2020 Feeling More Like Major Missed Opportunity

[zow2]

1 hour ago, Airseven said:

They blew it last year. Everyone knows it, some accept it.

 

Yup, they were cruising on O like no other and the D was relatively healthy (except Tre).  The Bills were the best team in the NFL last season, but the 13 seconds destroyed it.

[Einstein]

I felt we were closer in 2021 than 2020. I know we were not in the literal sense, but better team and only the Bengals in front of us had we beat KC.

[Shortchaz]

This season is going to end horribly, probably similar to a game like this one or the Miami game. Team can’t or refuses to just grind out a win taking what’s given against good defenses or on an off day. 

[SinceThe70s]

6 minutes ago, JerseyBills said:

And the Jests got 3 points on that drive.

As a whole, giving up 20 points with multiple starters out is a win to me.. 

 

As a whole sure - and I agree that the injuries finally caught up to us. 

 

Excusing the game winning drive doesn't work for me - that is not phenomenal D in any way shape or form.

[Alphadawg7]

We look a LOT better THIS year through 8 games than we did last year.

 

This board is always so over the top after a loss.  

[Nelius]

QBs are terrible this year. I'm not seeing anything out of Herbert or Burrow for example that we saw last year. Herbert especially has not taken the dominant step forward that everybody was calling for. Who knows what is going on with Rodgers. Mahomes is doing his thing but doesn't look like the wizard of two years ago. David Carr disappears 3 out of 4 games. Hurts and maybe Lawrence are the only two real talents emerging. My point is that it actually seems quite a bit easier overall this year, so I completely disagree for the sad QB play alone.

 

If Mahomes, Herbert, and a couple others were in some rare air tossing ridiculous games while Allen was bumbling, then I'd possibly agree, but everything is still up for the taking considering the lack of dominant QB play. 

 

Tua on second thought is probably the only one that's really surprising, but he's a hit away from being destroyed every single game.

Edited November 7, 2022 by Nelius

[US Egg]

Only thing I missed in 2020 was catching Covid.

 

There was something better?

 

[harryS]

2020 wasn't the year, as others have mentioned.  That was the "taking our lumps in the playoffs" year against the conference bully.  KC was better and more prepared and experienced.

 

2021 was the year.  We had taken our lumps already the previous year, played a great game against the bully and was about to know them out.  Then our coaches screwed up 13 seconds.

[GunnerBill]

It's odd. I definitely think the 2020 Bills were better than the 2021 Bills. The way games were being officiated in empty stadiums that year meant that we could more easily cover up our Oline frailties. But the 2020 team was less ready to go toe to toe with Kansas City. The 2021 team, while overall I think weaker because the oline was exposed was more equipped to take on the Chiefs...

 

Equally the 2020 Bills v Tampa in a Superbowl would still have been a tough out. The 2021 Bills would have been favoured against LA. 

 

I think the 2022 team is better than the 2021 team. But they have been hit with the injury bug on defense and yesterday Josh inexplicably melted down.

[Gunsgoodtime]

6 hours ago, JerseyBills said:

And the Jests got 3 points on that drive.

As a whole, giving up 20 points with multiple starters out is a win to me.. 

The quote of the 2022 Buffalo Bills, with multiple starters out.   It has devastated this team this year.  Each week injury report has been brutal since week 3.  Just like last year with 1 starter in Tre out, I think the outcome of the Chiefs game would have been different.  We already have multiple out for the year and plenty starters out every week this year

Edited November 7, 2022 by Gunsgoodtime

[The Jokeman]

8 hours ago, Donuts and Doritos said:

January 28, 1991, SB XXV was the missed opportunity. But let's get on with this year & fix things. Every season has adversity. 

It was the start of the Belechick dominance.

[corta765]

11 hours ago, JerseyBills said:

And the Jests got 3 points on that drive.

As a whole, giving up 20 points with multiple starters out is a win to me.. 

 

Exactly. Also in todays NFL holding a team to 20 or less should mean you are winning the vast majority of the time. The Bills D was by no means perfect but they played well enough for a win.

