Buffalo4Life01

this 100%. Absolutely agree if we have nothing to play for week 18, we rest Josh and as many starters as we can. But no way they should do the same against the Jets. Don't want to go into the playoffs 'cold' and also would like to see the entire team shake some of the 'rust' from last nights game and get some positive vibes going into the playoffs. Go Bills!!!!

THIS right here. The pressure for the 1 seed is gone now. Also, normally when McDermott's defense lays an egg like they did yesterday, they respond really well and play with a chip on their shoulder the following game. The only thing I will say is that for once it would be nice if the defense would start the game off with a 3 and out, a turnover, anything besides letting the other team do what they want. This read and react/adjust defense will not get it done in the playoffs. I do expect the team to come out and play much more inspired football next Sunday.

As long as we have him back for the playoffs, I see no reason to rush him back. Looks like Kincaid is coming along nicely though. We'll be great! Go Bills!!

This sentiment totally makes sense and most years I'd agree with you 100%. But this year just feels different to me. The entire team seems locked in at a level I'm not accustomed to and despite what they might say publicly, I can just about guarantee you they want the 1 seed and a first round bye just as much as we do. I think they will continue to play inspired football.

https://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showthread.php?t=349860

Over at Chiefs Planet they have been discussing this at length. Not sure what we did to piss them off so much but they absolutely HATE us. Not talking about the team itself, but the fans and 'Bills Mafia'. Here are just two examples of what they are saying: "Dad said some wasted drunk obese **** yelled "I'm GOING TO PUSH THROUGH THESE 9ER FANS" and proceeded to bulldoze his family and knocked his daughter into a chair. Said she's got bruised ribs. In my mind this fits the bills profile to a T. Animals." "Mouthbreathing fanbase who's entire identity is tethered to a football team...in a hole in the wall city. Angry, desperate people trapped in a nowhere situation...their only release is acting out at a sporting event. I mean they dive on flaming tables and hit people in the face with dildos...that's what they are known for. Pushing a little girl shouldn't surprise anyone...They are the Juggalos of the sporting world. If the NFL started again...they wouldn't even have a team. It's amazing the franchise hasn't been sold then moved decades ago." They actually think we are just a bunch of crude beasts who live to get drunk and throw snowballs and dildos at our opponents when that is such a TINY part of the people who make up the true Bills Mafia.

Quick thank you to everyone who has helped summarize the 4-2-5 defense McDermott runs. I've learned more in last ten minutes reading through this thread than I could ever learn elsewhere. Props to everyone for sharing the negatives and positives of our defense and for all of the suggestions on how to improve it in the playoffs. This is why I love this message board. We really do have the most informed fan base anywhere!! GO BILLS!!

You counter this by scoring first and then trying to increase the lead early. Force Baltimore to lean on the passing game instead of the run because of necessity and having to play catch up. I love our chances in the playoffs especially if it's full strength vs full strength and the game is in Buffalo.

I get what you are saying and I remember every game and how they all played out just like you describe them above. Still, these all add up to nothing but a growing list of excuses of why Buffalo has yet to beat KC in the playoffs. Beat them this year if they cross our paths and that particular monkey will forever be off their backs. 100% this AND we should have 3 guys we didn't have in the first matchup who ALL play a huge part in run defense. Bernard, Milano, and Johnson.

Agree that was years ago and doesn't have any bearing on this years team. However, it does matter in terms of 'mystique'. We've beaten the Ravens with Lamar Jackson in the playoffs before. We have never done that against Mahomes and the Chiefs. I absolutely think this gives us a mental edge if we go up against Baltimore in the playoffs just like it gives KC a mental edge in the playoffs against us. So much of the game of football is played between the ears and this kind of stuff does matter, at least in my opinion. Also, if you want to factor in the 'clutch' playoff gene, it's hard to argue that to this point in their careers, you have to rank the qb's as follows: Mahomes, Allen, Jackson. That said, I think if 100% healthy we take both teams in the playoffs and neither team scares me. Go Bills!!

Why is everyone so scared of the damn Ravens? It's like we've all forgotten when they beat us earlier this season (months ago), not only were we a totally different team on offense, we lost Shakir in the 1st quarter AND on defense we played the entire game without Bernard and Johnson, both of whom would have drastically helped the rushing defense. Also, we will probably have Milano back for a playoff matchup should these two teams meet again. I not only welcome the challenge, I think we score first in a rematch and the game isn't close going into the 4th quarter. Furthermore, I'd feel much more comfortable playing the Ravens as opposed to the Chiefs in the playoffs. We've beaten Baltimore in the playoffs before. We've yet to beat this Chiefs team with Andy and Mahomes in the playoffs. Maybe I'm alone in my thinking but the Ravens don't scare me at all. That being said, no team scares me. Knock on wood, we are actually trending to be healthy for a playoff run for the first time in Allen's tenure. Let's go!! Go Bills!!

