[Excluding JA , predict which player will have the biggest impact - Bengals at Bills]

O: Many folks will have great games, but if I had to pick two, I'd say Davis and Cook.

On D, Elam and one or two on the line (Groot and Oliver)

[The Unusual Suspect]

McKenzie/Davis and Elam.  One of those three will surprise us (in a good way!).

[We're on to Cincinnati(Bengals coming to OP). Sunday 1/22 at 3pm. Opening Line Bills -5]

Just now, FrenchConnection said:

If the Bengals win, my daughter is going to take so much heat from her band directors on Monday at 7:00am.  

Totally hear ya!  We're thinking about bringing in cookies on Monday (maybe buffaloes eating tigers?!).

[We're on to Cincinnati(Bengals coming to OP). Sunday 1/22 at 3pm. Opening Line Bills -5]

 

SO, my son wears this cap to school today here in Cincinnati - He is asked by a teacher to take off his hat (but does not ask the students wearing Bengals caps to take off theirs).  Targeting my boy for rooting for his team?!  WTF!  I'm actually not that pissed but it would make a win on Sunday extra sweet!!  GO BILLS!!  Crush those lame tigers with a depleted offensive line!!

[We're on to Cincinnati(Bengals coming to OP). Sunday 1/22 at 3pm. Opening Line Bills -5]

51 minutes ago, DaBillsFanSince1973 said:

 

And what in the world does "chop it up" mean (I'm the guy in the class that asks the question that others are too embarrassed to ask . . . : ) )?

[Cinci O Line injuries]

12 minutes ago, Drew21PA said:

I see so many posts that lead me to believe that the last game against the dolphins has everyone completely confused.

 

so many drastic takes it’s wild

 

the defense played exceptionally well last week -  ridiculously well 

Very much agree - The concise summary of the game is that the offense won us the game but almost lost us the game!

[How confident are you the Bills beat the Bengals?]

2 minutes ago, jkeerie said:

I beg to differ regarding the NFL rules.  The Bills and Ravens were the only teams in control of their own destiny going into that week 17 game.  Buffalo wins out, they win the conference.  Ravens win out, they win their division.  Bengals could get the conference only by winning out coupled with a KC loss.  So with the Bills v Bengals game cancelled, they put KC at number 1 by virtue of winning % and they awarded the Bengals the Division for the same reason.  However...as accommodations for the Bills and Ravens losing the control over their own destinies and losing the conference and division, they put the AFCCG at a neutral field should KC and Buffalo meet, and they decided on a coin flip for a Ravens/Bengals playoff rematch.  Winning % was used for seeding and no rules were changed with the exception of those two accommodations.

 

I think there's also more simple logic to the Balt/Cincy coin flip than many people realize: If Balt won vs Cincy in final week of the season, then if we had beat Cincy in week prior, Balt wins division and HFA in wild card round but if we lost to Cincy, Cincy wins division and gets HFA.  If you assume the outcome of the Bills/Bengals is a coin flip or close to that, then a coin flip is the right decision to decide HFA if Balt had beat Cincy 

[Bills-Dolphins most watched Wild Card game in 9 years]

Josh and team are "must see" TV, esp. in playoffs!!

[We're on to Cincinnati(Bengals coming to OP). Sunday 1/22 at 3pm. Opening Line Bills -5]

3 minutes ago, Augie said:

 

I find no appropriate emoji for this. I have no problem with fans of other teams, unless they are trolling. You know who there are quickly enough. 

 

That seems so petty and closed minded by the Bengals board to me. But, I’ve seen how the Xavier vs UC fans can get along….or not. I went to one of them, and the other guys just don’t like us!   😂 

 

 

I teach a class at the business school at UC on Monday nights (no class tonight b/c of MLK) - Next Monday's class will be real interesting!  Students know I'm a huge Bills fan.

[1/15/2023 Wildcard Weekend - Dolphins @ Bills - Post Game Thread]

Haven't gone through all the posts in this thread but to be clear, and it's pretty obvious, the offense almost lost us the game, not the defense.  7 points off strip sack/fumble recovery/TD, plus a lot points off INTs.  The Beasley INT was good defense and a lucky bounce for the Phins.  The offense had some amazingly good plays too but 7 sacks on Allen, fumble/TD, INTs are on the offense, of course.  That side of the ball was incredibly feast or famine.  And that's where we need to settle things down for the Bengals.  The two bombs to Davis in the 4th were utterly devoid of situational awareness - Maybe one bomb but two was very stupid.  Go Bills!!

[Excluding JA, predict which player will have the biggest impact - Dolphins at Bills]

Cook/Knox

Milano/Oliver

[We're onto Miami(Miami's headed to Buffalo)...opening line BUF -10! Game at 1:05 PM SUN 1/15]

On NFL 538, the line for the game right now is Bills -20!!  No joke.  Not a typo.

[Damar Hamlin - Now (1/11/2023) discharged from Buf Gen & “recovering at home”]

37 minutes ago, Real McNasty said:

I think it will be 100% mental only at this phase for Hamlin. Kid seems strong to me and I have a feeling he will be back next training camp in a Bills Uniform. 

 

 

Agreed - It's much easier said than done, but mindset could be "how likely is it for me to get struck by lightning again?"

[Damar Hamlin - Now (1/11/2023) discharged from Buf Gen & “recovering at home”]

Such wonderful news - I'm a bit of a skeptic when it comes to organized religion, but this does seem to be a true miracle (I attended the prayer vigil Tuesday night here near the UC Med Ctr).  Go Damar!!!!!

