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Sunday will indeed be a big test

My biggest source of optimism is that KC is likely to miss the playoffs. They're the only team in the entire NFL that I'm not sure we can beat in January. The rest of the AFC I'm not going to say I'm confident we can win 3 in a row on the road, but it's our best chance for sure. Whoever we face in the Super Bowl would scare me a lot more than anyone in the AFC but just get to the game and it's a 50/50 shot at that point.

I don't think it will be a difference maker but hope I am wrong.

I think it SHOULD matter. But with the same result year after year, does it really?

Not saying it cant be done - but those are 2 teams who had a lot of cap space and top 10 draft picks. Lets see if either makes it to the SB. Lots of examples of 1 year wonders too, most recently Dan Quinn in Washington. Lets see if Pats and Bears continue to have that kind of success moving forward. I think Beane has created a mess in cap and decisions at WR - even at that, this years AFC division winners (atm), are all led by QBs who haven't proven any playoff success. Anything can happen this year in the AFC. Likely without KC or Cincy in the way, I like our odds in any matchup if we can get in.

This

When the Bills started to get more primetime attention for their games, I thought the people on this board complaining about them were just grumpy old men. While this wasn't a primetime game, I am finally starting to feel the non-1pm start-time fatigue. As dumb as it sounds, I have a certain rhythm to my day before a 1pm game and these 4p or later games just don't feel the same. Also, I feel like I should note that many of these thoughts are not going to reflect a 19 point victory on the road in a crucial conference game, as I still can't figure out if the results were more about the Bills being better or the Steelers being worse. Forgive me. 1 - Late Hit on Allen - There's so many things about this moment that stand out to me. First off, how that wasn't called by the refs is beyond insane to me. There is no question that Queen started his tackle well after Allen began his slide and usually the refs err on the side of caution. Not sure what happened here, but it was as bad as missed flag as I've seen. Beyond that, so many Bills after the game said that was the turning point for them and played with attitude afterwards. WHY? Why does it take that hit in the final two minutes of the first half to get you motivated? My biggest issue this season has been how this team has not even shown up for their losses, and even some of their wins. To me, this is either coaching or the players have lost faith in the McD message. Either way, being outside the 1 seed and the AFC East leader apparently isn't enough motivation alone. 2 - Obstacle Required? - Call me crazy, but do the Bills tend to play better when they have an obvious obstacle on the team, or if there's a focal point on the opposing defense they need to scheme around? It seems to me that whenever the Bills are going up against a TJ Watt, Parsons, missing offensive lineman, etc, that they are able to devise a scheme that overall results in a win. However, when it's just a "must win" or scheme against an overall good team, they can't get the same results. Watt and our minted Tackles were talked about, but never came to be a factor in the outcome of the game. Watt didn't get a sack, nor did anyone else, and the Bills ran the ball at will. But why do they need that extra motivation to achieve that result? 3 - Vintage Gabe - Remember when we were ready to let Gabe walk because he consistently gave up on routes, or ran the wrong ones? Maybe I'm wrong, but the Josh interception seemed to be a prime example of Gabe not following through on his slant route and then not fighting for the ball. Outside of that, Gabe was fairly non-existent as were the other receivers. I don't want to give Coleman his own slot, but he also looked disinterested in his routes again, but thankfully came away with a touchdown. 4 - Benford - Benford stated post-game that he was assigned to follow Metcalf all over the field, and overall shut him down. I can't remember many games where McD allowed that kind of shadow coverage to happen, but I'm glad to see the flexibility and result. 5 - Brady - I can understand how the media and others might view Brady calling the same running play over and over again would be imposing of wills and daring the other team to adjust, but to me, it's infuriating. Yes, it worked and we won. But we also know that it can easily not work and Brady won't know how to get away from it. This has been feedback against Brady all season and it's frustrating to see it continue. Brady also confirmed again that he does not know how to incorporate wide receivers into his gameplay. 6 - AJ - I'm sorry, but McD should have pulled him off the field after that stupid Unsportsmanlike Penalty. AJ, you are not good enough to be pulling crap like that. It was pointless and extended a Steelers offensive drive that was all but dead. 7 - Villian - Can we please get someone from the opposing team to fight with Josh at the beginning of every game? Clearly the vomitting, McD, and playlist aren't working for Josh anymore and he needs something else to get him going. Thank you Heyward. 8 - Cook - I mean, what else can you say about the guy. So glad we extended him as you can just see the difference he makes out there. His vision, cuts, burst, and overall speed is such a game changer. His recent receptions surge has also been a nice bonus. Many Steelers players said in the post game that they knew Cook was good, but it was next level seeing him in person. With the way Shakir and the receivers have been non-existent as of late, it's good to know Josh has other support. 9 - Josh - I would literally give anything right now for Josh to have an open and honest conversation about what's going on in his mind right now. Josh wasn't bad in this game. You could see him get fired up after some good runs, make some good throws, and the fiery competitor shine through at times, but Josh still isn't quite Josh. I have no idea why, but I really do believe he's as frustrated with the coordinators and effort around him as we are. It's very unlike Josh to show his frustration towards teammates, but you saw it on some of the false starts and broken plays. I know Josh wants to be a good captain, but I think that also means knowing when to call people out. Granted, not the way that Rodgers did in his postgame, but somewhere in-between. 10 - Pass Rush - When you only give up 7 points off a turnover, it's hard to want to talk negative about the defense. I do still think the Steelers being inept on offense made us look better than we were. With all of that, I'm very worried about the Bengals coming into town next week with our lack of pass rush. We haven't received a status update on Bosa's hamstring, but he seems to be the only one that can generate any pressure right now. Bosa's hit on Rodgers was amazing in both the execution and timing. Burrow, with all day to throw, is a scary thought. We aren't the same Bills offense that can keep up with a high scoring offense, so next week it going to require some work. Go Bills!!!

