IronyAbounds

What I learned from this game: Bills DL w/o a healthy Miller is terrible. Bills coaching staff is mediocre I was wrong about the Bengals' receivers, they are much better than the Bills' receivers KC front office is miles ahead of the Bills'

Yep, the standing buffalo has brought the Bills their only championships. I'm an old school guy anyhow, so I like all the old AFL helmets. It pisses me off the Titans got to keep the Oilers legacy. The oil derrick helmet was fantastic. It should have been a Cleveland situation so that the new Houston team could reclaim the Oilers. The Pats old helmets are much better too. Now get off my lawn.

Taking a break from worrying about next year, it's amusing to see how times and the game have changed in the NFL: Stats for a well known QB in a season long ago (in a 14 game season): Completions: 179 Attempts: 391 % Completion: 45.8 Yards: 2368 TDs:10 Int: 18 Rating: 54.8 In today's game that QB wouldn't even be able to make a team's practice squad. In 1965 it got Jack Kemp Player of the Year award.

Let's review. 2019, Bills lose WC Round in tight contest with Texans. 2020, Bills reach Conference Championship, losing in a not that close game after two wins in the prior rounds, including a fairly dominating win over Ravens. 2021, Bills destroy Pats in WC Round and lose heartbreaker to Chiefs in Divisional Round due to coaching staff brain farts. 2022. Barely escape WC Round over Dolphins who have rookie QB, then get dominated in Divisional Round vs. Bengals. 2019 better than 2018, 2020 better than 2019, 2021 probably about the same as 2020 (loss in earlier round, but played Chiefs tougher), and then a distinct drop off in 2022 (regular season record not as important as showing in playoffs). In 2019 and 2020 the Bills definitely had talent that was reasonably young and improving, and I think that improvement showed up in 2021. Not so sure that the carry over talent from 2022 is improving, and not so sure that there are more young and improving guys vs. older and declining guys. Even given the injuries in 2022, I doubt standing pat or making relatively minor changes are going to cut it, and there are more limited options for improving the team in 2023 than existed in earlier years. Doesn't mean the Bills won't get there since the playoffs are sometimes a crap shoot that depends on match-ups. But I'm a bit skeptical that they are really that close to a Super Bowl.

If that's the schedule, that's a very difficult schedule. The road schedule is a monster. Why are we always getting KC at KC? I know we've beaten them 2 in a row during the regular season, but that actually makes me less optimistic. We get the AFC West duds at home and face the two playoff teams on the road. Eagles and Bengals (again) on the road. Sweeping Miami? They barely beat them in 2 home games this year, and the last one without Tua. No way they go 14-3 with that schedule. 12-5 would be quite the accomplishment. I think the over/under will be 10.5 or 11.5.

Have to laugh about asking for patience. Bills have had 4 good shots and come up short each time, with this year being worse than last, and last year more disappointing than the year before. They haven't even made the Conference Championship the last two years. They could easily have blown their window of opportunity. Hopefully Allen keeps them in the picture for several years to come, but asking for patience is a bit much.

They looked to be heading for a beat down in Cincy before Hamlin dropped, so I'm not quite buying it.

I look forward to seeing how you believe they will have the resources to do the things you think they need to do.

Most folks here are pointing to areas where the Bills need improvement: the OL (absolutely), the WR crew (quite possibly), the secondary (quite possibly), the DL (seems likely after yesterday, but it may depend on whether Miller returns at a high level), RB (I'm not as concerned here). One little problem - exactly where do the Bills find the resources to bring in upgrades to those positions. Free Agency? Given the money to keep Allen and bring in Miller, there simply isn't the money to bring in quality FAs. Draft picks? The Bills have six. Fortunately they didn't get rid of any picks in the first 5 rounds (and actually have two in the 5th round). But as we have seen, Beane hasn't exactly been the most astute GM when it comes to drafting, and in any event, rookies always have a learning curve. Injuries indisputably took a huge toll this year, but it isn't like all those injured guys will simply be plugged back into their positions for next year. The defense was hit the hardest, but who knows how well Miller or Hyde will bounce back, plus they'll be a year older (Miller will be 34 and Hyde 33, not exactly spring chickens in the NFL). White certainly didn't seem like his old self this year. Hamlin (bless his soul) almost certainly won't be back, Poyer is likely gone and the rest of the secondary is meh at best. The offense wasn't hurt all that much by injuries, certainly not any more than is typical to an NFL team, so it's not as though they will be getting a difference maker back on offense. Most people seem to think the WR position is in need of upgrade, but if you spend resources in that area, how do you address the other positions that seem far more in need (OL and secondary). Same thought with the running backs. The OL is in need of a major overhaul, but again, the Bills really won't be able to spend much on any OL free agent. Will there be a quality lineman early in the draft? I hope so, but then what about the DL, the secondary, the wide receivers and running backs? Is it reasonable to expect Beane to suddenly become a master draftsman and be able to plug all the gaps with 6 draft picks? Past history suggests otherwise. The Bills have had a remarkable run the past four years becoming one of the top teams in the league. For that I'm grateful. It's just difficult to see how they get over the hump given the current situation with the existing talent and somewhat crimped resources. I'll admit, when it comes to the Bills, my pessimism springs eternal. Hopefully I'm overstating the problems and minimizing the avenues that exist to improve the team.

