MTBill

Fascinating stuff. Not that we did a lot of this - but it does include kneeldowns. I turned kneeldowns off and we still led the league on offense with 102. What I also found as a positive stat - as the "defense" - we were tied for 6th with 84 stops for 0 or less on 1st/2nd down, excluding kneeldowns.

How much pain do you think he played with that game? And to come up short in a very winnable game. I can only imagine his frustration. I love his passion.

Trying to justify this argument with statistics is pointless. There is no way to project how player X would have performed in these identical circumstances versus Player Y. All that said. I like TT a lot, and I think he got a bum deal here as far as having a supporting cast. We'll move on, and that's fine by me. You play the cards you're dealt. Tyrod misses open receivers, so does every QB. Every QB has receivers who drop balls they should have caught. Every QB makes mistakes. The "good/great" ones just seem to do it less - and generally are in a scheme and surrounded by talent suitable to their strengths. At the end of the day - I really don't care who is QB, I just want this team making it to the playoffs and beyond. If that is TT or if it is someone else does not matter to me. If the coaching staff is willing to hang their hat on a QB, it's their job, not mine.

I don't know if they'll pull the trigger on trading Tyrod or not. I think the hard part is finding a dance partner - especially since they renegotiated his money to this last contract year. I think Cordy is probably traded - but maybe not... He never got on the field to show his injury got better, that limits the returns on him - he might not even pass a physical...I could see Hughes being traded, though if he was cancerous, he'd already have been traded. I don't think Shady or Benjamin will be traded which would qualify as 'big names'. Even if there is still rebuilding going on, they have to keep the dream alive to sell tickets. Shady sells tickets, and Benjamin should be improved after his surgery - and presumably a new QB. I think we'll see a vet QB (other than Tyrod) in Buffalo next season - with a rookie backing them up. I honestly did not see enough out of Peterman this year to trust him as a backup, but he'll probably make it on the roster as a backup/3rd string since he's cheap, already on the roster, and perhaps still has potential.

One of my biggest concerns with Shady this weekend... Some Jaxhole is going to make a move for his ankle... I agree that TT needs a big game. I like that we seem to have the WR all available this week... I think there's been a WR (including Clay) on the injury report every week this season. It seems like Murphy is at least a serviceable backup. We have a chance to win this. Don't get me wrong. I see a lot of targets going to Clay - and I think that's a place where success can be found. Not through quick bombs... but chewing up the clock with drives and the occasional big burst. I also see us getting a turnover or two off of Bortles... That will be the difference.

I think that comes down to sample size. You only get 16 games... so reducing that is difficult. I want to know the same analytics on all the wildcard teams (e.g. borderline playoff teams) in the same period. I suspect that analytics don't always predict playoffs.

This is fascinating to an analytics guy... but only one example. To make a case for the analytics, what are the numbers for other teams in the same period? What about for the successful teams in the period? Most analytic engines would have probably said the 18-0 Patriots should have cakewalked the Giants... but that didn't happen. Paper wins and paper losses are just that... on paper. It's what happens on the field that matters. Even more interesting is - despite all the analytics, they made it. Why? What is missing in the analytics - and can that be quantified? If so, Vegas has a job for you.

Aaron who? I think this backfield has to be a credit to McDermott (and/or Whaley). Recognized what was available - and knew what they were doing. We don't have the "greatest" safety duo that the NYJ have (according to some in the media)... But we didn't spend two 1st round picks either, and have an amazing secondary - when paired with White/Gaines. The Defense isn't perfect yet (obviously) - but it's improved quite a bit. Kudos to Poyer. Totally a snub for the pro-bowl.

I'm in agreement with most of you... There are a lot of ways to do this. I think we do need to spend some draft capital in someone they believe it at QB. I just don't want to blow more than 1 or 2 picks on it. No trading the farm for a prayer. We are NOT 1 QB away from being 13-3. We have got to improve our team. I totally get that we have not drafted a stud, we've hoped that our guy we draft on the cheap will turn out to be Tom Brady... Cuz that happens all the time in the NFL, right? Maybe if you have a really smart scout who can identify a diamond in the rough... we don't seem to have that given our QBs. During the drought - not a single QB we drafted has amounted to a hill of beans. Going back to Todd Collins. Every 'workable' QB we've had was from elsewhere. Bledsoe, TT, Orton (for a time), Flutie (if he was your guy) (edit - oops), forgot Fitz. The drafted QBs I remember without looking them up, junk. I am not saying I didn't like them off the field... I mean we didn't get a Leaf or a J Russell... But we didn't find a Brady either. I am sort of hoping we get a vet via FA. Someone to honestly compete with TT in the system we want to run. No excuses about systems unsuited etc.... And if TT is the guy, he's the guy. If he's not, he's not. I think we need a much stronger O-Line and we have got to add depth and future starters in a lot of places via this years draft. Kyle is great. He could retire after this season - or be back for another 1... but he can't play forever. His replacement does not seem to be on this roster right now. 5 picks in the first 3 rounds should yield 5 starters - which goes a long way towards improving the team for now and the future, the "Process" if you will. I can't recall who it was - but it seems like we picked up a FA once who was a jerk from Miami... And he turned out OK, not great. But maybe that's just a faulty memory.

