Logic

I'm not so sure I think that the NFL wants the PR blowback that would come with forcing the Bills to forfeit a game because one of their players nearly died on the field.

I understand that sentiment. Personally, I think it largely depends on the outcome of Damar Hamlin's recovery. If we get word today that his condition has stabilized and he's ultimately going to be okay, then yes, business will undoubtedly go on as usual, we'll hear lots of platitudes about how "this is a violent game we play, and we all know what we signed up for", and everyone will (sadly, unfortunately) forget about it by Sunday. That is the nature of life in a 24-hour news cycle. On the other hand, if he continues to be under sedation and in critical condition, and teams continue to postpone practice and other football related activities, it starts to seem unlikely the NFL asks them all to play football -- and in a series of mostly very important games to playoff outcome, mind you -- on very little preparation. Above all else, even if you think the NFL is a soulless greed monster (which I happen to believe), you can rest assured that they are going to treat this situation very carefully for no other reason than PR and public perception. At a time when the safety (or lack thereof) of the game of football is paramount in people's minds and less and less parents are inclined to let their kids play it, they need to tread carefully, and I think they will.

I'm not 100% sure of that. This is a completely unprecedented situation, and the NFL is going to be very careful about the optics of it, as it relates to PR blowback. I've seen a scenario floated by a few outlets (PFT among them) where no games are played this weekend, all are moved to a tacked-on week 19, and there is only one week (instead of the usual two) between championship weekend and the Super Bowl. Not sure that I think that's the most likely outcome, but I don't think it's out of the question. Nothing like this has ever happened in the modern era of football. The "rulebook" is out the window.

Like many others, I'm sure, I'm still at a loss this morning. I was at the Kevin Everett game. At least that time around, we knew by the time we got home that evening that Everett was going to LIVE. This time, we don't even have that assurance. I don't know that I have anything new to add that hasn't already been said. I'm sick, I'm heartbroken, and I don't care about football right now. We'll probably never know exactly what happened last night, as far as the league wanting the game to continue. There are reports that that is indeed what the NFL wanted, but the players and coaches essentially stepped in and said "we're not going back on the field". If so, good for them. At the very least, good for coach Taylor for going over to coach McDermott and offering to do whatever McDermott felt was best. I echo others' gratitude to the Bengals coaches, players, and fans for their class in this awful situation. I don't know how the final two weeks of the season will play out for the Bills. It's a giant scheduling mess, not to mention the obvious mental health and trauma components that would currently make it almost impossible to ask those players to get back on the field and play football today or tomorrow. All of it, of course, is totally secondary to health of Damar Hamlin. I wouldn't blame any of the players one bit if this was the "straw that broke the camel's back" this year. A person can only take so much grief and hardship. It all seems like a bad dream. It still doesn't seem real.

Postpone it. Cancel it. Whatever. they CANNOT ask these players to go out and play right now. If they do, McDermott should refuse, even if it means forfeiting. if they resume play, I’m not watching. Do the right thing, NFL.

Indeed. Benford has NOT been activated yet. Out for tonight's game.

Having Hubbard inactive and Poyer active is a potentially outcome swinging turn of events. GO BILLS!!!

There’s “ball busting” and then there’s “following people from thread to thread, making personal attacks”. I’m afraid that what you do is much more the latter than the former. Take your recent reply about me relocating from western New York, but failing to find community because I’m too weird and don’t really belong anywhere, and therefore needing to seek it online. Is that supposed to be “ball busting”? I may indeed take things too seriously. But you DEFINITELY go too far and get too personal in insulting people. If your intent is to playfully bust balls, you’re doing it wrong.

Less pubescent squeaks and squals after good plays.

Two reasons. First, the whole game of a playground bully is to try to elicit a negative reaction from you. To try to get a rise out of you. If you don't give them what they want, they lose interest. Badol's will to bully is particularly strong, apparently, but I'm hoping one of these days he'll realize his obsessive and constant trolling attempts are a waste of his time and energy. Second, I try to remember that "hurt people hurt". When someone tries to spread misery to others, it is because they themselves are unhappy or are experiencing pain. I see no reason to respond to the words of a person in pain in a way that would only attempt to cause more pain. Beneath his cruel and insistent miserliness, Badol is a Bills fan and a human being, just like me. I sincerely DO hope that he can enjoy happiness and good health and find a salve for whatever is causing him enough pain to make him feel the desire to spread that pain to others.

I hope that one of these years, you make a New Year's resolution to try to find positive ways to interact with other people, or at least not overtly insulting and negative ways. Remember, it's just as easy to be kind to people as to be rude and to try to elicit a negative reaction. It also doesn't cost anything to be nice. Hope you had a happy holiday season and that you have a great and healthy 2023.

