1/19/25 Division Round Playoff GAMEDAY THREAD Bills vs. Ravens

[sven233]

2 minutes ago, hikerprof2 said:

This is obviously a legacy game for the Bills.

I have optimism, not confidence, for a win. Both of these teams are excellent, and on paper either should be able to defeat KC and win the Superbowl.

 

Optimism. The Bills have home field advantage. The weather slightly favors the Bills-while the raven's playstyle isn't affected by the weather, Jackson is a Florida guy at heart, and Josh can play in any weather. The Bills are healthy, whereas the Ravens are missing their best WR (who is only their third best offensive player). Optimism: we have Josh Allen, and Josh Allen can and will need to put on the Superman cape. The trouble is, that's not a huge advantage over Lamar Jackson if he does the same, since he is, respectfully, a great player himself.

 

Concern: The Ravens Run game versus our light box defenses. The return of Milano, Bernard, T. Johnson, and Rapp (who missed much of the game) should help, but McDermott may have to adjust. Between a game script where we get out to an early lead- Josh will have to be perfect against an exceptional defense -- and either playing heavier boxes or some real heroics from a defense we all know has weaknesses --we have to neutralize their running game and make Jackson one dimensional.

 

While Jackson has put up good numbers this year throwing, I believe he throws as a compliment to the run, off the threat of the run. Isolate that and make him just win the game with his arm, he is mistake prone and has limited resources.

 

Moving forward, if the Ravens win this game just based on exceptional play on their behalf, while we play them hard, it's just the football gods having their say. If Josh has the rare bad day, it's the football gods again sporting with our Buffalo fanhood. If the Ravens pound us with the run and we don't adjust we have to look at Sean McDermott as a guy too stubborn to get us over the edge, and that puts the team in a bad quandary moving forward. If it's a close game and we lose in the end because of some time management issue or poor play call, once again the blame lies with McDermott. If we lose next year I'd suggest bringing the offense back as is, including Cooper. The biggest improvements on that side of the ball will be made in continuity and comfort. Most of our draft and FA resources should be spent on revitalizing the D and developing new schemes.

 

But if we win-if we win -McDermott is vindicated, and we move on to KC to play against Mahomes and the refs on their field, and I still think that is  less of a challenge than the Ravens. 

 

Go Bills, a  fan for 36 years.

 

 

 

It is a legacy game for sure.  The thing is, I am not sure that's a fair thing to have put on us considering the expectations that were placed on us going into the year.  We lost like 9 starters and most of our captains.  We ate 30 million just to get our best WR off the team and to not play for us this season.  I mean, everyone was picking us to finish 3rd in the division and miss the Playoffs because this was a rebuilding year.

 

Guess what......  All those things are still true, but because we have an alien playing QB for us, he willed and carried this undermanned team to not only the Playoffs, but to the Divisional round.  And, just because we're here, all these people that were saying we are in a rebuilding year are now saying if we lose this game, it will tarnish our legacy as a team, Allen's legacy as a QB, McDermott's resume as a coach, etc.  They forget that nothing's changed except the fact our freak of a QB is even better than they imagined and is masking the issues we still all know are there.  

 

We don't have a great roster.  We have some good talent, but largely, we have 1 guy that carries this team on his back.  We're here because of him and because the guys on this team truly believe in and care for each other.  They are not the most talented group, but they play for each other.  How far can that take them?  It could be just to today.  It could be all the way to the Super Bowl.  We will soon find out.

 

But the fact that we are here and playing today should be all the legacy we need.  Getting here, something nobody outside of this fanbase and in that locker room expected, should only enhance this legacy because we've already accomplished way more than most ever expected.  Instead, we still have largely the same roster as we did before the season.  Still undermanned and not as talented as we can become as early as next year because we will actually have a little money to spend.  But we're here and if we do lose today, we won't get any credit for accomplishing what we have this season and will only be ragged on for losing another Playoff game and not making the Super Bowl.  Frustrating position for this team to be in, but here's hoping they use it as fuel today and for as long as they can keep this ride going.

[Magox]

1 hour ago, Goin Breakdown said:

And 60% of the time they're right every time. 

 

[CircleTheWagons99]

I just hope everyone has fun and no injuries. Go Bills. 

