I’m very happy with how far we made it.

[Pete]

You play to win the game!

[Augie]

2 minutes ago, Pete said:

You play to win the game!

 

That’s catchy. You should trademark that. 

 

I was just there for the orange slices.  

[quincy]

For me, getting to the AFC Championship game was the minimum acceptable target, in my own mind, now that we have made this far, it is time to win on Sunday at Arrowhead and in February in New Orleans. I just wanted this coaching staff to make it past the Divisional round this year and I am thankful that this has been achieved.

 

Many fans have had a MUCH longer period of Buffalo “heartbreak” than me. I only became a true hardcore Buffalo fan in 2015 and then I was immediately horrified when the news broke that Rex was appointed as the HC!

 

I guess I am a weird fan as the postseason loss to Houston stung me far more than the 13 seconds game. Sunday can be the happiest day of my Buffalo fandom.

 

Begrudgingly, respect to Kansas City, they have had remarkable and dominant success and they are always linked to us be it via coaching trees, trades or memorable games, the general narrative appears to be one-sided simply because we haven’t defeated them in the post season and that can be changed on Sunday.  

 

I am daring to dream, should it not be this year then we will have another go next year like all the remaining 31 teams who didn’t lift the Lombardi.   

 

I would also opine that Sean did actually give a straight reply in relation to that Baltimore journalist who had the “city of losers” comment and his disagreement with that – that was bigger than the Bills, affecting the whole city and area (in my opinion), regarding fans and locker room impact. 

 

I am unsure if this will embed or not, I happened to see this on YouTube, being from Europe I’d actually want to visit this restaurant and meet native Bills fans when I am wealthier lol.  

 

Buffalo Bills fans react to 'city of losers' comment from Baltimore radio host

[Ga boy]

11 hours ago, BullBuchanan said:

Why would I be upset losing to one of the greatest dynasties in the history of the sport? You aren't supposed to beat these teams, especially in their home stadium.

Put the shoe on the other foot. If you're a Chiefs fan, how would you feel losing to the Bills - a team without a 1st team All pro player, a 1000 yard receiver, a 4000 yard passer, and a defense with a double-digit sacker or anyone with more than 2 INTs, in your own house. The Chiefs should expect to win this game by any metric, the Bills shouldn't.

So how can you explain that we just beat a team that is better than KC?  I would say that our team, with emphasis on team, is better.  Our OL can eat the clock when needed, and our QB can go toe to toe in a shootout.  

[BLeonard]

12 hours ago, BringBackFergy said:

Can only get better. 

 

I'm guessing many were saying this after each of the four Super Bowl losses, too.  How's that worked out?

 

Here's a number for you - 11,320  That's how many days on Sunday it will have been since Super Bowl XXVIII.  It took the Bills 25 Super Bowls to get to the game and since losing their last one, 31 more have been played, without the Bills making it back a single time.

 

On Sunday, it will have been 1464 days since the Bills have been this close.  I'm guessing, for the majority of that time, many fans were saying "Can only get better" after each season.

 

There's no guarantees from year to year in the NFL and any Bills fan that's been paying attention should have learned that in spades by now.  It's very hard to make a Championship run and there is no promise that, if you fail, another chance will present itself.

 

If some of you are content with being second best to the Chiefs year after year, I guess that's your prerogative.  I'm sure there are fans of the Washington Generals basketball team out there, too.

 

I remember the 4 Super Bowl losses in the 90s and I've waited 30+ years to see them have a shot at another.  Sorry, but I won't be content with being second best yet again.

[BringBackFergy]

7 minutes ago, BLeonard said:

 

I'm guessing many were saying this after each of the four Super Bowl losses, too.  How's that worked out?

 

Here's a number for you - 11,320  That's how many days on Sunday it will have been since Super Bowl XXVIII.  It took the Bills 25 Super Bowls to get to the game and since losing their last one, 31 more have been played, without the Bills making it back a single time.

 

On Sunday, it will have been 1464 days since the Bills have been this close.  I'm guessing, for the majority of that time, many fans were saying "Can only get better" after each season.

 

There's no guarantees from year to year in the NFL and any Bills fan that's been paying attention should have learned that in spades by now.  It's very hard to make a Championship run and there is no promise that, if you fail, another chance will present itself.

