Success

I used to think along these lines, but it never seems to work. I want Cincy to lose more games than they win, so I'm rooting for the Niners. There is as much chance a loss for Cincy starts another swoon for them as there is they get more motivated because of it..

I don't think I'll ever be really OVER that one, but it doesn't rile me up anymore. The 'what ifs' will always be there. But I'm in a place now where I truly appreciate how amazing that game was. Best Bills game I've ever seen, and best game by a QB, even though we lost.

Not live - just in my living room. I kind of lost my mind, and woke up everyone who was sleeping.

It's possible that I've never had a stronger, more vocal reaction to a sporting event than when Phillips got that facemask penalty. That's really saying something.

I have hope - simply because they haven't ruled him out for the season yet. I think they would have if it was ligament damage. He's back at the facility, so I'd guess a lot depends on how quickly it heals up. Everyone is a little different that way.

Seems pretty obvious now - if Beane makes a trade, it's gotta be on the defensive side of the ball. The D is SO different than it was the 1st few games. Which makes sense, losing 3 top guys. But that's going to be a weakness until we add players, either via trade or returning from injury.

Same - live & even w/ the replays yesterday, it looked terrible. But watching the analysis w/ slo mo, it didn't seem like we played it as badly. Especially realizing that Godwin was not supposed to be the target, and that his job was to mop up & catch a deflection if there was one.

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.