Success

The Jags game was such a weird game. I'm betting our offense is much more like the Miami game than the Jags game. And that offense is so much better than the vast majority of teams in the AFC. Or NFC, for that matter. I think this team has a big run coming. We'll be having different conversations in a month or so (and waiting for updates on Jones & Milano).

That changed in a day - because we lost 2 guys, who might even make it back this season?

That's actually extremely encouraging. It sounds like there is NOT any significant ligament damage for Milano, and that the recovery is for the fracture. If we get him back for the playoffs - what a boost that would be for the team & our chances.

I don't think we're in too much disagreement - but I think some of the characterizations like "fatally flawed" and "gaping weaknesses" are too extreme. Anytime a team loses a great player it leaves a hole, but our defense is so good that we basically just need the replacement to be solid. I think Williams can be that, w/ Klein maybe filling in on run downs. Like I said - I don't see a team in the AFC that's better, even today. I think we're right on par w/ the top teams, who I consider to be the Chiefs and Dolphins. I also think this Bills team is less flawed, and has fewer weaknesses, than any team in the JA era. Losing Milano hurts, but I think there has been a pretty strong overreaction to how it affects our chances to contend for a title this year.

We could run the table, and it wouldn't be some huge surprise. There isn't a team in the AFC that is measurably better than the Bills. Most nationally had us as the top team in the AFC after we beat Miami. That changes dramatically because we lost Milano & Jones? Looking at that schedule, I could see a good run up through the Eagles game. I'm NOT afraid of KC this year; it's the weakest team they've had in the Mahomes era. The Cowboys aren't a good team. That stretch doesn't look nearly as hard as it did a month ago. If Williams & Ford aren't up to the task, I'm wrong about our prospects. But I think they'll be solid, our D will still be one of the best in the league, and we'll win more than some fans here think. The 1 seed is still on the table.

It's kind of the best of both worlds if both COULD make it back for the playoffs. Their backups will get a ton of experience, which will boost our depth in January & hopefully February - and we'd get both guys back pretty fresh for the stretch run (though, both would take time to get into game shape, I'm sure). Either way, this isn't the end of the season like some of the immediate takes were saying. Williams looked solid the other day, and we signed Ford for a reason. If either falters, Beane has plenty of time to make some moves. The Buffalo Bills are still contending for a title this year.

I don't get it either. I believe Goodell has stated that they see teams there in a few years - not just 1, but possibly 2. It's kind of like the height of greed. That market will be like a weak American market that has a hard time supporting teams, and it will be bad for the league overall. But, there might be a few more bucks for billionaires, so let's experiment!

Can't.

Our D isn't going to stink. At all. It's still a top 10 D at minimum (I actually think they'll be closer to top 5 by the end of the season).

Like others here, I'm a fan of this guy. He has looked great whenever I've watched them play. Hope he's back & healthy soon.

Winning a SB usually relies on a few things: having a talented team, getting a little luck, and - this is the big one - overcoming adversity. The Bills, for whatever reason, have been given a more-than-average dose of adversity, and in more than one season. Last season, we just couldn't overcome it. It wasn't just injuries - it was the Hamlin situation, the blizzards, the relocations. It hit a critical mass. I don't think we're at that point this season. We've been given an early gut punch of injuries to 3 key positions and players. But, the operative word there is "early." A few things can still happen: - the back-ups might turn out to be really good, resulting in a defense that isn't quite as good, but still near the top. - the back-ups could falter, in which case there is plenty of time for Beane to make a move or 2 - And, best case - the back-ups hold steady, and either Jones or Milano or both make it back in time for a playoff run. I know I probably go overboard w/ hopeful rationalizing, but situations like this can actually galvanize teams. If a team has strong leadership and a positive mentality, it can be something to rally around. As a fan, I'm choosing to be hopeful, and to look at the situation more as being excited to see what Williams and Ford can bring to the table. They might really step up; it's not that far-fetched to hope that they do. And really, what other way is there to look at it? Whatever happens w/ Milano & Jones is out of our control.

Does anyone else think that our line will be fine without Jones? Obviously, he was playing great - but we have SO much depth there, and a lot of very good players. I think our pass rush will still be excellent, and we got Poona Ford for a reason. Let's see how he does. I'm more concerned about LB & CB. I think Williams & Dodson can fill in adequately, but depth (and inexperience) is a concern there. Same w/ CB, but that could change if Elam can even regain some of the form he had late last year. I'm hoping the London game was an anomaly, since a lot of the players were flat that day.

Imagine IF Milano could make it back by the playoffs (I know it's the longest of longshots). Having Williams get all of the experience he's likely about to get in the next few months will serve the team really well and make our depth at that position that much stronger.

I don't think there is anything new. I doubt we get a rough timeframe until he has surgery. Even then, they'll probably be cautious with what they tell us. But if they don't come out right away & say it's season ending, I would take that as a promising sign that they think he could make it back by the playoffs if the recovery goes well.

On Saturday, most around the country had us as one of the top 2 teams in the country, after taking a team that was everyone's favorite over the 1st month to school. The last time we lost White, we were 13 seconds away from making a SB (and yes, we would have beaten Cincy that year). So now we've lost Milano too. That's a big loss - bigger than White, because we have better depth at CB than we do at LB. But we still have good LB's. Give Williams some time filling in, and there is a good chance he'll be very solid in that role. He won't be the playmaker that Milano is - but if he can hold it down, we have plenty of other playmakers on D. I see people saying that our D will drop out of the top 10 now. I'll take that bet. I think we'll be closer to the 5 spot than the 15 spot at the end of the season. Championship teams lose key players. There are countless examples, in every sport. I remember when the G-Men lost Shockey, everyone wrote them off (and they lost a few key guys that season). We ARE in a good spot right now - because we have one of the best QB's in the game, a top tier D-line, and a good set of WR's, TE's and RB's to make the offense hum. If fans can't appreciate the spot we're in and the opportunity we STILL have this season, I can't do much for them.

The more I think about this, the more outrageous it is. There are jobs on the line in many of these games. GM's and coaches obsessively try to build rosters to win as many games as possible, and this isn't the NBA or NHL - there are a small # of games in an NFL season to try to make the playoffs, and get a good position in the playoffs. And they decide to "experiment" to see what happens in this one? Unacceptable.

It was rough. I tried to watch him as much as I could, hoping for the best - and it just looked like he was really struggling in coverage the whole day. We'll have to see how it goes. I want to give some benefit of the doubt to his 1st big game being the London game, and jet lag was an issue for the whole team (imo). From what I could tell, he played a lot better when he had his chances last year.

I imagine we'll have a more clear picture of timelines after the surgeries. I'm still encouraged by the fact that neither has been ruled out for the season yet.

I'd love to see him here long term if they can make it happen.

He has been incredible - one of the more disruptive players we have out there. I can't see him getting traded.

It's good they have the Giants coming up. Not to take any match-up for granted - but if we don't win that game at home, it's a disaster. Get the W, get some guys back, hopefully get a good update on Jones or Milano or both (and by good, I mean the possibility that one or both could potentially be back for the playoffs), and all will be right w/ the world again.

Just to put a positive spin on it - I loved him when he was here. A vocal leader on the field. And this is just DEPTH. And you can never go wrong w/ an ex-Panther coming to the Bills.

The fact that he says they don't know if it's season ending for either provides just a small bit of hope. Who knows? Even if either could make it back for the playoffs, it would be huge. I'll hold out some hope.

Huh?

That's fair. But I'd still say we don't need to trade for a star or a starter. Losing Tre hurts, but we always seem to be okay in that position unit, and with how good the D-line is, an average CB group is okay.