Success

That's what the Colts did w/ Manning, practically every year. They got 1 SB out of it. The Pats didn't - and got 6.

I truly don't care. I love who we have at WR. Did people miss the Patriots dynasty? (sorry to bring it up) When did they ever go all in on some kind of elite WR corps for Brady? One time I can think of, over 15+ years - when they got Moss. And they notably didn't win a SB with him. When you have a top QB, you build the line. That's what the Bills are doing. Brady had a great line, and made stars out of middlin' guys (would we have even heard of Edelman if he played for another team?) Give Allen some time in the pocket, and guys like Sherfield & Harty are going to have great seasons. And I think we're getting the Davis we expected last year, this year.

Mick in "Rocky" was right.

Van Pelt is still the best in the business. I still watch a lot of the rest of the stuff, but don't love it.

Oh, for sure. I think our line is a LOT better, actually. My comment was about the Patriots O-line, which looks to be worse than last year.

Feels like our division rivals are going all in to try to unseat the Bills. If the Bills win the division again, some of our rivals could start to spiral. We saw it firsthand w/ the Pats being on top for so long. Owners get impatient, coaches get fired, QB's don't get the grace period they normally would. Teams start panicking and making more drastic moves to bridge the gap, and it rarely works.

I kind of like the new paradigm in the AFCE - where every other team scrambles and tries to make moves to keep up w/ US. Especially the Pats. It's what we did for almost 20 years. And it was a drag.

Have FA players ever heard of the NFC?

Fitting, since I sense the Patriots are going to look a lot like the post-90s dynasty Cowboys in the years ahead. This isn't moving any needle for them. 4th place is waiting for you, New England.

Kind of head-scratching why they didn't keep a younger, better RB who would have cost less than half of what they're paying Zeke. But thanks, New England.

Most of the PFF positional rankings heading into 2023 agree w/ my analysis.

Great discussion & analysis on this thread. Some hot takes, too - which can be expected. But a really enjoyable read overall.

QB is close. The only thing Mahomes has the Allen doesn't is rings - and that has a lot to do w/ coaching & the Chiefs having had a better roster to this point. WR? That's a stretch. The Bills have a good, versatile corps, top to bottom. The Chiefs are scrambling a bit to replace guys who produced. I don't think even Chiefs fans would say they're better at WR. RB? No way. We probably have one of the better RB groups in the AFC right now. LB - edge to Chiefs because of our uncertainty at MLB. CB? No way.

He has some serious raw skills. Who knows. We have seen so many guys like that, and it runs the gamut - from Jemarcus Russell to Josh Allen. A boom or bust type of project. Allen benefitted greatly from having Daboll as a coach, and I think AR would need something like that.

The jury is out on the O-line. Brown & Torrence have looked good - and we know the other positions are pretty set. If both of those players live up to expectations, our line could be a strong unit.

I don't disagree w/ most of that. I had them ranked #3 this year, and it would be clueless to say they won't be a tough out. They'll be like that as long as they have Mahomes & Reid. I was probably a BIT over the top, because I bristle a bit when an opposing fan comes here and starts laughing at posts that have the Bills #1, or don't give proper kudos to KC. I get why fans are like that, and don't think he's trolling - but it's why I don't post on other boards. I'd inevitably be the same way. It's probably too defensive on my part. He's welcome here, and has the right to do that & stand up for his team. I think we're all in the same place. We have good teams, and are hoping for the best. Cheers to you also!

It has nothing to do w/ feelings. Objectively, when healthy and not dealing w/ the brutal stuff the Bills had to deal w/ late in the season - Buffalo was a better team. I think the Bengals were, too, and thought that they should have won the AFCCG. If the only standard is "they won the SB last year, so they must be the best this year," there is really not much point to this thread. The Eagles would get #2, because they were runner ups. The Bengals would be #3, because they had the better game in the conf. championship. Then, of course, SF. The thread would just be about who everyone ranks as the #5.

We beat them last season. In KC. So did Cincy.

I see your point. Poor wording on my part. I'd revise my comments to say, "I don't think they'll be nearly as good, and I think they probably should have been AFC runner-ups last year as it was." That's more accurate.

It sounds like you're viewing rankings such as this like power rankings usually are. Most national power rankings always put the SB champ #1, w/ the justification that "until someone proves otherwise." I don't think KC should have been in the SB, or should have won the SB. They were the beneficiary of some egregious calls that I thought determined both outcomes, and I'm hardly alone in that POV. I also don't view preseason rankings as a reward for past accomplishment. So, my assessment is based on some of the factors I listed. An aging Kelce, and the weakest WR group KC has had since prior to their 1st SB win. There has also been only one repeat champion this century.

We'll know soon enough. But yeah - that's my take. They are trending down. I don't think they will contend for the 1 seed this year. The main thing they have going for them is an easy-as-pie schedule. Kelce is going to be 34 this year. They lost Juju. They're hoping players like Toney can step up. Just not seeing it. I think they'll struggle to get the 3 seed.

1) Bills - this is the best roster we've had. When healthy, no one can really touch us (imo) 2) Bengals - they should have probably been in the SB last year. 3) Chiefs - they're trending down. Kelce a year older, WR corps questionable 4) Eagles - on a mission 5) 49ers - still a really good team, and great defense

He was good, regardless of the circumstances. I'd feel better w/ him as QB2 right now.

Man, would I love to see us run it down opposing team's throats this year. The offense has been pretty one-dimensional in the JA era so far. To establish a real running game, with great blocking - I mean, look out NFL.

Their line wasn't that good last year - and arguably got worse. Reading some of the Pats boards, it's their biggest concern heading into the season (aside from whether or not Jones can take the next step).