Magox

Yes and no. If your receiver loses reps when he was a main target and the play results in an incompletion, then confidence is lost and its natural that you begin to look at other options. Trust is a process.

I think this is largely true aside but I would quibble that it isn't so much that Brady isn't adept to it but more so that the approach is a high percentage ball control offense. Honestly, I don't believe Allen has the trust in the receivers to look their way as often as he could. You only have so many seconds to make a decision back there on where you want to distribute the ball and clearly the receivers are not typically his first or second looks. But there have been quite a few occasions I've seen this year where Wide receivers were open and he just didn't get it there. I'm not blaming him, no QB sees everything, its just that his confidence level is not there to make them one of his early reads in some of those spots. I think little by little he has to have certain plays that he feels comfortable with to look to get the ball out to those receivers.

Over the past couple years, we’ve seen a shift—quiet, but noticeable—in how running backs are impacting games and how they’re being talked about in MVP conversations. Last year, Saquon Barkley finished 3rd in MVP voting. The year before that, Christian McCaffrey did the same. This year, there are whispers around Jonathan Taylor, and yes—even James Cook. While none of them are likely to win MVP, the fact that RBs are consistently cracking the top 3 speaks volumes. Now contrast that with wide receivers: no WR has finished top 5 in MVP voting in the last 2 years. Not Tyreek, not Jefferson, not Chase. And yet, WRs are commanding massive contracts while RBs are being undervalued—even by fans. Remember the debates on this board about James Cook? So many were adamant about not paying him a dime over $12M. I and others argued that even at $15M, he’d still be undervalued. And now? Cook is a top-3 RB in the league, a centerpiece of one of the NFL’s most efficient offenses. Just think about it: Khalil Shakir earns more than Cook. I love Shakir, but if you had to keep one, who’s more valuable to this team? We all know the answer—and if you say Shakir, you’re just being stubborn. Cook’s emergence, paired with the best offensive line we’ve had in years, has transformed this offense. Balanced attacks are winning games. The best teams in the league are running the ball—a lot. I’ve already made the case that WRs are overvalued in this thread: 🔗 That’s not to say WRs aren’t important. Outside of QB, I still rank them as the most valuable offensive skill position. But if you offered me an elite DT or DE over an elite WR? I’m taking the trench player every time. They impact the game on every snap, not just the 10–15% of plays where a WR is targeted. It’s time to rethink how we value positions. And maybe—just maybe—some folks owe James Cook (and the RB position) a little crow.

And what is the biggest culprit for those losses? Is it wide receiver separation or the defense?

So the plan is… Fix the good thing because the bad thing is too broken? That’s like refusing to upgrade your car’s engine because the tires are flat. Pretty sure progress isn’t supposed to be held hostage by hopelessness

I respectfully disagree with that take—focusing on one play instead of the full body of work from the game misses the bigger picture. But even if we do isolate that one play against the Chiefs on first down, it wasn’t about receivers failing to get open. It was a well-designed blitz that our All-World QB misread, and the offensive line missed their assignments. That breakdown had everything to do with protection and recognition—not a lack of separation. Let’s not rewrite the narrative based on one moment. The game is bigger than that. When it comes to playmakers, I think this is the best offensive line we’ve had—better than last year’s unit. James Cook has emerged as a top-3 running back in the league, and Dalton Kincaid is now playing at a Pro Bowl level, with two other tight ends who can supplement the attack. On defense, the emergence of Maxwell Hairston could be a game-changer. Cole Bishop, especially over the past two games, has brought a presence we haven’t seen since prime Jordan Poyer. Joey Bosa is playing at an elite level when he’s on, and Deone Walker is flashing signs of something special. There’s a real chance we’re witnessing the rise of something new and exciting—this team is starting to look stacked with playmakers on both sides of the ball

It doesn’t need to be better—but sure, it could be. That said, the offense is already more than good enough to win a Super Bowl or any other meaningful game. The real question is the defense. If the Bills can consistently play defense with the same tenacity and game planning we’ve seen recently, this team can absolutely go the distance. Let’s be honest—everyone knows the defense has been the issue in past playoff runs. But watching Max Hairston paired with Benford, and seeing the emergence of Cole Bishop, gave me a glimpse of what this secondary could look like moving forward. And then there’s the front seven—Bosa, Rousseau, and Epenesa were relentless against Mahomes. Deone Walker blowing up Creed Humphrey on the goal line to stop a touchdown? That was a statement. Maybe I’m overly exuberant after these last two games, but something feels different. This defense is starting to look like it could be special—and that’s exciting.

Ah yes, the classic rebuttal: “I don’t care.” A timeless way to dismiss facts when they don’t fit the narrative. Let’s unpack this idea that the offense “falters under pressure” in the playoffs: Divisional Round vs. Ravens: Scored 27 points against a defense that had allowed just 16.5 ppg over their last 6 games. That’s not faltering—that’s producing against a top unit. AFC Championship vs. Chiefs: Put up 29 points against a defense that hadn’t allowed 30+ points all season—except to the Bills. That’s not grinding—it’s breaking through. So unless “faltering” now means scoring nearly 30 against elite defenses, I’m gonna go ahead and say the offense held up just fine. Also, if the offense is “built for the regular season,” someone forgot to tell the scoreboard. But hey—if facts don’t matter, I guess we should just go back to yelling into the void and hoping for a WR trade to fix what isn’t broken.

