Rams/Bills Opener Will Test Differing Preseason Philosophies

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AvengerRam

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As we are all aware, the Rams under Sean McVay play few, if any, starters in preseason games. This approach has worked well, as the Rams are 5-0 under McVay in season openers, and have amassed a 16-4 record in the first four games over that span.

The Bills are taking a different approach:

View: https://twitter.com/BuffRumblings/status/1560589939041075200

So, how might this impact opening day?

Certainly, if the Bills suffer any injuries to starters in their game against the Broncos, there will be cause for criticism.

Apart from that issue, though, which is the better approach?

I'd say it depends on the team. I'd say that, for teams like the Rams and the Bills, who are returning their key starters on teams that are deemed contenders, the Rams' approach makes more sense. A team with a new QB, new system, or significant roster turnover might need more preseason reps. Teams like the Rams and the Bills can hit the ground running.

So... are the Bills making a mistake? Time will tell.
 
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I think Stafford lights that Bills D up. We have some big rushers to take Allen down.
 
Tumak61 said:
I think Stafford lights that Bills D up. We have some big rushers to take Allen down.
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AD is the ultimate mobile qb neutralizer. He has eaten up Wilson and Murray for years. Allen is stronger, true, but not strong enough to matter, imo.
 
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Can't argue with McVay's approach given the results. That said, it's a good question.

It's hard to talk about theoretically. In practical terms we really need our RB group to fire on all cylinders (i.e., be able to take hits and hold onto the ball). I think that that is something that takes 4 games tho, so I'm not holding my breath. So, in this specific case, the approach works if we rotate the backs to keep them fresh as they won't be in game shape.
 
I'm not going to be reading too much into what the preseason approach meant to the first game of the season for either team, to be honest.
If the Bills suffer an injury to a starter in preseason, that'll be an answer of it's own, to be sure.

At this point in McVay's tenure, we know his approach is right for him... and that he's also willing to learn/adapt.

I'm a little worried about the first game, to be honest.. Bills ended the season on a real shitty note.. and probably have a massive chip on their shoulders, in addition to already being one of the top 3 best rosters in the league right now. Rams will have their hands full.
 
February 13th proved one philosophy works
larry-david-seinfeld (1).gif
 
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Kupped said:
I'm not going to be reading too much into what the preseason approach meant to the first game of the season for either team, to be honest.
If the Bills suffer an injury to a starter in preseason, that'll be an answer of it's own, to be sure.

At this point in McVay's tenure, we know his approach is right for him... and that he's also willing to learn/adapt.

I'm a little worried about the first game, to be honest.. Bills ended the season on a real shitty note.. and probably have a massive chip on their shoulders, in addition to already being one of the top 3 best rosters in the league right now. Rams will have their hands full.
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I have to say, this is one game in which I'm really happy to have home field advantage. Playing in Buffalo before the "Bills Mafia" against an angry Bills team would be a daunting task. In SoFi, we'll have the boost of a home crowd celebrating a championship and a visiting team that I don't suspect will fill the stadium with traveling fans.
 
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Like I said in another thread the NFL season is a marathon and winning the Super Bowl is a game of attrition as much as it is about the talent on your team. If we come out flat in the first half of the first game and end up losing so be it... would still be debatable that not playing in preseason is the cause but is what it is. I'd rather lose game 1 and not lose any stars for 16 more games + playoffs than lose a starter or two in preseason just to make sure we aren't flat for one half of football. But McVay is 5-0 in game 1 of the season... I think he knows what he is doing... just a guess.
 
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This will probably be the most difficult game of the season. I'm glad it's the opener because the Rams are likely to be as healthy as they will be all season. These teams match up well. Both are good on both sides of the ball. IMO the Bills and many of the media are going to look at this as a possible Super Bowl preview. I think the Bills could be the most complete team in the AFC.

Beating the Bills will serve notice that the Rams are back for another run. That said a loss wouldn't be devastating to the Rams. IMO a loss will be more impactful to the Bills who would begin to question themselves. Not publicly, but most certainly at the back of their minds.

Either way it's looking like it's going to be a pretty good game.
 
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LA1980 said:
AD is the ultimate mobile qb neutralizer. He has eaten up Wilson and Murray for years. Allen is stronger, true, but not strong enough to matter, imo.
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The last time we played the Bills, AD99 ragdolled Allen so thoroughly, Josh Allen was trying in vain to get a horse collar ruling against The Kraken! from the officials. I doubt Josh was used to being manhandled so effectively.
 
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We've been testing our preseason strategy since 2017. Nobody sat all their starters for the whole preseason in 2017. Some teams have followed our lead, but is this the first team since 2017 to play their staters in preseason? No. It's the same shit we saw in 2018 and 2019 and...
 
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AvengerRam said:
I have to say, this is one game in which I'm really happy to have home field advantage. Playing in Buffalo before the "Bills Mafia" against an angry Bills team would be a daunting task. In SoFi, we'll have the boost of a home crowd celebrating a championship and a visiting team that I don't suspect will fill the stadium with traveling fans.
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I will be HIGHLY irritated if that game is Bills-heavy. It’s the first home game after winning the Super Bowl. I get selling tickets to other games… but not THAT GAME.
 
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jap said:
The last time we played the Bills, AD99 ragdolled Allen so thoroughly, Josh Allen was trying in vain to get a horse collar ruling against The Kraken! from the officials. I doubt Josh was used to being manhandled so effectively.
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That was a tough loss. I had to look that up.

After the Rams rallied from a 28-3 deficit to take a 32-28 lead, Allen and the Bills went 75 yards in four minutes, and scored the winning-TD in the final seconds. The Rams' defense could not stop Buffalo on a 3rd-and-22, 3rd-and 25-and 4th-and-8 in that final drive.
 
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Allen2McVay said:
That was a tough loss. I had to look that up.

After the Rams rallied from a 28-3 deficit to take a 32-28 lead, Allen and the Bills went 75 yards in four minutes, and scored the winning-TD in the final seconds. The Rams' defense could not stop Buffalo on a 3rd-and-22, 3rd-and 25-and 4th-and-8 in that final drive.
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Wasn't that the game where a pretty debateable PI against Darius Williams on 4th down near the goal line gave the Bills another chance to win?

BC
 
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BC Ramfan said:
Wasn't that the game where a pretty debateable PI against Darius Williams on 4th down near the goal line gave the Bills another chance to win?

BC
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Although it's extremely difficult to process it on the field as an official, that was not PI. DWill established position the receiver ran into him and drew a flag.

Even worse, there was NO EXCUSE for the Rams to not get themselves off the field with a couple of 3rd and forevers.
 
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AvengerRam said:
I have to say, this is one game in which I'm really happy to have home field advantage. Playing in Buffalo before the "Bills Mafia" against an angry Bills team would be a daunting task. In SoFi, we'll have the boost of a home crowd celebrating a championship and a visiting team that I don't suspect will fill the stadium with traveling fans.
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Buffalo will travel. Every teams fans want to see SoFi and with the Bills being a pre-season SB pick and playing the defending SB Champs, the folks from Upper NY will come out in droves....sadly. And the whole Bills Mafia thing is really stupid. Jumping on tables and wearing those stupid Zubas pants are whatever the heck they are called....weak.....
 
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I'm at a point where I assume if your starters are playing in the pre season I think you're a bad organization lol.

Buffalo isn't one but I'm gonna call them one anyway.
 
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