folz

Agreed on Franklin. His two big solo tackles on kickoff and then helping to clean up a third tackle with some Umph on Sunday definitely jumped out to me as well (shouted him out in the Game Balls thread). He also had a solo teams tackle in week 1. Also, Codrington has been amazing. Not just for his long TD return against Baltimore, but for his hands. There have already been two or three hits as he's receiving the ball that other returners probably would have muffed. The kid has great hands (and toughness) as well as the speed and elusiveness. Buffalo Joe has been active on teams as well. And Prater has been an upgrade thus far. STs are looking up. Yes, there are plenty of Beane free agents that didn't work out...and we can all probably name most of them. But, he has also brought in a lot of guys that have helped the team or played well (at least for a period time): Cole Beasley, John Brown, Ty Johnson, Joey Bosa, Josh Palmer, Elijah Moore, Curtis Samuel, Connor McGovern, Mitch Morse, Isaiah McKenzie, Von Miller, Daquon Jones, Jordan Phillips, Jon Feliciano, David Edwards, Emmanuell Sanders, Daryl Williams, Mack Hollins, Mitch Trubisky, Matt Barkley, Sam Martin, Tyler Matakevich, Mario Addison, AJ Klein, Shaq Lawson. (I'm sure I'm forgetting a few too.) Plus he traded for Diggs, and McD brought in Poyer and Hyde as FAs. So, it hasn't all been bad. Have a little perspective. And the Carolina thing hasn't been a thing for years now. Plus, it totally made sense that in their first few years they, 1. wanted players who understood their system and culture to help establish the culture in the new location; 2. They were players they were familiar with, who could at least set a baseline of play; 3. The Bills were an unstable team in a 17-year playoff drought, in a small market, cold and snowy, city---Free agents did not want to come to Buffalo. But if a player was familiar with the coach/GM, they were more willing to come at that time than other guys in the league. But, it's been almost 9 years now since they were in Carolina (almost a decade), and so much has changed. There are only two connections still on the Carolina roster. 1. T Taylor Moton was drafted by Carolina in the 2nd round of the 2017 draft (Beane's last draft with the Panthers...days before Beane left for Buffalo---but he would have been part of that pick); 2. J.J. Jansen, the long snapper, was on the roster back when McD and Beane were in Carolina. That's it. So McD has not coached any players currently on Carolina's roster (except Sam Martin, who they picked up this year as their punter), and Moton is the only player that Beane had any draft/FA input on for Carolina. Plus, the Panthers have been through six different head coaches in the time that McD has been in Buffalo, so there isn't anything left of the Rivera/McD culture there.

Nice topic/stat OP. Josh's current pace has him scoring 9.29 rushing TDs per season. If he were to keep that pace (and Hurts doesn't surpass him), Josh would have the most rushing TDs in league history in about 10.5 years (at age 40). Now whether he can keep that pace as he ages remains to be seen, but even if he just kept that pace for 5 more years, he would already be in 5th place all-time. Unbelievable! At his current pace, he would pass Cam Newton in week one of next season to be the QB with the most rushing TDs. And with two rushing TDs in the first two weeks this year, he is actually on pace for 17 rushing TDs this season (not that I expect that to happen)---but, if he did that, he would pass Cam around Week 11/12 this season. It really is amazing. At his current pace (27.86 passing TDs/year), if Josh played 10 more years (to age 39), he would be 5th on the all-time passing TDs list. If he played 12 more years at his current pace (to age 41), he would be 4th all-time on the passing TDs list (behind only Brady, Brees, and Manning). But none of them were running QBs or anywhere near Josh's rushing TDs (Brady had 28 rushing TDs in his career, Brees 25, and Manning 18---Josh already has 67). It would take Josh 12.25 years (Manning), 13.5 years (Brees), and 16.25 more years (Brady) to pass their passing TD totals (at Josh's current pace)---which would mean playing at a high level to 41, 43, and 45 years old (so that probably won't happen). But, he could literally end up with the most rushing TDs in history (or close) and say 4th/5th all-time in passing TDs. Currently Brady has the most combined TDs for a QB with 677 TDs. Josh had 262 TDs in his first 7 seasons (or 37.43 TDs/season). If he played 11.1 more seasons at that pace (to 40 years old), he could actually eclipse Brady for total TDs by a QB. Again, not sure he can keep up that pace that long, his body is taking a bigger toll than guys like Brady and Brees did (due to the rushing, extending plays, etc.), but it's amazing none the less that he even has a shot at it. We are truly blessed.