[Updated scenario for scheduling to be voted on Friday]

Bills win Sunday and we are at worst #2 (meaning no road games throughout playoffs, at worst).  If KC were to play Jax or Chargers, KC could easily lose.  Jax is a bit of a sleeper team this year IMHO.  If that were to happen, then we own the top seed and HFA.  

[Official: (Bengals) Game will not be resumed this week UPDATE: OFFICIALLY CANCELLED]

6 minutes ago, Bills!Win! said:

If there were a year to win the superbowl this would be it. We will do it in such rare Billsy fashion that people will put an Asterisk next to it no matter what 

The asterisk will reflect the crazy adversity we've had to overcome - Sort of like the opposite of the Pats* asterisk. Don't know if I can type a superscript here, but something like "Bills cubed" (i.e., Bills^3)

[Damar Hamlin - Now (1/11/2023) discharged from Buf Gen & “recovering at home”]

22 minutes ago, 3rdand12 said:

seems they let Diggs in so ? Highly likely and lets assume he prayed over him like a Father might

I was out for dinner tonight in Cincy, and our server was at the game - He said Diggs got an Uber with Allen to go to the hospital - I thought it was just Diggs - Very cool in any event!!

[Week 18: Pats at Bills, Sunday 1/8 1pm]

22 minutes ago, MasterStrategist said:

I'm not trying to assume anything or predict, but will support whatever the coaches/staff/players need to do in order to care for their well-being, and have time to focus on themselves and Damar.

 

That said, everyone processes traumatic situations differently.  Personally, talking thru emotions and thoughts with teammates/staff would help me.  Then getting my mind "busy" (back to work) and refocused, as more updates come out on Damar is important so I wouldn't let negativity creep in.  Again, that's just me and returning to norm as quick as possible (after having a chance to share feelings/process everything) is my coping mechanism.  All things change if the unspoken occurs, just positive thoughts/prayers that encouraging updates on Damar come out in the next day or so.

 

I also have complete trust/faith in Beane and Coach, to help guide and lead the team thru this difficult week(s).  Family first, and I'm sure they will give every resource to helping the staff/players right now.

Extremely well articulated - Completely agree!

[How do you feel as a parent about your child playing football?]

2 minutes ago, Beast said:

Listen, I don’t blame you. I just wondered what you thought about being entertained by humans playing a sport that you wouldn’t let your child play. I like to play devil’s advocate.

 

Fair question - I considered not watching football anymore several years ago but realized I couldn't shake my decades of fanhood.

[How do you feel as a parent about your child playing football?]

15 hours ago, Beast said:

So, it’s OK to watch others play and put themselves at risk for your own entertainment? I take you enjoy watching football?

Everyone can make their own decisions (including the professional players that decide to play for my enjoyment) - Just because I won't let my son play doesn't mean others will make the same decision (and it's obviously their decision).  And some posters talk about risk and infer that not letting a child play football somehow suggests that they don't take any risks at all or something to that effect (hey, you can get killed crossing the street, right?).  For me at least, it's deciding which risks are acceptable and which aren't.  I play poker and downhill ski on some steep, "crazy" stuff, so maybe I'm a hypocrite but I am willing to take risks.  

[How do you feel as a parent about your child playing football?]

My son will never play football because of CTE concerns, among others.  Nothing to do with what happened last night.

[Official: (Bengals) Game will not be resumed this week UPDATE: OFFICIALLY CANCELLED]

8 minutes ago, Warriorspikes51 said:

Respectfully, everyone is going to approach this situation differently.  One person who prays for Hamlin while also talking about the playoffs is certainly of no less value than a person who grieves and thinks about Hamlin constantly 

And I'd even take this a step further:  The Bills players are obviously focused on their teammate and friend, and spending time with their loved ones during this incredibly difficult time - But it's naive to think that even the players aren't starting to wonder things like: When will we resume practice?  Will we play NE as scheduled? etc.  Basically, they are starting to think about when things might start getting back to "normal"- BUT that's not a slight in any way to D Hamlin.  It's human nature and totally to be expected.

[Playoff Solutions Assuming they don’t replay the Bengals game.]

First, prayers for Damar, his family and friends, and everyone else impacted by the horrific game last night.  So awful!

 

Re this thread, are teams allowed to unilaterally forfeit multiple games?  I could see the Bills contemplating doing so, but is it against the rules?

[Week 17: Bills at Bengals on MNF]

Such a huge game with so much hype and discussion - It's going to be a great game and I agree it is likely to be anxiety provoking.  Two minor points that are a little under the radar: 1) This is like a playoff game with its implications and atmosphere - McD hasn't won a road playoff game - Let's end that streak tonight (so we likely won't need to play any actual road playoff games this year except for SB) and 2) These teams haven't played each other in ages - This game will be important for both teams as prep for when they are likely to face each other again later this month.  GO BILLS!!

[How many Bills fans in Cincy tonite ?]

2 minutes ago, FrenchConnection said:

I feel so guilty. You guys are flying in for the game and I live about 10 minutes from the stadium and I'm not going. You shouldn't catch too much grief from the locals. They are used to being invaded by Steelers fans and Cubs games at GABP are like Leafs games at KBC.

I'm local too and not going (but hitting the tailgate at 4) - Go Bills!!