Starting December neck and neck with NE

[hondo in seattle]

Last year the Pats had their Rent-a-QB under center.  This year they have their new franchise QB and their D is back on track.  This is different.  

 

We need to prove that the Belichick era is over and a new day has dawned.  This is the Bean, McDermott, Allen dynasty and we own the AFCE.  

 

Monday is a statement game.  

[BillsFan619]

11 hours ago, hondo in seattle said:

Last year the Pats had their Rent-a-QB under center.  This year they have their new franchise QB and their D is back on track.  This is different.  

 

We need to prove that the Belichick era is over and a new day has dawned.  This is the Bean, McDermott, Allen dynasty and we own the AFCE.  

 

Monday is a statement game.  

Thanks for sharing, bro. Great thoughts.

 

Yep, I definitely agree. While it would’ve been nice to be farther head in the division, we can still send the same message to the patriots.

 

It’s all in front of us still. What a great opportunity!

[Generic_Bills_Fan]

On 11/28/2021 at 6:04 PM, BillsFan619 said:

Well, the AFCE comes down to December. Unless something really weird happens to either team, it specifically comes down to two games against NE in 20 days. With all of the struggles and disappointments we had mid-season, what an opportunity we have before us.

 

That said, by how some are responding , you'd think we don't even have a chance at the division. Yes, we've struggled but we are still a really good team. And, we still have everything in front of us to win this division (and more). I get it, it's the Pats. The PTSD is probably still fresh for some since they dominated for so long. We all wanted them to stay in the AFCE cellar once Brady moved on to the Bucs. And last year was amazing, because for once, we played the part that the Pats usually played against us. We pulled one out and then completely dominated them in Foxborough (I still love that our team made BB throw a phone - an instant classic). On top of that the competition wasn't close and we ran away with the division with a 13-3 record.

 

After a down year, the Pats are back (at least for this year) and we're starting December neck and neck with them. I know it's not who we wanted to contend with, but even two years ago, we as fans would've been begging to have the opportunity that's in front of us. That opportunity being two games against the Pats in December to most likely decide the division. That opportunity being that we control our own destiny heading into December. That opportunity being a chance for us to keep the AFCE crown in Buffalo and be the team that keeps it from being in Foxborough again.

 

We're a good team that struggled mid-season. The Pats struggled in the first part of the season and have unfortunately come into form and have been playing good ball. So, here we are. We cruised to the division title last year but most division titles in most years go down to the wire. It's something we as fans need to get used to. While it would've been nice to have a repeat of last year where the division came pretty easily to us, this is a good thing for our Bills. It keeps them focused. It reminds them that every game matters. And, it gives them the opportunity to show the Pats who's in charge in the AFCE.

 

Only time will tell if they take that opportunity but that time starts next Monday at home in front of the greatest, most loyal fans. It's time to go get it, Buffalo. Show them that it's not going to happen in our house, on your watch. Show them who the new king of the division is.

 

Go Bills!

Weird people are so defeatist…split with NE and we’re still in great shape for the division record tiebreaker…we were shaky in our afc games but fortunately we blew one against jax and not Miami 

Edited November 30, 2021 by Generic_Bills_Fan

[Royale with Cheese]

I mean it's better for our health to be comfortably ahead in the division.

But this is what makes the game more exciting.

 

I have had so many games with the Bills where we don't face a ton of adversity and my adrenaline doesn't rise much....it's a comfortable watch.

I'm anticipating this game so much that it feels like a playoff game or the opener.  Our hearts need to be worked, we need to experience adrenaline again.

I would love to see a slugfest and multiple lead changes....I want the nerves. 

[Generic_Bills_Fan]

17 minutes ago, Royale with Cheese said:

I mean it's better for our health to be comfortably ahead in the division.

But this is what makes the game more exciting.

 

I have had so many games with the Bills where we don't face a ton of adversity and my adrenaline doesn't rise much....it's a comfortable watch.

I'm anticipating this game so much that it feels like a playoff game or the opener.  Our hearts need to be worked, we need to experience adrenaline again.

I would love to see a slugfest and multiple lead changes....I want the nerves. 

I have a feeling it’s not gonna be close lol someone is gonna blow someone out. If the pats dline is having their way with us it’ll be us but if we hold up decently we’re going to be back to our 30+ points ways and I don’t see Mac hanging in a shootout.

[Royale with Cheese]

47 minutes ago, Generic_Bills_Fan said:

I have a feeling it’s not gonna be close lol someone is gonna blow someone out. If the pats dline is having their way with us it’ll be us but if we hold up decently we’re going to be back to our 30+ points ways and I don’t see Mac hanging in a shootout.

