folz

People keep saying that according to the rules the home team needs to provide the away team with whatever they are using (AC benches, Heating benches, etc.). But, the Bills brought their own AC benches to Miami (Miami did not provide them). And I am pretty sure that, at the time, it was reported that the Bills had to bring their own benches because Miami wasn't going to provide them. So, that would have to mean that either the Fish decided not to use AC benches on their own sideline for that game (which I doubt...but don't remember off hand if they did use them or not), that they offered them but the Bills wanted to bring their own (which is not how the story was reported), or the reporters at the time misreported this issue (weren't clear on the rules or why the Bills brought their own benches). Even though the Fish were in the shade, I can't imagine they weren't using cooling benches for their players in that heat (no matter how used to it they were). That would seem to be endangering players for a competitive advantage. But then they did throw Tua back in the game with a concussion, so maybe they don't care that much about their own player's safety. Anyone have any insight on this or remember things differently?

If they were to flex the Pats game to Saturday night, then the Bills will have played 9 primetime games this year (I'm including Thanksgiving even though it was a 12:30 pm start and Saturday games, even though the Bears game will be 1:00 pm start). And the KC game was a nationally televised game with a 4:25 pm start time...which almost made it feel like primetime because of the hype for that game between those two teams. The Bills will have played only 7 of 17 games in the Sunday 1:00 pm time slot...and only 3 of those Sunday at 1:00 pm games at home. They will have played 8 games not on Sunday (Thur, Mon, or Sat). And of course, only 7 home games vs. 10 on the road (with the schedule and the Cleveland game moving to Detroit due to snowmaggedon). Who could have ever imagined a schedule like that during the drought years? This is what you want...to be a top team in the spotlight. But 7 home games and 10 away games, 8 non-Sunday games (9 primetime games) really messes with the team's normal schedule, etc. And a lot of the teams on the schedule have been better than expected at the start of this year. It may be a fun schedule for us fans, etc., but I'm sure it hasn't been an easy one for the team.

Welcome back Cole!!! I couldn't be happier to have a lot of the guys who were keys in helping turn this franchise around, back for our run this year. Fam is Fam! Now, if only Micah could get back for the playoffs. 🤞 It's time for everyone to leave the past in the past and move forward towards our main goal. I just hope the media can do the same and not ask Cole a bunch of cringy questions about last year. Let's Go Buffalo!!!!

I think you may just be watching highlights only. Sure if you watch other complete games, you will see some amazing catches across the league, but you know what else you will see if you watch complete games from other teams? Bad throws by QBs, drops by WRs, sacks allowed by the offensive lines, etc. It isn't just the Bills. You also have to take into account opponents, weather, circumstances (like snow storms, travel, amount of practice time, etc.). Of course a receiver in good weather against a mediocre team will look a hell of a lot better than a receiver in a bad weather game against a top 5 defense. It feels like a lot of people have lost some perspective and just expect that the Bills should score 40 every week regardless of opponent, conditions, circumstances. You would think this team is on a 4-game losing streak, not a 4-game winning streak with the way posters are reacting today. I agree that the drops were frustrating yesterday, but the idea that the only quality players on offense are Allen and Diggs (as I have seen a number of posters say) and everyone else needs to go, is ridiculous. These are pretty much the same guys that had a near perfect playoff run last year (sans Beasley). As long as we keep winning, then some patience seems warranted to me.

As Romo pointed out during the game, on one play that Cook was in, Josh had to direct him where to go, and then he proceeded to whiff on his block, allowing Diggs to get blown up on a screen pass. Also, I don't think he is great in pass pro yet either. A lot of guys can look good toting the ball, but if they can't block well in pass protection, on screen plays, etc. and don't always know their assignments, then their playing time will be limited. I'm not saying Cook is bad or won't get better at those things, but if the coaches have an option that they feel more confident in, they are going to go that way. And then if you only put the player in to run the ball (because you don't trust him on everything else), then you are tipping your hand to the defense. Hopefully Cook will improve his overall game and see more touches in the future.

