The loss of Evans was not monumental due to the Bills utilizing a short game which is the strength of Fitz.
The addition of a TE worth a **** had a huge impact on the play of the offense. Way way more than I, and apparently the KC DC, expected.
Result: Offense is better than last year.
The defense added Dareus and even though the stats may not show it, he had a big impact on the game.
Barnett/Poz was at worst a wash.
Merriman was a surprising non-factor, at least at first glance. But he did last the game with only some missed time in the first quarter.
Result: Defense is better than last year.
How much better is still the question however.
KC is obviously a mess. Every aspect of their game from coaches to players was just horrible yesterday.
I was hoping for, and expecting, a test of our run defense but what I got was a embarrassing blowout that left me still wondering how much the run D has improved over last year. A short week for the Raiders followed by a cross country flight costing them a day should give the Bills an edge this Sunday as well. I enjoy a blowout where we are not the embarrassed team as much as anyone here. But I hope the raiders bring it Sunday instead of folding like KC did just because I'd hate the Pats to be the first time the Bills are tested this season.
Of course blowing out the Pats is entirely acceptable