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

[Chandler#81]

I’m very happy too!

 

[BLeonard]

31 minutes ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

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.

Maybe stop setting expectations based on what "analysts" and "experts" say?  How many times have they picked Miami and/or the Jets in recent years to win the East?  This certainly isn't the first year the "analysts" and "experts" were comically wrong.

 

33 minutes ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

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".

No one?  Betcha the players would disagree.

 

35 minutes ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

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. 

I'll bet Dan Marino thought that too, when he lost his first (and only) Super Bowl.  Nobody can predict the future.  You can say "next season we'll be able to build an even better team" all you want, doesn't mean it'll happen.

 

41 minutes ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

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.

I'm not "ignoring any possibility" of anything.  I'm just not gonna sit here and say I'm content with this season at this point in time.

 

As far as "And telling yourself "if not now, WHEN?" doesn't make it happening in the future any more or less likely," that's true, but having more draft  picks and salary cap money next year doesn't guarantee anything, either.

 

They may win this year, they may not.  They may be better next year, they may not.  Again, there's no way to tell if "this isn't going to be our last shot" or not.  Hopefully, it isn't, but it could be.

[BLeonard]

1 hour ago, BringBackFergy said:

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. 

Has nothing to do with being a "fandom competition."  As far as age goes, I'm guessing you're older than me, but that really doesn't matter, either.

 

At the end of the day, we all want the same thing.  We just have differing opinions on what we consider "successful."  Some are happy with having "great seasons," even if none of them result in a Championship and that's fine.  I'm just not one of them.

[ChasBB]

Have to win AFC Championship and then have to win Super Bowl.  There is no consolation prize for being close and nothing to feel good about short of a Lombardi trophy.

[Alphadawg7]

McD is safe.  That is a lock.  Exceed expectations, beloved by your players, beloved by your superiors = Keeps job.

 

BUT...while expectations have been exceeded, thats old news.  We are here now, we have the best shot at a SB in the McD/Allen era THIS year.  NO previous season have we been this close, including the AFCCG the first time against the Chiefs where we entered that game clearly the lesser team, a team on the rise but a team that wasn't as balanced or ready.  

 

Right now, there are new established expectations...and that is we are the better team, we already beat this team again in the regular season, they barely got by in several of their wins, and many of which were controversial or flat out lucky.  Meanwhile, we were decisively beating teams week in and week out and tied a record for most wins by 20+ points in NFL history.  

 

A loss this weekend doesn't cost anyone their job, but if we can't get by the Chiefs this time with the team that has played better the whole season, then I think McD has to enter next year on the hot seat in what could, and probably should, be a make it or make the change type season.

 

NOTE:  I personally fully believe we will win, it's maybe the most confident I have ever been entering a KC game.  And honestly, I am less nervous heading into this game than I was against Denver and especially Baltimore.  

Edited 10 hours ago by Alphadawg7

[SoMAn]

21 hours ago, BringBackFergy said:

For a team that was projected to be second or third place in AFCEast. 
A team that lost veteran safeties, a stud WR, other departures. 
 

Win or lose vs KC, I’m at peace with our team. 
 

If we win, awesome. 
If we lose, it happens. 
 

Im very relaxed about this year’s team. Can only get better. 

I feel the same way, considering the anticipated outcome for 2024 prior to the start of the season.

 

The Bills have far exceeded expectations.

Yes, we will be disappointed if they fail to win it all, but I can't honestly say it could be viewed as a failed season. When the schedule was released last May and we saw the gauntlet of top teams they'd face, how many fans actually thought there was much chance of having double-digit wins and securing the division title by early December?

 

And in 2025, with a stockpile of draft picks they can bundle to either move up, or just target good prospects they can coach up. Hopefully, they'll be able to plug some of the holes. Would love to see Josh get an elite WR and find a wide-body athletic DT disrupter to man the middle of the D-line and reinforce the run D.  Could use another corner. Expect Mr. Inactive, Elam to be gone. Additionally, they'll have greater ability to sign free agents with more available cap money.

BTW - Buffalo has become an attractive destination for free agents looking to be part of a championship team. 

 

If they manage to win a Super Bowl, it will be a real Cinderella story. It would sure make for a great real life feel-good movie highlighting the path of Buffalo Joe, ending with a Bass 47-yard FG to win the Super Bowl.  🙂

 

Whatever happens, I'll look back on the 2024 season that gave us a lot of joy.  

Edited 9 hours ago by SoMAn

[MrEpsYtown]

So this is an interesting thread and a good read and I appreciate everyone's input. 

 

Here's my question...when we say the Bills have exceeded expectations...whose expectations are we talking about? 

 

Ours? The fans? The national media? 