I'm not saying our offense is playing great right now, but people complaining this much about the offense after a horrible weather game against a top-5 defense seems a bit of an overreaction. As I said in the gameday thread, only 2 teams in the Jets last 10 games scored more than the 20 points the Bills did against them yesterday: New England in week 8 (22 points) and Minnesota last week (27 pts). The Jets defense is for real folks. They entered yesterday's game 3rd in yards against, 4th in sacks, 5th in pts per game, and 2nd in QBR against. And the week before was the Pats. The Pats are currently 2nd in yards against and 3rd in pts against, and 5th in sacks. It does actually matter who you are playing against. We just played two top 5 defenses in a row and won by a combined 44-22. In that weather, against that Jets defense, with the miscues that Josh had in the losses, and being pretty confident that our defense could control the Jets offense, we played conservatively. Let's face it, with that weather, the team that won the turnover battle was probably going to win the game...and that held true. There was no need to try and get overly aggressive or overly creative in that type of game. No question, the receivers need to hang on to the ball better, Josh needs to take more check downs and clean up some of his throws, would love to see the run game become more of a factor, etc. But, maybe they realized that if we just play mistake-free football (i.e., no turnovers), we should be able to beat most teams and get that first seed. Then ramp up the aggressiveness against the better teams in the playoffs, etc. It may not be pretty, but it is working. We are on a four-game win streak. Who cares what our stats are or if Josh wins the MVP, etc. This is all about positioning ourselves best for the playoffs. Maybe against Miami and Cinci we will see a more aggressive offense, since I'm sure we won't be able to totally shut them down...but the hand-wringing for a 10-3 team, on a 4-game win streak, sitting in first place for the division and conference seems a bit odd to me.

I think everyone is living in the past with the Jets...feeling like we should dominate them because they have always sucked. Coming into this game, the Jets defense was 3rd in the league in yards/game surrendered, 4th in sacks, and 5th in points allowed per game. They were also 2nd in the league in QBR against. Not many QBs have had a good game vs. the Jets this year. And Saleh is a damn good defensive coach. Look what he did in San Fran. In their last 10 games, only 2 teams have scored more than the 20 points the Bills did against the Jets today: New England in week 8 (22 pts) and Minnesota last week (27 pts). And though it wasn't a killers row of QBs, you certainly can't say the Jets were just playing JAGs. That stretch included Tua, Rodgers, Wilson, Allen (twice), Cousins, Fields, Pickett, and Jones (twice). We all know we don't have one of the top offensive lines in the league, but to say they are one of the worst in the league (in bold, no less) after an 8-point victory over a top-5 defense seems a bit of an over-reaction.

What I really liked about today's game was that we were the more physical team. The Jets kept the game in range, but physically, we beat them up pretty good. And not just Mike White. How about Dion's block on the TD run? Jets receivers were taking big shots all day. Lots of gang tackling, etc. And I've seen a lot of posters calling out Dane Jackson (he sucks, he needs to sit, another bad game by Jackson). He didn't give up a TD, I never saw a receiver he was covering running free, and he had two really good plays late in the 4th quarter to help seal the win. What are you posters seeing that I am not? I'm not saying he is spectacular, but did I miss some really bad plays by him today? He came up big down the stretch.

And there is a difference between a player making a catch when a ball isn't perfect (which Bills players do), and a player making a catch when a defender has one or two arms in the receiver's chest as the ball arrives. Of course, we would like to see our WRs make more contested catches, but again, there is a difference between say a jump ball (where a guy can out jump the defender) and a pass on the numbers when the defender is right there, with a hand in his body, trying to rip the ball out. Sometimes I think people watch too many highlights of the best receivers in the league (Chase, Jefferson, etc.) and expect every player to be able to routinely make plays like that. They can't. That's why those guys are unicorns/the best in the league. I do agree there were too many drops today (the Jets receivers helped their QB out more than ours helped Josh today), but I just think Bills fans go crazy on our players for drops, but seem to not pay attention to the same things happening in every other game, across the league every week. Like only our guys drop balls. And then start blaming them for any target that doesn't get caught, whether it was a bad throw or a great defensive play, etc.

