Tag: bobby babich

Causes for concern as the Bills face the Chiefs in Week 11

Causes for concern as the Bills face the Chiefs in Week 11

The Buffalo Bills will host the Kansas City Chiefs at Highmark Stadium in Week 11.

The Bills (8-2) and Chiefs (9-0) are the top two seeds in the AFC currently. The second-place Bills are riding a five-game win streak while the top-seeded Chiefs haven’t lost since Christmas Day in 2023.

Even though Buffalo is favored to win the game, there are always a few things that make winning difficult each week. The Bills will need to be wary of them.

Here are three causes for concern for the Bills in Week 11:

Chris Jones is a disrupter

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Chris Jones continues to be a menace on the defensive line for the Chiefs in his ninth season. His specialty is getting after the passer. Pro Football Focus grades him as the best pass rusher of all interior defenders in the NFL, with a pass rush grade of 90.8.

They don’t just use him in the interior, either. He bounces around the defensive line and can take advantage of mismatches wherever they see fit. If the Bills are without right tackle Spencer Brown, Jones could be even more of a problem for quarterback Josh Allen and the offense.

Time of possession

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The Chiefs average the most time of possession per game in the NFL. Their average of just over 33 minutes of possession per game means they possess the ball about six minutes longer then their opponent. Allen is right up there with Patrick Mahomes as far as quarterback talent, but if Allen has the ball six minutes less than Mahomes, it will make it hard to bring down the undefeated, reigning champs.

If the Bills defense can’t get the Chiefs off the field, then it will play into exactly how the Chiefs have been winning games this year. They’ve had long drives on offense and on defense they have held their opponents to 17.9 points per game (T-5th in the NFL).

Babich’s first go-round with KC

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This will be a big game for first-year defensive play caller Bobby Babich. It will be his first time calling plays against Andy Reid and the Chiefs offense. Babich has had an excellent first year as defensive coordinator, but he has struggled against some of the league’s better offenses like the Baltimore Ravens.

This will be a big stepping stone in his young career. If his defense is flying around and making plays against Mahomes, then it is a huge win for the Bills going forward. If the Bills struggle with some of the creativity that is usually seen from a Reid offense, then it could be a long day for Buffalo.

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Bills vs. Colts: 3 key matchups to watch in Week 10

Bills vs. Colts: 3 key matchups to watch in Week 10

The Buffalo Bills (7-2) will face the Indianapolis Colts (4-5) on the road in their upcoming Week 10 matchup.

The games within the game will make all the difference for the Bills as they try to win in Indianapolis for the first time since 1999.

Here are three key matchups to watch during Sunday’s Bills-Colts contest:

Bills front seven vs. Jonathan Taylor

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The Bills’ front seven has been inconsistent this year in defending the ground game, and they have been under the microscope this week after allowing the Miami Dolphins to run all over them. Running backs De’Von Achane and Raheem Mostert each averaged over five yards per carry and combined for 119 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries. Now, they have Jonathan Taylor to worry about.

Taylor has been one of the best backs in the NFL when healthy since he entered the league. This year he is averaging an impressive 4.8 yards per carry and is 19th in the NFL in rushing yards (502), just ahead of James Cook (496).

The Bills will need execution and effort from their front seven throughout the game to keep Taylor in check. Guys like DaQuan Jones, Ed Oliver, and Greg Rousseau will be counted on to make an impact at the line of scrimmage.

CB Taron Johnson vs. WR Josh Downs

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Slot cornerback Taron Johnson, a second-team All-Pro last year, will be tested by a young up-and-comer in Week 10. Second-year wide receiver Josh Downs operates out of the slot and has quickly gained rapport with quarterback Joe Flacco.

In four games together this year, Downs has averaged 9.75 targets, 7.5 receptions, and 69.25 receiving yards per contest. He has the most catches from Flacco by a decent margin and has been the most-targeted receiver in all four games.

Johnson has a tough task with keeping tabs on Downs and also being ready to head downhill to tackle Taylor in the running game. It’s a tall task but that’s nothing new for one of the best nickel corners in the game.

