Ballhawk

I think for me when I discovered that the NFL used the "entertainment business" legal defense to anti-trust accusations my interest went down. While I don't subscribe to conspiracy theories that suggest they are fixing games for preferred markets, every time a I see a game that is skewed now remember this is not a sports league, it is an entertainment business (by their own definition). Ironically this has helped me deal with bad officiating and one sided outcomes just as I don't yell at the TV when my kids favorite wrestler gets hit from behind when the ref is not watching. For me though, it undermines the NFL's credibility, just like their aversion to having full-time refs does. Also, I find the shameless pushing of gambling on a population that has higher debt ratio and increased cost of living rather reprehensible. I choose to still watch it, but I'm one Josh away from taking a long break... Interesting read, NFL as an entertainment business: https://home.ulike.com/blogs/blog/shocking-revelation-nfl-legally-allowed-to-fix-game-outcomes-as-an-entertainment-business

I'm guessing that Beane will give Bass every chance to get his mojo back this year. It's a bit like the Diggs contract, Beane clearly doubled down on Diggs and Bass and was/is 'pot-committed' (which is why they put up with Diggs last year). I think the Bills will flirt with a replacement, but unless he has more games like the the last one I think he'll ride out the season. As egregious as last week was, as some have said, I am sure they are partly attributing that to weather given how bad both kickers were (even though I think that is bogus). I expect Bass to be better than last week but still generally unreliable and we will have to live with that this year and hope it doesn't cost us in the playoffs.

KC has Chris Jones who consistently disrupts the QB. BB was praying Von would be that for us, and we're all hoping his four week vacation rejuvenates him so that he's close to that level for the stretch run

I happen to agree about the view of his career. The recency bias as I was expressing it, was announcers and media saying he was washed up after the first two games, only to have him go from washed up to all world in two short weeks.

I'll admit that I didn't see the Cowboys game but I did watch the Chiefs and Raiders games and as I said, he had some nice TDs but overall wasn't particularly dominant. In fact, the announcers kept mentioning his lack of utilization/production. Now maybe he just needed time with a new team as is numbers are up in the last two weeks, I just find it funny how quickly the narrative changes sometimes. You're not actually disagreeing with my statement that media personalities have a heavy recency bias when it come to NFL narratives are you?

Maybe I'm the only one, but I thought Justice hill just killed us. It felt like the defense could have dealt with Lamar/Henry/Flowers, but Hill was a clear mismatch. It wasn't just the passing situations too, his straight ahead running style was so perfect for the way our defense was on its heels once the Henry ran that 87 yard TD. Also, I think it's kinda funny the recency bias in NFL narratives. D. Henry, other than some nice short yardage touchdowns, wasn't looking great the first three weeks. Now he's all world again, lol

This is my concern with the Bills approach on offense. If you are going to spread the ball around and take what the opponent gives you week to week then does it not follow that the defense will dictate where you go. To a point that seems smart, in the extreme it feels like DCs will scheme our best offensive weapons out of the game. That system seems predicated on not having superstars, which it will be hard for Kincaid to develop into with this approach.

I can't help but question the usage rate of the nickel defense. I get when the Bills have a lead, but man it feels like they use it too much. I get that Nickel is a different compromise when we have our full personnel (i.e. Taron and Milano) but I'd still like to see more 3 LB sets. If the main argument against this is personnel, I would expect that to change once Bernard, Taron and Milano return. I'd be very curious to see Milano, Bernard and Williams out there 50% of the time with the nickel package the other 50%. We keep talking about the value of being multiple on offense, but seem pretty predictable on defense.

Lol, I always though he looked like someone promoted the Data analytics guy to call plays! I will say this, he's impressed me the last few years. His scheme has produced while covering up his QB's flaws.

