Logic

Personally, I view this season as a success regardless. Why? Because the Bills solved, once and for all, the most difficult-to-solve problem in pro football: They confirmed without equivocation that they have a franchise QB. To me, that was the most important thing this season. With the 5th year option on Josh coming up, the Bills needed a clear answer one way or the other as to whether he was "the guy". His play stated emphatically that he is. Even if the Bills were to go out and get upset in the playoffs -- even if they don't win a single playoff game, in fact -- establishing Allen as a franchise QB, establishing the offense as top shelf, sweeping the division for the first time ever, and tying the team record for most wins....to me, that's a successful season. All that said, it would obviously be a huge disappointment if they didn't win a playoff game or three. But I wouldn't be all that upset, because this year checked the last "long term contenders" box that needed to be checked: QB. We now know that we have the ownership, the front office, the head coach, the QB, and more often than not, the defense, to contend for titles regularly for the next decade+. So would it hurt? Sure. But I know the Bills will be back and better than ever next year, and the year after that, and the year after that. This Bills team is here to stay.

If either Dawson Knox can step up (he's made some big plays the past few weeks) or they can nab a playmaking tight end in the draft....yikes. I was also thinking I'd like to see a true weapon at the H-Back position. Gilliam is filled in capably, but has looked like Just A Guy. If they could actually get a playmaker at the position -- a Kyle Juszczyk type -- as an outlet and moving chess piece for Allen, that would be gravy. Heck, if they DO add a more traditional in-line tight end this offseason, Knox could slide into that "move tight end" role.

Agreed. A QB with JUST his drive, will, and intelligence would likely be successful in this league. A QB with all of that PLUS his elite physical gifts? The ceiling is sky high. Or, as Dion Dawkins says, there IS no ceiling! Allen is a FrankenQB

Say what you want about Jordan Palmer being biased or giving good PR because he works with Josh but... I 100% agree with him on one point: I believe that Josh Allen is the most physically gifted quarterback in NFL history. I don't take that statement lightly, and I'm not trying to be hyperbolic, and I don't feel it's an exaggeration. His combination of arm strength, size, speed mobility, and raw athleticism have no equal that I can think of in NFL history. The guys I CAN think of are Hall of Famers. Steve Young? John Elway? I'm not saying that he'll be as good as those guys or that he'll be the BEST quarterback in history -- though he might. But physically? I really do think he is the most physically gifted ever at the position. And he's 24 and he's a Buffalo Bill. Truly awesome.

I don't know, man... I see a lot of healthy respect for the Bills in that thread, including many "Bills will blow us out" posts. To look at that thread overall and perceive optimism or confidence on their part is to be fishing for motivation and disrespect in a less-than-well-stocked pond, in my opinion.

I love these letters from players. They're amazing. As happy as I am about the Bills doing so well, I've been a little down about the fact that it's happening during THIS year, with no fans in the stands or out in the city celebrating, with no way for me to attend a game during what has been the best season of my adult life. There's been a small part of me that's like "well, winning the Super Bowl would be great this year...but couldn't we do it NEXT YEAR instead?". It just seems cruel for the best fan base in sports, after all these years of misery, to potentially miss out -- at least as far as live attendance, tailgating, and in-person celebration goes -- on the first championship season in team history. But I have to say, two things have turned me around. First is the fact that there will be fans in the stands for the playoffs. I know it's not full capacity and I know 6,700 isn't a lot in the grand scheme of things, but it MATTERS. Thousands of loyal Bills Mafia family members ARE going to get to see this team play live and in person, in a home playoff game. It's gonna mean a lot to the team to have them there, too -- that, I know for sure. Second is this article. The way Dion puts it -- that the Bills have injected joy into a terrible year -- is right on the money. The degree to which a trivial thing like sports really CAN lift up a community during times of hardship can't be overstated. Just look at the Saints after hurricane Katrina. Reading Dion's letter makes it clear that, though we can't be together on game days, the bond between team and fans has never been stronger. This year has STRENGTHENED it, if anything, and who know that THAT could be possible? All that's left to say is: Go Bills! Go bring home that Lombardi.

Stills objectively made the correct decision, and I have faith that he will now play good football for the Buffalo Bills.

I'm not sure how many on here use Twitter or are familiar with Mark Schofield's weekly videos, but I wanted to share these. He does them for many QBs, but Allen seems to keep showing up lately. They are shown here chronologically from the Broncos through the Dolphins games, so scroll down if you only care about yesterday's game. I like the second clip the best. The whole "This freakin' guy" bit. Just awesome. 😆

Completely fair. The only counter argument I could offer is that at least the Packers have a 1st round QB waiting in the wings in Jordan Love, whereas the bills have a journeyman who was out of the NFL until the Bills called him. But overall, you're right: elite QBs -- the guys that win the MVP award every year -- are extremely valuable to their team in all cases.

I agree with you. I was speaking only to what WILL happen, not what SHOULD happen. The more existential/philosophical question of "what does 'most valuable' actually MEAN?" is a valid one. Unfortunately, it's not a question that the voters seem particularly interested in addressing. What MVP has really become is "best quarterback of the year". In my mind, that's not what it SHOULD be, but that's what it is. I agree that Allen is more valuable to the Bills than Rodgers is to the Packers. But then, one could argue that Derrick Henry is more valuable to the Titans, Aaron Donald to the Rams, and so on. Recognizing the MVP award for what it actually is these days, I expect and accept Rodgers winning the award.

This. He'll get some votes, but Aaron Rodgers is going to win it this year. Allen will finish 2nd or 3rd in voting. Even as a Bills fan, I can't complain. Allen's season has been incredible, but Rodgers' has been even better. Fear not, Allen will win an MVP award or two in the years to come. This year just isn't his year.