QB Joe Flacco vs. Bills pass coverage

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We could more widely talk about the playcalling duel between Shane Steichen and Bobby Babich, but let’s zoom in a bit. Flacco vs the Bills’ coverage will be a chess match to watch.

Flacco has been around the block. In his 17th year, he is still proving he can be effective. He has seven touchdowns and two interceptions through four games played, and his 94.5 passer rating ranks 14th in the NFL.

The Bills passing defense struggled against the Dolphins last week as Tua Tagovailoa completed 89% of his passes. The Bills currently rank middle-of-the-pack in passing defense DVOA (15th).

The defense might have a little bit of an easier day if WR Michael Pittman Jr. can’t play due to injury, but what would really help them is having more of a pass rush.

What we learned from the Bills’ Week 9 win vs. Dolphins

What we learned from the Bills’ Week 9 win vs. Dolphins

The Buffalo Bills continued their 2024 schedule with a Week 9 win over the Miami Dolphins, 30-27.

The Bills (7-2) needed a full-team effort to fend off a hungry Dolphins team (2-6) trying to turn their season around. Ultimately, it took a long field goal with just seconds on the clock for the Bills to get it done at home.

After two-straight blowout victories, Buffalo certainly were tested by their division rival. As the season unfolds, we are learning more and more about this year’s Bills team.

Here are five things we learned from Week 9’s win over the Dolphins:

Tyler Bass’ morale at an all-time high

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Kicker Tyler Bass played the role of hero for the Bills in Week 9. His 61-yarder with 5 seconds left proved to be the game-winner. It was not only a career-long for Bass, but it broke a Bills franchise record previously held by Steve Christie (59-yarder in 1993).

Given the inconsistency from Bass recently, the kick proved huge for his morale and the team as a whole. After receiving the game ball post-game, Bass got emotional when talking about his teammates having his back through the ups and downs.

Defense was gashed

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The Bills defense had a rough outing. Through the air, Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was 25-of-28 and only took one sack. And on the ground, running backs De’Von Achane and Raheem Mostert averaged more than five yards per carry.

If it wasn’t for a couple of red zone stops and a crucial forced fumble from Buffalo cornerback Taron Johnson, we could have a different conversation this week regarding both the Bills and Dolphins.

After all, this was a desperate Dolphins team that has always had the potential to explode on offense. Expect Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott and defensive coordinator Bobby Babich to right the ship on defense going forward.

Ray Davis continues to flash

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Running back Ray Davis continues to make the most of his opportunities in his rookie year. On the ground in Week 9, Davis averaged five yards a pop on his four carries. But, his real impact was through the air.

He took two passes for 70 yards, one being a 63-yard catch and run for a touchdown. That’s 90 yards from scrimmage on just six touches.

His long touchdown gave the Bills a seven-point lead late in the third quarter:

Allen still owns Miami

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Bills quarterback Josh Allen took a couple of big hits and missed a few throws, but ultimately controlled the game throughout. He was 25-of-39 passing for 235 yards and posted three passing touchdowns and one interception.

If it wasn’t for a drop by receiver Keon Coleman deep in the red zone that resulted in an interception, he would have had four touchdowns and zero picks.

He didn’t have to put the cape on and be Superman much, but he did when the offense needed it. He slipped away to scramble for 14 yards on a 3rd and 12 at the end of the first half, and he also made a remarkable touchdown throw to tight end Quintin Morris as he was being tackled by two defenders:

Winning in different ways

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This wasn’t an easy day for the Bills by any means. The Dolphins had their backs against the wall while preparing for it, albeit was just Week 9. It was nearly a must-win game for them, and they played like it.

They had more first downs than the Bills (26-24), more total yards (373-325), more yards per play (6.2-5.5), more time of possession (31:53-28:07), and they converted better in the red zone (3/4-2/5).

Buffalo has grown accustomed to overpowering teams on offense and defense. In this one, they won differently. They only had four penalties, forced a crucial turnover when they needed it, and special teams came through in a big way.

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Report: Bills’ Sean McDermott decides Bobby Babich will call plays on defense

Report: #Bills’ Sean McDermott decides Bobby Babich will call plays on defense:

Bobby Babich will be dialing it up for the Buffalo Bills in 2024… at least at the start of the year.

