Success

Respectfully, we root against the Pats all day, every day. Not because we can't stand them - but because they're a game behind us for the division right now. It's very conceivable we could end up in 2nd if they get rolling.

All teams have to deal w/ injuries - but I have zero doubt that we'd be 6-2 if he hadn't gotten hurt. His absence was pretty apparent last week.

Let's counter w/ "the terrible table slam."

I'd still rather play them in the SB than Brady.

Great post, and I agree w/ the overall assessment. I think the question that most of us have: are the deficiencies on the line and at RB fatal flaws, that could prevent us from winning it all this year? I can definitely see a situation where both areas are the main focus of the offseason, and (if we can limit personnel losses), we go into 2022 as a true SB contender, with few if any identifiable weaknesses. Obviously, not every SB champion has been perfect & without flaws. I still think the Bills CAN make a run this season, and win a Lombardi. But overcoming the flaws we have will take great creativity, and some of the stronger units on the team to pick up the slack.

Not here. On this board, we got the "wrong Josh." There were a few who were thrilled, but it was not a lot.

I mean, who would have thought on draft day that Allen would be the top of that class?

Both Singletary & Moss run better in space. If those are gonna be the guys this season, they need to design more plays around that.

As to the first part - I do NOT agree that Diggs is the only game changer. I was thrilled about our WR corps heading into the season. Very few teams have 2 guys with elite talent like Diggs - but Sanders, Beasley and Davis are all capable of big plays & games (as well as Knox when healthy). Davis has been a bit of an enigma to me. It felt like he was breaking out last year, and I thought he'd take that next step this year. I would love to see him get more involved. The run game is tough, though. We don't have a mix of backs - they're all basically the same in terms of skillset and potential. They're all # 2's.

Tom Brady has nothing on Frank Gore. Limited time as a Bill, but I'll always root for that guy.

"Disgraceful" is strong. I doubt there is a GM in the league that doesn't have a list of stories like this - players they let go, who excel eventually. It's more part of the job. If it becomes a pattern, it's alarming, but no GM bats 1,000 on personnel decision. Beane has made more lemonade from perceived lemons than the other way around.

Honestly, we felt about the same as we do today after losing to KC & TN last year. The whole "maybe we're not that good" and "this team is too flawed" conversation. And then it felt like the Hail Murray was the gut punch that might lead to a slide. But then the team showed us that they aren't the "same ol' Bills," and went on a tear that was as enjoyable as anything I've enjoyed in decades as a sports fan. And this team and coaching staff ARE different. They don't get derailed, or lose confidence. The Hail Murray motivated them and made them better, and I fully expect this circumstance to lead to similar results.

Last night was a disgrace - and really, this season has been terrible all around for officiating. It almost reminds me of when they had replacement refs. Jobs are on the line w/ these games. Nagy will probably get fired anyway, but who knows? A win last night over a good Steelers team might have gotten that Bears team on track. It wasn't just the taunting. There were a few egregiously bad, phantom calls that cost the Bears points. After watching the flag festival that was the Bills/Jags game, I was really dismayed watching that game yesterday. Everyone says that you have to overcome bad calls, but it does reach a point where you simply can't.

How are you supposed to defend a WR?

I don't get what just happened in the Bears game. That was actually worse officiating than our game.

I guess the fumbles kind of took me back to that time, also - but you make a good point. Overall, he really wasn't bad under the circumstances. I was shocked by how much pressure the Jags got on him, consistently. It felt like they were in his face all day.

I feel like our line shouldn't be this bad. Right now, they're playing worse than they did last year. Talent-wise, it's much more middlin', imo. Am I wrong on that? It seems like they should be capable of better play.

Allen has nothing to prove, as far as I'm concerned. I'd still take him over any other QB in the league. It was a bad day yesterday. There are certainly excuses like the line - but he did revert to some hero-ball stuff that he has done an excellent job taking out of his overall game. I'd chalk that kind of lapse up to desperation, which we all felt as the game progressed and we couldn't pull away from a team like the Jags (who I actually don't think are that bad, just young)....

I feel like we have 3 RB's who are all essentially the same. They're all solid #2 guys, and do better in space. I don't see any as the classic 30-carry a game type of guy. The line contributes to that, but we're really missing someone who can both create & pound a little more. The running game is not a threat at all - we're in the same place we were last year. It's extremely limiting - and a big part of the reason why Allen is always pressured. We're a tough offense to plan against in terms of talent, but not in terms of scheme or versatility.

After seeing comments from McD, Allen & others, I think I'd be genuinely shocked if Sunday's game isn't a blowout. "Wake up call" is overused, but I think yesterday was exactly that. They're not just getting a SB berth without some work. This is a better team than the one that won for almost 3 months straight last year. They didn't just get bad all of a sudden.

I will say this: when I tune into a NE game these days and see BB on the sideline, it's almost like he's the bogeyman or something. He has taken on a kind of otherworldly quality... I don't feel like I can assume anything about the NFL while he's still coaching. 20 years has definitely done a # on me. I heard someone say that Brady ruined the league, and I kind of feel that way about both he & BB. Not permanently, but they both kind of cast a pall over my Sundays now. I know, I know - therapy is definitely an option.

I don't believe in the concept of "bulletin board material" - at least beyond college - but I hope McD keeps reminding the Bills of these comments. That's how the whole season has seemed to me...it's like the team is waiting to be crowned, or trying to figure out who they'll play in the 1st round or something. They have a ton of talent, and just need to play w/ the same hunger they've had in previous seasons. They can do it, and I think the coaching staff can instill that in them. If a loss like yesterday doesn't change your approach, nothing will.

Especially if we get there. I could see it, though. I could actually see a scenario where the Bills have to exorcise all of their demons by beating NE in the AFCCG, and the Bucs in the SB. That would be particularly nerve-wracking, and extra devastating to lose either game.

Is our inability to throw deep based on defenses now playing specifically against that (like we did w/ KC)? Or is it because Allen has no time? Or both? That aspect is frustrating. Our best playmakers aren't getting the ball, and we seem to be going short to Singletary & Moss as 1st options a bit too much.

I mean, yes & no. As long as BB is coach, I'll always go into that game thinking they can win. And of course they can win the division. But who have they beaten? I know the same can be said of us - but they almost had their Jax game against Houston, and yesterday, Darnold really handed the game over to them. Their offense could barely get moving. I disagree w/ whoever was talking to King. BB is the difference-maker in the match-up, but talent-wise, the Pats aren't really close to the Bills.