 

Because I am sure, internally, the Bills have not exceeded expectations. They expect to win a Super Bowl. And we can sugarcoat it all we want and say they have cap space coming and all that. To the players and the coaches, that doesn't matter. And to lose to this team again will be a massive franchise-altering event. 

 

Look at the energy from those clips from the Ravens after the game. They are devastated. But they will recover eventually and the biggest difference is that their coach has a ring and ours does not. And I know it was over a decade ago, but it gives him credibility above all.  Mark Andrews may never be the same, but the Ravens will be okay. 

 

I know, Marv Levy, Sir Andrew, all that stuff, but if the Bills don't get this done, regardless of our own expectations, it is a massive letdown. 

 

I think it will be very difficult to recover from. And as others have said, they will dust themselves off and bounce back, but they may never be the same. They know what's at stake and I believe, unless the game is officiated the way the Texans game was, the Bills will get the job done. 

 

Doubt and fear are mind-killers. It destroys confidence, and if we lose to KC, that darkness, that doubt has to creep in just a little bit. And that is when all is lost. 

 

I believe they will win, because they have to. 

Edited 8 hours ago by MrEpsYtown

[colin]

1 hour ago, Alphadawg7 said:

McD is safe.  That is a lock.  Exceed expectations, beloved by your players, beloved by your superiors = Keeps job.

 

BUT...while expectations have been exceeded, thats old news.  We are here now, we have the best shot at a SB in the McD/Allen era THIS year.  NO previous season have we been this close, including the AFCCG the first time against the Chiefs where we entered that game clearly the lesser team, a team on the rise but a team that wasn't as balanced or ready.  

 

Right now, there are new established expectations...and that is we are the better team, we already beat this team again in the regular season, they barely got by in several of their wins, and many of which were controversial or flat out lucky.  Meanwhile, we were decisively beating teams week in and week out and tied a record for most wins by 20+ points in NFL history.  

 

A loss this weekend doesn't cost anyone their job, but if we can't get by the Chiefs this time with the team that has played better the whole season, then I think McD has to enter next year on the hot seat in what could, and probably should, be a make it or make the change type season.

 

NOTE:  I personally fully believe we will win, it's maybe the most confident I have ever been entering a KC game.  And honestly, I am less nervous heading into this game than I was against Denver and especially Baltimore.  

 

we went into that game the same way that DC is going into philly.  upstart team, young qb, on a heater, all about offense, going further than expected, crazy skill talent, etc.

 

aside from experience, seasoning, and all of that, this year we have the best combo of OL, QB, and Backs in the NFL.  it feels insane to say that when the ravens are in the NFL, and henry is head and shoulders better than anyone we have at RB, but we have 3 of them and lamar was frequently impacted while josh might have been once.  

 

we need to be healthy on D, and we need our better players to show up and show out just like they did the first two games, and we need a defensive game plan and good play calling and execution and all that, but in terms of lining up, punching people in the face, and imposing will no body can do that like what we have right now on O.  i fully expect us to have a lot of trouble getting kc off the field like we did with baltimore, and i also expect us to create some turnovers to compensate for that.  this game is going to be won by the O line being the most dominant unit on the field and putting in body work on KC all day.  Allen will run on fools, and make allen plays as is needed.  i'll call it now, if james cook can hit 100 yards we walk on this

[Ed_Formerly_of_Roch]

23 hours ago, Process said:

Im happy as well. But let's be clear, they were projected to finish 3rd in the division by clowns on TV. No Bills fan should have expected that. 

 

The team is where it should be. Anything short of a trip to the Superbowl is a failed season. 

 

The difference is the "clowns" on TV for the most part are giving unbiased opinions.  Bills fans are looking at it through rose colored glasses and remember the word "fan" is short for fanatic.  Lets face it all of us who take the time an energy to post on message boards are fanatics, nothing less.  My wife always questions why I'm on TBD in March, the season is over as she says.   Whenever anyone in the media bashes the Bills, he's a jerk, the ones that talk good about the team are the smart ones according to many around here.  

 

Anything short of a trip to the Superbowl is a failed disappointing season. 

 

But I get it too, many here have agenda's and have stated McD must go so calling it a failed season is fuel for their argument.

Edited 7 hours ago by Ed_Formerly_of_Roch

[JohnnyBuffalo]

23 hours ago, BringBackFergy said:

For a team that was projected to be second or third place in AFCEast. 
A team that lost veteran safeties, a stud WR, other departures. 
 

Win or lose vs KC, I’m at peace with our team. 
 

If we win, awesome. 
If we lose, it happens. 
 

Im very relaxed about this year’s team. Can only get better. 

Probably ok to say as a fan but I highly doubt that the actual Bills players, coaches, staff, owners ever felt this narrative of them taking a step back was true or “their plan”.   
 

I will be disappointed losing to a Chefs team that feels less intimidating than what, to me, the birds felt going into the game.   But I have also enjoyed this season way more than I would have thought coming in to it.   
 

