newcam2012

Young kids are mostly innocent and pure. Thus they speak brutally honest which is a great thing. Sadly, your boy's thought process here is spot in and 100% correct. There have been far more heartbreaks than successes. Your son has experienced them to it's fullest the last few years. As a father myself, you should absolutely acknowledge and recognize your son's feelings. There is no guilt, disappointment, or embarrassment that should flow out you your mouth. Totally support his decision and validate his feelings. Encourage him to pick another team if he chooses to watch football. That can be your second favorite team and cheer on with him. As for myself, I have lived in the San Diego area for 3 decades my son is nearly 20. I made a conscious choice to watch the local charger games with him. He's born and raised in SD and I didn't want to groom him as a Bills fan. Felt like that would be awkward amongst his fellow California friends. Perhaps make him an outsider which I didn't want. Totally different than what you are dealing with. Fast forward and he is a charger fan. Not a die hard charger fan but one nevertheless. Talk about pain lol. He's second favorite team is the Bills. I've always tried to make football as entertainment for him. Never wanted him to take it too seriously. I think he's taken this concept really well. He's seen that sometimes I get a little too emotional but I'm thankful that it hasn't carried over.

Really solid takes. The way I see it with McD. We all know he built a winning culture. The team quickly made strides and the results were clear and positive. Great regular season victories, division titles, and playoff births. He has done it on a consistent basis year after year. Indisputable. Bills fans were estatic and optimistic for a pending SB appearance and a Lombardi Trophy. It surely was/is fun watching Bills football. The hope for next year mentality continues and lives on. Draft talk, player changes, and player acquisitions will be discussed. However, the bar for the team probably changed around 3 years ago. The above mentioned accomplishments just weren't enough with regards to the team talent. Especially, with a special QB leading the team. A playoff appearance was or is almost a given. The bare minimum if you will. WC playoff victories at home vs inferior teams are great. McD and the Bills have proven to be successful here. Stats and results dramatically change once this team enters a divisional playoff game. McD isn't able to get the team past this point. A one and done isn't really seen as a successful season by most. Fair or not the bar is very high. Why shouldn't it be? Come the divisional round I feel like McD has built a losing culture. The 13 second monumental collapse speaks volumes to support this claim. The Cinci game and now add in KC again. In these games it's more often than not McD has under performed and hasn't been able to get his players to close the deal. Indisputable. The divisional round failures aren't just coincidences or one offs. There is a clear pattern here. Sure, it's possible next year they get over the hump. We've been waiting now for years with the same negative results. The daggers are still felt by fans and probably the players too. I'm not seeing a coach who has learned from his previous mistakes. I'm seeing a coach who continues to make the same or similar mistakes. That leads me to conclude he's not the right guy for the job anymore. He's peaked out and his message is old, stale, and uncreative. This shouldn't be ignored or taken lightly. It's clear the McD era has run it's course but the ones making the decisions can't or don't want to see it. The ultimate frustration for its fans base and this fan. Yet, next year most will continue to bang the drum of optimism. Praising player moves, draft choices, and player development. That's what we do. Beane and McD will make their pitches and sell us the dream of a Lombardi. The hungry fan base will eat it up like a starving homeless person. Most won't be overly critical of what they are feeding us. The general consensus will be hope and optimism. What else can we do? At some point, hope and optimism leads to pessimism with continued failures. At some point, change may be optimal and necessary to further the goal that you haven't or can't reach. That line isn't always clear. The Bills appear to be at a crossroads here.

Once again I disagree. Sullivan was the only one in the Bills media that would ask the tough questions. He was very critical of coaches and players when not one other media soul would say a critical word. You might not like his style or questions but Sully was absolutely needed for balanced reporting. Of course, I suspect you have no interest in balanced reporting. Anyone who asks the tough questions or is critical of the Bills players and coaches probably takes a seat in the back of the bus. So its no surprise, you would take your shot at Sully. With his departure, the Bills reporters are a bunch of boot lickers. They have let McD placate them like a puppet master. Pulling strings like a seasoned ventriloquist. Sully wasn't a boot licker. He asked the tough questions for many Bills fans. He was for accountability. Sure he crossed the line at times. Crossing the line is a five line when you are asking difficult questions, trying to get answers, and holding people accountable. Everything in Bills world isn't a bouquet of roses at One Bills Drive. Instead we are left with softies like Matt Parrino, Alaina Getzenburg, Sal C, Chris Brown, and Maddy Glab. Soft ballers isn't inaccurate here. Surely, they get your stamp of approval. This Bills fan misses Sully. In fact, I follow him on Twitter. I always welcome his viewpoint and commend him for stoic efforts as a solid reporter. Fans disliked him because many prefer a rosey outlook, excuse making, optimism, and wait til next year. Sound familiar? Stick around here and you will see what I'm talking about. The Bills media needs more Sully types. So Jerry has a point? How ironic is that?

