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In general I hate how we view windows for sports teams now. So much of sports is designed now that once you are ascending you will have a ton of hurdles to bring you back down and even the playing field. In football the only two ways to really keep your window open are 1. top QB and 2. crazy good head coach. The amount of those are pretty limited and even if you have Rodgers you need some lucky and things to go well to make SBs. I swore when GB won their first SB with Rodgers he would get at least 1 more and another appearance. Instead he has zero despite getting really close, same with Drew Brees. Salary will not be the barrier it has in the past as the league keeps prioritizing offense and passing as your best chance to win. But if you do pay your QB you better hope you know he is the dude for the next decade otherwise your toast. "Cue the Indiana Jones reference of the old dude saying "you chose poorly" to the Bears mgmt and Mitch T with Mahomes & Watson standing next to them watching them dissolve"

Bingo truest words ever. I have also been trying to tell people that Josh has been good to great since Jets game on. Just because he didn't throw for a billion TDs didn't mean his play wasn't a huge cause for the Bills success. He would have two more TD passing to Gabriel Davis if Davis didn't drop one and have a penalty called on the other. The Bills are winning because of Josh at this point not in spite which is a huge stride.

Yea I saw that play and it was a huge swing. The Ravens last year benefited from catching the league off guard with their offense and Lamar. Buffalo and San Fran gave the league a blueprint and TEN perfect it come the playoffs. Now they have a tougher schedule, a year of tape, and truthfully its a lot to keep up that energy yearly they had last year. Also Lamar is being forced to be a pocket passer more something he still needs to grow more into.

Great recap said what I would say. Every football monday you are in my top 3 columns nationally I read and that is not meant as a joke.

Bills (Fluties) 34 Seahawks (Kitnas) 31 Throwback names for both teams! Buffalo starts quick and hold the lead throughout as both teams trade scores back and forth. Josh gets the ball last and a Bass FG finishes the big win. Allen 24-34 328 yds 3 TDs 35 yds rush Moss 55 yds 1 TD 25 yds rec Diggs 145 yds 1 TD MVP Wilson 33-46 385 3 TDs 1 INT by White

I mentioned this in my mid year review thread the Bills have got hit with injuries to a level they haven't seen since McBeane took over. Last years defense was incredibly healthy with virtually no starters missing any time. Injuries are kind of a luck thing and it has finally swung against Buffalo this year. I think people are actually now underappreciating their ability to win despite being out Milano, Brown, Feliciano until this week, etc.. for long periods of time.

I would have to believe if he knew Star was gone he would've tried to bring the band back or sign someone else. To even the Patriots defense they had the same issue when a bunch of their guys exited, you get the cap space but who of value is just sitting available in August?

I don't disagree a lot of Phillips sacks were coverage type. I think in general like you said not having a suitable replacement for him mixed with Star out has shown big time. I have faith Beane will find someone, like you said they got Liuget last year who was a FA.

At 6-2 on top of the AFCE and finally vanquishing the hated Patriots the Bills are in a good place with room for improvement. Here are my observations: Team MVP: Cole Beasley. If someone wants to say Diggs or Allen I am all for listening, but Beasley IMO has made the biggest plays this year at the most crucial moments. He has been even better as the safety net Allen needs and at points the life raft for the offense when it is struggling Allen's Grade: B+. He has been anywhere from great to solid for the season minus the Chiefs game which I think he stunk. Most importantly his passing has improved over last year and his decision making outside of the Titans INT has been vastly improved. The first four games showed that he has the potential to dominate and I expect a few more games like that (they will need it) to come in the back half. There was always the fear that he regressed the way Bortles or Mitch did, but at this point you can help but feel relief and happiness that he has developed into a solid starting QB in the top half of the league. He still has some work to do if he wants to be a Top 5 guy like he showed early, but Bills fans can feel good about him long term. Biggest Mistake: Jordan Phillips leaving/defensive depth. At the time to Beane's defense you couldn't imagine Star walking also, but Phillips ability to pressure and clog holes is missed badly. In an almost more important way he was an energy guy who seemed to help get the defense going. Many times this season the defense has felt flat or just not agressive which has been really odd considering they were not like that for the previous 3 years. Just about every Bills fan would've give the money we are paying Trent and Klein to have kept him. In general Beane seems to have swung and miss on his d line additions and LB corp addition of Klein. When the starters are out this defense is a sieve and Edmunds regression his only magnified those struggles. The defense does seem to be getting it together a bit the last three games where they are at least keeping the scores lower and at times making some plays, but this year the defense may just be average at best. Biggest Challenge: Injuries. The Bills first three seasons with McBeane saw a really healthy team for the most part that didn't challenge the teams depth. Well this season the Bills have finally been caught up by the injury bug which hits every team. Just when one position finally gets healthy it feels like another is challenged. I have been vocal about the defenses struggles this year, but I have to say the injuries they have had absolutely have hurt all over this year. Game of the Year so far: Bills v Rams. After the first two games you felt good about the offense, but man was this a shootout for the ages as both teams went on massive runs only for Allen to save the day at the end. With players you remember when they take big steps i.e Allen vs Vikings showing he could maybe play or last year DAL showing the spot light wasn't too bad. This felt like a bigger step as he singlehandedly carried the team with a passing performance Bills fans have craved since Kelly left. Weirdest Thing of the season: No fans is an easy pick, but how about the Dolphins game losing the broadcast for some time to then only be delayed by lightning right after. There have been some weird games in the past and maybe one of those two things were to happen but that game got both. Biggest Letdown: Defense is easy here so what about the Chiefs Bills game being a slugfest instead of the high flying affair everyone hoped for. While I and most Bills fans wanted a win, the bigger hope was we got to see Allen and Mahomes play a 35-31 game. Instead both teams played a hyper conservative affair designed to run clock and beat the other down. If your going to lose at least lose in style.

