KurtGodel77

Is that the best you can do?

I was expecting more of a response.

TD wished upon a Wyche for a better Drew, Slowly but surely his wish is coming true

If the Steelers lose just one game, they will come to the Ralph to play. Why? Because they will realize the Patriots might drop their final game of the season, and will try, by winning in Buffalo, to reclaim homefield advantage. There are only two ways for this game to be meaningless to Pittsburgh: 1. NE loses a game between now and the end of the season 2. Pittsburgh loses two or more games while NE wins I don't see either of these scenarios happening. Under scenario 2, there is some danger of Pittsburgh being threatened for its bye by a team like the Jets. We really should be rooting against those Jets by the way. Not only because it would help our playoff chances if they lose, but also on general principle.

I think it's more than just the people around Drew playing better. I really think Wyche & co. are having an impact on Drew himself.

You seem to be implying that this fan base would lack patience with a young player. Whatever on earth would give you that idea?

Maybe a better measure of the softness of schedule would be the combined won-lost record of your opponents. That way you get more credit for playing 8-1 NE than 6-5 Seattle.

Good analysis.

Last week he had Seattle ranked 12th, and us unranked, even though we handled Seattle quite well. Maybe it's partly based on who has the divisional lead, and part based on Vic not wanting to seem like a homer.

If what you're saying is true, the two of you have a lot in common.

I think he's a second-year player.

It works the other way too: McGahee's success has probably helped open things up for our WRs.

I'm going to speak up for steve here, and say this: that the police report and the journalists' accounts are all based off the testimony of that one eyewitness. Now, is it possible that the eyewitness thought to himself, "Hey, this woman just ran two kids over for throwing golf balls at her car. She belongs in prison for that, so I'll spin this situation to look even worse for her than it does already." There are people out there who would do that, so there's a chance these kids weren't as innocent as this bystander makes it sound like. Having said that, it was absolutely ridiculous for Steve to guarantee the witness's account was a fabrication.

There is another thing I'd like to say about Bledsoe: if he starts next year, and if he plays well, he'll have been worth the first round pick TD gave up to get him. Bear in mind that the reason free agents like Takeo Spikes and Sam Adams signed with Buffalo was because of our 8-8 record in 2002, and the idea that with a better defense, we could make the playoffs. Bledsoe's play over the first half of the 2002 season was a big reason for that 8-8 record. Sam Adams turned down a richer contract from Cincinnati to play for us.

Okay. The first stage of Drew's career, he played like a Hall of Fame QB. Then about four years ago or so, his play declined. Drew became average QB, as reflected in his QB rating. One of the reasons Mularkey was brought in was the hope he could fix Drew, the way he fixed Kordell and Maddox. While the jury is still out, there is now some reason to believe that Drew has actually been fixed. He just got done throwing 4 TDs and zero INTs, gaining a QB rating north of 130, against a highly rated Miami pass defense that was playing their hearts out because they want their interim HC to get the permanent job. Oh, and he did this on the road. Drew may not be completely back to his old Hall of Fame self. He may not be the perfect QB for our team. But right now, he sure looks a lot better than what we saw last year.

How does it feel to be the Hurdy Gurdy Man?

Well, Ice, we've won two of the three road games you mentioned. Care to comment?

Assuming the Bills have an 80% chance of winning against San Francisco, another 80% chance of winning against Cleveland, a 2/3 chance of beating Cincinnati, and a 50% chance of beating Pittsburgh, there is a 21% chance they will go 10-6. If they beat Cleveland, that chance will go up to 26%.

Kelso: I think you're being a little optimistic about those games the Jets have against those NFC West teams. Neither Seattle nor St. Louis are particularly good. The Seahawks just finished losing to the Cowboys on Monday Night, a week after being completely dominated by us. On the other hand, I think you're underestimating our chances of winning out. We have four games left, but two are against Cleveland and San Francisco. That just leaves Cincinnati (who I think we can beat, even on the road) and Pittsburgh. I'd say our odds of winning the Pittsburgh game are 50/50, even if Pittsburgh comes to play. Buffalo is a hard team to beat at the Ralph in the middle of winter.

I agree the statistic is amazing, especially considering that Miami's pass defense is ranked in the top 3 or something. At least, it had been ranked in the top three until we got to it.

When I evaluate a WR, I look at yards rather than catches. As Lofton once put it, "nobody evaluates a RB by saying, 'he had this many carries.' It's yards baby!"

Thanks for the analysis; I hope you're right.

Wide right!!! Yes!!! (As a Bills fan, I never thought I'd say that.)

I guess going for it on 4th and 7 makes less sense than doing so on 4th and 2.

The Steelers should GO FOR IT!!! and put this game away.