In Summary

Dawkins has 10 days between games to rest and get refocussed. Rookies don't get moved to LT for New England.

Barring the return of a healthy Star and a crazed Oliver, the Bills lose the "push" matchup up the middle on both lines. NE very good at executing the long (time) drive. Bigger concern for the Bills' offense. Belichick will do everything he can to get into Allen's head and get him to unravel.

Yet, these five criteria selected by the heat and humidity loving folks in Atlanta have little effect on Bills fan enthusiasm. How could this be? Just another lazy piece of content that equates football weather with a day at the beach.

Perhaps an untimely loss of Wildgoose.

..........because along with the results and policies, he also needs to be in game shape.

The pass first, pass always narrative is in part driven by some WGR personalities.

Not really. History teaches the good coaches even if the game changes.

Wolford, Ritcher, Hull, Davis, Ballard. This is the difference.

It's the Brown Effect for sure.

"The moral of the story: Never question Harbaugh's toughness." (??) They have it backwards it seems.

For sure I like what you're saying. If you're getting gouged by the run, throw a little more responsibility on your all-star defensive backfield for a few plays. Matchups should dictate this. I just think the Bills are very hesitant to move from the nickel.

Could be TJ's money but could also be analytics based risk assessment. Maybe TJ simply guards you against more big plays than would Klein or 3rd LB? McDermott and Frazier, college and pro secondary players respectively, understand the defensive backfield and are arguably playing to their experience and coaching strengths. If Klein (or 3rd LB) and TJ were a draw on inherent talent, I'd still expect the coaches to lean TJ/nickel over 4-3. TJ and Poyer aren't afraid to hit so they're not necessarily run game liabilities IMO. I've joked that Poyer is our most physical linebacker. I like Klein to jumpstart the pass rush if the front 4 are ineffective. I wouldn't ask that of Edmunds. Most times the Bills have one guy (sometimes two) over 300 lb while the opponent's line has five. Edmunds and Milano are not Shane Conlan and Jim Haslett. We're built to stop the premier passing teams and not the two or three premier inside running games. The base 4-3 vs nickel debate is hopefully just about getting past those couple of teams than could derail your playoff seating.

Sometimes WGR has a lot of time to fill and makes arguments based on non football biases. Beasley and McKenzie are different players.

The Bills won't play three LB's to stop a 12 yard run if it means some remote chance they give up a 30 yard pass play. Not who they are. With a 4 man defensive front and not being a blitzing team, no way they play an extra LB just to rush the passer. The rare occasion is simply an opportunistic changeup, not their bread and butter. Yes, I miss seeing an NFL that involved more running and LB play - even the 3-4 the Bills had that necessitated a rush backer. However, anything short of facing Henry at RB and the Bills will be Nickle start to finish.

Odd that a physical LB who can tackle and rush the passer doesn't have more snaps. Unfortunately he's just not great at running around with his hands up.

Shame. D starts with Star.

Just the way ESPN and the sports tabloid culture like it.

Re 2: Beane and McDermott talk about interchangeability and positional flexibility but the long rangy tackles (Spencer Brown) with quick feet capable of handling wide 9 technique rushers are a different body type than the snow-plow type guards of years past that we suddenly crave. I think one of Beane/McDermott/Daboll was trying to evolve the game and positional body type requirement faster than the game would allow. The Bills' backs need interior linemen that can move the D linemen. Nobody is fast enough to threaten the outside so no over pursuit by defenders to open up cutback lanes. etc. Opponent DL knows they'll win their 1 on 1 matchups. The Bills invested in OT with the Dawkins contract and the draft. If you had to pick between improving your tackle or guard positions, and you're predominantly a passing team, you can fairly choose tackle - which they did.

Wondering to what degree McDermott gets involved in the offensive game plan. Does he, or will he now overrule Daboll on anything? Somebody canned the empty backfield sets after Pittsburgh. We know he'll take the defense over if needed.

Judgement day was August 29, 1997. It was then moved back to July 25, 2004.

Game ball to Tyler Bass.

OBJ = Locker Room Problem. Not needed.

Agree. Too many teams to care about or to ever expect a championship.

The problem is that this not passing to RBs makes Buffalo predictable. RBs won't be running around anyone to the outside coupled with not being significant receiver threats. A few more effective passes per game to the RBs could loosen the deeper downfield coverages. This is a good week for the Bills to experiment and develop this part of their offense but I think Daboll/Allen will try and set passing records instead.

Clearly a deep cover agent for the Carolina Panthers was sent to the Pegula daughter's wedding to expose McDermott as punishment for stealing Beane and Star Lotulelei.