Today is another example of why our season isn’t over (Updated - 1/7 - WE’RE IN as the 2 seed!)

[SoCal Deek]

As another thread shows, the other teams all play at least one game against another of the contenders whereas the Bills don’t, so somebody is losing in those head to head games. With that said, the Bills are going to have to run the table unless a couple of the other teams totally collapse. It’s just math. 

[Billsfan1972]

Not happy with the Chiefs loss to GB as they are now as desperate as the Bills.  

 

A loss & this really was a wasted year as a pretty clear path to the SB with KC down, no Burrow and no dominant AFC team. 

[Steve O]

11 hours ago, BillsFan619 said:

We’re ONE game behind every single wild card leader:

 

I'm still hoping for the number 1 seed

[Gregg]

5 minutes ago, Billsfan1972 said:

Not happy with the Chiefs loss to GB as they are now as desperate as the Bills.  

 

A loss & this really was a wasted year as a pretty clear path to the SB with KC down, no Burrow and no dominant AFC team. 

 

Best teams are in the NFC this year. The Bills showed they could compete with Philly. They probably will show they could do the same against Dallas. But SF when healthy would be tough to beat. SF is the most complete team in football. They are loaded with stars on both sides of the ball. Plus, that defense is flat out nasty. I don't think there is a more physical team in football than SF.

Edited December 4, 2023 by Gregg

[2003Contenders]

The good news is that the Bills still more or less control their own destiny. The bad news is that they are in this dire situation thanks to ridiculous losses to inferior teams like the Jets, Pat and Broncos. It is sad that they are in the position of being behind a number of much suckier teams in the conference. I will say that the playoffs (win or go home) starts for them against the Chiefs. If they do manage to go 5-0 from here on out they will at least be battle-tested heading into the playoffs.

[Eastport bills]

Our season is over until we win a game against a playoff team. Sadly we have not done this since the Miami game. We’ve been competitive in some games(Jags, Bengals, Eagles,) but we are not deserving of any playoff consideration until this roster steps up in a big spot. Maybe it’s better that this front office sees a real need to turn this roster over a bit. Our secondary has been dominated on crushing game ending drives in too many games. Our 2 LB sets are pitifully inconsistent in supporting the run defense and underneath pass defense. Our receivers are fine but where are the long completions that break the opposition’s spirit. Floyd has had a nice year and Oliver is great but our other edge rushers have no sacks or consistent penetration.  What playoff team with big time receivers are we stopping with this defense?  Josh has to win shootouts for us to win those games. It can happen but this is where a coach can make a difference. Do we really expect our coaching staff to get us to the finish line?

[Gregg]

1 minute ago, Eastport bills said:

Our season is over until we win a game against a playoff team. Sadly we have not done this since the Miami game. We’ve been competitive in some games(Jags, Bengals, Eagles,) but we are not deserving of any playoff consideration until this roster steps up in a big spot. Maybe it’s better that this front office sees a real need to turn this roster over a bit. Our secondary has been dominated on crushing game ending drives in too many games. Our 2 LB sets are pitifully inconsistent in supporting the run defense and underneath pass defense. Our receivers are fine but where are the long completions that break the opposition’s spirit. Floyd has had a nice year and Oliver is great but our other edge rushers have no sacks or consistent penetration.  What playoff team with big time receivers are we stopping with this defense?  Josh has to win shootouts for us to win those games. It can happen but this is where a coach can make a difference. Do we really expect our coaching staff to get us to the finish line?

No.

[SoonerBillsFan]

11 hours ago, Alpo Chino said:

We just have to take care of our business. Not sure if this staff can close out a game when it matters though.

McDermott  can't.  He has failed what..4x so far this year alone.  He needs to go this offseason.

[ToGoGo]

39 minutes ago, finn said:

You don't think the winning culture has to do with having the most talented player in NFL history as your QB?

 

They broke the drought with Tyrod Taylor. 

 

There is a concept out there called synergy. Yes, it hasn't been an ideal synergy at times, but it has been a synergy. Let's not become black and white thinkers here, like most of this board. 

[Gregg]

7 minutes ago, SoonerBillsFan said:

McDermott  can't.  He has failed what..4x so far this year alone.  He needs to go this offseason.

