Are people really that unhappy with our 4-2 Bills?

[Casey D]

33 minutes ago, ngbills said:

I would not call it Super Bowl or bust. But at this point we are past just competing for a playoff spot and possibly losing the division to MIA. 

That statement does not make walking around sense. You have no idea what the lay of the land will be in January.  Your statement assumes the Bills will be 10-7 and eliminated in round 1 of the playoffs.  But that is just your supposition, nothing more.  And asking people if they are happy with your pessimistic supposition is just dumb.

[ngbills]

4 minutes ago, Casey D said:

That statement does not make walking around sense. You have no idea what the lay of the land will be in January.  Your statement assumes the Bills will be 10-7 and eliminated in round 1 of the playoffs.  But that is just your supposition, nothing more.  And asking people if they are happy with your pessimistic supposition is just dumb.

No I am addressing the premise that 4-2 is not good enough and the general discussion that just winning more than we lose is good enough.

[uninja]

We, as a fanbase, have turned into the Manning era Colts. Good enough to get to the dance but always a bridesmaid and never a bride.

 

Beats being *****/average, but I’d sure as hell love for this team and Allen to win a ring. 

[ngbills]

8 minutes ago, oldmanfan said:

You seem to be focused on the negative.  That Josh will fall off.  That we won’t replace guys.  But look at things objectively.  We have guys like Bernard on D; everyone thought he was a bust but look at him.  Williams looks like another.  Once Kincaid gets going another.  Torrence.  Cook.  Bates will step in for Morse.  And so on.

 

I am focused on the what we know vs the what we dont know. Obviously we all want and hope that the Bills can be in the perennial discussion of super bowl hopefuls. But that is not a given. Hence, you have a team on the verge of a super caliber roster you cant afford to wait we have plenty of time. 

[Gregg]

2 minutes ago, uninja said:

We, as a fanbase, have turned into the Manning era Colts. Good enough to get to the dance but always a bridesmaid and never a bride.

 

Beats being *****/average, but I’d sure as hell love for this team and Allen to win a ring. 

 

The Colts won the Super Bowl in 2007. The Bills haven't even gotten to one yet with Allen. 

[ngbills]

20 minutes ago, FLFan said:

Playoff spots are not decided in October.  There are 11 more games.  Guess what?  They will be fighting for a spot all year long, as is every other team.  None are wrapped up, every team has had stumbles and will continue to do so.  If your expectation is that your team is going to play dominant football each and every week and that will then portend a championship, I think perhaps it your expectations that need adjusting.  It is a grind, for everyone, and a great deal of both positive and negative situations will happen to each team between now and then. Their track is just fine.

Then lets just shut down these boards until January. Come on folks. It does not take a genius to see see and acknowledge at 4-2 the Bills have underperformed. That does not mean it wont change. Its just where they are right now. Going back to why at 4-2 many people are negative. Because they are not where they should be and even the coaches see it. They have plenty of time between now and January to do just that. 

Why is it so easy for people to say the 5-1 MIA Dolphins are not that good. They have beat no one and the defense sucks. The 5-1 KC Chiefs do not look Super Bowl caliber. They have no WR's and Mahomes looks like trash. But being disappointed in a 4-2 Bills team that has lost to NYJ (Zach Wilson), Jax, and nearly lost to a Tyrod Taylor led Giant team, makes you clueless and or a bad fan for some reason. I bet a lot of Chiefs fans think they should be playing better and they should. We are in the same boat, which is a good thing not a bad one. 

[GunnerBill]

I think what has happened to the fanbase, and it does sadden me, is they have stopped living in the moment. We are in week 7 and all they can think about is January. 

 

It never used to be this way. When we were scrapping to be .500, to have a playoff shot in the final couple of weeks, we used to live in the moment game to game. 

 

I get it people are desperate for a Lombardi and there have been heartbreaking losses and we have Josh Allen... but sport is supposed to be fun. You can't fixate on the destination. It will rip the fun out of it for you. 

 

The fun bit isn't the destination. It's the climb. 

