Buffalo4Life01

If the Ravens lose this weekend to the Steelers in Baltimore, wildcard round of the playoffs, with Lamar being a potential MVP of the NFL winner, it will go down as one of the worst losses in NFL playoff history. It will be utterly embarrassing for that franchise, much more so than if Buffalo were to lose to Denver on Sunday. That would be awful as well but not nearly as bad on a national scale.

I think Buffalo wins by 10 or more and the game isn't particularly close shortly after halftime. A win is a win though so I'll take it anyway we get it. Go Bills!!!!

Right. The thing to remember, at least the biggest takeaway I have from the losses, is that the Bills were banged up and not anywhere close to the team they are now when they lost back to back to the Ravens and the Texans. The offense is humming now and the team is as healthy as they've been all season. I think a lot of people are putting way too much weight on those two losses.

I remember the play and thinking to myself 'he sure is spending a lot of time on the ground'....The way he landed I thought he may have hurt his hip or his tailbone but the commentary at the time was he had the wind knocked out of him...

haha good catch. They certainly did not play themselves. I beg to differ regarding the Steelers offense. My best friend is a huge Steeler fan living in Pittsburg and he is utterly disgusted with the offense the last two months. I watch most of the games so we can discuss them later just as he does the same for Buffalo and I can tell you they look like they are stuck in 2nd gear lately. Wilson is absolutely showing signs of wear and tear, Pickens is a head case, and they can't figure out the right run/pass balance.

Agree with much of what you have to say here and appreciate your feedback! I just think a huge part of the Raven's success on defense lately is a product of who they've played. Here is their last 6 games: Steelers, Ravens, Eagles, Giants, Steelers, and a VERY beat up offensively Texans team. The Steelers are a huge mess on offense right now as are the Giants, and the Chargers have been as inconsistent offensively as any team has been down the stretch. The only somewhat prolific offense they held in check was the Eagles. In my opinion, the Ravens have an above average to 'Good' defense. They are nothing to be feared like they are the 85 Bears or something like that. Go Bills!!

I had this same conversation with a buddy of mine earlier this week. This season has been a heck of a ride and it's sad to think it's almost over. However, I feel like Buffalo can absolutely win it all this year and I wouldn't be shocked in the least if they do. I feel like the offense has the talent, coaching, and QB play to hit another gear in the playoffs and I really feel like they have held some things back over the last several weeks. The defense will hopefully be healthy (assumes Bernard will be ready) and it probably does all boil down to can they create timely turnovers like they did earlier this season and even last week against the Jets. With their bend but try not to break too badly defense, of course they are going to give up some points in the playoffs but if they can go in healthy and tighten the screws just a little bit, I feel like the team is primed to go on a magical run. I believe we have yet to see the best of Cooper and Keon and that they will shine this playoffs. Excited to see what happens. Go Bills!!

Everyone is so worried about playing the Ravens in the playoffs, it's almost sickening at this point. "I'm so terrified to play the mighty Ravens!!!". Come on guys!! The game is in BUFFALO!!! We are NOT the same team we were when we lost to them in Baltimore several months ago. On offense, Shakir went down the 2nd series of the game. No Cooper. The offense was struggling. On defense, no Bernard (yes he is hurt now but it sounds like he will be ready by the playoffs) and no Johnson crippled the rush defense. I fully expect Buffalo to be MUCH better prepared if they should meet again in the playoffs. And more importantly, MUCH healthier. I just think some of you are so terrified of playing the Ravens, you've already conceded the game as a loss for Buffalo. I not only welcome the challenge, I think Buffalo plays with a chip on their shoulder and wins the game by multiple scores. Come on guys. Adjust your skirts and and stop acting like scared little Nansies. Buffalo is one of the best teams in the NFL and other teams should be worried about playing US!!! Go Bills!!!!

Right, but come on man. He 100% absolutely needs to catch one of the balls from Allen. Receivers make those catches all the time and he was unable to hall in either of them. He also was lucky he was able to fall on his own fumble. I love the guy and he has played really well this year but it's okay to say a player had a bad game and he had a really bad game yesterday.

Christian Gonzales was matched up with Cooper nearly every time he was on the field, along with safety help rolling to his side.

It was a little underthrown but it would not have mattered if it was ' on target'. Coleman was blanketed on the play and would have had to be in perfect position to win a jump ball between two defenders. I think Josh knew in that situation no harm no foul because it's as good as a punt from that position on the field. I'll take that kind of interception over the old wtf was he thinking throws any day of the week. who said he's playing like a world beater? No one. But the film doesn't lie. He is drawing double coverages throughout the game. You can watch the ALL-22 to see that OR search for content online. It's definitely out there.

Do you accept film study/review from guys like Dan Orlofsky, Kurt Warner, and Greg Cosell as being truth or do you think with all of their expertise both playing and watching the game that they have no idea what they are talking about? All 3 said the exact same things about Cooper following the Lions game. Also, against the Rams he was on the field for 55% of snaps. 46% against the Lions. That's hardly what I'd call "isn't even on the field enough" lol. I see a lot of arm chair QB's dismissing Cooper because he doesn't have good numbers since joining Buffalo but the experts who break down the film see things completely differently. I'll take their word on something before whatever it is you or I see while watching the tv broadcast of the game. Go Bills!!!!

