The Buffalo Bills' offense was one of the worst in the NFL last year at converting on third down.
So naturally, that's a point of emphasis for the Western New York squad heading into the 2014 season.
“If you look at us last year, that right there is going to extend so many more drives,” Bills running back C.J. Spiller said last week, via The Buffalo News. “We have to continue to be better at that, and it’s something I’ve really challenged the guys with.
"Third down and red zone situations, that’s what we need to work on and that’s what’s going to get us more plays.”
The Bills, despite finishing the 2013 season ranked second in rushing yards per game, finished ranked 29th in the league in third-down conversions with a subpar 34 percent rate.
“That’s been a big emphasis since we’ve been back, because in reality, we were terrible,” Spiller said. “We’ve got to fix that. In order for us to be the offense that we want to be, we have to stay on the field.”
Keeping veteran stalwart Fred Jackson healthy and Spiller in top shape would do wonders for the Bills, who traded up early in the first round of this year's draft to add standout pass-catcher Sammy Watkins--a move that should take some heat off the run game.
“Even though we were No. 2 in rushing, we weren’t able to expand the offense the way we wanted because of injury,” Spiller said. “We understand that we want to try to keep each other fresh. Even though I might be in a nice groove, we want to get Fred in there, so he can get rolling. Because I know that once both of us are going, it definitely helps our offense.”
The Bills, despite finishing the 2013 season ranked second in rushing yards per game, finished ranked 29th in the league in third-down conversions with a subpar 34 percent rate.
“That’s been a big emphasis since we’ve been back, because in reality, we were terrible,” Spiller said. “We’ve got to fix that. In order for us to be the offense that we want to be, we have to stay on the field.”
“Even though we were No. 2 in rushing, we weren’t able to expand the offense the way we wanted because of injury,” Spiller said. “We understand that we want to try to keep each other fresh. Even though I might be in a nice groove, we want to get Fred in there, so he can get rolling. Because I know that once both of us are going, it definitely helps our offense.”