**Disclaimer, I know no one cares about other people's fantasy teams, so please scroll on if you wish** As if tonight's game weren't big enough, I'm neck and neck with my opponent in my fantasy league championship match for a decent size pot of money. He has Burrow, Mixon, Knox, McPherson left to play. I have Allen, Higgins, Bass left to play. 1 seed. Fantasy trophy. Pile of money. It's all there! GO BILLS!!! (and Higgins)

Yes you can. https://www.footballoutsiders.com/stat-analysis/2018/rushing-success-and-play-action-passing https://weeklyspiral.com/2021/10/29/play-action-passing-is-the-best-play-in-football/ https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/2020/01/18/nfl-analytics-study-running-the-ball-play-action-success-mike-mccarthy-dallas-cowboys/

I've always assumed that if/when the Bills go to a Super Bowl, I have no hope of being able to afford a ticket to the game, BUT... I will definitely, 100%, without a shadow of a doubt fly to Buffalo, find a happening place in the city to watch the game with other Bills fans, and then remain in the city for the following week to take place in the absolutely apocalyptic, city-destroying revelry and historic Super Bowl parade that will happen. I absolutely HAVE to be there for that, and I will. There's a decent chance I get arrested for getting into a fight with a police horse or die of alcohol over-indulgence, but either way, I'll be there.

Perception and the way that the media chooses to spin narratives are such interesting things. The perception of this game seems to be that the Bengals are riding a big wave of momentum, having won 7 straight, being called by many "the hottest team in football", and boasting one of the best -- if not THE best -- collections of offensive weapons in the league. Meanwhile, the Bills are riding a 6 game winning streak of their own. Devin Singletary has more rushing yards than Joe Mixon on 29 less carries, and the Bills top three pass-catchers have 13 less catches for 67 less yards and 2 MORE touchdowns than the Bengals top three pass catchers. Yet the Bills are considered to have a very lacking collection of offensive weapons. Perception. Narratives. Strange.

If you sincerely want to see another human being sustain brain damage because sports, then I'd suggest you should see a therapist.

Rooting for a human being to sustain a cranial or brain injury and be carted off the field as "just desserts" for saying some words that offended you. Sure. Seems totally normal.

The true GOAT of soccer. A global star on the level of Muhammad Ali and Michael Jordan. Absolute legend. RIP.

I was so excited when the Jets won the meaningless late season game that lost them Trevor Lawrence. I believed then (and still believe now) that Lawrence will be an elite QB for a long time. Jets fans talked themselves into Wilson being as good of a prospect as Lawrence, or better. Hah! At the very least, they could've had Justin Fields. Instead, as so many teams seem to do, they overthought it. Now they go right back to the drawing board. Jimmy G? Derek Carr? What veteran retread will be quarterbacking the Jets to perpetual Wild Card status starting in 2023?

Ya know what? You're right. My initial reply to you was flippant and rude and belittling, and I didn't mean it to be. I was trying to crack a joke and be clever, but it came across as me just being a dick. I never intend to be needlessly jerky to strangers. I apologize. It was crappy of me. Mea culpa. To answer the question you originally posed...I'm sick of signing aging free agent WRs (like Brown and Sanders and Beasley), and it's not even that good a free agent WR class to begin with IMO. Not only that, but I imagine most of the Bills' funds will be tied up in trying to re-sign guys like Edmunds, Poyer, and Oliver. All of that said, I really like this year's WR draft class, and it is my hope that the Bills spend their 1st round pick on a playmaking WR. So long as they can find other ways to address the offensive line with some meaningful resources, I'm also fine with them trading up in the 1st round to get a real blue chip receiver. One of the two or three best in the class, whomever they deem that to be. The timeline would line up perfectly with Diggs' age, i.e. by the time the rookie receiver is due for a second contract, Diggs will be 34 and on an expiring contract himself.

What Eball said. Not only that, but I promise you, that if you feel at any time during the game like you're missing out and would rather be in the elements with the rowdies, just walk down to the cheap seats and ask if anyone within earshot would like to trade their two seats for your two club level tickets. You'll have no trouble making the swap.

Ya got me! If you wanted to ask "what WRs should the Bills sign or draft this offseason?", why not just make that the thread title? Why couch the question in the notion of the "dual #1 WR concept"?

So you're saying that having TWO really good wide receivers is better than having just one?! Wow. Big if true.

I saw that. I wonder when the last year was that the Bills didn't wear throwbacks at all. Seems like a strange choice. Have to wonder if they're changing throwbacks to the 90s jerseys next year, as many fans are clamoring for. Even then, you'd expect them to wear the standing buffalo set one last time this year as a sendoff. Strange.