GunnerBill

It was a dreadful performance, no doubt. But divisional road losses to inferior teams can happen - we see it every year across the league.

This admission is still enough to reduce your standing in my eyes.....

Meh, not sure I agree. Losing on the road to a divisional opponent can happen, even when you are more talented than them. The Brady Patriots had a relatively poor record in Miami actually. Despite mainly facing three inept franchises I think the Patriots dynasty swept the AFC East just five times in 20 years. I think the Falcons is our worst loss of the year. 100%. The Patriots one hurts most in terms of impact on the season, but the Falcons defeat was diabolical.

That is a fair point. I think the Broncos are the one where I go "yea that's a pretty talented roster" but then Nix, while capable, feels like a limitation that could well bite them against an Allen or even a Stroud or a Herbert if they got hot in a playoff game.

They blew a game against New England with careless turnovers and there is no excuse for the Falcons loss. Losing a divisional road game at Miami, that can happen and Houston on the road is a hard game. Given the injuries I think 11-2 would be about par personally.

8 minute is about right.

Yea Vontae retired week 2 not week 1 was it the Chargers at home? Rings a bell.

I have always been very clear: 1. Missing the playoffs barring a major Josh Allen injury; 2. Losing a playoff game to a clearly inferior Quarterback..... that might well get tested this offseason given likely makeup of the playoff field; 3. Any repeat of a 13 seconds level coaching blunder. I have added a 4th to it this season which is: 4. Firing Brandon Beane. I don't think Pegula will but depending on how our season ends I would consider it. And at that point I think you clean house. Bringing in another GM to work with McD when they are likely misaligned is a pretty sure fire way to waste another 2 or 3 seasons before inevitably the coach would be fired anyway. If you fire Beane I don't see an argument for retaining McDermott.

2020 was the no fans year too. That definitely advantaged offenses and particularly passing offenses because there was no issue setting protections etc.

10% 95% 5% I put it at 5% because there are still scenarios where it can happen that we miss out at 10-7. I don't think they are very likely but a 1 in 20 chance felt about right.

Isn't he the one who wanted to fight Epenesa?

I'm a bit of a sucker for a traditional pocket QB in this era of mobile playmakers. I love watching Burrow play. Just not against the Bills.... ha.

I agree that our explosives still came a lot from Josh getting out and creating but there were more easy button throws in last year's offense than any year since 2020. And 2020 there was no meaningful run game to speak of either. Our offense was almost entirely Josh. Last year he had an excellent run game to support him. Of course Josh was extremely efficient too and did play at an incredible level, but there was WAY less cape in 2024 and more him just being masterfully in control of the offense. Compared to 2022 and 2023 and chunks of this season where it has felt like almost constant cape requirement and if he doesn't put it on we lose.

This is definitely true btw. The same people who moan about overuse of the cape moan about running the ball and playing small ball too much as wasting Josh Allen. Personally I do think he has needed the cape more this year though. 2024 is the least cape needy version of Allen and the Bills there has ever been IMO. Last year we won 5 or 6 games where the defense and the run game meant Josh could just play in rhythm take what the defense was giving and not have to extend himself. This year it is just the Jets, the Panthers and the Steelers so far. I'd go as far as to say we'd be a 3 win team right now if Allen had missed the season.

I mean tight end, running back and slot receiver (plus an excellebt OL) won plenty of Superbowls for New England. On their second era dynasty who was the best outside receiver to play on any of those teams? Chris Hogan? Brandon LaFell? Maybe I am forgetting someone but I don't think so. That isn't me advocating for that type of roster build by the way. My views on the Bills issues at outside receiver are well known... and it goes without saying Josh Allen is not Tom Brady. I think Brady might be the only QB in history that could nickel and dime you to death with that set of slill players. Worth saying as well that when healthy Gronk was an all timer at tight end. Kincaid and Knox are nice. They are not that.