 

If some of you are content with being second best to the Chiefs year after year, I guess that's your prerogative.  I'm sure there are fans of the Washington Generals basketball team out there, too.

 

I remember the 4 Super Bowl losses in the 90s and I've waited 30+ years to see them have a shot at another.  Sorry, but I won't be content with being second best yet again.

Did you come up with 11,320 off the top of your head or have you kept Buffalo News/Courier Express calendars all these years just counting down the days?? If so, this thread applies to you. Stop devoting your life to a game where you can’t control the outcome. No matter how much you scream at the TV or write sternly worded letters to the commish. You are a speck of dust on the NFL ball sack. 
 

You can’t control the outcome. You just can’t. It doesn’t make you a better fan than me. I’ve suffered through this team (Hank Bullough, 2-14, Super Bowl losses, etc). 
 

I don’t enjoy being second best, but if it happens, it’s out of my (and your) control. Just enjoy the ride. 
 

Peace. 
 

1 hour ago, quincy said:

For me, getting to the AFC Championship game was the minimum acceptable target, in my own mind, now that we have made this far, it is time to win on Sunday at Arrowhead and in February in New Orleans. I just wanted this coaching staff to make it past the Divisional round this year and I am thankful that this has been achieved.

 

Many fans have had a MUCH longer period of Buffalo “heartbreak” than me. I only became a true hardcore Buffalo fan in 2015 and then I was immediately horrified when the news broke that Rex was appointed as the HC!

 

I guess I am a weird fan as the postseason loss to Houston stung me far more than the 13 seconds game. Sunday can be the happiest day of my Buffalo fandom.

 

Begrudgingly, respect to Kansas City, they have had remarkable and dominant success and they are always linked to us be it via coaching trees, trades or memorable games, the general narrative appears to be one-sided simply because we haven’t defeated them in the post season and that can be changed on Sunday.  

 

I am daring to dream, should it not be this year then we will have another go next year like all the remaining 31 teams who didn’t lift the Lombardi.   

 

I would also opine that Sean did actually give a straight reply in relation to that Baltimore journalist who had the “city of losers” comment and his disagreement with that – that was bigger than the Bills, affecting the whole city and area (in my opinion), regarding fans and locker room impact. 

 

I am unsure if this will embed or not, I happened to see this on YouTube, being from Europe I’d actually want to visit this restaurant and meet native Bills fans when I am wealthier lol.  

 

Buffalo Bills fans react to 'city of losers' comment from Baltimore radio host

2015??? LOL. I suppose you don’t have predominantly gray hair like me. Stay positive brother!!

 

Go Bills!!

[BLeonard]

6 minutes ago, BringBackFergy said:

Did you come up with 11,320 off the top of your head or have you kept Buffalo News/Courier Express calendars all these years just counting down the days?? If so, this thread applies to you. Stop devoting your life to a game where you can’t control the outcome. No matter how much you scream at the TV or write sternly worded letters to the commish. You are a speck of dust on the NFL ball sack. 
 

You can’t control the outcome. You just can’t. It doesn’t make you a better fan than me. I’ve suffered through this team (Hank Bullough, 2-14, Super Bowl losses, etc). 
 

I don’t enjoy being second best, but if it happens, it’s out of my (and your) control. Just enjoy the ride. 

May come as a surprise, but here in 2025, we have the technology to calculate how many days are between two specific dates.

 

As for "devoting my life to a game where you can't control the outcome," I never said I could control the outcome.  But, I also don't have to be happy or complacent with the outcome, just because some talking heads didn't think the Bills would get this far.

 

As for "enjoying the ride," never said I wasn't.  But, I can also not be happy with the end of the ride when it happens if I choose to be.

 

If you're "just happy to be here," again, that's your prerogative.  I sure hope the players in the locker room don't feel the same as you do, though.  Hopefully, their bar is higher than yours is.

[BringBackFergy]

9 minutes ago, BLeonard said:

May come as a surprise, but here in 2025, we have the technology to calculate how many days are between two specific dates.

 

As for "devoting my life to a game where you can't control the outcome," I never said I could control the outcome.  But, I also don't have to be happy or complacent with the outcome, just because some talking heads didn't think the Bills would get this far.

 

As for "enjoying the ride," never said I wasn't.  But, I can also not be happy with the end of the ride when it happens if I choose to be.

