LSHMEAB

Yeah. It's unrealistic at this point. I think it's VERY, VERY likely that the Bills will need to score 30 plus to win this game. No doubt, but Josh isn't a rookie anymore. I think it's fair to expect a solid outing.

I'll be EXTREMELY happy with the progress and prognosis for the team and it would raise the bar. If Allen picks apart an outstanding NE defense and the Bills are able to stymie Brady, the sky's the limit. I would also pay ZERO attention to what pundits have to say, good or bad. The guys that break down football, yes. I'm interested. The people in the entertainment business masquerading as sports analysts? None. Not quite sure what award or demerit the Bills receive for positive/negative press from these people. I need the 411 because it seems to matter A LOT to some.

I was screaming at the TV to go for two after the penalty. Quite honestly stunned McDermott went that route and it would have been the right call even if it failed. You'd have to assume the percentage creeps up past 60 percent at that point that the conversion will be successful. He looked a little bit nervous to me; nervous as in it was somewhat against his nature but he knew it was the right decision. Like to think that experience will allow him to feel more comfortable making those types of decisions that are correct, but uncomfortable. The odds are on your side that you'll get TWO in that situation, so it makes no mathematical sense to go for 1. The wind and the fact that a XP is NEVER a guarantee made it a slam dunk, but It was the right decision either way.

It was indeed Hyde and that was my favorite defensive play of the game. Hyde is an extremely cerebral player and I'm sure there are numerous examples throughout any given game in which he gets somebody into the right spot. That one happened to stand out because he was so demonstrative. Hyde is without a doubt the QB of the defense at this point and a terrific one at that.

This is where I'm at for the most part. I have no doubt that the defense will continue to play very well, and I have seen some flashes from Oliver. I think it was presumptuous to think he'd take the league by storm as a rookie coming from Houston. He'll be fine, but it's gonna take time. I would have preferred they added an edge in the offseason, but I'm beating a dead horse with that one. I don't know about huge issue, but it's an issue. I HATE watching opposing QB's given all day to throw in those late game situations like the one we saw on Sunday. Hate it with a passion. But what's done is done and decisions were made. Oliver is the one guy capable of improving enough to alter the pass rush as a whole, so fingers crossed. This particular issue is the only one standing between very good and elite.

He, along with the rest of the offense, was a mess for the first 25 minutes of the second half. It wasn't good. But he does seem to have a clutch gene if that's a thing. He does need to play better on a consistent basis if we're going to beat the top teams this season. He's growing. He's better. But we're gonna need to see that next step eventually. I'm cautiously optimistic.

I've never been concerned with the run defense. I figured they'd be "fine" and Edmunds has gotten ALOT better. I remain concerned with the pass rush. Dalton had WAY too much time to throw down the stretch in obvious passing situations. Can't expect a defense to dominate entire games against NFL offenses, but I'd like to see Oliver step up a little more in the pass rush area.

I'm kinda skeptical about the sneaking in part after already dealing with security. But I suppose it's POSSIBLE.

That line is telling you the "powers that be" believe the Bills have a decent chance of winning this game. My main concern is getting in Brady's face. Pass rush has been a little lackluster, but if not now, when? I'm feeling impatient.

He's been a pleasant surprise. Not very athletic, but he's been making some noise. Tough loss and I think they may have to look outside the org. to find a replacement. NEED depth at that position and Oliver is coming along a bit slowly. As an aside, I'm still concerned about edge pressure and pressure overall. Dalton had all day to throw, especially on the last drive. Tre bailed them out thankfully.

Dude, I just rolled out of bed(west coast) and had the exact same thought. It's freaking gameday and we're talking about Vontae Davis! To each their own I guess. Let's just get a win any which way "we" can. I don't expect any halftime retirements TODAY; GAMEDAY, so I've moved on from Vontae.

Patriots will probably be favored by 9 or so points against the Bills, so not all that different from the Bills Bengals spread. The Bills have less of a chance of beating the Pats as the Bengals do of beating the Bills, but it's not an astronomical difference. I understand some people don't care about spreads, but I also don't understand writing any game off as a loss OR a win. If the Bills are ready to compete, yes, they SHOULD beat the Bengals. But they SHOULD also have a chance of beating the Patriots.

So the Bills win a playoff game, advance, and have a chance at winning a SB? Or they win one playoff game and it's assumed the lose the following week? I'll take either over beating the Patriots. I'll care about New England next week and the second game at Foxborough. Other than that, they're just another NFL team. Only significance is that they're a divisional opponent and certainly likely to be the team standing in the way of divisional success. I don't get into the rivalry thing. The only team that matters is the Bills. FYI; tell this to a Pats fan and watch them implode. Nothing infuriates an "adversary" like dismissal. They LOVE your HATE. They HATE your dismissal.

