Success

Honestly, Darnold is probably just as good w/ what they have set up there....

There have been some positive hints out there about Von. I hope he gets a good # of snaps this game - it's been hard to tell what we can expect from him this season. It would have such a positive impact if he could regain some of the form he had last year in the next few games.

I've noticed that - you're right. In those games, I noticed he did the no-look handshake w/ McD, and made a beeline for Josh. I think the football enthusiast in him really appreciates how JA plays.

In "Soylent Green," when he says "Soylent Green is people!" ....do you think anyone cares? The world is way overpopulated, and defined by scarcity. Everyone is basically starving all the time - I don't think someone who hasn't eaten for days is gonna care much about where their proteins are coming from...

Only if they throw in some classic Memphis BBQ....

I feel like Murray is just about as good as Henry at this point. That one wouldn't really move the needle. Hopkins would be fun.

This has been a surreal week so far. The Pats loss really threw this team & its fans into a different kind of funk - almost an existential crisis. Who is this team? Is the weight of everything too much? Did we hit a critical mass w/ the injuries? And what is Josh Allen thinking about? It feels like a balloon that's ready to pop. A big, convincing win will change the whole narrative, and get us out of this malaise. It's there to be had - the Bucs are as middlin' a team as we'll face this year. Not the worst, but nowhere near the best. It's a team we should beat at home 10x out of 10.

I think a lot of this comes down to the running thing. All last year, the fans, media, et al. - Allen is running too much. He's taking too many risks. It will shorten his career. And over the summer, Allen and the coaches were asked about it a few times. They made it clear that it was something that was being addressed and discussed. And I think that just went way overboard. The main impression I have had watching these games, and trying to figure out why JA's demeanor is so different, is just that he's thinking too much. There are too many conflicting signals going on in his head. He needs to go back to his instincts.

I agree w/ this. Part of winning a title is overcoming injuries, and every team has them. But we got hit particularly hard on D. Still, it's why I'm not giving up on the idea of a title this year. It would be such a huge boost if we still make the playoffs, and Milano & Jones can make it back.

I'd like to see it - but not all the time. I think it's something they should mix into games once in awhile.

I think they do that at times. I'm still not sure why Dorian Williams isn't being given much of a chance. I'll take his mistakes for long-term growth and a bigger upside, over what we know we're getting w/ Dodson. Elam was bad in London, but that was such a weird game. I thought he improved a lot the next week, and now he's not playing.

I have a hunch it's not so much on Elam. I thought he played really well when he had his chances last year. Could be a Zack Moss/Teller situation. If he gets a chance on another team, it wouldn't shock me if he thrived. Some guys just don't fit the 'system' here or something.

I'd talk myself into it - but outside of QB & WR1, RB is probably the least of our needs...

Well, if that's the case - I'd be all in.

He is. But, the flip side of that would be - is he worth the money/capital we'd have to give up for him?

I'll stay positive. Bills 31, Bucs 17.

That's one area of need addressed by deadline. I'd be surprised if he wasn't a Bill by tomorrow. Frees us up to trade for a WR or LB.

I have no issue at all with criticism. But some here are just over the top about it. There is a difference between analytical criticism, and just saying he's trash or something. And we've seen the latter on this board.

I mean, it would be nice. I don't think they NEED to, however. If they win 6 out of the next 7, there is a pretty good chance that they're at least tied for best record in the league at that point. But I like the sentiment.

I mean, it would really be huge, even if they're only back for the playoffs. I have some faith that we can sneak in as a WC without them. But we'd need them at that point to have a chance against teams like the Chiefs and Ravens (imo).

Maybe I'm reading the board too much - but it just seems like there is a malaise over this team right now. Even in their pressers, they seem a little lost, and kind of frustrated in their inability to identify and fix the problems we have. I'm starting to worry that it could spiral. Energy can really feed off itself - good, or bad. Right now it's bad. Such a big game Thursday. Never would have thought the TNF Bucs game would be the one to circle as season-defining, but our backs are truly against the wall right now.

Just checking in on this one: I heard both players had surgery, but nothing about how those surgeries went, and if there is any kind of timeline. I don't believe either player has been ruled out for the season. Has anyone heard anything on this? I'm starting to think that this season could be shot if they don't make it back, barring a big trade. I think we can still get in the playoffs, but don't think we can beat the top teams consistently enough to make it to the SB with what we currently have on D.

We could have gotten Tom Brady in the 5th round, too....

Mentally fragile?

This thread is the ultimate hot take - I think every fanbase gets like this during a swoon, but it doesn't make the sentiment more valid. It's more emotion than reality.. We have as much chance of running the table as we do of missing the playoffs. I have no idea which way it will go. But no one does at this point.