Rocky Landing

So, the Jets end up with Justin Fields, or they acquire Deshaun Watson. One of those two things happen, and maybe you clowns have the second best QB in the AFCE?

I love Matt Milano. He's a great player, and his impact is unquestionable. But, he isn't even the MVP of the defense, let alone the entire team.

I was thinking when I saw that during the game, "dang! did Micah just give Taron a concussion???" Wow, good catch! If you go to the replay, where you showed that particular frame, and you advance frame by frame, it's pretty clear: Zimmer got two fingers on it. Pretty cool!

And also that he doesn’t read TSW.

I think Murphy did his job exactly by the scheme they played. He didn't get a sack, but I'm assuming his job in the scheme was to keep Jackson from escaping to his right. That's a tall order, and Murphy looked like a vet. Perfect fit for that game, IMO. Phillips had, I believe, the best game I've ever seen him in. He slipped tackles (against a decent line!) in a way that I didn't think he was capable of. And, he even looked fast. Great job by both players, IMO.

Weird Yeldon love on this thread. It's almost like amnesia...

I guess I'm in the minority here, but I'd much rather see Antonio out there than Yeldon. In the limited time we've seen AW, I believe there is ample reason to be impressed. In the second half of the Dolphins game, they came out prepared to face Barkley. They played press man, and stacked the box, and Antonio, ran it down their throats on the first play. He showed a real ability to push the pile, and looked like the downhill runner that we lack. I know he is still a bit of an unknown commodity. But, unfortunately, Yeldon is a known commodity.

I did!

I have respect for Rothlisberger's career. But, honestly, that career should be over. He is terrible.

Jesus Christ! The Steelers are melting down!

I saw that same little stutter step, just before the catch. I replayed it for my son a few times. When you consider the velocity of that ball, as well. Amazing vision.

A friend of mine who is a Titans fan texted me (before their loss today): "Lol. You were 2 bad coaching decisions away from losing to the second best team in the AFC South." I replied: "If we could have equalized field position, we would have destroyed them." I'm still debating whether I should send a followup text: "Lol. You lost to the second best team in the AFC North."

Yeah, Lamar was pretty classless at the end there, also running into the tunnel, and snubbing Tannehill.

I'm happy about this. I feel like we match up better against the Ravens than the Titans. Not by much, perhaps... but the Titans are a more balanced team. All that being said... GO STEELERS!!!

Well, if Reich knew his opponent better, he wouldn't have gone for it on that fourth and goal where they turned it over on downs. The current Bills have a very good record on those stands.

I agree with an observation made by an announcer that Moss, and Singletary are "clones." Well, maybe not "clones," exactly, but I've been saying all season that they aren't complimentary backs-- they are too similar. When Williams came in vs Miami, I thought he looked like a better option for power back than how we were using Moss, and to me, the question became: Who is the better scat back- Motor, or Moss? Personally, I think Moss is the better all-around back, but I think Motor might be the better scat. Of course, that's likely a moot question, with Moss's injury. I think a duo of Singletary, and Williams is the right way to go, moving forward. And, as far as Williams vs. Yeldon? I have very little faith in Yeldon. If Moss's injury is going to take him out, or otherwise limit him for next week, I hope they go with Williams.

Colts are winning field position in a big way.

Great writeup as always, DSB. Looking at where the Bills were last week, it's easy to feel good going into this game. But, I'll say watching the Colts last week-- it's harder to know where they're at. The Jags are so terrible, it made it hard (at least, for me) to really assess the Colts performance. They had a lot to play for, but the Jags didn't really put up a fight. We demoralized the Phins last week. The Jags showed up demoralized. Some thoughts: Offensively: If I had to pick which AFC team to play first, this would certainly be the one. But, this is the playoffs, and no wins will come easy. I wonder how aggressive Daboll's scheme will be? I have a feeling we're going to see a quicker release from Josh, and short-yardage plays designed to move the chains, and maintain time of possession. Speaking of ToP, I would think keeping Rivers off the field would be a priority for Daboll. Rivers can be a real "hot or cold" QB. If he gets in a groove, he is dangerous. Keeping him off the field goes a long way in keeping him cold. I hope Josh spreads the ball around a lot. The Colts' D is a unit that will get flummoxed the more receivers they see as a threat. I could see a lot of different guys being wide open against this Colts' D. And, the more players get receptions, the easier it is to keep key players healthy. I'm never in favor of playing for the next game, or taking an opponent lightly. But, this could be a game that Diggs does not carry on his shoulders. Defensively I know Taylor is being much heralded as one of the NFL's current top RBs, but I have to wonder if his abilities might be a tad overrated? Last week, for example, he utterly feasted. But, the Jags are sooo bad! Before that, a loss to a slumping Steelers saw him at 4.1 YPC. He had some impressive stats vs. the Texans the week before that. But, JJ Watt had all of one tackle in that game. I could see Klein having a real impact in stopping Taylor. This is a game where the DTs need to shine. Really, the whole line. Rivers needs to be flushed from the pocket as much as possible. He needs to be rattled. Tre will also need to have a good game vs. TY Hilton. But, I would expect him to get help. Rivers/Hilton is their Allen/Diggs (to a lesser extent, of course). They have a chemistry, and Hilton can stretch the field, and make some big time catches. If we limit their connection, keeping Rivers from getting into his groove gets easier. GO BILLS!

I don't think I would apply the term "garbage time" to Antonio's time on the field. Certainly, we had a comfortable lead, and had utterly demoralized the Phins' D. But, they were heartily trying to stage a comeback well into the fourth quarter. I'm still shaking my head in disbelief at that game. How McD could not dress three of his best defensive starters, and pull every starter he could in the second half, and send in the players furthest down the roster, and still completely dominate a playoff contender in all phases of the game is nothing short of astonishing. All that being said, Antonio might very well provide some balance that our offense is actually lacking. Dressing him going into the playoffs would be pretty experimental, but with how similar Motor, and Moss are in style, I'd be surprised if the coaching staff wouldn't also at least be having the discussion. I agree with you, though. I don't think it's likely he's dressed. Not this week.

I'd be pretty shocked to see them activate him at the expense of Motor, or Moss. However, I've been saying all season that Motor, and Moss are not complimentary backs. Antonio looked like the downhill runner that would be the appropriate compliment to either of them. If it came down to it, it'd be a tough decision. The question would have to be: Which one is the better scat back?

Apparently, he's a relentless trash-talker, but never uses profanity.

I voted "Yes." This season was a success the moment we swept the Patriots* and took the AFCE. But, then I accidentally clicked "Super Bowl or Bust," and it wouldn't let me un-click it. But, that's OK. This season was a success. Now, it's Super Bowl, or bust!!!

I guess I'm going to resume my quest for a store that sells Genesee Cream Ale in Los Angeles. Maybe this will be the year...

People seem to forget what an utterly dysfunctional dumpster fire the Bills were when McD arrived. I think that McDermott/Beane have illustrated an effective blueprint of how to build a strong organization out of a completely dysfunctional one. If the Jets, or any other organization, allow Daboll to arrive with his own GM (and, assuming Daboll has someone he thinks he can work effectively with), give them carte blanche on personnel, and building their culture, and are willing to spend the money to follow their priorities, then it really doesn't matter which organization Daboll goes with.

This is just tragic at this point...