FilthyBeast

This game concerns me when you consider how the Bills have been playing as of late compared to the Lions who have a full head of steam during their 3 game win streak and even in their last loss against the Dolphins they had a lot of chances to win that one too and were up 10 points heading into the 4th quarter. I think we'll find out a lot about who the Bills really are in this game because a loss here certainly takes them out of the running for the #1 seed, and possibly the division title as well.

Don't get me wrong, if this defense can be as close to full strength as possible by the playoffs I agree it's likely better than what we've seen in recent weeks. But still think this teams season will end as soon as they see KC again, if not sooner by another team that will be able to exploit this scheme for what it is and fans are setting themselves up for a major disappointment if they think White is going to make that much of a difference in the pass defense especially since he's probably not going to be anywhere close to his preinjury form (and probably whey he's not back yet anyway).

People will claim injuries, but the reality is this is what a true 'bend but don't break' defense has always looked like and why I have always loathed this type of scheme vs a traditional 4-3 or 3-4 defense behind a creative defensive coordinator. And quite honestly yesterdays game looked a lot like Bills games of years past under this regime where the final score should have never been as close as it was if not for the defense and scheme. This is why I have a hard time believing this team is truly a SB contender because not much is going to change even when they get some of these other injured players back at some point.

I'll be very surprised if he makes it through the season as the Jets starter especially with them still in contention for the division and playoffs right now. And of course he had to play the best game of his career against the Bills recently only to come crashing back to earth against a Belichik defense. Make no mistake about it though, that roster has some scary talent across the board and if they get even game manager level play from the QB position next year they are going to be a real SB favorite.

This team simply has to figure out how to finish. Yes they were able to finally get the offense back on track in the 2nd half yesterday but it was against a 3 win team who has one of the worst defenses in the league that pretty much every team they've played has exploited. Meanwhile, Jacoby Brissett had one of his best days ever and first 300 yard game for the Browns this year against Frazier and McD's vaunted defense. You still get the sense that this team is going to struggle mightily down the stretch as we hit the meat of the remaining schedule and assuming White does come back and play I don't see that changing much in the near term. Like myself and other predicted, it was criminal act by Beane and this front office to not adequately address DB in the offseason and rely on the likes of Dane Jackson and rookies and once again his incompetence as a GM is being proved here.

I couldn't agree more with this. The Bills went out and built a team that can beat the Chiefs which is great in theory if they can actually do it when it matters in the postseason, but overall this smallish defense built to defend the pass has failed miserably in that area and for all the hype about the alleged depth Beane has built that's proving to be further from the truth outside of the dline which I still think struggles to get a consistent pass rush. Also at WR, we still have one guy with a bunch of #3 and #4 players around him. This offensive line might be the worst yet under this regime despite bringing in a new position coach. And can't argue with ST assessment either since this team loves to follow that Jauron blueprint of collecting ST only players and paying them big money. Assuming this coaching staff is still intact next year they are going to have a big challenge fixing all the holes this current roster has given the cap situation which is also something that needs to be considered if there is any remote possibility of a regime change that would have to retool the roster under new offensive/defensive schemes.

I'm happy this team rebounded well yesterday but you get the sense there are still serious problems with this team and it doesn't necessarily inspire confidence barely hanging on to beat a bad Browns team that 2 of our division rivals boat raced including the Dolphins just last week. I think we'll know exactly who this team is on a short week facing a red hot Lions team that has won 3 in a row and looks to be coming around under Dan Campbell. Their last loss was also coincidentally against the Dolphins who they almost beat too.

Just some thoughts on the Chiefs after last night: - I said last week that even with a few key injuries (on offense) for the first time all season, they'd still have no problem moving the ball and winning this game because Mahomes is simply that guy. Guess what, he is that guy and even though everyone knows what's coming they are rarely stopped. - This is starting to feel like the Patriots/Brady all over again where teams have legitimate chances to beat them but piss all over themselves and all apart in awe of Mahomes. But as great as Mahomes is he needs to finish this year with another SB win to truly ascend to that mantle. -They probably aren't going to lose another game this year which means once again any chance the Bills or anyone else has of getting to the SB goes through KC in January. Only realistic chance for another loss is @ CIN but KC is probably going to want to send a message in that one after what happened last year. Either way still don't see Bills winning out so it's a moot point. - Rarely do I cry conspiracy with officiating, but just like with the Pats in years past it seems every favorable call goes the Chiefs way and they are almost never called for holidng on offense and every ticky tack foul is always called against their opponent which was true even when the Bills beat them earliest this year. I get their lovefest with Mahomes being the current face of the league but things are beyond predictable with this team and you get the sense that Reid/Mahomes/etc know they always have the refs on their side.

He's a top 5 coach in this league for sure when you consider what he's done with that roster and this year might be his best yet considering the injuries, turnover, etc. And if Tannenhill plays against KC they are riding an 8 game win streak right now. This is why I get sick and tired of the excuses for a certain HC of a certain team and why it very well may time for a change if this team doesn't make the playoffs this year or fails to make a serious run.

Don't see this making a difference and watch Mahomes still pass for 300+ yards with a bunch of practice squad WR's playing because he's simply that guy. And if they do win this game as expected they very well may run the table into the playoffs.

Despite these injuries there's still no excuse to not win this game especially since weather will not be a factor. Sure the Browns have the ability to run wild on this defense but it shouldn't matter if this team shows up ready to play and if they can build a decent lead early it forces it kind of negates the running game for the Browns anyway and will force Brissett to pass more which will lead to mistakes and turnovers. Still think there's more to the story with White though and won't be surprised if he plays his final games in Buffalo this year, assuming he plays again at all this season.

