SCBills

Cowherd goes nuclear on Beane again today.

Waddle also plays in an offense that will pass the ball. Didnt Diggs start wanting out because the Vikings became more run heavy? I don’t think Diggs, pre-trade, is head and shoulders above Waddle.. different players.. but Waddle is also in an Offense that has a competent downfield passing attack.

True, but in retrospect I’m glad we played them at full O strength. Needed to see we can keep up with a team like that, and while their defense is trash, that offense in the form we saw, might be the best in the NFL … might not even be close.

Diggs was maybe a notch or two above what Waddle is thought of before the trade to Buffalo. We’ll never know what Waddle could’ve turned into with Allen. But I’d agree that Diggs had more of a complete skillset. Big play ability along with elite route running. Waddle is more explosive than Diggs ever was but isn’t as polished of a bucket getter.

Let’s see what Diggs does the rest of the season. As of now, he’s on the same pace he was with us for his final two years. Monster for the first half, role player in the second half.. disappear in the playoffs.

Somewhat hilarious that the Patriots got the Bengals without Burrow, Chase and Higgins (half the game).. then, somehow, we managed to get - perhaps - their only full strength game the rest of the season.

With all these injuries, I’m pretty sure every practice is just the game I shall not name that Bijan referenced last night.

Not as bad as Palmer looked walking into the stadium last week and somehow he’s potentially playing this week. Seems minor, but given his importance, I’d be suprised if he plays given he’s clearly got a hitch in his step on a Friday.

This year it is. We’re tied with the Giants for most PS call ups needed to play. I’ll take issue with those that act like we’ve lost so many pieces. Eh, no, not really. If we get Oliver back, and the end of season is predicated upon making sure core guys stay healthy, we’re only down Hoecht, Rapp, Jackson and Carter. One impact player and 3 role/depth players. What we have had, is an INSANE amount of 1-4 week injuries. Every week is friggin whack a mole with this team. We went a 3 game stretch with 3 practice squad guys and a rookie at DT. Bosa back, Benford out. Shaq back, Bernard out. Kincaid and Palmer living life as Gameday inactives due to injury. A 3 game stretch with Dawkins/Brown injured or out. Samuel out, Hardman in, Hardman out. Never ending. It’s comical at this point.

Tre and Hairston might be ok on the outside against Hollins, Boutte etc IF we can generate any semblance of pass rush. Johnson and Lewis have been abject disasters this season. We desperately need Taron Johnson to get to even 80% of what he used to be.

No idea why people are disagreeing with this. Tre White has been ok and it’s time to see what our RD1 Pick can do.. he’s been getting ramped up for weeks now. There are a handful of players on this Defense we can’t afford to lose for playoff run… and Benford/Bosa headine that group. Maybe people keep forgetting that this dude is never available for our elimination games. I’d like for that to change, and then maybe we don’t actually get eliminated.

This is fair.. and as we’re seeing, teams that pay their QB (Philly aside) have major holes due to that. Burrow defenders will justifiably point to how unbelievably well he played before those picks and in the drive after (accurate, he was amazing). But when you make what he makes, and furthermore advocate for a huge chunk of cap to go to your top two WR’s, you can’t be the one who makes those mistakes. You shouldn’t expect your defense to bail you out. You knew the deal when you signed your contract and went above and beyond to advocate for Chase & Higgins. I don’t blame him if the injuries are getting to him. And the Bengals, prior to this year, are responsible for not protecting him. But in terms of this singular game, you know the deal. You’ve got to outscore people. You can’t throw a pick six in the 4th Q and expect to beat another elite QB (who’s also covering up for holes on his team).

If it’s a close Buffalo win, I think the Pats would take it - provided they bounce back against the Ravens. Then they’ll focus on closing out the division against NYJ and MIA. If we beat them in convincing fashion, I could absolutely see it resonating in their psyche, and then if they lose to Baltimore… hoo boy. I don’t think this is a “just win” type of game. This should be a dominate them type of game. Not saying we will, but if we want to put that doubt in their collective conscience, that’s what it will take.

Al Michaels 10 Ambien deep on that game winning kick.

He’s had this opinion for a while now, and it’s correct. The most deflating thing for me was hearing Pats fans talk about how their FA signings and draft picks have been such a hit this year. Outside of Bosa, Hawes and Walker, we’ve gotten next to nothing. Hoecht, PED suspension then immediately done for the year. Hairston, injury, still getting acclimated. Sanders, injury, playing out of position now. Jackson, nothing, then hurt. Palmer, basically hurt all year. Ogunjobi, suspended, just a guy. This year was supposed the be the year we “took our medicine” on the Diggs trade for and it’s been one miss after another… at least this year so far, I certainly hold out hope for guys like Hairston & Sanders.

I can see injuries messing with him. We act like these guys only play football. Last I checked, Burrow is a single guy.. maybe a gf, maybe not.. either way, constantly rehabbing from big time surgeries and constantly in pain isn’t exactly a great life, regardless of how much money you make. If it’s a shot at the organization… I mean, you lobbied to get all your guys paid and they did that. Having both Chase & Higgins comes at a price.

