Tough loss today, and it reminded me quite a bit of 1989. For those too young (or not yet born) to remember, in 1989 the Bills were a promising young (but unproven) team on the rise.
Yet, a very tough playoff loss ended that season, much the same as today. So close in both cases...
There was lots of blame to go around too in 1989 (most focused perhaps unfairly on Harmon) and pretty much everyone had an opinion on what was wrong, and how awful things were after that loss.
But the core players (along with a great coach and GM, and a franchise QB) were there then, and they are now as well. A strong off-season, stable leadership that "stayed the course", coupled with a good draft in 1990 (adding a few key players like Lodish and Parker among others) and the Bills were on their way.
So yes this loss stings -- just like it did in 1989. But I wouldn't bet against Polian having a good draft, and I'm not betting against Beane.
And I wouldn't bet against Levy to coach and build a cohesive team, and I'm certainly not betting against McD.
And yes, I wouldn't bet against Kelly to lead that team, and neither will I bet against Josh to lead ours now.
So what will happen to the Bills in 2020?
Of course no one can say, but I'll tell you for sure I'm looking forward to this off-season and this draft more than I have in many, many years.
Perhaps more than at any time since 1989....
#GoBills