WhitewalkerInPhilly

I forgot to mention that Bills fans showed up and were so energized by the punt return TD that the Dolphins had trouble getting play in at their own house.

I love seeing that for a lot of reasons: That he isn't seriously hurt. That his teammates had faith in each other to handle it and let them know they have his back. That it actually worked.

I mean Fitz did it in 2021 I do not hate the idea of a 2024 reunion on the cheap if we want to get a Harty replacement I have to look back for the exact play but I remember going PA to a intermediate pass to Kincaid and realizing "oh hey, it's everything I've been pounding the table for and it works"

Well he's getting his wish again

Well, the last time I wrote one of these the title was "Burn it Down." So...a lot has changed since then. And I think I should start there. I was on the "tar and feather Sean McDermott" bus for a hot minute there so I think it's deserving to give a two parter giving him some flowers. When news broke about his "motivational speaking" I thought it was over. And, credit to him and his staff, they broke out of the nosedive. 6-1 after the Broncos debacle including five straight wins, including a bunch over playoff teams kind of speaks for itself. Not only did the team hold, it seems to have gelled. I know the Dolphins weren't at full strength on offense, but holding them to 14 points? Impressive. Even more impressive is how McDermott rallied the defense to do it. When I saw Douglas was out, I thought the game might get away but nope, adjustments were made. I am loath to credit Mike McDaniel for much, but that little pop swing pass to Achane is devilishly clever (and will be even more dangerous with Mostert back as a tempo change) and yet the Bills made an in game adjustment. We got the full Josh Allen experience tonight. It is not good for my heart, but dear god is it highlight real (both the highs and the lows) I am hoping the Rasul Douglass injury is nothing. That he was standing on the sideline makes me hopeful it isn't a break or ACL, but I am torn between knowing we need him and wanting to keep him safe for 2024. We will see on the injury report. Speaking of in game injuries, the same return could not be said for Gabe Davis. I know it's popular to dunk on him, and I like to think I've been even handed in my criticisms. I don't want anything bad to happen to him (I hope he's not seriously hurt), but ho boy, another Gabe Davis red zone (I think option route) miscue continues to solidify in my mind that the Bills should not be bidders for his services in 2024. Maybe if he casts his net and gets nothing we can take a look, but we desperately need to upgrade WR2 in the offseason. As much as I don't want to dump of Gabe, I find it hard to point out the days Sherfield, Kincaid and Shakir had without damning by comparison. While none of them are a #2 WR seeing Sherfield being heads up in the Red Zone on a tip drill, Shakir's route running and Kincaid's feel for coverage makes their absence in Gabe more pronounced. Our offense has a fantastic cast outside of that one spot. I have given Harty a looooot of grief. And I still expect him as a cap casualty. But man, that punt return gave the Bills a spark exactly when they needed one. I said it before and I will say it again: the Dolphins are frauds of a contender. Perhaps that is a bit harsh, but it's striking whenever they are held up vs an actual contender. Tua is a game manager. Arguably a good one. He gets the ball to those dynamic skill players, but he doesn't make them better. I am eating popcorn as the Dolphins front office decides how they want to handle his contract as his costs are about to skyrocket. Boy I am stoked to have the #2 seed. Not as much for the Wild Card so much as avoiding the Ravens for as long as possible. I want to see them try to make a mistake, because they made a few this year. AFC EAST CHAMPS BABY WHOOOO

I remember pounding the table to give Taylor another year. That's how desperate not having a superstar at QB makes you. Dolphins fans are finding out they have a less physical Alex Smith at QB and I'm here for it

No. Look, a year or two ago that level of play of Torrence would have been better than most. He's a rookie. You can very much do worse. We've seen it.

I know we only like Cowherd when he gushes over us but tonight? I take it

I want Douglas back ASAP, but credit to McDermott to scheming to make it work

Yes. Pending free agent. We need an upgrade

I said that the Bills would have no excuses if they lost. On the corollary, this division title was earned

FWIW I kept thinking that the Dolphins cornerbacks were idiots even in spite of their luck. If Apple doesn't run out of the end zone they get 20 yards. If they knock it down instead of the INT on the 4th down they get better position. So the stat looks bad on Allen (and wasn't his best play) but the defenders hurt their team in spite of the playmaking.

Holy schnikes, I honestly gave up on it after the Broncos game. This team has grit

Yeah, I remember going "Oh my god, someone made a cut over the middle and caught it. We can do that?" and realized it was Sherfield The success of Shakir, Kincaid and Sherfield today in Gabe's absence is damning

Sorry folks, was posting with the forum lagging and the heat of the moment

Am I dreaming? I am manic and delirious

I need someone to kiss me and kick me in the balls to simulate this game upon replay

Can stop the pitch sweep to the left?

How do we not have a blitz beater

You mean refs don't have to hide bias

Because... he's better in pass rush than run support. Like, that's his thing. Look, he has in no way played up to his contract this year but the idea that he had no effect on the field is incorrect

I think that a lack of discussion over converting salary to signing bonus should be hint enough for our aspiring GM

Going to need to focus on pass rush with Mostert out. For all his problems he's QB sniffer and it looks like the benching sent a message

Excellent. Caught up on inactives, which is good for us. I want to hear the Phins booed out of their own stadium

Anyone have a report on fan ratios? Inactives?