How Kyle Orton is Winning With The Bills
When the Buffalo Bills inserted Kyle Orton into their starting lineup many Cleveland Browns fans were excited. The assumption was that Orton would lead the Bills to a worse record and the Browns would get better picks from the Bills in the upcoming draft. It also would mean one less team competing for a playoff spot in the vaunted AFC East.
That didn’t happen. Instead of falling apart moving to the veteran, from E.J. Manuel, the Bills have come together and are 4 – 3 with Orton as their starter. The now 6 – 5 Bills are one game behind the Browns, and 5 other 7 – 4 teams, and tied with the Miami Dolphins.
So how is Orton doing it?
He isn’t the reason the Bills are winning but he doesn’t create a ton of problems. He isn’t the long term answer for the team but his play has kept them respectable.
Orton has completed over 65% of his passes this season for 1810 yards. He has 12 touchdowns versus only 3 interceptions. He is averaging just over 240 yards per game. His 6.96 yards per attempt is 25th in the league. His dink and dump play has led to his 9th ranked completion percentage. He makes smart decisions with the football and doesn’t put his team in situations where they have to come back because of a turnover.
He also has excelled in the face of pressure as seen in this tweet from ESPN:
Jets blitzed Kyle Orton 6x in first half.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) November 25, 2014
Orton was 6-of-6 for 74 yards against the blitz.
That means not only is Orton making good decisions but he is making them under pressure.
The Browns will likely get creative with their defensive schemes. The Bills have a strong running game with Fred Jackson and Bryce Brown to go along with a solid receiving corp. Expect to see the Browns try to pressure Orton as much as possible while pressing receivers outside.
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With Tashaun Gipson out the Browns may get more creative in their coverages as well. Pressure will also make up for Gipson being out as Jordan Poyer and Jim Leonhard can be solid but Gipson has been spectacular.
Kyle Orton is succeeding as the Bills QB based on good decision making and the ability to dissect defenses. The Browns will have to combat this with creative pressure and coverage and strong press coverage. Orton has been very Brian Hoyer like in his performance so far this season, without the bad INTs.
Orton’s performance Sunday could be key to the Bills playoff hopes either continuing or being dashed. It is Mike Pettine and Jim O’Neil’s responsibility to make sure that doesn’t happen.
What do you think of Kyle Orton’s performance so far this season?