Success

Rankings are fun - but I wouldn't say right now that any one of the top 3 of Chiefs, Bills, Dolphins are measurably better or worse than the others. The way the Bills played Sunday, I like their chances against both of the other teams. I think we're the most balanced of the 3. With Miami, their offense is elite, but the defense has question marks. I think KC's defense is the best they've had, but their O has taken a step back overall, and the WR corps is a bit of a weak link this year. I'm not sure if the Bills have a noticeable weakness like that right now. Perceptions will change as time goes on, but I think it's 1A, 1B & 1C, and I'd make us 1A right now.

The "bingo card" thing is overplayed at this point. But, gotta say - I didn't have "Bernard being an upgrade over Edmunds" on my bingo card. Beane is one of the top GM's in the league at this point, imo.

I'm excited about the game Sunday. As has been mentioned, we'll know what kind of D we have after this weekend. I think this is the best defense we've had, and among the best in the league right now. This is easily the best unit we have had in terms of putting pressure on opposing QB's. I think we're going to keep the Phins offense in check and win a game that will be close for awhile, but see the Bills pulling away in the 4th. And gear up for the national hype train to jump a level come Monday.

Just about every game I watch makes me feel amazing about the Bills. Not the Miami game yesterday. But the vast majority of games.

Stafford & the clock - it's just not working out.

Looks like that hit the ground.

That was a TERRIBLE overturn. What happened to clear & convincing evidence? They're getting really loose w/ some of the reviews.

There simply isn't a better name for a RB than "Gainwell."

After the 1st 3 words, I instantly thought "yes!" So, there ya go.

I 100% disagree. Wilson can't play the position. Both of those guys can. They don't need a star or even close to it. They need someone who can complete passes. They win yesterday easily w/ either Wentz or Ryan.

Supposedly, both Wentz and Matt Ryan reached out to them, and they declined. Either guy would make them a tough team to beat.

It's a good team - they just need a QB. I'm surprised they're not trying to get someone else right now. They could still salvage the season.

For a guy early in his career, we've heard too many of these stories about him already. Not a fan.

I said in the offseason that this is the best Bills team we've had w/ Allen - and I think that's looking good so far. In general, the AFC doesn't look as tough as most thought it would be. No team looks unstoppable or anything. I thought the Jags & Bengals might be our biggest competition; it's early, but both teams look like they could struggle to even make the playoffs. Obviously, the Jets fell off the map. KC looked great yesterday, but I don't think the Broncos qualify as an NFL team - I'd put KC 4th in my AFC rankings at the moment. The Dolphins look much better than I thought they would be. Really balanced, and an offense that could be historically elite. This weekend will tell us a lot about where we stand - but I think it's us, Miami & then everyone else in the AFC.

Bernard was kind of a surprise pick in the 3rd, and most here have been scratching their heads over the last year and thinking that this guy would probably just be a back-up/ST kind of player. It's like striking gold to put him in as a starter and have it work out this well, this fast. He's one of the leaders out there now. He's really fun to watch if you focus on him - seems to always be in the right place. Great instincts.

There has been so much hand-wringing (and rightfully so) about our lack of ability to get to a Super Bowl in the past few years. This, to me, is the missing link. We had high-ranked defenses in previous years, but I think we all know those rankings were kind of misleading. With an offense as good as we have had, defenses will generally look good most of the time. But we have NOT had a "championship defense," and that is most definitely a thing. Our defense has had lapses in the playoffs & against the better teams that put too much burden on the offense. And they've been more on the soft side. 3 games in, it looks SO different this year. I think McD calling the plays is making a difference, but the personnel is also as good as we have had. Not just additions like Floyd, but players we have had on the roster who seem to clearly be taking a step: Oliver, Epenesa, Groot. It is a swarming, fast, tough, aggressive defense this year. It really gives me some peace of mind knowing that there can be a game where the offense is off, but the D will still make big plays and keep it close to the end.

Sometimes, guys just need time He has been playing great in every game this season.

The Jets win today w/ literally any other QB in the league - and that counts back-ups.

He was solid the 1st couple of games. Today was quiet, but they got some other guys like Sherfield involved.

Was "Payton is a good coach" a mirage? Does he get inordinate credit because of that onside kick & SB win? Kind of reminds me of how Fisher sustained a career on one close SB.

Some of the guys who have been criticized in the past are really stepping up their games: Oliver, Epenesa, Bernard, Davis, Benford, Brown, Groot, Cook. Bass is an excellent kicker. Even guys like Hodgins & Moss can hardly be considered busts, even though they're w/ other teams now. He's building this team the right way, and the best way that you CAN build a team once a big QB contract kicks in. My optimism for the future is unbridled at the moment.

They barely beat the Jets in both games last year. The 2nd game was tied 3-3 with under 10 seconds to go.. Belichick's hate vs. NY losing 14 in a row to the Pats and desperate to end that streak. I give the Jets a chance, for sure.

Belichick has almost become a myth here & around the league. Conventional wisdom is that his job is secure no matter what. But Kraft has expressed frustration w/ the lack of playoff success since Brady left. And the game does pass some of these legendary coaches by. The vibe I get when I check in on the Pats boards is that things could get dicey if things go really south for that team. And an 0-3 start would almost be guaranteed to be an 0-4 start w/ Dallas next on their schedule Could there be big changes in New England if this season end up w/ a losing record and another playoff miss?

Great post. You listed it, but that Ravens playoff game was a master class. He knew exactly how to defend that team.

I distinctly remember not being worried for even a second of that game. Man, was that a team.