notpolian

Spector on IR...? We are one step away from Buffalo Joe.

Allen is certainly a more dynamic player. Kelly called his own plays. Kelly was more successful on far more talented teams. If the current Bills can get to the SB and win, the statue goes up. First they got to get back to the AFCCG. Much tougher path these days.

I think Bass are usually the easiest to catch. Kinda crazy, definitely patternable, will hit almost anything when in the right mood. It's musky that are the real challenge.

I actually think Bass' kicks have looked like they have less "slice" on them in the last couple games. Earlier in the year, the ball looked like it was moving a lot side to side. It seems quieter lately, which is good. Koo for the Falcons is the ideal in this regard, he doesn't have a big leg but he hits it very straight. And even he missed an important kick recently I think. I am pleasantly surprised Bass won us a game before losing us one. Zeurlein really helped him out a few weeks ago though. That being said, each week my score prediction accounts for one missed extra point. 😁

The most realistic good scenario is a 2 seed. 1 seed is very tough given upcoming schedule for all teams. Good health across the team and a step forward by the defense leading to a deep playoff run to the promised land is always my hope.

Hollins does not track a deep ball well. But he's been ok on short to intermediate stuff where he is running somewhat parallel to the LOS. He also blocks well. Overall given lowish expectations, I think he's been fine. Cook also has issues with deep routes. I hope they run a wheel route or three this week to Cook however.

Good Lord, 4 WRs were limited or DNP. I'd be surprised if Coleman plays and it's looking bleak for Cooper. Samuel has been ineffective and is hurt. Sure hope Hollins can go and the practice squad dude meets the moment. They need to bubble wrap Shakir for a couple days.

Bengals for playoff seeding purposes. We do not want to be 4th seed. I do not want to face either team in the playoffs, but given the choice I'd rather face Cincinnati.

Others have the same concerns as I do, this is not the game for the usual McDermott "sit back and let them make a mistake" game plan. Flacco can figure out a soft zone coverage. We need to put one or two more in the box than we often do, and pressure them on passing downs. I have little faith in our blitz (seems like Milano was the only one who could get through consistently) but maybe this week Flacco gives you long enough to get there. Maybe Jordan Phillips will take advantage of their backup center in his one healthy game of the season! What's the line on his number of sacks? 😁

Bills 22 Colts 17 Don't let the statistics fool you, the Colts defense is not that bad. DeForrest Buckner has been out most of the year. This Grover Stewart guy looked good to me last week as well. Now that Buckner is back, their DL may be a problem. Flacco won't be as bad as last week. He was serviceable/ good last year and the other games he's been in this year. Lose the turnover battle and this could go sideways quickly.

Simple formula: stop run and rush passer? I hope our defense can actually do that. You give Flacco time and he usually gets it there. Last week not as much, but I won't be surprised to see him do better this week. I do not recommend running it up the middle at their DTs too often.

I actually think he has been a productive player for the Bills when he is NOT INJURED. He likes playing here and attitude does affect production. I'm fine with him as a cheap stopgap and insurance policy.

Yeah he has a shot at a ring in Baltimore. But part of the reason the Rams are playing better is they put White on the bench. They don't call it Not For Long by accident.

I am late to this thread, and I don't study all 22 or that stuff. I think Shakir has an amazing catch percentage at a respectable volume. I also think he is our best YAC receiver. He tries hard every freaking play. This may be a questionable comp, but Shakir is like Craig Ramsay was back in the day for the Sabres. Not the best player in the league, but my friends and I used to say if you had a team full of Craig Ramsay's, you'd never lose a game. I feel the same way about Shakir.

Yep it's all about the postseason. Regular season success is much better than failure, but it's necessary, not sufficient. I think McDermott can prepare the team well, motivate them, and makes good in-game adjustments. But he is poor/mediocre at in-game decisions. His defensive philosophy is not compatible with postseason success (too dependent on zone, overemphasis on DL penetration vs. clogging lanes and power). I think Beane tends to overpay for ok/good players at times (Oliver, Knox, Bass, maybe the tackles) and hasn't drafted enough difference making WR, OL, safeties and DL to push us over the top. Obviously he hit the home run on QB. I'm not an advocate of replacing the current regime unless you can get someone with a proven record of success. They almost doesn't exist outside of the Dark Lord of Foxboro, which ain't happening. We've got what we've got, which is better than 75% of the NFL. I fear it'll never get us to the promised land, but I hope I'm wrong.

I noticed Ankou more than I noticed Oliver (who had 1 tackle iirc).

Agree on the holding calls. Dion sort of threw his hands down as the guy fell, so that one was a bad call but maybe a gray area deal IMO. I saw nothing that Torrence did wrong on the next play, but maybe a different angle would show something. Their DL did get a lot of pressure on Allen.

All wins are good wins. But we forced ONE punt by the Dolphins. Yikes.

Made a kick. A long kick.

Bernard playing is good. I sure hope Benford plays. I want no part of the Elam experience. Cooper would be good to have but we had no problems there the first time we played them.

I don't care what kind of routes he is targeted on. His catch percentage is amazing this year. He can also elude defenders and tries hard consistently. It's gonna be tough to re-sign him and the others (Benford, Groot) given the current cap situation. Can we just give him Knox's money to begin with and go from there? 😉

To me, one of Cook's strengths is the short passing game. Hit him on the move with a little space and he can get a good gain or maybe break a big one. I'm not a big fan of long passes to Cook. He drops them too often. It may be a product of poor hand positioning or concentration, but I don't know. At this point in his career Allen can hit/lead the RBs in stride consistently, which he struggled with early on. I think the Bills should pass to RBs even more than they do. The defensive matchup is almost always going to be more favorable than a WR will get.

Can't go wrong with this game. If the Texans lose it helps playoff seeding (we want to be 2 or 3 if KC is 1, or better be the 1 seed but that's going to be a challenge). If the Jets lose, that's never a bad thing.

Of the many great and memorable names of NFL players past and present, Storm Duck has to be on my list.

Bills 30 Fins 20