None of the receivers had an impact yesterday. Very strange game plan and looked like no one wanted to be out there. The previous game in what was Cooper's no target game, the All-22 shows how the Lions rolled coverages his way all game and that absolutely freed up other guys underneath. His impact is most certainly being felt and I do expect him to come up with a big game or two in the playoffs. Just my gut feeling. Go Bills!!!!

this 100%. Absolutely agree if we have nothing to play for week 18, we rest Josh and as many starters as we can. But no way they should do the same against the Jets. Don't want to go into the playoffs 'cold' and also would like to see the entire team shake some of the 'rust' from last nights game and get some positive vibes going into the playoffs. Go Bills!!!!

THIS right here. The pressure for the 1 seed is gone now. Also, normally when McDermott's defense lays an egg like they did yesterday, they respond really well and play with a chip on their shoulder the following game. The only thing I will say is that for once it would be nice if the defense would start the game off with a 3 and out, a turnover, anything besides letting the other team do what they want. This read and react/adjust defense will not get it done in the playoffs. I do expect the team to come out and play much more inspired football next Sunday.

As long as we have him back for the playoffs, I see no reason to rush him back. Looks like Kincaid is coming along nicely though. We'll be great! Go Bills!!

This sentiment totally makes sense and most years I'd agree with you 100%. But this year just feels different to me. The entire team seems locked in at a level I'm not accustomed to and despite what they might say publicly, I can just about guarantee you they want the 1 seed and a first round bye just as much as we do. I think they will continue to play inspired football.

https://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showthread.php?t=349860

Over at Chiefs Planet they have been discussing this at length. Not sure what we did to piss them off so much but they absolutely HATE us. Not talking about the team itself, but the fans and 'Bills Mafia'. Here are just two examples of what they are saying: "Dad said some wasted drunk obese **** yelled "I'm GOING TO PUSH THROUGH THESE 9ER FANS" and proceeded to bulldoze his family and knocked his daughter into a chair. Said she's got bruised ribs. In my mind this fits the bills profile to a T. Animals." "Mouthbreathing fanbase who's entire identity is tethered to a football team...in a hole in the wall city. Angry, desperate people trapped in a nowhere situation...their only release is acting out at a sporting event. I mean they dive on flaming tables and hit people in the face with dildos...that's what they are known for. Pushing a little girl shouldn't surprise anyone...They are the Juggalos of the sporting world. If the NFL started again...they wouldn't even have a team. It's amazing the franchise hasn't been sold then moved decades ago." They actually think we are just a bunch of crude beasts who live to get drunk and throw snowballs and dildos at our opponents when that is such a TINY part of the people who make up the true Bills Mafia.

Quick thank you to everyone who has helped summarize the 4-2-5 defense McDermott runs. I've learned more in last ten minutes reading through this thread than I could ever learn elsewhere. Props to everyone for sharing the negatives and positives of our defense and for all of the suggestions on how to improve it in the playoffs. This is why I love this message board. We really do have the most informed fan base anywhere!! GO BILLS!!

You counter this by scoring first and then trying to increase the lead early. Force Baltimore to lean on the passing game instead of the run because of necessity and having to play catch up. I love our chances in the playoffs especially if it's full strength vs full strength and the game is in Buffalo.

I get what you are saying and I remember every game and how they all played out just like you describe them above. Still, these all add up to nothing but a growing list of excuses of why Buffalo has yet to beat KC in the playoffs. Beat them this year if they cross our paths and that particular monkey will forever be off their backs. 100% this AND we should have 3 guys we didn't have in the first matchup who ALL play a huge part in run defense. Bernard, Milano, and Johnson.

Agree that was years ago and doesn't have any bearing on this years team. However, it does matter in terms of 'mystique'. We've beaten the Ravens with Lamar Jackson in the playoffs before. We have never done that against Mahomes and the Chiefs. I absolutely think this gives us a mental edge if we go up against Baltimore in the playoffs just like it gives KC a mental edge in the playoffs against us. So much of the game of football is played between the ears and this kind of stuff does matter, at least in my opinion. Also, if you want to factor in the 'clutch' playoff gene, it's hard to argue that to this point in their careers, you have to rank the qb's as follows: Mahomes, Allen, Jackson. That said, I think if 100% healthy we take both teams in the playoffs and neither team scares me. Go Bills!!

Why is everyone so scared of the damn Ravens? It's like we've all forgotten when they beat us earlier this season (months ago), not only were we a totally different team on offense, we lost Shakir in the 1st quarter AND on defense we played the entire game without Bernard and Johnson, both of whom would have drastically helped the rushing defense. Also, we will probably have Milano back for a playoff matchup should these two teams meet again. I not only welcome the challenge, I think we score first in a rematch and the game isn't close going into the 4th quarter. Furthermore, I'd feel much more comfortable playing the Ravens as opposed to the Chiefs in the playoffs. We've beaten Baltimore in the playoffs before. We've yet to beat this Chiefs team with Andy and Mahomes in the playoffs. Maybe I'm alone in my thinking but the Ravens don't scare me at all. That being said, no team scares me. Knock on wood, we are actually trending to be healthy for a playoff run for the first time in Allen's tenure. Let's go!! Go Bills!!

That's why it's so important to start well and jump out in front. Makes things so much easier on offense and opens up so many things on the defense. Also, as long as #17 is our QB, we have a chance to beat any team we face in the playoffs. Go Bills!!