I Am Not Optimistic Going Into This Season

[LABILLBACKER]

If players like Floyd, Harty, Sherfield and Kincaid step up we'll be fine. Probably somewhere around 11-12 wins and afce Champs.  

[buffaloboyinATL]

9 hours ago, longtimebillsfan said:

Please talk me off the ledge.

 

I could see this season with the Bills going 2-2 in their first four games.

 

The Jets will go into their home opener sky high.

 

We should be able to handle the Raiders and Commanders. 

 

The Dolphins game could go either way.  At least the game is in OP.

 

I just think that our team is weaker than last year.

 

I could realistically see the Bills missing the playoffs this year.

 

With all the pundants saying the Bills window is closing, I am starting to think that Josh may never get us to the Lombardi trophy.

A Bills fan lacking optimism? What a unique perspective! Thank you for sharing this unusual phenomenon with us.   

[Beck Water]

2 hours ago, Rocky Landing said:

Ah, I miss the good old days when EJ Manuel was firing lasers at the media pop-up tent, causing Kevin Kolb to break his spleen on a rubber mat, while Rex Ryan massaged Maddy Glab’s feet. We really won the off-season back in those days. Good times…

 

This was great.

 

Pssssst.  Maddy Glab was hired by the Bills in 2019.  Sexy Rexy was long gone.  But I'm sure if she had been here, he would have tried it.
 

[John from Riverside]

47 minutes ago, longtimebillsfan said:

Middle linebacker.

The linebacker that they just put on the practice squad has better stats than Tremaine Edmunds did last yearM

And that was Edmond’s best year

[OZBILLS]

We're the best team in the world. Best coach. Best everything. Undefeated season.

 

 

 

 

[thurst44]

8 hours ago, longtimebillsfan said:

I am well over 50 and have been a Bills fan since 1963. ( my first memory of watching the Bills with my family)

 

Like all of us, I want that Super Bowl win do much.  Since the "13 seconds"  debacle it seem like the Bills are moving further away from being a contender.

 

 

How so? It's been one year and a year full of injuries and trauma like arguably no team has ever seen. Maybe they were outplayed and lost at the end. Or maybe they ran out of gas after so many sleepless nights, some figuring out how they were going to get to the next city, others not knowing if their friend would survive, let alone make a full recovery. I think they deserve the benefit of the doubt. They still went 13-3 and none of those losses were by more than a field goal. 

 

How is their current roster worse than 2021? A couple players are a bit older (but not showing decline yet) but others (Rousseau for example) are coming into their prime. Even with Kirksey, they will be a little worse at that position, but in every other position group, I'd argue they are better than two years ago. The o-line is a question mark, but it's been bad the last two years and they still had one of the top offenses in the league. 

 

Also, maybe you worded it poorly, but "moving further away from being a contender"... they are currently a contender.

[John from Riverside]

3 minutes ago, thurst44 said:

How so? It's been one year and a year full of injuries and trauma like arguably no team has ever seen. Maybe they were outplayed and lost at the end. Or maybe they ran out of gas after so many sleepless nights, some figuring out how they were going to get to the next city, others not knowing if their friend would survive, let alone make a full recovery. I think they deserve the benefit of the doubt. They still went 13-3 and none of those losses were by more than a field goal. 

 

How is their current roster worse than 2021? A couple players are a bit older (but not showing decline yet) but others (Rousseau for example) are coming into their prime. Even with Kirksey, they will be a little worse at that position, but in every other position group, I'd argue they are better than two years ago. The o-line is a question mark, but it's been bad the last two years and they still had one of the top offenses in the league. 

 

Also, maybe you worded it poorly, but "moving further away from being a contender"... they are currently a contender.

I would argue that once Kirksey is inserted, we will be just as strong as middle linebacker as we have been in previous years
 

Kirkseys numbers last year are better than Tremaine Edmunds numbers last year and that was Tremaine’s best year

[MJS]

Why put yourself through the mental anguish? Football is a game. Being a sports fan is about fun and entertainment. Just root for your team and hope for the best. Don't let yourself get bogged down in negative thinking, especially since there is nothing you can do to change any outcome. Have fun with it. Remember that this is the best team we've had in ages.

 

And guess what... the Bills are going to lose some games. It isn't the end of the world.

[HappyCat]

9 hours ago, Gregg said:

The 70's were bad, 84 and 85 were a nightmare. The drought also sucked. I am excited for this season. The Bills probably won't win 13 games as the division and schedule is tougher. My guess is 11-6. Will that be enough to win the division is anyone's guess. They are still a good bet for the playoffs. All of the AFCE games are going to be fun and nerve wracking to watch. 

Nerve Wracking is wonderful for me

[dave mcbride]

10 minutes ago, John from Riverside said:

I would argue that once Kirksey is inserted, we will be just as strong as middle linebacker as we have been in previous years
 

Kirkseys numbers last year are better than Tremaine Edmunds numbers last year and that was Tremaine’s best year

That is not true. Look at the advanced stats—the passer rating against Edmunds last year in passes thrown his way was 69.9, which is below the proverbial Mendoza line. Kirksey’s stat was 90.1 and three years ago it was 155.8 — which is a perfect rating in the NFL qb rating system.

