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With Knox's cap number for next year, he will likely be a cap casualty with or without Hawes.

Well, after three more games, after I posted an OP asking if Babich was on the hot seat, just before the Jets game, I am definitely moving very quickly now to thinking this dreadful defensive performance we have seen to start the year is now very likely the result of some awful coaching. I want to see where Bills’ fans on here stand now, three weeks later. While I am not 100% convinced that Babich is the fundamental problem as I was completely convinced with dorsey, after almost 1/4 of the season now is in the books the needle is definitely moving rapidly in that direction. 90% maybe? It has been almost a shocking defensive collapse to begin the year. Do people think that this defense looks better than last year's and is improving weekly?: --Do they think it is showing clear progress early in the season, with their weaknesses being fixed, smoothed out? And their strengths becoming more pronounced? --Are there clear signs that most of the very weak aspects of the defense last year are better now--and getting better as this young season progresses? For example, their overall 3rd down efficiency, their run defense, their tackling, the pass rush, the play calling? --Is Babich making solid half time adjustments that improve things overall at the start of the 2nd half? --And most importantly, do players look prepared, disciplined, confident and ready--and are they playing to their potential as individuals and as units? To me the, and almost across the board, the answers are no. And too often, a resounding, hell no. In fact, the defense looks more consistently bad this year than last year, making teams like the dolphins and saints look unstoppable for the majority of those games. The dolphins and saints. At HOME With tens of thousands of loud rabid fans making their life easier. A friend said, well it's because Oliver has not been in there, and Milano, and the suspended guys too. But that seems really off--the Bills in the past, and the other good teams, readily overcome those types of player losses. Maybe they show some more gaps in their defense, but they almost never collapse. And the startling consistency of the weaknesses of this year and last year throw cold water on that, to me. Watching the last two games, against teams that are not world beaters, and both AT HOME, both opposing offenses seemed to get better and better against this defense as the games progressed, not worse. It often seemed like the Bills had no answers, with gaping holes in the secondary, gaping holes against the run, big spacial voids all over the field, all game long, horrible tackling, players looking out of position consistently---and that lost, confused look we too often saw on the faces of offensive players as dorsey 'progressed' in his tenure--and especially in his last year: "What is going on out here? We have no asnwers," sums up those looks. Yes, the Bills are 4-0, but this is not in any way a championship defense--they cannot rely on big splash plays to win games, at the end of games, on defense all year. And not on the road, and not against the top teams. Not consistently. That will not work. All of the team’s hopes for this season, and ours, will be dashed IF this type of defense is allowed to continue. To me, right now, this really looks like a very very poorly coached defense in almost all respects. And if I see this, and if I am right, then McDermott knows it, but in a much more specific, detailed manner just how poorly Babich is leading this defense. And ditto for Brandon Beane--does Beane think with the players he provided that the defense should have these kinds of fundamental flaws in so many areas--again? I would bet the answer is NO. This is why I am convinced that Babich's seat is extremely hot, burning. Why did they look so different against the Jets, prepared, disciplined, tackling well, in position.... I think after awful weeks for the defense, like we saw against the Ravens, or in important games, like the Denver playoff game, McDermott has basically taken over for his young DC. The Bills don't need a great defense to be champions this year, and maybe not even a very good one--just a good one. But, so far, this defense looks fundamentally flawed. Awful even, and a great deal of the time. I think Babich's seat is extraordinarily hot now. A few more games, one?, like we have just seen and McDermott should take over. Our great offense was on a death march under dorsey. Before the season I said he would be gone by Halloween. That season they quiuckly were falling out of the playoff race, and almost there as the season regressed. Don Orlovsky said our offense, with Josh Allen leading it, had become ‘the easiest offense in the NFL to defend’. But McDermott stepped in, and made the kind of dramatic change most thought he would not make. Then, in one week, one, the offense looked like world beaters—again--and were that way for the rest of the season. I think the same thing may very well be needed very soon with Babich. And it could have the same effects. They won’t be a great defense, not there yet, with the young players and changes, but I am convinced the defense will show the same kind of improvement that we saw when Brady took over the offense. Even if you are not on board that Babich is the main problem, isn’t it hard for you to imagine this defense not playing dramatically better with any high quaity defensive coordinator like Schwartz, Spagnuolo—or a McDermott coaching them? To me the answer here is hell yes.

