Success

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.

Who knows. Eagles fans used to say the same about Reid, and were thrilled to see him leave Philly. Now, he's regarded as the best. I'm not happy w/ McD, but I also know he's a solid coach. And it can be tough to find a truly great coach.

I don't think that tweet lowered the bar. It just stated where the bar is. The NFL season is a long one. I tend to make comparisons to the Patriots dynasty - but even that team, one of the top in history, had swoons, bad games against bad teams, and sub-par performances.

For sure. He'll always be overpaid, but he's not a JAG. When healthy, he has had a positive impact on a lot of games for us. I'm a big Knox fan (but just wish his contract was lower).

I'm surprised at the overall conclusion. Just "eye test" from the game, it felt like Allen was harried all day. The NE pass rush looked like world beaters that game. But I'm seeing more observations that Allen was just missing good opportunities, and not going through his progressions very well. I did notice that he doesn't step up in the pocket anymore. It's concerning. I've been pushing back on the idea that he's regressing, but it we see another game or 2 like this in the weeks ahead....

I think it could have been different in the playoffs this year. The D just looked different before the injuries. We faced one of the league's more potent offenses in Miami, and we really shut them down after the early scores. We were much more swarming, and it seemed like the line was in the backfield all day. Now, without Milano, Jones & White, we look a lot more like the defense that faltered in the playoffs the past few years.

It's the defense where we really need help. I hope the trade is for CB or LB. Surtain would be cool.

Our D was elite before the injuries. I was thrilled w/ their play before London. They were stifling, and the front was all over the opposing QB. It was a stark contrast to the Pats game, where we simply couldn't get to Jones against a line that has been one of the league's worst. The injuries have been brutal for the D, and our chances. Some fans are faulting Beane & roster construction, but we'd obviously be much better off if we weren't one of the most injured teams in the league. I think I saw that we are ranked 1st in terms of cap space lost to injury.

There are actually fans here suggesting that we trade Allen. That is simply incomprehensible to me. Does anyone remember the time between Kelly and Allen? Does anyone remember Orton, Edwards, Losman, Lewis, Tuel? It can take a LONG time to find a franchise QB. And Allen is very likely to be the best QB in this franchise's history..