I think it's NOT a must win for precisely the reason you stated; every win counts. If every week is a must win, then you MUST GO 16-0. I'm getting the sense people don't believe the Bills can beat good teams, in which case, why do you even want to see them in the playoffs? Also, what does credibility have to do with anything after a quarter of the season? Credibility with whom? The media? I'm not singling you out, but I just cannot understand the obsession on the board with earning respect from the media. Who in the world cares? Just win games. If they win a Superbowl and people call it a fluke; guess what? They won the Superbowl. I want to see the Bills win because I'm a Bills fan and not because I need to see them admired by outsiders. The outsiders don't matter. Every team has hiccups along the way. How do you bounce back? Are the Eagles screwed because they kind of blew that game against Atlanta? No. They face their next opponent and have a chance to notch a win and "right the ship." My STRONG hunch is that the Bills will win a game they're expected to lose and lose a game they're expected to win. Happens every year. I'm much more concerned with how they fare in really tight games. Those are the games that define the season and ultimately make the difference in the standings. Thus far, they've basically stolen a game they should have lost. Those are HUGE. More so than who they lose to or beat, I want to see them win every game they have a chance to win. I want to see them above 500 in one possession games. So far, so good with McDermott in that department and it's one of the reasons I'm higher on him than most. But how about the Bills just go out and handle their business. That, I believe, we can agree upon.

Pretty much. You really can't start 0-3 unless you got Flutiemania(God I hated that phrase) ready to take the world by storm. Disagree. Each week is a chapter. This game will have no effect on the following weeks. Of course it would be a bad loss. I think we all understand that. But it's a week to week league and it's silly to label one so early must win. If the Bills are a legit playoff team, they're gonna win some games they ought to lose regardless of the outcome of this game. If we're gonna pencil in losses against every good opponent, what difference does it make?

I would say the prospects of a home playoff game would take a serious hit. That I'll give you. But wild card teams have won Superbowls and the playoffs are really the rational expectation for this season. Suppose it depends on one's perspective. Considering they notched the two road wins to start the season, I don't think it would doom their playoff chances. Put a damper on? Sure. But that presupposes losses that may turn into wins. If you told me going into the season we'd be 2-1 after 3 games, I'd have been "satisfied." Not thrilled, but satisfied. Just think the whole must win thing is silly at this point of the season, ESPECIALLY given the circumstances. If the Bills were 0-2 or even 1-1 with a loss at the Jets, I still wouldn't like "must win," but I'd understand the rationale. All that said, just win the game and relegate this thread to the archives.

I'm really not since you ask. I don't watch TMZ, have no interest in the personal life of celebrities, etc. If that's your thing, that's your thing and I don't knock it. Like I said, AB is nothing more than a personality at this point. Very little interest in what he does if he's not on an NFL roster.

Yeah. I don't think we're in any position to be resting guys beyond what's necessary because of this game or that game or whatever game. I'm sure they'll take the proper precautions, but you don't just go around sitting healthy players because some guys in the past have had similar injuries lingers. Many guys in the past have also returned when healthy and been fine. "When he's ready, he's ready." I don't see any need to pontificate about match-up scenarios, etc. BUT. This is a message board and I suppose it'd be pretty boring without some "pontification." That's not a real word, but it should be.

Have a drink and relax my friend. It's Friday night and the world is yours. For me, the whole AB thing has turned into a soap opera and thus lost all appeal. I'll watch TMZ if I want to see celebrity gossip(which I don't). Couldn't care less about the guy's personal life. I'll tune back in if/when he returns to an NFL roster.

I think a lot of people are going to be pleasantly surprised to see what kind of press the Bills get if JA has a great season and the team wins 10 or more games. They're not out to get the Bills. They'll believe it when they see it on a consistent basis.

I would give up football and focus on the lottery if I had that kind of prescience. You're wasting your talents.

This thread reminds me of a conversation George Constaza had with Keith Hernandez.

Had they lost to the Jets, I would say it's really close to a "must win" if must win means they're not making the playoffs if they lose. I think there'd be a reasonable path to the playoffs even if they lose this one.

I don't see many posts about Lamar Jackson anymore. Strange. He looks really good right now, unorthodox and all. I feel like some posters have a rooting interest in the other QB's from the 2018 class failing as if that means anything about Allen's prospects. In reality, it makes absolutely no difference whether Mayfield, Darnold, Rosen, or Jackson fail OR succeed. Allen's progress should be viewed in a vacuum. I don't get the obsession with the other QB's, but to each their own.

Delusional optimism from NFL fans? I feel like I've heard of that.