PFT: Can the Bills thrive under the weight of high expectations?

[YoloinOhio]

Quote

From 1990 through 1993, the Buffalo Bills made it to the Super Bowl every single year. It’s one of the most underappreciated accomplishments in league history. The 2020 and 2021 Bills did not get there. And yet it feels like the current Bills have the exact same pressure and expectations to win the Super Bowl in 2022 as the Bills of 30 years ago ever did.

It’s strange, for a variety of reasons. The AFC currently has 13 legitimate contenders — maybe 14 if the Jaguars turn things around suddenly under the guidance of Super Bowl-winning coach Doug Pederson. And somehow the Bills have emerged from that morass of quality franchises as the favorites to get to the Super Bowl and win it.

 

[CSBill]

The car ride with Staley was a fun thing. Would love to see that with McDermott.

[LeGOATski]

Pressure...sure. Extreme pressure? Idk about that. The team has put this pressure on themselves since 2020. I don't think media expectations this offseason have changed it for them. It's somewhat changed perception for the fans, but not for the team.

 

I think being in a crowded AFC could ultimately help the Bills because the other divisions are tough, but the Bills's division is relatively week. The AFCS, AFCW, and AFCN are going to beat up on each other, while the Bills will arguably have the easiest time winning their division and hopefully getting homefield advantage for the playoffs.

[LeGOATski]

 

The Patriots, Dolphins, and Browns cannot make the Super Bowl. Mike Florio is kidding himself with that.

[YoloinOhio]

All I know is that at this time 6 days from now, this board will either be in "17-0 we going all the way" mode or "9-8 we suck arse” mode. There is no middle ground. 

 

[Buffalo Boy]

   Part of this “favorite” to win is based on the AFC West being a circular firing squad.

   And, as in the good old 90’s era, the East is weak which gives us a chance at 6 EASIER( not easy) wins.

   I feel the coach and coordinators are under more pressure than the players. We can’t have another inexplicable melt down when we are knocking on the SB door.
   Josh and the O demonstrated IN ALL CAPS that no situation is too big for them in last years playoffs. Let’s see if Frazier and the rebuilt D line can can also reach this pinnacle.

Edited September 3, 2022 by Buffalo Boy

[The Wiz]

12 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said:

All I know is that at this time 6 days from now, this board will either be in "17-0 we going all the way" mode or "9-8 we suck arse” mode. There is no middle ground. 

 

That's usually when the rational thinkers come on either still drunk or hungover as hell. 

[machine gun kelly]

17 minutes ago, LeGOATski said:

Pressure...sure. Extreme pressure? Idk about that. The team has put this pressure on themselves since 2020. I don't think media expectations this offseason have changed it for them. It's somewhat changed perception for the fans, but not for the team.

 

I think being in a crowded AFC could ultimately help the Bills because the other divisions are tough, but the Bills's division is relatively week. The AFCS, AFCW, and AFCN are going to beat up on each other, while the Bills will arguably have the easiest time winning their division and hopefully getting homefield advantage for the playoffs.

Agreed the Goat of the TBD, and I’ll add schedule we play will be tougher than last year, but we are better (I think) than last year’s team so we’ll be battle hardened by the playoffs.  I think whoever represents the AFC Will win the SB.  Almost all the stud QB’s are in the AFC except Rodgers ( Mr. Paper Tiger as he caves like a house of cards in the playoffs), and Brady who has lost a great deal in his O Line.

 

The AFC will win the SB which will come close tieing up again the history of SB wins.

NFC = 29

AFC =  27

 

Lets hope next year the Bills will tie it up with back to back wins!  The Mafia deserves it.

 

[billybrew1]

37 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said:

All I know is that at this time 6 days from now, this board will either be in "17-0 we going all the way" mode or "9-8 we suck arse” mode. There is no middle ground. 

 

I think the rams are going to come out extremely hard and hit Buffalo with everything they have right from the kickoff. You know they have the latest line posted on their bulletin board about how where the favs. in their building in week one (no respect.)

I think the Bills have to hold on early and then they’ll be OK.

On the other hand, the Bills have been chomping at the bit quite a bit themselves. They are dying to play someone else and the rams have many questionable points on both sides of the ball…. The Rams OL has two new starters, both should be downgrades.

They’ll be playing a newer secondary just like us and they are missing last year’s NT and pass rusher Von Miller.

[Coach Tuesday]

I actually think the real pressure will come NEXT season if the Bills don’t make it to the SB this year and fans start to realize the true lost opportunity of “13 seconds” - hopefully we never get there.

