Fan in Chicago

Not to joke at Reid's weight but McCoy's fist practically disappears for a brief moment !

I was assuming the Pats* would be in the #1 spot. No idea about the playoff spot. The 'good' thing about yesterday's loss was that it was a non-conference one.

Yes, I am glad we are not irrelevant by this time of the season as we have been for the last several years. First time, counting the year we were 5-1, I feel encouraged and truly think we are always in a position to win. While we could have lost the Raiders game, we could have won the Cincy game (save the idiotic side judge's reversal of Stevie's catch). Also, I think the toughest stretch of 6 games is done. Looking down the list of reminaing games, and based on the way the teams are playing right now, there is no other stretch of even 3 games that is tougher than what we faced in the last 5 games. If we keep playing like this, we should be no less than 10-6 and finish second in the AFCE.

I fall on this side of the argument. The call was risky simply because of Fitz's high likelihood of making such mistakes. If Gailey had, say a Matt Ryan or BenR, he will make that call everytime (I exaggerate ofcourse). But, he trusted Fitz at the wrong time and Fitz came up short.

Both those INts were squarely on Fitz. I am torn on the issue of whether we 'need' a franchise QB or we can make do with Fitz. On the one hand, I see him to be quite smart, plays with guts, has a short memory and has a never say die attitude. On the other, he is prone to making these game-killing mistakes and some poorly thrown balls. Yes, Gailey can live with his shortcomings but it severely hampers the play calling. As an example, Gailey should be free to call whatever plays he thinks will drive the stake deeper through the hearts of the opponents. Instead, he has to play it safe and concentrate on time clock management and trying to keep the ball last. Depending on who is available in the first round next year, QB and WR are both equally possible for us to draft. BPA

Troup is not starting ? I wonder if it is due to his recent injury or if the coaches have been underwhelmed by him ? I just haven't seen enough of him to know one way or the other. I was quite hopeful that he would develop into a quality NT. We will see.

I think we win this one big. Those trying to hype the Fewell factor need to remember: (1) Fewell played under the Jauron regime and the philosophy has changed (2) The players on D were vastly different (3) The O is a lot better causing the D to play differently. Fewell's Bills background is a non-factor. (Side note - Notice that both the OC and DC held those positions with the Bills. I dont think any other team has that combination)

This is from the board that PTR linked above. Read and tell me what you think: http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=64&f=1867&t=8087396 http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=64&f=1867&t=8076706 These are two threads I saw which specifically discussed the upcoming game

You dug up one post that bashes the Bills. Most of the posts I see are in awe of what the Bills have done so far and think the Giants really need to being their A game to have any chance of winning.

We have a lot of young and new players on the D. The D can stop opposing drives with a strong DL + good DB or through turnovers (allowing yards in the process). As our D matures and gels, this balance will change. That or maybe I dont know wtf I am talking about and GEdwards sucks

Probably because the O is currently designed to take pressure off the OL via quick plays. I may be mistaken but it even looks like Fitz has been getting the ball out a fraction of a second faster than last year. I am confident we will draft a 'burner' type WR next year very high. That with the maturation of the OL will allow Gailey to expand the playbook. For this year, continue to expect the short to medium passing game that we have seen to far.

You are welcome

Lloyd or Wayne will need a couple of weeks before they can start playing (after learning the playbook) and maybe another 2 weeks to get in synch with Fitz. By that time, Jones will be ready to come back. Hence, the value of a veteran is not as high as it would have been at the beginning of the season. I do think that a vet presence can be valuable for experience down the stretch as well as for depth. Hence, I am not averse to making a trade for Lloyd or Wayne. However, given the above points, I would not even go as high as a 4th rounder. I would tell Denver that the Bills next year's 5th rounder is like a 4th rounder for them. Take it or leave it. I doubt any team is willing to give up more compensation for either player.

Welcome back, olivier. How very french of you to abandon ship when the Bills were doing bad and jump back on. (I keed, I keed) Hope you can find time to follow the Bills. It has been a fun season so far.

I am not a Cutler fan but this game was one of his best. He was constantly under pressure, hurried or getting hit/sacked. yet he kept several broken plays alive and completed a high percent of passes even though he was constantly on the run. The O Line sucks big time but Martz's inability to compensate for the lack of a good OL is maddening. He should have been let go in the off season and I doubt he lasts past the Bears' bye week. The guy is one of the biggest morons I have seen masquerading as an offensive coordinator

By the way, three of the five teams we have faced are top 10 in offense (Pats*, Eagles, Raiders). We now go up against the Giants (#13 overall, #6 passing, #27 rushing). On D, they are #20 overall, #18 against pass, #21 against run. Overall, we are superior but we can be hurt by their passing. I think we wil have to score gobs of points and hope McGee is back this week. I feel very good about our chances this week

Besides the stats themselves, I am concerned that we have a tough time protecting a lead. Not sure what it is but doesn't feel right. Individually, there are some really good performers - Barnett, Wilson, Byrd, KWilliams, Dareus, Kelsay. But together, as a unit, we seem incapable of stopping drives and preventing a lot of yards. George Edwards may be the reason or it may be that the players are very young and, with the short off-season, haven't had time to gel. Good to see that we are winning despite a below average defense. But to reach and go deep in the playoffs, things have to change or improve.

While I am excited to see the rise in the Bills' profile, I hope this appearance on national TV doesn't jinx us. (I know I am a nervous guy)

And precisely the point I was making earlier. Do everything in your power to not give the ball back to the opposing offense. That is playing smart and managing the game. Having an ego and have it blow up in your face is not smart. Else we have plays like Homerun throwback which haunts us for a long time.

Back atchya. With both your starting OTs out, it was a tough game to win but the Pack did it. A ROd will need more protection to keep the victories coming. I am pumped about yesterday's Bills win. In a way, this was a very important game to see if they can bounce back after the loss to the Bengals. Glad to see that they did. 4-1 looks so sweet.

Football is so much more than just out-muscling the other guys on every play. It is strategy and the hard count by Fitz, at home, was masterful. I was watching the count and thinking I wish someone would jump offsides and they did. The point in this series as with the last series in the game against the Pats* was to try your damndest not to give the ball to the other team in the waning moments of the game. I applaud gailey for bringing that killer instinct and sneakiness to the Bills. I bet the other coaches are now worried that they have to beat more than just the 11 men on the field at any given time. I think luck had nothing to do with that play but strategy and discipline had more of an effect.

Dont let up. Dont go to sleep, D

Kelsay is out for the game

While that record is true, I think it is premature to take that data and proclaim that a high octane offense is a surer road to the holy grail than a good defense. High scoring offenses make for fun watching but I still think you need that grind-it-out and tough defense to consistently be a winner. Brady, as with PManning, are rare and can guide the team to victory despite other problems on the team. This does not mean that a strnong D is not important - it emphasizes the value of a great QB. And they are called great because they are rare. For a solid and long term winning team, you need a good defense. NO ifs, ands or buts.

- You are being too kind to McK. He has been very very disappointing this year especially considering he is in his 4th year. AWilliams will see playing time when he comes back. McK may be gone next off-season - I am beginning to think George Edwards is in over his head. We have loaded up on D in the past two drafts and yet we cannot take advantage of these players. - Is it the scheme or the players ? Little to no impact from second year guys Troup, Carrington, Moats. What gives ? - Dareus is terrific. Williams and Dareus will be the nucleus of our D for years to come - We need a stud WR to help Fitz out. Nelson and Jones are too erratic - Byrd continues to progress and impress especially in run support - The next game is more important than the one we just lost. We will now know the true character of this team.