Steelers @ Bills. Monday, January 15th at 4:30pm.

[Rubes]

I think really what people are trying to say here is that it's going to come down to our offense not turning the ball over, and our defense stopping the run.

 

[Ethan in Cleveland]

1 hour ago, Toledo Bill said:

These are not the old “soft lines” of past years. Jones in the middle of the D Line and an improved offensive line should make us a lot tougher.

loved an earlier post that called Spencer Brown our “Rob Ray”.

 

 

 

Shades of Ronnie Harmon 

Ouch! But your analogy is spot on.  That drop in Miami was as bad as Harmon's in Cleveland.  Both great passes from the QB. Both next passes ended up with bad outcomes. What is so frustrating is Both players were excellent pass catching RBs.

 

[Andrew Son]

Just now, Rubes said:

I think really what people are trying to say here is that it's going to come down to our offense not turning the ball over, and our defense stopping the run.

 

God I hope not.

[Ethan in Cleveland]

1 hour ago, Toledo Bill said:

These are not the old “soft lines” of past years. Jones in the middle of the D Line and an improved offensive line should make us a lot tougher.

loved an earlier post that called Spencer Brown our “Rob Ray”.

 

 

 

Shades of Ronnie Harmon 

Ouch! But your analogy is spot on.  That drop in Miami was as bad as Harmon's in Cleveland.  Both great passes from the QB. Both next passes ended up with bad outcomes. What is so frustrating is Both players were excellent pass catching RBs.

 

[Since1981]

21 minutes ago, Generic_Bills_Fan said:

they’re hung up on what these franchises are usually known for over how they’ve been playing this year.

Agree. Did they watch the Cowboys game?  Steelers definitely have a historic aura on tough/D. 

[newcam2012]

1 hour ago, PBF81 said:

 

Who cares about the spread, that a pop-culture money thing that's based upon perceptions, which are often rooted in extreme superficialities.  That's why Vegas makes money hand over fist.  Has nothing to do with reality.  Someone good at wagering can figure out where the "deals" are.  

 

Honestly, much depends upon Allen, and since his play is such a wild-card in the generic sense of the word, it's difficult to know what to expect.  

 

I'll go ahead and say the quiet part out loud here, but if anything, our handicap in the playoffs has been McD & Co.  We're a better team.  If they cannot figure out how to tweak that in homefield advantage, with rabid fans, then that's on them.  He has yet to beat a 4th or better seed in the playoffs.  

 

Hopefully this is the season where he shatters that paradigm.  

 

If not, LOL, this place is going to be a colossal hoot for months.  

 

Coaching for this game is key and it seemingly favors Tomlin.  ... at least until further notice.  

 

 

McD has done a solid job coaching up the defense in the last half of the season. His defense blew some games early on but since then they have closed the door and finished off teams. Dare I say, I'm buying into the McD D. 

 

My fear in this game is Pitt seemingly hangs around, makes a key big play or two, and wins ugly. 

 

I'm hoping the Bills' talent shines through this game. McD should have this team ready to play. No Watt is likely a difference maker. 

Edited January 10 by newcam2012

[YattaOkasan]

2 hours ago, PBF81 said:

 

Well, is quite possible that we are a "flimsy #2 seed." We'll find out on Sunday.

 

The Steelers are in the toughest division in the league with three teams in the playoffs and the fourth only eliminated in week 18.  Two of their teams running with backup QBs.  

 

The Steelers are a physical, not a finesse, team.  They're only one game worse than us with a tougher schedule.

 

 

Ive been impressed with how physical we have been as well.  I think we were more physical than Miami and Dallas obviously.  but thought we matched the intensity of two teams that wanted to be physical (Chargers and Patriots).  Both teams seemed to want to punch us in the mouth and I thought we did a good job of responding (miscues didnt seemed to be physicality related).  

1 hour ago, WideNine said:

 

The way we knifed through Miami's defense only to crap ourselves in the red zone...has become a bit of a trend.

 

I feel like too much changes down there, we take longer getting plays in, and we play a bit more on our heels. We need some good RedZone work this week and execution on our go-to plays.

 

The talking heads stress the INTs, but miss that Knox was obviously held on one possession, that pass to Cook that he dropped was so money, and Allen was half a second off from pulling the trigger and leading Ty Johnson in a way where I feel he gets in before the half.

 

They are really close and I think Allen is getting some of that swagger and confidence back that was causing him to delay throws a bit or turn down throws.

 

Been a while since he was himself and that is good to see. You could see the ball was coming out really good even when having to throw from odd platforms eluding the rush.

