scribo

Mafia is still too controversial of a word. Yes, those who use and defend the term have done a really nice job to explain it meaning family. I use it. The franchise have bought into it and now use it, too. But I don't foresee it being put on the wall, especially by taking down "12th Man."

It is a good question. We have a day advantage on whoever we play, and I think we all know this staff will do everything they can with that advantage. We have gameplans for two of the three possibilities, already. My guess is they draw up skelton plans for all three this morning, begin honing that down after the first game is over and maybe gamble a bit by focusing most on the Steelers (the odds-on favorite). Whoever is next, there is no doubt we will have a jump on them in the prep work.

A RB will be brought up (Williams), and i believe the PS slot will be filled by another RB. They have to maintain the insurance plan. If someone new is coming in, I think they need to get that paperwork done today in order to get through the COVID process in time for Round Two.

"Next man up" is all about trust. Who does the staff trust enough to give the rock and to give the responsibility of picking up the blitz & protecting our MVP? My guess is Singletary gets a lot more playing time, and I would guess Yeldon just because of his experience.

Keeping the upper decks, where my seats normally are, was about crowd control. They knew security wouldn't be able to monitor things well for up there. The reports of swift entry through security is exactly what was mandated by the state. That's also why they won't increase capacity for the next two games. The state's biggest hangup was how to get everyone in and out without crowds forming.

So if our beloved Bills win next weekend, will Nick have to come to Hammer's Lot for this glorious moment? If he does, he'll fall in love with Bills Mafia. The precedent had been set by Mr. Barstool.

I Billieve the Bills will beat whoever is served up next. This team is destined for bigger things than we've seen so far.

That Colts team beat the Packers. And the Bears in Chicago. And the Titans in Tennessee. All but one of their losses came against playoff teams. The one non-playoff-team-loss was a divisional game they later avenged.

Love it. GO BILLS!!!

Words matter. The word chosen here is "resign." Not retire. This is likely Flores asking for Chan's resignation out of respect rather than firing him.

Defendable hot take: We just witnessed the best regular season the Buffalo Bills have ever had. And the team is very young.

I am OK with holding Beasley out Saturday if it gets him back to the form he needs to be in for the divisional round. I know that sounds arrogant and all, but there are guys on this roster (or soon to be) who can step up or in to make up for missing #11. Beane has done an amazing job to build real depth.

I don't think we will be able to get away with stashing him on the practice squad much longer.

The team record I'm really, really hoping this squad sets: the first to win a Super Bowl.

I'm confident this signing will happen, announced Monday. No need nor reason to finalize it until then. None. And I love it. One more speedy weapon in Dabol's already plentiful war chest. Stills is fast enough that the defense has to respect his ability to take the top off. With Smoke on the field at the same time, two safeties protecting deep is necessary. What AFC playoff team has enough good DBs right now to cover Diggs, Smoke, Beasley, Davis AND Stills at the same time? The only answer to try to stop the air assault is by creating quick, overwhelming pressure on the QB, which typically doesn't work well against Allen.

Long, time-consuming protocols since he was not currently in the league. He'd be able to join the team Tuesday or Wednesday. Zero reason to announce anytime before they have to. Don't give the next opponent any more time to prepare than we must.

And the Colts have some burners, Nyheim Hines and Jonathan Taylor are each in the top 10 in terms of game speed recorded this season.

Tua has never played in the cold. He's "seen" snow once. In Alabama. He clearly embellished when talking about one game while in high school in which he claimed it was 19 degrees and raining. In Seattle. He may have thought it felt like what he imagines 19 feels like, but the records show it wasn't even below freezing. He may not get a deep freeze Sunday, but he may find he's in the wrong division if cold turns out to be disagreeable with him.

I don't believe Nelson will be activated for Sunday's game. I believe he is here to fill an important role on the scout team. The Colts and Chiefs each have some of the league's fastest players. Our defense needs to practice against some burners. Nyheim Hines and Jonathan Taylor are quite likely coming to town next week. Tyreek Hill is hopefully on the menu in a couple of weeks.

Nice work. Yes, wasting tremendous defenses year after year...

Patty and his lucky charms.

OK, I get it, be optimistic. I am! I cannot wait for the ring ceremony. My point is no one needs to read into anything about signing Nelson. He's not here to play in games. He is here to help those who will play in games. That's great that the Bills are in the position.

Knox is going to be a superstar. And I am confident he will still be wearing a charging buffalo when that comes to fruition. Even with his untimely drops, he's earned the coaching staff and Josh's trust. He wouldn't have the chance to drop passes otherwise. He was the skills, the intensity and the vision to get open. He's strong in YAC. I trust our coaching staff will get him where he can go, and it will all be worthwhile in the end.

I think Nelson was brought in because he'll be able to help on the scout team, simulating Tyreek Hill's speed. No way they are imagining him actually making a gameday active list. We are in deep trouble if that is needed.

Stills has "liked" several Bills- and Josh-related tweets over the past two days, including news about fans being allowed and arguments for Josh being the league MVP. I don't see any other team's tweets getting his attention. I know that may seem trivial, but celebs know their "likes" can be seen and often used to send a message. Seems to me Stills wants the chance. I cannot imagine money is any issue for either side at this stage of the year. My guess is either protocol is slowing it down or the Bills are waiting to see exactly what they need and where. No need to pull the trigger any earlier than necessary. Lastly, Coach McD clearly sees competitive advantage in giving opponents as little info to work with as possible. He knows the value of every minute to prepare.