Success

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.

When Benford gets back, our CB group is really good. The only thing we're missing is depth. Elam can alleviate some concern there if he can play better than yesterday (and he did last year), but I could see maybe a move to bolster the depth more. We don't need to trade for a starter.

"Penalty counts" aren't a good gauge. Sometimes, teams get more penalties because they're undisciplined, or have an off game. In 4 of their last 7 games, the Chiefs got questionable calls or no calls at or near the end of games that directly impacted the outcome of those games. I don't think it's a conspiracy. But top teams in every sport tend to get favorable calls (or no calls) more consistently. That was true of the Pats when they were on top, and it's true of the Chiefs now. I wish it was the Bills, but there is no doubt that it isn't. The Chiefs are the NFL's darlings now.

I see that side of it also. I don't think we will make a trade - but nor would it surprise me. I'm sure Beane is going through all of the options right now, and waiting to see where we stand on both Jones & Milano.

On Saturday, most had us as the best or 2nd best team in the league. We lost a LB. He's great, but that makes us go from a top 2 team to "the season died w/ certainty?" That really doesn't compute.

We're as good as anyone in the AFC. I said last week that it's really us, the Chiefs & the Dolphins - and I still see it that way as of today. The Chiefs aren't as good as they've been - but they also have an easier schedule, so I see them still getting the 1 seed. Mahomes will avoid actually playing in Buffalo for yet another year. The Niners - whew. That is a TOUGH team right now. Just loaded with talent on both sides of the ball. But like you said, let's see how they look later this season & in the playoffs.

I was really hoping we wouldn't have an "it's time for AJ Klein to shine" thread at any point this season....

Honestly, there aren't that many elite coaches out there. Maybe 3? McD is in tier-2, and that's good enough to get us a title. A team could spend decades looking for an elite coach.

I doubt we lose all of the games we're 'supposed' to lose (basically, the 4 you have listed). I'd think we can beat any of those teams - we might lose to the Bengals, and beat the Chiefs, or vice versa. I don't disagree w/ the final record, but if we end up w/ 6 losses, 1 or 2 will probably be L's we don't expect. We'll beat some of the good teams in that hard stretch. Just not sure which ones.

I thought they were amazing yesterday. They were on the field almost twice as long as the offense.

Beane has been pretty clear - he wants a long-term contender. We have good depth at LB and CB, and good players stepping in for the injured guys. To actually get better players in those positions would require some real capital, and compromise longer-term team building. I could see us raiding a practice squad or 2 for better depth in case some of the replacements get hurt - but that's it.