Richard Noggin

See, the spirit of the question could be interpreted differently, in that when we say a player or team would "want (a play or game) back" we usually mean that they should have succeeded if they'd simply done their jobs. Generally speaking, the Bills should be MORE REGRETFUL of the Dolphins loss compared to the Patriots loss. The Patriots are legit, so losing to the Dolphins likely involves more self-inflicted, unforced errors (in preparation, execution, etc.) from a perennial contender like Buffalo. Obviously the Patriots loss is more impactful for playoff seeding, so changing the result is more immediately helpful, but that's not how I would interpret the phrasing in the OP.

Hurts the Steelers, which is fine by me. Also hurts the Dolphins, because more meaningless wins for them will mean worse draft position, I guess? And also hurts the Patriots, if the Bills win on Sunday, because a motivated week 18 Dolphins team on an impressive late-season run could be formidable with momentum and nothing to lose? And moreover, hopefully, helps ALL players by shining another light on player health and medical treatment, given that we've potentially seen this type of procedure-caused "injury" play out previously (and with MAJOR impact to the player in question: Tyrod Taylor of course)?

We need more of this: And less of this:

Return of the Clap (sung to the tune of "Return of the Mack" OF COURSE)

Agreed. No way that was to Shavers, although of course we can see that Shavers was open and breaking outside along the back line almost exactly into the path of Allen's throw. But Allen's infield sidearm dart was definitely driven into Shakir's chest on purpose with his immediate defender's back turned. The proximity of two more defenders was not likely a prioritized part of 17's visual processing at that precise moment. Plus a throw to Shavers would have had a few degrees more loft and you'd be able to see the difference in Allen's eyes and maybe arm angle imo.

Fair if one cares about how others are perceiving the move, for sure. That's not my focus, though. I'm wondering how good Slay still is and how well he'd fit what the Bills do in the secondary. Howie Roseman has obviously made so many good moves overall, but bringing Slay BACK to Philly (home for his family) is a bit different than bringing him somewhere sight unseen in week 14. People are free to evaluate this how they please.

There is, and should be, some critical questioning of what a mostly-cooked, all-man coverage CB like Slay can really offer the Bills down the stretch, and why is that worth dumping a decent depth DB piece who plays STs? As to the bolded, we're doomed! Amen.

I think front of delts is heavily involved here as well, which could be intentional for rebuilding muscles surrounding where the tear occurred (without putting too much strain on actual repaired area)?

Was also there. Supremely disconcerting to see the road team come in better prepared for on-field conditions, among other things. That game was an inevitable reckoning...the obvious conclusion to such an oddly frustrating, exhausting season for the team collectively and individually, almost as if the specter of 13 seconds had caused a hangover typically felt by SB losers. And they still won 13 games. But Allen had 14 interceptions and 13 fumbles (of which HE recovered 5...not sure how many were in fact turnovers). Something changed right before halftime of that GB Halloween game. Most likely a concussion for Allen, on top of whatever else was going on for him off the field. The vibe was way off that season. Cinci was just the better team.

This is the kind of insider information I come here for the night before a home game. Nothing like a snow globe game. So much fun.

Love to see the hope here. Of course, I don't actually share it this week, against an opponent who just proves to be a bad matchup. Cinci runs it better lately than they get credit for, and we know of course how they throw it with Burrow back in the fold. Two-dimensional offenses like theirs have the ability to exploit McD's defense (and NFL defenses in general). Without a talented pass rush, it's really difficult to stop such teams.

I don't see a McD team with a healthy Josh Allen and James Cook going 2-3 to close out the season, but as you've noted, their inconsistency does not slam the door on that possibility. And the matchups against Cinci, New England, and Philly are all potentially dicey. We've been worse off at this point in previous years ('21 and '23) and still closed out the regular seasons strong (a McD team trait), one time fielding (in '21) the best consecutive passing offense performances in playoff history, I think? That 2021 team was offensive shite at this point in the season, and then lost again but at least woke up in the 2nd half of that 6th and final loss to Tampa. So there is precedent for the Bills and Allen to lock in from here out. In 2025, however, unrelenting, impactful injuries, and critical coaching and execution errors could be mitigating factors that finally disrupt the Bills' history of late season excellence.

50% agree. Yes, Allen is a horse who has always played through basically everything. However, lower body injuries especially are MUCH more impactful for skill players (compared to QBs) who need maximum movement ability to do their jobs well enough to actually help the team. A pulled hammy hurts a receiving target in ways that don't critically impact a tough QB's ability to be effective. Taste was off?

There are definitely chances this year of road teams logging wins. Honestly? I think the bolded is what I meant by "honest" for this exercise: just pick em on feel without regard for end result (bracket).

Using dumb ESPN's playoff simulator, I ran through the last five weeks of the season without thinking too much, just picking each game as objectively as I could. Here was the result (only took me a couple minutes): I hate it a lot, tbh. So many bad matchups for the Bills. In my simulation, for what it's worth, the Bills lose the next two and then win the last three. I really hope that isn't what actually transpires, but going 3-2 the rest of the way IS reasonable. Could also see arguments for going 4-1, which would have interesting ramifications. for the rest of the AFC. What bracket do YOU come up with after picking the last five weeks of the season? (I tried not to think about any future implications when picking. And I tried to apply an ugly level of objectivity.)