I'd take it a step further. McD has proven in Buffalo he can't get it done. You will see similar results next year just last the previous three years. At some point you have to cut your losses.

There should be no talk of winning a SB. Yes the goal of this team should be try to make the playoffs. It's a reasonable goal. Anything after that would be gravy. The expectations are too high for this team.

The regular season truthfully doesn't have nearly the same weight as a playoff game. It's apples and oranges.

That wasn't the question. Allen with Reid would produce multiple rings. Allen with McD equals divisional playoff losses. So where's the problem?

He is winning with very few offensive weapons and two poor tackles. Come on now it's ok to give him his props. I don't care for the guy but I do have to admit his greatness. Josh is also great but it will be overshadowed by his playoff losses and lack of SB rings. Without the ring he will always be looked at with an asterisk. Right now, he's seen as Mahomes little B. 0-3 in head to head match ups.

That's a no brainier. I'd do it yesterday. All day everyday. Mahomes is the best QB in the NFL and it's not even close. He's a winner and I wouldn't doubt if he challenges Brady's ring count. Jefferson is an absolute monster. Team them both up and I can coach them to the playoffs. Heck, McD might be able to win a divisional round playoff game.

The point just goes way over your head brother. Mahomes marched into Highmark Stadium and led his team to a huge win. He orchestrated the win. He was the conductor of the train. How many times did the Chiefs punt? How do you think their offense looked? Were the Bills able to stop their offense? He did what he had to do to win. There doesn't have to be flash plays, big plays, or magical plays. He played within himself, had no turnovers, spread the ball around, used his legs, and led his team to a huge playoff victory on road. If you don't think that's special I'm not sure what else to tell you. The guy is a winner.

Let me correct the record of your inaccuracies once again. You stand behind accusing people of getting enjoyment out of Bills losses because it makes them right? You can't be serious here? Your thinking may be further detached than I thought. I don't want perfection. Stop while you still have limited credibility. It's tumbling downhill quick. I suppose you will stand by that unfounded personal attacks. I'm not asking you to understand my mindset not if having this mindset is enjoyable or not. Another poke the best statement. Well we can agree on one thing we have no interest in going back and forth. The purpose of this was to set the record straight. I'm not going to stay silent when inaccuracies are thrown my way. Peace out

Bull####! Totally irrational thinking and a total cheap shot. I'll speak for myself. Take a seat and listen. Maybe you can learn something. I'm as pessimistic as they come. It is what it is. Perhaps the total collapses of centuries of Bills football has scarred my thinking beyond repair. Having a pessimistic or optimistic view of the Bills team is neither incorrect or correct. It's a perspective that's subjective. I am not playing some sort of hedge game as you imply. Totally ridiculous and unfounded statement that lacks credibility to the max. I get no enjoyment when the Bills lose whether I predicted it or not. As a fan, I always want the Bills to win!!! I'm not here to play the I told you so card. I give my pessimistic views and try to give some facts and reasonable opinions to back up my thought process. I've said often, I'm more wrong then right. It's about the Bills and not about me being right. I could really give a crap if I'm right. In fact, I want to be wrong because it's often a negative train of thought regarding the Bills. Lastly, I'd like to emphasize that being a pessimist doesn't mean I'm any less of a Bills fan. Many here and I suspect you feel otherwise. Sone don't see the glass half full. Your post was totally unprofessional and frankly embarrassing.

Go back to sleep. The team didn't over achieve at the end of the season. They played solid football and won games like they should have earlier in the year. The defense was hurt all year. Guys stepped up when they needed to. McD had no answers to stop Mahomes. He's the best QB in the league. Pacheco was effective and the Bills pass rush failed to make Mahomes uncomfortable. The Bills D front was as healthy as can be. Yes injuries hurt but healthy veterans and starters had little impact either. Another playoff game where the pass rush didn't show up and the run D was ok. I refuse to use injuries as an excuse. All teams have them and it part of the game. That's why solid non starters are crucial to a teams success. The this is not the team to win it all suddenly becomes a theme now? Funny, how that is when the vast majority on here sing a variety song of how the Bills will win it all. A musical theme that plays throughout the season for several years now. Maybe if we say it enough... The old let's wait til next year theme. Here we go again. That started up early. Lastly, the we wouldn't have beaten Baltimore anyway. Damn at least you are full of illogical excuses and thinking. The overwhelming theme here would have been the Bills will beat Baltimore. So get lost with this train of thought. Get some rest.

It's obvious he's not getting fired. That's not even really a debate.

Lol. Obviously, your dislike for him outweighs sensibility. Your post is ridiculous.