 

Since I think we are light on the DL without Star, bad weather effects us more because we are relying on speed.  

I didn't have a good feeling about the Colts game once it was raining.  They're a big OL.  

 

In dry conditions, I anticipate a better showing.  We've been good against the run most of the year.

[BillsFan619]

5 hours ago, Royale with Cheese said:

I mean it's better for our health to be comfortably ahead in the division.

But this is what makes the game more exciting.

 

I have had so many games with the Bills where we don't face a ton of adversity and my adrenaline doesn't rise much....it's a comfortable watch.

I'm anticipating this game so much that it feels like a playoff game or the opener.  Our hearts need to be worked, we need to experience adrenaline again.

I would love to see a slugfest and multiple lead changes....I want the nerves. 

Love your spirit and attitude, bro.

 

While I hope it’s not tooooo exciting, so that the nerves aren’t too high 😜🤣, this is what December football is all about. Fighting for the division, and if your record is good enough, fighting for the number one seed. We have the opportunity for both.

 

Don’t let your rival have it. Go out and get it, Buffalo.

Edited November 30, 2021 by BillsFan619

[Generic_Bills_Fan]

14 minutes ago, Royale with Cheese said:

 

Since I think we are light on the DL without Star, bad weather effects us more because we are relying on speed.  

I didn't have a good feeling about the Colts game once it was raining.  They're a big OL.  

 

In dry conditions, I anticipate a better showing.  We've been good against the run most of the year.

Do we know star is not playing? That would be concerning lol I think it’s more of a 50/50 game without him. Edmunds was sorely missed in that colts game and he is back. Klein was absolutely terrible at MLB…with edmunds back we could kick him over to the outside and run less nickel but I don’t think that was really an option in the colts game the way the injuries shook out. Of course Leslie Frazier wasn’t gonna say ‘we already had a terrible linebacker on the field and you wanted us to add another one?’ In that postgame presser after the colts game but I’ve got a feeling that was the issue 

Edited November 30, 2021 by Generic_Bills_Fan

[Royale with Cheese]

22 minutes ago, Generic_Bills_Fan said:

Do we know star is not playing? That would be concerning lol I think it’s more of a 50/50 game without him. Edmunds was sorely missed in that colts game and he is back. Klein was absolutely terrible at MLB…with edmunds back we could kick him over to the outside and run less nickel but I don’t think that was really an option in the colts game the way the injuries shook out. Of course Leslie Frazier wasn’t gonna say ‘we already had a terrible linebacker on the field and you wanted us to add another one?’ In that postgame presser after the colts game but I’ve got a feeling that was the issue 

 

I don't know at this point.  We need Star back for sure though.

[BillsFan619]

4 hours ago, Royale with Cheese said:

 

I don't know at this point.  We need Star back for sure though.

I believe the first media interviews of the week are on Tuesday. Hopefully McD will have an update on Star and Spencer at that time.

 

Unless they got hit real hard with symptoms, I'd think that they'd be back for this game.

[BillsFan619]

On 11/28/2021 at 5:29 PM, Success said:

 

I still have hope for the O-line, for all of the reasons you mentioned.  If Brown can come back & stay healthy, and both Feliciano & Dawkins can get back to their previous form - it will make a huge difference.  And I'm not saying we'll be amazing, but it won't be a liability.

 

Those aren't crazy ifs. I hope that it can be a surprise to all of us as we head into the final stretch.

 

I like your takes in this thread, Success.

 

Let’s hope we get some good news about Brown today as we start the final stretch of the season.

 

I know they’re all important, but of the three, which o-linemen is most important to have back in your opinion? Brown, Feliciano being back to previous form or Dawkins being back to previous form?

 

Others can feel free to answer this as well if you have an opinion about it.

Edited November 30, 2021 by BillsFan619

[Success]

1 hour ago, BillsFan619 said:

I like your takes in this thread, Success.

 

Let’s hope we get some good news about Brown today as we start the final stretch of the season.

 

I know they’re all important, but of the three, which o-linemen is most important to have back in your opinion? Brown, Feliciano being back to previous form or Dawkins being back to previous form?

 

Others can feel free to answer this as well if you have an opinion about it.

 

It's a good question.  The 1st thing I thought was, we need all 3 to really have the line we want.  As far as most important, I'd have to go w/ Dawkins - some of his play has been a mystery to me. There were times against the Saints when he didn't seem to be trying (but I can't say I watch him closely during the game).

 

We need him to be that franchise LT that he was signed to be.

