90sBills

Absolutely, Shaw! I saw the same thing this season. That gave me hope that we could finally get over the hump this post season. I don’t really think that going into the year but the teams’s play, and especially Allen’s play, made me a Billiever. Then he started the AFCCG with that look and I was worried. He rebounded and I thought the worse was over. When the defense made that stop at the end I would’ve bet any amount we were going to the superbowl. Then I saw that look again on that last drive. Obviously it’s not all on him. I guess my frustration is seeing Mahomes do the things he does, as you alluded to, and wondering there’s no reason why our guy shouldn’t be that as well. Maybe that’s an unfair way to look at it as they’re different personalities. It’s just not about physical traits. Anyway it’s over. We can just keep on rooting. I do firmly believe that the offense has to win these games when the opportunity presents itself. No matter what kind of defense is assembled it’ll get shredded in the playoffs by great teams.

Geez. I would say you’re missing the point but I don’t think you can see the point. So we can leave it.

No. You’re the only expert here. lol Yes I get that the play was designed as a fake screen to Kincaid then hit Shakir. But the defense didn’t bite. Shakir was a low percentage completion at that point. That’s where recognition and improvisation needs to happen. At that point there’s taking off with his legs or Kincaid as the outlet. The line was holding up well on that play. There was time to go back to Kincaid. Either option would have resulted in a positive yards play. That was needed at that point. The second down was just a great play by the defense. That made the situation worse because the first didn’t yield any yards. It was a drive to save the season. They needed to be methodical and efficient. There were opportunities to be that. You didn’t think Allen was tight there? I thought he was and that prevented him from being his best self by making the best decisions.

The defender on Kincaid had his eyes in the middle of the field where Allen was looking. He’s a good 6-7 yards off Kincaid and drifting away. There’s no way he would react fast enough for tackle with no gain if Allen zipped it back to Kincaid. Plus he’s a db that’s smaller than Kincaid. He’d have giving up a couple yards after contact from the angle he would’ve to take. It’s also not clear in that clip. If you watch the game clip, it’s on the NFL app, there’s an endzone shot of this play. The gap to the right of Allen was wide open. Cook had leaked out through there. Allen’s legs would’ve gotten at least 5 yds if he’d taken off. This is the stuffs that Mahomes does all the time to pick up easy yards. Alen is a better runner than Mahomes. Yes the pass to Shakir was not dangerous but it was a low percentage shot for a waste of down. That was a must make drive. We needed positive yards to set up the next down. In normal circumstances I think Allen would’ve recognized that immediately and taken off. These do or die situations bring a different kind of pressure. Maybe he was overthinking and not just reacting. Anyway it’s easy for us fans to hindsight from the couch. We can only hope for a better outcome next time.

Rings make kings! I like it, OP. Allen is still the best Bills qb though.

I was responding to a post about Lamar. He has had playoff issues in the past but I thought he finished strong in this game. That was commendable imo. As for Allen facing the Bills defense…that’s never happening so not sure what your point is or why you even brought up Allen. Are you saying Allen wouldn’t be able to score in those situations against any other defenses besides the Bills?

He threw it over Shakir’s head. There wasn’t an opening if Shakir kept running. Another defender was coming towards Shakir from the other side. Yes, it was initially a fake to Kincaid. But after that the only guy to defend Kincaid was a backup safety about 7 yards away and he was looking towards the middle because that’s where Allen’s eyes were. If Allen went back to Kincaid at that point he could’ve made the catch and gained 3-5 yards just by taking a couple of steps. And if he can beat that safety, 27 I think, it could’ve been more. In any case, it would’ve been a positive play to start that set of downs. The sequence after that would’ve been easier to get the next set of downs. Just rewind that part and you could see it. There’s been a few analysts that have pointed this out as well. Protection was also excellent on that play so he didn’t even have to rush that throw. There was a gap on his right to run if he chooses. Cook was out there and could’ve blocked for him. Either of those cases would’ve gained yardage and set them up better for the next 3 downs.

What make you think that’s the case?

He gets too hyped in big games and sometimes that compromise his performance. So in this game he started off the first drive shaky because you can clearly see nerves were affecting him. Romo even mentioned that on the broadcast. So that got the team off to a slow start. Then he settled down and was awesome until that last drive. You can see the pressure on his face. Kincaid was open on the first down that he missed. He ended up overthrowing the middle of the field. That sequence could have been a lot easier. It wouldn’t need to come down to a miracle throw and catch on 4th down. I know he feels the weight of the city and fanbase to deliver. So he tightens up in big pressure situations. But when he presses he’s not his best version. So now it’s back to back year with the opportunity to advance in the playoffs that we couldn’t score. I’m afraid this will be his narrative in the media until he breaks through.

