Success

You know what the best thing about this current situation is? No expectations. Per the media, Allen is now a mid QB. The Bills aren't real contenders. We're an afterthought. After 2+ years of "SB or bust" expectations, that part of it is kind of nice. Hopefully the team is starting to feel that too. This season, it looked like they were carrying a 2-ton weight around on their shoulders. Maybe they can get back to playing loose, and with a sense of joy for the game.

I'll add this: when the season started, McD's defense looked aggressive & swarming, and like one of the top D's in the league. IF the offense hadn't stepped back like they have, we would have a much better record right now. The D obviously wouldn't be as good at this point anyway, because of the injuries - but the O hasn't done them any favors. McD WITH a good OC might be a winning combo.

Jets have always been a bad match-up in recent years - but losing this one would mean the team is in complete disarray. I really don't see a loss here. I have a lot of respect for that Jets D, but this is one where we dig in and win by several scores. And no one will feel much better.

And the 3rd & under 5 yards plays were crazy. That should be a quick out or hook pattern or something along those lines. It shouldn't be Allen dropping back and having to wait for plays to develop.

That is true. But the offense has undoubtedly taken a step back under Dorsey. And this year, we upgraded the line, the running game, and added Kincaid. The offense shouldn't be struggling like it is. Allen has regressed - but that doesn't happen in a vacuum either.

I am steering so clear of ALL sports media and punditry at the moment. There are so many out there who said Allen would be a bust when he was drafted, and have just been waiting to pounce. I can feel the vindicated glee out there. Fortunately, something I would guess to be a temporary condition. And that tweet from the Diggs in Dallas. What absurdity What have the Dallas Cowboys done in the past quarter of a century?

Why do you think the Bills can't beat the tough teams on their schedule? They play to their opponent's level most of the time. The Chiefs do, too - but they're better at pulling out the close ones. We don't have a significant talent gap w/ ANY team in the league, imo. We're just as capable of blowing out the Dolphins as we are of losing to the Broncos.

Being a Bills fan isn't for wimps. I can't think of a fanbase who has had so many heartbreaks, and most of them are ones opposing fans can name. Maybe the Red Sox before 2004? Who else? Cubs fans before their title? It's a small group. But I think we're at the top. No team finds new & excruciating ways to lose like the Bills do.

We could have stolen that win - but then Dorsey would still be OC today. Replacing him made that loss a LOT easier to handle. At least there is some hope the O can turn it around now. Maybe not enough to salvage this season, but if they can get back on track - and particularly Allen - it will give us all more hope for the years ahead.

11-6 will win the division. 10-7 might, as long as one of those remaining wins is against Miami.

We have lost to bad teams. We also blew out the presumptive division winner. Seasons can turn on a dime. I've been a fan for many years. I wait for the math to no longer work.

So, they have ZERO chance of making the playoffs? None at all? I get thinking it's slim. I think it's slim. But there are scenarios and possibilities - and we're not even at a point where the math starts getting insane and you need all kinds of outcomes & other teams to win or lose.

You know, a thread like this should be for fans who still have a bit of hope to discuss realistic scenarios where the Bills could still get into the playoffs. I get that other fans are frustrated and have given up - and I don't blame them - but what point is there in just hopping on here to ridicule the idea?

I think 10-7 is still on the menu for the Bills. Our losses, while they are to bad teams, are all close. We're not getting blown out by anyone. I don't buy the conventional wisdom that the Eagles & Chiefs are both automatic losses. I think we match up okay w/ Philly, and the Chiefs are beatable this year. I'd give us one of those. I see our 2nd loss as probably the Chargers. Away, and the west coast trip is always a bit tough. 3rd potential loss against the Phins. But I can see us entering that game w/ a chance at the division. Maybe I'm discounting Dallas, but I like our chances in that one at home - since it's not a night game.

My expectations are high. This offense has tremendous potential, and they have been mismanaged. Will Brady tap into that potential? There is certainly a better shot than if Dorsey had remained. Can you imagine if we start lighting it up again in the next month+? It would be nice to be able to say, ah, that was it. That's all we needed to do. Maybe not likely, but one can dream.

It ALL depends on how the season plays out. If we beat some of the good teams, get on a run, and win the division? I would want him back. If (as is more expected), we just fizzle out, lose the games we're expected to lose, and finish 9-8 or something? It's time to move on.

I feel like we'd have one loss if all of our games were at 1:00. We don't do well under the lights.

That's a fair point. We don't know all of the details. I was just frustrated, because we were running well against that D & Cook is our most explosive back.

It's the right move. The biggest difference w/ this team is that we're simply not scoring points like we used to. And we have a better line, running game & have added Kincaid. Beyond that, Allen is regressing. Someone needs to help him realize his potential. Dorsey had his shot.

Can anyone give a little background on Brady? How was he when he was OC previously?

I didn't get it. Obviously, Cook had kind of a rough night. 3 fumbles - one which set the tone for the game, one that didn't seem to be his fault, and one that fortuitously bounced back into his hands for a long gain. But he also had a pretty great night, and was one of the most impactful players on the field. He led the last TD drive entirely on his own until the actual TD play. Sitting him for a series makes sense - it's what a lot of coaches do. But what McD did made little sense. He kept Cook out for too long, and it really hurt our offense.

I thought about this one last night. Obviously, I would always hope the team makes the playoffs. But there is something to be said for not risking a heart attack in January.

Coincidentally, "Cold Hard Truth" is what I'm going to title my memoir about being a Bills fan....

Nothing flukey about that. It's a pattern. And it's maddening.

I'm sure I'll be back on board & doing the math if we beat the Jets. The schedule looks brutal, but this team is weird. It wouldn't surprise me to see them beat the Eagles by 2 scores, then lose to the Chargers.