MPL

I have dreaded the arrival of this day all season. Better to do it now and get it over with so we can all move on with our lives.

Also... I know Elam was badddddd but could this also indicate that Benford might be missing more time? Because if that's the case, oof.

At least we don't play the Titans this year!

Ugh. Did Kincaid not take Jiu Jitsu classes this summer?!

I'd say this team is exactly who we thought they were: the most confounding, impossible-to-judge, best-dvoa-ever-yet-somehow-simultaneously-disappointing collection of lovable rag-tag idiots the NFL has ever seen.

Elam was just making sure he played enough snaps today to make up for weeks 1-4. That's why he gave up all those receptions on 3rd downs.

Does McDermott even sit?

Questionable...

I want to preface this post by saying I am not criticizing anyone because the last home Bills game I attended we boo'd Trent Edwards for losing to Derek Anderson. Over the past few years, as the Bills have ascended the ranks, I have found myself watching games at home and wondering why Highmark Stadium never sounds as loud as the stadium's of other playoff teams. Even watching on TV, it always seemed like KC, Cinci, and Seattle fans were significantly louder than Bills fans. No matter how big the Bills game was, it just seemed like the stadium volume never compared. And then I watched this past Sunday's game and was like, "oh, yeah, this is the crowd noise I've been wanting to hear." So, what made last Sunday so different? Why was it the loudest it's ever been? And where has that energy been the past few years? (again, I'm not criticizing because I haven't been to a game in years. Just curious)

I mean, it's not like dlineman and LBs (to some extent) can just watch Diggs when the ball is snapped. They have to be looking in the backfield and at what the oline is doing.

I always thought that his interception totals overinflated his value. I've always felt that true shutdown corners don't end up getting a ton of Interceptions because they aren't getting thrown at a lot. Seeing Diggs torch him multiple times probably impacts my perception of him as well.

We all knew he was overrated when the Chargers gave him that huge deal.

The numbers don't need to be huge week-to-week. It's the respect that teams have to have against our ground game now. Whether it's Cook, Murray, or Harris, we've shown an ability to pick up 4-6 yards/pop which really opens up the passing game and makes life easier in the Red Zone.

NBC basically said Jets fans are no longer important to us.

I agree. Just find it very interesting. I hope that McDermott and Allen are the first to do it.

I wish I exaggerated. Lombardi and Star won their first championship together in Lombardi's 3rd year coaching. It wasn't called the Super Bowl yet but still a championship. Hank Stram and Len Dawson won their first championship in 1962—Stram's 3rd year coaching. Again, not a Super Bowl but still a championship in their first 5 years. Ken Stabler was the backup QB in Oakland until the 1973 season and only played 2 games between 1970 and 1972. Madden and Stabler won their first Super Bowl in 76—their 4th year as Head Coach and Starting QB Combo.

Lombardi and Star won their first championship together in Lombardi's 3rd year coaching. It wasn't called the Super Bowl yet but still a championship. Hank Stram and Len Dawson won their first championship in 1962—Stram's 3rd year coaching. Again, not a Super Bowl but still a championship in their first 5 years. Ken Stabler was the backup QB in Oakland until the 1973 season and only played 2 games between 1970 and 1972. Madden and Stabler won their first Super Bowl in 76—their 4th year as Head Coach and Starting QB Combo.

Every single Head Coach that has ever won their first Super Bowl with a team has done so when that Head Coach and Starting QB were in their first 5 years together. Every single Head Coach that has ever reached the Super Bow has done so when that Head Coach and Starting QB were in their first 6 years together. Listen, I'm not saying that this is any reason to make a decision, but McDermott and Allen are currently in year 6 together. If they don't reach the Super Bowl this year, 50+ years of history says it's very unlikely they ever will. All I can say is that this team, and for the most part, this roster has been close and for multiple years and there is now a mental hurdle they need to clear in addition to the physical hurdles. You heard it when Diggs said, "Why does this keep happening?" after the Divisional Round this year. That mental hurdle gets harder and harder to clear every time you fail. This is also one of the oldest rosters in the NFL. Some younger guys (Cook, Torrence, Rousseau, Bernard, Benford) look ready to take the next step, but there are going to be a lot of holes we need to start filling in the next couple of years. It could be a wise move to go another direction and bring new life to this team with a new coach, new philosophy, and new set of players. You get rid of the mental hurdle by blowing it up and rebuilding around Allen. For the record, I like McDermott a lot. I think he's a hell of a coach and leader. But if you want to win the Super Bowl, you have to be willing to take a big shot. That data point above about 5 years is verrrrrrry interesting.

Josh throwing the ball into the turf with an open McKenzie standing in the endzone didn't help. Hamlin getting burned put the Dolphins in the lead but defense was not the reason we lost in week 3 last year. That week 3 game was probably the best the defense looked against Miami out of all 3 games last year.

Improving the RT spot would definitely help, but neutering Spencer Brown seems a little extreme...

Would be willing to bet that there's a decent-sized percentage of Las Vegas residents that don't even know they have a football team now.

My biggest concern yesterday was the lack of production in the passing game from anyone not named Diggs. Aside from Diggs, no one had more than 2 receptions. Then again, Josh completed passes to 9 or 10 different receivers, so maybe it's actually a good thing? Maybe I actually don't know anything and have to just enjoy the result? I'm not sure how to do that...

Dangit! I'm so mad they didn't pick the cool indie band I like that no one has ever heard of!!!

Can't wait for the song(s).

I like Benford a lot. I think we should also keep in mind that we've played Zach Wilson and a Raiders team that only ran 40 offensive plays. That's going to skew some data.