7. Agreed with Allen. If it was possible to say a QB had a boring but good day that is how I would describe it. The gameplan was 100% run the ball given the weather and NE's scheme of 6-7 CBs. The INT was funny because everyone I was with said he can't do that and then you saw it was on Diggs which was confirmed as much on the sideline. The last two weeks Davis has robbed him of TD's one being the drop this week and the other the penalty which wiped Davis who made a nice play from getting TDs. The offense and Allen I am not worried with other then the KC game they are moving the ball regularly and if they clean up a mistake or two their back to scoring in the highs 20 low 30s. Disclaimer agreed. I was generally pissed at fans yesterday who were mad it wasn't 31-7. Divisional games are a whole different animal, across the board upsets rang, and they are 6-2 with a pretty decent offense that is doing well and defense which is average to maybe below average but has the potential for better.

If your gonna be jerk and not rational that his play has absolutely regressed where it is a realistic discussion to consider letting him go so we can improve the fundamental whole that is on you. Most fans don't have hours to break down film including myself, the Ravens game was a pretty big play that of course sticks out. Against Dallas against Cooper he blew a pass deflection to try for the INT last year. This year Poyer has been carrying the defense as a whole and he is the one making plays. I do not understand why Bills fans get so hyper critical and upset because a player who had been successful in the past, now warrants criticism for failure and mistakes. Football is a sport that is big on asset mgmt, if we can improve the collective whole with his cap space and his play stays down it is a logical smart move. We have young plays with major contracts coming so at some point these discussions are going to happen on who stays and goes. I'd rather have Milano who is much younger (even with his injury issues) then Hyde at this point for the next four years given how much better the defense plays when he is in.

Exactly. People are forgetting that good teams do this all the time. Id rather have Milano here then Hyde at this point.

Your over reacting to the ease of finding a player who is close in value either in draft or FA. McD's scheme is designed to make safeties have opportunities to shine. If they can take the LB corp and add a B level player over their current replacement level options and not lose much with replacement at safety they should do so.

I was taking a look today at Spotrac and what Hyde's dead cap hit is for 2021. Turns out if we cut him next season we only end up owing 1.6 mil of his 6.5 mil deal. Hyde was a foundation guy I wanted when he was a FA in 2017 and his first two seasons he was easily one of the Bills best players and the pro bowl was well earned in 2017. The last season and half though his play has regressed to the point I would consider getting rid of him. Last season his big plays were limited and he was responsible for missing coverage on the big TD Baltimore had. For how good last years D was I felt Hyde was more along for the ride then being a big contributor. This season he has been a trainwreck missing plays left and right while Poyer has covered his mistakes all over. Safety is a spot you can draft or fill pretty cheap and the Bills have found good safeties in the later rounds of the draft. Aaron Williams we converted to safety and was tracking to be a pro bowler before injuries wrecked his career. I would rather see the Bills cut Hyde and Murphy to use for cap space to sign a better pass rusher or LB to help next season. Micah has done a fine job helping to bring the Bills to a new level, but we can get ahead of his regression especially considering he will be 30 next year also.

