corta765

100%. The one thing I have been jealous of the NFC is in the last 20 years they've had like 12 different teams make a SB whereas the AFC was like 6 or 7. It would be refreshing if finally things really loosen up where Josh & Lamar get their chances but even teams like Jax or Hou make a run over the next 5-7 years. Honestly the Chiefs next year and moving forward will be interesting. They were not a 15-2 team last year but their mystique was certainly there until they got bludgeon in the super bowl. They probably are a playoff team this year but the luck piece is real and the otherside of that never is fun. Regardless I wonder can they get back up and have a second run the way NE did in the 2010s or do they become/stay a good team but the dominating world beater side is no longer there.

They have had those losses every year which is a different conversation but leaves the same feeling. The big difference is NE being good and taking advantage of a weak schedule to jump the Bills. That said the 5 seed going to PIT and then possibly going to JAX would be very enticing

3/4 AFC Rankings I have done this at the ¼ mark, ½ mark, and now finally the ¾ rankings of AFC teams. The separation is pretty set now and honestly the AFC is a fun whacky stressful jumbled mess. There are 6-7 teams who could win the conference, but every single one has a flaw or two so while they are formidable they are not terrifying the way the Chiefs/Bills/Ravens have been for 7-8 years now. For the final time this season lets do this, agree, debate, get mad because its cold out, etc.. lets rumble: Two Very Very Good Quality Teams That A But... New England Patriots- Drake Maye makes me believe in this team more then anything else, but the talent around him is not great, injuries have started, and what happens come playoff time when the schedule is not cupcakes. Denver Broncos- The defense is truly great and the offense is good with moments of greatness. The big question is how much you believe in Bo Nix. He has had some moments of greatness and the 4th quarter he certainly comes alive. At the same time he has had turnovers in 7 of their 13 games, he has a QB rating of just 86 which in todays NFL is pretty shaky with only two games above 100, and he can be quite shaky if you get pressure to him. Their Defense is the 2nd Coming Of Genghis Khan’s Army Houston Texans- Having seen the Texans against us and quite a few other teams all I can say is wow. That defense hits to hurt which is refreshing as long as it is NOT your team haha. The offense can do enough and Stroud is solid enough to be a problem. But that defense is the type that you can ride for a run and you need to get up early on and by a bunch so they can not play rope a dope. The Jaguars may win the division, but Houston is the team I have no interest playing. If The Bills Don’t Make the SB Brandon Beane Will Have All of WNY on His Front Step Buffalo Bills- The defense can do enough at this point to maintain given injuries and the overall situation. The big haunting question could be “What if the Bills had gotten a WR at any point between March and the Trade Deadline” if they can’t make a run. This team isn’t perfect but they can do more then enough, will it last when it matters. Like every year they seem to be coming together enough at the end (credit to McD) and Josh is doing his superman thing. Not sure they will ever get a playoff field that most likely is out Burrow, Mahomes, & possibly Lamar again so if there is a time it is now even with a mish mosh roster. The AFC North.. … … ? … W T F Pittsburgh Steelers- At this point for purely entertainment reasons the Steelers making it in with Rodgers would be great. This really is not a good football team, but seeing them block the Ravens would be hysterical and they have the edge at this point. Baltimore Ravens- As a Bills fan all I can do is laugh. The hubris from the media and this team themselves in the offseason was historically off the charts. People were ready to crown them champs before a game was played. Now they look closer to needing to reset parts of the roster and the critics of Lamar have more ammunition if they miss the playoffs again this year. Cincinnati Bengals- I am only including them because there is a world they somehow win the AFC North at 8-9. The roster mismanagement hit a new high as Hendrickson is now out for the year who they could’ve/should’ve traded for picks to help reset. If Burrow is ever healthy again for 17 games they are a playoff team