The scary thing is the offense looks like it has another gear. The 'break glass in case of emergency' play of Allen with his legs probably gets us another 7-10 points against the Jags. As for the WR's I'm not worried at all. We all watched the patriot years with two gifted tight ends and very mediocre WR's. The test of this offense (IMO) is whether they will be able to run the ball when their opponent commit to stopping the run. In Dec, Jan (and hopefully Feb) if we can do that, I believe our pass catching group is good enough to play off of that strength. Overall a great start, but big leads in the last two games played right into this teams strength (I've always felt like with the base Nickel defense we run, that if the Bills get a sizeable lead and force opponents to pass into the teeth of it; they are virtually unbeatable). This is why (for this team) I hate choosing to kick the ball to start the game (even though the double dip is sweet when it works).

Rams may want Edwards back !

Net, is a stat the McDermott era Bills always seem to do well in. I'm more surprised that we have the most PF (Points For) of any AFC team after the first two weeks at 65 (3rd overall behind NO/AZ). We were supposed to have a 'slow start' while Josh acquainted himself with the receiving corps!

Within the context if this chat we all know who you are referring but... when you say 'Allen fans' I still think of Josh (rather than the RB). Hell, even Josh (now Hines-Allen), knew to get off the Allen bandwagon lol.

Yeah, I think next year and the following one after that will be our big chance to win the SuperBowl. Those draft picks will be nice...

I would humbly add: Watching the utter time mismanagement by the Dolphins on the last drive before half. It's so great not be the team that plays/coaches scared for fear of turning the ball over with too much time left.

We count to ten in my home 😀 In fact, on the last play last Thursday, you could see Josh on the sideline scanning the field for flags for like 5 seconds.

I think for any other position the age gap from 20 - 24 would be a factor. With RB's basically being on a one contract life-cycle, I'm ok getting a more seasoned rookie who is 24. So far Davis has looked pretty good, reminds me a bit of Leonard Fournette (body-type wise).

Makes sense to me, if I were a 135 pound guy, who looked undernourished and nerdy, I'd cover up my physique around NFL bodies too. As for his personality, he is a bit quirky, I always find if funny how he runs to the locker room (like he's showing off how young he is and can still run). The sideline shots of him last Thursday were rough, he looked hopeless, like he was being bullied by an all-state wrestler...

Clyde Edwards-Helaire will come off IR in week 5, be interesting to see if he can revive his career. He was looking good his first couple of years.

It is odd. What I find odd however, is that teams would undermine a precedent the NFL has worked hard to maintain. I always assumed there was some collusion on the part of GMs and owner's to maintain low-risk contracts in the arguably the highest injury laden sport. Guess winning at all costs makes some teams desperate enough to break ranks...

It's inconceivable to me that Watson, with as much promise as he had coming out of Houston, could tank his career the way he has since joining Cleveland. At first, I too was happy that their desperation trade (that ignored some serious red flags) blew up in their face, but now some part of me feels bad for Browns fans. I can't help but feel a certain kinship with fanbases that have been exposed to long-term suffering...

I think you're right Shaw, but it just seems like the Bills never dictate to the defense. I mean we've been double and triple covering Travis Kelce for years and still they get the ball to him. I'm waiting for the day when this offense (is opportunistic yes, in taking what is offered), but also good enough at what it does that it can overcome defensive adjustments. Our running game in the second half against the Cards is another example of us not being able to overcome the defense's adjustments. IMO, the best teams do both (dictate what they do well and adjust to the opponents scheme). The only example I see of our offense dictating regardless of the defensive scheme is on QB sneak on 3 or 4th and 1.

Josh Allen 24 Dolphins 28 I'll be happy if we escape injury free.

Aside from Kincaid, I was really surprised with how little Curtis Samuel was utilized. I realize it's only one game, but I was sure he was going to be a jack of all trades for this offense. 2 receptions for 15 yards...oof.

After that contract went south I didn't think we'd see so much guaranteed money for QB's, then I just saw Dak's contract which is basically all guaranteed. Admittedly he's not the same risk, but still... seems like a risky way to do business.