So, let me get this straight. Many Bills fans complain continuously that Josh has to do everything on his own. That we aren't as talented as other top teams, so Josh has to put on his cape and play one-on-eleven (apparently). Then we have a game that is a total team win. The offensive and defensive lines control the game and we run the ball a lot. They prove that there is a lot of talent around Josh actually. But now the issue is Josh didn't have enough passing yards, and we got stopped on some second down runs? I have learned over the years that some people just will never be happy, no matter how much you try to do for them. I'm not saying we can never discuss problems with the offense, the play calls, or individual players performances. etc. But we just opened the season scoring 41 points and 30 points, respectively, against two very good defenses. This offense is exactly what McDermott and Beane wanted since like Daboll's second/third season as OC. Don't you remember how many times McD tried to get the offense to be more balanced, get Daboll to run the ball more? We are a bigger, stronger, more balanced team now. We can play in a shoot-out with KC, or we can grind out rushing yards against physical teams (or poor teams). We can change our game plan according to our opponent (as weeks 1 and 2 showed us). We can now run a 4-minute offense to close out games (because we can run the ball better), etc. Plus, the league has changed since 2019-2021. A lot of time was spent trying to shut down offenses like KC and Buf. The move to more cover 0, then to man coverage, etc. We couldn't continue with the aerial attack we had (in the same way), but not be able to run the ball well. The defenses dictated that players like Allen and Mahomes would need to be more patient and methodical. The defenses were keeping everything in front of them. So, the offensive style needed to change. Plus, we needed to be stronger and more physical (which we are now) to face the Cincinnatis and Baltimores of the world. We were much more what we used to call a finesse offense in the Daboll years. Now we can ground and pound when needed (without losing the ability to still have a prolific passing offense). Just FYI Daboll's Bills offense at it's best (2020-2021; 34 regular season games): Averaged 377.5 yards per game and 28.9 points per game. Since Brady took over (mid-2023 to present; 25 regular season games): Averaging 350.8 yards per game and 30.2 points per game. Playoffs: Daboll (2020-2021) 3-2, averaging 30.2 points/game with 376.8 yards/game. Brady (2023-2024) 3-2, averaging 28.4 points/game with 370.8 yards/game. Pretty similar overall, but now our team is stronger and more multiple. We are no longer out physicaled by teams, we can run when we need to, change our game plan according to the opponent, fare better in inclement weather, we're not as predictable, etc...in my opinion. I don't think we have to worry about Brady and the offense. P.S. Someone brought up that we had some struggles in the last few games (particularly Baltimore and Denver). Yes, before the Jets game, our last four opponents were Baltimore, Kansas City, Baltimore, and Denver. All three teams were top 10 defenses in both yards allowed and points allowed last year. Denver was 3rd in points allowed, K.C. was 4th, and Baltimore was 9th. Stands to reason that you'd struggle a bit more against better defenses. And yet, in those 4 games, the Bills still averaged 32 points/game. (Heck, even the Jets' defense was #3 in yards allowed last year and we just had 403 yards and 30 points against them.) But sure, good defenses are going to get some stops too---like on a second down run.

Yes, exactly, it's only been two games. The Bills defense has played 80 snaps thus far. Walker currently has a 25% snap count, which means he has had a total of 20 snaps. Sanders currently has a 31% snap count, which means 24 total snaps. Walker had two solo tackles today and Sanders got one solo tackle today. But, they are rookies in the first 20 snaps of their careers. How much are you expecting from them this early? And I thought at the end of the game today that Sanders actually looked pretty active (despite only 1 tackle). With all rookies, it's a process. I mean, there aren't a lot of 2nd and 4th round picks that look like pro bowlers in their first two games/first 20 snaps in the league.