and a dangerous one. But with every passing year it gets harder to really buy his health or their true potential in general as a team. Cincy man ugh Playoff Teams Jacksonville Jaguars- The offense is statistically middle of the road (17th total yards per game) while the defense close to top 10 overall (10th yards allowed per game) and they have benefited with being +8 in turnover differential. They are playing very good complementary football, Trevor Lawrence has looked decent to good a lot, and Travis Etienne is having a great year. So while they may not be world beaters this is a solid team that people will probably count out until the playoffs come and they have the lead in the 4th quarter wildcard weekend. Los Angeles Chargers- Simple as this. What will Herbert do this January and can he elevate to the top of the league in QBs as the post season is where names are made. The roster has injuries like every year but there is certainly talent and good coaching, but the NFL made by QBs and in the regular season Herbert’s numbers are there. Can he/they finally win something here? (division, playoff game, run to AFC title?) Midnight Is Finally Almost Here Kansas City Chiefs- I am sure there are plenty of Chief fans who would trade some of last years luck and a 13-4 record so the team is 8-5 right now. Everyone said they over performed and the lineup is more shaky then people wanted to admit and now it all has come to roost at once as everything has broke against them right down to luck. Even if they make the playoffs this is not the team people feared for a decade and you wonder how much the Eagles broke this teams aura last SB. I Feel Bad For Their Fans Indianapolis Colts- I have a hard time sympathizing with fans who had two decades plus of great QB play, won a SB and went to another… but I feel for Colts fans. Going from 8-1 with the 1 seed with your team looking fun and spunky to 8-5, starting QB gone for the year, out two 1st round picks, and possibly not winning another game is beyond rough. Even the Bills drought didn’t give us a season of the high of hope for that long for only the end result to be no playoffs. Maybe Rivers does return and it is some Cinderella magic to keep them in, but I just can’t see it. Wilder Sh*t Has Happened Miami Dolphins- The Phins can absolutely make the playoffs if they win out… I don’t see it happening but given how they started that feels like progress. In fact had they not blown the week 2 game against NE or games against Carolina or the Chargers they could be the 7th seed. Still it feels like a classic Dolphins Tua/McDaniel thing to win the next to and be 8-7 before blowing the last two when the door is open. Their Offseason will be Fascinating Cleveland Browns- Sheuder Sanders had a great game Sunday despite the loss and has shown enough to get a look at the one spot next year. Still Cleveland has two 1st along with five other picks in rounds 2-5. If they like a guy in round 1 do they make a move regardless of Sanders? That defense is superb, if they ever figure out the offense specifically QB. Soooo What Is The Plan Oakland sorry Vegas Raiders- Ever since Gruden left this team has been listing aimlessly for a while. I got the hype some saw in the Raiders with Geno going to Carroll who he was good with in Seattle, but the talent on the rest of the roster is porous as heck. They feel closer to another lost season in 2026 before major overhaul in 2027 with a new Coach and GM then making any progress in 2026. On To The 2026 Draft Tennessee Titans- Cam Wards future will be determined by who the next coach is and how much talent they can get on the O-line along with some young pass catchers. In a way I can see a 2017 esq Rams thing here with a talented passer who has a roster that needs talent and poor coaching so no one really knows what the upside is. But soo much depends on what is done roster wise in the offseason AND who the coach is. On To The 2027 Draft … They Have A Little Lions To Them Though New York Jets- Aaron Glenn had a brutal start but they have now won three of their last six and been spunky in those games. This team needs skill and talent in many spots including pass catcher, but Breece Hall is quietly having a good year and Mason Taylor at TE looks like he could be a solid starter for them. Like Campbell’s Lions year 1, it hasn’t been pretty BUT if they actually stick to a plan and let it truly have time to come together without ownership meddling they could be a tough opponent every week next year.

