Success

I think like most fans, I've gone back & forth on McDermott, and have had my doubts at times. But we're lucky. No, he isn't the best coach, and I don't think I'd put him top 5. But he's top 10, and knows what he's doing. There is a LOT of bad coaching in the league. McD has done a fantastic job this year - as good as anyone. The playoff failures are obviously unfortunate - but we almost beat the champs last year with half of our defense hurt or out. If KC had the same injuries, and we were as healthy as them, we probably win that game by 2+ scores.

Go Chargers, go Steelers.

KC because of the psychology - not talent wise, but the history w/ them creates a problem. No one else. We could lose to anyone, but I like our chances against every team.

Rousseau.

I was thinking about that with Surtain. It's really one of the nice things about not having a true #1 guy in our WR corps. He'll probably take Cooper most of the time - or maybe Shakir? It doesn't really matter, because we spread it around more than any other top-tier team. I think the only advantage Denver has over us is - weirdly - youth & inexperience. They don't have that pressure of expectation that the Bills have. If they can hang in the game long enough, that could potentially be a negative for the Bills. Just knowing how devastating an upset in the WC round would be. But I don't expect that to play out. I think we come out, execute, play our game, and play like the better team w/ the significantly better QB, at home. I expect us to take a lead early not not really look back.

That's a crazy dropoff for a defense. Did they lose any key players?

All season, I just wanted to get to the playoffs relatively healthy. Couldn't have asked for a better situation as we head into WC weekend.

Much respect to the Broncos, but they're just starting their journey, and the difference in playoff experience will show up in this game: Bills 34 Broncos 16

That's fantastic. It does seem like we score in a pretty wide variety of ways once we get close to the endzone. I think we'd be tough for a DC to plan against in that situation.

Gotta love playoff football! I love this matchup for the Bills. I have a ton of respect for the Broncos & what they've accomplished this year, but for them, it's a first step. We're the better team, the more seasoned team, and we're at home. One of those games where we just need to execute & limit mistakes, and we should win comfortably.

How did another McDermott debate get started on this thread? The man has done an outstanding job this year. I've had sporadic doubts about him, but for the most part, our playoff shortcomings are more unlucky than anything. With the exception of the Cincy game, the Bills have always played competitive ball in the playoffs and the losses have generally come down to a play or 2. And usually those losses were to what many consider to be the greatest team of the past 5 years. Let's have some faith. I think he's ready for a run here, and the stars seem to finally be aligning health-wise for this team.

I've seen other fanbases get their feathers ruffled when fans of an underdog opponent do this. It never bothers me. What are they supposed to say? They're not saying they're better than the Bills. I'll be chanting that about the Chiefs if the Bills and KC both make it to the AFCCG.

Codrington?

We say that part about the QB's now - but then the combine happens, and the hype starts gaining volume, and before you know it, some QB-needy team will make that trade. You're not wrong, but I'm curious to see how it plays out this year.

It will be a tough match-up - but this is classic recency bias from the media. While the Bills mailed it in yesterday, KC legit didn't show up at all. Nix looked fantastic and the offense looked unstoppable. I think they only way Buffalo loses at home is by losing the turnover battle. We're a better team, with a much better QB.

It was a weird day w/ mostly backups - but Carter really stood out to me yesterday. Seemed like he was all over the field & in on a lot of plays. I hope he gets some playing time in the postseason.

Pats fans are extremely bitter about this one today. It's a big deal, and I'm glad it seemed like we were aware of it. Even in a down QB year, they might have gotten some team to bite on a big trade-up deal.

I'm glad it's the Broncos. Even though we have dominated the Dolphins, division games can still be weird.

Darnold is pretty off. Overthrowing quite a bit tonight.

Pats fans online are hilarious. I've seen at least half a dozen sentiments that are furious that they didn't throw the game on purpose, but that we're losers & it's bad karma that we didn't play our best & get the win. Such a delusional group.

Like everyone else - I really hated the Brady-era Pats. But man, when I think about what they did. Like, how? It is so hard for everything to line up - health, luck, talent, et al. - to make that improbable run. And they just kept doing it.

Patriots - 19 Bills - 16 Pats get a last-second FG to drop in the draft order, resulting in one of the most inscrutable victory crowd reactions of all time.

I'm truly just excited that the playoffs are here, and we're one of the faves. After the drought, you can pinch me on that alone.

I can't remember ever seeing Patriots fans want to lose a game so much. There is absolutely a consensus opinion in New England that a win on Sunday would be disastrous for their future.

I'd be worried about Chiefs fans if they beat us again & then go on to 3-peat. They're already at levels of arrogance so cartoonish that they make Brady-era Patriots fans look like the model of humility. We need to win just to keep our friends in KC from slipping further from reality.