 

If you're "just happy to be here," again, that's your prerogative.  I sure hope the players in the locker room don't feel the same as you do, though.  Hopefully, their bar is higher than yours is.

If your happiness is defined by something you can’t control, I don’t know what to tell you. Just a different way of looking at things, I guess. It’s not like you’re sitting behind an XBox controller planning how you can win this for all of Bills Mafia. It’s out of your control. 
 

Go Bills!! Great team no matter what. 

[Kelly to Allen]

6 minutes ago, BringBackFergy said:

If your happiness is defined by something you can’t control, I don’t know what to tell you. Just a different way of looking at things, I guess. It’s not like you’re sitting behind an XBox controller planning how you can win this for all of Bills Mafia. It’s out of your control. 
 

Go Bills!! Great team no matter what. 

 

We just want our city and team to be champions once. It's all apart of our memories with friends and family watching this team. 

 

My first big memory is going to the bills eagles game in 1996 in Philadelphia. I still remember my father going crazy and us screaming when Gabe Northern blocked a punt and returned it for a td. Me, my father and brother went. It's memories like that, which bring me to this moment. 

 

The bills are apart of all of us emotionally and apart of our shared memories growing up. Winning a championship means a lot to me and my family. It's special because it's something we chose to be apart of 

Edited yesterday at 05:06 AM by Kelly to Allen

[BillsFanForever19]

I don't think it's a defeatist attitude for OP to say that they're happy we've made it this far.

 

This is the furthest the team has made it in 32 years (albeit we did it once before a few years back). This team was NOT supposed to make it this far. Not being able to do much in Free Agency, eating a crap ton of Dead Cap, moving on from so many key players, and starting the offseason 50 million over the cap. This was supposed to be a down year where we had to eat a little crap.

 

Yet against all odds, here we are. Truly wanting the team to win this week, make it to the Super Bowl, and win it AND saying you're proud of how far the team made it regardless of what happens this weekend aren't mutually exclusive ideas. Most of the board spent all offseason looking at the shape of the roster and wondering how we can compete. Now some of those same posters are saying anything short of a Super Bowl win is simply unacceptable.

 

I firmly disagree with the idea that there's no coming back from the worst happening this weekend. Next year we have 10 Draft Picks, including 3 in the first 2 Rounds. We have much less to have to replace and the cap will be more manageable, with contracts we can walk away from that won't hurt us. We're in a position to be even better next season.

 

Of course we all want to win and go on and win it all. But it's okay to say that you're proud of the team, happy about how far we've come, and aren't going to go nuclear and psychotic whether we win or lose. That's not a "losing" thought process. OP's mindset and your own personal views have zero effect on how the team performs this weekend or going forward.

Edited yesterday at 06:20 AM by BillsFanForever19

[BLeonard]

46 minutes ago, BringBackFergy said:

If your happiness is defined by something you can’t control, I don’t know what to tell you. Just a different way of looking at things, I guess. It’s not like you’re sitting behind an XBox controller planning how you can win this for all of Bills Mafia. It’s out of your control. 
 

Go Bills!! Great team no matter what. 

My happiness as a person?  Regardless of what happens over the next few weeks in the NFL, I'll still wake up and go about living my life.

 

There's plenty of things that are "out of our control" that can still make us happy or sad.  Hell, had the Bills been bought by someone in 2014 who then decided to move the team, while "out of my control," I wouldn't have been happy about it.  I'm not happy about the Oakland A's being moved, even though I have no control over it and they aren't even a favorite team of mine.  I can still be unhappy and empathize with those who are taking it far worse than I am, even though it's not in their control either.

 

As far as "great team, no mater what," we've had great teams before.  For once, I'd like a Championship winning team.  Go Bills.

[BLeonard]

49 minutes ago, Kelly to Allen said:

 

We just want our city and team to be champions once. It's all apart of our memories with friends and family watching this team. 

 

My first big memory is going to the bills eagles game in 1996 in Philadelphia. I still remember my father going crazy and us screaming when Gabe Northern blocked a punt and returned it for a td. Me, my father and brother went. It's memories like that, which bring me to this moment. 

 

The bills are apart of all of us emotionally and apart of our shared memories growing up. Winning a championship means a lot to me and my family. It's special because it's something we chose to be apart of 

This guy gets it.

