corta765

There D line has 23 sacks on the year and has failed to generate a lot of pressure routinely. Second they have allowed more points then Buffalo. The belief that Miami's D and the line especially is some juggernaut is flat wrong and stems from the fact they have names in Suh and Wake not production.

After last nights upset of the Patriots the media is now singing the praises of Miami and Bills fans are scared much more of games I think many saw or said would be easier against MIA. While Miami got a nice win against the Patriots last night I think people need to pump the breaks a bit. I am by no means saying Miami is a weak foe either, Gase has this team playing hard regardless of record and no team is a pushover for the Bills. Other then the Raiders games all of our wins have been close and even if the Bills sweep the Phins I would expect similar. That said here are a few reasons I think we need to slow down the "Miami is going to roll Buffalo train": Patriots suck playing in Miami: Four of the last five games played in Miami the Dolphins have beat New England with two of those games being by 10 points or more. Since Brady took over for the Patriots Miami they actually are 8-9 in Miami one of the few teams that have beat the Patriots more often then not. Perhaps Tom has a beach house he gets smashed at before the game, the humidity really is a factor, or some other weird JuJu but the Dolphins have managed to be a decent thorn for the Patriots at home. If the Dolphins beat anyone not named the Patriots this would be a regular game, but the primetime slot mixed with the fact the Patriots name has an aura and the hype gets pumped. Buffalo actually has a better point differential, have scored more points than Miami, and actually allowed less points on D: These two teams are frankly far similar then what a lot of people will say, but the Bills actually have a much better PD despite being torched by the Chargers and Saints. Up until the last two weeks the Dolphins had allowed 28 pts or more for 6 straight weeks. Their defense has allowed 28 more points then the Bills defense. By comparison even the Bills with the nightmare 3 game stretch have fared better on defense. The Bills offense somehow someway has actually outscored Miami 240-236. Obviously not sexy stats by any stretch on offense, but the Dolphins while they have better QB play are not some crazy dynamo either on offense. The Dolphins offense has been playing since Cutler returned to the lineup which cannot be discounted, but this is also the same QB who weeks 1-4 scored a whopping 41 points on offense so take that all as you can. Dolphins Defense Not As Potent As It Seems: Miami is kind of similar to the Bills on defense with a bend type break mantra. They like the Bills are decent on 3rd down defense, Passing D is upper half of the league, and run defense a little bit better then Buffalo in the middle of the pack. But while their defensive line gets a lot of hype they have a whopping 2 more sacks then the Bills with 23 overall. The point of attack/who wins the line will dictate the game Sunday, but Buffalo may have an advantage especially play at home against Miami. Also while Turnovers are far from predictable Miami ranks in the bottom 3rd of the league overall while the Bills have been pretty good at getting turnovers especially at opportune times. Miami has not had a bye this season: Because of the hurricane that delayed the Dolphins first game until later on in the season Miami has been playing now for 13 straight weeks. Also playing on Monday night they have one less day to rest their guys. While this may not seem like a major factor the war of attrition is undefeated in having an effect on a team. It will be a high of 34 Sunday with snow and wind for the game. I would not be surprised of the Dolphins get a little gassed as the game progresses given the shortened rest and overall fatigue on their bodies. Overall this game I will expect to be very close in the end with Buffalo coming out. When we go down to Miami I would flip the script because the teams are both very similar in a lot of styles. For Buffalo to win though they will need a game that mimics what they did against Denver offensively and defense to get enough 3 and outs to be rested. The biggest threat to the Bills losing Sunday is Cutler getting hot and throwing all over. The only reason I am not more fearful of that is the Bills secondary is now healthy and has been the strength of the D all season allowing the least amount of TD's thrown on all year. It shall be a fun affair go bills!

Well stated and obviously your not justifying the actions either which are horrendous, but American's like to pretend our cultural is clean and cut yet you have half naked girls flaunting guys for beer on commercials. It's kind of an insane standard of what we accept yet proceed to condone. So one of the interesting things most American's don't know is how this type of stuff overseas in Europe is a non issue because it is borderline just accepted that women are cat called and harassed. My wife studied in Spain for 5 months and they said on the trip to be incredibly careful because if you go home with a guy and but don't want sex and he proceeds to force himself on you the laws protect the men and there is nothing that can be done. So with the lack of enforcement on something like rape cat calling and harassment etc.. are quite common there and most other European countires. I think currently the can of worms has been opened where this behavior is being treated more seriously so the initial spill of awful people is hitting and it will subside in a bit. That said I do not doubt some are using this as an opportunity to gold dig which is problematic to true victims when those cases are proven to be lies which some will then use to discredit real allegations..