This was really cool. Thanks for sharing. Just watching Kyle Williams reaction during the moment... I had tears... again. What was most amazing to me, most of the players have not been part of the drought... but they are all just so excited to be in the playoffs - as much as anyone in Buffalo who has endured the drought. Regardless of the outcome, the drought is over, and this was special. Or the fact that if we'd beaten the Bengals earlier in the season - it wouldn't have mattered? While I've never been to a bills game (other than a pre-season game) in Buffalo... my favorite memory was turning off the TV during the comeback right after the pick 6 after halftime. Then 2 minutes later turning the game back on, because I had a feeling. My wife bought me the DVD of the comeback game a few Christmases ago. I love watching that game. As you said, this moment trumps that. And the fact I got to witness at least the Bengals game live this far away, made it special. Like many people. I was stoked when the TD happened. But tempered that by the fact there was still plenty of time on the clock. And - like others posted here, forgot the negated INT due to the hold (which was obvious).

You know - back in the SB years - those wins weren't always pretty either... but not everyone remembers that. We had the bickering Bills for a reason. What matters is the Win, not how it was accomplished. Every team gets garbage wins and quality wins. We aren't blowing anyone out - and we were blown out this season a few times... But it does not seem like this team is coached/built to blow the doors off offensively. This weekend will be a chippy game - probably a fair amount of penalties, but I do think the Bills can (and maybe should) win this game - both teams have a lot of pressure. Bills last playoff WIN - 1995 against Miami (QB was Jimbo of course). That's 23 years ago... much longer than the "drought". Jacksonville has the home game and a 2 game losing streak after being a darling of the national media.

I am loving this week. I also acknowledge there is a long road ahead. It is great to get over this hurdle though One thing this team needed was to believe in itself. Making the playoffs - however it was accomplished is no easy feat and they did it. I waffle on TT a lot. I think I fall into that John Butler - "fine young man" trap. I liked EJ too, but he never figured it out either (or the coaches couldn't figure him out - water under the bridge). While I think TT is likely to be in Buffalo next season, I'm not shocked at all if he is not, regardless of how this week plays out. Even though the time was short - TT + Benjamin never seemed to click. I think if you grab Benjamin for 1.5 seasons, you are planning on having someone who can feed him the ball. I do not expect Matthews to be on the roster... I hope Zay has a better sophomore season - WR often don't blossom in year 1... We have serious OL + DL questions... But those are things for next season. For now, I am relishing the moment.

Not at all shocking - considering his own situation and the fact his coach just retired. Bon Voyage! As the poster said - I bet Fitz is next, not much to hang around there for now.

Last comment by me on this thread... Who did this team lose to? Teams in Playoffs - Panthers (11-5), Saints (11-5), Patriots x2 (13-3) Teams not in Playoffs - Bengals (7-9), Jets (5-11), Chargers (9-7) 4 of the 7 losses came to playoff teams. We eked the Chargers out of contention - but they were on the cusp as well. Who did this team beat? Teams in Playoffs - Falcons (10-6), Chiefs (10-6), Teams not in Playoffs - Jets (5-11), Broncos (5-11), Buccaneers (5-11), Raiders (6-10), Colts (4-12), Miami x2 (6-10) While we only had 2 wins against other playoff teams - we did beat 2 playoff teams already - both on the road. This was no easy road to hoe. So to finish 9-7 and make the playoffs is no small accomplishment and should not be ignored because it isn't a beauty queen. Even the "patriots" are no beauty queen when it comes to perfection...

At the end of the day - we're in the playoffs. I agree with the O.P. on some counts... Playoffs do not erase the fact that this is still a weak team that needs work - but this is not something the organization fails to realize What makes me most ecstatic about the playoffs? The fact that the drought is over. This chip is off the shoulder and we can move on. It will be just as hard to repeat this next season as it would have been not making the playoffs - it just won't feel like this wall of "18" seasons. And having one less hurdle is never a bad thing. Revel in the moment. We even got a winnable playoff matchup for round 1. Winning a playoff game would be another wall removed. Not that I am trying to say this team is on the verge of anything like the past... But back before the 'run', we had a few years of success (making the playoffs, hosting playoff games, getting to the AFC Championship) - without making the SB. That is necessary I feel to having sustained success again. This is one small step, accept that while realizing this is not a SB win - and we aren't showing signs of being on the cusp right now of doing that next season either. Go Bills. Beat Jacksonville. I would LOVE another chance at the Cheatriots - with some momentum of positive energy and accomplishment.

My least favorite coach speak phrase out of a former Bill's coach - "Obviously..." Everything was Obvious... (Marrone). I will say this - after this season, I don't want to hear "trust the process" as a present/future tense phrase. It should be more like, "we trusted in the process, which is why we have been successful."

