Success

Loved hearing every minute of this. I've said this, and it's premature of course - but I do think that in 10 years, he could be in the GOAT conversation. Which would make me happy, because it would make Patriots fans unhappy. We might be in for a real run here, Bills fans.

Belichick may not have allowed 13 seconds - but KC did it in 18 seconds against him in 2018. The media gets paid to do this, so I can't blame the take - but I don't have to take it seriously, either.

I could have written that. I've really been trying to work through that basic concept all week: why does a game affect me like this? I'm grateful for this board, though. It's been great group therapy.

I renounced God on that day.

To be fair, the "Perfect Game" was the heights for me. I've told a lot of people that it was the single best sports-viewing experience I've had in my life. I don't care if people think that's sad or whatever, but I don't think many other fanbases know what it's like to be on the wrong side of a rivalry (using that word loosely) for 20 years, like we had w/ the Pats. That was Josh Allen as Lancelot, slaying the dragon that has tormented our village for a generation. I've never watched a football game that was just 60 minutes of pure exhiliration like that, and 100% catharsis. I was flying for days. Talk about a postseason of the ultimate high and the ultimate low, all in a couple of weeks. That's sports.

I was pretty sure I was going to skip this weekend, but as it gets closer, I think I'll probably watch. They should be great games, and I love football. Honestly, though, I don't think I'll ever be able to watch even a single highlight from the KC game. Which is a shame, because it's obviously a classic. But that game is nothing but pain for me now. It's like revisiting a nightmare. Haven't felt that way in a long, long time.

True - but I'd add that it's true only as long as Belichick coaches. I've been wondering what BB must be thinking after the Buffalo/KC game. He has to be wondering if he can ever build a team to compete in a game like that, I would think. But who knows.

But what about Mac Jones? I kid, I kid....

Of course - but the thread is more projecting the next decade+ based on the QB situation. It's extremely lopsided in favor of the AFC moving forward. And not that QB is everything - but it generally is when it comes to winning championships.

Good point on Dallas. Dak is very good. They don't scare me much, though - I'd kind of like that rematch. I don't think they'll ever have a top coach with Jerry Jones there; he likes to hire guys who follow his lead. I haven't followed what's happening w/ the Bucs, but the one podcast I heard talking about it made it sound like part of the reason there are rumors of Brady's retirement is that they're going to lose quite a few good players this offseason.

I spend a lot of time after losses like Sunday rationalizing, but this kind of gives me some hope. I think the Rams can win it all this year & be the primary contender in the NFC for another year or 2, but w/ Brees gone, Rogers possibly moving on, and rumors about Brady retiring - all of the other good & great QB's are in the AFC. It reminds me of when we were getting to the SB in the '90's, and the years before & after that. Except for our 1st 2 SB's, they'd generally say that the "real" SB was the NFCCG. And they were generally right. This could bode well for us if we figure out the KC puzzle. I'd love it if that became our toughest game every year. Not discounting Burrow & Herbert, but it just feels like KC and Buffalo will be 1a & 1b for awhile. I'm sure I'm not the only Bills fan who rejoices in the idea of getting back to the big game, but immediately thinks, "oh, man - what if we lose a 5th"? I think the AFC is poised to start a run similar to what the NFC did in the '80's and '90's, and it's a great time to have one of the best AFC teams.