Yeah, Josh, Jimbo, and Joey. Not a lot of game balls to go around today because the big uglies (linemen) on both sides of the ball completely controlled the game and it was just a solid, team win. Not game balls, but a few guys to shoutout: #1: Cole Bishop: 5 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 Sack, 1 QB hit (hopefully he's ascending) #2: Elijah Moore for getting involved and for his TD (I think Brady will keep trying to find ways to use Moore's speed). #3: Sam Franklin, Jr. Three big special teams tackles early in the game. #4: Mitch Trubisky for coming in cold with a big throw and keeping the offense rolling until Josh came back.

Yeah, you're probably right...back in that era.

I remember watching a Bills/Jets game when I was a kid and the announcer at some point mentioned how big Mark Gastineau's biceps were---can't remember the actual size, but I do remember one of my older male cousins (who was in his 20s at the time) say, oh my God, that's the size of my thighs. The guys basically had legs for arms...unreal.

I'll stick up for Jets fans a bit. I live in NYC (and have for many years). I go to the Jets/Bills game at the Meadowlands every year and I've never had any problems (win or lose), despite always being decked out in Bills gear and cheering loudly. I've also had many Jets fans as friends over the years, and until Josh came along, we basically just commiserated with each other over how bad our teams were. And yes, most of the Giants fanbase comes from northern New Jersey, Conn, and Upstate NY (north of the City up to say Albany/Syracuse...though I think the Bills have been encroaching on that NY territory over the last few years). Most Jets fans are from the City proper (Queens, the Bronx, Brooklyn...maybe Staten Island, but who knows, that's like a different world) and Long Island. The Jets fans are die-hards for their team, they complain about the team all of the time (well deserved), but they never jump ship...you gotta appreciate that when they haven't had much to celebrate. As to a rivalry, well, it seems that individual games can be difficult and physical because we are in the same division, fighting for the same crown, but there has been very little what you would consider rivalry types of games and situations over the years because the teams just haven't been good at the same time. In 65 years, the Bills and Jets have only both had a winning record in four seasons total (1981, 1988, 1998, and 2004). Yes, in the 80s, there was maybe a bit of a rivalry (the early 80s teams---Chuck Knox vs. the Sack Exchange, or winning our first division title in so many years over the Jets later in the 80s, etc.). But, overall, there has never been many story lines between the teams to make them rivals (other than being division opponents). I feel for Jets fans, we think we have been through some hard times... In 65 years, the Jets have had only 20 winning seasons, they have only had 3 seasons in 65 years that they had more than 10 wins. They have made the playoffs 14 times. They won the AFL Championship game and Super Bowl in 1968. Since then (56 years), 4 AFC Championship game appearances (no wins). In comparison, in 65 years, the Bills have had 29 winning seasons, with 12 years with more than 10 wins. The Bills have made the playoffs 24 times. 3 AFL Championship games (2 AFL Championship wins), 7 AFC Championship appearances (4 wins), 4 Super Bowl appearances (all losses). They've had a lot less to cheer for than us over the years, despite the Bills having so many down years and eras themselves. Overall head-to-head: Bills lead series 71-58 (55% of the wins to the Bills), but, since 2012, the Bills have won 17 of the last 25 games (68%).

Again, I did not see any Ravens players "engage" or "taunt" the fans before the fan pushed DHop. I mean, how did they "engage" the fans, just by being near the wall? I'd have to watch it again to see if Lamar said something to the fan after the fan pushed DHop, but Lamar did not then engage him physically until after the fan had also pushed Lamar in the head. And note that the push was in the side/back of Lamar's head, which means Lamar was actually walking past the fan, not engaging with him (even after the push of DHop). And I have no problem with people saying that Lamar should not have pushed back (or should be fined)...I mean that is the rule on both sides. Fans should not be touching the players (or face ejection) and the players should not be touching the fans (or face fines). I just don't fault Lamar that much. It was a heat of the moment type of thing, which we have all fallen prey to at times in our lives. Now if he started throwing haymakers or jumped into the stands, that would be one thing, but it was a push in the heat of the moment AFTER a fan shoved two players in the head unwarrantedly. This was all on the Bills fan, not the Ravens, imo.

The Ravens were not taunting, they were celebrating an amazing catch and TD by a great player in his first game with the team. It was his first reception as a Raven and a spectacular one at that, in a BIG game. The Ravens' players just followed DHop, who ended up near the stands, to celebrate with him. Before the first push by the fan, I do not see any Ravens players engaging with the Bills fans in any way (talking, jawing, pointing...nothing). They are just running after DHop to celebrate with him, as teammates should.