We’re at the 4-week mark of the season, which means we’re already a quarter of the way in (noooo). I did this last year—ranking the AFC every 4-5 weeks or so—but I always find early-season rankings tricky. The first four weeks can be totally misleading. So, this is a blend of where teams are now and where I think they’re headed long-term. As always—agree, disagree, tell me I have no brain. 😂 Have fun with it: See You at the AFC Title Game Buffalo – The defense is a work in progress, but with some key injured and suspended players returning, there’s real potential for growth. Overall, they’re a more dangerous team than last year. Kansas City – Immovable object. Rumors of their demise were greatly exaggerated. That said, they’re more flawed than in previous years, and the division looks tougher. Regardless, until someone knocks them out before the AFC Title Game, pencil them in. Contenders LA Chargers – Well-coached and always tough. The offense looks more dangerous with Hampton, and Herbert is playing really well. The question isn’t whether they’ll make the playoffs, but whether they can finally win the division—or at least a playoff game. Are the Ravens Still Contenders...? The preseason darlings of NFL media are now 1-3. They're banged up, lost two close games they couldn’t close, got blown out by another AFC alpha, and now Lamar is hurt. That said, their schedule lightens up. If Lamar plays, they can stack some wins, and the defense will get some guys back. Realistically, though, this version of the Ravens looks like a shell of the teams from the last two years. Even if they win the division, they’ll likely be on the road for two playoff games—probably in Buffalo and/or KC—where they’ve historically struggled. If the offense gets going, they’re still dangerous. I can’t take them fully out of the contender tier, but things aren’t looking great either. Frisky Newcomers Denver – Nix is showing some sophomore-slump signs and may be more of a serviceable starter than a star. Still, there’s talent all over the roster, and they’re one missed FG penalty from being 3-1. If Nix can step up against better competition, they’ll be a tough out. Jacksonville – Coen has the offense clicking, but more importantly, the defense has been stout. Their next three games are against KC, SEA, and LAR (in London), so they’ll have their chances to prove they’re legit. Shades of 2017 all over this team. The Steelers Probably Win This Division, But What's Their Ceiling? Pittsburgh – With the rest of the division dealing with injuries and inconsistency, the Steelers are sitting at 3-1 and in control. The offense is lukewarm with occasional spice, and the defense isn’t the elite unit it used to be. How do they beat KC/BUF/LAC unless those teams self-destruct? Wildcarding New England – Maye has been very solid, which keeps the Patriots in the Wild Card conversation. The defense is inconsistent—stout at times, sieve-like at others. After Sunday Night Football in Buffalo, the schedule softens. They feel like a team that’ll be a sneaky playoff threat by season’s end. I ndianapolis – They have the second-best point differential in the AFC and a good win over Denver. 10 wins probably gets a Wild Card spot this year—and in the AFC South, 10 might win the division. Jones has played really well, but can he sustain it for 17 games? "I Self-Ranked Myself a Top 5 QB After My Rookie Year... and It's Been a Tire Fire Since" Houston – I bought into the Stroud hype last year, but between the offensive line issues and consistent, game-changing mistakes, the regression is real. The defense will keep them in games, and the AFC South gives them some margin for error, but this feels like a 7–10 team. By season’s end, they may be asking hard questions at QB. We’re Wrecking Our Second Franchise QB Because We’re Cheap & Have No Team-Building Vision Cincinnati – Burrow going out like this is a huge bummer… but not shocking. He’s been the most-hit starting QB since Andrew Luck. This team should’ve learned from KC that sometimes trading the flashy WR (Higgins) to build a stronger overall roster is the right move. The 2 wins they banked don’t feel like enough for a late push, even if Burrow returns in December. For Bills fans: with Burrow likely missing their game, Buffalo may not face him again until at least 2027. GeNOOOOOOO... 7–10 Raiders Again Raiders – Geno looked like one of the better QBs in terms of accuracy and turnover avoidance in Seattle. Now, he has 7 turnovers in 4 games and two sub-200-yard performances. There was some preseason hype about them being a sneaky Wild Card team, but there’s just not enough talent here. In a weaker division, maybe—but in the AFC West, it’s hard to see a turnaround coming. Bad Teams Without Enough Talent – Already Playing for 2026 Miami – Whatever best-case scenario existed disappeared by halftime of Week 1. The roster lacks talent, and with Hill now out for the year, the offense is even more of a shell. They might claw their way to 3–4 in the coming weeks, but the crash is coming. McDaniel is starting to look like a one-trick pony with no backup plan. Cleveland – There’s a universe where they never traded for Watson, kept Baker, and make the playoffs yearly with a great defense. That’s not this one. The D is being wasted because the offense has no reliable QB, lacks weapons, and can’t protect. Why Myles Garrett re-signed here knowing this roster was already sinking is beyond me. New York Jets – Life comes at you fast. One week you’re almost upsetting the Steelers, and the next you're 0–4 with culture questions. Everyone knew the rebuild would be ugly, but Glenn needs to keep things focused or it could spiral fast. What once looked like a decent foundation now feels barren. Tennessee – 2025 was never the goal here. Ward is taking his rookie lumps. The bigger issue? The effort level isn’t there, and that reflects on the head coach. They need talent, yes—but they also need their recent draft picks to show something. The upcoming schedule (vs ARI, LV, NE, IND) gives them a chance to prove they’re growing.