 

Bottom line: stay away from the shiny object of counting stats. There is a tackle on every play that isn’t a TD play, and someone has to make the tackles — just like someone on the worst NBA team averages 20+ points because even the worst NBA teams average 90+ points a game (and someone has to score those points).  Kirksey was cut from a truly horrible team for a reason and Edmunds got paid a TON of money for a reason, and these decisions were made by people who are far more informed than message-board warrior fans.

 

That said, I’m more than willing to give Kirksey the benefit of the doubt. But if you can’t pass cover as a LB, you are a liability who*will* be exploited.

[Scott7975]

We are one of the best teams in the league.  That hasn't changed.  I get it, we haven't gone to or won a SuperBowl but we are still one of the best teams in the league.  As long as we have Allen that will remain true.  I am not going to sit here and say we are going to the show and winning it all, but I'm confident we still win the division.  Who knows from there.  (Barring injury to Allen or a bunch of key players of course.)

 

We aren't going undefeated either.  Can't jump off a ledge over any individual loses.  Even week 1 if that were to happen.

9 hours ago, Pine Barrens Mafia said:

heyo

 

 

 

Man... I just purchased a collectors set of all their albums on vinyl the other day and it was supposed to arrive today but it won't be until tomorrow.

Edited August 31, 2023 by Scott7975

[Sammy Watkins' Rib]

There should be legit concerns about the age of some of our key pieces on defense and how they will perform this season. 
 

It’s easy to think we will be healthier so automatically we must be better. 

 

I’m not quite at the level of the OP but I am hoping for the best while expecting a very bumpy ride this season to what will hopefully be a 4th division title. 

[QLBillsFan]

10 hours ago, Stads said:

The OP read Florio's article and took it to heart

Ha ha Floria’s biggest fan. BB will out-coach the Bills for 3rd!!  

1 hour ago, Dr.Sack said:

As long as Josh Allen is the QB the Bills have a chance. 

Yeah but Diggs is moping and we have no chance. The MM media SAS, Florio, and CC have spoken..🤓

[Scott7975]

 

[BigDingus]

I know a lot of people just focus on what the Bills did to upgrade things, but seem to forget every other team in the league did so as well. 

 

Did kind of fixing a couple OL spots & drafting Kincaid change the offense THAT much? Did losing Edmunds hurt us more than other moves on the D side? 

 

And how will the D look with McDermott calling the shots? He may be significantly better or worse than Frazier... We don't know. 

 

I think they regress a little bit, but not a huge drop. 11-12 wins if they stay mostly healthy

[maddenboy]

3 hours ago, PatsFanNH said:

. . . I want to see, like I am sure most non Buffalo fans are as well, if they will wilt again or not in the playoffs. 

have to admit, i think 'wilt' describes it perfectly.   In the national view of the NFL, the Bills just petered out. 

The difference is, other fan bases dont care why.  They got their popcorn ready for the AFCCG.  It took them one day to move on. 

 

the national narrative this year has been "wilt or not wilt.'

 

last year it was "super bowl or not super bowl"

 

Edited August 31, 2023 by maddenboy

[GunnerBill]

6 hours ago, Royale with Cheese said:

Which Bill isn’t being talked about enough for this upcoming season that you expect to have a real good year?

 

Good question. I don't know whether he qualifies as not being talked about but I feel really good on James Cook. Been a while since the Bills had some legit speed at running back. I think he looks more decisive in pre-season and the guard play should hopefully open up more holes. 

[John from Riverside]

13 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Good question. I don't know whether he qualifies as not being talked about but I feel really good on James Cook. Been a while since the Bills had some legit speed at running back. I think he looks more decisive in pre-season and the guard play should hopefully open up more holes. 

I was worried about him, not being an effective up the middle player, but it looks to me like he’s doing really good in that area
 

He’s not even catching that many passes in preseason, which is supposed to be his strength

[Heavy Kevi]

55 minutes ago, Scott7975 said:

 

 

PFF picked us?!

 

We're doomed!😱

 

Seriously though... Anyone picking the jets (or phins or pats) at this point is either a homer of that team, a hater of the bills, both, stupid, or not paying attention.

 

Defending champ gets the benefit of the doubt. Even in fightsports, draw goes to the champ.

 

But somehow a 368 year old Rodgers with potentially the worst OC in the league is are owners of the AFCE?

 

I'm not buying that *****.

[BillMafia716ix]

12 hours ago, longtimebillsfan said:

Please talk me off the ledge.

 

I could see this season with the Bills going 2-2 in their first four games.

 

The Jets will go into their home opener sky high.

 

We should be able to handle the Raiders and Commanders. 

 

The Dolphins game could go either way.  At least the game is in OP.

 

I just think that our team is weaker than last year.

 

I could realistically see the Bills missing the playoffs this year.

 

With all the pundants saying the Bills window is closing, I am starting to think that Josh may never get us to the Lombardi trophy.

Weaker where? I’m confused. Maybe at MLB but they upgraded everywhere else on the roster