Can we ignore the Bills remaining SOS? (1 Viewer)

[FantasyTrader]

From an article I'm working on this week. We must also consider the fact that, at least for the Chiefs, Raiders and Pats, the Bills themselves at this point are 33% responsible for WHY those defenses are so poor in pts. and yds. allowed.

------

The Bills Three Opponents Played

Chiefs: Pts Allowed: 32nd in the league / Total Yards Allowed: 23rd in the league

Raiders: Pts Allowed: 28th in the league / Total Yards Allowed: 28th in the league

Patriots: Pts Allowed: 27th in the league / Total Yards Allowed: 32nd in the league

The Bills Remaining Opponents Weeks 4-12 (The FF regular season)

Bengals: 6th and 3rd

Eagles: 26th and 12th

Giants: 9th and 18th

Redskins: T5th and 16th

Jets: 12th and 11th

Cowboys: T5th and 5th

Dolphins: 26th and 30th

Jets: 12th and 11th

Titans: 2nd and 1st

Through three games, the Bills are yet to see a defense better than 27th in the league in pts. allowed per game or 23rd in the league in yards allowed per game. And among their next nine opponents for the rest of the FF regular season, they face five defenses currently among the top 12 in both categories, three top 12 defenses in one category and only ONE opponent remaining that is bottom 12 in both.

I'm not usually a strength of schedule junkie by any means and I didn't bother to break it down into passing vs. rushing SOS, but to say the remaining schedule gets daunting is an understatement! Also, I didn't bother looking at what three teams those 12 remaining opponents have played to obtain that current ranking. For example, Cincy's first three opponents were the Browns, Broncos & 49ers. So they're obviously inflated.

Are the Bills in for a fall?

 

[LittlePhatty]

It's difficult to get an accurate SOS reading after only 3 games.

Maybe the Bills are really that good and the 3 teams they've played so far have poor ratings because they've been steamrolled by a legit Buffalo team.

Not enough data.

 

[GroveDiesel]

It's difficult to get an accurate SOS reading after only 3 games.

Maybe the Bills are really that good and the 3 teams they've played so far have poor ratings because they've been steamrolled by a legit Buffalo team.

Not enough data.

Agreed. Although the Pats have pretty much been getting destroyed by everyone.I believe next week is when the Football outsiders start taking into account strength of schedule into their DVOA rankings. That should give us a good idea of where they're at.

Right now their rankings show Buffalo as the #1 passing offense and #1 overall offense.

FWIW, I think they're offense is going to be very difficult to stop. With F-Jax running so well, the spread offense is extremely potent. And Buffalo's 3 big WRs plus Chandler are a nightmare for opposing defenses. Sure, Revis may be able to shut down one guy, but Cromartie has been getting destroyed by big receivers and which of their LBs are going to cover Chandler?

 

[David Yudkin]

The Bills started 4-0 in 2008 and ended up 7-9. I agree it looks like Bills v.2011 seem to be better, but the point remains that it's still early. Despite the defensive rankings, the teams they face the rest of the way look to be solid. On paper, they have 7-8 decent opponents left to play.

The 2002 Bills with Drew Bledsoe also looked like an offensive force the first half of the season and then faded by the end of the year and finished 8-8.

Each year is different, so neither of those examples really means anything for this year . . .

 

[Lord Fantasy]

The Bengals are great example of how early-season stats can be potentially skewed on the other side of the ball.

Their defense is ranked 6th and 3rd, but so far they've only been tested by the likes of Cleveland, Denver and San Francisco.

This weekend will be interesting for both teams and hopefully we'll learn more.

Thanks for listening.