Virgil

And this poll pops up right after we have a similar loss. Yet somehow bringing in a coach with similar history is a solution

Does everyone so quickly forget that the Saints are the absolute kings of postseason disappointment? Honestly, in the last 15 years, I can' think of a team that was more hyped to win it all, finish with a top 3 record, and only made the Super Bowl one time. What upgrade do you think we are getting with him? This board kills me after a loss

Even still, second to worst case scenario is a safety and we still have the lead. Take those two worst case scenarios out of the equation and the Bills are taking a knee the next play to seal it.

Analytically, shotgun is a higher risk for a bad snap. Hindsight is 20/20, but that was the "Safest" play call at the time

It made sense based off his upward trajectory through last season. I would argue that Dorsey isn't using him like he should and it's on him. Knox actually had a decent game and helped when it mattered, making it even more frustrating that we don't use him more often

If I didn't have so many people reach out after taking off the last two weeks, I would have

Hey everyone, sorry for the hiatus these past few weeks, but taking some time off here and there was always the plan. In all honesty, I didn't plan to write this game either, but a few people asked and I didn't want to break my word. However, these recaps are going to become less frequent as I continue to lean towards overall retirement. It's not so much a the commitment to writing as I feel like there's less to say. I'm either talking about the same positive types of performance or a let down. Also, the few days after a loss on this board can be painful and I don't envy the mods. With that, this might be a different style and not as in depth, but I tried to enjoy the game as much as I could. 1 - Josh - For all the mystery surrounding his elbow, you never would have thought for a moment he was injured in this game. Allen was making all the throws with ease. Josh made some amazing throws and even more amazing runs. On the first red zone interception, I can't fault him for trying to make a play. It was 4th down, so they Vikings would get the ball unless it was a touchdown. The fumble, I still don't know who it was on, but it looked like a good snap from the replay I saw, albeit a tough replay to see. The last interception is really my only concern with Josh in this game. We had taken all the momentum back, were moving down the field at ease, and Josh throws it right into a defenders chest, same as he has the past few weeks. What worries me the most is that I couldn't see anyone he was trying to throw to. This wasn't a matter of receiving running the wrong route or an anticipation throw, he just made a terrible throw. We are going to be in more games like this, that come down to the last drive, and Josh needs to be better here. The fact that this was the only throw I questioned makes me a feel a little better about his decision making from the past 2 games, but still a concern. 2 - Coaching - The ONLY coaching issue I have from this game is the abandoning of the run game in the second half. Motor was the offense for the first two drives until he fumbled. Which, if you are going to have 3 other active running backs, then don't punish all of them for Motor's fumble (which I'm still not convinced was a fumble). Going one dimensional in the second half is a large part of our second half scoring issue. I don't understand why it keeps happening. But on the goal line fumble, the going for it instead of the field goal, all of the coverages and decisions, I completely agreed with all of them in the moment. They were the analytical right thing to do and made sense if the PLAYERS didn't keep getting beat. 3 - Pass Rush - If I'm not mistaken, the Vikings have one of the better offensive tackle tandems in the league. With Groot out and Oliver possibly still not at 100%, it was going to be a rough day. Credit to Von for getting home in the 4th, but you have to credit the Vikings offensive line in this game. Besides the OT drive and the big run by Cook (to the outside again), the Bills defensive line did a decent job. There were more than a handful of plays were I was surprised Cousins could even get the ball out, but he was just a split second faster with his release. 4 - Jefferson - Yes, the defender should have tried to knock the ball down on 4th and long. However, Jefferson simply made some amazing plays in this game. He's arguably the best receiver in the game right now. His catch near the goal line was also a thing of beauty. I can't blame coaching because players were on him both times, but couldn't make the play. And credit to Cousins for making those throws. Now, if Tre were back is it a different outcome, I hope so. 5 - Special Teams - I'm really curious to know why the Vikings kept bringing KO's out of the end zone and why they kept kicking to us short. Did I miss something? I don't remember seeing so many kick returns in a single game in years. Also, why was Duke Johnson activated for this game? Both sides played well for these units and Bass was back to being automatics. Hines showed some nice punt return skills off the bounce as well. 6 - Super bowl - In the closing moments of the Jets game, you could see the Jets sidelines celebrate like they just won the Super Bowl. In this game, I believe the Vikings played out of their minds. There's no doubt to me that we got their 110% effort. Even though we haven't won anything, we've been deemed the best team in the league all season and this is what the Bills need to expect each and every week. If there's a silver lining, the Bills absolutely should have won all the games they lost. We haven't gotten "beaten" per say. So if there's a silver lining in this, we are preparing ourselves for the playoffs each week and will be greatly battle tested. Like I said, abbreviated version this week. Hopefully you all get the point of what I'm trying to say. Trust me, I'm pissed off too. I'm tired of being on the losing end of these "game of the weeks." But, we are only one game out of the one seed, get the chance to play everyone ahead of us again, minus the Chiefs, and are overall getting more healthy. Hyde and Poyer being out is going to hurt us in these games. Poyer might be 50/50 the rest of the way. but we have to get better there. Hopefully, these back-ups can figure it out in time. But come playoffs, regardless of our path, I expect us to be ready. Go Bills

Are you though?

Hey boss, I didn’t retire them. I’m just not doing them every week anymore. It’s been a busy few weeks for me and Shaw put up a great review. But thank you for asking

I like making you feel things

Maybe I should be more clear. They don't have an offensive identity within each game, which can change from game to game. We won't establish the run. We don't establish certain players as Diggs as a threat. We don't make teams respect the screen.

One thing I planned to talk about, but honestly never found the time, was how we don't seem to have any sort of offensive identity anymore. I never seem to know what's working for us, more than Allen to digs. We are all over the place, but in a way that is not confusing to defenses as much as it doesn't establish any sort of rhythm.

Is the season over yet?

I’m gonna buy all the whores I can. They will coincidentally run into the opposing team the night before games and make sure they have an “itchy” feeling during game time.

Mondays after a loss always bring out the best in people

There's got to be something happening. What he's done the last 6 quarters goes beyond poor play. He's making decisions I haven't seen him make EVER.

I have zero expectations of McK and almost expect a mistake from him every other game.

1 - Davis 2 - Cook 3 - Knox 4 - Edmunds 5 - Shakir

I was on the fence about signing OBJ, but now I’m all for it. Get it done this week

Maybe next time he can just hold onto it and avoid the confusion.

Allowing that interception to be taken from him was pathetic. Watching him pick the wrong lane and overcommit was classic Edmunds

How am I the first to say it? Edmunds!!!

I'm incredibly confused by what they mean by "cleared?" Everything I've read and heard is that he wouldn't be ready to play until the end of November at the earliest. Is he now "cleared" to start basic football duties, but will still require more physical conditioning? Or is he really cleared to start practicing and play once he learns a playbook?

Hey man, just because no one appreciated you dressing up as Barney for 10 straight years at games doesn’t mean this guy is less of a fan. You’ll get ‘em next year

Has he really never won it before? That’s crazy