Success

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.

It's kind of a nightmare. I'd say it's 50/50. We might have to sweep the Pats...and is that something we even want as fans? If we swept them and faced them in the playoffs, how much faith do you have that we can beat Belichick 3 times in a row? Has any team ever done that? They're like this malevolent specter that keeps turning up. And no - I'm not being melodramatic.

I've tried to pull away before - not just from Bills fandom, but sports in general. Sports is very few moments of joy, and tons of anguish. But it's like a limb or something. You can't really get away from it. If I try not to watch a game, people still text me, I still end up checking in, it's all still there.

You're spot on there. We are nowhere near good enough to look at a schedule and think we'll just roll (few teams ever are). We have to grind it out. I'm still good, not that anyone is asking. I think we will mix things up, and figure it out. Too much talent not to, and I think McD and Daboll are still excellent coaches and will get this team back to winning regularly.

Belichick is going to to coach until he's 90....isn't he? He's just always there.

To me, the most alarming thing was him missing Sanders on that last play. Sanders was wide open for the 1st down, and Josh was rolling that way. It seemed like he looked right at him before forcing it in the other direction. He's doing what he can given the line, and I haven't lost faith in him - but that was a head scratcher.

It's a bit more than that. I know what you're saying - but they haven't played anywhere near expectations throughout the season. Last week was alarming. We got a little lucky in the 4th - against Miami. This week is another notch on the ladder of concern (that sounds weird, but I'm sticking w/ it). It's not a 4-alarmer yet, but this team is on the wrong track right now. They have to get right.

It was a Murphy's Law kind of game. But, and I hate to say it - good teams still find a way in those.

This team bought the hype. They have played the entire season like a team that's waiting for its coronation. It's the only explanation I have - on paper, this team is BETTER than the one that tore through the league in November, December & January, and almost made it to the show. But they're playing these games like fans do when they go through the schedule. Miami? Easy win. Jax? Let's check who we're playing next week. And beyond that, opposing teams are playing every game against us like we're the best team in the league. We're one of those teams now - we're getting every team's best. This team has to get back to the basics. The talent is there. They have to play every week like their season depends on it....not like they're waiting to see who they play in the AFCCG.