

Zero sacks....again. That's what a solid QB getting rid of the ball looks like.

The funny thing is that this includes all the penalties the OL group ended up with. Imagine if they were a little less sloppy how it would have been.

He would destroy in San Fran in that Shanahan scheme.

Or yank him and put Sanders in for 3 plays?

You are literally describing the best case scenario. I mean, we ALL hope that transpires but it's also very unlikely that it does. If so, it would be a historic draft for the franchise(in terms of total starters).

Yeah but they ran the ball 38 times for 198 yds. That is what dedication to running the ball looks like. It's also what success running the ball looks like.

I would sign Hubbard as a backup, I would sign him as a starter.....IF the price is reasonable. Brooks I basically view as a Sanders replacement at this point. If he is capable of elevating that role, fine, then you increase his usage. We are fairly close to not seeing him this year. What do we have left, two weeks?

Except that in yesterday's game we were within 1 score in the 4th quarter. The only point we got the doors blown off was that quarter. Which, that probably looks a lot different if we are running it down their throats in the 2nd half. Diontae I would consider moving at above a 4th round pick. IF he isn't interested in staying here(or at a reasonable deal). Outside of that, you just make life very much more difficult for the entire rest of the offense. AT is likely to have substantially less value than is even worth trading him for. Why take away a useable cog in the offense for a 6th/7th rounder? What purpose would that serve? I am all for being sellers at the deadline but if all we are doing is making life a lot more difficult on our young players by ramping up the pressure on them and dramatically reducing their reps(a neverending stream of 3rd and outs will do that) then what end does that serve?

You might want to look around the league. Very stiff competition in the cellar this season.

What abundance do we have at WR???

I disagree with almost all of this. Even at a reduced capacity on the OL, we were gashing them in the running game(5.18 ypc). Chuba is a very capable RB. He may not be Barkley but he isn't Miles Sanders, who is basically what you are describing.

But we were within 8 points in the 4th quarter. That is a one possession game. This is my point, yesterday is a classic example of an opponent that could have been beaten by a rush heavy attack. Don't get me wrong, the parade of penalties and critical errors were impactful too but it was very winnable. That was a bad rushing defense we faced. Statistically one of the worst in the NFL. I get the situation like the Bears game. That's a better example of what you are talking about. It was out of hand so early that we were shot. Not to mention that is a very good defense against the run, which makes it challenging.

I wouldn't put my eggs in the Brooks basket, sight unseen. But, we can't keep diving into the high investment in a RB well either. Ideally we keep Chuba around as our feature back on a reasonable deal. Horn has not earned an extension, to date. He's been a mixed bag this season and I wouldn't enter any contract discussions with him unless they are at a low figure. Johnson would be great to keep around but, again, at the correct price. That's if he has any desire to stick around.