Divisional games are always tough! The weather was atrocious at the start of the game. Neither offense could do anything until that rain/sleet turned to snow just before halftime. Don't know how folks aren't taking that into account. The Jets have become a very good team. They have a lot of talent. They have a top defense. It was a GOOD win folks! Yes, there were too many drops, I would have liked Dorsey to use the run game more (but Jets are solid up front, so maybe they weren't feeling confident in it), and outside of the shot play to Dawson, I wasn't thrilled with the play calling on the last two drives, but I'm not going to feel bad about this one. They did what they needed to do. And once the Bills answered the Jets TD early in the 2nd half, the game was never really in doubt after that (except through our nervous, waiting for the 2nd shoe to drop, Bills-fans mentality). Still own 1st place in the division and conference. Team is getting healthier. Stop worrying so much everyone. It's the NFL. No one has blowout wins consistently. We are right where we need to be. Let's Go Buffalo!

They aren't really drops when a defender makes a great play and rips the ball out. Like on that last shot play to Knox, that was on Josh. The ball was short. If he led Dawson to the sideline, rather than throwing it short...allowing the defender to get back in the play, that is probably a TD (or at least a very long play). Great call by Dorsey there, Josh just didn't give his receiver the best chance to complete the play. I would lower your counts to one drop by Dawson and 2 by McKenzie...gotta give the Jets defense some credit.

No fan base like Bills Mafia! And big shout out to all of the staff and administration of the Bills organization too. As fans, we are so focused on players, coaches, front office that we don't often think about all of the people behind the scenes that keep the ship afloat in a million different ways. Cheers to you folks. 🍻 I also love that the Pegulas put together a top-notch media department. These videos are always great!

I feel bad for Von and wishing him the best for a speedy recovery! I also hope he sticks around the team the rest of the year (when able) to continue coaching up the young guys, like Micah has been doing. But, I don't think this takes us out of the race by any means. Next man up! Daquan and Jordan have been playing well all year, and Ed is becoming a monster. A big reason our pass rush was bad last year is that we were getting no interior pressure, so QBs could just step up in the pocket (away from the curling DEs). If these three can continue playing big, there is no reason our DEs can't get the job done. Maybe this will be a rallying cry for them. People think we can't get it done without Von. Shaq, Boogie, and AJ didn't play much early in the year. So, maybe this really motivates them, to finally have their shot to prove themselves. Maybe Groot really takes it on himself to fill the gap and finds another level. We don't know yet how this will all play out...I'm not saying losing Von doesn't hurt or that they won't need to adjust (if Von indeed was taking a lot of double teams), but it's not like the DE cupboard is bare behind Von. We have two #1 and two #2 draft picks there. They obviously have talent, even if they haven't lived up to their draft status yet...time for them to step up and prove their worth. I'm not expecting them to play like All-Pros...just get the job done boys. We'll be fine. Let's Go Buffalo!

Thanks for the correction FrenchConnection. Edited my post to reflect that.

I think this is a little bit of the grass is always greener. We suffer from a bit of Bills myopia. We focus on and scrutinize our own team so much that we don't always have a balanced perspective on the rest of the league. Let me throw a few things out there. First, over the last 5 years, 10 teams have qualified as a #1 seed (AFC/NFC). Do you know how many of them won a Super Bowl? One. Yes, only 1 number one seed of the last 10 won the big game. No question the first seed is great to have, can't beat home field advantage, but it is no guarantee of a Lombardi. Also, you act as if other top teams don't go through ups and downs during a season, like the Bills do. Let's look at the last 4 years (the last 8 #1 seeds). These are the teams with the best records that year and yet all but one (KC in 2020) had a "Bills/McDermott-like" slump. Tenn: 2021 #1 AFC seed: lost 2 of 4 to start the year, then lost 3 of 4 games between weeks 11-15. GB: 2021 NFC #1 seed: lost 2 out of 3 games in a stretch between weeks 9 and 11. KC: 2020 AFC #1 seed: No slump or stretch of bad games. GB: 2020 NFC #1 seed: lost 3 of 6 in a stretch from weeks 6-11. Balt: 2019 AFC #1 seed: lost 2 games in a row (weeks 3-4) 49ers: 2019 NFC #1 seed: lost 3 of 6 games between weeks 10-15. KC: 2018 AFC #1 seed: lost 3 of 5 games between weeks 11-16. NO: 2018 NFC #1 seed: lost 2 of their last 5 games. And If KC is currently the standard, well in the last 5 years, only once did they avoid the type of slump that you are describing for McDermott/the Bills. Four out of five years they suffered a similar or actually worse slump: 2021: lost 4 out of 6 games between weeks 2 and 7 (including a 27-3 drubbing by the Titans and an 18 point loss to the Bills). 2020: No slump...but didn't win the SB. 2019: lost 4 of 6 games between weeks 5 and 10. 2018: lost 3 of 5 games between weeks 11-16. 2017: lost 6 games in a 7-game stretch---though that was with Alex Smith at QB, not Mahomes I think you may be putting too much into this slump thing for the Bills. Every team has ups and downs based on many different factors throughout the year (injuries, travel, adjustments, defenses catching up to offenses, etc., etc.). And it's just hard to maintain the same passion, confidence, execution for 17 weeks straight, especially when you are a top team and everyone is gunning for you every week. The NFL season is long.

