folz

I don't hate Mahomes, Reid, or Kansas City...but I did lose a lot of respect for them with how they handled themselves in the AFC Championship game 2 years ago vs. the Bills. Cocky, arrogant, rubbing it in the Bills' faces (and when they got a lot of help from the refs in that game too). I was so down on them at that time that I found myself actually rooting for Tom Brady for the first time in my life...and was glad to see Tampa Bay humble them in the Super Bowl that year. And I still don't enjoy seeing KC win. Don't hate them like I did the Dolphins back in the day, but really want to see the Bills knock them down a peg and take control of the AFC.

Still too early to tell for the Eagles...imo. No doubt their schedule is a bit soft, but usually the good and bad teams start to sort themselves out by weeks 4-5, but I'm not sure we are quite there yet this season. Buffalo and KC are both really good, the Eagles appear to be in that vicinity, but at least a notch below (for now). Then you have your Bucs, Ravens...maybe GB and Chargers. SF will win a lot of games with their defense. After that, who knows? I'm not sold on the Jets, Dolphins, Vikings, Cowboys, Giants, and Titans yet (all who currently have good records), and even some of the one-win teams have played well at times this year (Raiders, Houston, Detroit). So, I don't think we have the full picture on strength of schedule yet. And to this point, the Eagles beat Detroit and Arizona (both very good offenses) each by only 3 points. But in their other three games, they beat Washington, Jacksonville, and Minnesota by a combined score of 77-36. They are beating who they are supposed to beat and 3 out of 5 games, soundly. So, to this point, I would lean to them indeed being a very good team (not in Buffalo or KC territory though), but I think we need a couple more weeks for all of the other teams to settle out before we can judge a team on their SOS.

I know a few people mentioned that Diggs takes attention away from Gabe (which I'm sure he often does), but on the 98-yard TD, Romo pointed out that the Steelers had both Stefon and Gabe double-teamed (and that was only the third offensive play of the game for Buffalo). So, it isn't always because Diggs is drawing all of the coverage away from Davis...and other teams obviously know that Davis is also a threat if they are doubling him that early in a game. I remember marveling a number of times in his first two seasons (before the KC playoff game), how wide open he would be on a good number of his TDs. I don't know if there is a video of Davis TD highlights out there, but somehow, he has a knack for getting open/losing his man to the point that some of his TDs, you wonder where the coverage was because he is so wide open. I assume as others have said that it is great route running, his long strides, and defenses underestimating his game speed. I also wouldn't discount scheme/playcalling by Daboll and Dorsey.

After the Bills lost to the Phins, I had two friends who I haven't spoken to in a while, who are both Dolphins fans, text me that the Dolphins were AFC East leaders (as if they expected to stay there all year). I simply replied to each text with two crying laughing emojis: 😂😂. And said nothing further.

In 1988, some Bills players came to my high school in Rochester to play basketball against our faculty for charity (they did this for a couple of years apparently at different high schools). I can't remember every player who was there, but I do remember Andre, Cornelius, Talley, Tasker, Pete Metzellars, Nate Odoms, Jamie Mueller, and Mark Kelso. I remember being shocked that Tasker and Kelso could both dunk (didn't do it in the game, but they each dunked a couple in warmups). My buddy and I got to be announcers for the game (we were seniors at the time). We were sitting at the top of the bleachers with microphones calling the game. When Cornelius scored a bucket, I announced, "A basket for Biscuit!" As Cornelius ran back up the court, he looked up at me with a very stern look and shook his finger back and forth at me (as if to say, "Don't call me Biscuit"). I quickly changed my call to, "I mean 2 points for Bennett." And he shook his head. I am guessing that he either never really liked the nickname Biscuit, or maybe only people he knew could call him that. Anyhow, it was a lot of fun and the Bills players were all very cool and nice...even Cornelius (despite getting the death look from him during the game). Also had some buddies who went to Fredonia when Bills camp was still there. They often saw the players in a rec room, playing pool, darts, etc. Again, this is like 1988-1990. And to a man, they all said Jim Kelly was a dick. But, that is what is so amazing about Jim. How he grew and matured into the great man that he is today. He was a cocky, arrogant kid at that time, being the star QB at Miami, Houston, and then Buffalo. But then with Marv, his team, his family, the Super Bowl losses, the birth, life, and death of his son Hunter, and then his battle with cancer he became a totally different person over the years: humble, caring, etc. Gotta love a good redemption story.