DBs dropping interceptions is part of the game. That happens for every QB. That’s why they play DBs and not WRs. I’m not sure why you thought that is of any significance to bring up. The defense made the necessary stop with a few minutes left so the offense can have the ball with a chance to win. That’s complementary football. What else are you expecting from McD’s bend but don’t break defense? They bend but didn’t break on that KC drive. Again, go to Beane’s press conference. He said he would take Allen with the ball and a chance to win the AFCCG next year. I agree with him. So let Allen learn from this experience so the time he’s in that same scenario he could have a legendary drive. That’s all I’m saying. You always seem to be triggered at any comments about anything that suggests Allen could do better. No one, including me, is saying he isn’t great. But he has his flaws that he needs to work on. Geez man. He’s not Jesus and no one is being Judas as you often call people.

And what Pegula and all the other owners love most? It’s not Super Bowl trophies.

Yeah he didn’t play great and put his team in a compromising position. But he did scored at the end when his team needed it for a chance. Some QBs can’t even do that for their teams in the biggest moments. That’s all I’m saying.

That Bears team would be flagged every other play with today’s rules.

That choker led a scoring drive when his team needed it most in their biggest game of the year.

That’s only 1 offseason.

So what? So it sets him up behind the sticks on the biggest drive of the year that ultimately led to failure. Legendary drives are game winning drives in the biggest game with the most pressure. Montana’s game winning drive against Cincy in the Super Bowl. Elway’s ’The Drive’ against Cleveland in the AFCGG to send Denver to the Super Bowl. Yes, Eli’s winning drive against the ‘07 Pats. Brady’s and Mahomes’ many winning drives in multiple AFCCG and Super Bowls. They were all legendary because they were successful drives that won the biggest games in the biggest moments. It’s not about style points. It’s about efficiency.

lol. Good one. So I guess you’re the guy that’s ok with them not making the superbowl when the opportunity was in front of them. It’s awesome if that’s the case. I, for one, would like to see them actually do it. Just like…let’s use your personal dig on me. Real classy btw. If my kid is not achieving his goals I’m not going to say it’s because of everything under the sun except him.

Yes. Obviously if the defense could do that it would be great. It’s a tough ask to stop the Reid/Mahomes combo completely in the playoffs when the game is on the line. I thought the fg was reasonable. They failed as a team and Allen is the leader of the team so he has to bear some responsibility. My opinion is the offense has to close the deal in these types of games. We can’t really on the defense against Mahomes.

Absolutely he has gotten better. This year was the best yet. He’s rounding out to be a complete quarterback. He can be better. He started this game off very shaky on that first drive. Nerves got to him. This is something he can work on for next year. He seems to get too hyped for big important games. I think this will be another stepping stone for bigger things to come.

Yes I get that. It was a catchable ball. But by no means was it easy. And that was 4th down. We had 3 downs before that. On 1st down Allen airmailed his pass over the middle. Kincaid was open on the outlet. Hit that on 1st down and the sequence would’ve been a lot easier.

Yes! Held KC to a fg instead of a TD so our elite qb could get the go ahead TD to win the game. You honestly weren’t happy when Phillips got that sack and they had to settle for a fg? Kyle Brandt tweeted out after that stop that this is the moment Allen was put on this Earth to do. I thought we were going the superbowl when the offense took the field. If you didn’t think that was a win for the defense I’m not sure what football game you were watching.

Why can’t both be better? Listen to Beane’s press conference. He would take the same situation again with Allen having the ball with 3min left and a chance to win. No matter what has happened up to that point the ball is in your elite QB’s hands to win. Those are scenarios that define elite QBs. Gotta come through. Can’t keep saying it’s everything else.

If Bass made that fg last year there’s probably a 90% chance of Mahomes driving KC down for the go ahead TD and probably a 99% chance of at least a fg to tie. One way to look at it is the Bills defense not being good enough. Another way to look at it is Mahomes is hard to stop in the playoffs when the game is on the line. Look at this last Sunday’s game. The defense, as pushovers as they’ve been all game, actually MADE a stop with 3:33 to go. The offense and Allen had to come through at that point. At least tie up the game. They couldn’t even get to midfield despite starting on the 30. The defense has to play better but so does the offense. Especially in situations when the game is on the line. I’d love for the narrative to be Allen won’t be denied with the ball and a chance to win. But that narrative won’t happen if we keep coming up short in those situations.

When you’re using a scrum to get you inches for a first down you better make sure to get at least a yard so it leaves no doubt in the officials’ hands. Like how Philly does it. When it’s right on the like that or even a few inches over you’re just asking for trouble. I agree. The human element is a big factor in determining the games. My point was no matter how it shakes out one side of bettors will benefit and the other will cry foul.

This really is the bottom line. In 13 sec Allen came through time and again only to be let down. Last year and this year the offense had the ball with a chance to win with a TD or tie with a fg and couldn’t do either. The defense has to play better but so does the offense in those situations.