 

Other than that it was just having better execution and having some blitz beaters down there, some better blocking from our RB (asking Cook to pick up blitzers is hit or miss so maybe more Fournette down there) or go heavy max protect if you think plays are going to take time developing.

 

 

 

You know were one of the better red zone teams in the league right.  We struggled last two weeks but were still really good.  If theres a trend, its us figuring out our passing game.  havent heard any talk of Diggs missing in action this week when that was all the rage last week.  we missed some plays against the pats, and were really close against the phins (but our mistakes just all went as TOs).  Sorta think this is the week we put it all together.  

[zow2]

59 minutes ago, Scott7975 said:

 

Well I disagree with them. I think this is the most physical this team has played in the McD regime.  They punch people in the mouth.

 

Yeah, I agree.  Think about last years team and then playoffs vs a weak Miami club and Cinci at home.  There was no physicality.  The Bills were so soft.  It's changed since Brady and I'm sure McD is having it emphasized.

[Mango]

34 minutes ago, bills742 said:

 

I think if there’s a positive spin on some of these injuries it’s that we won and get to play Pittsburgh in what looks to be a wet, cold, windy game. 
 

We can get by without a couple people in the secondary and an undersized, speedy LB in a game against a flawed QB in bad weather. 
 

This would be tough to overcome in Miami. 

Edited January 10 by Mango

[BillnutinHouston]

4 hours ago, fergie's ire said:

Rectify our ales?  Too warm?  Head too foamy?

 

ails:

trouble or afflict (someone) in mind or body.

"exercise is good for whatever ails you"

[Einstein]

39 minutes ago, bills742 said:

 

A calf for Rapp is not what I expected when he came up lame on that last play. Thought he just fell on the ball and got the wind knocked out of him.

[Buffalo_Stampede]

27 minutes ago, Rubes said:

I think really what people are trying to say here is that it's going to come down to our offense not turning the ball over, and our defense stopping the run.

 

Get on top early. 

[fergie's ire]

6 minutes ago, BillnutinHouston said:

 

ails:

trouble or afflict (someone) in mind or body.

"exercise is good for whatever ails you"

Ah, but you left out the important part of the definition that came after "ails:" but before "Trouble or afflict" and that would be "verb."  You can rectify a mistake...but you can't rectify a mistook.

[Einstein's Dog]

37 minutes ago, Rubes said:

I think really what people are trying to say here is that it's going to come down to our offense not turning the ball over, and our defense stopping the run.

 

I think we can turn the ball over, just don't do it three times and the game shouldn't be close.

 

My fear is the Billls try and get too conservative in not having turnovers that they shy away from their normal game.  We should be putting the ball in the air as usual.  If we hit early it could get ugly for Pitt.  People realize that the Bills hitting early is a distinct possibility that is why the point spread is around 10.

[gordong]

rapp made two huge plays to end the dolphins game.  hope he can play along with Douglas. Gabe is probably going to sit this one out. 

[eball]

49 minutes ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

Get on top early. 

 

That's what she said.

 

[YattaOkasan]

1 hour ago, Mango said:

I think if there’s a positive spin on some of these injuries it’s that we won and get to play Pittsburgh in what looks to be a wet, cold, windy game. 
 

We can get by without a couple people in the secondary and an undersized, speedy LB in a game against a flawed QB in bad weather. 
 

This would be tough to overcome in Miami. 

did you just call dodson an undersized speedy LB?  cant believe im saying this after his preseason, but i want him for this playoff game.  Defending the run is what he does best (he comes off the field on passing down because he is not a speedy LB that covers well).  Agree with your overall point that this is the best situation to lose secondary players for.

[WhitewalkerInPhilly]

1 hour ago, bills742 said:

 

Looks like @HappyDays source was onto something

[Mango]

 

 

5 minutes ago, YattaOkasan said:

did you just call dodson an undersized speedy LB?  cant believe im saying this after his preseason, but i want him for this playoff game.  Defending the run is what he does best (he comes off the field on passing down because he is not a speedy LB that covers well).  Agree with your overall point that this is the best situation to lose secondary players for.

 

Yes, he is 6'0 and ran a 4.6. He may play well against the run, but he is still undersized and speedy. 

 

[BuffBills51]

I asked in the tailgate forum but seems to be limited activity there. I am bringing my 68 year old mother to her first playoff game Sunday and got Pepsi Club tickets. I normally park in a private lot but am considering parking in lot 7 due to its proximity to the club. If we get to the stadium by 10:30 should we be able to get a space or do you need a pre-purchased pass? It says on the site it is a public lot. Also, is the lot unbearable to exit at the end of the game. I know traffic is always an issue but some lots are worse. 

Edited January 10 by BuffBills51