Nope. Sorry. I’m actually in the locker room as we speak and instead of practice, the players are all in a conference room with McDermott looking at potential playoff scenarios after we beat New England this week.

Fair points on the one seed. If that’s still in reach, you have to play for it - especially given Denver’s schedule which could make it so. Re: Denver, they have 2 AFC losses. Both L’s are in conference. Is the tie-breaker conference record? Bills have 3 AFC losses and 1 NFC loss. If Denver loses their next two before we play PHI, they’d also have 3 AFC, 1 NFC loss. Currently they’re up on NE and both have 2 AFC losses only. Not sure of the next tie breaker. Would you rather play at Baltimore or at Jacksonville?.. should it shake out that way. We just don’t know. We should beat Baltimore, but that game is so charged with emotion given what we’ve done to them lately.. and if they get in, it likely means Lamar has gotten somewhat healthy.. because they aren’t getting in playing like he’s played lately. Jax has some pieces that could be tough to deal with, but I’ll take JA over T-Law in a stadium that would be taken over by Bills fans.

If it means nothing for us, why? This team had an early bye. We’re likely playing WC weekend. For what reason should we play our starters if that game means nothing. If it means nothing and was the final game of the season, they’d sit. We’ve seen this before. So why is it different if it’s the second to last game of the season… against a team that will need the game and has a strong pass rush? Cant manufacture urgency and we’d be sending guys out there in a game they know is meaningless, against a team likely needing the game.

Hypothetical. Let’s say we beat NE. NE 11-3 BUF 10-4 The following week we beat the Browns & New England loses to Baltimore. NE 11-4 BUF 11-4 We then play Philly & NYJ NE plays NYJ and Miami That Philly game means literally nothing for us in this scenario, outside seeding. It all comes down to beating the Jets and NE losing to the Jets or Miami for the Division. IF this were to happen.. Should we rest Allen & all other important players against Philly? Or do you want to play that game out and guarantee the 5 seed? (which might even be ours with 12 wins anyway should we win our season finale) That game “could” be utterly meaningless in any and every aspect. Of course, it could also mean keeping pace with NE if they beat Baltimore or meaningful in the playoff race should we lose to NE and, heaven forbid, struggle against Cleveland. But we will know the outcome of that NE/BAL game heading into our game with Philadelphia.

Would two firsts get it done? Could easily see KC offering that as well, especially if they miss the playoffs, and their picks would be higher than ours. Might be two 1’s plus extra.

If Diggs goes off again, I’ll lose my mind watching this game. Hes had 3 big games this year and ours was by far, his biggest. Hes well on his way to his typical back half of the season, into the playoffs, slumber. Taron Johnson & Cam Lewis, I beg of you… figure it out.

Bills can definitely free up a good bit of cap and if I had to guess will bring back, at least, one of McGovern/Edwards and likely Bosa. So that’s potentially good chunk of change right there. If they do the above, they’re probably pretty well set at the lines. Might even bring back Jones if he finishes on a high note. Bosa, Rousseau, Hoecht, Jackson, Solomon & Oliver, Walker, Sanders, Jones, Carter. Ideal, no. Could they be good if healthy, yes. Will they stay healthy, probably not. But if we want a legit WR.. this is probably the route we have to take on the DL for ‘26. QB, RB, TE all set. Draft picks will likely go to LB, Slot, Safety & CB depth. Leaves us with potentially one big offseason contract from out of the building that we can onboard and the ability to package our RD2 Pick with our RD1 pick or our ‘27 RD1 with our RD1 pick to legitimately move up, whichever way they want to explore in order to add to Gabe, Shakir, Palmer, Shavers & Coleman (if he’s still here) As for this year, we really just need to lock in our WR rotation for the playoffs and get Kincaid healthy. This is why the Palmer injury is even more frustrating. We don’t want to be experimenting in win or go home games. There are 4 games left and ideally these game are when JA develops chemistry for the guys he’s going to go to war with… as the article points out, we’re starting to see that with the defined roles being carved out by Gabe, Shavers and Shakir. Palmer factors to be in this mix, but at some point, we’re running out of runway for him to be anything more than a situational piece like Cooks and Coleman.

How much does that team rally around McDaniel in what could be his final game or a game that will factor into the offseason evaluation process of him. And while im not high on the possibilities of NE losing any of their two remaining divisional games… we also haven’t seen Maye in meaningful December football when it’s cold, guys are beat up and the pressure is real.

Will be interesting to see how they manage Kincaid and Bosa down the stretch. Palmer, once healthy, has to get out there to establish some chemistry with Allen and try to fine tune the WR rotation going into the playoffs. Kincaid, we know what he is.. more or less an extremely talented big slot who plays on passing downs. I’d be real careful with his usage in the final 4 games and make sure he’s as close to 100% as possible for the playoffs. Same with Bosa.. use him on some passing downs in high leverage moments, but I’m drastically reducing his snaps until the playoffs. Sidenote: I’d love if Oliver could make it back to get some snaps against the Jets, but it sounds like he’s progressing towards a “likely”, dare I say, return for the Wild Card Round.