Success

That was pretty informative. Makes me feel a little better about it.

I think McD does some things very well. But we've had too many games like yesterday - where I think most would agree it should have been an easy win, and we end up in a nailbiter. It's conservative coaching when we have a lead, but there seems to be more to it. I hate to say something like this, but the coaching style just isn't conducive for a SB run, where you have to consistently beat good & great teams.

Sorry if there was another thread on this - I didn't see anything. But that was alarming. I don't think I have seen a defense that had such poor positioning and awareness on a final heave. It looked like most of the defenders had their backs to the ball - maybe all of them. Some of them were committing pretty blatant PI. They looked lost and confused. And obviously, if Godwin just turns around a half second sooner, he basically makes an easy catch for the win. That's extremely poor situational coaching. It really looked like they had never practiced defending a Hail Mary.

I just can't do it. Which is troubling.

Tip o' the cap to Baker Mayfield. He really did what he could in that game, and made big throws when it counted. He's a competitor.

It's exciting how we discovered a much deeper WR corps tonight. If they can keep getting Shakir & Davis involved like that, and Kincaid continues to develop, this is an elite offense. That's really the Davis we all expected after the KC playoff game. He looked great tonight.

Agree on all of this. And that punt almost landed on the 1, which would have been perfect. But you have to punt there. I might have been more aggressive on some of the punts earlier. I thought both teams were bad at clock management. When we were up 14, we kept rushing up to the line, late in the 3rd and early in the 4th. And why are we rushing to get a play off w/ 8 seconds left in the quarter? But the Bucs did us a favor, and used the clock that we should have used. I thought that was inexplicable down 2 scores.

Just saw the hail mary again. I don't think I've seen any other team play it that way - I don't think there was a Bill who knew where the ball was. Most of the defenders were facing the back of the endzone. Might want to practice that one a bit, McD.

It's a concern. Feels like we've seen more than a few games like this, where we almost pulled defeat from the jaws of victory (or actually did).

W is all that matters. 5-3, and we looked elite for good portions of the game. Obviously, we have to work on closing. But the W is all that matters.

The entire O-line. They were great tonight.

My thoughts on the game: - the O-line was fantastic - We're not the smartest team at times. They should get an old tape of Levy saying don't be dumb, don't be dirty - They heard us all week - Josh ran, and the no huddle was effective - I love Ryan Fitzpatrick

I'd like to feel good in 4 hours, and sleep well. Who's with me?

I mean - can a team CREATE a "bust"? Seems like that's the question we're trying to answer.

It's pretty upsetting, quite honestly. He's a talented guy. I think there is a pretty good chance he THRIVES somewhere else. And if that's the case - what will that say about our coaching staff?

I'm mad about Elam. But I'll be okay.

Victor Cruz was a guy who shined in preseason. The G-men gave him a real shot, and he turned into a superstar. Maybe Isabella can be a guy like that. Who knows.

You said we'd be 4-4 after tonight. I say we'll be 5-3. After the game, we can assess if one of us is a homer, or if one of us is being overly negative.

These are one-dimensional, agenda-driven characterizations. Little to no merit.

I agree w/ this. I feel like there are certain guys who have the talent to play here, but because of some special "quality" they need to have or something, they just can't gain enough favor w/ the coaches to get playing time. It wouldn't surprise me at all to see Elam go somewhere else and have a great career. We've had a few of those over the past few years.

I wonder how many times guys who are named "Dan" hear "Dan the man!" in their lives.

I swear, I haven't felt this way in years - where I just had NO idea what to expect from the team. Could be a huge blowout, could be a nailbiter, could be another bad loss. I'm going w/ huge blowout, though. I think they get back on track tonight, Beane makes some trades before deadline, and we win most of our games the rest of the way.

Belichickean.

I just can't see that Jets team sweeping us, at home. I agree they're not a good matchup, and of course could win, but I'd be very surprised if we lost that game. Dallas doesn't concern me. The Chargers will be tough because they're alright, and it's a west coast trip. I could see us losing that. But I also see us splitting Chiefs/Eagles. I don't think we lose both. I'd go w/ more of an 11-6 final record, but it doesn't matter too much. We are likely not getting the 1 seed, or missing the playoffs. And I think our chances in the playoffs hinge quite a bit on the ability of Milano & Jones to play again..

Aside from every game being difficult, I just don't see the schedule as being THAT difficult. We have the 2 game gauntlet of Chiefs/Eagles, and those are the 2 best teams in the league right now.. But aside from that, it's pretty normal. Cincy is just like us - they're not all that this year, at least so far. Dolphins at the end will be tough. Otherwise, every game is basically like tomorrow's.