There is something to be said for continuity, program, and culture in football. Many of the best orgs in sports do not make drastic changes regularly to mgmt or coach if they consistently are winning ... whereas many of the worst orgs its change after change 24/7. WITH that said... at some point you have to evaluate your goals for your organization and what you are aiming for. The NFL is vastly different from even 10 years ago, coaches messages can run dry at some point (even the best), and saying "hey we appreciate to the max everything you have done but we need to carefully do something new" is a proper approach when the majority of the arrows are pointing down on your direction. The Eagles I have a ton of respect since Lurie took over because they org is consistent from owner to mgmt on what the goals are and the approach. They have had a few coaches since Reid but they do not settle for what they expect and all of the coaches have had anywhere from 3-5 years to implement their program. Additionally they have not had the benefit of a franchise QB since McNabb although Hurts is pretty good, yet have won very consistently in that time. My uncle once said that in football once you have a winning org your goal is to keep that vibrancy and culture with good people for as long as possible without taking a wreckling ball to it. The Bills drought non surprisingly started when Butler and staff was fired who proceeded to help make the Chargers into a strong program.

Same and I quasi would prefer HOU and BUF tie so tie breaker wise were the 6th seed. I think the Bills worst wo matchups are BAL/HOU in the playoffs. If they avoid them I can see a run. I use nfl playoff predictor and this was how I got there on the AFC:

AFC 1. DEN 2. NE 3. JAX 4. BAL 5. BUF 6. HOU 7. KC (f*ck) NFC 1. PHI 2. LAR 3. GB 4.TB 5. SEA 6. CHI 7. SF AFC title DEN over HOU NFC title LAR over TB SB LAR over DEN It is a weird weird year AFC wise so I expect something wild. NFC wise TB when healthy is a unit and they are getting their guys back and Baker leads a run to the NFC title game before falling short. I still think the Rams are the best team in the NFL and when push comes to shove they outlast everyone. Unfortunately I have the Bills losing in BAL as it just feels like an atrocious matchup with the run defense and we lose something like 27-23 and everyone is very mad because the WR corp fails us in the biggest moment. (I hope I am wrong with everything I said in this last sentence)

Bills win 7-3 and everyone leaves incredibly stunned and confused at what just occurred as the game sets football back two decades

Irony is in the expanded NFL playoffs San Diego would've made the playoffs as the 7th seed. It is not talked about enough how the extra wildcard will keep many of the best QBs from missing or limit the times it happens. Imagine if KC makes it this year at 10-7 as the 7th seed? In the old playoff structure their probably toast, instead they have very real shot.

Kelly grew up in Pittsburgh so the Buffalo area was naturally more homelike compared to Cali for Allen even if he says the place resonates deeply to him. Different world now that NFL stars are quasi global stars and they maintain a small residence down the road but I would expect them to be in Cali.

Of the winning teams you listed I pick these and added one of my own: 2012 Ravens - Above average team with a QB who gets hot and the best pieces of that team hit it hot at the right time 2011 Giants - D-line comes together at seasons end and destroys QBs while QB drives the offense 1997 Broncos - HOF QB with great running game and enough at WR to go with an opportunistic defense. 2010 Packers (My pick) - HOF QB goes nuts come post season with a solid enough roster doing its part. I think the Packers WRs corp was sizably better, but with Kincaid healthy it closes the gap. Cook is a far better RB though then James Stark. Biggest difference is that defense was pretty good, the Bills defense would need to catch up there. Few teams that might be similar but lost the Superbowl? 1999 Titans- Great QB & RB average WR corp. The defense though was super stout which makes the comparison tougher. 1996 Patriots- Offense was dynamic, defense was average so I get the comparison. The coaching staff was lightyears ahead of ours 1992 Buffalo Bills- Probably the worst of the four SB teams but I can see the comparison. 1996-97-89 Denver broncos- HOF QB drags an average roster to SBs ... yea sounds similar lol

Sir my Lincoln Hawkeyes (moved the Cards) in Madden 2004 had a ten year dynasty which we made the Superbowl 8 of 10 years and won 5. Who are you to question my knowledge!!!

He is an idiot and I can do better. Thank you

I think your a little overtly critical on this one and generally I am in agreement with your writing. I 100% agree on the turnovers as it killed two promising drivers and the penalty on 4th and 1 forced a FG. These things have to be cleaned up, they have been so unhinged on offense with penalties and turnovers since NE with only KC/CAR being clean games since. They just don't have the room for error against better opponents for those mistakes. With that said the offense I give a lot of credit to given the scope of the injuries and the team in general to rise up. They finally hit another gear in the 2nd half which I haven't seen since KC and before that honestly the 4th quarter of the Ravens game. One thing I liked when Von was here was the killer instinct he had to burn it down when it matters and go for blood. I do agree at times they just seem to be going through the motions and in losses by the time they get it figured out it is too late. Regarding Brady they did what was needed with your starting OTs out and a defense letting you run rough shot on them. Palmer is looking like a bust with how often he is out, Shakir should've had a TD on that one slant, and Gabe yikes on that INT. I honestly am excited for the CIN game because like TB your going to have to pass it to some degree if your going to win so it will be a good time for Brady to show he has it or else. Overall 8-4 and the playoffs are far more certain at this point then they were before the game. The division unfortunately they have harmed themselves too much to probably get outside of some help by NY or MIA when they play NE. The one good thing this year is there is no team in the AFC to fear as all of them have ways you can beat them. The issue is after Josh & Cook I am not sure how much teams fear us either.