 

In baseball, I'm a Cubs fan.  It took them until I was 38 years old to FINALLY win a Championship.  When it happened, you know what?  I wasn't really so much happy for "me," per se.  I was happy for the city of Chicago and other fans of the Cubs, many who never got the opportunity to see what I did.

 

I'd like to see a moment like that for the city of Buffalo and fellow Bills fans, too.  If they can't pull it off, I certainly won't be happy about it.  I'll be just as heartbroken as I'm sure many other fans will be.

[BillsFanForever19]

4 minutes ago, BLeonard said:

As far as "great team, no mater what," we've had great teams before.  For once, I'd like a Championship winning team.  Go Bills.

 

Yeah... we all do. There isn't a true fan on this board that doesn't want a Championship.

 

But you saying you want a Championship winning team for once and you'll be upset with anything less changes nothing.

 

More importantly to the point, the OP saying that he's happy with what the team's done this year win, lose, or draw - also changes nothing. So what does it matter if someone feels that way?

[BLeonard]

23 minutes ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

Yeah... we all do. There isn't a true fan on this board that doesn't want a Championship.

 

But you saying you want a Championship winning team for once and you'll be upset with anything less changes nothing.

 

More importantly to the point, the OP saying that he's happy with what the team's done this year win, lose, or draw - also changes nothing. So what does it matter if someone feels that way?

I mean, I'm guessing at least 99% of what's posted on these boards "changes nothing" when it comes to the Bills.

 

With that line of thinking, why should anyone post anything at all?  After all, none of it is going to change anything, right?

 

There are still posters here who think "13 seconds" was the Bills' best chance at winning a Championship.  Yet, here we are, one round closer than they were then, one win away from playing for a Championship. 

 

I'm curious - How many that have said "13 seconds" was our best shot are OK with a loss on Sunday, because the Bills had a "good season"?

Edited yesterday at 06:30 AM by BLeonard

[BillsFanForever19]

21 minutes ago, BLeonard said:

I mean, I'm guessing at least 99% of what's posted on these boards "changes nothing" when it comes to the Bills.

 

With that line of thinking, why should anyone post anything at all?  After all, none of it is going to change anything, right?

 

Going back on your other posts, you seem to be pretty understanding of other people's prerogative. So I probably shouldn't have singled you out. You just happened to be the one commenting at the same time.

 

But for much of the replies - it seems like an offense to the team and the board for OP to say that they're pleased with how far this team has come this year. Or that it's a defeatist attitude to say anything less than a win this weekend and/or in the Super Bowl is completely unacceptable. And that not being pissed if it doesn't come is an unacceptable point of view.

 

I can understand wanting it (we all do). I can understand being disappointed if it doesn't come (we all will). But I can't understand some posters telling someone else they're wrong for being happy with what the team's done this year if we don't get what we want. Especially when we've made it as far as this regime ever has, in a year that wasn't supposed to be ours and we'll be set up even better next year.

Edited yesterday at 06:42 AM by BillsFanForever19

[BLeonard]

1 hour ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

Going back on your other posts, you seem to be pretty understanding of other people's prerogative. So I probably shouldn't have singled you out. You just happened to be the one commenting at the same time.

 

But for much of the replies - it seems like an offense to the team and the board for OP to say that they're pleased with how far this team has come this year. Or that it's a defeatist attitude to say anything less than a win this weekend and/or in the Super Bowl is completely unacceptable. And that not being pissed if it doesn't come is an unacceptable point of view.

 

I can understand wanting it (we all do). I can understand being disappointed if it doesn't come (we all will). But I can't understand some posters telling someone else they're wrong for being happy with what the team's done this year if we don't get what we want. Especially when we've made it as far as this regime ever has, in a year that wasn't supposed to be ours and we'll be set up even better next year.

I mean, I can only speak for myself, but I go into every season feeling that the Bills should win the Super Bowl.  Unrealistic?  Sure, but I have no control over it, so why not shoot for the top?  Obviously, they never have and I've been disappointed at the end of every season.  Doesn't mean I didn't look back later and say "hey, they had a good year."  But, during the season, especially while in the playoffs?  Nah, can't bring myself to be saying "it's OK if we lose."  I didn't even like losing during the drought years, when it would help our draft position.

