Einstein's Dog

NO. Keep them out!!!!!

According to Rotoworld's blurb, Milano could be back after the bye - they quote the Athletic.

Point taken. I guess getting on the staff for going all out to beat NE hit a nerve. It is exactly what I thought they should have done. Huge game, huge win. It should also be to Milano's credit to go out there when he obviously was not 100%. Team player.

I can see your point if you, as most here, totally underestimate the magnitude of importance that winning against NE had. The next two games in comparison are insignificant.

Yes, Milano was limited. And yes he gutted it out. He gave what he could. It's like some people here don't understand the magnitude of the NE game. This game (and AZ) pale in comparison. Let Milano now heal up. Probably will take through the bye.

For the record, I was not happy with McD from day one. And I am wavering into really liking the guy. Wins over NE and taking the division are really helping his cause. Plus the McBeane combo did right in my book with the Josh pick. You don't think the teardown was needed? Yes, they made the playoffs the first year but they correctly identified it was a fluke. In this era you need a franchise QB and they ditched the mediocre to go all in on an attempt at a franchise QB. That is the when the clock starts on the rebuild.

Building is not a cheap excuse when they are executing it. The rebuild really started when they drafted Josh. It was a gutsy and smart move. The FO realized they had just been gifted a fluke playoff spot and it didn't deter their try for a franchise QB and rebuild. Now you constantly criticize as they are in the midst of the execution of the successful building project. It is right on schedule. First playoffs. Then continued progress w your QB to be identified as a franchise QB. Take the division. That is all happening! Please excuse a lot of the fans who are thrilled to see this come to be.

I agree you shouldn't revise expectations mid-season. And at the end of the season the win will stand out more than the closeness of the game and not winning by a lot. My hopes/expectations for the season were for the playoffs. Hope to take the division. More important to my hopes though were the progression of Josh and having a franchise QB. Seeing that the franchise hopes were answered so quickly I can see how some might reset their hopes/expectations. But to me the joy of taking down NE and making them irrelevant for this season in game 8, far outweighs the lack of style points.

For me, the issue is with the OP thinking the issue is posters subjective ranking of this team. Factually/objectively the team is 6-2. It would be nice to see some threads revolving around the last time they were 6-2. It would be interesting to me to hear the last time the Bills have had a 2+ lead for the division. The last time the Bills had over a 3 game lead on the Pats*. The odds of winning the division and the playoffs just skyrocketed- what are they now? The Bills just won the biggest game of the season, possibly the year. Odds on to make the playoffs, knocked the Pats out of the race. Looking great for what many could consider a successful season. Just won a huge game to have year over year improvement. Looking like 3 out of the last 4 for the playoffs and will be the division winner. This long time fan has been looking forward to the day to talk about these things, instead I must endure the "real issue" crowd.

But we did just significantly increase the odds of being in the playoffs!! Over 80% IMO. Would be interesting to see the Vegas odds increase. We did significantly increase the odds of being the AFC East division winners!! Also increases odds of the steady of the Bills, not only 3 out of 4 playoff years, but this year has the added improvement of hopefully (odds on now thanks to this huge win) being the division winner. Year over year improvement once again. And with those increases the Bills significantly increased their relevance for the remainder of this year and next year. More publicity, probably more prime time games next year. Huge, huge win.

I think one problem with Poe is he was/is a kneeler. I don't think he is good enough to take with that baggage.

It would be a disappointing loss, but could happen. I'm with others who would like to see more threads on the positive side, like how high this team ranks compared to other 5-2 Bills teams. I think the only Bills teams I was more excited about were probably in the 90s when the Superbowl was there. The last few 5-2's Bills teams I was concerned with. This time at 5-2, I'm very excited, not expecting Superbowl but do believe Division winner and has the feel of just around the corner from the elite teams and on the right trajectory.

I was wondering if it might be possible for the Bills to designate a different place for their home playoff game, like in FL. They could distribute the tickets through the season ticket holders first and that would get the crowd pro-Bills. They have allowed teams to use other stadiums before. I would rather have a pro Bills crowd than the cold weather.

