finn

I agree, but I'm also resigning myself to the probability that no one is going to rescue the defense in the playoffs: not Hyde or Milano, or Calais Campbell or some other released veteran. Cole Bishop won't suddenly blossom into a star, Lewis Cine won't be a revelation, and we'll remain paper thin at linebacker and safety, where the starters are no more than adequate. My hopes for the defense lie on their record of forcing turnovers and, oddly, Von Miller, who may finally be ready to resume the level of play he showed his first eight games here. Plus, I like what Babich has been doing: even on its weakest days, his players have shown resilience and spirit, and he has adjusted astutely on the fly. Given the hand he was dealt, he's done well. Bottom line: I think this defense will do its part. They may not carry the team at any point, but they won't let it down, either.

Of course you can. The Diggs drop came at the most critical moment of the most critical game of the season; it was a big-time choke and pretty much doomed the Bills' chances. The Shakir drop was just another play in just another game.

The specter of Spector was too much even for a team so thin at linebacker.

Along with Allen and Dawkins, the only true All Pros on the team. I had hopes for Bernard, but he seems to have faded, or at least not continued developing.

Fair enough. But the Bills aren't talented enough in all phases to win when two of the three (four, if you include coaching) doesn't carry its weight. We saw that in the Rams game. In the Pats game, you could say all four units did enough to balance its respective upsides and downsides. By dint of homefield advantage, they win by three points. That said, I was never really concerned about this game. I sensed the offense could always yawn, shake itself, and put up 20 points whenever it chose to.

Don't let special teams off the hook. It seems that every game, the net contribution of Smiley's game is negative. This time, they allowed a tone-setting big kickoff return to start the game and were caught sleeping on the fake punt. Makes me nostalgic for Levy's teams.

With arguably the weakest defensive rosters of all the playoff teams, we need to be one of the least injured.

One of the head coach's most important duties is to get the team ready. This is the third time (Houston, LA) at least that McDermott has failed in this vital task. What is he doing well, exactly? Someone remind me.

I'm a better OLB than Spector.

So bad,

Baylon Spector. That says it all. At least he tries hard.

Right, see reply above. It's one thing to be upset, even crying, and quite another to be an emotional wreck; we agree there. The sad thing is that men teach their boys to never cry, ever, not realizing that the emotion doesn't just go away when suppressed. It manifests as confusion, frustration, rage, fear, shame, and leads to all sorts of problems for that kid as he grows up. Worst of all, his fear of being unmanly (not strong enough) will make him want to take out these emotions on weaker people, those he knows he can bully, like women and kids, especially boys. Anyone familiar with Little League will know what I'm talking about.

I think that's a good point. If you're sobbing or otherwise out of commission when you're needed, that's hardly a show of strength.

Right, but I'm disputing the premise that crying = weakness. In fact, I would go further: Show me a manly man who can't or won't cry in public and I'll show you a weak man, or at least a man who still has room to be stronger. If he agrees, he's halfway there. I'll ask him. He blew his knee out in one game, ending his football career. I won't be surprised if he cried then--and that his teammates didn't think anything less of him for it.

Saying this without judgment, but your reaction might say more about you (and our culture) than Stroud. I don't see anything immature or unleaderly about showing grief at your best friend's devastating injury. Would it have been better for him to grimace and shake his head in a manly way and suppress his emotions? I mean, I get it: He was showing vulnerability, which men aren't supposed to display because they're the Protectors. But we're past that, aren't we? Weep away, CJ. As long as you keep producing as QB, you're a team leader. Full disclosure: My brother in law is 6'3" 250, played DE at Brown. He's a self-described cry baby, weeping at weddings, etc. No one questions his manliness, believe me. I suspect Stroud's teammates see him in the same light.

So does this mean other teams will target his hand from here on?

I'd like to see all the young guns get some work: Bishop, Carter, Solomon, SGV...even Hardy and Grable. Meanwhile, start ramping down the starters so they're healthy and rested for the playoffs.

I hope he sticks around next year. Git 'er done, Beane!

Agree. This was the year to move up, not down. Last year was the year to move down, and the previous year, too. Elam was a swing and miss and LaPorta would have been available if Kincaid had been taken. Plus, Beane would have had the two fourth-rounders to work with. But hindsight makes it easy. Beane is doing just fine.

Not that I have any lingering resentment, no, but I would love to see the Bills run the ball on every single play and win, just to make a statement. Every. Last. Play.

I haven't watched Baltimore, except for the Bills game, where their defense did a pretty good job against Allen. How do you like the Bills offense against that defense in the playoffs in Buffalo?

Missed the game. Are people going to be saying Jackson is the real MVP after this game?

Looking forward to the day when extraordinary passes are labeled "Allenian." (Hey, I like the sound of that!)

Call me a homer, but when people similarly rave about Mahomes' passes, they seem to mostly be talking about trick shots, like sidearm, falling-down, shovel passes or alley-oops, not incredible throws like the ones you're describing here. I mean, they're cute, but they're not jaw-dropping. See for yourself. Is there any throw on this compilation we haven't seen Allen make? Or, to put it another way, do you agree that half of these throws wouldn't be among Allen's top 30? (Off to see my therapist about why my guy always has to be the best... 😧)

Right? Had me a heart attack.