Unless he's not healthy I honestly don't see why he wouldn't since he knows this defense inside and out and he's proven to be an asset against the run. This isn't the same thing as picking up a guy off the street that doesn't know the scheme like hines. So if the coaching staff insists on going with a guy like Bernard it proves they are clueless especially when everyone knows what the browns strength is and what they plan on doing on offense.

This is actually a great move and now I think we'll actually win and win big against the Browns even if they run the ball down this defenses throat with success. Playing in very bad weather was just asking for an ugly loss similar to the Colts game last year especially with this team in the midst of a 2 game losing streak.

Based on what we've seen in recent weeks not sure how complicated this offense is when it seems like they run the same handful off plays over and over again, with the entire passing game built around Diggs and the weird RB by committee thing in which every time Singletary actually gets going they decide to start giving carries to someone else. In terms of Hines thought, get the feeling this is going to end up being a dud of a trade if anything because he's really just another Breida clone from last year and he was also hyped up and barely used in the end.

I think it goes back to the idea that the coaches simply don't trust him, especially after his latest turnover. But it seems even when this team builds a lead and tries pounding the ball, they all look like Zack Moss back there no matter who touches it in the 2nd half. Still think the bigger picture is the oline is just not as good as we want to believe outside of Dawkins and Morse (who has always been a poor run blocker vs his finess pass blocking strengths).

Rarely does midseason dumpster diving do much for a team but I agree it would at least show something if the Bills did something similar instead of just resting on their laurels and holding on to some sort of steadfast belief that either they don't want to disrupt the lockerroom or their guys on the roster are better.

Honestly what would it hurt at this point? Yes he's been dumped by 2 different teams already this year but maybe like with Shaq Lawson he's just a better fit in this system.

This was my thought as well, especially after 17 years of failure and heartache. Which is why in hindsight this is going to be the year that Beane regrets not truly going all in at the trade deadline especially if/when he's out of a job in the next few years.

Anything is possible but yes I don't agree with the OP based on the way the 2 teams are playing right now because it would defy logic and there's nothing in McD/Allen's history that says they are going to near run the table with so many tough games on paper left. Therefore my reasoning for the Bills finishing 11-6 is I see them losing once against the Pats (likely TNF in NE), again at home to the dolphins for the sweep, and then likely the MNF game at CIN. At this point though would anybody be shocked to see a really bad loss to one of CLE/DET/CHI since all those teams are capable of the upset? That could really be a fatal blow to this teams playoff chances given how tough the AFC is going to be until the final week of the season.

Be serious man of course this team is going to win again, maybe just not as much as we thought the rest of the way. Also in another thread I predicted the Pats to finish 10-7 and get the final WC spot over the Chargers and Jets because of tiebreakers.

Also an interesting coincidence is that Jacoby Brissett was also the Colts starting QB in that game and will be doing the same for the Browns this week.

Yet they still have 2 SB's appearances and one win there so this argument doesn't really matter. Again, until this group can even get to one SB not sure what fans keep hanging their hat unless getting blown out in the AFFCG by the same Chiefs team 3 years ago is considered a monumental accomplishment.

Not saying this is the Pats team of old, but when you look at what Belichik has done without Brady the last 3 years it's still pretty damn impressive especially with the combination of Zappe and a struggling Mac Jones so far this year. Like I said, if the QB play gets better they are going to be very tough team down the stretch with key games left at home against all 3 division teams.

At this point I really don't know what to expect but going with the following: 1) KC 14-3 2) MIA 13-4 3) BAL 12-5 4) TEN 11-6 5) CIN 11-6 6) BUF 11-6 7) NE 10-7 Chargers and Jets also finish 10-7 but miss out due to tie breakers. Also think it will be MIA/KC in AFFCG with KC likely advancing and winning it all again against whoever makes it in the NFC.

I think the main issue everyone needs to examine is why this team seems to fade midseason every year under McDermott (not including the 2018 rebuilding year) 2017 - Started 5-2, finished 9-7. Obviously this was also technically a 'rebuilding' year but we know how it ended with them overachieving early and backing into the playoffs on the arm of Andy Dalton 4th and 18 play by the Bengals late in the 4th quarter and ending the 17 year drought. Midseason was mired by 3 straight horrible blowout losses culminating in the Peterman/Chargers debable before the bleeding stopped. 2019 - Started 6-2, finished 10-6. Team was actually 5-1 before losing 2 of 3. Got a little hot again culminating in the infamous win in Dallas on Thanksgiving then lost 3 of 4 (and 4 of 5 overall including Texans playoff game). 2020 - Started 6-2, finished 13-3. Obviously this teams regular season high point thus far under McD/Allen. But it was the weird covid year and they did lose the two straight midseason against Chiefs/Titans. Also weren't that strong overall and barely beat the Jets and Pats in that stretch as well. Late season 6 game win streak was mostly against bad teams including a fading Steelers team whose 11-0 start was a mirage. 2021 - Started 4-1, finished 11-6 including going 3-5 over 2 month stretch. This season is most relevant not only because it's just last year, but they seamed to peak after winning in KC in week 5 and we appear to be going down a similar path this year after winning in KC in week 6. Did finish 4-0 but against bad teams and a fading NE team when their rookie QB hit a wall. Bottom line, this all comes back to coaching and being able to keep a team ready and focuses for the rigors of a 17 week NFL season. Yes every team has bad games and nobody is every going undefeated again (which the Eagles also just found out), but at some point you have to be ready and pull out games you probably should lose which is what Mahomes and the Chiefs have done and Allen and the Bills have not.