According to the Buffalo News, head coach Sean McDermott has decided that it will be Babich on the headset calling plays.

Per the report, Babich just found out about the update on Wednesday. The Bills begin the regular season Sept. 8 against the Arizona Cardinals.

Last season, McDermott held dual job titles as head coach and defensive coordinator after not replacing Leslie Frazier. McDermott, who stepped down, and the team promoted Babich earlier this offseason.

Babich was previously Buffalo’s linebackers coach. In total, Babich has been with the team for seven seasons.

During training camp and the preseason, McDermott indicated that Babich would get an opportunity to call the plays on defense. Evidently, the assistant proved himself enough.

Babich had interviewed with the Bills, Miami Dolphins and New York Giants for open defensive coordinator jobs in the past.

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No injury update: Bills mum on Matt Milano’s status for now

No injury update: #Bills mum on Matt Milano’s status for now:

The Buffalo Bills have not yet provided an update on the injury status of star linebacker Matt Milano.

On Tuesday, the 30-year-old left his team’s practice early.

It appeared that Milano hurt his arm. On the positive side, Milano departed the workout but did not leave the field according to reports. A serious knock would have required him to head into the locker room with medical personnel.

On Wednesday, Buffalo defensive coordinator Bobby Babich declined a chance to update Milano’s status. Babich instead deferred to head coach Sean McDermott, who was not scheduled to speak until Thursday.

Babich cited that it’s customary for the head coach to update injuries, which is true.

Providing some sort of update would have sat better with fans.

Milano, 30, is coming off a season-ending leg injury from the 2023 season. The year prior, he was named a first-team, All-Pro.

Milano’s return is one of the most anticipated storylines in Buffalo ahead of the upcoming 2024 season.

Babich declining to update, in his own words, can be found below:

Bills reveal who is calling plays on defense vs. the Bears

#Bills reveal who is calling plays on defense vs. the #Bears:

The Buffalo Bills have provided an answer on who will be calling plays for the team’s defense…

… at least against the Chicago Bears.

Head coach Sean McDermott said it will be Bobby Babich doing so on Saturday during the team’s preseason opener at Highmark Stadium. But he drew the line in the sand there. Babich will only do so for that one game as of now.

Throughout the offseason, McDermott has consistently been mum on who would do so. In 2023, McDermott did as he doubled-down on head coaching and defensive coordinator duties.

At least in terms of title, we knew that would change. Babich was promoted to defensive coordinator.

It is Babich’s first time holding a DC position. However, that doesn’t mean McDermott would stop calling plays on defense. The head coach holding onto that responsibility happens around the NFL on occasion.

Having Babich take that job over the weekend is probably the smart idea. He’s been calling plays during training camp practices, but a game scenario is different and Babich will get a bit of a trail run.

McDermott was pretty straight forward with his answer, which can be found below:

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Bills won’t ‘flinch’ at safety injuries: ‘No panic, no nothing, next guy up’

#Bills won’t ‘flinch’ at safety injuries: ‘No panic, no nothing, next guy up’

The Buffalo Bills have an injury problem at safety.

That is, in everyone’s eyes except Bobby Babich.

The defensive coordinator discussed the bumps and bruises that are ongoing at the position at training camp this week. Second-round rookie Cole Bishop (shoulder) joined Mike Edwards (hamstring) on the sideline. Both are considered “week-to-week.”

That forced the team’s hand to sign a pair of free agents, Kareem Jackson and Terrell Burgess. However, Damar Hamlin is now at top of the depth chart as he was battling Bishop and Edwards for a starting spot.

Despite all that, Babich said he won’t let his team “flinch” at the injury issue.

“No panic, no nothing, next guy up. We’ll move forward,” Babich said.

At the other safety spot there was a bit more compassion found.

Taylor Rapp looks cemented into a starting spot there as the Bills look for his partner.

“It’s kind of unfortunate,” Rapp said via video conference. “Seen a lot of growth from them.”

“It’s always next-man up mentality, especially in this business,” Rapp added.

