UKBillFan

Stunning figures but the Divisional scheduling just confuses me more off the back of it. The Bengals-Bills game, with all the background surrounding it, which is sure to grab neutral interest, gets given an afternoon slot? Despite the Bills drawing in the viewers? To put it simply, I don’t understand that. Plus, why not have the two AFC games play on the same day and the two NFC games play on the same day? As it is, the number one seeds, already coming off a bye, also get an advantage of an extra day’s break too (dependent on whether they beat the Jaguars/Giants). To me: Saturday afternoon: Jaguars-Chiefs Saturday primetime: Bengals-Bills Sunday afternoon: Giants-Eagles Sunday primetime: Cowboys or Buccaneers-49ers would make more sense.

Against the Bengals? I'll take it!

Regarding the timeouts, I have sympathy with him on the second as the defense was out of alignment and could have easily given up yards or points. It's unfortunate there was a big play after he asked for it. The first one was more annoying.

Sources state that Tua is expected to be the Dolphins starter next year. Which surprises me. https://www.espn.co.uk/nfl/story/_/id/35448991/sources-tua-tagovailoa-expected-back-dolphins-starter-2023

Just watching the fourth quarter on replay. I was only watching the ball first time round, so the constant deep balls infuriated me. For the first deep ball there was someone free underneath in space. Yet, as it's first down, I don't mind going long and see what happens. The second deep ball, yes there was someone on the sideline closer to Josh, but they were covered. Otherwise, the deep ball was the only option he really had but over-threw it. Josh could have thrown it short before being sacked on the third down, but I don't think he expected the pocket to collapse as quickly as it did. It looked like he had space. Ok the next series, there was the successful deep ball to Shakir, which no one will complain about because it was completed. 😁 Then Josh was careless with the ball, not helped by Dawkins being beaten by Chubb. So looking back, and obviously knowing how things panned out, I'm maybe not quite as frustrated with the deep balls in the fourth as I was at the time. The first one could have been a checkdown. He had little option on the second and completed the third.

Extra game ball to Dodson as well, if I can name him as part of ST. I dread to think what would have happened if he hadn't recovered the muffed kick return in the third quarter.

Apologies as this has probably been posted already somewhere in the 48 pages, but interestingly McDermott has indicated he wasn't impressed with the deep plays to Davis in the fourth quarter, and specifically stated he thinks Dorsey would like the calls back, rather than Josh. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/35456240/bills-josh-allen-bemoan-costly-turnovers-wild-card-win Maybe I've missed them but can't recall McDermott openly calling out, for want of better phrase, a coordinator in this manner before.

No, he has for the most part. Though it has resulted in other, lesser known players, taking advantage - such as Mostert for Miami in the regular season game at OP.

For all the criticism he gets, Frasier has been very good at limiting key offensive players this season. The issue with the Bengals is they can hurt the Bills in numerous ways - Chase, Boyd, Higgins, Mixon - rather than with one or two players.

I will point out that there were many posters on the Bengals messageboard on game day saying, if it had been against Burrow, they would be fuming about it and calling it a dirty play. So you should not be surprised about what Bills fans think about it.

If I'm harsh I'd respond that he says it a lot but things don't change. However, in terms of potential turnovers, I'd only put the two fumbles on him today, and we kept the ball on the first. I don't think he can be held responsible for the interceptions, particularly the second. I am stomaching watching the game back and in the second and fourth quarters in particular I want to see what, if anything, was available underneath, as some posters are saying they blocked that route. At the time I didn't think that, but I'll feel slightly happier about the consistent deep ball attempts if that was the case.

I assume the conference divisional round games will be played on the same day, so the AFC games will take place on Saturday or Sunday and the NFC games will take the one not chosen. Next week is currently set up as follows: Bengals or Jaguars at Bills Jaguars or Ravens at Chiefs Buccaneers or Cowboys at 49ers Giants at Eagles Although Bengals at Bills would be attractive to neutrals, I sense the broadcasters would prefer to have the NFC games on Sunday. I’m now guessing that, should the Bengals win tonight, the Arrowhead game will be Saturday late afternoon with the Orchard Park contest following in primetime. If the Jaguars win, I think it’ll be the other way around. For the NFC, whatever the result tomorrow, the game at San Francisco will be on Sunday night, following the match up at Philadelphia. Then again, I was very wrong about the wildcard schedule!

Fantastic - well done, Daboll!

That's an awful call. Dreadful.

There were two huge calls which, had they gone the Bills way, could have led to a more comfortable afternoon - the Knox 'catch' in the end zone and the non-penalty on the Beasley interception.

In fairness, you're comparing Daboll as a head coach with experience as an OC against Dorsey in his rookie year as an OC. There would be something wrong if Daboll wasn't ahead of Dorsey.

I'll catch up on the result of that tomorrow - I need to keep my remaining annual leave in reserve in case the Bills play in primetime.

This is going into OT, isn't it? Hope not - I need sleep!

I don't mind deep shots now and again in those circumstances, but not consistently. Especially when they're not connecting.

That was the second drive of the game. Not late in the fourth with a narrow lead and a shattered defense.

I can't remember so many deep balls whilst holding a narrow lead late in the fourth under Daboll.

I would like to switch Dorsey with someone else - Reich? - during the post season. It's not a criticism of Dorsey as such but, as someone has just said, I believe he and Josh are too similar in personality and it's resulting in too many risky big plays. The Bills need someone to calm Josh down and tell him to take what's on offer at times. Not wind him up and let him go long over and over again. The two series near the end of fourth were bad considering the circumstances. The weird thing is before the bye the offense seemed far more balanced. Not sure what's happened since then.

Maybe we should fire Josh instead? Should get a few first rounders for him at the moment, despite his deficiencies. (To confirm, I'm being sarcastic)

They didn't turn up for much of today. The Bills gifted them the majority of their opportunities.

Not went up by three, late in the fourth quarter. Take short passes and runs, bring the defense up, and then play it long. If the Bills are chasing the game, then yes. Circumstances didn't ask for it today.