Sure, cause players like Mike Evans can throw themselves the ball. Or Calais Campbell can score on Offense. I think the general question was what good players, who have been in the league a long time and possibly on bad teams, deserve to have won a superbowl. I liked what Simon posted above

Did you lose a bet?

Saleh seems to take pleasure in pointing out his own stupidity.

You, as a fan, are intimidated by what other fans are wearing??

More good football players is a good problem to have.

I challenge this perception. What we know is that Knox and Allen are buddies. But there is little chance that Allen the QB trusts Knox the TE as a reliable pass catcher. And, to use a cliche, it is a business and Beane won't continue paying Knox at this level as payback for Knox being Allen's buddy. As fans, we can only be excited to see a young , lower round pick to look so promising early in his career

this is why i am encouraged with the remainder of our season against the Chiefs, Eagles, Bucs, and Steelers. those teams will look to use the run to balance out their efficient offenses.

Got man bun?

This isn't the news you're trying to make it out to be.

They are 100% going into each gameplan with the idea that its OK if they give up yards on the ground. No they arent saying "lets let them gash us in the run" they are saying "if we are going to give up yards, lets let it be on the ground". Without a doubt. Thats why they normally present light boxes and play in nickel. They would LOVE to stop the run, but only if that means stopping the run with 5/6 guys. They will live with it if they cant stop the run with 5/6 guys. In the NFL you cannot stop everything the offense is going to do, so you make choices, we choose to live with rushing yards against. They absolutely plan to get negative plays and create turnovers, that is why they game plan and call the game they do. I don't know how anyone can see how we have played defense and think that is not the case. They absolutely plan on creating negative plays and turnovers, they practice it, they call the game that way, it is true. Yes they want to fix their deficiencies, but that does not mean they will load the box with heavy guys and load up to stop the run. It means they need to fill gaps and have better gap integrity, thats the ideal defensive world they create by their choices, but if that fails, the result is giving up 186 rushing yards to the Saints. Oh well, we won.

Yeah but he's married. Both McDermott and Beane told me so. That's gotta count for something.

One of the more gruesome injuries I've seen

Definitely a risk. Full mastery seems unlikely in a single season. Im mostly just hoping they find some identity and settle into an above average defense rather than the average to slightly below average defense they are now. Few years ago they had a similar situation with Milano being out and they did find the identity as a team that uses dime more often. I dont think were going with more dime (though not sure our dime usage rate), but gives me hope this staff can figure out how to find an identity for the defense in time for the playoffs.

That’s the spirit

Saleh is all gasbag no brake

https://x.com/spencerhakimian/status/1973005119643144376?s=46&t=RLsRhQJBb5vROsgfJWkwSw Patel: “see you in Valhalla” Hegseth: “no norse pagan soldiers” ???

So a considerable, measureable speed difference that affects your ability to climb effectively to the 2nd level in run blocking, and ability to get open or stretch the field. Knox has been an in-line blocker for a lot of plays, and then they'd rotate him off the LOS when doing 6-OL formations, but now they don't need to deal with the eligibility issues, and he can still function and play a hybrid role. I think his hands have always been an issue at times, but the guys a load to tackle and has scored a ton of TD's in his tenure here. I don't think he's worth his paycheck, but because we've never paid a free agent tight end, it isn't a position that's so expensive that its hamstrung the teams ability to do things.

You're also 4'11"

I’m 165, get rekt

I hope it doesn't end up as one of those "too complicated" scenarios that players never master, relieved only by a new hire the following year who "just let's us play football." Not sure, but I think I'd prefer the Bills be the best against the rush and worst against the pass.