Out of curiosity, how is the salary cap situation looking for next year? Seems to be a pretty important element in assessing whether this team can improve.

Actually last year was our year and we frigging blew it. Not a doubt in my mind they beat Cincy and go on to win the Super Bowl last year. Except they blew it in the last 12 seconds of the KC game. You don't get many chances like that and when they are frittered away, they likely never come again. Many people comforted themselves after last year that the Bills would only get better, yet they lost again in the Divisional Round looking far worse than last year. Maybe all the bad luck this year will turn around into nothing but good luck next year, but I can't help but think the Bills lost their best shot last year.

Have to disagree. Perhaps it was his injury, but after the first three games his throws were wildly inconsistent. Every amazing only Josh can make that throw pass was followed by two or three off target ones. I don't think Cincy's receiving crew is any better and may be inferior to the Bills'. The OL clearly needs work, but Burrow and Mahomes have a calm and confidence that translates into making consistent plays.

As mediocre as the OL is, Josh has to bear a degree of the blame. He didn't look at all sharp. Lots of his completions weren't right on target and he was off on many throws. He may love Buffalo, and Buffalo may love him, but I think he'd be much better off on a warm climate team. I don't think he handles bad weather all that well.

Unfortunately I did, but only wasted an hour instead of an entire afternoon. Really is inexcusable for the Bills at home to never be competitive in the game. They were completely flat.

Had to record the game, but I'm glad I didn't waste a full three hours watching that crap. Bills' window of opportunity was last year. Don't see a Super Bowl anytime soon. As good as Allen is, he isn't as good as Burrow or Mahomes, and that isn't going to change anytime in the next several years. Biggest factor though is OL and next the DL. Without a better OL the team will never scale the mountain.

Another thing about both running backs - people here love to criticize the OL when it comes to protecting Allen, but don't seem to give the RBs much credit for both have better than 4.5 YPC despite having to run behind the same OL.

At least there is a DVR solution for commercials, although you run the risk of seeing the score from IMs on your phone or inadvertently seeing the score elsewhere. My biggest gripe with the NFL greed are the Thursday night games and the additional regular season game. The Thursday games truly put players at risk given the lack of recuperation time, and I think the crappy quality of the games on Thursday reflect it. Expecting players to go full bore for 17 games is also hard on the players (and creates an imbalance in home/away games, but that's another story). The only reason for Thursday games and an extra regular season game is the $$$$$ brought it. Both diminish the quality of play and are detrimental to health of athletes.

I slightly disagree here. Singletary is tough. That last carry was epic. Cook has better YPC for the season, but I think that's somewhat due to Singletary being used in more traditional rushing situations. In any event, I think they're a good 1-2 combo.

Well, given Damar's recovery thus far, I wouldn't discount it.

I'm an optimist. Raiders beat KC on Saturday, Ravens beat Bengals and Bills beat Pats. Makes the Buffalo-Cincinnati game irrelevant, Bills get home field throughout, and the only remaining thought about that game will be thinking how miraculous it will be when we witness Damar's complete recovery.

Bills can beat anyone, but lose tomorrow night and you have to win two on the road in the playoffs, not an easy feat. Win the next two and everything looks possible.

I'd prefer a lifetime of memories that a trip to Europe or Australia or Africa might provide for that money, but everyone's priorities and desires differ, so I don't criticize anyone for spending that kind of money.

Weather affecting most of the games today. Playing in freezing weather ain't easy.

Way to go Devin!

As bad as they've played, they will win this game. Next week? That's likely another story.