Maybe because most teams try to run on us?

True but he's actually not having a great year. Their line is still very good! Abdul Carter, Sexy Dexy and Burns can create havoc vs the Pats who are missing two starters on their O line. We shall see.

Idiocy to suggest this at this point based on play. Nowwwww if you wanted to make an argument on age + inflating contract numbers, maybe coupled with a bonafide tackle prospect dropping to us, where we shouldn't have been able to get him. Maybe he could have decent trade value in a scenario like that? Emotionally, id hate it... but its a business, and the right conditions could make the scenario attractive. However, hes been outstanding for a long time. Bad game vs Texans.... but hes likely banged up. I think there was a play that I saw a replay of where a concussion was reasonably suspicious... coulda been just a regular ol bad game. One bad game and some false starts, with hazy circumstances around it... no, I think this is an insane jump to throw this out there. We shall see

The blocking should get more credit for Cook than people give it. We have a good line. We use more TE blocking sets, fullback blocking, WR blocking all probably more than any other team. I am not saying Cook isn't great. He is, but he isn't #1 in the league. A lot of his big runs are before contact. I was looking for another stat, that I didn't find yet, but I was surprised by this stat... Cook only ranks 15th at seeing 8+ in the box. I honestly thought it would be closer to the top but it isn't.

Can we? Yes of course, and we have done it multiple times before. Did Sunday's game boost my confidence in them doing that this year, no it did not. The team I watched on Sunday did not look like a team that I would be comfortable wagering on to win out. The offense was atrocious first half and then found some life only because we kept running the same running play over and over again with success, TJ Watt literally said he never seen anything like that before. Outside the same running plays over and over again, the rest of the offense did not look good again. And while the defense was dominant, beating up on a bad Steeler offense doesn't suddenly make me forget all the issues the defense has had all year to where I think this is what we can expect week to week. To again answer the title of this thread - Yes, the Bills certainly can, and have done it before. But - my confidence in them being able to do it isn't as high as its been in the past when facing this potential. The team has been so Jeckyl and Hyde this season that its hard to know what we can expect week to week. Four things concern me still right now: Brady's predictability Too many turnovers Undisciplined mistakes Defensive consistency I hope they use this game to go on a run, and Bengals will certainly immediately test that. But, I would be lying if I said I was highly confident in us doing it this year.

He's probably #3 this year, which is an amazing accomplishment considering who's out there. And he's not far from the best.

yea, he’s not a guy with a playbook - so it’d be a situation where someone like Brady (or Sean Payton as an old coworker) might take him as a leader of men and more well paid line coach but I think we are safe and he will be a tremendous asset for us barring our own major shakeup. Even then, could be the type to be retained as Brady isn’t his guy specifically

The album sucked and a bit creepy too! 😆

Teef again with the holier than thou screed about how you should engage how he wants you to. For the millionth time and for those in the back. THIS PLACE IS THE SAME AS IT EVER WAS AND WILL NOT CHANGE. Well I take that back, never say never. You know when this place changes? When SDS decides that he's done with it and deep sixes it entirely. That's it. Complaining about the state of this place has been a constant from when I first joined the board and doing it will absolutely change nothing. Dont like it? Then don't come down here. Especially if this place isn't high on your priority list and you have a business to run. All the people who tried to bankrupt him and put him in prison for the rest of his life. Trump should definitely try to play nice with those people. I'm certain they'd be gracious. - teef

id have to listen to my patriots bride needle me until the end of time

holding even a struggling offense to 7 points is remarkable, however.

I don't think a loss this week ends KC's chances. The Colts are faltering and we'll see about Herbert's health. Even if Herbert is okay their schedule is BRUTAL. I can see both Indy and LAC ending up on the outside looking in while both the Chiefs and the Texans sneak in at 10-7.

Gibbs all day and I love Cook

There's a nice hike on the old trolley tracks path between Barcelona on Lake and Mayville on L.Chautauqua: Abandoned rail corridors. We would hike a few in Scouts as preparation for going to Philmont in New Mexico... I suppose they are better preserved and maintained today... https://www.tourchautauqua.com/directory/chautauqua-rails-to-trails

You now, you're right about the Sabres stuff. The buzz out of the gate in '70 was wild, but making the playoffs in '72, and with Rock Star "Schoeny", it was like Bufalo's version of the Beatles landing in JFK. It exploded here with Sabre merchandise.

Too bad Thibodeaux is out for the Giants

Crazy, right? Not sure it passes the eye test. Guess we’ll find out on Sunday.

Who were the young guys re-signed this past offseason? Rousseau, Benford, Bernard, and Cook. Cook was the one many people here didn’t think should happen. Now it looks like the best deal of the 4 with Benford right there as well. Are there any Cook haters left?