finn

You don't think the winning culture has to do with having the most talented player in NFL history as your QB?

Nick Wright sneered at the Bills' victories early in the season, saying they're a "September team."

Agree. It would have taken real leadership to fire Dorsey in the offseason, since the late-season problems could be (and were) tied to so many other factors. Plus, the offense put together a good year statistically. Still, a great coach would have seen the root of the issues and made the move. Of course, if McDermott had that kind of perspicacity and courage, he wouldn't have hired Dorsey in the first place.

Josh Allen's fault! Why didn't he stop them? He's a flawed player.

Would someone mind updating me on whether the Bills playoff hopes have gone up or down based on the game results today so far? I haven't had a chance to watch.

I despise that term, "zero percent chance." Imprecise, lazy, hyperbolic, self-indulgent, attention-getting tripe. The chances of McDermott being fired is nowhere near zero percent, even putting aside unlikely scenarios like him being arrested or whatever. If the team lost out, for example, or the team rebelled (as they might, if they lose out), he's gone. Not exactly a "zero percent chance."

It's like insult to injury. He plays the best football of any QB that week despite the refs doing all they could to stop him, and all you hear is that he's 0-6 in overtime and a turnover machine. The only answer is to blow out every remaining team so the refs (and McDermott) aren't a factor. It's doable if even a few more layers match Allen's excellence.

What a job. You get paid a boatload for to speculate without evidence, repeat the latest narrative, and indulge in your biases. This question might be worth its own thread: Which talking heads do know what they're talking about and are worth listening to? Greg Cosell and Chris Simms come to mind. Kurt Warner, Dan Orlovsky, Tony Romo, Desmond Ritter, the guy who pours himself a Scotch during his analysis. Anyone else?

First, of course refs are biased; they're human and respond to all sorts of unconsciously perceived factors, especially crowd noise and expectations. Read Scorecasting if you want a real eye-opener. I have no doubt that the bias is deliberate, too, like Hochuli and his gang in the Philly game. That kind of bias can spread rapidly if there are no consequences, which appears to be the case. The NFL reflexively protects the refs--fines for players and coaches who criticize them, always defending their decisions, etc. Maybe if the refs get out of hand, they're reined in a bit; I doubt it's a coincidence that the cascade of flags stopped at halftime. But otherwise, it looks like the league doesn't care much on that level. Then there's the money factor. I have no evidence whatsoever for corruption, but it seems pretty naïve to think that gamblers with everything at stake wouldn't find a way to influence people in such a powerful position to change the outcome of games. So so easy to do, so easy to cover up. If I represented WNY in Congress, I would call for an investigation. Then I would watch all the powerful players jump into action to derail it. On the macro level... Not sure. Seems way too risky. A scandal is one of the only developments that could kill the Golden Goose.

Hey, I don't let facts get in the way of my cherished narratives, ok? 😉

McDermott seems to be thinking, "Ok, we'll let them get into field goal range because, hey, they may miss!" I really can't remember the last time the defense had to hold and did. (I'm certainly not including the shameful Giants game.) Maybe the playoff game against the Ravens when Taron had the pick? McDermott plays not to lose. He simply has to go. But by the time it's blindingly obvious--likely after next season--we'll have lost yet another year of Allen's prime.

I was wondering anyone recognized it!

I'm speaking out of turn because I didn't do the research, but my impression is that Bass is reliable when the Bills are in charge of the game but chokes in a close game when the team really needs the points. I wonder if reality bears out my impression.

Right, but I think that drive actually supports my point. Allen threw a perfect ball to Gabe Davis, who evidently failed to adjust his route given the situation, if reports are to believed. If that's the case, Allen DID come through, again, and his team failed him, again. I'm not trying to be an Allen homer, but I've been watching football since the O.J. Simpson era, and I've never seen a more gifted QB than Allen. He also has competitive fire. He just needs a team and coaching staff that's good enough, and the Super Bowl victories should follow. But they haven't been good enough. Last night is just the latest example. No one, not even Saint Patrick, can win Super Bowls with the team and coaches Allen has had. The Bills record is as good as it is because of him.

I was referring to Super Bowl LIV, when he was 26/43 with two TDs and two interceptions. Named MVP. In three SB appearances, he has 5 TDs and 4 interceptions, yet he's considered the best QB in the league because his team won two of them. If he had lost them with the same stats, or even far superior ones, he would not be considered a potential GOAT. Like Marino, Allen cannot make up for the team around him, no matter how well he plays. Last night, he produced over 400 yards and 4 TDs, and people here and everywhere are dwelling on his one interception. As you say, what a loser.

So unfair. Your team wins and everything is rosy. Your team loses, even if you play like a HOF inductee, someone will always, without fail, find something you did wrong. Mahomes won Super Bowl MVP after a mediocre performance that would have been roundly condemned if his team had lost. "A few key passes" means if he had played a better game than any QB in the history of the game. What a loser!

I would say they don't even need changes to the offensive or defensive schemes or position coaches (except for special teams). They just need different leadership. And a better defensive coordinator. How many games now has McDermott's defense lost on the final drive?

A perfect comparison. He's not a winner. He's just along for the Josh Allen ride, and he's slowing down the train.

McDermott is just not head coach material. I'm not sure I'd want him as defensive coordinator, either. His soft defense when the game is on the line disgusts me. He plays not to lose. He's a weak man, terrified people will realize he's a fraud.

How come I have no faith in McDermott's defense?

The refs' wives switched their families' bets to the Bills at halftime.

The Bills are going to win this.

McDermott's Prevent the Bills Winning defense strategy.

13 second is all they need.

Me, too. Prevent defense all the way to the Bills 35 yard line with 50 seconds left.