Boatdrinks

True. It’s very much a week to week, what have you done lately league.

Niners D scheme hasn’t changed - it got them to two Superbowls and it probably should have been 3 if they had a QB for championship game vs Eagles. They’ve had a ton of injuries this year- that 6-8 record is a result mostly of that. They’ve had better defensive players than Buffalo- scheme only gets you so far. KC’s offensive has been middling all year. Their Defense is elite and responsible for most of their wins this season.

They need to commit to manufacturing pass rush vs the better QBs in the playoffs. McD seems reluctant or even unwilling to do this. Sean should remember the definition of insanity in this case.

Probably vs Ravens in ‘21. Nothing else stands out.

I haven’t rewatched - but I’m not surprised by what you saw. I remember several drops- especially the Diggs drop late in the game. The defense was up against it that day, but Josh almost pulled off the win anyway. I felt for sure after the 2 minute warning that we would see a large helping of Josh Allen runs . I didn’t understand the final sequence at all- scoring quickly there would have just allowed Mahomes get the winning points in the final seconds. I’m in no way absolving them. I spent a small fortune to attend that game last minute and was bitterly disappointed in McD. They looked to me like they had never seen snow. Seemed like every play the Bengals were catching passes in front of Bills defenders and cruising to easy first downs. Offensively the Bills were trying to hit pass plays well down the field. Worst playoff performance top to bottom by a Bills team in the McDermott era.

The Bills sure looked like they had no idea how to play defense in the snow. The Bengals were happy to pile up rac yards as the Bills backed off. Still, Allen did almost nothing to match the Bengals and Burrow that day. Defense was bad, and offense was non existent.

Yep. Army Navy should be earlier, then a couple NFL games later in the day. I think they used to do this in the 80’s and 90’s.

I think it’s a reference to whether the team is ascending or descending - I could be wrong though.

Mahomes and Burrow are top QBs to be sure. Trying to throw the Skylar Thompson Dolphins game in that same category of game is a stretch- more myth than reality. That game was about one thing: turnovers by the Bills offense. The Bills defense did its job- giving up only field goals on short fields several times. It was a sloppy game by Allen and the offense that made a likely blowout of Miami into a nail biter.

I don’t know if that’s what the Bills defense is “ built” to stop - no GM/ front office thinks that way. I think the scheme - X’s and O’s -is fine. The Bills lack a couple of elite defenders - the Jimmys and Joes- to be a dominant unit. Your point is valid- the Bills defense has failed them in the playoffs. That game is probably not the best example. Offensively I think the game plan was a sound one: play keep away from Mahomes Kelce and Co. It darn near worked.

That was pretty much a shell of the Bills defense with many key starters out.

We can’t say definitively that the Bills can’t get over the hump with McDermott at the helm. We do know he’s the coach leading them into battle for the 2024 season and playoffs. We’ll see what happens - we don’t have to face anything because we’re not the team owners calling the shots. The NFC does have some good offenses , if not the elite QBs that reside in the AFC. That’s fine, because if the Bills face one of them in the postseason it will be in the Super Bowl. Maybe it will just be a high scoring affair - in which I would like the Bills chances. Eh , 50 would be a stunner, seeing as they managed what, 23 vs Chicago? I don’t remember the Bills giving up 50 under McDermott , maybe I’m forgetting it I don’t know. The plan was out there after Baltimore, after Houston , after whomever last year etc etc. Every game is different , that’s why they play ‘em.

So when you watch are you hoping that bad things don’t happen, or wanting to see Josh Allen and teammates do great things? I’m unclear on this. Anyway, I think you realize that sports fandom isn’t primarily based on logic. Regardless of how much of it you want to bring into the conversation to show you’re absolutely not thinking the Bills will win in the playoffs. However you’re more than willing to be ecstatic if they do. If they win Bills fans will rejoice. If they don’t - it’s probably going to mean some big changes will be made in the organization. Most of us would prefer the former I’d venture- as the latter doesn’t guarantee better or even nearly as good results. I’ll be hoping and even expecting to see a lot more wins this season - and I’ll be surprised and disappointed if the Bills don’t at least get to the AFC title game. Don’t want to jinx anything by bringing up more than that- yes illogical , I know.