That's why it's so important to start well and jump out in front. Makes things so much easier on offense and opens up so many things on the defense. Also, as long as #17 is our QB, we have a chance to beat any team we face in the playoffs. Go Bills!!

this right here all day long. that's all I say about it.

Understand what you are saying but on the flip side, it's absolutely a possible Super Bowl preview and a game against teams who many believe are the best teams in their conferences. I would say if this is not the game of the year, it's mighty close to being called that and rightfully so.

I think everyone is correct with the reasoning here as to why the final score was so lopsided. One thing not being mentioned in this thread is the injuries heading into the game. On defense we were without Bernard and Johnson. Two of the most physically talented players on the unit both out at the same time. Also Rapp went down with a concussion at some point and did not return. On offense, we had yet to acquire Cooper and Keon was still very green. Shakir got hurt in the 1st quarter and missed most of the game. After falling behind early Buffalo simply lacked the firepower on offense to catch up and the defense was already playing without key starters from the jump. Imagine going into the game with all of the above guys healthy AND with Milano back. I look forward to a potential playoff meeting and think we will beat them next time!

100% this. All the arm chair qb's and keyboard warriors here are ready to tar and feather the guy and run him out of town. He has a wrist injury. Can't imagine catching fastballs from Allen or any other QB is easy while wearing a cast on an injured wrist. I for one am 100% willing and able to give Amari the benefit of the doubt and am excited to see what he can do when fully healthy. If that means he doesn't play this weekend and uses the bye week to heal for the stretch run, so be it. I'd rather have him back in time to get acclimated to the offense thee last 4 or 5 games of the season than risk re-injury Sunday.

You're right. Gabe would have dropped the ball and the Bills would have punted on 4th down.

Does anyone have any specifics from McDermott regarding Cooper other than him saying he would practice today in some capacity?

agree 100% BUT who is to say they have not been working on a trade with another team for days, weeks even and they are just hammering out the final pieces now? With BBB you never know!

McDermott has always been very tight lipped when it comes to sharing injury news BUT he is normally spot on when he calls an injury day to day vs week to week. huge difference there. Are you really talking about Coleman and not Amari?

Couldn't agree with this post more. Buffalo will need a healthy Keon and Cooper to make a run in the playoffs. That much is certain. If that happens and the injury bug goes away and doesn't come back this season, Buffalo stands as good a chance as anyone to knock off Baltimore and KC in the playoffs. The possibility of getting back a healthy Milano on defense can not be understated either. And who knows. Maybe those other teams have the injury bug hit them down the stretch like it always seems to hit us. I'm not wishing that on anyone but dealing with injuries is a huge part of why some teams make it to the Super Bowl and other teams do not. no one is saying his head isn't in the playbook. Only that he is not close to being 100% the player he could/will be when he is fully healthy and has a firm grasp of the playbook and doesn't have to overthink things while on the field.

I'm basing my statement off the rout tree he has run in his limited game time with the Bills this season which has been confirmed on multiple podcasts. Buffalo's playbook is not simple by any means and he has a long ways to go. Also, still dealing with a wrist injury. I don't care if McDermott has upgraded him to 'day to day', he's a wide receiver. His hands/wrists/arms are the most important part of his craft. Until he is 100% healthy we will absolutely suffer in the passing game if he and Coleman are both out or both suffering injuries at the same time. I agree with this 100%. I was also one of few posters here who said following the Hopkins signing that he would be an immediate game changer for that offense and I was essentially mocked for it. You are ONLY beating KC in the playoffs if you score 30+ points. It is what it is. I'd love to have DE/DT help but if it comes down to trading for one more player, my vote is all in on WR. What we have now isn't good enough when factoring in current injuries to Cooper and Coleman.

I hear the cries for DT/DE and I agree with everyone but If Coleman is going to miss extended time this year, or worse, and with Cooper not being 100% healthy and not being anywhere close to being acclimated to the offense, I have to think bringing in another WR is a priority today. Imagine trotting out a trio of Shakir, Hollins, and Samuel. *Shudder*

I agree with this and I actually feel very optimistic that he is going to be a difference maker rushing the passer this 2nd half of the season and into the playoffs. He's coming off a month rest and will be more fresh than he has ever been since coming to Buffalo. I also get the sense he feels relieved to get this behind him (he knew this was coming, just didn't know when) and my hope is that Miller plays the rest of the season loose, has a lot fun, and that he makes some timely splash plays. With his roll as a situational pass rusher, he only has to make one or two plays a game to be a difference maker on this defense. We always wanted to see what it would be like to have a healthy Von Miller come playoff time. We might just get our wish this year. Go Bills!!