Dan

We all get through life’s hardships in our own way and on our own time. I hope we can all love the game like we have, but i agree and understand that its going to take time. I, FWIW, appreciate your thoughts. Along this line, if they do play this weekend, and Tremaine misses a tackle or Dane gives up a touchdown... or doesn’t even play. I really hope people understand and don’t let emotion get in the way say things they shouldn’t.

I think the team is doing it right. No media today, walk through practice which says to me... lets get together and talk about this and see how everyone is while slowly getting our minds on football. The hardest part, as has been mentioned, is the waiting for news. If Damar comes out of sedation and is showing signs of improvement this afternoon/evening we can all breathe a sigh of relief and continue praying while we get back to normal. If the opposite happens... well I’m not going to think about that.

Thats a bit how I see it. Separate the 2. The game was a no contest, it goes in the books as such. No need to replay it in any fashion. End of discussion. But then you do have to figure out the playoff seedlings. Win percentage is one way and perfectly acceptable. But you do have to het KC and Baltimore (i think that is all) to agree to that. Or in my mind you do. A coin flip also does the same but it just involves the Bengals and Bills to determine the “winner” for seeding purposes.

It would seem to me the easiest (easiest maybe not best) solution for the league regarding playoff seeding is to determine a winner/loser from Monday night. They can call it a no contest in the record books. But they need to figure out a winner for playoff matchups. Coin flip, rock paper scissors, pick a number, etc. just have the 2 teams agree to it and go. This way... no other teams are involved, its quick, and you can resume the playoffs on time.

I haven’t read all this thread... so my sentiments may be misplaced or already spoken. If so, you can sue me. But I must agree... this Bills’ season has been exhausting for fans and I’m sure it had to have been for the players... from the death of Dawson’s brother to Kim’s illness to the snow storms, injuries, and now Hamlin’s fighting for his life. I was hoping we had finally see the worst of this season and could just focus on football. But that’s just not the case. Parts of me just want this season over so we can all reset. But, other parts, think of what the Bills mean to me and my family. So i want them to find a way to play on... And continue the never ending quest for a championship that in many ways is more than just a sports championship. When we watch the Bills play its more than a sport. I think of my mom, my sisters, my childhood dreams. Its more. So I don’t want the season to end. But then again I never want it to end. I support this team and the players for who they are, what they represent in my heart and in my soul. If they lose a close game in KC or forfeit the season to mourn a friend, I’ll still support them. Winning and losing isn’t as important as the family this team inspires; its not as important as the lives it brings together. One day we’ll have our championship... but for today; I’d be happy to have our Bills family whole again. praying that it will be

One thing i am certain of... prayers are powerful and at times like this its often all we can do. So keep Hamlin and his family in your prayers, just as we pray for all those that are dealing with more than they should carry. Speculation is natural, but none of us have the answers. So be kind and considerate.

I posted this in another thread, but it makes more sense here: “One impression I will say I had watching the first 3 series... the Bengals came out on fire. They were being extremely physical, hitting hard and seemed determined to try and intimidate the Bills into submission with hard hits and quick scores. In just 3 series we had 3 players injured.“ My initial thought was.. if the Bills survive the first quarter, the adrenaline wears off and then the Bills would take control. It would still have been a tight game, but rarely do teams maintain that level of intensity for 4 quarters. My other thought.. the busted play near the goal when Allen dirts the ball because the Bengals blew it up. It seems we do that a couple times a game. On a screen? Is the Bills’ offense that predictable? Is there a line call that tips the defense? Do we just suck at screens? This isn’t the only time where it looks like the defense was in the offensive huddle.

My prayers tonight are with Hamlin and his family. I can only hope he pulls through and has a good life. And then the Bills players as a whole (imagine what Knox is going through). This is a complete tragedy. if they have to forfeit, so be it. My heart is with Hamlin, not the playoff seeding now.

I thought they played that a few weeks ago in Buffalo.

Yeah. The best thing is probably them winning.. making the playoffs and everyone thinking he’s a legitimate NFL QB for one more season. ??

Watching this game... it’s just bad. I hate seeing Pats win. Mac Jones is just about the most unlikeable player I’ve seen since Brady. The whole franchise just needs to go away. But then... who wants to see the Dolphins in the playoffs? I just wanna see an rogue asteroid strike the field and end this.