I didn't like the overturn, it looked like the ball started coming out a little before the knee hit (but then again, I'm a Bills fan and might be a little biased). I certainly would have been psyched if they had won. It looked right from the pre-game benching they were baiting KC into running the ball so it would be close. There would still be problems with this defense. But they would be 5-1. I would have loved it.

And as previously covered, there have been exceptions, like Irma. Plus it is an old rule and these are new times. Saturday is something they certainly can be considering.

To be fair, the D has made some big 4th down stops. Pretty much showing some moxie and desire out of a D made more for stopping the pass, they came up big more than once. Our apposing D's really haven't stopped us on the big 4th downs. So we've got that going for us. Also, the end of the Raiders game gives hope. Could be a change of attitude with Norman back, a little more physical and turnover inducing.

Sorry. I get defensive with any shots to Josh. Just touchy I guess. As for Haskins, I don't know. Does seem early to pull the plug. Does seem like Wash made a mistake if they didn't have Gruden in on the decision to draft Haskins.

Lets not go overboard. Kind of disingenuous to say Haskins is better in every category, when what you mean is better in the categories you selected. I don't see anything about rushing in there. Or win/lose record for that matter. Secondly, if he thought Kyle Allen is their long term answer it is not necessarily silly to wait for him to get acclimated to the team before putting him in. The no OTAs and no preseason apply more to Allen than Haskins. Kind of like what Miami is doing with Tua. Haskins was never the answer. Gruden didn't want him, and neither does Rivera.

As has been said, it's just the Governor allowing the possibility, teams can still limit the number if they like. The 13k at Miami/Bills was easily handled, they should increase. I believe the move is being made now so they can ramp up for a full Superbowl.

I forgot about Vrabel. I think he is currently down the list because of unimpressive competition and just squeaking through it. Plus he has a boring style that is a continuation of last years. And I'm not a believer that style can win against the good teams. But I do think if he can beat the Bills his stock moves up to the top tier. I just don't think (or hope) that happens.

I haven't seen much discussion on the job McDermott has done this year. Typically the Coach of the Year (COY) goes to a very successful team. At the quarter mark McDermott should be in the race. He has changed the identity (or at least let it happen) of the team from a conservative defensive oriented club into a pass first offensive team. Secondly, he has now gone toe to toe and IMO, outcoached both McVay and Gruden. McVay's failed fourth down call, and McDermotts Raider call of fourth and one have all worked. A long way to go but we need to give McDermott his due. The main competition of Reid, LaFleur and Harbough, all seem to have just done continuations of last years clubs while McDermott is not only firing on all cylinders but has transformed the identity of the team. Right now, my vote goes to McDermott! Here's hoping he can hold on to it.

I'm still in shock of the total revamping and changing of identity of these Bills. Is it from here on out a passing team? It's four games in and now the slinging of the ball starts from the opening bell. We're daring teams to try and keep up. I love it, but just did not expect it. I don't think enough people are giving McDermott his due. The defensive, conservative background seems totally changed to an offensive barrage and win it on Offense. Not only that but to me it seems like he outcoached both whizkid McVay and boy genius Gruden in back to back weeks. McVay's lost gamble of a fourth down play cost them, and in the Raiders game it was the Bills who went long on third and one (bet he was going to go for it on 4th if missed) and later going for it on fourth and one. Well done.

Love Knox's potential. Some of those catches last year were amazing, and the highlight angry runs are memorable. But for this team I agree with the OP, lets keep the consistent reliable threat in there. For instance I would rather have 2 safe, confident, 8 yard move the chain catches, over the highlight 16 yard angry run and the easy drop.

Unless there is some serious backtracking I don't think NY will be allowing any fans. So that leaves only the away games as potential fan sites. At present you can count out NV, so that's a no for this week. The Jets and Patriots would be no go, and no go to CA (San Fran) and CO (Denver). Leaves only TN and AZ as possibilities. In one way it's kind of sad not to see this exciting team in person. But on the other hand at least they're not getting screwed too much in terms of the home field advantage discrepancy. The Miami game was fun (except for the bogus lightning delay-which seemed unneeded). With FL opening up even more, maybe NY can revisit their policy before the playoffs.

Gonna be there! Some questions: Is tailgating even allowed? Is parking still ridiculously expensive? How far away is the HardRock casino? Doesn't look very far.