Unraveling McDermott's Costly Late-Game Choices In Bills' Puzzling Loss
Unraveling McDermott's Costly Late-Game Choices In Bills' Puzzling Loss
The Buffalo Bills' puzzling 21-19 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Divisional Round has left many scratching their heads, wondering what went wrong. While there were several factors that contributed to the defeat, the late-game decisions made by head coach Sean McDermott stand out as particularly questionable.
Missed Field Goal Attempt
With 2:38 remaining in the game and the Bills trailing 21-13, McDermott elected to attempt a 49-yard field goal instead of going for it on fourth-and-1. The kick was wide left, giving the Bengals the ball back with a chance to run out the clock.
The decision to kick was widely criticized, as it seemed to play it too safe and gave the Bengals an opportunity to win the game. The Bills had been successful on fourth-and-1 attempts earlier in the game, and they had the momentum on their side. Going for it would have been a risky move, but it would have given them a chance to tie the game and send it to overtime.
Defensive Play-calling
In addition to the missed field goal attempt, McDermott's defensive play-calling in the late stages of the game was also questionable. With the Bengals driving for a potential game-winning field goal, the Bills played a soft zone defense that allowed Cincinnati to easily move the ball down the field. The Bengals eventually kicked the field goal with just seconds remaining on the clock, giving them the victory.
Many analysts believe that the Bills should have been more aggressive on defense, particularly in the pass rush. By playing a soft zone, they gave Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow too much time to find his receivers. A more aggressive approach may have forced Burrow into making a mistake and given the Bills a chance to get the ball back.
Lack of Adjustments
Throughout the game, the Bengals made several adjustments to their offense that the Bills were unable to respond to. For example, Cincinnati started using more pre-snap motion to confuse the Bills' defense. The Bills did not adjust to this, and it led to several big plays for the Bengals.
The Bengals also made adjustments to their running game, which had been ineffective in the first half. In the second half, they started using more outside zone runs, which the Bills were not prepared for. This led to several big runs for the Bengals, including a 29-yard touchdown run by Samaje Perine in the fourth quarter.
The Bills' inability to adjust to the Bengals' adjustments was a major factor in their loss. They were out-coached by Bengals coach Zac Taylor, who made the necessary adjustments to give his team the victory.
Conclusion
The Buffalo Bills' loss to the Cincinnati Bengals was a disappointing end to a promising season. While there were several factors that contributed to the defeat, the late-game decisions made by head coach Sean McDermott stand out as particularly questionable. McDermott's decision to kick a field goal instead of going for it on fourth-and-1, his defensive play-calling, and his lack of adjustments all played a role in the Bills' loss.
The Bills will need to learn from their mistakes in this game if they want to be successful in the future. They need to be more aggressive in late-game situations, and they need to be better prepared to adjust to their opponents' adjustments.