The playoff game and it’s fateful ending have been well documented , but can’t be pinned on pass rush. Heck they only rushed 3 and probably shouldn’t have even done that. Playoff games are going to be close and that’s why they pay Allen. CIN won by a FG just like the Bills would have had they employed their strategy properly. Last years gameeans nothing to this years and we can’t cry over injuries. Yes step up make plays and secure the #1 seed. That could be the difference.
The Bengals did have a hurry up offense but it wasn’t the Bills that faked injuries in the playoffs that year. It came to a head when the Bengals played the Seahawks in the divisional round. Seahawks players were accused of faking injuries to slow down the Cincinnati offense and to avoid being called for Offside or too many men on field when the Bengals would line up quickly and snap the ball. The league was concerned about the potential for similar shenanigans in the AFC title game and warned the Bengals for using the hurry up in this manner. They told the Bills to not fake injuries as well but informed Cincinnati that if they used their offense to create a penalty that the officials would flag both teams : Buffalo for too many men or Offside and the Bengals for unsportsmanlike conduct and the penalties would offset. Head coach Sam Wyche was furious over this ruling, but I don’t remember it being called in the game. I do remember Bruce Smith being flagged for a phantom face mask during a sack of Esiason when he actually pulled his jersey. The Bills offense was not effective that day and struggled to cross midfield.
Don’t care too much about the award either way, but if the Bills win out and clinch the #1 seed Josh Allen is going to be the top choice for MVP or a close second.
Bengals game is enormous as they could knock the Bills down to the 3 seed. Don’t want to look to far ahead as we have tough games before this. It could be the difference between drawing the Chiefs or not seeing them until a potential AFC title game. Of course this is if all 3 teams hold serve until then ; a lot can change in a month.
In a strange twist, the 1 seed is likely to come down to @ Bengals. Just as it ( possibly) did with the Chiefs. This is not going to be a slam dunk for the Bills and may be the only game on their schedule that they’ll be an underdog. The Bengals can giveth and taketh away.
OBJ will not get that $$ from
any team. He’s had 2 knee injuries and isn’t 26 anymore. If he does sign this season , he’s not getting that kind of cheddar. He’s hoping, but he’ll ultimately sign for a lot less.