I don't know if I'd go that far. Coach McD deserves plenty of blame. However, he's not the play caller here. Brady made those calls and our criticism is all after the fact. For me, the worst call was the first down call. It was far too conservative and unlikely to succeed. The Chiefs were committed to stop the first down run. I would have liked the ball in Allen's hands. Perhaps an RPO or Allen rolling out with the option to run or pass. The play to wide open Shakir was a bit unlucky and a great play by the Chiefs defender. It was a sure TD opportunity lost. On that play, you could see live Diggs streaking across the middle open by a decent margin. Romo pointed it out. That was probably the better option there. It was a safer faster pass. I think Diggs would have gotten the first down or come very close. We will never know. What's known is the Bills can't seem to get out of their own way come divisional round play football. They have fallen short year after year with Allen playing brilliantly. They should be winning these games far more than losing them. We often talk about how McD has built a winning culture in Buffalo. From a regular season stand point and a WC playoff game this absolutely rings true. Beyond that, McD has built a reputation of losing, under performing, being out coached, and falling short. He's built a culture of losing in the playoffs. Yesterday, has brought that front and center.

It was clear from the get go this game was going to be very close. The Bills punishing running was fantastic and effective yet concerning because it was clear explosive plays were unlikely. That meant the Bills would have longer drives, have to really execute, limit mistakes, and have little room for error. Much harder to build bigger leads this way. It was almost like watching a slow locomotive lumbering along. Nevertheless, it was the correct game plan. The Bills had to take advantage of Allen's legs and the weaker Chiefs run D. Keep the ball away from Mahomes. Plus, the Chiefs secondary was just too good for the weaker Bills WR core. The Chiefs offense had the answers all day and night. It was clear the Bills depleted D had little answers to stop a less than lethal KC O. Mahomes looked the part, Kelce was a problem just like many anticipated, and Pacheco ran hard. It was almost like watching a runaway train. Both teams traded punches going back and forth. Minute to minute play by play it was intense. It was fun. Just as you thought one team had the advantage the other team struck back. Going into halftime up four felt pretty good but never safe. The Chiefs came out of the gate swinging after halftime. Great adjustments and scored a TD with ease. Not even sure they broke a sweat. It was a statement drive in my eyes. It was a game changer. It was at this point, I thought KC would have a fantastic chance to win. That TD was more than 6 points. To the Bills credit they battled back. Allen made play after play. KC made adjustments to stop the run and the Bills tried to counter with throws deeper down the field. It was a cat and mouse game. At this point, I thought the Chiefs have the advantage here. Brady vs Spags and McD vs Reid. That's a pretty easy math equation to solve. You know the answer. Let's just say my confidence wasn't high. Yet, I didn't give up hope. Telling myself please Allen keep that cape on. Shakir, Diggs, Cook, Kincaid, etc be hero. Then the unthinkable happened. Just when it looked over the Bills got the biggest break any fan could imagine. For once, the football gods answered our prayers. A Chiefs football out of the end zone. Negating a sure Chief TD and all but closing the door on the Bills chances. I couldn't believe it! I couldn't believe it was overturned. I thought this was fate. It was meant to be. The football gods are with Buffalo and Allen and company would not be denied. Excited as ever yet nervous beyond belief the Bills slowly matched down the field down a measly FG. Then I thought oh no Bass is our kicker. I know we are on the same page here. Perhaps the first time this season. I thought the Bills have to score a TD and hold on for dear life. They have to play like they are in 4 down territory. little by little they inched close. Damn the two minute warning. Josh you can do this! We are at home! Feed your fans the sweet taste of victory. We are starving...Second and 8. Dang Third and 8 shi!, 4th and 8. Several blown opportunities that just can't happen. Championship teams just can't do that. As tough and gritty and resilient of a team you couldn't help but reflect back to all the McD choke jobs. 13 seconds was a PTSD flashback. It could all be close to vanishing with one big play. Out trots Bass once know and beloved as Bassomatic. That version was long gone and Bills fans likely dreaded a moment like this. Either scenario wasn't optimal. A makes was obviously vital but a future D stop was ever so unlikely as the Chiefs only needed a FG with the best kicker on the planet. Add injury to insult and we know opposing FG Ks have a 100% make rate vs Buffalo. I digress, before the kick I got a sinking feeling in my stomach. I'm sure I wasn't the only one. It was at that moment I knew make or not the Bills were about to lose once again to the Chiefs. In a moment I was stunned and in somewhat of a denial stage. How could this happen? Why did it happen? What the F just happened? In the end, it's another significant playoff loss. Another wasted opportunity. Another year of dashed hopes and unfulfilled dreams. Yes it's only football. Yes the game was entertaining and fun. That's the great part of football. However, it's another painful loss and unfulfilled goal by a long ways. The Bills organization has not been able to advance past a division round playoff game. It's uder performing by a huge margin with Allen at QB. Move after move has proven unsuccessful. There's always hope but it shouldn't be blind hope. Changes need to be made. Not small tweaks either. This team will look different next year. Not necessarily a bad thing. The coaching staff won't look vastly different. That is a bad thing...