Let's take a breath and look at what the offense is actually doing before we spiral over not getting a WR before the trade deadline. Here are some facts that might help bring a little levity to the conversation: Total Yards/Game: 385 – 1st in the NFL Points/Game: 29.4 – 3rd in the NFL Rushing Yards/Game: 161.5 – 1st in the NFL Yards/Play: 6.1 – 3rd in the NFL Passing Yards/Game: 224 – 14th in the NFL Yards/Pass Attempt: 8.2 – 4th in the NFL Yards/Rush: 5.0 – 4th in the NFL Red Zone TD %: 67.74% – 9th in the NFL Completion %: 69.9% – 7th in the NFL Third Down Conversion: 45.65% – 5th in the NFL These are damn good numbers. This offense is efficient, productive, and balanced. We’re top-tier in yards, points, and play efficiency. The passing game may not be flashy in total yards, but it’s highly efficient—top 5 in yards per attempt and completion percentage. Could we have added a WR? Sure. But let’s not ignore what’s already working. This team is moving the ball, scoring points, and doing it with balance and precision. And the WR room gets better with Palmer back into the fold and I do think Gabe Davis will help on those scramble drills which seem to be missing this year. Let’s keep perspective. The season is long, and the offense is already doing more than enough to win games.

If he had signed for $15M a year he still would have been underpaid relative to his true worth to this team.

Not having Palmer makes a big difference, without him out there there will be some pretty difficult moments that this offense will have to overcome. Chiefs are going to pose a problem, just have to hope that the offensive line can have another outstanding game against them, without that it's unlikely the Bills will get 30+ points

He’s jUsT a slOt gUy

TJ Sanders 👀

He hasn’t torched anyone as of yet. He’s played very efficiently and at a high level but in both his wins he threw the ball 24 times or less. The two times he threw more than 24 times they lost.

He and Ty Johnson have definitely not looked as good so far, but I think that is primarily due to a lack of snaps and in preseason there really weren't many holes. I do think that he and Ty look more hesitant, I wouldn't give up on them yet.

Would sure love to have him back. When Oliver is at his best he is the best defender on this team.

I'm sure glad we signed him for $12M a year, but if he would have signed for over $13M, I WOULD HAVE BEEN BIG MAD!!

For me the most pressing need this team needs is a true 1 technique DT. Our biggest liability by far is stopping the run. If we can stop the run then everything else on defense gets infinitely more simple. Some potential targets: - Jeffrey Simmons - Big contract but he can do it all and Tennessee may look to reset - He's my ideal situation Probably would take a 2nd or 3rd rounder, could throw a player as well. - Mazi Smith - A bit unproven - he is a pure nose tackle and he's been supplanted by Kenny Clark Probably would take a 5th or 6th rounder - Jordan Davis - I don't think they'd move him but they do have depth at that position - He doesn't offer a lot against the pass If he were to be available a 2nd or 3rd and a player -Derrick Brown - Carolina player - Dominant run defender, maybe the best in the NFL - pretty expensive contract - Carolina is struggling and could look to trade him Probably would take a 1st and a mid rounder and maybe a player - DJ Jones - Very strong against the run - much cheaper Probably a mid to late rounder and maybe a player -Sebastian Joseph-Day - Another good run stuffer - doesn't cost much and is of rotational value Probably a late rounder like a 6th

We have such a lethargic and boring offense and we NEED another WR who can s E p a R a T e . So I'm told.

Not sure how it happened but I got caught up in an algorithmic hell on X and all I see are Patriots fanboys talking up Drake Maye and the Patriots. They are uber confident they can take down the Bills and that Drake could be MVP. I think the Bills will be super focused and will play with lots of intensity for this game, and they will need it because the Patriots are gonna play tough football. Maye has also been a third down killer this year which has been a sore spot for us, AGAIN. Need to make sure that we are better against the run and leave them some longer third downs than what they’d like to see.

The only way the Bills trade for a CB is if they don’t believe Hairston will be able to play at a decent level this year. The offense is tops in the league and the run defense is one of the worst. We need a true quality 1 technique. We have DE’s and WR’s that we could trade. Maybe Epenesa or Samuelson along with a mid to late rounder should be able to net a quality run stuffing 1 technique

With Dorian's injury, it wouldn't surprise me that the Bills decide to put him on IR to make room for Hoecht and Ogunjobi.

Honestly, I think its time to have a conversation about Shaq Thompson getting many more snaps over Dorian Williams. This matches with what I see. I think the defense would be much better with him on the field.

Keon was getting open a lot this past week. His ability to separate has really improved and it's just a matter of Josh looking his way a little more. We have ourselves a good WR in Keon. I expect he'll have the ball thrown his way a good bit more, specially in big games. Absolutely not the case! This is a tired talking point.