Success

It's been said a lot - but they are way too reliant on Allen right now. The way he played yesterday was as gutsy as anything I've seen in sports - but it's not sustainable. It's time to protect that guy & get him a legit running game.

I'd still be shocked if we don't make the playoffs. All of the teams in the WC race have tough schedules coming up, and they all basically play each other multiple times. The game I'm most interested in is Colts/Pats. That's a win-win for the Bills. Either NE puts a 7th loss on Indy, or Indy sets it up so we still have a shot at the division the following week (if we take care of business against the Panthers). Pats fans online were pretty universal in celebrating their big division win yesterday. I don't think they were doing the math.

It's really hard to deal w/ all of it today. When a team fights that hard, and then the refs just pull the rug out - I mean, do officials have to go back the next day and look at these games? I know in baseball, the home plate up gets a grade based on the # of strikes he missed.

If everyone played as hard as Allen, I don't think we'd ever lose again. The team needs to match his effort and competitiveness. I think they did rise to that in the 2nd half. We need that every game.

I'm so excited about Allen. It was captivating watching him play today, and last week - he just puts the whole team on his back at times. He's fearless. We need our Bruce Smith, though. I like some of the guys on the line, but we don't have a true disruptor there.

I'd like to agree - but after next week, we face the #1 seed in the AFC, and a coach that has won many, many games.

Thanks, Doc. That really IS calming to think about. After 20+ years of searching, it's very cool to think he'll be a Bill for many years to come.

Anyone have insomnia tips? These brutal Sunday losses have not been good for my sleep....

I've heard a lot of Pats fans say that this year is gravy regardless. As we've seen w/ the Bills, progression isn't always a diagonal line upwards. Yankees fans thought that they were playing w/ house money w/ the 'baby bombers' a few years ago, but that window is already closing.

You're right. I guess that's why I don't coach. It's a shame - that D was so beat. They were on their heels.

I'm getting tired of the "you have to overcome bad calls" thing. Call it consistently. If Diggs wasn't interfered with - then Evans definitely wasn't.

He didn't read the situation. I actually think we should have run on 3rd and 2. It's been awhile since I saw an opposing defense as exhausted as the Bucs were at that point. I think a run gets the 1st easily. Then you clock it & likely have time for 3 shots to the EZ. Oh, well - hindsight.

I agree on the idea that it felt worse to come back only to fall short. But, if there is A hope for the season, the seeds of it were probably planted in the 2nd half. We played like I thought we'd play all season. I don't know if there is hope. Last season was such a fun ride. Maybe it won't be a linear trajectory. Maybe this season is a step back before we put together another real run. But another thing I agree on is how different ALL of it feels w/ Allen at QB. Not only did we get the best guy in that draft - there isn't anyone in the league I'd rather have. The fact that we get another decade+ of watching this guy is a joyful feeling and provides a foundation of hope that helps me suffer these setbacks more gladly. Josh Allen WILL win a Super Bowl.

That's a fair assessment. In a way, if they don't win out - they really don't deserve it. If you can't beat lesser teams at home, and if you get SWEPT by the team that you were supposed to win the division over, just chalk this one up & see what we can do next year.

I keep thinking of the plays - the blocked punt against Pitt, the INT against the Jags, the 4th & 1 against TN, last week....it's been absolutely brutal. But, there is no question that you HAVE to win most of those kinds of games if you hope to be a contender at the end. Every team, even the best, have multiple close games during a season.

I don't agree w/ this entire post (I still have hope for THIS season) - but the last part is 100%. They're entire purpose right now should be protecting Allen. If Allen had the time some of these other QB's have, it wouldn't matter who his receivers are.

Last season was like sledding downhill. Which I preferred. This season is trial by fire. Which might serve the team better.

Well, what's fun is that we find out soon enough. WAY too many Pats fans celebrating the division today, at least online. It would be awesome if the Bills still pulled it out.

The 2nd half was how I expected the Bills to look all season. As gut-wrenching as the end was, the hope is what you detailed. They use that 2nd half as a springboard for a late-season run. I'm still optimistic. I can't help myself. There were many years during the drought where we would have been very happy to be in the position we're in right now, controlling our destiny w/ 4 games to go. It starts next week. Obviously, the week after is huge - but they are all important now. No more mulligans or weeks off. If they want to win the championship, they have to win every game until September.

The Bills need that game to be high-scoring. The OP thinks the Pats still can win in a shootout. I'd say no way, without also having the turnover advantage. Mac can put together a nice drive or 2 a game, but he can't keep doing it repeatedly, against a very good D.

I wouldn't guarantee it - but I like our chances in that game. They won the game that was perfect for their style - barely. Not that they can't pass the ball, but if the Bills take any kind of lead or it's a shootout, they should win a game like that.

Thanks for posting that. It doesn't seem conceivable that we could miss out, even w/ 7 losses. The Bills have 4 more games. They have to use that 2nd half as fuel. Hopefully Allen is healthy - I think we still have a run in us.

That is absolutely true. It's a reason I don't envy them, though I envy the success.

I don't even think Pats fans care about SB's that much anymore. They just like seeing everyone miserable.

They get ticked off if we even express hope for the team. They're not good people.