TPS

Maybe it doesn't matter with Harty, but I enjoyed the fact that Poona Ford (I believe it was him?) blocked the punter so that there was no possible last man option to stop Harty.

I thought Allen stunk it up in the first half, which is why the offense in general didn’t perform well. However, I think the criticism of the run game is off base. They had slightly more yards than their average, and almost 50 yards more than what the Pats D gives up on average. The OP expressed concern about the run game, which was not the reason for their sputtering offense against the Pats. Allen has to play better.

No disagreement regarding their D. I just don’t think an old Flacco could go in and get it done.

They are the best D-line against the run with a 3.2 ypc average. The Bills averaged 3.6 (excluding K Allen’s kneel downs) which is a good day against the #1 run D.

With Flacco at home, maybe; there, I don’t think so. I think the Bills are the only team that could give them a run in their building.

Douglas turns 30 at the start of the 2024 season, so I don't know if it's wise to extend him beyond that? It doesn't look as if they're giving up on Elam either. For the 2024 roster at CB, they currently have White, Douglas, Elam, Benford, and Taron J. They'll probably ink Ingrahm and Brown from the current PS as well. I don't know if there will be much of a market for Dane Jackson and Cam Lewis, so both could also be back. White is certainly the big question mark for them, but if Elam finally gets it together, they will be in decent shape at the position.

If you have a Lombardi in your office, those decisions for next year become a little easier.

The tongue was placed firmly in the cheek in my post.

I feel bad for the guy. The second thread about him in his Bills career and the majority of the posts are about Jones. Rodney Dangerfield got more respect.

I finally looked it up, and I can't believe I forgot we had Shady...shame on me. It was such a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...

Anderson and Van Dermark are the 2 I’m thinking of, and I’m still hopeful for Doyle. Bates I consider a vet.

They have some interesting players developing behind the starters as well.

Who was the last 1,000-yard back? About to happen Saturday.

Thanks for the info. The game is an interesting test related to the topic I started. As important as a penalty call is, so is a no call. I’ll definitely be tuned into their impact on the game.

Yes, which is why I started with it's a point that was made a couple years ago. Can you point to any calls in the past couple of years that have hurt the Bills' chances for a playoff spot? Or even in the playoffs? As for Allen's marketability, I'd say he really started getting national spots just last season, as a consequence of that KC playoff that ended their 2021 season. Compare him to guys like Mayfield, Herbert or Lawrence who were getting national ads in their first or second years having accomplished very little if anything on the field yet.

Yes, I was probably a little too strong on stating the Bills will get into the playoffs (must've been the wine last night). The refs can't be blatant, and even if you are getting more calls that go your way, you still have to make plays to win a game (as someone referenced above about the Eagles game). Again, I'll emphasize it's not just getting a call, but no call as well. Holding can be called on just about any play of a game, on both sides of the ball, and that's a tougher one to know if there's an advantage being given.

Marketing isn't always about the largest cities. Look at the top 10 jersey sales, both Allen and Mahomes are there (as is Hurts). This is certainly THE test for the thesis. Let's revisit the topic next week to see if there's any evidence one way or the other.

It's not just Allen, it's getting the Bills in. For example, on their last drive for a FG in KC, they got a PI or holding call on a 3rd down which gave them a first down. On the replay, I thought that it was an "iffy" call and nowhere near impacting the play. As I argue, I don't think they get that call in the Allen-less past. Sorry if that's what it implies, as I meant these last 4 games (starting Sunday) that they must win in order to make the playoffs.

Yeah, it’s why I said I don’t think it’s rigged, but…things do favor certain teams and players. I don’t mean to say they will make a call to throw a game, but making a call OR NOT making a call impacts a game, but may or may not ultimately change an outcome. The point is, I think the Bills will get more favorable calls than what we were so used to in the drought years because of Josh Allen’s marketability. I embellished a bit in the op.

So, a couple of years ago I recall commenting about how the Bills would eventually start getting the calls--much like Brady ALWAYS did--because of Allen and his rising popularity (I think I was motivated by seeing he was #1 or 2 in jersey sales). Certainly, many others agreed. The NFL is essentially a marketing driven business, so you tend to see the big names and big market teams have "favorable" things happen during the season to ensure a playoff appearance. With all of the injuries to top QBs, I imagine the NFL really wants to see Allen's Bills in the playoffs--who wouldn't want another KC-Buffalo match up? So, bottom line, I don't think we have to worry about getting hosed any longer by bad calls, in fact, we will be on the receiving end of good calls....eh Mahomes!? I'm not trying to say it's explicitly rigged, but refs can call (or not) a penalty on any play. I fully expect the Bills will be on the receiving end of more calls that go their way these last 4 games, and I expect them to be in the playoffs. I mean, does anyone really want to see Mahomes vs Browning in a playoff game?

Figured I'd put this in the week's thread. It's a preview of the game by K. Warner. In the section on Diggs, I'm of course focusing on Diggs but happen to notice Knox at the bottom of the screen all alone. I figured the a D-man had to be out of the camera frame, so I go back, and sure enough Knox comes out of the formation and is absolutely uncovered. I thought it was amusing. Wonder what these guys say after the fact? It's about the 1:30 mark. https://www.buffalobills.com/video/nfl-total-access-warner-and-carr-s-film-breakdown-preview-of-bills-cowboys

He is correct, in hindsight, should call a run. 1st down 2:12 left at the 22. Get 2-4 yards, clock stops at 2 minutes. You have 2 plays to get 6-8 yards for a first, and you can then run the clock down to the 3 seconds needed for a FG, even with KC's 2 TOs. Even if you don't get the first down, you make KC blow their TOs.

That irked me. Run the ball on first and you get to the 2 minute warning going into second down. I'm sure they'll discuss that one for future reference.

The fact the run D was that effective when DJ only played 42% of the snaps is a very good sign too.

From what I’ve read this week, it seems Dorsey has dialed enough up for Allen, he just hasn’t taken it.