 

One thing that really bothers me, though is this "we weren't supposed to be this good this season" junk.  Says who?  Many teams weren't "supposed to be good" ended up winning a Championship.  The Chiefs haven't been favored in the last two Super Bowls, but ended up winning.  They were favored against Tampa and got crushed.  Denver was 11 point dogs when they finally broke through and beat Green Bay for their first Championship.  The Patriots started their dynasty by beating a Rams team that was favored by two touchdowns in Super Bowl XXXVI.

 

The point is, you never know which teams are going to finally break through, regardless of what the "experts" on TV say, or what the odds in Vegas are.  Sometimes, those stars align and as I type, they may just be aligning for the Bills, yet some seem to be falling back on "it's OK if we lose, cause we weren't supposed to be here anyway."  To me and I'm guessing others, that IS a bit of a defeatist attitude.

 

If not this year, then WHEN?  When will "having a good season" no longer be acceptable for those who seem to be OK with it this year?  Some say Ralph was cheap and didn't care about winning, especially in the later years.  Well, why should he have, if some fans don't seem to care and are OK with just having a "great season"?

 

Next year, draft picks and salary cap relief are all well and good, but they hold no guarantees.  Again, I can only speak for myself, but I don't wanna look back on this like others do on "13 seconds" and say "Damn...  What if..?"  Even if we ultimately have no control over the end result.

Edited yesterday at 07:54 AM by BLeonard

[Ray Stonada]

I completely agree with the OP. That doesn’t mean it won’t hurt soemthing awful if we lose Sunday or in two weeks. But this has been a great season and we’ve developed a new level of execution and teamwork. For the record, I believe we will win this week and in two weeks, anyway.

 

There is a separate issue however: for those of us who lived through the Super Bowl losses, it’s hard to explain how it hurt to lose them, especially the first and last—we should have won both of those. And a part of me has been waiting for peace from that all these years too. Yet, paradoxically, for the younger fans, I believe it might hurt you worse then me if we lose Sunday.

 

Also, I find it strange that so many people KNOW that the Chiefs will always be in our way, will always have the 1 seed, etc. Meanwhile the same people say you never know if we will get back into this position. The truth is none of us know anything. Next season the Chiefs could fall off like many a dynasty before them. The Cowboys won 3 SBs in 4 years and dominated but dropped off by 1995 and never rose to the heights since. Kelce will be gone soon and Mahomes did not look as sharp this year to me… a lot more inaccurate balls and generally the Chiefs could be getting ground down by have played an extra 20

games the last five years. Or they could be 15-2 again next year. Who knows? It seems silly to pretend we do. 
 

Personally, I think the Bills are in much better position to be a dominant team going forward and for the next 3-4 years than the Chiefs.

[BringBackFergy]

1 hour ago, BLeonard said:

I mean, I can only speak for myself, but I go into every season feeling that the Bills should win the Super Bowl.  Unrealistic?  Sure, but I have no control over it, so why not shoot for the top?  Obviously, they never have and I've been disappointed at the end of every season.  Doesn't mean I didn't look back later and say "hey, they had a good year."  But, during the season, especially while in the playoffs?  Nah, can't bring myself to be saying "it's OK if we lose."  I didn't even like losing during the drought years, when it would help our draft position.

 

One thing that really bothers me, though is this "we weren't supposed to be this good this season" junk.  Says who?  Many teams weren't "supposed to be good" ended up winning a Championship.  The Chiefs haven't been favored in the last two Super Bowls, but ended up winning.  They were favored against Tampa and got crushed.  Denver was 11 point dogs when they finally broke through and beat Green Bay for their first Championship.  The Patriots started their dynasty by beating a Rams team that was favored by two touchdowns in Super Bowl XXXVI.

 

The point is, you never know which teams are going to finally break through, regardless of what the "experts" on TV say, or what the odds in Vegas are.  Sometimes, those stars align and as I type, they may just be aligning for the Bills, yet some seem to be falling back on "it's OK if we lose, cause we weren't supposed to be here anyway."  To me and I'm guessing others, that IS a bit of a defeatist attitude.

 

If not this year, then WHEN?  When will "having a good season" no longer be acceptable for those who seem to be OK with it this year?  Some say Ralph was cheap and didn't care about winning, especially in the later years.  Well, why should he have, if some fans don't seem to care and are OK with just having a "great season"?