[oldmanfan]

19 minutes ago, ngbills said:

I am focused on the what we know vs the what we dont know. Obviously we all want and hope that the Bills can be in the perennial discussion of super bowl hopefuls. But that is not a given. Hence, you have a team on the verge of a super caliber roster you cant afford to wait we have plenty of time. 

We had it in the 13 second year.  We should have tackled all their receivers at the line if needed.

[The Firebaugh Kid]

Yes because they should be 6-0

[oldmanfan]

26 minutes ago, ngbills said:

Then lets just shut down these boards until January. Come on folks. It does not take a genius to see see and acknowledge at 4-2 the Bills have underperformed. That does not mean it wont change. Its just where they are right now. Going back to why at 4-2 many people are negative. Because they are not where they should be and even the coaches see it. They have plenty of time between now and January to do just that. 

Why is it so easy for people to say the 5-1 MIA Dolphins are not that good. They have beat no one and the defense sucks. The 5-1 KC Chiefs do not look Super Bowl caliber. They have no WR's and Mahomes looks like trash. But being disappointed in a 4-2 Bills team that has lost to NYJ (Zach Wilson), Jax, and nearly lost to a Tyrod Taylor led Giant team, makes you clueless and or a bad fan for some reason. I bet a lot of Chiefs fans think they should be playing better and they should. We are in the same boat, which is a good thing not a bad one. 

We should be 5-1.  We didn’t have it in London, that was a legit loss.  But Josh losing his mind in the second half against the Jets caused that, and luckily should be an isolated event.

[corta765]

26 minutes ago, uninja said:

We, as a fanbase, have turned into the Manning era Colts. Good enough to get to the dance but always a bridesmaid and never a bride.

 

Beats being *****/average, but I’d sure as hell love for this team and Allen to win a ring. 

 

Well put. It is tough to because odds are they will eventually break through but you've basically had three years of missed opportunities which long term you look at and just go dang we could've had another shot. On the flipside historically it is really difficult to get back and the Bengals with Burrow you wonder how many chances they even get. The last QB who lost his first SB and then won down the road was Elway. If you win you can get some more cracks as Peyton, Eli, Big Ben, Mahomes etc.. have showed over the last two decades, but history is not kind to those who lose the first time in. 

 

On a complete side note if I was a Packer fan I'd be having some huge issues knowing Rodgers only got one ring and they had that many shots they missed after. To this day if you told me back in 2010 after he won that he never would make it back with GB I wouldn't have believed you. Sports are really weird.

[Fleezoid]

1 hour ago, Buffalo ill said:

The lifeless blowout loss to the Bengals in Buffalo broke me.  I don't have to explain the number of gut punches a Bills fan since the late 80s has taken. You all know the moments. Last season's finale was the tipping point for me.

 

Anymore I feel like the Bills are a mostly entertaining tv series that will have a bad ending, leaving the fans disappointed overall.  The Bills are my new Game of Thrones.

 

^^^^^  I'm in this camp!

 

As for folks complaining about the overreactions and sky is falling banter, I say let it go. Let people speak their minds. It can be emotional being a fan. I'd rather read folks be themselves then tempered dialogue all the time. It can be entertaining at times. 

 

Edited October 18, 2023 by Fleezoid

[Lane Meyer K12]

The game in London was not exactly 100% on the team. The Giants game, I had a gut feeling that it would be a hangover from the London game. Travelling to London and preparing for games has to be a nightmare. Curious to see them now that the London game and its remnants are completely behind them. This week should provide a better gage on if that was it or if it is something more to it.  

[Mango]

I think before injuries we showed that this might be the most complete team we have had this era. 
 

But I find myself having very similar frustrations with this offense  and its consistency that I did a few years ago. But I’m also always impressed by it. 
 

It’s a weird spot. 
 

I do think it’s ok to stumble for a bit, and this team has a better ability to be balanced than anything we’ve seen under McBeane. If we can steady ourselves, get healthy and locked in, this could be the best Bills team we’ve seen. 