Hey, either way you feel - Go Bills!

[BringBackFergy]

1 hour ago, Ed_Formerly_of_Roch said:

 

 

 

Anything short of a trip to the Superbowl is a failed disappointing season. 

 

But I get it too, many here have agenda's and have stated McD must go so calling it a failed season is fuel for their argument.

That is a great distinction.  A fan can be both happy with the team overall and "disappointed" if we lose.

Thank you.

[BringBackFergy]

4 hours ago, Alphadawg7 said:

 

 

A loss this weekend doesn't cost anyone their job, but if we can't get by the Chiefs this time with the team that has played better the whole season, then I think McD has to enter next year on the hot seat in what could, and probably should, be a make it or make the change type season.

 

 

I understand your argument and maybe he will be on the "hot seat" if we lose to KC....if he screws up and his decisions are directly attributable to the loss.

  But there are so many variables for that to happen.

I don't think you can just say "if we lose to KC then McDermott is on the hot seat".  If he makes numerous errors that result directly in a loss, then maybe Pegula questions his coaching.  But we could lose in so may other ways:

 

* Josh Allen driving down the field, 50 seconds left, we're down by 4 points, at the KC 23 yard line and Josh throws a horrible pass that is intercepted and run back for a TD.

 

* Same scenario, and James Cook fumbles.  Change of possession and Chiefs run out the clock.

 

* Same scenario, Ray Davis bobbles pass, takes three steps and it's ruled completed pass and fumble.

 

Under each of those examples, some folks might point back to a second quarter decision by McD and say "Seee, if he hadn't decided that, then we would have won".  They will grasp onto any tangential decision to lay blame at a coach's feet, when the player may have simply made a mistake (fumble, INT, Pass Interference).  The NFL is not perfect. The players aren't and the coaches aren't.  The ball bounces funny and fate has a lot to do with the outcome.  For the Bills, they have had a great season and I'm happy with where we are.  I truly hope we win the Lombardi. 

 

My point is - you can't say McD is on the hot seat or somehow failed the team by losing to the Chiefs.

 

I'd rather approach the game by enjoying the coverage, the in depth stories, and letting the game play out while appreciating what we have in this team not only this year, but for the next 10 years while Josh is playing for Buffalo. There's probably 29 other teams and fanbases that are envious of our team (players/QB, coaches and ownership).

 

Go Bills.

[Alphadawg7]

2 hours ago, BringBackFergy said:

I understand your argument and maybe he will be on the "hot seat" if we lose to KC....if he screws up and his decisions are directly attributable to the loss.

  But there are so many variables for that to happen.

I don't think you can just say "if we lose to KC then McDermott is on the hot seat".  If he makes numerous errors that result directly in a loss, then maybe Pegula questions his coaching.  But we could lose in so may other ways:

 

* Josh Allen driving down the field, 50 seconds left, we're down by 4 points, at the KC 23 yard line and Josh throws a horrible pass that is intercepted and run back for a TD.

 

* Same scenario, and James Cook fumbles.  Change of possession and Chiefs run out the clock.

 

* Same scenario, Ray Davis bobbles pass, takes three steps and it's ruled completed pass and fumble.

 

Under each of those examples, some folks might point back to a second quarter decision by McD and say "Seee, if he hadn't decided that, then we would have won".  They will grasp onto any tangential decision to lay blame at a coach's feet, when the player may have simply made a mistake (fumble, INT, Pass Interference).  The NFL is not perfect. The players aren't and the coaches aren't.  The ball bounces funny and fate has a lot to do with the outcome.  For the Bills, they have had a great season and I'm happy with where we are.  I truly hope we win the Lombardi. 

 

My point is - you can't say McD is on the hot seat or somehow failed the team by losing to the Chiefs.

 

I'd rather approach the game by enjoying the coverage, the in depth stories, and letting the game play out while appreciating what we have in this team not only this year, but for the next 10 years while Josh is playing for Buffalo. There's probably 29 other teams and fanbases that are envious of our team (players/QB, coaches and ownership).

 

Go Bills.

 

I understand your perspective...and I don't even disagree with it.  All I will say though is that there are questionable issues that have been part of our previous losses.  So its not just how we lose this game IMHO, its more the body of work.  And I am not a McD hater, I think if he was fired he would be the hottest candidate in the NFL.   But sometimes, there needs to be a change to evolve into a next step.  Lot of people didn't want to fire Dorsey, but look at the difference since Brady has been OC...same personnel last year, same offense...one was 5-5 against low level competition mostly, the other 6-1 against toughest part of our schedule.  

 

I am fully confident in McD and this Bills team getting by KC this year, in fact, I fully expect it.  And honestly that is why I think his seat has to be hot if we come up short in a game that is not only our best shot at a SB, but a game where we should win against a vulnerable KC team that we already beat and despite their record struggled in a lot of games and against worse opponents than the Bills.  