For more from Babich, see the attached clip below:

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Bills confident Matt Milano will be back: ‘Matter of time until Matt Milano is Matt Milano’

#Bills confident Matt Milano will be back: ‘Matter of time until Matt Milano is Matt Milano’

Matt Milano taking part in the entirety of Buffalo Bills 2024 training camp up until this point has been a very welcomed sight at St. John Fisher University.

Fresh off an All-Pro season in 2022, Milano’s year was cut short in 2023. He sustained a serious leg injury that kept him out until the start of training camp.

While Milano’s play might look superhuman, he’s going to need time like anybody else.

“That’s been the goal since the injury – just to be able to start the season off with the team,” Milano told the Buffalo News. “I’m doing good. Just been working all summer, all OTAs to get back to be able to practice Day 1, and was able to do that.”

The team is happy with his comeback efforts to this point, too. Defensive coordinator Bobby Babich displayed that and gave the best analysis of all.

“It’s just a matter of time until Matt Milano is Matt Milano,” Babich said.

Babich’s full thoughts on Milano can be found in the Batavia Daily clip below:

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Bills’ Sean McDermott provides update on potential defensive play calling

#Bills’ Sean McDermott provides update on potential defensive play calling:

The Buffalo Bills have a new defensive coordinator. It’s still unclear who will be the one in charge of calling the plays once the 2024 NFL regular season rolls around.

Bobby Babich has served on the coaching staff since 2017 and has held multiple positions. He was promoted to defensive coordinator earlier this offseason after McDermott doubled down as head coach and DC in 2023.

Despite the upgrade for Babich, McDermott has remained silent on whether or not him or Babich will call plays for the defense next season.

That continued when McDermott spoke via video conference at the start of training camp.

But in a bit of a curve ball, McDermott added that during camp practices in the coming weeks when plays are being sent in by coaches during team drills, both McDermott and Babich will get chances to call plays.

McDermott is keeping his cards close to his chest once again.

The coach’s full thoughts can be found in the clip below:

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Bills surprisingly don’t crack PFF’s top-10 linebacker units

#Bills surprisingly don’t crack PFF’s top-10 linebacker units:

The Bills’ linebackers group has been a formidable presence under head coach Sean McDermott. The team has drafted some impact starters and rotation players under his and general manager Brandon Beane’s watch.

Such players have included Matt Milano and more recent addition, Terrel Bernard, as well as former starter and defensive play-caller Tremaine Edmunds.

They’ve not been without weak spots, perhaps no more visible than in the amount of ground yards they’ve given up at times to opposing running backs in McDermott’s “bend-don’t-break” defensive schemes.

That and Milano has occasionally missed time due to injuries.

Nonetheless, the group has been effective, with Milano in particular standing out in his play. This is why a new list from Pro Football Focus (PFF) that ranks the best units around the NFL might surprise many who hold Buffalo’s group in high regard.

The outlet shared their lists of different position groups and how they ranked them,

The evaluation was exclusively on off-ball linebackers and not outside linebackers who function as edge defenders, such as Bills OLB Von Miller, for example.

In their 2024 rankings for every linebacker group in the NFL, PFF does have the Bills linebacker group included but has them ranked at 11th in the league.

Obviously things can change once the regular season kicks off, and the Bills were without Milano for a large part of their 2023 season due to a right tibial plateau fracture (a tibia fracture just below the knee) which may have been a factor in this offseason assessment.

In Milano’s absence, Terrel Bernard would see increased time, logging 143 tackles along with six and a half sacks to go with three fumble recoveries and two interceptions.

Ahead of them were the Jets (1st overall), 49ers (2nd), Bears (3rd), Patriots (4th), Giants (5th), Ravens (6th), Jaguars (7th), Browns (8th), Saints (9th), and Vikings (10th).

With that, here is what PFF had to say about their ranking for the Bills in their 2024 NFL linebacker unit rankings…

11. BUFFALO BILLS

Assuming Matt Milano can play at the level he was at before going down with a season-ending injury in London against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2023, the Bills will be in a good spot at linebacker again.

Milano was one of the best coverage linebackers in the NFL in 2022, earning an 83.2 PFF coverage grade. Next to him, Terrel Bernard proved himself to be a solid starter in his second NFL season, producing a 65.9 PFF grade on 1,031 snaps.