[Ethan in Cleveland]

I wonder if Carter dresses today for an extra big man...

 

[CircleTheWagons99]

Just now, Ethan in Cleveland said:

I wonder if Carter dresses today for an extra big man...

 

Hope so, and returns to pre-injury form. 

[Straight Hucklebuck]

1 minute ago, Process said:

ESPN really trying to sell the bad weather. It's going to be a complete non factor. Perfect conditions. 

Sitting in the parking lot now - there is zero wind, it’s 20-degrees.

 

Really if this game was 2-days later it’d be worse, low single digits. 

[Billsfanatic8989]

36 minutes ago, Buddy Hix said:

This game means a lot for Buffalo. If Baltimore comes into our house and wins, it will mean Buffalo has fallen behind a third team in the conference. McD needs his defensive unit to finally play well when it matters.

 

I’m so nervous that Baltimore comes into our house and just blows our defence apart.

It would also be our third straight home playoff loss to our biggest AFC rivals. All different teams.

 

That is inexcusable. 

Edited 17 hours ago by Billsfanatic8989

[Special K]

2 minutes ago, CircleTheWagons99 said:

I just hope everyone has fun and no injuries. Go Bills. 

Orange slices for everyone after the game!!!😁

 

Just messing with you....Go Bills!!!!!!!

[ColoradoBills]

1 minute ago, Billsfanatic8989 said:

It would also be our third straight home playoff loss to our biggest AFC rivals. All different teams.

 

That is inexcusable. 

 

Will you let them play the game first.  What is it with this talk.

[Pete]

 

[Kelly to Allen]

4 minutes ago, sven233 said:

 

It is a legacy game for sure.  The thing is, I am not sure that's a fair thing to have put on us considering the expectations that were placed on us going into the year.  We lost like 9 starters and most of our captains.  We ate 30 million just to get our best WR off the team and to not play for us this season.  I mean, everyone was picking us to finish 3rd in the division and miss the Playoffs because this was a rebuilding year.

 

Guess what......  All those things are still true, but because we have an alien playing QB for us, he willed and carried this undermanned team to not only the Playoffs, but to the Divisional round.  And, just because we're here, all these people that were saying we are in a rebuilding year are now saying if we lose this game, it will tarnish our legacy as a team, Allen's legacy as a QB, McDermott's resume as a coach, etc.  They forget that nothing's changed except the fact our freak of a QB is even better than they imagined and is masking the issues we still all know are there.  

 

We don't have a great roster.  We have some good talent, but largely, we have 1 guy that carries this team on his back.  We're here because of him and because the guys on this team truly believe in and care for each other.  They are not the most talented group, but they play for each other.  How far can that take them?  It could be just to today.  It could be all the way to the Super Bowl.  We will soon find out.

 

But the fact that we are here and playing today should be all the legacy we need.  Getting here, something nobody outside of this fanbase and in that locker room expected, should only enhance this legacy because we've already accomplished way more than most ever expected.  Instead, we still have largely the same roster as we did before the season.  Still undermanned and not as talented as we can become as early as next year because we will actually have a little money to spend.  But we're here and if we do lose today, we won't get any credit for accomplishing what we have this season and will only be ragged on for losing another Playoff game and not making the Super Bowl.  Frustrating position for this team to be in, but here's hoping they use it as fuel today and for as long as they can keep this ride going.

 

They're are arguably the best roster in the NFL. Idk why ppl like you keep saying that. All the data and eye test says otherwise. 

 

Some of the names aren't established but the talent is pretty close to top in the NFL. That will be obvious by about 9 pm

[Straight Hucklebuck]

2 minutes ago, Billsfanatic8989 said:

It would also be our third straight home playoff loss to our biggest AFC rivals. All different teams.

 

That is inexcusable. 

It just would tell me this team needs to draft and trade like it knows Josh Allen is on the team.

 

They invest the bare minimum into the skill positions.

 

[Billsfanatic8989]

2 minutes ago, ColoradoBills said:

 

Will you let them play the game first.  What is it with this talk.

It's inexcusable IF it happens

Just now, Straight Hucklebuck said:

It just would tell me this team needs to draft and trade like it knows Josh Allen is on the team.

 

They invest the bare minimum into the skill positions.

 

Receiver is still a need in the offseason. As is pass rush.