There’s entirely too much football left to be played to state/think this. This is a huge game for several reasons. Easily the most important game since... Miami. LOL. But winning it doesn't even guarantee the #1 seed (unless KC forgets theres a game tomorrow). It’s a big game, in the spotlight, against last year’s Super Bowl representative, and gives us an edge in the playoff seeding with only one game left. But its not the most important game of this season, let alone the franchise history.

I would say its the biggest game, since week 6 against the Chiefs. Easily. Huge playoff implications!

The stat isn’t misleading. Its not “in his first 5 full seasons playing”. Its the first 5 years in the league. The fact that Mahomes didn’t play his first year doesn’t change that. It’s probably why the record has stood so long - good players didn’t play in every game in their first 5 yrs. It is what it is... a positive for the team and our QB, no need to diminish it.

Seemed odd... but you’re right the Bills haven’t won a road playoff game since 1992. All the more reason we need to stay focused and get the #1 seed!

Agreed. That, and limiting their own mistakes which largely comes down to Josh taking what the defense gives them. It was said up thread, but this game is critical! If we lose, the road to the SuperBowl becomes measurably more difficult, not only because they play an extra game, but the teams the face in each round are tougher. For a team thats been through so much, it seems, to get 6 straight wins; i hate to say it but this week is gonna be tougher. Hoping they have a good week of rest and preparation.

At the current pace... that’s 4 more years to get 32 more wins.

All I can say is... it was another messed up week of preparation, extreme weather game, and the Bills took care of business and found a way to win! This is exactly what good teams do. What an awesome time to be a Bills fan! And now.. another tough game in Cinci to keep the #1 seed. No time to rest, but i hope they do tomorrow.

That’s what i was thinking.. Pegula treat the boys right and take them all to the best steakhouse you can find. Enjoy the night as best you can away from your family. This team deserves it!!

Don’t forget we don’t even like Murph calling the games. There’s not much at all about this team that some folks like.

Yeah. Way back in the long ago... my sister and I would talk on the phone (texting wasn’t dreamed up yet) during games... her in new mexico, me in Rhode Island. The delays were apparent then! We used to joke that the pictures had to travel farther for whoever was delayed the most. It would take a few plays to see who was delayed, and how long. Then whoever was first would just have to hold our breath after a big play till the other screamed or cursed. The good old days! LOL Merry Christmas! And may the Bills give us all a happy one.

Agreed. I like apple products, always have. BUT... them getting it would have been horrible for the freeloaders. Apple would have imbedded something in the stream to force you to buy a new phone to watch it or some other such nonsense!

Games have been delayed like that for years.. decades. There’s various lags between the different network feeds, online streams, Sunday ticket. My family group text.. 6 of us spread pit around the country... has one rule... no texting during the Bills game. Because someone is always a play or so ahead/behind. So the lag isn’t an issue as I see it. I’ve tried all manner of free feed over the years. Some are good, they’ve gotten better; but all require some fidgeting to get a good stream that doesn’t crap out a few times a game. I currently found a site that shows replays of all the games a day later. Love that for rewatching the games. I don’t know anyone with YouTube tv. My sister has given me her direct tv/sunday ticket password for years. So i can stream those games, if needed. In return she uses my amazon and Netflix as she needs. Its worked pretty good. This year, the number of times i needed her sunday ticket to watch the games has dwindled significantly! With the Bills being good and on all the different days and time slots.. I finally hooked up a cheap digital antenna, used the ticket, her direc tv passord for nfl network and espn, my amazon, and one free site when i had “issues”... its been ridiculous piecing the season together!! But anyone thinking this deal will be good for them because google will offer packages that are cheaper, keep your dreams alive. The one thing, none of these corporations or the NFL care about is giving us a good deal. They’re gonna make their money, keep raising prices and working to make free loaders like me work harder each year! LOL. Its kinda like a challenge to stick it to the man at this point.

And leaving a day early... means that missing a day of practice? Unless they can do their walkthrough in the courtyard at the Mariott.

I wouldn’t use the word fear. Rather, our season has ended each of the last 2 years at Arrowhead. I think most people would just feel better if we break that ground hog day cycle.