Success

After reading through the thread, it seems to shake out this way: If you believe football to be a sport of individual achievement - say, tennis, golf, maybe the high jump - you think Mahomes is clearly better, because of what KC has accomplished. If, however, you see football as a team game, where coaches, key contributions from other players, and injuries can have an impact - you might think Allen is as good, or even better. I'd conclude w/ the following: I can name a few players on KC's defense who had impact/game-changing plays in this past year's playoff match-up, including the pressure from Chris Jones at the end, which I believe changed the outcome. Can anyone name one such play from a Bills defender? I'd count the goal-line fumble as a bit flukey, and balanced by the terrible coaching decision to fake the punt. I can't think of another single play anyone on the Bills defense made that game.

Well, you got the "paired w/ a HoF coach" right. But, I guess we're to conclude that makes no difference in a QB or team's success.

You lost me at "win/loss is a qb stat." That ain't football. If it's the perception of some football fans or pundits, they're not being logical about the sport. It's an emotional reaction, which I understand many have, but it's meaningless in a debate of "better QB," unless either QB clearly outperformed the other in the games.

As though its apples to apples? I thought hard about it. I'm good. Thanks, though.

What is this supposed to teach us?

How so? Mahomes has more TD's, because he has had more playoff games. Otherwise, they've both been pretty great. Are you talking about team accomplishments like advancing further?

Ah, yes - the ol' "Dilfer is better than (insert every QB who was clearly better but didn't win a SB)" argument. It's not golf.

I mean, you asked. KC fans were over the moon that Scantling came through - and they were great catches. Your narratives aren't working, which is why you keep changing them. But it's fine. You think Mahomes is a better QB. I disagree w/ that. The world will keep on turning.

Scantling had 2 catches of about 30 yards each that were probably his best catches of the season. If Diggs hauls in a perfect 60 yarder, KC probably doesn't repeat. Mahomes isn't better than Allen, imo. He has had better teams, better coaching, and better circumstances. And better luck.

Because KC's receivers actually played a lot better during the game. The guys who were dropping passes all year made spectacular catches. Meanwhile, Diggs & others were dropping dimes.

So, it's not a team game after all. Who knew?

These debates always sound like people are comparing golfers, or tennis players. Most agree that Reid is the best coach in the league. Few have McDermott in the top tier. The discussion ends there for rational fans. But, perception is everything in football. Mahomes has titles, Josh doesn't. So Mahomes is obviously way better. Gosh - that really does sound like it would tough to deal with.

Three is a reason three have been no threepeats. It won't be the Chiefs this year. I'm picking Buffalo. Ravens possibly, but I think this could be the year we finally stay kinda healthy and make that deep run.

This is on sort of a different track - but one of my son's first years in little league, the coach had him batting 9th in the order for a few weeks. He had shown some flashes, so the coach took a chance and moved him up to the clean-up spot. It was the last inning, the team was down by 1, another player was on base, and he hit a home run to win the game. Watching my other son catch the last out for a win was also big. In terms of sports viewing, watching our playoff game against the Pats few years ago was tops.

I mean, what are you basing that on? He's a boomer, for sure. How are his directional punts? How is he when it comes to pinning teams inside the 20?

A big leg isn't everything for a punter. Some scouts didn't like him because his kicks would outdistance the coverage. He's also just a boomer, from what I understand - not good at directional or pinning inside the 20. And yes, I'm rationalizing. It works.

Trevor "plays his best only against Buffalo" Lawrence? Good. Let another AFC team waste some money.

Watching the Celtics on this run, it has occurred to me that they had to EARN this year, by having the same kinds of repetitive failures as the Bills have had. They got scars along the way, but without those hardships and disappointments, they wouldn't be where they are right now. They didn't have a consistent nemesis like the Bills have had - but other teams have. Jordan's Bulls, Manning's Colts. The question is, will the Bills' previous failures harden them, and make them more determined? Or will they wilt under the weight of their history? I'd go for "wilting" if not for Josh Allen. Allen is among the toughest QB's I've ever seen, physically and mentally. He will lead this team over the KC hump, and to a title.

Slow is the new fast! I can't wait to see this guy play w/ Allen. Hopefully he gets a ring or 2 or 3 before his next contract...

I was thinking the same watching the Yankees this week. At least the Bills give the Chiefs a pretty good fight. The Royals got nuthin'.

People keep forgetting that last one. If the situation was reversed and KC had been missing that many key players, and the Bills were relatively healthy - that game likely isn't close, and is a decisive Bills win.

It gets tough in these situations. It has now become a mental hurdle - there is a psychological aspect which heightens the challenge, especially in future games that are close. As the clock winds down, the old doubts start creeping in. But there is tons of precedent for reversing the narrative in sports, i.e. the Patriots owned Peyton Manning - until they didn't. He really got the last laugh in that rivalry, and I'm hoping the same for Allen.

Yep. I was tuned in on draft weekend, but otherwise, I haven't checked into what's going on that much. I'm looking forward to opening day and will be focused once the season starts, but I'm watching the Rangers and Yankees these days, and hoping Dallas can beat the Celtics in the final.

There seems to be some bad energy in KC. There was some ridicule on draft day & in general that Beane and McDermott gravitate more toward "high character" guys and leaders. Personally, I don't mind that.

It's not one memory, but I used to travel a lot, and when I'd be wearing a Bills shirt or something, I'd usually get approached by other Bills fans - and it's really like someone from the family. There is such a comradery from the shared experience. I don't think we're the only fanbase like that - but it's a select few, imo. We've just been through so much.