Logic

I don't even really know what to say about that game. It went exactly -- EXACTLY -- perfectly. - Josh gets a whole game's worth of work in one half. Adds 3 TDs to his season total and sets the franchise record for passing yards. - John Brown gets back into the swing of things. - The offense remains red hot. - The offense, defense, and special teams all score touchdowns. - McKenzie has a career day - Bills score second most points in franchise history. - (likely) eliminated a division rival - Swept the division for the first time EVER! - Notched our 13th win of the season, tying a franchise record. - Secured the #2 seed in the playoffs - Everyone stayed healthy Seriously....what more could you want? Just an awesome day of Bills football and a great farewell to a special regular season for our team. I came into the day thinking it wouldn't be much fun, and instead it wound up being one of the most fun Bills games to watch of the entire season. Onto the playoffs. GO BILLS!!!!!!

It's pretty clear at this point. The Bills want the number 2 seed and they want to win the game. They probably also would like to see Allen and Brown hook up a few times and Allen break the passing record. They will be scoreboard watching, and if it becomes clear that the Steelers are losing handily, they will pull starters. Otherwise, I STILL expect them to pull the starters after a few series. They want to win the game, though, so I presume they're hoping that Allen and co can put up a few scores before they sit for the day. I doubt we see many key guys playing deep into the second quarter. That being said, obviously SOME key guys need to play the whole game. NFL rosters just aren't big enough to rest every single starter.

Come again?

Count me among those not scared of the Ravens. They were better on offense last year, and the Bills contained said offense (and Lamar Jackson, in particular) quite well for the most part. Our offense stunk that day and we were STILL on the doorstep of tying the game at the end. The Ravens also are not built to come from behind. Put a couple of early scores up on them and they’re toast. Are they the BEST matchup for the Bills? No, certainly not. The Browns, Colts, and Dolphins all seem easier. But should Bills fans be scared if the big, bad Ravens? Not in my opinion. If anything, the BILLS are the team that no one should want to play in the playoffs right now.

Are megaphones and noisemakers allowed in? I would like very much for the 6,700 fans in attendance to do everything in their power to sounds more like 67,000.

I'm all for adding Kenny Stills. He has made meaningful contributions in playoff football games as recently as last season. What I don't really understand is what it would mean for the game day rosters, assuming Brown and Beasley are both back for the playoffs. Diggs Brown Beasley Roberts Davis McKenzie Stills They're not going to activate seven receivers on game day, so who sits? Roberts is locked in as the returner. Davis has done nothing to warrant being benched for a journeyman vet. McKenzie adds a unique element to the offense that no other receiver offers. Would they just be adding Stills for depth in case of injury? Are the Bills just hedging their bets because both Brown and Beasley are nicked up? One would think so, but then McDermott's recent comments ("those are two separate conversations") would seem to indicate otherwise. Numbers wise at the receiver position -- unless a current WR is too injured to suit up -- it's an odd addition.

With regard to the first bolded statement: Yes, that would absolutely be my preference. Particularly now that the Bills will have fans in the stadium, I absolutely believe there's a benefit to having the second seed instead of the third seed. Until it becomes clear that either Cleveland is handling Pittsburgh or the Bills are handily beating the Phins, I'd like the Bills to actually be trying to win -- even if that means risking their starters. Sure, if Josh is getting hammered in the pocket repeatedly or something, you take him out, but generally, I'd prefer to win the game. As to the second bolded statement, I just disagree for reasons I've already mentioned. You can question my logic all you want. I don't really care. Sweep the division, get to 13-3 for only the second time in team history, eliminate the Dolphins from the playoffs. If at any point it becomes clear that the game is well in hand or Cleveland is taking care of business, then call off the dogs. That's my preference. I absolutely understand the opinion that everyone should sit and the difference between the 2 and 3 seed doesn't matter, but I disagree.

I disagree. Last week's win mattered in that it put us back into the number 2 seed. It also mattered because, in my opinion, this team needed to finally exorcise the Patriots demons by beating them thoroughly. Yes, we beat them earlier this season, but we BARELY did so, and it took a forced fumble and a lucky bounce to escape with a win. I think the psychological shadow of the Patriots hanging over this team for two decades needed to be extinguished with a resounding win. And getting back to the issue of obtaining the two seed -- we couldn't have known that the Steelers would rest their starters in week 17, meaning that if we wanted the 2 seed (which we absolutely should), then we needed to win last week. Besides, it may be reasonable/desirable to rest our starters for ONE week before the playoffs, but resting them for TWO weeks is really playing with fire, in my opinion. You're really risking losing momentum and getting out of sync at that point. As for the injury to Beasley: At that point in the game, they had already pulled Allen, Diggs, and everyone that matters on defense. You can't rest EVERYONE in these types of situations. They still had a whole quarter of ball to play. If your argument is that Beasley should have left the game when Diggs and Allen did, then fine, you won't get much argument from me. But again...it's hard to pull EVERYONE. You only have so many players active.

They were already both extended for the next few years, so I'm not sure what this post is really trying to say...

Yes. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/30374985/buffalo-bills-tommy-sweeney-diagnosed-heart-condition

Putting aside all the game implications, I mostly just wanted to say this: Prayers up for Fitzy. I hope he makes a full and quick recovery and has no long lasting issues or complications.