To me one of the dirtiest plays was Charles Martin dropping Jim McMahon in the 80's... Another is the Haynesworth stomp on Gurode. This Gronk play is probably 3x worse to me. Not because of who the victim was, just you are going after a defenseless player - driving their head to the ground using your brace reinforced elbow after taking a few extra steps. If the same thing had happened to Gronk after a play, they'd be talking about it for months and the offender would probably get 6 games... Martin got 2 games, Haynesworth got 5 games... somehow Gronk only gets one.

If we did just about anything done in football in public - we'd be locked up. It is complete BS, but any sort of tackle or hit, let alone that one would get an assault charge on us. I think what bothers me the most about that hit is the brace. Would he have done that with a bare elbow - where he would risk injuring his own elbow badly? His penalty should be he has to do that with no brace on - versus a manikin in a helmet... he'd probably do a number on his elbow.

I think there will be serviceable vet QBs available. Use the picks to build a foundation. Get a friggin' O-line and D-line. Maybe trade another vet or two for young solid players. This team is not going to win with Ducasse & Mills on the Right Side....

When you play lose to the Patriots* two times a year, they are often going to be one of the final daggers. Fascinating to me that both the Dolphins and Jets won this weekend.... At least the Jets win pushes up the draft pick we got from KC... This team just feels like it is under some sort of curse... every time they make you think it's over, the light exposes a weak foundation. Which is why I am so hopeful of this new administration. Build a foundation - which is going to take a couple seasons. Is this an O-Line draft? I really hope they don't piss away draft picks trying to find a franchise QB. Yes we need a QB, but don't go throwing up multiple picks to try to find a rookie sensation when we need a solid foundation.

I don't think this would ever solve any of this - but in my opinion would be just punishment. If you have a flagrant foul where you are intending to injure someone, you should be suspended for 2x the number of games they are out without pay, minimum 2 games. This is NOT blood sport... What in the hell was he thinking? Roid Rage?

In my not football educated opinion... The problem is not the OC, the QB, or the skill players (other than keeping WR healthy)... it starts with the O-Line. A solid O-Line would improve a lot. TT can win in this league playing efficient error free... trouble is, the O-Line can't provide enough protection - or deal with good D lines... It all starts up front. If you have a crap o-line, it doesn't matter who your QB or OC is. We get some pieces of it (Incognito, Dawkins) - but not all of it (Ducasse/Mills)... Until we get much better on the line, we're not going anywhere - unless the D is getting insane turnovers, as they did earlier this year. Just my .02 as someone who does not get to see the games very often, but see the constant pressure/sacks whenever I do. With a better O-Line, you could get a different OC/QB who might well to much better than the current combination, but I think we would be just fine right now if we could get solid/consistent play on the line. #love dawkins... We need to get the right side upgraded.

I agree a lot with the article. I'd add - 17 week schedule with bye weeks. You'd like to think an extra weekend would = more viewers, instead it waters down the schedule even further. When I was a kid, you didn't watch 1 game, you watched 2 (or more if you switched back and forth between networks). The games were compelling. Now, I barely watch a whole game - and that's only a Bills game if it happens to be on. Another point I'd add is the drop of Millenials. They don't care about the NFL at all. This probably exacerbates the whole protest thing. The people who are most likely to agree with the social justice argument aren't even tuned in. They are out doing things. I'd propose this as a fix - Ditch the Thursday game, too much is too much. Reduce all of these international games - unless they are played during the "regular" timeslot. Allow stations to choose their game to air based on what their viewers want. I suspect part of the "dip" in ratings too may be the satellite contract. I know a lot of folks who used to just watch what was on at their house - but now, they go to friend's homes who have the contract - or sports bars. There are probably a lot more eyes on the game than what shows up in ratings, and these didn't use to be the way of it. Of course that won't appease advertisers who need to see ratings in order to pay $ for ad spots.

I bet Kelly threw more in NE, NY, and Indy than their QBs in his reign too. Same as Marino in most arenas of the AFCE during his reign other than Buffalo. Yes - the QB position recent history is sickening for the Bills. I don't really care about this stat though. The whole play 8 games a season isn't as important when you consider most of our QBs haven't played 20 games in Buffalo during that 20 year stretch... If it includes Fitz as competition and Bledsoe as competition I'm not shocked. We've been churning through the position the entire time. Depressing - and this stat is a symptom of that futility, not a condemnation of the current team.

Interesting to see fans aren't all that different - different jersey's, but we all speak the same language. I thought quite a few times yesterday that we were bettering our 1st round trade pick if we won... Difference between 2016 Rex Bills & 2017 McD Bills is the reaction after that phantom penalty. 2016 Bills get more penalties on retaliation and their heads are not in the game after that. 2017 Bills bucked up and got the job done. I won't say I wasn't worried when it was on the 35 with under 2 minutes.... but they found a way.