Nothing. He was open to sign with anyone last off season and came back here for less money. Contemplate that

I hate doing it but I have them at 1-2 and losing a win and your in game against MIA week 17. Defensively the Bills are close to MIA with both teams having strong 3rd down D's and good secondaries. The difference is MIA is far better against the run. In BUF with the elements I think the Bills pull out the W, but down there MIA will have the advantage and Gase has this team still playing despite bleaker playoff odds.

DRAFT by a mile. If you hit on a QB drafted you get a nice period where they are paid far below market value which you can use to build quickly a strong roster. Second a young QB is far more moldable then a guy who has seasoning already.

The stadium had 60k there, I would know I was there and they probably only had a 4-5k in tickets not sold total. Second the NFL gets and makes its money from the TV deals and sponsors now not ticket sales.

Obviously the Bills have done a spectacular job at creating their own barriers so they have missed the playoffs for 17 straight years pushing 18 now. That said I wanted to lay out some factors that are not the Bills fault that have helped to impede the Bills making the playoffs during this time: NFL's shift to making the league a QB driven league to a potentially unhealthy point: One of my majors gripes as a football fan in general is how the game has drastically changed where QB's are the focus to a point the team doesn't matter. The rule changes in 03, 04, 07, & 10 gave QB's a significant advantage that still hasn't been accounted for. Back before the rule changes it was possible to have a team was a decent defense and running game make the playoffs and win a round even if the QB was dog crap. QB play still determined the outcome for Super Bowls and you generally need a top QB to win a SB unless your defense is DEN or SEA like, but the league use to emphasize the rest of the team far more. These days if you hit a QB a split second late high its a penalty, low its a penalty, intentional grounding is almost never called anymore, and WRs are protected by the rules more making it easier for QBs to either get them the ball or draw a penalty. You could draw back some of these rules a bit where player safety is still prioritized first but the defense has a better shot. Additionally if QB's are getting the ball out faster even just to throw it away start enforcing intentional grounding more. It's kind of insane the current rules that if you throw the ball remotely near a player when chased it isn't even questioned as illegal. New England Patriots: Fair or not the Bills have been stuck with the best dynasty run potentially ever. Swing a game or two here in just a few seasons and the Bills probably sneak in at 9-7 or 10-6. The record vs NE is incredible and its gotten to the point of almost always being a guaranteed loss. If your routinely starting the season 0-2 that is a hard place to come from. Number of NFL Teams: When the NFL expanded the playoffs to add the 6th WC spot they did so because the percentage of teams that make the playoffs was in the low 30% range. When they added the 6th spot they did so because it made it where around 44% of the league made the playoffs increasing competition and giving everyone a better chance. Since the 90s expansion though that number has reverted back down to 37.5%. Had another spot been open the odds favor that one of the seasons the Bills were 9-7 or potentially couldve gone 9-7 they sneak in. Not the best situation for BUF to make the playoffs but it would've killed the drought. Additionally with more NFL teams there is less high end talent and good QB's available for teams to have making it even more difficult to find and field a strong roster. NFL Rules: During the drought the Bills have caught the poor side of some officiating that has blown back in our face. None looms larger then the home opener loss to the Jaguars in 04 where we knocked the Jags TE out of bounds and were penalized at the time because we impeded his ability to catch the ball. TD Jags and loss BUF. What sucks is that rule no longer exists and had the Bills won they would've made the playoffs. Continuing the them of QB's and the Patriots, the Bills got the brunt of the rule changes that enhanced QB play with Brady. The best way to beat him is to hit him a lot and jam his WR's. Well guess what the NFL alters that and makes both far harder. Bad luck despite 5-1 or 5-2 starts: Statistically if you start 5-1 or 5-2 you have about a 73% chance of making the playoffs. If your 5-1 you don't even need to be above .500 just go 5-5 and your most likely making it. The Bills 3 separate times have defied odds drastically in their favor to a maddening level. In the end this does fall back on them, but fans have gotten to the point we are more terrified at 5-1 or 5-2 then excited. That's insane haha

