BigAl2526

Of course, we know Bates is the most versatile backup offensive lineman Buffalo has. However, I suspect Buffalo would regard using him at tackle as a last resort. Practically speaking he's an interior lineman who could move outside in case of disaster, a disaster that likely is never happening, especially if Tommy Doyle develops as a decent backup as a swing tackle. As has been noted, Feliciano can play center. I think all the guards (Feliciano, Williams, Ford and of course Bates) can play either side of the center if need be. I didn't mention Boettger since he's out the rest of the year. The bottom line is I don't think Bates' vaunted versatility is so precious that Buffalo can't use him to start over another interior offensive lineman if Bates is better. Buffalo should start their 5 best offensive linemen, even if one of them is Bates.

It's a good thing when Buffalo can limit Matt Haack's opportunities to punt, and give him a few opportunities to hold for Tyler Bass field goal attempts.

He may be able to play early next season, but he will have problems being effective for virtually the entire season. Best case scenario: the Bills won't need him and can carry him on the practice squad for the whole season.

The Bills have now won two straight and have a good chance to close out the season with two more wins. That said there are some teams that scare me in the playoffs, particularly with the bills' issues at cornerback and in run defense. Kansas City has gotten on track and I don't see how the Bills are going to stop Mahomes from passing for 350 yards with Tre White on the shelf. KC also has a defensive line that is healthy and talented. I think Indianapolis would cause problems again for Buffalo as I don't think Buffalo has an answer for Jonathon Tayor. I admit, however, that I did not see Buffalo's easy victory over New England in Foxborough in the cards either.

The defense had lots of problems. The problems in the secondary (cornerbacks) were somewhat masked by New England's shortage of quality receivers. The New England running backs were consistently able to bounce outside because Buffalo failed to have contain ono the edges. Those were a couple of the issues Buffalo's defense had.

Yeah, Judon did enough unsportsmanlike stuff to get himself kicked out of the game and maybe warrant a fine, but we know that's not going to happen.

Agreed. Josh Allen played a great game yesterday, but he was not perfect. But then Tom Brady on the best game of his career was not perfect, even if the stat sheet might look that way. Nobody is perfect.

That's kind of where I am, Miyagi. The Bills' offensive line played well in spite of being short handed. I don't think it necessarily follows that the Bills are better off without Ford and Feliciano, though I do think that Ryan Bates has earned himself some playing time. I hope the stronger play from Dawkins and Morse is a sign of things to come in the playoffs.

I believe Mac Jones will continue to improve, but his ceiling is not nearly what Josh Allen's ceiling is because Josh just has a broader and more elite skill set. Buffalo has a chance to have something of an AFC East dynasty because of that, but it will depend on smart management of the cap and surrounding Allen with quality players. I think the Bills' coaching is good enough to keep them in control in the AFC East if they can keep the other parts in place.

I don't have a particular desire to be rid of Beasley, but the reality is he's an older player, and the older he gets the more unfavorable the cost - benefit ratio becomes, unless he's willing to accept a very team friendly deal the next time around. That means a shorter contract for fewer dollars, and less money tied up in bonuses.

Hopefully, Dawkins didn't have severe symptoms and was able to work out all week on his own. If he could do that then he won't necessarily struggle any more than he would normally. Which is to say, he has struggled sometimes during the current season. Still, if he can man the left tackle spot, that means the starting 5 on the Oline is 80% intact, as opposed only 20% of the starting 5 playing (center Mitch Morse)) at the spot which seems to work best for the team.

Rhamondre Stevenson did a fair amount of damage to the Bills in the last game. He's big and powerful with decent athleticism. Buffalo's defense runs a little light with their predominant use of a nickel lineup. That makes them vulnerable to big backs with power, especially when they have athleticism added to it. As far as Agholor is concerned, he's a starting caliber receiver with the potential to hurt any opponent. Being able to face a Patriot offense without Agholor mitigates the loss of Tre White. I don't know that those losses will have the same level of impact on the Patriot offense that losing 40% of a mediocre offensive line and a receiver with high end potential like Gabe Davis. Buffalo is up against it tomorrow, and Sean McDermott is going to have to do the coaching job of his life in order for the Bills to pull off a win.