I get that the Texans aren't a 100% ideal destination for a few reasons. On the other hand... 1.) There are only 32 GM jobs available, and if you pass on one when it's offered, there's no telling how long it will be until you get another shot. 2.) The Texans have a franchise QB in place in DeShaun Watson. Already having a high quality QB behind center and, thus, not having to figure that whole thing out, is a huge boon to a first time GM and, one would think, should make the job much more attractive.

Understood. I thought you were on the "sit everyone" train. This is definitely a tough call and I'm glad I'm not the one that has to make it. There is definitely merit to keeping momentum going, ending the season with a win, sweeping the division, and knocking the Dolphins out of the playoffs. On the other hand...if, in the pursuit of those goals, Josh Allen or Stefon Diggs or Tre White gets injured, we'll all be ready to storm One Bills Drive with pitchforks. Tough call.

It would be nice for Allen and Brown to have some reps together before the playoffs start, for one thing. They'd probably like to have the number 2 seed, also, and they can't just assume the Steelers will lose. Having the starters in for a few series -- presumably scoring against the Phins, as they are wont to do -- helps with the "winning the game" aspect of the day.

Fromm has been the COVID quarantine QB the entire season. If they take him OUT of that quarantine to play him, it defeats the entire purpose.

Forget the Bills fearing the Ravens or trying to avoid them. It's the Ravens that should be trying to avoid the Bills. I seem to recall the Bills limiting Lamar Jackson really well last season. The Bills couldn't move the ball all day, had a pretty bad day on offense, and still lost by just one score. Things on offense are, well....a little different for Buffalo this year. Put up a couple early scores on the Ravens and they're toast. They're not built to come back from a big deficit. If it's a shootout between Allen and Jackson, I know who I'm taking. Agreed 100%. Keeps everyone in the groove and keeps them from getting rusty. Hopefully allows John Brown to knock off some rust and get back in the flow of things. Allows Josh Allen to get the all-time single season passing yardage record (he only needs 39). Play them for a few series and let them sit. Or if the first series is gangbusters and they just roll down the field and score, I'm even fine with sitting them after that. I like the idea of them preparing, suiting up, and playing a bit, though.

I think people are reading into the Stills signing and the Jennings/Gentry visits far too much, and that they're likely unrelated to Brown and Beasley's situations. McDermott said today that Beane has had his eye on Stills for a while, and that his signing and Beasley's health are "two separate conversations". Meanwhile, the Bills wanted Kumerow back on the practice squad but couldn't get him there. They wanted another WR on the practice squad that could be called up to contribute on special teams if needed. Their only current practice squad WR was Duke, and he's not known for his contributions in that department. So the Bills brought in Jennings and Gentry and decided to sign Jennings to the practice squad. Might Beasley miss a game or two? Of course. I just don't think that the Bills WR visits and signings have anything to do with it.

Ah yes, right. Which reminds me of the fact that Hodgins made a terrible choice. Now HE looks like an 87 to me.

The Stills signing could mean anything from "just a cherry on top for a good offense" to "Beasley and/or Brown will miss a playoff game". No one knows where on that spectrum the truth lies, and anyone who says they do is lying. It's fun to speculate and all, but it's total guess work.

Your lips to God's ears. But wait....I've just discovered that number 16 is available. If Stills has to choose between 16 and 87, what should he take? Either way -- woof.

I don't think that's safe to say at all. Josh said just today that Cole is antsy to get back and will do everything in his power to get back as soon as possible, if not this week, then for the playoffs. It's a reasonable inference, but "safe to say"? Hardly.

Correct. Jersey numbers unequivocally have an affect on a player's performance. It's just how science works. Sometimes, players pick the wrong numbers and it ruins their career before it ever really gets started. Other times, they persevere through the poor decision and play well anyway (Tremaine Edmunds, I'm looking at you). Stills in 83 would probably do some damage. Stills in 87 would only disappoint us all.

The whole game was such a sight to behold. These days, I'm short on words to adequately describe how it feels to watch this Bills season unfold. No flukes, no "maybe we can sneak a win" hopes, just legitimately great football and legitimately dominant wins. To be honest, I wanted the Bills to keep running up the score, the way the Pats did to the Bills all those years. I wanted 50 points. I wanted a 5th touchdown throw from Allen. But McDermott? He's much too pragmatic, practical, and classy for all that. By the time it was 38-9, he knew that they had slain the Patriots dragon, and that bigger, more important goals lie ahead. One little thing I noticed at the end of the game was Belichick putting his arm around McDermott and patting him on the back and talking with him for a time. That wouldn't be too out-of-the-ordinary for most coaches, but it is for Belichick. He's usually just a "quick handshake and move on" kind of guy. I have a feeling he had some words of recognition and genuine respect for what McDermott has done with this team this year, and the past few years in general. Lastly, I'll just say that I could watch Belichick's post-game presser on a loop for the rest of the week. Sweet, sweet shaudenfreude.

I'd like to see a decisive victory tonight. The Bills won the first game against the Pats this year by almost flukey circumstances. I don't want there to be any doubt. I want the Bills to make it very clear tonight who the new kings of the East are.