The Bills were officially eliminated from playoff contention after last Sunday's loss to the Jets. While it is a familiar feeling for most Bills fans, this will be the first time in Micah Hyde's six-year NFL career that he won't participate in the postseason.
Still, as Hyde and many others said during the week, there is plenty to play for these remaining three games. It follows the theme of what this season truly was about: continued development and evaluation of the young players currently on this roster.
Josh Allen headlines the group, but the performance of many others will help determine the plan of attack for Brandon Beane this off-season. Are the answers for the right side of the offensive line currently on the team? Can Robert Foster and Isaiah McKenzie really be key contributors at wide receiver? Is Levi Wallace a good enough compliment opposite Tre'Davious White at cornerback?
Those are just some areas to keep an eye on while seeing if the Bills can get back in the win column Sunday against the Lions.
Run, Allen! Run!
Another week, another run at history for Josh Allen. His 335 yards on the ground the last three games more than any quarterback in the Super Bowl era, passing Michael Vick's 294 in 2006. He is just the fourth Bills player in general to eclipse 95-plus rushing yards in three-straight weeks, joining O.J. Simpson, Thurman Thomas, and Fred Jackson. Allen leads the team in rushing with 490 yards rushing this season, ahead of LeSean McCoy's 479.
So yeah, it remains a hot topic.
Even if Allen says this has not always been his thing.
Sean McDermott continues to maintain Allen is running at the appropriate times, while also being realistic to the fact that having your quarterback lead the team in rushing is not how an offense should operate. I would like to see more from the passing game, where Allen has thrown for more than 200 yards in just three of his eight starts, and never more than 245. The Lions overall passing defense ranks 11th in the NFL, but is towards the bottom at passing yards allowed per play. Allen loves throwing the ball downfield, so maybe more big plays are on the horizon.
Running Mates
As I said, Josh Allen leads the Bills in rushing. Next is LeSean McCoy in the midst of the worst season of his career, averaging just 3.3 yards per carry (he has never averaged less than 4.0 YPC). McCoy's status is up in the air as he deals with a hamstring injury that forced him out early of the Jets game.
Running back another position the Bills need to look at in regards to the future, especially with McCoy's struggles. The team called up undrafted rookie Keith Ford from the practice squad this week, leading me to ask McDermott Friday how much a younger look at the position could play a role in Shady's status?
Marcus Murphy also could use an extended look if McCoy's health is up in the air.
I will say I am not one of the people who thinks the Bills should move on from McCoy after the season, but have thought even heading into this season that they should find his heir apparent.
The Lions rank in the lower third of the league against the run.
Protection Issues
What the Lions defense does do very well is get after the quarterback. Their 37 sacks rank 10th in the NFL, but they are fourth in the league in sacks per pass attempt, taking the QB down on 9.20% of their drop backs. The Bills are 28th in the league in sacks allowed per pass attempt with a 9.61% clip. Protection and coverage have been reasons Josh Allen has taken off to run and these numbers suggest that trend may continue, although the Jets did show an adjustment by spying Allen in the second half.
Stafford and Sons
Did you know Matthew Stafford has thrown for more than 4,000 yards in seven-straight seasons? He is 813 yards away from continue the streak this year. But this is the least productive year Stafford's had since he was a rookie in 2009. The completion percentage and interceptions are around where they usually are (currently 66.5% and 11 INTs), but yards, averaging completion, and touchdowns are down (2,187, 6.9 YPP, and 18 TDs). Oh, and Detroit head coach Matt Patricia saying this week that Stafford is beat up a bit at this point in the season. Can the Bills take advantage of a very good quarterback having an average season?
Especially Bad Special Teams
Bills special teams have been bad this season. Some of their most critical errors have largely contributed to losses (miscues against Texans, turnover against the Dolphins, poor return coverage against the Jets). I think this will finally be the end of the Danny Crossman era, but he needs to sure up the penalties and overall execution to not put the offense and defense in bad spots.
Bills host the Lions at 1 p.m. Sunday from New Era Field.