GunnerBill

Mingo sucks.

See the difference is I think he has had those chances and failed. It is the end of year 3 now. He played better the other day, that is a positive. But there is a body of work to judge him on.

That applies to Bishop more than Elam for me. I want them to have packages to get Bishop on the field on D even if its in relatively limited ways. Reason being is I think our corners are very good indeed. Our safeties are not. So get the high potential rookie involved somehow now the division is all but won.

So the better head coach wins every playoff game? Is that seriously your contention? Come on, that is nonsense. There is waaaay more correlation between QBs and playoff wins. The better Quarterback is successful in the post season way more often. And we have lost 3 of 4 to Patrick Mahomes. We lost to a better coach too I accept that. We did lose to an inferior coach and slightly inferior QB (there isn't a massive gap but Allen > Burrow) vs Cincy. But the Bills just stunk that day. It was a clanger the likes of which this team puts it at a lower rate than every other team in the NFL over the last 4 years. Unfortunately it came in a playoff game.

Sports fans under estimate the importance of culture. It happenes in every single sport. But anyone who has played or coached at any kind of serious level knows it matters. Talent is always what matters most, but the Bills culture isn't nothing and I think it is pretty safe to assume at this stage it is part of why they have been able to withstand a ton of turnover and still be 7-2 at this point. No doubt tougher tests still lie ahead and I have said all year, and stick by, this roster is a longshot to be a genuine Superbowl contender. We are short of experience in some key spots and talent in others. And add to that except for Josh the only other elite player on the roster is a nickel corner. But this year could have been a really tricky one for the Bills and they haven't let it become that. If they can continue to develop and add one or two key pieces I'm already pretty excited about 2025.

This is the best Josh has played IMO. Certainly the most in control he has been of the offense since 2020 (when no fans definitely made it a little easier). I'm loving this version of Josh. It is what I have always wanted to see. Putting the cape on 3 or 4 times a game when it is really needed but the rest of the game trying really hard to play within the structure of the offense. For whatever reason he played a poor first half in Houston. But the other 8 and a half games he has been unbelievably good and consistent. That four game stretch against KC, SF, DET and LAR is going to be decisive in the MVP battle and I don't totally rule Goff out if DET ends up 15-1 or something. But it is going to come down to Allen or Lamar IMO.

Encouraging. Outside corner is an important spot to have depth. I think ultimately Kaiir's last chance as a Bill will be in the competition to replace Douglas next camp. My guess is they bring in an experienced cheaper vet and let that guy, Kaiir and possibly a day 2 / early day 3 pick compete for the job. If Kaiir wins it he will be going into a contract year because no way the Bills are picking up his option. See above. By PFF 7th among outside corners. I think 10 to 20 is low. Agree with the rest

Your dime also has to transition from moving backwards to moving forwards (and vice versa) quickly a ton. And THAT is and always has been the biggest deficiency in Elam's game IMO. It is why he is much better in man than zone. Zone is a lot more read and react and you are going back and forward. Man it is just possibly press at the line then turn and run with your guy or in off coverage simply turn and run.

Benford is already playing well above average. Top 3 corner is a stretch but he has been one of the top 10 corners in the NFL this season. He's having an excellent year. Just had a quick look, he is ranked 7th by PFF once you discount the slot guys. I know PFF isn't everything, especially for corners, but above him are: Zyon McCollum (similar to Benford picked in the 5th round of the same draft isn't getting the buzz but is having a breakout year), then Jalen Ramsey, DJ Reed, Marlon Humphrey, Jaire Alexander (who are all established very good or elite level corners respectively) and then Kristian Fulton who I loved coming out of LSU got lost in Tennessee but has been a revelation in LA with the Chargers. Yea there is no way I'd trade Benford straight up for Ward. None whatsoever. I don't think the 9ers make the trade the other way either mind you.

You can't. It is a penalty.

Smoot is a bit of a blow. Been our best run down DE except for Groot.

I think that is just good clock management. In that scenario I want 3 to be a game winner. So I want to leave no more than a pitcheroony opportunity. Now granted I'd like that FG to be a 41 yarder rather than a 61 yarder but that was about execution not clock.

As I always suspected would happen as the rate of going for 2 goes up the frequency of making it is going down.

I like the "new core" description. I think the last 3 drafts the Bills have picked up some really good young players. What they need is one or two of them to really elevate to "star" status for Allen era II. The Poyer, Hyde, White, Diggs, Morse, Milano, Dawkins core was great for this franchise. No doubt. But hopefully as this new core matures into those leadership roles they can help us get over the hump.

I think the Bills will try very hard to sign all the top 4 on my list.

Yea I thought Miami would go for 2 too. Surprised they didn't. You get it from where it was kicked now.

DVOA is adjusted for opponents. Every team we have played this year is a reasonable rush attack. So I suppose we have kept some below their average.

You Play To Win The Game

Agree. The throw to Keon was perfect. Slight worry for me that I think Keon was dropping it even before the Poyer hit. I think Josh rushed that final throw. It wasn't a good pass. Maybe his hand was banged up (not sure I noticed it having an impact tbh) but more likely he just missed a throw. And I agree with you because of the distance it travelled if Kincaid catches it the Bills are racing to get the spike and I'm not sure they do. If Allen throws a perfect pass then Kincaid can catch and get out of bounds. But all's well that ends well. Josh was great yesterday despite being down Cooper and Keon having one of his worst games.

Yea he has. The wall comes quick for big guys. It hit for Jones.

I didn't think he was ever going to win but the Dolphins were going quick and because it was a 4th down it was worth the flag. I'd have been dead against it if it was 3rd and 4 cos if he was short it was an inch or two and they make 4th and inches.

Agreed. And I think part of that is he knows he can't afford Tua holding it because one more hit that is his year done. I imagine though hard to stay patient with the run when on the other end his D has no answers to Josh Allen. They have spent a couple of year mixing blitzes and heavy man coverage outside. This year they went to barely blitz and a ton of zone coverage. Nothing works. The Bills got into the redzone every drive but the first one and the last one yesterday. They cannot stop this Bills offense at all.

Yea the way you get them out of the run is score. McDaniel tends to abandon it quickly.

Their scheme isn't to let them run. It is to not commit numbers to playing the run. The idea of Joseph last year was with Jones down to add some beef at 1T.

I was really going through the starters for the most part this year. Of course they spent a 1st on Elam and it hasn't worked so that is a miss. And it led to them trading for Douglas.