Billy Claude

So many people here looking for things to be offended by. There's approximately 85.780 NFL media "experts", out there, you can always find someone saying something you don't like. Right now, the media is overwhelmingly positive about the Bills, it's not just Romo. It you go to other fans message boards, they talk about how the media and referees are treating Josh Allen just like Bills fans talk about how the media and referees treat Mahomes.

As noted up thread, the Saturday night game is always the lowest rating game. People actually have stuff they would rather do on Saturday night. The 23M is 7% higher than last year's game in the same time slot.

Joke, I hope.

It sounds like you might be interested in subscribing to his newsletter.

NFL is definitely pushing it big time. If it was network tv the Saturday night game would have been Browns-Texans.

The Saturday night game is usually the lowest rated game. This year's 23M is 7% higher than last year's game in the same time slot though that is mainly because last year was Chargers Jaguars.

I think that's the whole point -- they hope that enough new subscribers keep their subscription to make money. If 10% of the 23 million subscribed to get that particular game and 20% of those keep the subscription, that would be almost half a million new long term subscribers. I think they would be pretty happy with that. They paid 110 million for the game but they get some of that back from advertising and so forth.

I guess that Peacock and the NFL is pretty happy with the 23 million viewership. It was the most stream event ever in the US and viewership was just a little bit lower than might be expected if it was on live TV (80% of Browns-Texans while the Sunday evening game was 90% of viewership of the Sunday afternoon). It shows the NFL that a lot of people are willing to pay $6 to see a playoff game. Expect to see more of the same in the future.

You want fans of all the other teams to call Allen every name possible because it would mean that the Bills have won multiple Super Bowls. Right now it is only Dolphins fans and, to a much less extent, Jets and Pats fans that think he is a douche. Once the Bills get the second Super Bowl, everybody will hate him.

It's not about the quality of the game, it's about whether it is safe to get there and back.

I would have waited to make a decision. They are still not very good at predicting lake effects. If it turns out ok Sunday it will be an embarrassment.

They already have the AFC equivalent of Green Bay in Kansas City.

Every league has superstar calls, whether it is Michael Jordan, Sidney Crosby, Lionel Messi, or Tom Brady. I haven't been following baseball that much but I am sure top echelon pitchers get the benefit of doubt on ball/strike calls compare to an unknown rookie. I don't think you need a the NFL league office handing out a conspiratorial edict for this to occur, it's just human nature. If DeAndre Hopkins is going up against some unknown rookie CB, Hopkins will get the benefit of the doubt on borderline DPI calls simply because referees expect Hopkins to come up with the ball.

They don't have to because Mayo had it in his contract that he would be head coach when BB left: https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/jerod-mayo-hired-new-england-patriots-head-coach-bill-belichick-replacement-departure-robert-kraft-nfl/ So there was little chance they would hire Vrabel unless Kraft was willing to be sued.

People's ability to only remember things that confirms their believes is always amazing to me. In this case, the believe that Allen's turnovers don't actually hurt the Bills chances of winning. Even more amazing is the contortions people go thru to convince themselves that someone else is to blame for every interception that he throws.

Definitely agree that the blue font on green background they use there is awful and makes it hard to read. Readability should be the top priority and nothing is easier to read than black font on white background. As they say: keep it simple, stupid.

To be fair, there was a ton of holding by the Bills oline that were also not called. There was one on the QB pushes where the Bills oline man had his arms completely around the Dolphin player but perhaps they never call holding on those plays.

Bad weather, by which I mean wind, rain, or snow will definitely benefit Pittsburgh. I see some comments upthread that Allen's arm strength will allow him to cut through the wind. But that to me is the whole issue; rather than recognizing limits due to weather conditions, Allen just throws the ball harder which leads to poorer accuracy and more dropped balls. Hopefully, they will rely more on Allen's legs which is a huge advantage. The Steelers will try to replay their game against Baltimore though it will be much harder without Watt. The good thing is if the Bills get out to an decent lead (and don't make stupid mistakes) it will force them out of this mode and it is unlikely Rudolph will be able bring them back.

Difference was who they replaced. Favre was beloved when he was replaced while the Packers fans was pretty tired of Rodgers by the time he left.

How exactly does Lamar Jackson handing off the ball three times in the pouring rain affect whether he comes out flat in two weeks or not? If Allen did anything more than that in those conditions, everyone would be calling for McDermott to be fired (beyond those who are already doing so).

So lets take care of all possibilities why the NFL will choose a particular team to make the playoffs: Steelers -- large nationwide fanbase, blue-blood team (whatever that means), Rooney is an influential owner (no idea if this is still true but facts don't matter). Jaguars -- NFL desperately trying to build up fanbase in the UK. Bills -- Josh Allen is one of the most popular players in the NFL, Buffalo Bills are loveable losers, like the Chicago Cubs were before they won. It would be a great 30 for 30 story and the Bills have a lot of support as team #2 among fans of other teams. Bills need to be in the playoffs to to sell PSLs for the new stadium. Texans -- large market, exciting young player in CJ Stroud, great turnaround story and good to have a fresh face in the playoffs. Colts -- I've got nothing, maybe Gardner Minshew? He seems like a fun guy.

I think what you said was interesting though it would have been more effective if you made your point more succinctly.

Steelers have won 5 of the last 6 against the Ravens.

If Jackson had played in this weather he would have handed off three times and called it a day. Does anyone really believe that would make a difference?

I don't doubt that you are right but it is very difficult for an opposition HC/DC to say the Bills offense is well coached when the Bills HC clearly does not believe so.