[corta765]

11 hours ago, Einstein said:

I felt we were closer in 2021 than 2020. I know we were not in the literal sense, but better team and only the Bengals in front of us had we beat KC.

 

I don't understand how people can keep saying we were closer in 21. They lost in the AFC semis not the title game and other then the Bills defense were worse statistically in everything. There is this weird thought that the Bills were the guaranteed SB champs last year if they beat KC, completely ignoring they did lose to KC but somehow would've just beat the next two teams without issue or opposition. 

 

2020 was the breakout year and yes KC was better, but Buffalo had a 9-0 lead and multiple chances to take that game. Until the Bills get that close again or further to the SB that to mean is the mark they are chasing and everything else is lesser.

[FilthyBeast]

I've thought a lot about this as well and tend to agree if anything because I think McD reached his ceiling then in terms of how far he'll ever take this team.

 

And still think the idea that the Bills would have won it all last year if not for the 13 second debacle is just a red herring. They just weren't as good a team last year and if anything played above their heads and talent level in the playoffs to begin with.

[Matt_In_NH]

15 hours ago, Airseven said:

They blew it last year. Everyone knows it, some accept it.

Yes they did, I have moved on, not sure I am at acceptance though.

[Success]

2021 was a missed opportunity. But there will be plenty more.

 

I mean, has anyone watched the NFL for awhile?  The best teams in history have had bad games.

 

 

[corta765]

27 minutes ago, FilthyBeast said:

I've thought a lot about this as well and tend to agree if anything because I think McD reached his ceiling then in terms of how far he'll ever take this team.

 

And still think the idea that the Bills would have won it all last year if not for the 13 second debacle is just a red herring. They just weren't as good a team last year and if anything played above their heads and talent level in the playoffs to begin with.

 

He is in his 6th season and I tend to agree his ceiling is what we have seen the last four years which can be as high as 2020 with a little luck and a QB being perfect to 2019 where they are weaker on offense but the defense keeps them alive. At some point breakthrough is going to have to happen and with the division improving that will be only tougher. You only move on if you do think you have a coach who can be equal or better, but it is truly concerning that the team consistently has a mid season let down like this and when the margin for being the best team is razor thin. Lots of season to play and they do control their own destiny, but this is not the first time this has happened either. The question no longer is whether they can compete with the best, but whether the consistency is there for the long term.

[Thurman#1]

17 hours ago, corta765 said:

Between the loss today, injuries, an improved division, and Josh looking a bit more mortal 2020 is really starting to feel like the big missed opportunity. Buffalo cruised through any major obstacle outside of the KC game and was incredibly healthy throughout. Josh had maybe one truly bad game otherwise he was superb and would’ve been MVP had Rodgers not been so good.

 

My feeling after today and how the season has gone is the team has far more obstacles then before with a greatly improved division that is no guarantee in the least. The AFC itself being not as strong helps for the playoffs, but unless Josh is playing almost perfect they are not the team we’ve thought unfortunately. Additionally McDermott needs some heat as the only year they have played well after the bye for a stretch of games was 2020. Last years struggles happened the same time, same as 2019 and 2017 (2018 was a waste in general). It’s tiring that the team itself looks so unprepared for a stretch of games after the bye when they should be rested and more focused. To me his hot seat is real if they can’t make it to the SB this year. I’d give him one last year and then change it if he can’t make it go.

 

 

A missed opportunity, yes. 2021 more than 2020, IMO.

 

A hot seat? Good grief, no. Not unless the locker room falls apart or something.

 

16 hours ago, Beast said:

I’m still salty about 1980. Is that OK to talk about?

 

 

Oh, God, yes!!!

 

"Wrote Paul Zimmerman in Sports Illustrated's 1981 NFL preview, 'If Charley Romes intercepts the pass that bounces off his chest in the last few minutes of the playoff game against San Diego, then the Chargers don't score on the next play, and win the game. And Buffalo gets to play Oakland at home – where the Bills crushed the Raiders earlier in the season. And Buffalo's in the Super Bowl.'"

 

From Wiki, but I remember him writing this and I so agreed. 

 

 

Edited November 7, 2022 by Thurman#1