I’d be surprised at this , even if the Bills get a SuperBowl win.

It’s quite logical actually. If you’re so certain that the Bills will fail due to their head coach , following them or dedicating hours of time to watching them is pure folly. Very illogical behavior for one who is certain and in the know. Any Bills fan who has watched in recent years is familiar with the playoff games and performances. They don’t need more attention because it’s irrelevant: not only is it known but it’s completely in the past. All that matters is the future and that means this season and really ,the next game. There will be plenty to discuss to be sure. Making dour predictions and statements when there are at least 5 games remaining to be played is illogical - unless it’s just a lot of coping for the inevitable disappointment that’s around the corner.

Again if you don’t feel the Bills have what it takes to “ overcome” their head coach , what’s the point of watching them ? Of course you wouldn’t ignore it, but you’d probably be watching something else. Would you waste time following/ watching a certain failure? Probably not; you’d say call me when you get a new coach. So the negative posts are a major coping mechanism or just hoping you are right about your take on the Bills - a sort of Shadenfreude.

Probably true. The Bills don’t like to blitz very often, so consistent pressure must be generated by the front 4. This group doesn’t get that done consistently and certainly not in the playoffs.

I believe Josh Allen will win this team a Super Bowl. The Bills defensive performances have been exactly what they looked like. Proof that the Bills are not an elite defensive football team. I’ve got my issues with McDermott, and I don’t think he will be the reason the Bills get a SuperBowl win. But these negative posts are just a coping mechanism for tough losses. What’s the point of watching if you just think the team will lose anyway? I want to watch the best QB in the NFL- Josh Allen bring a Lombardi trophy home to Buffalo. I think he can because he’s that good. The Bills defense isn’t tops in the league, but they’re good enough if healthy.

No one is trying to emulate anyone or anything. They’re just trying to get to nd win a Super Bowl. Mostly the Bills have had a bunch of bad luck when it comes to advancing or not. Even 13 seconds took a bunch of unfortunate things combined with questionable strategy to put the Chiefs ahead. Nah it’s coping. There’s no concepts to research or magic key. No mystical formula. Just a few plays here and there in most cases. I get it , Bills fans have had to chew on some really tough losses. Easier to brace yourself for a negative outcome and lessen the disappointment than it is to Bill-ieve ! It will just make the victory so much sweeter when Josh Allen Hoists the Lombardi overhead for all the Mafia to see.

A lot of coping going on in those types of opinions. No one wants to be the one to step up and say they think he’ll get it done. Much easier to pile on and say otherwise. Less disappointment if a playoff loss occurs.

I’d venture if the Bills and Ravens met again the game would be much closer. The Bills had significant defensive injuries and Allen did t play well. The Bills have beaten the Ravens in previous meetings. They’ve also beaten the Steelers the past couple times. The Bills were also a Gabe Davis mental error from beating the Eagles in Philly last season, and only lost on an unlikely long FG in the rain. The Bills offense and Allen could also dominate any of those teams. A lot of consternation and hand wringing over a bad defensive night. Could the Bills lose in the playoffs ? Of course. They also have Josh Allen, one of the best 2 QBs in the NFL. A playoff loss is far from a forgone conclusion.

I disagree. The 2 seed does matter. It’s a chance to play at home if the 1 stumbles. 3 or 4 is not as big of a deal.

Depends who the hypothetical people are. Fans ? They’ll do nothing. T Pegs, Beane ? We’ll see. If a Super Bowl was lost due to poor game management or bad defensive strategy it could mean a change at HC. Far from guaranteed, but it could.

It’s not any more of a turnover than a punt return for a TD. The ball is going to the opponent anyway as soon as it hits the foot. Terrified ! Lol … let’s be real about this. The Bills can win in the playoffs because they have Josh Allen. Period. It’s always going to come down to the matchup. This year will be no different. Their best chance was always going to be by securing the #1 seed. As Yogi Berra would say “ that ain’t rocket surgery”! Losing a shot at the 1 seed is a far more frustrating development to anyone paying attention than just now realizing the Bills defense isn’t an elite unit.

Breaking news : the Buffalo Bills vaunted defense will not carry them through the NFL playoffs to a Lombardi trophy. More on this story at 6 !