Neo

You are correct. He was obviously held, too. A fortuitous “no call.” Shaq is making the most of his snaps. Glad he’s here.

You weren’t alone!

The One

Except it wasn’t insurmountable. The Bills drove to the one yard line with a first down and time enough for a full series of plays. Harbaugh weighed the odds of scoring a TD against the odds of being tied with the Bills pinned inside their five, up three with the Bills starting at the 25, or up seven with the Bills starting at their 25. He liked up seven or pinned inside the five. As Yolo said, it was the interception and tied with the Bills at the 20 calculus he failed at. It’s Buffalo - you take the kill shot.

Just take the other side. It’s been TWO WEEKS since we’ve blown anyone out. Also, we’ve not won by more than three points for one game in a row, now. I followed that close game conversation for quite some time. Maybe i’m an optimist, but I’d say “No one wins every game, but the Bills blow people out more than anyone. A few times, teams beat the Bills, but they never crush or bury them like the Bills do when they win. There are days when it’s just not your day, and still the Bills are close.”

Agree … That’s what having “Him” as quarterback does to other teams.

I’ve been thinking about this. The Bills proved there was time to drive to the one yard line with a first down and a minute to go. In other words, had they kicked the field goal, they’d still be finished. I’m not saying going for 7 was the best call, but I’ll say it’s as defensible and explainable as going for 3.

One.

I’m happy for the Bills, and for the 213 posters on suicide watch after the first quarter. Hope they stuck around to see the end!

Defense has played well this game. I know there was a long drive, but Lamar’s a challenge. All in all, solid through this point.

…. well.\, when they lines up it was longer than i thought.

QB SNEAK!

I don’t subscribe to any All 22s, but my eyes say he’s stepping it up. I could never tell if his lack of noticeably was scheme (why the coaches love him), or player (why fans don’t). He’s made an impact this year.

I think Diggs dropped a TD on that drive.

Skill positions just off …. like I don’t remember ever seeing.

More likely … better construct.

Touchdown and two safeties?

One of my favorite football quotes, from Bum Phillips, is “he can take his’ n and beat your’n, and your’n and beat his’n.” I’ve read different accounts. One has him talking about Bear Bryant, and the other about Don Shula. Perhaps he said it twice. Being an NFL coach is such a unique job. GMs and scouts find talent and ability and certainly look at character and personality when they assemble teams. Coaches, though, they’re the straw that stirs the drink. The demographics, culture, upbringing, values, education, family situations of the 50 or so men in a locker room can’t be more diverse. You get close in a military unit, perhaps, but even then there are divisions in the natural groups that form. You have enlisted high school kids from one background and an officer corps from another. Comparable. But, a locker room is different. There is no rank among the 50. You have to make them know, like and trust one another and perform at elite levels. No small task. A football team is conjoined “twins” of fifty men sharing so many qualities and all individuals. Coaches are teachers, confidants, mentors, parents and bosses. They’re also lion tamers catching eyes with theirs in a no nonsense glare, demanding a behavior with a glance, before moving to the next restless and dangerous beautiful specimen. Control an animal superstar and the crowd roars at the synchronized wonder. Break that same animal and the crowd groans at the disjointed performance. Life’s funny. I know two coaches quite well. Time and distance have reduced our nights out to once every two years or so. Long ago, it was more frequent. When you’re out with then and five or six others you feel them. One for all and all for one. Their room presence and intellectual, emotional and physical charisma is palpable. Logos, ethos, pathos, in the words of Aristotle. Now, this isn’t all coaches, of course. I wouldn’t call Belichick charismatic. Rare bread and worth every penny.

I was there. I wasn’t documenting, so there’s room for error, but I have a clear memory of him going straight to the locker room.

I would rather have fielded the punt from the end zone, down four, than from a free kick, down two. Said it at the time of the butt punt.

* affect With that change, I’d answer “tangentially.”

In 41 minutes …

Mrs Neo and I are beginning our drive later today. I’m still at work. We’re in section 242, parking lot Black North, and staying on South Beach. Lots of bars and restaurants. No definitive plans yet. Go Bills!