UKBillFan

The gutting thing is how many times has Josh left the field with a lead? Even in his downtime this season he seemed to do it more often than not. Yet in the biggest game of the season, he couldn’t do it. Blame Jones. Congratulate Jones. Say Josh should have thrown to Diggs. But, albeit unreasonably, that’s what’s going to follow him around the off season. On the plus side, it’s a damnsight better than what he had swirling around him after the Bengals game this time last year. Edit - Or even blame Dawkins.

Next year will be a waste with McDermott here. Then, if the Bills sack him at that point, 2025 will be the rebuild instead and another year wasted. The Bucs realised the die was cast with Dungy. Same with Reid at Philadelphia. Next year is going to be a rebuild of sorts anyway so may as well let a new HC oversee it. Even though I fully realise it won’t happen.

One thing different is an optimistic way is, despite the 2&9 question mark, I think most of us will be going into the off season feeling more confident in Josh. It’s never nice to end the season on a bad performance and, other than the arguable final two throws, he certainly didn’t do that, which is different from 2023 (albeit the whole team stunk the place out against the Bengals).

Wonder if Josh will be low key bad mouthing him throughout the off season? Think we all know the answer.

The Bills would probably have to hand over pick 60 too in that trade.

No different from every other year under McDermott with an, on paper, stronger roster.

Trade down for a couple more round two picks.

Agreed. He deserves an interview but he hasn’t done nearly enough to simply walk into the post.

Depends who else you can pick on the roster. Is it anyone from the league? If so, with a heavy heart, do you say Mahomes ahead of Josh? And, if so, have the Bills got anyone on the roster who would be first pick for any other team. Perhaps that’s where the issue lies.

I appreciate you’re specifically referring to the post season, but taking all games into account it’s 3-4. Basically a 50/50 split between the two.

As I said elsewhere, it’s a possibility but considering the route/communication issues revolving around him all season it’s just as likely he would have been standing in a completely different spot.

As great as he was during the 13 seconds game, the Chiefs were a mess defensively, tripping over themselves as Einstein said, and he had support from the rest of the offense through the game. How many drops were there during 13 seconds? And last night? Arguably, he was a key component during 13 seconds but not the be all and end all. Last night, bar Kincaid early on, he had to do everything. Having slept on it, I’m in two minds about the final drive, but can see why he threw deep. It’s a shame that’s going to detract what he did for through the rest of the game.

Though do you take the TD when the opportunity presents itself, rather than check down because there might be a chance on the next set of downs? I don’t know. I feel Josh carried the Bills all night and am split whether he let us down in the end. Can see the arguments from both sides.

Whoever wins the AFC it’ll be non stop praise of Jackson and Mahomes. Not looking forward to either; if I do watch it it will be on mute. Hoping for a horrific 3-0 game where Justin Tucker kicks a 99 yard FG in overtime.

I think the Diggs or Shakir option is a toss up which one is the one to take. As others have said, who knows if Diggs would have dropped it anyway? Or fumbled? Or there would be a tipped interception on the next play? Where the opportunity is there to try for a TD, should it be taken? He might have done if he’d run the right route but, based on this season, he would have probably been standing next to Diggs or Shakir instead.

Oh pray tell, who do you want and how do we get him?

Just sums up the Bills luck. I said it last night - they got Josh and Diggs. What did the Chiefs and Vikings get in return? Mahomes and Jefferson. Typical. Saying that, IMO Mahomes is no better than Josh. Switch them around and I still think the Bills would have lost last night, dare I say by a slightly bigger margin.

And if the Bills manage that again next year? Same again? How many times are they going to repeat the same thing? There are good coaches about this off season, and the Bills would be number one location for most. Might not be able to say the same thing in 2025. They need to take advantage now. Look at the Bucs axing Dungy, or the Eagles cutting Reid. McDermott may still be successful elsewhere but his time should be up here.

I still feel Josh could have done better on the final drive but, excluding that, he was basically the offense last night. He had very little support other than Kincaid early on. In comparison, Mahomes didn't have to look far for help.

I think the Diggs or Shakir question is perhaps a matter of preference. I thought throwing to Diggs would have meant Josh could throw it a moment sooner, which would have meant an unaffected pass. He needed to be aware Dawkins was in full reverse to his left. I admit I could be wrong; perhaps he would have needed a similar amount of time for both. If so… not fussed about going for the TD.

In truth I want the 49ers to win now (sorry, Lions, but if the Bills can’t get over the line…) but feel either the Ravens or Chiefs will run over them. Yeuch.

Think it’s fair to say Josh could improve his reads (he’d be unquestionably #1 QB if he did) AND desperately needs more help.

If the Bills had any other QB other than Mahomes then they wouldn’t even be in the play offs. I think the reason why so many are down on Josh for that final series is he is a world class talent. But, at times, reads let him down and it’s been a reoccurring theme. I hope, if possible, it’s a real focus of the off season.

He could have thrown it to Diggs sooner, rather than having to wait for Shakir’s route to develop. Of course, Diggs may have dropped it.

To hit them deep you need receivers who can catch.