Success

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).

Are you joking?

I still feel terrible for Hines. But looking at this, where would he have landed if healthy? Is it possible he wouldn't have made the active roster?

Especially w/ the addition of Harris (who is definitely better than Singletary), and Cook coming into his 2nd season after picking up steam at the end of his 1st. I think our offense is going to look a lot different this year. It was great last season, but we haven't been able to run consistently aside from JA.

It would be SO cool if Bernard panned out, and turned into a legit starter and playmaker. Every time I read an update or article about him, "good instincts" are always mentioned. Gotta love that quality in a MLB.

100% agree. I think the conventional take on the Bills is that it's Diggs & then everybody else, but Beane has really built out a versatile, talented group in the past year. Sherfield and Harty were both great additions, and it's exciting to hear that Davis is having a great camp and looks like a true #2. Add Kincaid into the mix, along w/ the improved line & running game, and this offense could be a nightmare for opposing DC's.

Elam is the next Revis.

I've never heard of Aaron Schatz - but I really like him.

Same. I haven't looked at all of them, but I've seen a lot, and it does seem like we have one of the better ones. But Chiefsplanet is the WORST, by a mile - and I don't have to look at all of them to judge that. I'm astounded whenever I go there. It's repugnant. The Pats boards are what anyone might expect. They're not necessarily toxic, but completely entitled and out of touch. Kind of like a board of billionaires trying to discuss what it's like to be a working person.

I have also seen that more pundits and fans that I'd imagine barely have JA in their top 5 now. Some don't even put him in that group. It's all kind of funny. Choosing a hot take over objective information has become ingrained at this point. The Cincy game is now what people think JA is capable of. Sometimes, I get a little annoyed. But then I remember how it is when either Allen or the Bills are overhyped. I'll take the alternative. Better to be underestimated.

This staff is always cautious, imo. I'd be surprised if they let him play until they were 100% on it - I'd guess sometime in October at the earliest.

"NFL coach admits he doesn't watch Bills games"

He practiced yesterday...right? So yeah - he's healthy.

Okay. But that's not really what the 1st 5 pages of this thread are about. The comments were over the top.

I mean, could the 1st 5 or so pages of this thread be more hot takey and overreactive?

So, we have a guy tweaking his back yesterday, and we're not sure what the status is or if it's serious at all - but suddenly, the season is compromised, it's another example of how bad Beane is w/ the OL, and we have no answer at RT. Makes sense.

Pretty anxious for the season to start, so some of the speculating can come to a halt. I'm getting AFC West 2022 vibes about the 2023 AFC East. I don't think that many - even a lot of fans here - understand how challenging it will be to stop the Bills offense this year, with an improved line, improved running game and better weapons straight down the line after Diggs. The D may be more of a question mark, but with Von, Hyde & Poyer coming back healthy, other additions, and Tre hopefully rounding back into form - as well as McD calling what one would expect to be a more aggressive philosophy overall - I think this team should be favored to win the division title by a wide margin.

Sports are pretty high stakes - especially for an NFL team that is still searching for its first title. There won't be any sentimentality or emotion in whatever decision they make. I think he makes the team - he's a great tackler, and good depth. But his skills and how he fits will dictate whether he makes it or not. It would certainly get a headline if he was cut, but it wouldn't be some scandal or outrage.

Judge signed a long contract - but he's on the wrong side of 30, and those contracts don't typically age well. He's an amazing player but I don't expect the last years of his contract to be anything like the 1st years of his contract. So, the Yankees have to figure something out NOW, or they are going to waste not only his best years, but Cole's. They're not a team that can do a firesale and start a 2-4 year rebuild.

Judge's next 2-3 years are going to be his best years - at least if sports history holds true. You can't waste that time rebuilding. They have to figure something out.