Thanks. I get wary of passive/aggressiveness from opposing fans, whose posts seem good-natured at first, but after awhile, it seems like they're just trying to convince Bills fans that their team will always be better, or that the Bills will never have a chance, or whatever. I get easily suspicious of that, because it happens all the time. The KC fans on this board have been great (there aren't many, but it's been good discussion). But I thought you were veering into that territory. The fuller explanation helps. You guys have a head start for sure. I think the teams are in different places in terms of contention and what people call the "window," though w/ Allen and Mahomes, that latter part may not apply as much. Obviously, KC has gotten the better of the Bills so far, but this is the 1st year where I felt the Bills had gotten to a place to beat the Chiefs. I definitely disagree w/ you on the game itself, despite the stats. I think both teams left opportunities on the field, but at the end, Allen was moving the Bills O down the field as easily as Mahomes was moving KC. At best, it's a coin flip game - and it was. But I disagree w/ your analysis that the Bills struggled for everything, or even anything. The Bills win that game if they win the coin toss. I knew KC would win as soon as they got the ball in OT. As for the 2-0 playoff record so far - let's see how it goes when KC has to come to our place here. Regardless, I'm looking forward to the KC/Cincy game. I think that could be another barn burner. I don't have a stake, and it wouldn't bother me to see either team win it all. This is one of those playoffs (now that the Bills are out) where I'd be happy for most of the teams. Cincy for obvious reasons - that fanbase has suffered. KC just because I like Mahomes, and always root for Reid after what happened w/ Philly. Stafford, of course. He has paid his dues. And San Fran just because it will upset Pats fans that they'd have 6 rings.

KC's offense is loaded. But Hill & Kelce are the 2 guys that present a major challenge to cover. I don't think the Bills offense is like that. Diggs is a star, but I think he only had one catch on Sunday. All season, we've seen a rotating cast: McKenzie starred one game, Davis has a few, Knox a few more, even Sanders. Not that those guys are uncoverable, but I think it's more interchangeable on the Bills O. I actually hope that they veer away from investing in skill positions too much, like the Pats did w/ Brady (even though that ended up driving Brady away). Honestly, I think the Bills are a better team, which I'm sure you'd disagree with. I think if they play that game 10x, the Bills win 7. The regular season game showed the gap more than Sunday, for sure. But we only play you guys at KC.

That's it for me, too. We do have more than most fanbases, but it's easy to forget how many heartbreaking games there are in the playoffs. The Saints come to mind. Green Bay. Even KC before they broke through. There is a pretty big list of teams that have had multiple gut punches over the years. I'm sure it's easier if you've got a Lombardi.

I remember for years that the Colts had to play in New England. There is some weird logic behind it (just thinking of why we're always at KC).

What are you trying to convince me of?

I'm okay w/ KC away. As long as we finally get them at home in the playoffs.

I wouldn't want to deny fans their fun, or opinions. But I'll never not be annoyed by the hot takes on draft day. Especially when posters ridicule those who disagree w/ them. I mean, that thread is a "wrong Josh" festival.

Without Kelce, your offense changes significantly. I wouldn't say that about any of the skill positions on the Bills. I guess we'll see how it goes. The Bills blew it by not getting homefield this year. Even without it, and playing in a place as tough as KC, they had to collapse with 13 seconds left for KC to have a chance. The Bills blew them out in the regular season - again, at KC. I'd rather you guys think it's going to be AFCCG's and SB's as far as the eye can see for the Chiefs. It will make it more fun.

Everything you say is correct. But the 24x7 guys still know infinitely more than the draft experts among the fanbase. We see it every single draft weekend. Immediate pronouncements that the Bills blew it w/ a pick, and that "I had this guy much later in my mock." Most fans just check a few draft boards and watch some youtube. We're not scouts. My attitude on draft day is to hope for a certain pick - but as soon as the pick is made, I'm all in & trust the decision-makers, unless they have a terrible track record.

Last year they blew us out, at their place. This year, they needed a total breakdown w/ a few seconds left, at their place. Let's get them at our place next year.

It's astounding. I swear, one of my biggest pet peeves in sports is NFL Draft Day, when some fans check a few mocks a week ahead of time and think they know more than scouts & GM's who do this 24x7. There couldn't be more of a stark refutation of that mentality than some of the conclusive statements made about Allen on that thread. And I've only read a few.

I mean, you know that they played a few weeks ago, right?

Talking more key players. I get that you want to think KC will dominate for years, but it's about to be Buffalo's show. Take advantage this year.

I was worried about the Rams. That defense strikes me as more characteristic of what we've seen from SB champs. They can get after the QB and dictate the pace of a game.