 

Yup. The Jets, Pats, and Broncos losses are unacceptable. Then they had a chance to steal one in Philly but McDermott's defense (as usual when it plays a good offense) failed to come up with one key stop. Let's bring him back so we can waste another year of Allen's career.

[DrDawkinstein]

I believe in our talent and players. But our coaching will get in the way.

[uticaclub]

13 minutes ago, ToGoGo said:

 

They broke the drought with Tyrod Taylor. 

 

There is a concept out there called synergy. Yes, it hasn't been an ideal synergy at times, but it has been a synergy. Let's not become black and white thinkers here, like most of this board. 

That was 7 years ago, other than old heads Poyer & Hyde, who is left from that team? Look at how enthusatic the team was then, compared to now. I know we finally caught enough breaks and bounces to make the playoffs in spite of our quarterback and on the legs of Shady McCoy, but that momentum is done. A bounce-back is possible, but I think the culture is dead the process has ended, unless we make a Super Bowl its time to move on.

Edited December 4, 2023 by uticaclub

[Dr. K]

It's up to the Bills to win at least four of these games. If they can afford to lose one, it would most likely be the Cowboys. They have too many AFC losses already.

 

First, the Chiefs. The Bills CAN win it, but given the repeated failures they've had this season, I have no confidence they will. 

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

27 minutes ago, Billsfan1972 said:

Not happy with the Chiefs loss to GB as they are now as desperate as the Bills.  

 

A loss & this really was a wasted year as a pretty clear path to the SB with KC down, no Burrow and no dominant AFC team. 

You mean KC is 'humble and hungry', too? 🤔

 

[DapperCam]

37 minutes ago, SoCal Deek said:

As another thread shows, the other teams all play at least one game against another of the contenders whereas the Bills don’t, so somebody is losing in those head to head games. With that said, the Bills are going to have to run the table unless a couple of the other teams totally collapse. It’s just math. 

Browns and Steelers might win one more game the rest of the season between them.

[Gunsgoodtime]

Just now, Gunsgoodtime said:

They had the same record as the year before, , let's lay off the non nonsense.  They win by a non pass int call against Tyrod.  Josh Allen is our Qb.  But this team (Coaches?) has been a complete failure this year

 

[Gregg]

1 minute ago, DapperCam said:

Browns and Steelers might win one more game the rest of the season between them.

 

Talk about an awful loss. Steelers had no business losing to the Cardinals at home yesterday. Any chance the Pats can beat the Steelers this Thursday night. I doubt it but it would be nice to see NE get the win here.

[Billsfan1972]

2 minutes ago, Gunsgoodtime said:

They had the same record as the year before, , let's lay off the non nonsense.  They win by a non pass int call against Tyrod.  Josh Allen is our Qb

Okay let's not exaggerate.  Both were 7-7 going into the last 2 games.  Buffalo lost in OT to Miami and Rex was fired.

 

The difference was the 2016 Bills offense was actually not bad at all.  2017 under McD they were 31st in the league.

1 minute ago, Gregg said:

 

Talk about an awful loss. Steelers had no business losing to the Cardinals at home yesterday. Any chance the Pats can beat the Steelers this Thursday night. I doubt it but it would be nice to see NE get the win here.

The Steelers have been lucky all season as they were outgained every week and winning.  Law of averages catching up. 

 

NE has one win this year vs. a team not named the Bills.🤔 

[finn]

25 minutes ago, ToGoGo said:

 

They broke the drought with Tyrod Taylor. 

 

There is a concept out there called synergy. Yes, it hasn't been an ideal synergy at times, but it has been a synergy. Let's not become black and white thinkers here, like most of this board. 

I give McDermott credit for doing his part to helping the Bills do so well since he was hired. But I think he's a liability in close games, and the evidence bears me out. His prevent defense, lack of aggression in key spots, and baffling use of time-outs add up to a "play not to lose" attitude that I believe has contributed heavily to the Bills' poor record in one-score losses over the past several years.

 

So, yes, he played a key role in building the team's culture, but at this point he's holding the team back.

[BigDingus]

People need to understand this is not the same Bills team of years past.

 

4-1 or 5-0 was very realistic for those teams, but I'm not sure this group believes in themselves enough to do that. 

 

I don't blame them though, as it has to be disheartening to lose so many close games that came down to the wire. I hope the BYE got everyone on the same page.