I think the OP just likes to see how many negative reactions he can get with each post/topic. Let's ignore everything the Bills players did this year in the name of commitment and culture, like our All-Pro safety (who is upset about his contract) hiring a car to drive him to an away game because he couldn't fly; or players digging themselves out of 7 feet of snow, or walking half a mile in 7 feet of snow to get to the facility to fly out for a game; guys rehabbing every Monday despite it being a victory Monday (day off); rallying around their teammate Dawson Knox (when his brother died), etc., etc. But, no, let's ignore all of that and then use one thing another team does as proof that the Bills suck/aren't committed enough. It's either troll work or insanity. As others have said, for what the Bills have recently been through, the extra days of rest and being with family is more important than one extra film session or whatever on a 10-day week. Who cares if some Bills players flew out of Buffalo to have a mini vacay or visit family. That is exactly what Sean wanted giving them this time off, for them to rest their minds and bodies for the stretch run. But as Sean always says...just be smart about it. Cincy is indeed a major contender this year that will be in the hunt. And it's a nice story for Cincy fans to believe in the commitment of their team, but it says/means nothing about the other 31 teams in the league. And one extra film session or lift on a Monday in week 14 isn't going to automatically win them a Super Bowl. Geez.

A few of us mentioned this in the game day thread. The clip Sal posted only shows the kick. It was actually worse if you watch the whole play. The player tackled Diggs helmet to helmet, deliberately lowered his helmet into Diggs' head. Then (purposefully) kind of lays on top of Diggs' head (pushing it down). Then gets up and knees and kicks him. None of the actions were enough to hurt/injure Diggs, but the intent to injure is clear. Watch the whole play. Refs could have called two fouls on that play: helmet to helmet (or defenseless receiver), and then unnecessary roughness for the kick. Yet the ref standing right there called nothing and the TV announcers didn't even mention it. Pats are going to Pat.