I understand fan unrest on this, but I would ask fans to really step back big picture wise. The NFL at that point was exploding money wise and if Ralph had died any point pre-2010 this team moved straight up. I think perhaps the team was too heavy handed with the Toronto thing especially moving regular season games there, but I also think Ralph was doing what he had to do so had he passed away the Bills looked stronger as a regional team $ wise and perhaps because of the Toronto affiliation the team could stay in Buffalo. Had the Bills been in the playoffs I don't think the blowback would've been as fierce, but adding Toronto into an already bleak situation did not help. Like I said I never liked the Toronto games and felt they should've just done 1 pre season game a year there instead, but I think if fans heard in owners meetings the back channel discussions on how the Bills were viewed and their viability in Buffalo during the 2000s we would at least be slightly more understanding. Respectfully my .02

Polians firing was bad but in context both men at the time were highly competitive and neither were the type to let their ego lose to another (both said as much and in retrospect wish they handled it differently). At the same point John Butler was responsible for the drafting of a pretty solid defense that deserved a better offense. To me Ralph certainly holds a decent amount of responsibility for the drought but to his credit he also owned up to the fact he made mistakes and apologized. I remember I believe it was 2005 he straight up held himself accountable for the team being a disaster. Not saying it helps but I think he at least had a pulse of the fans that I don't believe Terry and Kim have at least yet. To me Ralph's greatest detriment to the Bills was the time from 1999-2007. The NFL was changing very very quickly in terms of paying players, big contracts, TV deals, and how the league was going to be marketed. He 100% understood the business side and owners even credited him for seeing the Owners screwed themselves on the one CBA mid 2000s. BUT he was awful at seeing how player wise things were changing and the amount of money that was being asked. The list of players from basically 2000-2007 that walked out who we drafted and failed to even resign solely for money reasons really sucks. If Pegula was owner with Jason Peters he would still be our starting LT. Nate Clements and McKelvin were basically drafted because Ralph failed to pay up for Antoine Winfield who ended up being better then both and worth the money. There is a laundry list of examples like that. He did the right thing to try and have a czar like Donahoe, but after that refused to let others have a say until Buddy Nix. But after Donahoe he was very cheap with coaches and settled with a lot of retreads. The Marv Levy period may have been the worst drafting in the last 30 years also. Overall he got in the way far too much from 1999-2007. After that he started trying to pay for players, the summer of 08 I think they spent like 90 million on the offensive line for Derrick Dockery & I forgot the other guy but the team wasn't getting the impact guys needed and by that point Buffalo had a poor reputation league wide by players. Mix in the fact he was very controlling GM wise and it was just a mess. After 2008 though he started backing off as his health started going down so I can't really blame the guy much because it was more Brandon. So I would say the first half of the drought is on Ralph, after that between health, Brandon, and the bigger issue of the teams long term future I don't blame him because he was not nearly as involved and had switched how things were being done anyway. Overall as the owner of the Bills the end was disappointing and maybe lost a little luster for him team mgmt wise, but overall for the league he was truly one of the founders and locally always had the best interests in keeping the team viable/in Buffalo.

This a 100%. Sal C from WGR550 says people are now more inclined to go because the team is safe but I whole heartily disagree for the reason you mentioned. Once again its another December where you need to figure out the formula to fly to the Bermuda Triangle in order for the Bills to make it in. People are not fooled anymore and the incentive to go because they may leave is non existent so yea Ill stay home and watch.

So I gave up my seasons and my wife and I instead did the 3 games (Saints, Raiders, & Colts). I wouldn't have done the Colts but she loves Luck and we got them when it was expected he was playing. Now we are going to go and have fun, but it was a bummer to see the price drop so much when we paid $140 for row 8 sec 141. I gave up our seasons because of the time commitment mostly. I will say though that for me to get seasons again it will be a prove it situation. I will still go to games 3-4 plus 1 out of town if possible (I am planning on going to MIN to see them next year), watch on TV, and support them hard. BUT the seasons thing is a commitment and with how the games become so cheap in the bad seasons which we have had many of, its easier to just wait for the price to drop then renew. Coming from Rochester only makes it harder also.

My wife is a diehard Bills fan like me but her favorite QB is Luck. SOOO of course bought tickets row 8 141 sec for $150 back in summer which are now wayyy cheaper and Luckless haha

I remember the crown as a kid. My dad made a big point of that and how it really was a factor throwing the ball. Not sure it is anymore with the field turf and stuff

It's fitting the last game there would be a tie between these two teams

Haha this story is awesome and the ending is a 100% predictable. Only difference is if it was me with my kid my wife would've been pissed she didn't get to go which is a plus I think.

