FireChans

Hall of Fame Hating. Love it

Yes. Based on injuries and everything else, the answer should be easily “offense.” But it’s a coin flip. And with the setbacks we’ve suffered on defense, that’s an indictment on the offense.

Aren’t a lot of All-pros for sale for pennies on the dollar.

Honestly? Did you watch the games Burrow played when hurt? How is Burrow getting a pass? He’s sucked when hurt. Media folks were saying sit him because he’s basically unplayable. also, what are Burrows MVP odds, currently? Worse than Jared Goff, Brock Purdy, Trevor Lawrence and CMC? Is that a “pass?” The conflation of arguments here is hilarious. Burrow gets a “pass,” which means being basically out of contention of the MVP award by the season halfway point? Josh didn’t get a “pass” by being near the top of the NFL in MVP voting while playing through his UCL? PICK ONE. Something called a Tyler Bagent blew out the Raiders. And the Bills defense shut out the Commanders, until the saddest FG of the season. Would we have a better record with Mahomes is the real question? I have to say yes.

The Bills! We would rather have more Tommy Doyle’s and Cody Fords and Boogies.

I was right. We did need to use him more. That’s why I’m an oracle

I don’t think you understand that being up two scores is better than being down two scores

Allen’s injury was much less visible. That’s why I said the word “visible.” Allen’s injury manifested itself in a few passes that looked off. Not being unable to move in the pocket or scramble. I will also point out that no one is putting Burrow in the MVP race (rightfully so)

They are observing the game too

The primacy effect would apply to the players as well right? Like the defense and the Pats two weeks ago would be like “man these guys ***** suck.” Meanwhile, the defense and the Bucs would be like “man, these guys are killing it.” Right?

Burrow has been very visibly hurt. Not too many media members are gonna crush a dude for his poor performance when he looks like he can barely play.

It’s implied, but I don’t think you need to harp on this autopsy of the Elam pick. We all just kinda agreed Cody Ford sucked and let it go.

I am quite comfortable believing that McD is a top 10 NFL coach and also may not be the guy who gets us over the hump. I am also comfortable admitting that partially sentimentality is why I am not calling for his head, because I do believe he turned the Bills around and deserves immense gratitude for doing so. Something changes in a lockerroom after years of futility. Players tune out messages, schemes and concepts get maximized internally and then figured out externally. Andy Reid is the perfect example. He was a really good HC in Philly. Had them relevant, had them competing. Did a pretty good job by NFL standards. But at the end, it was just time. And the Eagles ended up hiring Chip Kelly, firing Chip Kelly, hiring Doug Pederson and STILL won a Super Bowl before Reid did. And we still all agree that Pederson isn’t as good of a coach as Reid, hilariously enough. So that point doesn’t really matter. I’m concerned that this team is no longer climbing. I’m concerned the players feel it and the coaches feel it. And that’s okay for a year, maybe two. After that, the regime is finished. If we do walk away from McD, I will be very grateful for all he did for the Bills. And if he finds another opportunity, I will hope he wins the Super Bowl every year (as long as we aren’t playing in it).

Elam wouldn’t hurt so bad if we hit on a budding star elsewhere. Benford looks to be an NFL player but I don’t think he’ll be much more than a solid starter. The 49ers have drafted more busts than us but they have drafted more difference makers as well. Sometimes you draft the fifth CB on the board and they end up being the best, sometimes they suck. That’s the draft.

"I told them when we came down here, 'We would not have any curfew Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday night. Have a good time.”

The Eagles, Chiefs, 49ers, Ravens and Bills are badly coached teams and the Jets are the best coached team in the NFL. I’m convinced

I want to just watch a live EPA chart go up and down. That’s football baby.

More than the team they were playing against.

One name that’s kinda interesting is Shaq Leonard. Slow start coming off injury, but he has a contract out in 2024 anyway. He’s been seeing less snaps in their defense. Colts season is kind of a wash at this point with Richardson out. And Shaq, while his best days are probably behind him, has a pedigree.

It wasn’t meaningfully better except for the career days for like 3 receivers, way more yards per play, way more yards per pass, way better on third down, more first downs. Got it.

ALL THIS PROVES IS THAT EPA SUCKS AS A CATCH ALL STAT. ALL THIS PROVES IS THAT AARON QUINN IS AN EPA NERD

I was just waiting for someone, anyone, to realize I was just snipping your OP for all my responses. Some folks like @NewEra thought I had changed my ways

I’m sorry, but I cannot agree. This defense deserves a huge benefit of the doubt when it comes to managing and coaching talent. Boogie Basham was a solid rotational piece, a bust JAG, but still, not the worst player in the league. He’s nothing in NY. Guys like EJ Gaines and Levi Wallace have looked serviceable here. Rotational piece vets like Hyde and Poyer have turned into All-Pros. Tre White was like CB5 in his draft and was arguably the best of them pre-injury. Benford and Jackson were late round fliers that look serviceable. Milano and Bernard were day 2/3 picks that have contributed at a high level. If there is one player on this team that I am the most certain probably just completely sucks and it’s no one else’s fault, it’s Kaiir.

"But it's a fan message board. That's what we do." Ok. You be you. I'll continue to look at what is going right, share my opinions in an upbeat way, and show some faith in the players and coaches to work on what they need to work on. This can still be a very special season; the league is wide open.

Milano, Jones, Tre, Von are 4/5 of our highest paid defenders by cap hit this year. Von is trying to return coming off major injury and the rest of them have season ending injuries. It's no surprise lol.