I am still a believer in Gabe Davis, despite agreeing that his season has not been as big of a break out year as most of us expected. My questions would be: 1. Has the ankle been a lingering issue? Was out week 2 and severely hampered by it in weeks 3 and 4, but then it seemed to be better for the Steelers and KC games, and then he got the bye. I wouldn't expect it to still be an issue at this point, unless he kept tweaking it throughout the season. I've had two severe ankle sprains in my life and each time (even after it had for the most part healed), I kept tweaking it here and there for months after. It took a while to build back full strength and support. 2. Where is Gabe? Where is Knox? Where has McKenzie been (before the NE game)? Could some of their disappearance be Dorsey's play calling? This is a question, not a statement. Has Dorse had a harder time scheming these guys open than Daboll did for some reason? I don't think these players all of a sudden became bad. None of them are superstars, but we all feel that they haven't lived up to their projections thus far. Could it be a scheme/playcalling issue rather than they just all suck? How many of Gabe's receptions last year (especially his TDs) was he literally all alone (having left some DB 5-10 yards in the dust)? What is different this year? 3. Did Josh's elbow affect all WR production (sans Diggs) for a few weeks? And yet, despite, the ankle (missing one game and being severely hampered in two others), the drops, a new OC, and a QB who wasn't quite himself for a few weeks, he is still putting up solid #2 WR stats. Not as spectacular as we all expected, but I do think he'll come around down the stretch. Also, TBD loves their whipping boys/scapegoats. When things are going wrong, posters love to point to one or two players as the main reasons (rather than it being a full team issue). Look at how many posters would have gladly traded Tremaine away last year. That would have been a mistake, obviously. This year its Gabe, Dane, etc. I have no problem discussing player's short-comings, mistakes, areas that need improvement, etc. But I do think it is unproductive to just continually say a guy sucks and see everything he does that way. Take for instance, this last game against NE. How many posters started trashing Gabe (about drops, etc.) when he didn't reel in his first three targets on Thursday? But, you know what? All three of those were bad balls from Josh. You could debate the pass in the end zone because Gabe did get his hands/finger tips on it, but Josh led him too much. The first ball was in the dirt. And the sideline pass would have taken him out of bounds (if Josh put it on his inside shoulder instead of outside shoulder, it could have been a big play). I'm not knocking Josh, not every pass is going to be perfect. But I'm sure a lot of posters saw those all as bad drops by Gabe (Davis sucks), rather than Josh being a little off with his throws. Was anyone saying Diggs sucks when he dropped that low pass from Josh on 3rd down in the 2nd half? Diggs also had a huge drop in the Vikings game. And let's face it, the onside kick that Gabe muffed against the Browns was a very difficult ball (great kick right at his feet) that I'm not even sure Micah would have corralled. But to others, just another reason for Gabe sucking. Glad he got some redemption, snagging the onside kick in NE. But, once you put on the "this player sucks" glasses, that's all you'll see, whether it is true or not. Having said all of that, I do agree that Gabe needs to step up his game and I think he will, but the constant trashing of him is getting old, imo.

It would be a better watch if it were just Fitz and Whitworth talking ball. The other three weren't very good, imo.

Agree on the penalty being bs. Is he just supposed to let the player score a TD? What is his option as a player in that situation?

Tackled helmet to helmet, then laid on his head, then kicked him in the head. Ref missed it all. Player definitely trying to F with Stefon.

The man got blocked to the ground and rolled into the kicker. Good no call.

I, for one, would gladly welcome Beasley back! Even if he can't get as much YAC as he used to, the man is a beast at converting 3rd downs. Man, I wish Micah could be back for the playoffs. If he was, and Bease came back, then all of the most important pieces of this build would be there for the playoff run/push for the SB.

Yes, Von said OBJ is visiting Bills this Friday...also visiting New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys. Von: "And I think, when he comes here...I don't think he's going to leave." We'll see...

I am 100% a McDermott supporter. We wouldn't be where we are without him (I think a lot of fans forget this). For God's sake get over the 13 seconds already. Sh&t happens. Everything about this team is due to McDermott. Without him, no Brandon Beane, no Josh Allen, no Stefon Diggs, no family/team-oriented strong culture, etc., etc., etc. He has brought more fun to us as fans than we've seen in over 20 years. The 2017 drought-breaking miracle (which will go down as an All-Time Bills great moment), the perfect game against the Pats, and even in some of the losses (the KC playoff game last year was an instant classic and will be considered one of the greatest playoff games for years to come; the Minnesota game this year is considered the game of the year thus far). Football is a rollercoaster ride, there are ups and downs. Without the downs, the ups don't feel nearly as special. Just enjoy the ride, for Pete's sake. Anyone calling for McD's job is somehow forgetting how much fun these last 5-6 years have been and who is mainly responsible for all of it. Having said all of that, if there is any criticism I would have for the coaching staff it is that we haven't been nearly as good at halftime adjustments as we were last year and I think a good bit of that is on Dorsey's shoulders. I am hoping that being a first-year playcaller, he will improve in that category eventually. But that is the area of coaching where I see the biggest difference from last year and one of the biggest areas that needs improvement. Daboll seemed really good at halftime adjustments last year, but if you recall, the year before, we really struggled in the third quarter, coming out of the half. So, it seems that is something that a coach can get better at, just hope its sooner rather than later for Dorsey/the staff.