[Pine Barrens Mafia]

36 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

I think what has happened to the fanbase, and it does sadden me, is they have stopped living in the moment. We are in week 7 and all they can think about is January. 

 

It never used to be this way. When we were scrapping to be .500, to have a playoff shot in the final couple of weeks, we used to live in the moment game to game. 

 

I get it people are desperate for a Lombardi and there have been heartbreaking losses and we have Josh Allen... but sport is supposed to be fun. You can't fixate on the destination. It will rip the fun out of it for you. 

 

The fun bit isn't the destination. It's the climb. 

^ listen to this guy.

 

enjoy having a good team, and quit being whiny

 

 

[TheWei44]

Let's break down the 4-2 for a minute: One very high quality win (Miami); two solid wins (Washington, Vegas); one strange/ugly win (NYG); one "bad" loss (NYJ); and one understandable loss, perhaps, with lots of injuries (J-ville in England).  Objectively, that looks reasonably good overall but with a lot of inconsistency.  Makes you start to wonder things like "which team will show up this week?"; "are we doomed because of injuries?"; "what's the identity of the offense?".  I personally remain cautiously optimistic and am trying to enjoy the ride . . . Go Bills!!

Edited October 18, 2023 by TheWei44

[Big Turk]

4 minutes ago, TheWei44 said:

Let's break down the 4-2 for a minute: One very high quality win (Miami); two solid wins (Washington, Vegas); one strange/ugly win (NYG); one "bad" loss (NYJ); and one understandable loss, perhaps, with lots of injuries (J-ville in England).  Objectively, that looks reasonably good overall but with a lot of inconsistency.  Makes you start to wonder things like "which team will show up this week?"; "are we doomed because of injuries?"; "what's the identity of the offense?".  I personally remain cautiously optimistic and am trying to enjoy the ride . . . Go Bills!!

 

You mean they are like every other team in the NFL where they don't always play the same every week and aren't robots?

Edited October 18, 2023 by Big Turk

[newcam2012]

1 hour ago, ngbills said:

Then lets just shut down these boards until January. Come on folks. It does not take a genius to see see and acknowledge at 4-2 the Bills have underperformed. That does not mean it wont change. Its just where they are right now. Going back to why at 4-2 many people are negative. Because they are not where they should be and even the coaches see it. They have plenty of time between now and January to do just that. 

Why is it so easy for people to say the 5-1 MIA Dolphins are not that good. They have beat no one and the defense sucks. The 5-1 KC Chiefs do not look Super Bowl caliber. They have no WR's and Mahomes looks like trash. But being disappointed in a 4-2 Bills team that has lost to NYJ (Zach Wilson), Jax, and nearly lost to a Tyrod Taylor led Giant team, makes you clueless and or a bad fan for some reason. I bet a lot of Chiefs fans think they should be playing better and they should. We are in the same boat, which is a good thing not a bad one. 

Really great post! Grand slam here!!!!

[newcam2012]

1 hour ago, GunnerBill said:

I think what has happened to the fanbase, and it does sadden me, is they have stopped living in the moment. We are in week 7 and all they can think about is January. 

 

It never used to be this way. When we were scrapping to be .500, to have a playoff shot in the final couple of weeks, we used to live in the moment game to game. 

 

I get it people are desperate for a Lombardi and there have been heartbreaking losses and we have Josh Allen... but sport is supposed to be fun. You can't fixate on the destination. It will rip the fun out of it for you. 

 

The fun bit isn't the destination. It's the climb. 

Very true but that's a bit disingenuous at the same time Gunner. I'll elaborate as to why.

 

You are absolutely spot on about the past and the fans perspective. It absolutely happens when you are not a good team, mediocre team, or a fringe playoff team. There is really no need to think further. The goal of winning playoff games and a SB are not realistic. Pretty easy to comprehend.