[BillsFan619]

10 hours ago, Success said:

 

It's a good question.  The 1st thing I thought was, we need all 3 to really have the line we want.  As far as most important, I'd have to go w/ Dawkins - some of his play has been a mystery to me. There were times against the Saints when he didn't seem to be trying (but I can't say I watch him closely during the game).

 

We need him to be that franchise LT that he was signed to be.

Good thoughts, Success!

 

I'd have to agree. While the whole line is important, there's a reason the LT (blindside) is typically the highest paid linemen in the NFL. That said, it was awesome to hear that Feliciano and Brown are back practicing today.

 

And even though we weren't talking about Star, it was great to hear that he's back as well. It's HUGE to have him back. What are your thoughts on Star?

[without a drought]

**** New England.

 

I might hate this version more than the Brady led Pats.

[Success]

11 hours ago, BillsFan619 said:

Good thoughts, Success!

 

I'd have to agree. While the whole line is important, there's a reason the LT (blindside) is typically the highest paid linemen in the NFL. That said, it was awesome to hear that Feliciano and Brown are back practicing today.

 

And even though we weren't talking about Star, it was great to hear that he's back as well. It's HUGE to have him back. What are your thoughts on Star?

 

Getting Star back is huge, especially heading into a game against NE, who focus on the run.  He changes our D against the run.  I'm not sure if we would have beaten the Colts with him (probably not that day), but it wouldn't have been that kind of day if he was in there.

 

[BuffaloBill]

On 11/28/2021 at 6:19 PM, Bob in STL said:

One game at a time.  Win on Monday Night. 

 

 

^^^ this - the end

[Nextmanup]

Two comments on this topic:

 

1) This reminds me very much of the Super Bowl years, where it felt like every season came down to the end of the year, and a critical game against Miami for the division title---a battle we ALWAYS won.

 

2) This pair of games against NE is the true rivalry/battle we NEVER HAD with them.  It totally disappeared last year with COVID and Brady fleeing to TB.  We were a much better team and there wasn't a lot on the line.

 

We finally get some hugely important game against NE, but on equal footing, where both teams are strong and about the same.  

 

WE HAVEN'T SEEN THIS IN TWENTY YEARS!

 

CAN'T WAIT FOR THE GAMES

[Generic_Bills_Fan]

On 11/29/2021 at 9:28 AM, hondo in seattle said:

My similar thoughts last week in a different thread:

 

There have been a lot of disappointed Bills fans out there calling for Beane's, McD's, Daboll's, and/or Frazier's head.   A lot of it has to do with expectations.  We thought the AFC was ours this year and we'd prance through the season all the way to the Super Bowl.  Well, expectations are a deceptive b*tch.

 

Here's how I see it:  We're going into December, tied for the AFCE lead, with a critical game coming up against the Pats.  Compared to the sorry reality of a few years ago, this is a fantastical dream come true.  Meaningful games in December...  a real opportunity to take down the Pats - again...  I mean, this is really good stuff and I'm excited.  

 

https://www.twobillsdrive.com/community/topic/236166-our-nemesis-the-new-england-patriots/

 

After worrying about the OL in the offseason, I started to think this was our year when we took down the Chiefs.   

 

Well, maybe not.  But this showdown with the Pats has me jazzed!  Can't wait till Monday!

I love how unrealistic expectations by the media and the fans ends up being the teams fault 😃 it was pretty clear New England was gonna be a tough out…heck they almost got us once last year 

[BillsFan619]

11 hours ago, Nextmanup said:

Two comments on this topic:

 

1) This reminds me very much of the Super Bowl years, where it felt like every season came down to the end of the year, and a critical game against Miami for the division title---a battle we ALWAYS won.

 

2) This pair of games against NE is the true rivalry/battle we NEVER HAD with them.  It totally disappeared last year with COVID and Brady fleeing to TB.  We were a much better team and there wasn't a lot on the line.

 

We finally get some hugely important game against NE, but on equal footing, where both teams are strong and about the same.  

 

WE HAVEN'T SEEN THIS IN TWENTY YEARS!

 

CAN'T WAIT FOR THE GAMES

Great thoughts!

 

Mike Catalana and Mike Reiss were talking back and forth about the Bills and Pats. They both agreed that, for the most part, the Bills and Pats haven't often been good at the same time. The late 80s/early 90s Bills were great, the Pats not so much. There was a couple years in the mid to late 90s that both teams were good but then it was the Pats dynasty along with our drought.

 

In many ways we're in uncharted territory with the Pats. But, it's still ours for the taking. We have the opportunity to take the division and be the ones that keep it from them. It all starts on MNF. Go Bills!

[Jay_Fixit]

New England.

 

lol