I presume that means Buffalo's offensive line versus New England will be Spencer, Boettger, Morse, Bates and Williams. Hart and Doyle are the reserves. Ouch. The good news (and it's not much) is that Spencer Brown will have had a week of practice at left tackle whereas last week he was thrust into the role after the team had already finished game preparations for the week. Heaven forbid someone goes down during the game, or someone else turns up positive between now and Sunday afternoon. He's unvaccinated. I really don't think the insider sources that revealed that info are wrong. Gabe Davis will miss the Patriots game, and probably the following week because of the 10 day requirement for unvaccinated players

I think for years the rivalry has been more in the minds of Buffalo fans than in the minds of Patriot fans. They're still the most "entitled" fans in the league believing their team will win most games just by showing up. Buffalo got their attention last season, but now, they are probably just reasoning that 2020 was a rare off year for them. If Buffalo can win this weekend and go on to take the division, Patriot fans will take the Bills more seriously, and the Bills will probably be more of a rivalry game for Patriot fans going forward.

I've never had a lot of interest in "woulda, coulda, shoulda." If Beasley was not vaccinated, he's out of the game, pure and simple - as per league policy. If he was vaccinated he's got a chance. Beasley has had a somewhat reduced role in the offense this season. McKenzie is the obvious option to serve as a slot receiver. McKenzie may not be as crafty as Beasley, but he has more potential to bust a big play. Buffalo still has lots of weapons, even with both Sanders and Beasley out. If Buffalo loses versus New England, the lack of receiving weapons won't be the primary reason.

I think the Bills should figure out if Stevenson can be a speed option at WR for the Bills. I don't mind if they give return duties back to McKenzie, but he should be on a short leash. The Bills ought to be looking at their options at slot receiver and speed receiver when Beasley and Sanders are gone. McKenzie has slot receiver potential while Stevenson has outside speed receiver potential. Whoever is not handling return duties ought to get a couple snaps a game and their ideal position on offense, at least late in games when there is little question about the outcome.

I'm sure after seeing what happened to Carolina, McDermott is probably devoting a little time this week determining if he actually has someone on the roster who could serve as an emergency placekicker. Is it Hyde? Maybe.

To me, starting is not such a big deal. I do think that moving forward, the Bills should start thinking about giving Davis as many reps as Sanders as a baseline. Then adjust based on effectiveness.

It may be a bit windy, but not nearly enough to be a major factor in the short to intermediate passing game. The Bills thrive on intermediate passes, but only attempt a handful off deep balls in a game, like 2 or 3. It's hard to say what Belichick will try on offense, but it seems unlikely he will again abandon the passing game entirely, especially with Tre White unavailable. He'll still probably rely heavily on the run, which means McDermott is going to have to figure out how to stop it if he wants to win. Of course, Daboll also has to figure out how to limit the damage of New England's pressure and the Bills' own inconsistency running the football.

I think Jackson will be the Ravens QB going forward. I think Hunley is mobile enough to serve as a backup in Roman Gabriel's scheme, but he also has a more rounded skill set that gives him upside as either a reliable backup or borderline starter in a more conventional offense.

I think this game will serve as a wakeup call to Spencer Brown to grow up and work more at developing his craft. He has all the potential in the world, but maybe his talent has allowed him to be a little sloppy. Playing at left tackle and being schooled is a reminder that he still has a lot to learn. You can be physical and even a little nasty without being stupid and dirty.

I think the change in policy is probably a mistake. In a big money sport like the NFL, COVID tests are an insignificant inconvenience and cost. Especially with the arrival of the Omicron variant, there are large numbers of break through cases of COVID, but Omicron may not have severe symptoms in most cases anyway, and the reality of vaccinations may mean there are even larger numbers of assymptomatic cases among vaccinated players than among nonvaccinated persons. In other words, not testing could result in the league not catching lots of assymptomatic cases which could facilitate the spread of the disease.

Agreed. Daniel Jones still has a better chance of being a long term starter than Fromm, but if the Giants decide Jones is not the guy, they probably will be searching outside the organization for the answer (draft).

It's really hard to look at a play and determine how hard a hit a guy might have taken. You see plays all the time where players look like they got hit as badly as Parham did, and they bounce right up, ready to play. I just hope that Parham can live a normal life after this, and if he wants to continue playing football, he is able to.

McDermott may not be a perfect coach. He may make mistakes. But I believe the chances for future success (as in for the next decade) are far better by retaining McDermott and building on the continuity we've had for the last 3 years than in making a change at the present time. I am dead set against making a mistake and I think it would be the single biggest mistake the Pegulas could possibly make.