Success

This season has been a weird one, and there has been something off in most games that most of us haven't been able to put our fingers on. A Jags defender noted it in that game - the team hasn't seemed as hungry, and at times has even looked disinterested. Today is an earthquake. I've gotta believe that every player on that team is thinking, "how do we overcome this? What more can I do to offset this?" It HAS happened that teams lose great players, and then go on incredible runs. This has happened in all sports, and it isn't that rare. We still have one of the best safety tandems in the league, and decent DB's overall. It won't be night & day in terms of pass coverage. The Bills can overcome this, and maybe they can use it for the extra motivation it seems like they've needed since September.

We need a thread on options. I'm woefully uninformed about who we have on our practice squad and how good our depth is. Has Dane Jackson been good when he has filled in? Why is Quinton Dunbar not playing for any other team now? I keep hearing his name come up as a potential signing.

Eliminate? Our defense will still be top 10 in the league. It is not that drastic.

Gut check. Can this team overcome a lost of one of their top players? We're about to find out. I think they'll be okay - our defense is solid, top to bottom. There is no sugarcoating this, but it doesn't have to mean the end of our SB chances.

We need to take a good lead against them. That's not a comeback team. Put them in a position where Jones has to lead them back from more than a score down, and it takes away from everything that they try to do.

With me, it's less fear, and more PTSD.

We're a bit fortunate in the next opponent. The Pats are built to be run heavy regardless, and while their passing game is efficient, their WR corps hardly strikes fear in anyone. It's more about covering the TE's w/ them, and stopping the run.

Not sure if it's been mentioned, but special teams was spectacular last night. The coverage on punts & kickoffs was excellent.

We've been really lucky w/ injuries over the past 2 seasons. Still hoping that this isn't worst case scenario - but if it is, this is still an excellent secondary & defense, and I'm sure they'll find someone capable to add to the roster. Remember when everyone counted the Ravens out after their early-season injuries? Good teams figure it out.

I am so thankful for our Buffalo Bills. This team gives me so much happiness (and lots of heartache, too). Gratitude.

Our safeties, man. I can't remember ever having this kind of faith in that particular position unit - those guys lock it down.

Fans gotta remember - we have a GREAT secondary. Hoping for the best for Tre - but if it's not, we can overcome it. This defense is talented & tenacious.

7-4. It really looks okay. Not where we wanted to be necessarily - but we're as in the mix as any team. Bring on the Pats.

Losing Tre would be terrible, but not that terrible. It's a long season. The best teams have always overcome big injuries - the only position we can't afford to lose is QB.

I think Stevenson could be solid back there. So far, so good.

Can't be unhappy w/ this. I think we all want the team to give us some sort of complete, 100% assurance - but really, they're just a good team in a year of a lot of good teams. Right now, I'm really good w/ that.

Terrible for White if it's the worst scenario - but this team can overcome. Next man up.

I'm not yet on the "this isn't our year" train. Tons of talent on this team. Every team looks terrible in stretches. We just need to get hot.

It seems like it's been 50 hours since this day started. I don't think I have ever been so ready for Buffalo Bills football.

The night game is fun - but the way the day is going, I'm concerned about my sobriety at that time....

I mean - is there a better city for an away game, during a holiday that's all about eating? Sounds awesome. I always wanted to try crawfish stuffing.

I think Beane is a genius, and among the best GM's in the NFL. But he miscalculated this offseason, and it was a big miss. I think he saw the O-line and RB situation as "good enough." No doubt that he didn't think those units were world beaters, but that they'd be able to do the job of keeping the offense at least minimally balanced and protect Allen. If we don't win a SB this season, those 2 units are the reason why (I know this isn't a newsflash). I get that we had to address things like pass rush as well, and that on paper, the O-line didn't look as bad as they've been playing - but the run game is a tough one. Looking around the league, other teams were able to upgrade fairly easily. The Bills just didn't make much of an effort.

Great write-up. The only word I disagree w/ is "arguably." Love the Rivera analogy & it's definitely appropriate. The penalties are probably the #1 problem right now. McD needs his own version of Levy's "don't be dumb, don't be dirty." Fixing that alone puts us back in contention. 100% agree on the last part. I think this team bought the hype, and we've kind of seen that not just in the play, but in some of the body language (and the Jags defender noticed that also). In some games, it seems like they were thinking more about who they might face in the AFCCG than in the task at hand. If the last month doesn't wake them up from that dream, not much will - but I tend to think they'll come around. I just don't know if that's enough to get them to the SB w/ the current construction of the team. Anything is possible this season, with no clear fave.

I was just about to post PB & Mayo - it was one of my Dad's favorites. I could never bring myself to try it (and have never heard anyone else mention it until this thread! Must be something to it....)

Others have said it, but it is ironic: Beane focused the offseason on getting past KC, which I think most of Bills fandom thought was logical. And we beat KC. But now we have a hard time with every other good team. It all seems so glaring when I watch other teams - the good ones can ALL run, and most can stop the run. The Bills aren't really built to do either right now.