Success

He gives this team such an attitude & edge. We fortunately have a few "culture changers" on the team, but he's at the top of the list. It's very important to me that we not just win a SB - but win one while he is still playing here. One of my favorite Bills of all time.

I've said often that we went into this season with the best team we have had in the JA era. He did an incredible job given the cap situation heading into the offseason. And after the Jets debacle, they played like it. That D was playing lights out for a few weeks there. We were tougher, more aggressive & more physical - things that were distinctly lacking in the Cincy playoff game. Then, of course, we proceed to lose 3 of our best defenders. What he has done in the past few days to rectify that is heartening. I feel like they can get back to being a pretty shutdown unit, or close to it.

We could really use him & Douglas against the Bengals. It will be interesting to see how much both play, if at all. This is such a key game for the season. We have left little margin for error with bad losses to the Jets & Pats. Now, the pressure is on to beat the better teams on our schedule. Feels like we have to win 2 of 3 out of Cincy, KC & Philly..

What's great is that if we get Jones back, our depth in the playoffs will be amazing. Beane did a great job at the deadline. Feels like the D could be back to its more dominant self.

Re: the bolded - are you sure we're reading the same posts on this board? I'd say close to half the posts I've seen have either said we have no chance at all, or will need everything to go our way to eek out a win. This is a good match-up, of good & pretty evenly matched teams. I'd give Cincy an edge as the home team coming off a big win, but that's about it.

They owned us in the playoff game. We drove down the field as easy as they did in the short time the 1st game was played. We missed on the 3rd down play at the end of that drive, but not enough of that game was played to make any determination whatsoever. Anyone that wants to make definitive conclusions based on one game is entitled to their opinion, of course. But this thread is not to downplay the Bengals. It was a response to probably dozens of posts I've seen saying we have no chance. This is a pretty even match-up.

I kind of like that there is an established narrative, and expectation. The NFL is a crazy business. Things often play out in unexpected ways in this league.

I'm a homer nut, so I'm pulling for the Phins. I still want that 1 seed. I know who I'm getting the laugh emojis from. They won't hurt me.

These guys are drought-era heroes, and will always be for fans of this team. That might sound like tepid praise, but it isn't. They brought such excitement at a time when most of the time watching this team was pretty rough, and boring. I remember when Stevie took off & started making big plays, and all of the "Why so serious?" stuff w/ him. And of course Fitz will always be a legend for that upset of the Pats, and getting the team off to such a big start that season and giving us all more hope than we had in years. Love seeing them together.

I just don't get the mentality of listening to a GM speak, and immediately think "he's trying to trick us!"

The bolded is really somethin'. Nothing like pure speculation.

I don't really see us as the same team. Obviously, the injuries to Milano, Jones & White hurt right now. But, we're still a more physical team on both sides of the ball. On offense, the additions of McGovern & Torrence have made a real difference in that unit. I think the pass protection last week was about the best I've seen during the JA era. We're a better running team w/ Cook shining in year 2. And Kincaid is really coming on. He's a match-up problem for Cincy. On defense, you have Epenesa & Oliver taking huge steps this year. Groot was already very good & is coming into his own. Floyd was a great addition. Bernard is playing at a high level. A healthy Poyer & Hyde (which we didn't have in January) really rounds it out. Cincy has had a pretty down year so far. The Niners was by far their best game. I'd compare it to our game against Miami. Because you are on top of your game one week doesn't mean it will carry over. Like I said in the OP - of course Cincy can win. But it's an even match-up, imo. Oh, it was a big injury, for sure. And it's obvious it hurt that team. But bigger than Allen's UCL last year? I don't see too much consideration being given to that in the discussion here. There is a lot of "they crushed us in the playoffs & will probably do it again." I don't see any 'they crushed us because of JA's UCL.'

I'd agree that this is a concern. Hopefully, the line will get to Burrow more often than not & keep that in check.

Great team, and they could absolutely beat us on Sunday. But what's the deal? Reading this board, we seem to have little to no chance. If I just went by the posts here, I'd think Cincy was the top team in the league, and unstoppable. The Bills have lost as many games as the Bengals. Our losses were all close. Basically down to a play or 2. The Bengals have been absolutely blown out - twice. Against the Browns and Titans; not exactly world beaters. "Burrow's calf was hurt" seems to be the main excuse. Kind of like JA's UCL the entire 2nd half of the 2022 season, or his shoulder much of this season. Excuses are just that. That team has gotten blown out - twice. This is as even a match of good teams as there is in the NFL. Let's take a break on the doom talk. Their struggles have been very similar to ours this year. This should be a great game.

At the time, the Miami game was huge. That D shut down the Phins after a couple of early drives. Sure, they are banged up since then. But the replacements have had time & are getting acclimated. You can't make up for a loss like Milano - but Von Miller getting back to form would go a long way toward that.

Fun fact: Kaiir Elam is 22 years old.

They haven't rule either out, which is a positive. From the few short comments they've made, there is hope.. It likely depend on how they both heal. It's pretty different w/ every individual.

I'm gonna guess no - our scheme can be a bit complicated. But who knows; he'll have a few days.

Had you heard of him before 30 minutes ago?

I'm genuinely thrilled about this one. I think we can make do at LB and on the D-line (and, of course, hope that one or both of Milano & Jones gets back this year). The offense showed what they can be last week, so I didn't see WR as a big need. But we needed a good CB. And we got one. This will elevate the defense - we won't get back to where we were the 1st month, but we'll be stingy again.

We need a corner this year, though. I'd prefer that they try to develop Elam - but there is obviously something going on there. Doesn't seem like it's an option from their POV.

Really good fit, and exactly where we needed help.

I'd still be surprised if they made it to the SB in the NFC. I want to like Purdy because of the whole late round/underdog story going on there. But he's really starting to look like a late rounder.

That's a really good solution for them w/ Cousins out. I really like how Dobbs plays.

The Bengals fans I've seen online seem remarkably unconcerned about Sunday's game. I mean, we might go out & look like we did in both games last year - overmatched. But the NFL can be pretty nutty. You can blow a team out one year, and then lose to them the next - it's actually happened.