Buffalo Bills

Connected Franchise Mode Strategy

CFM Team Rating: 83

Offensive Rating: 85

Defensive Rating: 87

Offensive Scheme: Power Run

Defensive Scheme: Hybrid Defense

Strengths: DT, LE, HB, LT

Weaknesses: QB, WR, RT, LG, S

2014 Team Rankings

2nd AFC East (9-7-0)

Passing Offense: 18th

Rushing Offense: 25th

Passing Defense: 3rd

Rushing Defense: 11th

2014 team leaders

Passing: Kyle Orton: 3,018

Rushing: Fred Jackson: 525

Receiving: Sammy Watkins: 982

Tackles: Preston Brown: 109

Sacks: Mario Williams: 14.5

Ints: Leodis McKelvin: 4

Key Additions

QB Matt Cassel

HB LeSean McCoy

WR Percy Harvin

Key Rookies

CB Ronald Darby

OG John Miller

RB Karlos Williams

Owner: Terry Pegula

Legacy: 100

Coach: Rex Ryan

Level: 4

Legacy: 200

Offensive scheme: Power Run

Defensive scheme: Hybrid

Offensive Scouting Report

Kyle Orton had a solid season but took snaps away from the developing E.J. Manuel. Choose Matt Cassel or Manuel based on your scheme, but make sure to stick with one!
LeSean McCoy is an excellent replacement for C.J. Spiller. Give him the bulk of the carries over the reliable Fred Jackson.
Not only did rookie WR Sammy Watkins emerge as a talented player, but Robert Woods also showed he is worthy of plenty of targets!

Defensive Scouting Report

The Bills traded away MLB Kiko Alonso and now have some holes at the LB position, so consider looking for a free agent veteran as a stop-gap.
The Bills’ three main pass rushers should generate enough heat consistently to make any secondary look great.
Safety Aaron Williams has the speed for pass situations, but consider Bacarri Rambo for stuffing the run with his 89 Hit Power rating.

SCHEDULE

Key Players

McCoy can always cut outside against defenses that don’t contain the edge.
McCoy is a solid route runner who can’t be covered by many LBs in man coverage.

Dareus is a tough matchup for any offensive line due to his excellent acceleration and power moves.
Dareus benefits from having two excellent OLBs rushing the passer next to him (Jerry Hughes and Mario Williams).

Darby is an solid man cover corner, but he may never have the size to match up with big receivers.
Don’t invest too much in Darby’s Zone Coverage ratings because the Bills already have good depth there.

Rambo is a solid defender whom you can attempt to use in the slot against power running teams that are attacking the edge.
Spend some XP on upgrading the Tackle rating, because big hits are nice but consistent wrapups are better.

OFFENSIVE DEPTH CHART

POS	FIRST	LAST	OVR
QB	Matt	Cassel	75
QB	E.J.	Manuel	73
QB	Tyrod	Taylor	72
HB	LeSean	McCoy	88
HB	Fred	Jackson	82
HB	Boobie	Dixon	72
HB	Bryce	Brown	72
FB	Jerome	Felton	88
FB	MarQueis	Gray	65
WR	Percy	Harvin	86
WR	Sammy	Watkins	85
WR	Robert	Woods	80
WR	Chris	Hogan	72
WR	Marquise	Goodwin	68
WR	Marcus	Easley	68
TE	Charles	Clay	86
TE	Chris	Gragg	72
TE	Nick	O'Leary	69
LT	Cordy	Glenn	86
LG	Alex	Kupper	70
LG	John	Miller	71
LG	Cyril	Richardson	64
C	Eric	Wood	80
C	Kraig	Urbik	75
RG	Richie	Incognito	79
RG	Chris	Williams	75
RG	William	Campbell	67
RT	Seantrel	Henderson	76
RT	Cyrus	Kouandjio	67

DEFENSIVE DEPTH CHART

POS	FIRST	LAST	OVR
LE	Mario	Williams	90
LE	Jarius	Wynn	77
LE	Alex	Carrington	72
DT	Marcell	Dareus	94
DT	Kyle	Williams	93
DT	Stefan	Charles	70
DT	Corbin	Bryant	69
DT	Justin	Hamilton	64
RE	Jerry	Hughes	85
RE	Manny	Lawson	77
LOLB	Nigel	Bradham	83
LOLB	Andrew	Hudson	56
MLB	Preston	Brown	78
MLB	Ty	Powell	63
ROLB	Randell	Johnson	69
ROLB	Tony	Steward	65
ROLB	A.J.	Tarpley	64
CB	Stephon	Gilmore	86
CB	Corey	Graham	84
CB	Leodis	McKelvin	80
CB	Nickell	Robey	74
CB	Ron	Brooks	69
FS	Duke	Williams	76
FS	Kenny	Ladler	63
SS	Aaron	Williams	79
SS	Bacarri	Rambo	74
SS	Jonathan	Meeks	65

SPECIAL TEAMS

POS	FIRST	LAST	OVR
K	Dan	Carpenter	89
KR	Sammy	Watkins	85
KR	Marquise	Goodwin	68
P	Colton	Schmidt	66
PR	Leodis	McKelvin	80

Best Offensive Plays

BEST RUN: Singleback Normal Bills — HB Counter

Setup:

This formation allows HB LeSean McCoy to take advantage of his high Agility rating behind the line.
Consider playmakering the run to the right if the defense looks weak.
Don’t outrun your blockers — be patient.