[SoCal Deek]

I’m sorry but I don’t see it. The pressure on the Bills won’t start to hit until the playoffs, and possibly even the second round for that matter. If they somehow fail to make the playoffs it won’t be pressure, it’ll be because of either serious injuries, or a complete collapse…the latter of which I really can’t see.

[Einstein]

This part:

 

As he enters his sixth season as head coach of the team, McDermott has to be feeling that pressure. He has to be wondering whether someone higher in the organization than him will wonder whether McDermott has taken the franchise as far as he can, if the can’t take them to the Super Bowl this year.

[YoloinOhio]

21 minutes ago, SoCal Deek said:

I’m sorry but I don’t see it. The pressure on the Bills won’t start to hit until the playoffs, and possibly even the second round for that matter. If they somehow fail to make the playoffs it won’t be pressure, it’ll be because of either serious injuries, or a complete collapse…the latter of which I really can’t see.

I agree with this. This isn’t college where 1 loss can put you out of the playoffs. The regular season will be a journey toward putting themselves in the absolute best position to win in the playoffs. Technically week 1 is one of the least significant games on the schedule toward that end. Tennessee, Miami, Baltimore, Cincy… obviously chiefs. Those are the games they need. 

Edited September 3, 2022 by YoloinOhio

[JESSEFEFFER]

17 minutes ago, Einstein said:

This part:

 

As he enters his sixth season as head coach of the team, McDermott has to be feeling that pressure. He has to be wondering whether someone higher in the organization than him will wonder whether McDermott has taken the franchise as far as he can, if the can’t take them to the Super Bowl this year.

 

Agree.  He and Beane have already been extended.  Terry and Kim have had their struggles getting their organizational parts right, but they haven't suffered long when things weren't right and moved to pull the plug even with big money still committed, ex. Rex and Ralph Krueger.  When they do get it right, they move to lock it in.  PFT seems to not recognize this.  They think they have it right.

[HOUSE]

The Dolphins are under more pressure,  they can't even tank anymore 

[Sammy Watkins' Rib]

1 hour ago, billybrew1 said:

I think the rams are going to come out extremely hard and hit Buffalo with everything they have right from the kickoff. You know they have the latest line posted on their bulletin board about how where the favs. in their building in week one (no respect.)

 

I don't really think a super bowl winning team puts much weight into that. Can't see that getting them all that fired up. At least no where near as fired up as a team that feels like they got screwed out of playing in the Super Bowl and possibly winning it all themselves. Plus, JA tends to be a beast on the road. 

[ddaryl]

True champions rise up and face it

[Sammy Watkins' Rib]

1 hour ago, SoCal Deek said:

I’m sorry but I don’t see it. The pressure on the Bills won’t start to hit until the playoffs, and possibly even the second round for that matter. If they somehow fail to make the playoffs it won’t be pressure, it’ll be because of either serious injuries, or a complete collapse…the latter of which I really can’t see.

 

In a lot of ways this season isn't about making the playoffs. It's about getting that #1 seed. They were the favorite to get the #1 seed last year, not to start the season but I think after about week 5 or 6 they were the clear favorites. Even after losing to the Titans on MNF things were extremely favorable for the Bills and looked to set up nicely for the #1 seed down the stretch. Things unraveled in the middle of the season and they had to play on the road in the divisional round. The Bills are undefeated under McDermott in the post season at 3-0. But they are 0-4 on the road in the playoffs during his tenure.  

 

They need that #1 seed not just for homefield but to also avoid having to play potentially the #2 or #3 seed in the divisional round. Get the one seed and play the lowest possible seed in that divisional round. That doesn't always work out I know (Ravens 2019 and Titans 2021) but odds are at least better historically.

[BuffaloBill]

3 hours ago, YoloinOhio said:

 

 

 

They make a few very good points.  It’s time to move on from the 13 second debacle but what a waste that was.  There is also an element of luck involved in the situation because of the injury factor in the NFL.  Can the Bills keep key players healthy for this full season?  Only time will tell. The Bills have the talent to win it all.  I agree with the article that coaching and game management may be the Bills most glaring weakness,

[SlimShady'sSpaceForce]

 

Isn’t every contender as well ?

 

Sure the Bills have the specter of KC to shake in the playoffs. 
 

Joe Cool Burrow has to prove he’s not a 1 year wonder. 
 

Mahomes has to prove he IS better than JA w/o his former #1 WR. 

 

Herbert and the Chargers? 
When will he end the latest playoffs W drought? 

2018.  
 

Are the Raiders real or frauds?

 

Lamar.  😝