Edited 3 hours ago by Alphadawg7

[Ed_Formerly_of_Roch]

5 hours ago, BLeonard said:

Maybe stop setting expectations based on what "analysts" and "experts" say?  How many times have they picked Miami and/or the Jets in recent years to win the East?  This certainly isn't the first year the "analysts" and "experts" were comically wrong.

 

No one?  Betcha the players would disagree.

 

I'll bet Dan Marino thought that too, when he lost his first (and only) Super Bowl.  Nobody can predict the future.  You can say "next season we'll be able to build an even better team" all you want, doesn't mean it'll happen.

 

I'm not "ignoring any possibility" of anything.  I'm just not gonna sit here and say I'm content with this season at this point in time.

 

As far as "And telling yourself "if not now, WHEN?" doesn't make it happening in the future any more or less likely," that's true, but having more draft  picks and salary cap money next year doesn't guarantee anything, either.

 

They may win this year, they may not.  They may be better next year, they may not.  Again, there's no way to tell if "this isn't going to be our last shot" or not.  Hopefully, it isn't, but it could be.

 

The analysts and experts for the most part are giving unbiased opinions, unlike most fans here.  Are they wrong as much as they are right, certainly.  But many here either recognized based on the off season moves made this season that likely was going to be a downgrade to some level.  Then you had the other half here who don't like McD and Beane and blasted them for the make up of the roster.  And probably the same people who complained that it was a terrible roster, the next day posted that if they don't win the SB, they should be fired.  They covered themselves both ways!

 

If you asked the players on any team they will tend to be of the mind set that yes, they will win the SB every year, but probably deep down some may have wondered how well they really will do and I'm sure the front office back in the off season gave a credible assessment to TP based on moves made.    Very likely that included, we've made moves for the long term, we may take a step back, if things go well, we may not miss anything and could if some of the moves work out better than we hope, may exceed expectations.

 

At this point, things have gone much better than most everyone here anticipated so expectations or hope a better word hope are now much higher.  When only two wins away from SB champs, makes it easier to feel that way. If they lose one of the next two I will be disappointed but not going to condemn anyone.

 

To win it all no matter how good or bad the coaching and players are, involves a certain amount of luck, good matchups, avoiding injuries at bad times, getting the right calls from refs, etc.  Will they ever get this close again, agree, we don't know and while I do think there's a good chance the team could be better next year, nothing is promised.

[notpolian]

I am personally surprised and happy with how well the team has done this year.

 

I've been a fan of this team for over 50 years.  You absolutely have to seize the opportunity when it presents itself.  Especially with the expanded playoffs and the QB talent in the AFC, it's hard to get to where we are now.  And it can all be gone in the blink of an eye.  To even have an opportunity to win it all you have to win this next game. 

 

Do it.  Just once is all I'm asking.

[Boatdrinks]

Going into this season with all the changes considered, I thought they were capable of maybe 10 wins. Thats if everything went well and because they have Josh Allen. Still, since 2020 I have to consider anything short of an AFC title game appearance a failure of some measure. That could mean front office, coaching, players etc. Well, they have achieved that, and at a level of performance that I just didn’t think was possible this year. I believe they are capable of winning it all ; this team has something special about it. So I don’t want to wrap up my overall feelings on the season and put a bow on it just yet. The football left to be played is too exciting for that. 

[T.E.]

This is the best team of the McDermott era. They are healthy. Despite their record, KC is not the same powerhouse they were in years past.

 

An important question to ask is that, if we go into Arrowhead and lose again (especially in a manner that proves that the Chiefs are the superior team) when will we ever beat them with the current staff and philosophy?

 

I'm not advocating for McDermott to be gone, of course, but there needs to be pressure coming from somewhere to change their overall strategy and be open to bringing in external staff members. You don't earn full-Belichick, king-of-the-castle powers without getting to the SB.

[Low Positive]

For the national media, the Bills exceeded expectations when they whipped Miami in week 2 on TNF. Also, I agree with people who say you have to grab these opportunities when they present themselves. We got some bounces this year. I live in Cincinnati, and the Bengals got zero bounces in the first half of the season. Remember back to week 6. The Bills were coming off of two ugly losses and played at the Jets. The Bills got two missed FGs from Zuerlein in a game that they won 23-20. If the Jets win that game, they would have moved into first place in the AFC East and the season could have been entirely different. Tyler Bass, after early season struggles, banged in a 61-yarder to beat Miami after missing a PAT earlier in the game. Both of those two games could have gone the other way.  We now have gotten the Andrews drop. The bounces are going the way of the Buffalo Bills for the first time in a long time. They have to win it now because you never know when you'll get that chance again.