My first game was like a Bills Pats game early mid 90s when Kelly, Thomas, Reed, & Smith were still on the roster. I think he took me so I at least attended the good days and my only real memory is being in the 300s opponent sideline in like early Nov. BUT my first true memory would be the Bills Bears in 2000 I was 11 we sat 300s. Flutie started the game, for some reason in the 3rd quarter Johnson was put in though. He proceeded to get injured which the crowd cheer as he went off and Flutie back on (Not our finest day Bills fans). Any way Bills were up only by a few and then we got a defensive TD to ice the game. It was really fun and I still have the gloves my dad got me from a vendor on Abbott.

Your missing my point it is potential talent not actual execution. Spiller in an offense that highlighted his skills to run and catch getting the appropriate amount of carries could've been special. For center's you get linked with how good your QB is or isn't. Kent Hull would not have gotten the same adoration if he had Jeff George as his QB. I know fans don't like to hear it but circumstance, coach, and team matter a lot on how players are defined. As I said it was overall potential not what their career translated into also, I viewed it as What If when looking at their skill and position.

Well Darnold, Rosen, & at least Jackson all have been graded higher then Mahomes/Trubisky/Waston entering the draft not accounting Watsons amazing stretch for the sake of keeping just focused on leaving college for the draft. I have zero clue if any of them or someone like Allen or Mayfield will be better then the 2016 QB's, Goff, or Wentz, but those analyzing this draft/NFL personnel love the potential and traits shown thus far from this class compared to the previous 2 years. That said I still think the Browns kinda blew it not taking a guy in either of the previous 2 years. This is the sole reason I would've kept Rex Ryan for one more season especially if you were bringing back Tyrod. If you were going to do that again then give Rex one more year with his guys and draft picks to try and make it work. If it would've failed then scorch the earth on everything to start fresh. And for the record I was not and am not a Ryan fan in the least, but you gotta let a coach have enough time to make his mark. 3 years at least gives him 2 years of his draft and players and time to get his system in for better or worse.

Completely agree. Just saying had he picked Wentz and even if the team went say 2-14 last year and 4-12 or 5-11 this year he would've got a longer leash just because it feels like progress is being made. That unfortunately is what I think sunk him especially with the team really on the verge of 0-16.

BUT in the end W/L are what matters. They could've taken a QB in the past 2 seasons AND still had the majority of those picks. I don't disagree he probably got canned too early and should've been allowed his choice, but he also missed by not taking a QB when they reallyy really needed one and didn't pull the trigger.

I wouldn't say their defense is stellar YET. They have some really good pieces on the front 7 but the secondary needs work and we won't really no where that D stands until their offense stops playing at a D3 level.

If were going actual production and not just talent/potential I would go in this order: 1. London Fletcher (Dude might make the HOF) 2. LeSean McCoy (Recent but dear god is he good) 3. Kyle Williams (Enough said) 4. Fred Jackson (Enough said) I understand those who would say Marshawn Lynch but he really made his mark more in Seattle. NOW If we going off of talent regardless of if they actually hit their full potential my list looks like this: 1. CJ Spiller (He had one season where we saw what he really could do and before and after that season Chan couldn't out how to use him enough. I really believe had he had the proper coach and injuries didn't effect him the guy could've been an all time great. Different team and offense and I believe his story is far different) 2. Kyle Williams (If he wasn't in Buffalo aon a team that makes the playoffs a lot he might be in the discussion for the HOF some day. His numbers were always good and his play had almost zero drop off for a decade) 3. Eric Wood (When an offense is good and the QB play is good the line gets credit fair or not. Wood has always played at a pretty high level and with a better QB I think it would've enhanced his career) 4. Antoine Winfield (BUF completely botched this thinking Nate Clements was the better player and not wanting to pay him money to stay here. Clements was decent, but Winfield turned into a Pro Bowl CB and had a far longer more productive career. If the Bills had kept Winfield they don't end up drafting McKelvin because Clements leaving after 06 forced that draft pick and wasn't worth the money he wanted, Winfield was.)

I think this is fair and I would say the Bills are 7-5 not 6-6. However Taylor in the ATL/DEN game did some plays to stay in the pocket that McCown just isn't doing because he doesn't have the mobility. So I think the Bills probably win CIN/NYJ but flip ATL back which means their AFC conference record is even better. The fun thing with McCown is the Bills actually wanted him first over Taylor in 2015 and he chose CLE lol. It is very possible the drought mayyyy have ended sooner with McCown in 15 or 16 just because he can pass decently and move the ball pretty well.

1-1. Won in 2015 in Red lost in 2016.