Casey D

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6876753/2025/12/10/buffalo-bills-wide-receivers-josh-allen/?source=athletic_user_shared_article_email&smid=em-share-ta Behind a paywall, but an interesting read. His basic take is that the Bills receiver room, while still not great, has evolved into something serviceable. Davis, Shakir and Shavers have settled in as the prime trio, with Shavers being the Hollins from 2024. Palmer should be the 4th when healthy, and then the issue is who is the 5th, Cooks or Coleman. Buscaglia feels Cooks brings better complementary skills than Coleman, so Coleman most likely to sit if Bills go with the usual five receivers. Room will need overhaul in 2026, but this group might be good enough for the Bills to be a force in playoffs.

We all can't be Barry Switzer or Doug Pederson--- truly great NFL coaches to win a SB.

Fair enough. I do not watch tape on Burrow as I have with Allen. That play Burrow does seem to force it, I agree. But based on casual observation from yesterday Burrow seemed to be playing patiently and consistently taking what the defense was giving him. Obviously he makes mistakes too-- like both pics where he did not have a good grip on the Benford pic, and threw it right at Phillips on the Epenesa pic. I don't think Allen's low air yards per attempt is strictly a function of his taking what is given. For a variety of reasons-- average receivers and a desire to control clock-- the Bills have largely abandoned throws that travel 15 air yards or more. But watching tape, there are many times where Allen attempts a big play that is not there, instead of taking what is given. Sometimes it works-- the pass to Shavers against TB-- but sometimes it leads to a 4th down or a turnover. I am not bashing Josh at all, I would not trade him for any QB out there. But when he stays within the design of plays and is patient, then sprinkles in his amazing off-schedule plays, he is his most lethal. And as I wrote before, I do not care for Burrow, but I was simply giving him props because he is one of the best QBs outside of Allen.

forever it seems

Burrow is really good-- even though I don't care for him. He is more patient than Allen and takes what is given him. If the Bills play off, he takes the easy throws. When they get more aggressive, he goes for the jugular and has the weapons to do it. What he can't do-- at least not now-- is make the off-script plays Allen makes. When Josh is patient like Burrow, but then makes those off-script plays too, he is simply the best QB in football.

We were minus 3 in TO against them and were on the doorstep of a winning score at the end of the game. Short rest on the road. "No answer" seems hyperbolic.

it is over

eff eff eff. Go Bills!!!

Eh gad. People, they are the worst-- Jerry Seinfeld.

Men against boys so far.

Going to need to score 45

Go Bills!! Remember the cigars!!!

This is kind of silly isn't it. Last game was over two years ago at Cincinnati. Game was 21-7 at halftime. Bengals scored three points in second half in 24-18 win. Really different teams now. People are scarred from the 2022 playoff game (in January 2023) at home. Bills were emotionally spent after all the weather issues that year and, of course, what happened to Hamlin. And after the game Burrow was smoking cigars and acting like an a-hole, so the PTSD is understandable. Hopefully players that were on the team then remember. But this Bengals defense is a shadow of what it was two years ago, and none of this is predictive of what will happen Sunday IMO. But I could be wrong. 😎

They have only played twice since then.

One point I left out was Allen doing a good job of calling protections and blocking schemes, which in part goes to the masterful point. I think his argument is that while Josh's stats were pedestrian, he was excellent at "orchestrating" the offense.

A week after a lackluster performance against Houston, the Bills bounced back with attitude and poise. "Allen played and managed the game much like a composer, hitting just the right notes at just the right times. He didn't play into the false narrative of a broken passing game or that the erratic Bills were tailing off as the playoffs approached." Highlights-- 1. To note the obvious, the defense was outstanding in every way, playing with an attitude that has been often missing. 2. Brady made adjustments from Houston. TE's chipped frequently to give tackles a bit more time to set and block. 3. Allen mostly good, especially in second half. First half interception was his fault, however, as he seemed to totally misread the defense and threw to Davis when he was the worst option given the D. Kurt Warner says same thing in his All-22. 4. The great Allen, throw to Johnson on final drive of first half. Kubiak also agrees with many on this Board that going for three before halftime was a blessing in disguise, as the scoop and score to start the second half gave Bills the lead instead of a tie. 5. More Allen--TD pass to Coleman was one of Allen's best plays ever. Play was designed to go to Knox, who was wide open. But Allen saw ball would be tipped/batted down and so he ended up pump faking and starting to run. But Ramsey saw the run, and Allen sees Ramsey, and tosses TD to Coleman. Reaction time on this play was off the charts good. Swing pass to Cook later was an amazing pass with perfect precision. And Josh got back to running effectively as needed. Conclusion: "Allen is the best QB in football when he runs as necessary, completes his progression to open receivers and manages the game with patience and poise." Behind BN paywall. https://buffalonews.com/sports/professional/nfl/bills/article_f0eb8433-e320-4a28-8ad9-469d67a9a7ac.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share

He's known for his tackling according to my Eagles friend. Maybe he can give a seminar to the rest of the defense.

Offense needs to play like against Tampa with Bengals weak defense. Something like 35-40 might be needed. Lamar looked bad last week and 5 turnovers led to Ravens being -4. As long as Bills break at least even on turnovers, it should be OK.

Could be. NFL rules often confound me and add some inconsistent application of those rules and I likely have no idea what the rules are.😀

But I've seen that called regularly. If he hit him with a shoulder, that's different. If that's the rule, plaintiffs' lawyers will have lots of fun if intentional or reckless head-to-head contact is just fine.

Did that rules expert say helmet to helmet is OK because the returner was a runner? WTF does that mean? Do they make this stuff up as they go along?

That was effing hilarious. Like a real bad golf shot.

44 against Tampa at home. They can match that against the Bagles, unless they go -3 in turnovers.

Thanks all. Most appreciated and makes sense.

I know he was active but I don't recall seeing him and he is not on the stat sheet. Did they hold him out for some reason?