 

Next year, draft picks and salary cap relief are all well and good, but they hold no guarantees.  Again, I can only speak for myself, but I don't wanna look back on this like others do on "13 seconds" and say "Damn...  What if..?"  Even if we ultimately have no control over the end result.

So, it seems this is a “fandom” competition. I don’t need to tell you about my age or devotion to this team to say I like what this season has brought. I “get it” (like you told the poster above). You are a better fan than me because anything short of a Super Bowl win for the next 10 years is unacceptable? There’s no defeatist mentality. I’m not hoping they lose. Saying I’m happy with this team win or lose does not make me less of a fan, it’s just an expression of appreciation for what we have. So enjoy it. 

[Donuts and Doritos]

Superbowl Champs! Nothing less. Now is the time.

[BillsFanForever19]

2 hours ago, BLeonard said:

One thing that really bothers me, though is this "we weren't supposed to be this good this season" junk.  Says who?  

 

Pretty much every analyst. Pretty much every fan on the board. We lost Stefon Diggs, Gabe Davis, Leonard Floyd, Mitch Morse, Jordan Poyer, Micah Hyde, Dane Jackson, Tre White, and 15 other roleplayers to the team.

 

We were rolling out AJ Epenesa, Dorian Williams, Taylor Rapp, and Damar Hamlin on Defense. Reconstructing our Offensive Line with a guy who hadn't played Center since College replacing Morse and a Backup last year starting at Guard. Rolling with Keon Coleman, Mack Hollins, and an injured Curtis Samuel on the Outside at WR. And a new play caller on Defense. On top of the perceived drop off in talent and leadership was the obvious many moving parts to come together in one season.

 

"The Super Bowl window for the Bills is closed this year" was a discussion done ad nauseum league wide by talking heads and spectators alike.

 

Thankfully, Josh has had an MVP season and things have worked out. But that doesn't change the perception that this roster is less than. Which makes where we've gotten all the more impressive.

 

2 hours ago, BLeonard said:

yet some seem to be falling back on "it's OK if we lose, cause we weren't supposed to be here anyway."  To me and I'm guessing others, that IS a bit of a defeatist attitude.

 

OP says that expectations for this season have been exceeded. Honestly, I agree with that. They've at least been met. No one was looking at this team before the season saying "this is a Super Bowl roster".

 

We all HOPE for a Super Bowl win every year. Regardless of whether that's realistic or not. This year, didn't seem realistic. Now it is a very real possibility. And we all want it. We're all rooting for it. 

 

And that's where the disconnect is for me. OP didn't say he wants the team to lose. Or that he expects the team to lose. He didn't say he wouldn't be disappointed. He didn't say he'd be happy with a loss. Just that he'd be at peace if it were to happen.

 

Not raking the team over the coal's over the mere possibility of a loss (the game hasn't happened yet so *gasp* that is something that DOES exist) doesn't make anyone less a fan or anyone less disappointed if it were to happen. 

 

2 hours ago, BLeonard said:

If not this year, then WHEN?  When will "having a good season" no longer be acceptable for those who seem to be OK with it this year?  

 

My dude - we've won the AFC East Title 5 years in a row. We've made the Playoffs 7 of the last 8 years. Josh Allen is 28 years old. And next season we'll be able to build an even better team. Whether we win the Super Bowl this year or not, this isn't going to be our last shot. 

 

Wanting it to happen REALLY bad right now (as we all do) and ignoring any possibility that we may not do it doesn't improve the chances of the team winning. Just as thinking about how you'd feel if they were to lose or even if one were to accept that (I haven't and OP hasn't) doesn't decrease our chances of winning it. And telling yourself "if not now, WHEN?" doesn't make it happening in the future any more or less likely.

 

2 hours ago, BLeonard said:

Some say Ralph was cheap and didn't care about winning, especially in the later years.  Well, why should he have, if some fans don't seem to care and are OK with just having a "great season"?

 

Well, first off, I don't know if you've heard but Ralph is dead. And Brandon Beane is an extremely good GM when it comes to managing the cap, finding good players that fit our scheme, and Drafting (especially in the later rounds) - so I don't think you have to worry about that either.

Edited 22 hours ago by BillsFanForever19