I'm wondering if it is a stat that over a period of time may be more accurate than looking at a single game only. Meaning you could statistically have a game where it looks incorrect (on which QB was better), but in the long run it balances out a bit. I went to look at the QBRs from last season, assuming Josh might be lower than I would expect. But in 2024, Lamar and Josh were tied for the best QBR at 74.8 each (the two MVP candidates). Joe Burrow was 3rd and Jayden Daniels was 4th. In 2023, Brock Purdy had the best QBR at 72.8. Dak was second, Josh 3rd, Lamar 4th, Herbert 5th. In 2022, Mahomes was #1 at 79.0, then Josh, Tua, Hurts, and Goff. (Lamar was 9 and Burrow 10 in 2022). In 2021, it was Rodgers at 74.1, followed by Brady, Herbert, Stafford, Mahomes, and Allen. I personally never really look at or use this stat (QBR), but again, wondering if it is more accurate over a larger sample size than one game. Because looking at the lists for the last four years, it does seem like generally, the best QBs of that season did end up with the higher QBRs.

I really hope Lamar does not get fined for it. If he does, the Mafia should raise the money to pay for it. 😁 Lamar didn't go all Muhammad Ali on him, he just shoved him back (as that fan deserved). Thinking that you have some sort of immunity as a fan to do something like that is ridiculous (that kid would be soiling his pants if he actually had to square off against Lamar or Deandre in the parking lot). I know there are rules about the players not engaging...but they are human too.

Great win for the Bills, Western New York, and All Bills fans! Just WOW! Instant Classic (even more so because it's the last opener in Rich stadium)! Love this team! Josh was out of this world alien-level in the 4th quarter. But, something happened in this game that was encouraging...guys other than Josh stepping up in the right moments/clutch time. Oliver coming up with a big 3rd down sack when we desperately needed a stop, and then causing the Derrick Henry fumble---game changing plays. The big catches by Joshua Palmer and Jackson Hawes. Keon coming up with the tipped TD catch---I'm pretty sure that Josh was targeting Shakir, it was way over Knox's head, he shouldn't have reached for it, but heads up by Keon, being Johnny on the spot, with a great effort and catch. Benford with a couple of big third down tackles late in the game. And the everyone eats philosophy continues, with 9 different players catching a pass from Josh tonight (would have been 10 players if Ty Johnson could have held on to one of his two targets---that would-be TD throw from Josh was perfect). Yes, the defense looked rough at times, but a lot of that is Derrick Henry. He has been causing us problems since his Tennessee days. Just a special player who matches up well against our defensive style. The good thing is that Barkley may be the only other back in the league that could match up similarly, so... Plus, it stands to reason that this defense will improve as the year goes on: getting Tre and Hairston back, getting the suspended DTs back, getting Cole and the rookies more playing time, getting the new guys (Bosa, etc.) acclimated. Plus, they have been tweaking things a bit in the pass rush and using more man coverage, etc. Not great tonight, but give it time to gel. They did come up with the stops when they absolutely had to, in crunch time. So that's a big positive. And I think this is a great game to acclimate all of the new guys into the fold/culture. It was fun to see how excited Palmer was to make that big catch on the last drive, or to see Bosa on the sidelines at the end in joyous disbelief, or Prater smiling as his teammates hoisted him up after the game winning field goal. And Jackson Hawes making that huge, bobbled catch. This game will go a long way in the team chemistry department. Just an awesome night! Go Bills!

Just as Bellichick's record is as good as it is because of Brady and Reid's record is as good as it is because of Patrick Mahomes and Donovan McNabb and Shula's record is as good as it is because of Unitas and Marino and Walsh's record is as good as it is because of Montana and... well, you get the picture. If you are trying to say that McDermott would be terrible (would always have a mediocre or losing record) without Josh, I think you are dead wrong. But, yes, of course his record is better with Josh than it would be without Josh---but then you could say that about any coach that had one or more HOF QBs.

Allen Oliver Coleman Benford And welcome to Buffalo Matt Prater, Jackson Hawes, and Joshua Palmer. All had big plays to make the comeback happen. Loved to see how excited and happy Bosa and Prater were after the win. I think this game/big win will really help the new guys settle into the culture more quickly.