Bills 27 Pats 17 Pats stay within distance throughout but Buffalo does enough and ices the game late with a FG to finally slay NE at home for the first time in 9 years. Allen 275 yds 1 TD 95 yds rush 1 TD Moss 55 yds 1 TD Diggs 112 yds 6 rec

When Gilmore left in 2017 people were excited right up until they saw he went NE and then the comments about games in the big lights. I personally thought he was a top 15 CB with top 10 potential, but I give him credit for working hard to get to this point.

A Pats analyst was reviewing the game against San Fran and said on a play Gilmore held up making a tackle because of the collision that would take place. The analyst straight up said Gilmore made a business decision by not making the tackle. It reminded me of his last season in 2016 where quite a few times he noticeably held back to not get inquired on plays. He seems to be doing the same again now that things are heading south in NE.

They won on the road in 2017 against ATL and KC both who made the playoffs that season and prior year. The Falcons were in the SB and at the time that win was consider the biggest in over a decade plus on the road. I don't disagree they need to win more games against the top teams regularly to take the next step, but there have been wins yearly that are sizable.

Nope. I am a believer that a QB benefits from a good coach and vise versa. Virtually every QB in the history of football has had a good coach. I actually think John Harbaugh is maybe the best coach because he has won with multiple QBs.

I would disagree coming into this season you knew in advance you were playing Big Ben, Russell, Tannehill, Goff etc.. and complete well coached teams like San Fran. Part of making the playoffs means a tougher crossover schedule and the NFC West was the crossover division. Opening 4-0 bought them some leash and at least the division is having more of a down year. Last year Buffalo won the games they were supposed to against a pretty weak schedule. If the Bills go 10-6/11-5 it will be a more impressive finish just given the competition they faced. The wins over the Rams Phins and Raiders are better then virtually all of their wins last year also.

Exercise how he stays in shape

Yep thats pretty much accurate record wise. More or less without Brady he is a .500 coach. I don't blame BB for the last season in CLE and the record they had the move of the team blew everything to bits it was full on chaos. It is interesting because in terms of longevity only Don Shula really went a run like this and he missed at points the playoffs.

This times a million. They hit the Jets RZ and then forgot about Beasley who has been eating teams in the middle which drove me crazy.

Few things that have hurt the offense the last three weeks. 1. Turnovers- Titans game we turn the ball over opening drive immediately putting us behind, yesterday we have an opportunity to tie or go up and fumble. 2. Playing from Behind- Down 7-0 to the Titans, 3-0 and then 10-7 to KC, and yesterday 10-0. This offense weeks 1-4 came out firing and was not down early they dictated the play. Once they were behind the last 3 weeks it felt like they backed off the accelerator out of fear of turnovers. Like most teams the Bills offense does better when they are leading or at least tied. 3. Costly Penalties- Lets see we lost a TD to Davis due to illegal formation, after an 11 yard lost on first down Winters took 5 yards to make it 2nd and 26 on the Jets side of the ball, and 1st and goal on the 7 Botteger takes a 10 yard holding penalty and the Bills fumble later on. In general the last three weeks the team itself has played very undisciplined and the penalties in the redzone absolutely hurt. 4. Redzone Play Calling has been Conservative- After Allen through the 50/50 ball to Davis that was almost picked I felt the Bills offense got unnecessarily conservative or just dumb at points in the Jets redzone. On the drive that resulted in a missed FG to keep it 12-10 the 2nd down play was a screen to Singletary that got blown up. 3rd and 2 was an RPO with everyone in a jumbo set at the line that got stopped. The entire game Beasley and Kroft are working the middle and the moment we hit the RZ we stop. No play action either which may have bought time for Josh to mess with the Jets secondary. The Titans game they were not uber conservative, but the last two weeks I feel like they have not attacked the way they did before. I am not talking about big deep plays but passing north instead of the many east/west plays theyve ran. Perhaps its because KC it was game plan to run clock or yesterday the Jets just werent a major threat but I hate how vanilla we got.

I get what your saying with the Pats D but Allen is much better at taking what he is given and the second game last year showed as much. If the Bills can score 21-24 pts I would think they win. The Pats D lost a lot to opt outs and the offense prior to today’s disaster hasn’t been very potent. If NE had better WR/TEs I would be nervous of your rushing attack, but given the lack of weapons I’d expect Buffalo to load the box regularly. As long as Milano plays the Buffalo D should be ok, if he’s out Cam and Bill I would expect to take advantage.