True. I have us at 11 wins also and going to BAL. Such is life in either scenario lol

Having watched the Ravens they are no sure thing right now. Lamar is hurt, the defense is shaky, and the offense is as up & down as the Bills. I do agree I would still bet on BAL over PIT or CIN, but this is the most chaotic year in the AFC in probably two decades when DEN hosted PIT in the AFC title and PIT won.

They will still probably make the playoffs. Football is not linear and a very week to week league. Jags are right now the flavor of the week in the AFC South same with Houston but the moment either loses the narrative changes. The bigger thing is the AFC South possibly pitting 3 teams in the playoffs and blocking KC/BAL from making it in. That is the wildest thing to me.

As someone who wears glasses I have not understood the trend of non glasses individuals intentionally wearing glasses

The offense isn't far at all. It was something they could've and should've addressed this offseason with WR but captain yahoo mouthed off instead and now is paying for it. The defense is much harder to say how far they are or aren't as the injuries make it hard to evaluate completely all the good and bad. The defensive line specifically at end still is leaky at best and their LB corp is behind what the best teams are using at LB. They need a lot more then a simple revision at those areas whereas the secondary I am fine with saying add a safety to go with Bishop + a guy at NCB and I feel really good where it looks. But the scheme itself needs an overhaul and a new DC so the amount of changes on the defensive side feels more pronounced in general.

The turnovers, sacks, & penalties were all destined to balance out after last year which meant you needed either to A. improve the talent at WR either through growth/talent acquisition and/or B. Scheme evolves. Neither of those happens, regression to the mean has come so if the gameplan is sour the talent isn't there to overcome mistakes/injuries. In 3 of the 4 losses (ATL/MIA/HOU) the Bills offensive line got blown to bits with Josh running for his life and making poor choices himself. Brady has taken far too longer to adjust his play calls in those games if at all and it is noticeable with Josh's frustration. In general the offense many times has felt like they expect to be good or it will just happen vs. actually working and making it happen. The fact in the 3rd quarter they didn't switch to a no huddle approach with quick slants or fast plays to negate what HOU was doing was mind blowing to me and a true critique of Brady who this year has failed to regularly to stay up with what the defense is doing if his gameplan is failing. Brady his first year and half as OC had it going with a dominant run game and pass game that complemented what he put out running the ball. Defenses have caught up and at no point has any real change or evolution come. The irony is of course the Bills in 12/13 personnel are quite good yet we have stopped running that regularly. The critique on the Bills not pulling out close games comes with regression itself after going 5-2 in one score games last year they are 1-2 this year. Again the numbers never lose it always balances out and the Bills approach was "well for us it will be different this year" rather then make meaningful change scheme and talent wise.

To me the killer was HOU getting the lead before half. BUF was not perfect but held the hammer in the game and didn't have to chase or press. Once the Texans got the lead it felt like the offense reallyy had to press and it got bad quickly. The defense certainly got better in the 2nd half, but that TD drive before half was sooo bad I have no idea what we were doing. Like you said funny game, if Prater makes that XP then Josh ties the game late and who knows. Funny game.

McGovern I would be stunned if they move on from. Center QB is a very delicate thing and he has done well with Josh. I can see a 2-3 year deal especially with holes elsewhere and then in a year or two drafting a guy to replace him.

He has created the dumbest burden possible between his comments and then failing to get this trade where the pressure on what happens with this pick/whatever WR is brought in good luck

I don't disagree and I expect the biggest splash to be at WR to address that. BUT the offense realistically needs two guys and with the right guys it can really go. The defense on the other hand is a full blown mess. The investments made to help the d-line are either hurt or failed, the LB corp sucks and doesn't fit todays NFL. The secondary thank god looks like it could be quite good if they get the right safety in and another decent good CB for reserve. But in general a lot more talent and a new scheme is needed if you want the D to be decent.

His cap is wayyyy too high and his production isn't enough for the savings. Restructure or cut I fully expect a major change there I get it... I also don't see Beane gone even if I would fire him.

Welp a bad loss which highlights a lack of talent at WR hopefully gets that fixed for good. I guess the only thing I would say is with Josh I always want a shot because if he is hot for four games anything is possible.