[TH3]

3 minutes ago, Straight Hucklebuck said:

It just would tell me this team needs to draft and trade like it knows Josh Allen is on the team.

 

They invest the bare minimum into the skill positions.

 

This is so not correct

[Mark Vader]

1 hour ago, Brand J said:

Looking at the Ravens board, many are saying they were nervous about the Steelers game but confident about this one. They know it’ll be more of a battle than last time, but are fully confident they can win by 2 scores if they don’t turn the ball over or commit penalties. Lastly, if the Bills win they want us to go on and win the whole thing, they can’t stomach seeing KC or PHI atop the throne.

Pretty much the same feeling here.

Everyone was terrified of the Broncos, now most are very confident about this game against the Ravens. 

[Ethan in Cleveland]

2 minutes ago, Straight Hucklebuck said:

It just would tell me this team needs to draft and trade like it knows Josh Allen is on the team.

 

They invest the bare minimum into the skill positions.

 

You could have said that three years ago but they have drafted OL, TE, RB, and WR  in the last two drafts. And they took Cook 3 years ago. 

Beane finally got the OL right.

This next draft is about fixing the DL, replacing Douglas, and adding depth to WR and OL.

[Straight Hucklebuck]

Just now, TH3 said:

This is so not correct

It’s correct. 

[ColoradoBills]

6 minutes ago, Billsfanatic8989 said:

It's inexcusable IF it happens

 

IF is the middle work in LIFE.

[Breakout Squad]

1 hour ago, TheFunPolice said:

People read too much into refs because of social media and more replays of every call

 

I wish I could find the clip but I saw an old clip from a Montana 49ers era game where SF scored a TD and kicked the extra points and the 2 refs walked out of the end zone with the biggest smiles on their faces signalling the XP was good that you've ever seen 

 

That would be a viral meme if it happened today after a KC score 

Maybe one of them sharted and they had a chuckle about it. 

[Beast]

1 hour ago, boyst said:

I don't. 

 

I don't know what to expect from Modrack. I believe he may be ready to put some cards on the table because his efforts in his first year have been admirable. Combined with Tee Martin as the QB coach I think they've done wonders and that's because they don't take gambles. They set up plays and they design the scheme to maximize every opportunity. And it works. Jackson doesn't throw targets open like he used to sometimes do. He plays smarter than that but also hits Windows from time to time. What he does is rely on the first read and it almost always an option. When the ball goes up today you must expect that the target is open. Every single pass he has thrown was to a target that was open and clear. He doesn't have to read the defense, which he struggles to process in real time. If the defense can mix it up real time on him for passing plays he might slip. 

 

Before the open passes he will see the field. He struggled against some pre snap reads and it when he checks down to the run. If he sees too many in the box or coverage which he knows he can switch to RPO he instantly goes to that option.

 

He doesn't play like an intelligent high vision player. He plays like an athlete who can do whatever he wants whenever he wants because that's what he can usually do.

 

Once he drops back to pass he doesn't check down. It's something around 5% are checked down and even less likely on third down. This is why third down is critical for us to get on the field. He won't check down because he can find the open target or run it himself for the first.

 

To combat the down field opportunities he maximizes in lieu of the check down we have to stay on our WRs a little while longer and play man. We can't let them beat us in the air. We have to let Lamar Jackson and Henry beat us with their legs. This means our front 7 have to beat the 5 OL and 2 of them. This means when Picard enters we must be prepared to install the package necessary to stop the big FB. Same with their extra OL. We need to make sure these refs know that if they're going to sub than we are too, and the defense has the right to do so.

 

All of this makes it a team playing chess against a team that must play Go!

 

The Ravens must and will be strategic to execute their game plan because that's what works best with that style. The Bills must be malleable and neurally sympatic.  We need to see the culmination of a year of Rapp and Hamlin playing together, the maturity of Milano who has to play his best game, the high frame per second processing of Johnson and Bernard, and Ed Oliver and the DL fold the pocket.*

 

*Folding the pocket is exactly that. It is not collapsing the pocket because that opens the outside lanes. The Bills must pressure from all 4 sides to be in front, beside, and parallel to behind.

If the Bills aren’t aggressive we’ll be talking off-season football tonight at 10pm.