GregPersons

I don't know that they're really missing anything. They just need a few more players to elevate to their next level. Part of it is just cohesion. They need to get to a point, and I think they are maybe there, where the level of performance against Dallas is their new floor. If the O-Line can make the same strides like the D-Line has the last few weeks, as Ford gets more game reps... If the LBs take the next step, Milano and Edmunds hit the explosive plays and also cut down on mistakes/overpursuits... If Knox stops the drops... Offense still has not played their best game of the season. I think Allen will have at least one 300 yard game in the next month. This team is going to be really exciting to watch the rest of the year.

Schedule was set up perfectly. Team had plenty of time to work out the kinks in the first 3/4 of the season being a cupcake schedule. Now they're going to the playoffs, and they basically get a playoff pre-season over the next month to see how they compare to the conference contenders with Baltimore and NE, and Pittsburgh and Jets both being exhibition takes on wildcard games. They continue to click and improve, and meet their level of competition - which I think they will - then they are as viable as anyone. If they beat Baltimore (coming out game for Edmunds) and NE (if you send this new Allen back in time to the first game, we win)... could you imagine? All of the pieces are there for them to get hot at the right time and be that team.

Gore is a productive short yard runner. But there's huge value in having Gore's approach and work ethic, and setting positive example in a younger locker room. Same with Lorenzo. McDermott has said this. Singeltary, Gore, and Allen is a pretty dynamic running game.

Great post! I've been thinking, it's kind of been my assumption that the Bills are still a few players away from making a real run. But here's a hot take— They already have all the players they need. They just need those players to play better. They need the draft picks they've already used and the cap space they've already spent on these players to play at the level they played today as their floor. They're doing it already. White, Allen, Singletary, Milano, Lawson, Oliver, Edmunds, Ford, Dawkins. That core of draft picks need to keep upping their game like they have been, and turn themselves into the stars this no-name anonymous Bills group into champions. On to Baltimore. They are the AFC Championship game. Play like you're at that level. Then you have the Steelers, that's your wildcard game. Show what you can do. Patriots for the Division -- could steal the damn division. Jets as another practice wildcard game. They're 9-3. Everyone is assuming they will make the playoffs at 10-6. But they could be 11-5, or, 12-4, or 13-3.

One of the top 10 plays I've ever seen from a Bills QB

It was genuinely a great throw Totally agree. Brown & Beasley are a legit top two WRs... they just needed to gel with their QB, and their QB needed to make the improvements he's been making. But the talent is there, the potential for chemistry is there. And it's looking nice. He freaking rules. Idk why he isn't a bigger fan favorite with some of his catches this year already, but it'll be coming, hopefully. You can just see "it" with him.

I agree they need a bigger WR (though not sure why Duke isn't used more) but I think Brown and Beasley and potentially Knox/Kroft are pieces you want to keep here. It starts with Allen. He's been improving before our eyes. As he does, and as he gets more game reps with this group, we're seeing examples today what that can look like with his first big game with Beasley, a perfect time for it to happen obviously, but they have opportunity in the next several games against good defenses to match that level and continue elevating their own game, just in time for the playoffs. It's exciting.

I agree. I think Brown and Beasley are so underrated... (also Brown's touchdown throw was just perfect. Did I see a stat that he's the first Bills WR to throw a TD? I thought one of the other gadget WRs in the last decade had done that but I guess not) They do need a bigger target, I dunno why Duke isn't used more but whattayagonnado. But I'm very high on Brown and Beasley, and Knox too, I think they just need time to gel with Allen in terms of timing and so forth... and lately it looks like they are finding each other's rhythms more. It all starts with Allen, and his improved control over his accuracy and the game slowing down for him. I think Brown and Beasley are just getting started.

The improvement we've seen the last few weeks is not a mirage. The progression is real. Josh played like a star today. Not at all rattled by the pressure of the circumstances. He looked awesome and I think he's only going to continue getting better. Romo gushing about him all game was nice too.

"Play Fearless" is a bit nonsensical. I get what he means, but if you have NO fear of your opponent, you have no respect, so really this is saying Play Reckless. What it should be is "Play Brave"— take the chance when you know you can make it, even if it doesn't work, take the confident calculated risks when they are there.

Allen hasn't changed — but the perception of Allen has changed since he was put in a Bills uniform.

It's not ridiculous to evaluate as you go... it's right to do that. Do you feel the same about grading individual games? You don't need certification to be thoughtful in criticism. Your grading in your second paragraph is all about potential, which is fine. The OP's grading was about the games played so far, which is an absolutely reasonable sample size to say how they've done, thus far.

It would absolutely never happen under McBeane But I think he'd probably be a good fit for Daboll's offense actually. Could you imagine Kaep playing and succeeding here? The board would meltdown every day nonstop. Even just his name brought up now. Rex might've signed Kaep in an alternate timeline. But I think McBeane would be more likely to play Peterman again.

The major issue is that the incompetence so far means that defenses rightfully don't need to worry about it. They can rush the passer and not be giving up any kind of homerun with the lapsed coverage. We haven't shown we can make teams pay for that from the passing game -- Allen has burned blitzers successfully but it's usually by running. Throwing under pressure or after scrambling in the backfield has very rarely worked out with him, so far. Put Foster on the field every snap, a straight line vertical to the end zone, every single play. If you have nothing else, if you're going to throw it away, throw it to the endzone. I like John Brown as the medium/deep threat, and Beasley / Knox Kroft / Singletary ought to be doing simple quick hit routes, curls/slants.

You're right — I forgot Kyle Orton.

Josh Allen, what would you say is your greatest weakness? "Well, I guess my arm is ...TOO powerful" It's like having a hog that's way too big — sure, it looks good on camera, but not all women are gonna enjoy a bruised cervix. Josh's gotta learn to throw with just the tip...

They should be running a creative run-heavy game with lots of option plays, basically the Greg Roman / Anthony Lynn offense, which is what this personnel seemed suited toward.

Tyrod Taylor, Ryan Fitzpatrick, and Josh Allen in one QB room. Tyrod & Fitz split the first three quarters down the middle. Josh comes in for the 4th. Three men combined into one reliably decent QB

It's because both teams are cursed. Mixing together two cursed teams and insisting that one wins always leads to some examples of weirdness.

Every time I go to a home game in Buffalo, I see at least two or more people wearing OJ Simpson jerseys Every time, I take a photo of his name still inexplicably displayed proudly on the wall... what a world.

The site didn't collapse. The writers quit because of irresponsible ownership. You don't know what you're talking about except for the good point in your username.

The evidence does not support this claim. It wasn't.

Different takes, different perspectives? Because I think the actual reality in terms of page-view and time-spent-on-page KPIs would be that if, say, Deadspin had a popular article about Trump getting booed at the World Series, it's more likely a reader would then click on something from the politics vertical.... as opposed to reading something about how the Dolphins are trash, then clicking a political article. Ownership issuing the "stick to sports" mandate wasn't based on the data, it was based on wanting to water down the brands to something tidier — Deadspin is sports, and only sports, but the issue is that is actually a re-branding for a site that has always had the cultural voice.

What's the difference between cross-fertilizing and cannibalizing?

Can he help with the run defense?