Success

We've seen this play out many times over the year. It doesn't ALWAYS happen, but chances are it will be a factor...

Gotta say - this "making a playoff run" stuff is everything it's cracked up to be, and more. Some nerves, but overall, this has been a more fun month than I can ever remember this time of year. Makes me dislike Pats fans even more for getting this every year while we were going through mock drafts...

They can't cover all of our receivers. Just realized that. Thought I'd let everyone know.

Honestly, with Allen, we really need a dome - we'll just win more. That said, people think the wind will hurt the Bills more tomorrow, because of the Ravens running game. But it's not like the Ravens can abandon the pass. And I trust Allen's arm to throw accurately in the win MUCH more than Jackson's arm.

I used to fear Jimmy G. being the heir to Brady there. Thought they might have a Montana/Young thing going. Not anymore. He'll probably be the worst QB in the division if they get him.

When we won the Colts game, I figured the Ravens would be given respect, and that many would pick a close game, with some having the Ravens advance. As the week has gone on, it seems like the narrative has really evolved. The "Ravens are too much for the Bills" sentiment has snowballed - a combo of the Bills looking shaky against the Colts, and the Ravens looking good - even though their game was pretty close, as well. I'm actually a-okay w/ this. I did NOT like being such a consensus favorite against the Colts. I guess a lot of fans prefer the underdog role, and the idea of being a surprise instead of a disappointment. I legit feel like we're underdogs now - not the line, but going by many of the pundits I've seen.

One thing that concerns me - MOST of these good young guns are in the AFC. And there is a good chance that Lawrence & Fields will be joining them there. The QB talent in the NFC is really waning. Wilson is obviously great, but after him, there is a pretty big drop-off once Rodgers, Brees and Brady retire...

It's an excellent doc, though painful to watch. It's hard to watch the reactions of guys like Bruce & Thurman as they're watching certain plays and clearly lamenting what could have been. We really need to win one. That's really all it takes to erase all of the heartache & disappointment - not just from those 4 runs, but from the near 3 decades since.

Sports media is PURE hot take now. That's as far as anyone thinks.

I think he's a shoe-in for the "most network airtime for an assistant coach during a game" award for the '20 season.

The Ringer is great. They have excellent writers. That 1st article about the Colts game - I mean, everything he wrote are things that I'm sure we all felt. On that last hail mary, it DID feel like the camera was focused on the ball for a few minutes, to the point of forgetting anyone was on the field. And it did conjure up the AZ game. That article encapsulated why I love being a Bills fan so much. It's such a unique shared experience. I travel a lot, and when I see someone wearing Bills gear, it's like they're a brother or sister. Depending on the situation, there is sometimes a hug involved. With a complete stranger. It's not like that with my other sports loyalties. And one thing I think is important to remember: no one on this Bills team has that shared experience with us. Nor does the coaching. And that's a good thing - they're just looking at these as games. They're not carrying all of the crazy, doom-y baggage that we do.

Excellent post. I didn't follow the Ravens too closely this season, but now I feel like I know what to expect. Gotta get that early lead. I had no idea they were last in pass offense.

If we end up winning a Super Bowl...is this the toughest game we could have? I know KC lit us up a bit on the ground in the 1st go round, but that was because of the conditions. I feel like both them and a potential match-up with Green Bay would be our passing game against their passing games, and our pass defense is probably the best out of those teams. The Ravens are a different animal. It's the best D we're likely to face, and they can control the clock w/ that running game.

The Ravens are becoming a popular upset pick. Though it wouldn't be TOO much of an upset. I actually didn't know their running game had been so good - averaging 240+ over the past 6 games. That's a serious ground game. So important to take an early lead in this one.

To be fair, we've had our own luck. The Rams PI comes to mind - that was ticky tacky for that point in the game. We've had a few others.

I've gotta say - after years of playing against Brady, who would burn you EVERY time you tried to blitz, it's cool to be on the other side of it. Allen has quietly become one of the top QB's against the blitz. I love the thought of a team trying to blitz us now. Allen knows how to read it & adjust to it, our line knows how to block it, and with our receivers, it will generally leave someone wide open.

It seems predictable when you watch them play, but he's so elusive and can also turn those into big runs if he spots a hole. I'm really curious to see how we defend him. We're really going to need that INT, or a couple of them. This game feels like one that will be decided by the turnover battle.

It's been fun to watch him emerge this season. This is not an easy line-up for a WR to break into and distinguish himself in - but he has had his share of memorable moments and valuable contributions, and was one of the real difference-makers in our 1st playoff win in 25 years. If I'm being nitpicky, I can only think of one miscue he had all season - the drop in the endzone against the Pats. Otherwise, he's been amazing, especially for a rookie. We have serious depth at WR.

It's somewhat true. In a way, we have exactly the kind of team that usually doesn't end up winning Super Bowls. High-flying pass attacks usually run into a buzzsaw defense along the way, and once that gets taken away they turn back into a pumpkin. I think this year's Bills team has some intangibles that could overcome that. But I'm a homer and I stray more & more from logic as we advance further, so that can't really be trusted.

Bills 28 Ravens 13

Our worry shouldn't be losing 5. It should be becoming as arrogant as Pats fans when we go 5-4.

So did I. It wasn't unlike the Music City Miracle for me. When I saw the replay, I was 100% - we got this.

I hope not. Give the guy a mulligan - he has been spectacular all season. In decades of watching this team, I can't remember being so excited about returns. He can flat out make plays.

Of course it would be heartbreaking. But 0-4 was 3 decades ago. I've seen a lot of "tee hee hee" about this possibility on twitter and around the internet from other fans, and I feel the same way about it that I do about the idea that 0-4 is some kind of black eye: it's just bull. Making 4 straight is an insane accomplishment, just as making the SB would be this year. I just reject it all, that there is a stigma, or that it would be worse because we already lost 4 ages ago. It would be bad to lose because it hurts to lose a Super Bowl, but that's it. All that said, let's just win the damned thing.

I loved how stoked he was after that kick. In general, it's great to have a kicker that is also a football player & competitor, and not just a "specialist." I feel like he's one of those guys. As someone else noted, he made a great tackle at another point in the game. He also looked laser-focused when he was lining up that kick.