The Buffalo Bills came away with their third consecutive win in Week 5 against the Los Angeles Rams. Much of the Bills’ offensive success was due to running back LeSean McCoy, who rushed for 150 yards on 18 carries. But, in this edition of the Bills Wire film room, we’ll take a look at running back Mike Gillislee’s touchdown on a ‘speed option’ play that offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn dialed up.

The ‘Speed Option’

The utilization of option plays has taken the NFL by storm over the last few seasons as more athletic quarterbacks and creative offensive coordinators have entered the league.

Option plays will typically incorporate zone blocking concepts while putting opposing defenses in a bind by essentially having two plays in one. The play is usually run out of a shotgun or pistol formation and gives the quarterback the option to hand the ball off to a running back on an inside zone, or pull the ball out and run it himself.

This option is determined by the quarterback “reading” the opponent’s “force defender,” which is typically the outside linebacker or defensive end.

If the edge defender crashes to defend the inside zone, the quarterback can pull the ball and run, but if he stays in a contain technique, the quarterback will hand or pitch the ball to his running back.

Erik Turner broke down the concept.

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAleL1u3LZ4&w=854&h=480]

Here’s how it worked

Buffalo comes out in a pistol formation using “21” personnel, meaning that there are two backs and one tight end. Fullback Jerome Felton is flexed out to the right of quarterback Tyrod Taylor while running back Mike Gillislee is lined up behind him. Charles Clay isn’t seen in the above image, as he motioned across the formation (left of screen).

Rams defensive end Ethan Westbrooks is the “conflict defender” or “read” player, meaning that he’s the player Taylor will make his run-pass option decision depending on how he attacks the play.

With the speed option, Gillislee needs to stay within one-to-four yards of Taylor to keep the pitch relationship, while Taylor is attacking Westbrooks.

Center Eric Wood demolished Los Angeles’ linebacker before working out to the second level. The defensive lineman No. 93 is square with Taylor, so you can fee Felton heading 10-yards downhill with a head full of steam. Gillislee is just waiting for the pitch and he can take off.

Just like that, Gillislee had Felton chaperone him right to the Rams’ end zone.

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAleL1u3LZ4&w=854&h=480]

Buffalo will need to continue bringing out these wrinkles that apply pressure to a defense, especially when using tempo, as coach Lynn did. The combination of athleticism the Bills have in their backfield with Taylor, McCoy, Gillislee, etc., it wouldn’t surprise me to see more and more of these kinds of plays as the season wears on.

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