The biggest play was a gift by the football gods when KC fumbled the ball out of the end zone. Funny how Bills fans point to the woulda shoulda but not that above mentioned play. The Chiefs should have scored a TD and sealed the win early. Let's paint a full picture.

His success this year was measured in a large part because of his early incompetence. Add it all up and it's a disappointing and unsuccessful season. At some point one and done with Allen should not be seen as a success. Seeding (beside #1) doesn't mean anything except home field advantage. You seen how that worked out.

Mahomes deserves the accolades. He went into Buffalo and beat the Bills. To imply or diminish this accomplishment is kind of crazy. Mahomes led his team to victory if that includes a Pacheco so be it. Mahomes showed the football world why he's the best QB on the planet. What Josh did is an afterthought because his team lost. He will be answering upcoming questions about why he and his team can't sustain consecutive playoff wins. The ghost is appearing on his back. The elephant is in the room. Home run. The silence tells you all you need to know. The same people will be ramming the McD walks on water narrative come next season. Denial runs deep.

Very nice post. I agree with the vast majority of your statements. You are especially spot on when it comes to McD. Zero growth when it comes playoff time. No confidence he can lead the Bills to a SB. For me it wasn't SB or bust. Maybe it should have been. Probably should be when your in year 6 or 7 of Allen. Talk about missed opportunities. Understatement of the year. Personally, I would have been ok with them going to Baltimore and losing a tough game. Going to the AFC championship game vs what been the best team in the AFC would have been not the worst loss to swallow. Ultimately it's not the goal but I likely would have seen it as progress. Maybe I'm lying to myself. A SB appearance would have been fantastic and a clear successful season. I agree with giving Allen a chance to win the game. However, I'm in disagreement with going for it on 4th and 8. It's kind of pick your poison. I think the chances of converting the 4th down was very slim. Interesting if there's a math equation or analytics that could give a clear picture. Taking into account the probability of making a 4th and 8th while taking into consideration make the FG while computing the chances of Mahomes leading the Chiefs to a game winning FG or TD. Pretty fascinating information here. I digress, while watching it live I asked myself are the Bills in 4 down territory? Truthfully, I didn't know the answer until I saw the play calling. I think the Bills could have been more prudent and tried to make a more manageable 4th and 2 or 3. It's all arm chair QBing here. I think your thoughts process absolutely applies here in a shorter more manageable 4th down. I was fine with trying to convert the FG. In my mind, I felt like the game was already lost make or missed. There's no way any Bills' fan was confident that the D could stop Mahomes and company. However, lots of things can happen. A fumble, tipped ball for an int, strip sack, etc...in essence, praying for a miracle similar to the one the Bills received minutes before. I don't know how this team moves forward with McD as the coach. His message has to be getting stale. The players belief in him has to be diminishing. Heck, the coach himself is probably lacking confidence. When is enough enough? Running it back with a poor playoff coach who has shown an uncanny ability to lose divisional games with the top 3 QB in the league hardly inspires hope and optimism. Fans should be knocking on the Pegula's door begging for a coaching change.

I haven't looked at the stats but it seems like you know them well. Wondering conversely what are the offensive stat ratings of the recent SB winners? I suspect most have a top flight offense like top 5 no less than top 10. Also, how many of the super bowl winner and runners up have what most consider an elite QB. I'd bet almost none in this modern era would be mediocre. Foles comes to mind.

Philly D got shredded in the SB. Name a dominate defense this year. You think KCs defense won them the game? Sure defense is important. You really can't win it all on offense alone. That's just not sustainable. So defense has to be emphasized too. However, this is a QB driven league with show casing offensive talent. Defenses can no longer bump and run WRs, can't hit the QB, QBs can avoid sacks by throwing the ball away, and you can't hit a WR going up to make a catch. There is no way a defense can be elite under these conditions. Today's modern day defenses are no longer elite. They are mostly bend but don't break. Have very good red zone efficiency and produce turnovers. The days of the Bears elite D, Ravens, Pitt, etc... are long gone. You will never see defenses totally taking over a game and winning it all. Football has changed.

I'm not sure why this concept is so hard for Bills fans to understand. McD isn't the answer to progress this team to a SB. How in the world people can't see it is unfathomable. Next year the talk of the media will be how the Bills can't get it done. Same with the Cowboys. Allen is the defining reason why the Bills should have reached at least one SB.

Great post!