Success

The OP is right, and I appreciate this. My issue is that I saw this 2023 team as the best that Beane has put together. He filled most of the holes, and we looked so strong for a stretch after the Jets debacle. Obviously, the injuries hurt. But I also overrated how good we were/are. This just doesn't look like our year. The Chiefs have the best coach in the league right now (imo) - and they were also built better out of the gate. I believe they will have some down years, though. Even this year could have been if their division was tougher. Kelce really keeps that offense going right now.

Yeah - I noted that play. Philly did the same as we would have in the Dallas game. I give Taylor credit for playing to WIN.

That's fair. And I hate it when opposing fans do that. But, if Kincaid doesn't fumble, it's at least a 50/50 kind of game. Reading the discussion here, it feels like the Bills got blown out. And I felt that way too - but I realize that's just because of the 1st half. We found some footing in the 2nd half and came back well in that game. I don't think there was a point where we outplayed Cincy, but the 2nd half was more what I expected. 2 pretty evenly matched teams.

We probably win if not for Kincaid's fumble (which I don't blame him for - great play by the defender)

I 100% do not believe in jinxes.

JA's play wasn't the issue yesterday.

I started the post saying the Bengals are a great team, and could absolutely beat us. But happy to provide you w/ a "told ya so" opportunity.

Been through too many drought years to give up on THIS season. We're one game back in the division to a team that's a bigger pretender than we are. We can still pull out the division, imo - thought I'd admit it's an uphill climb. From there, who knows. We are NOT as good as some of the other teams in the AFC this year. But as we all know - it's not always the best team that wins in the end. It's the team that gets hot at the end.

And here I thought I was the most positive here. The OP found more hope than I can tonight. I appreciate it. There is a scenario where we can get back on track. But I can't give them that benefit of the doubt right now. I don't even know who this team is at the moment.

I wish I could quit this team. So much heartbreak & disappointment. It's hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Allen is a great QB, but it's not enough in a conference FULL of great QB's. We are currently an afterthought in this AFC. After 13 seconds, I really assumed we'd be trading titles w/ KC.

My expectations for the rest of my time as a Bills fan are altered. This one was tough.

This is depressing. I have to talk myself into the fact that we "should" beat the Broncos & Jets, even though we could easily lose to one. I have to talk myself into the idea that we could beat 1 of the Eagles or Chiefs. I have to convince myself that we can put a December/January run together. And all that, just to get a mid to low seed, so we'll have to win at LEAST 2 on the road in the playoffs, if not all 3.

Yeah - figured this thread would be an easy one after this game. Check the 1st line. And we did overhype them. But I overhyped the Bills.

The only positive I can take from this game is that they hung in. Honestly, the way it was played - the Bengals were dominant, and should have won by 3 scores. The players kept fighting. The coaching was as bad as I've seen since the drought.

To be fair to the D - they have done really well in the 2nd half. The offense? I just don't get it. Yeah, there is the fumble on a good drive. But 10 points? Cincy's D isn't elite - they're good, but not elite.

The "2 hot coffees" guy cracks me up every time....

If we miss the playoffs, or just get knocked out in the WC - there has to be a coaching change.

Not taking a time out & going for a hail mary there? Not that it's a huge chance. But that isn't just poor situational awareness - that is NO situational awareness.

So, when the clock hits 1 second - why are we not calling a TO, and going for a hail mary?

The narrative now is going to be the Cincy has our #, and Burrow is clearly better than Allen. And really...what can we say?

another quarter second, and Kincaid is WIDE open.

Would love to see Von's 1st sack of the season here....

Bad call on their part not to go for it. HAVE to take advantage. Tie this game & put some pressure on.

Good QB's have an easy time w/ our zone. I don't see it working for a title run

I love the taunt. Just one though.