I agree, but I find it hard to believe that someone as competitive as most NFL coaches are wouldn't welcome the challenge. Houston would, indeed, be an attractive opening, but not as attractive as the Chargers, in my opinion.

Outstanding post. Basically, the Bills RIGHT NOW are playing better defense, better offense, and better special teams. I only see one area where the Colts are clearly better, and that's running the football. Unfortunately for them, against an offense as high powered as Buffalo's has been lately, I'm not sure that will be enough.

To be fair, a lot of Jets fans are idiots.

I'd place a large wager that Daboll will be coaching the Chargers next year. Went to high school with their GM, Tom Telesco, and would be walking into a ready-to-go roster. Daboll+Herbert+Williams, Allen, Henry, & Ekeler = immediate success.

Disagree. Davis has more receiving yards this year than Stills had in any of his past three seasons. Davis also has more receiving touchdowns this year than Stills has had in all but one year of his career, and that was back in 2016. Between Davis' knowledge of the playbook, his chemistry with Allen, and his production this year, I don't see how anyone can say that Stills should be taking snaps from him.

I think this would be a silly move on the Bills' part. Davis is the Bills' second leading touchdown scorer at the receiver position this year with 7. Benching for any amount of time a player who has been producing in our system and building chemistry with Allen all year long and knows our playbook inside and out and scores touchdowns, for a guy who just joined the team a week ago, just doesn't make any sense at all to me.

Every time the Bills try to replace McKenzie, he just outplays the new guy and continues to produce. I love him as a player. He provides a unique element to our offense that no other players offer. He has also been in pre-snap motion more than any other player in football this year. His shiftiness/explosiveness are valuable, he can fill in at slot WR quite capably (as he showed on Sunday), and he has added value as depth at the punt and kick return positions. Lastly, he seems to really add something to the locker room. Everyone seems to love him, and he has been cited by multiple players as the "weirdest guy in the locker room". 😆

I agree with this. I believe that the Bills typically dress 6 WRs, including Andre Roberts. The only way Stills gets a gameday jersey, then, is if Beasley or another WR misses time. If the idea is that they want a seasoned veteran ready to step up in the event of injury, then it's a great plan. With Brown having been dinged up throughout the year and Beasley no sure thing to return by Saturday, Stills is a smart depth addition. Given how long he's been in the league, he can hopefully get up to speed fairly quickly. Another key factor is COVID. An outbreak can strike any position room at any time. The Bills have protected not one, but two practice squad centers all year long. Now they've added WR reinforcements at flanker and in the slot, with the latter being a guy that was Allen's go-to WR in college and thus, likely is already on the same page with him to an extent. It might be a case of Beane and McDermott being diligent in their preparation and contingency plans and saying "if we lose in the playoffs, it's not going to be because of injury or illness!" I can't help but wonder if it's also a way for the Bills to see if Kenny Stills is a talent and culture fit for NEXT YEAR'S team, too. Lastly, I'm at least a little bit intrigued by the addition of Allen's go-to receiver at Wyoming to the practice squad. Another of those late season afterthought Beane additions that winds up paying dividends down the road.

I always look at the three main matchups: Our offense vs their defense, our defense vs their offense, and head coach vs head coach. With all due respect to the Colts, who won 11 games and are a good, balanced playoff team -- I believe that all three of the above matchups favor Buffalo. The one thing that has me a bit worried is that their defensive line, led by Deforest Buckner, has the potential to give our offensive line fits. Control the line of scrimmage and you control the game. BUT....The Steelers' front seven was no joke, either, and we put up 26 points against them. I do not believe that the Colts defense, overall, is as good as Pittsburgh's. Furthermore, with regard to pressure from the Colts' d-line -- Allen has just gotten so good (and calm) with his movement in the pocket and knowing when to roll to his right that I think he overcomes the challenges Indy's D presents. Looking deep within myself and trying to put my homer-ism aside, I just don't see the Bills losing this one. I'm very cautious with my predictions of Bills success -- I had them going 9-7 or 10-6 this year -- but I see Bills victory this Sunday.

Wow. That is truly impressive improvement. Credit to the coaches, to the quarterback, and to the front office.

This may have already been posted elsewhere, but I felt it deserved its own thread. We already know that we just witnessed the best statistical season by a QB in Bills history, but now this: The Bills have been around for over 60 years, and we all just witnessed their best offensive season ever.

As was said on Twitter, it's fitting that on the anniversary of the Bills comeback game, we find out that Reich is coming to Buffalo for a Wild Card game. Of all possible AFC opponents, the Colts are the ones I feel most confident against. I know they're good and all, but I really like our chances against them. I MUCH prefer playing them to Tennessee. I even prefer playing the Colts to playing the Browns. Best case scenario.

I don't even really know what to say about that game. It went exactly -- EXACTLY -- perfectly. - Josh gets a whole game's worth of work in one half. Adds 3 TDs to his season total and sets the franchise record for passing yards. - John Brown gets back into the swing of things. - The offense remains red hot. - The offense, defense, and special teams all score touchdowns. - McKenzie has a career day - Bills score second most points in franchise history. - (likely) eliminated a division rival - Swept the division for the first time EVER! - Notched our 13th win of the season, tying a franchise record. - Secured the #2 seed in the playoffs - Everyone stayed healthy Seriously....what more could you want? Just an awesome day of Bills football and a great farewell to a special regular season for our team. I came into the day thinking it wouldn't be much fun, and instead it wound up being one of the most fun Bills games to watch of the entire season. Onto the playoffs. GO BILLS!!!!!!