Advanced Setup:

Audible to the HB Dive for a more consistent gain.

Running Plays

1st Down	2nd and short	3rd and short	Goal Line	2nd and long	3rd and long
Singleback Ace Pair Flex—HB Toss Strong	Singleback Ace— 0 1 Trap	I-Form Pro—FB Dive	Goal Line Normal— QB Sneak	Pistol Full House TE—Bills Read Option	Pistol Strong Twins— HB Counter
Singleback Ace— HB Zone Wk	I-Form Pro—Iso	Pistol Strong Slot Bills—Bills Inside Zone	Goal Line Normal— HB Sting	Gun Empty Trey Flex—QB Draw	Pistol Weak Twins—Lead Read Option
Strong Pro—HB Stretch	Singleback Ace Close—Tight Slots Wham	Pistol Wing Trips—Counter Y	Goal Line Normal—Strong Toss	Gun Trio Offset Wk— HB Power	Gun Doubles— HB Mid Draw

MAN Coverage ZONE COVERAGE MAN BLITZ ZONE BLITZ

BEST PASS: Pistol Ace Twins — Bills Post Wheel

Setup/Reads:

This play allows you to attack the sideline behind a zone defender in a flat.
Against man-to-man coverage, hit the crossing TE over the middle and use the new “run after catch” (RAC) option.
Against the blitz, the HB should be open for a quick pass.

Advanced Setup:

Slant or drag the left TE (optional).

Passing Plays

1st Down	2nd and short	3rd and short	SHOT PLAYS	2nd and long	3rd and long
Gun Spread Flex Wk—Inside Cross	Singleback Normal Bills—WR Drag	I-Form Tight—Angle	Singleback Ace— PA Shot Go’s	Singleback Normal Bills—Deep Attack	Pistol Ace Twins— PA Ctr Waggle
Singleback Ace Pair— TE Attack	Singleback Ace Close—Tight Slots TE Angle	Pistol Ace Twins— X Spot	Pistol Ace Twins— PA FL Stretch	Singleback Bunch Ace—Divide	Pistol Strong Twins— PA Deep In
Singleback Ace—Flanker Drive	Singleback Jumbo Pair—Y Stick	I-Form Pro—Mid Attack	Singleback Bunch Ace—All Go’s	Gun Empty Trey Flex—Verticals Y Shake	Gun Trey Open— Four Verticals

MAN Coverage ZONE COVERAGE MAN BLITZ ZONE BLITZ

Best Defensive Plays

BEST RUN DEFENSE: Nickel 3-3-5 Wide — Sam Will 3 Blitz

Setup:

Use formation subs to make sure Hughes and Williams are blitzing off the edge. TEs can’t block them for long.
This play is especially good vs pistol and shotgun runs.

Player to Control:

The MLB in the box (attack downhill against middle runs)

Run Defense

1st Down	2nd and short	3rd and short	Goal Line	2nd and long	3rd and long
3-4 Odd—Sam Mike 1	3-4 Predator— Cov 1 Robber Press	3-4 Bear—Will Sam 1	Goal Line 5-3-3— Gaps All	Nickel 2-4-5 Even— QB Contain	Big Dime 1-4-6— Cover 1 Robber
3-4 Odd—Sam Mike 3	3-4 Predator— Will Fire 3 Seam	3-4 Bear— Cover 2 Invert	Goal Line 5-3-3— Pinch Zone	Nickel 2-4-5 Even—Cover 2	Big Dime 1-4-6— Mike SS 3 Seam

MAN Coverage ZONE COVERAGE MAN BLITZ ZONE BLITZ

BEST PASS DEFENCE: Nickel 2-4-5 Even — Cover 2

Setup:

Cover 2 will force checkdowns to the flat — go for the sure tackle over the big hit.
Try this out for the first drive and mix in Cover 2 Man every third play to fool your opponent.
Giving up a few yards in the middle early isn’t a big deal; this is bend-but-don’t-break defense.

Player to Control:

The LB rushing off either edge (try to contain a mobile QB)

Pass Defense

1st Down	2nd and short	3rd and short	Goal Line	2nd and long	3rd and long
3-4 Over Ed— Cover 2 Man	3-4 Over Ed— Cover 1 Thief	Nickel 3-3-5 Wide—Mike Blitz 0	Goal Line 5-4-2— Jam Cover 1	Dollar 3-2-6— Mike Edge 1	Big Dime 2-3-6— Over Storm Brave
3-4 Over Ed— Cover 3 Sky	3-4 Over Ed—Cover 2	Nickel 3-3-5 Wide— Sam Will 3 Blitz	Goal Line 5-4-2—3 Deep Under	Dollar 3-2-6— Overload 3 Seam	Big Dime 2-3-6— Slant 3 Press

MAN Coverage ZONE COVERAGE MAN BLITZ ZONE BLITZ