 

However, when a team lands a franchise QB fans know that's the crucial element to winning. The Bills landed that QB six years ago. He has developed into one of the best QBs for 3 years now. The organization has had plenty of time to improve their team. Improve it enough to represent the AFC, make  super bowl appearances, and win it all. The goalposts have moved as they should. It's not a bad thing. 

 

The fans still know the importance of the grind from game to game. I don't think that's under estimated. At the same time, the fans think bigger and expect bigger. Both can happen at the same time. IMHO, both do happen at the same time. The climb and fun is still present. Destination has entered into the picture because the Bills are knocking on the door of greatness not mediocrity. I wouldn't want it any other way. 

 

 

Edited October 18, 2023 by newcam2012

[GunnerBill]

Just now, newcam2012 said:

Very true but that's a bit disingenuous at the same time Gunner. I'll elaborate as to why.

 

You are absolutely spot on about the past and the fans perspective. It absolutely happens when you are not a good team, mediocre team, or a fringe playoff team. There is really no need to think further. The goal of winning playoff games and a SB are not realistic. Pretty easy to comprehend.

 

However, when a team lands a franchise QB fans know that's the crucial element to winning. The Bills landed that QB six years ago. He has developed into one of the best QBs for 3 years now. The organization has had plenty of time to improve their team. Improve it enough to represent the AFC, make  super bowl appearances, and win it all. The goalposts have moved as they should. It's not a bad thing. 

 

The fans still know the importance of the grind from game to game. I don't think that's under estimated. At the same time, the fans think bigger and expect bigger. Both can happen at the same time. IMHO, both do happen at the same time. The climb is still present and fun is still present; but the destination has entered the picture because the Bills are knocking on the door if greatness not mediocrity. 

 

 

I don't think it is disingenuous at all. I think it is about a mindset. There is barely a post on this board about the Patriots game on Sunday. But there is a post about firing the coach if he doesn't make the AFCCG. A game that is FOURTEEN weeks away. If people want to be that way that is up them but I promise you it will suck your enjoyment out of sport. I lived that life for 4 years with my other sporting love in the 00s. Then we went through a barren period we have just come out the other side of and I am experiencing this era of being a contender totally differently. I am loving every moment of it and just enjoying the journey. We should have won the Premier League last season, we didn't. Oh well. Life goes on. There is always another season with its own twists and turns to enjoy. 

 

I think is is partly age as well. I have a pretty full on, intense, stressful worklife that I didn't have when I was a uni student 20 years ago. I could afford to expend stress on football (the round balled sort) seasons. I can't now. sport has to be my escape, it has to be my relaxation. I have zero influence over the outcome and so I just enjoy the journey. It's the climb. 

1 hour ago, ngbills said:

Then lets just shut down these boards until January. Come on folks. It does not take a genius to see see and acknowledge at 4-2 the Bills have underperformed. That does not mean it wont change. Its just where they are right now. Going back to why at 4-2 many people are negative. Because they are not where they should be and even the coaches see it. They have plenty of time between now and January to do just that. 

Why is it so easy for people to say the 5-1 MIA Dolphins are not that good. They have beat no one and the defense sucks. The 5-1 KC Chiefs do not look Super Bowl caliber. They have no WR's and Mahomes looks like trash. But being disappointed in a 4-2 Bills team that has lost to NYJ (Zach Wilson), Jax, and nearly lost to a Tyrod Taylor led Giant team, makes you clueless and or a bad fan for some reason. I bet a lot of Chiefs fans think they should be playing better and they should. We are in the same boat, which is a good thing not a bad one. 

 

And the debate about what is wrong with the team NOW as we stand here in the present day I have absolutely no issue with. That is what you do as fans. It is the extrapolating out to doom in 11 or 14 weeks time. That is the big I don't get and honestly, isn't healthy. By all means let's talk about what is wrong with the offense, whether the defense can overcome the injuries, whether the playcalling and coaching decisions against the Giants were good enough. Absolutely let's talk about that. That is there here and now. I am absolutely NOT saying "let's only be positive" I hate that type of approach. It is toxic positivity. But I'm just saying the people whose heads are already in January are going about it the wrong way.