I basically agree with you on the roughing the passer call, I didn't think they would throw the flag for it. By technical rule, it may indeed have been roughing the passer (it it was late; and it's hard to tell from the camera angle where the defender's helmet hit Josh---possibly on the chin), but most often probably not called. Yet, there is also the visual aspect of a db trying to tackle Josh. It just doesn't look very violent because Josh is such a big dude. If it was another, smaller QB it may have looked worse and been called...it just doesn't look as bad when it happens to Josh. But the real reason for my response is to your post above...to give specifics on the bad calls that went against us. You act as if the roughing the passer call was the only bad call in the game and determined the outcome. There was a lot more going on in this game. In the first half, the first and second Buffalo offensive drives ended on a third down pass play that both should have been called for PI (the first series was to Knox, the second series was to McKenzie). Those two non-calls stalled Buffalo's first two drives, and they were both obvious...a defender arriving too early and playing through the receiver (not bang/bang plays as they often say). And there was also an obvious roughing the passer call (helmet to helmet hit) on Josh in the first half that wasn't called. There was also the defenseless receiver on McKenzie that wasn't called. And then to add insult to injury, the major non-holding call right in front of the ref on a Baltimore third down that ended up going for 20+ yards because of no flag. To me, in the first half alone, we lost 3 first downs and probably 45+ yards (who knows what that would have equated to in points), and the Ravens were given an extra first down and 30+ yards (20 on the pass play, and should have been -10 for holding) all on bad calls by the refs. Plus the refs were letting the Ravens hold and grab a lot in the first half. They finally started calling the Ravens on it in the second (of course on two plays that we converted the first down anyways and declined the penalties). In the second half then, we got two calls our way. Poyer should have had a PI that the refs didn't call, and then the roughing the QB call that was a bit of a gift. So, by my tally (not counting any other possible holding calls for either team), the Ravens still had a 5-2 advantage in bad calls going their way. Overall, a horrible and inconsistently called game by the refs today, for both teams.

It's like the old Bills days...gotta beat the other team and the refs!

HOLDING!!!! Come on Refs!

I guess the refs are going to keep their flags in their pockets today. The defender was clearly early on that 3rd and 7 vs. McKenzie. The play before, no call on the helmet to Josh's chin. And last series the defender was early on the third down vs. Knox.

Did you really expect this team was going to go 17-0? Tell me how many teams would win against a solid, division rival missing their two star safeties, two starting DTs, starting CB, starting center and then lose their #2 WR in the first quarter (Kumerow was #2 today, Gabe obviously still isn't 100%, but gutted it out when Kumerow went down), lose their backup center and have to start a kid just called up from the practice squad, lose their right tackle, their right guard, and have their two healthy receivers cramping up and barely able to stay on the field in the 2nd half, etc., etc. It was 99 degrees on the field with no wind/breeze. And the Bills sideline in the Sun all day (another big advantage for the Phins). These aren't rationalizations, those are the reality of the game today. Did they make mistakes, execute poorly at key times, etc. Yes, they did. But to not be able to see this as a valiant effort under very difficult circumstances and act as if it should have been an easy win or something, seems to be more in the realm of fantasy to me than any of these so-called rationalizations. I chalk this one up like the New England wind game last year. Yes, we should have still won, but I'm not calling for anyone's head. Just horrible circumstances from start to finish. Suck it up and move on to the next game. I also think a lot of people are underestimating how much the first two weeks took out of the team. Two big, primetime games against two very good teams. The Bills mustered up a lot of energy for those two games. And coming back from that on a short week with as many injuries as we had was a tough ask to get the W, and yet with all of that, we only lost by 2 in their house with a chance to win it at the end. We held their offense in check and outgained them significantly, with a huge disparity in time of possession. I'm not dismissing the mistakes that led to the loss, but I am understanding of them.

Bringing a little positive to this thread. It took half our team being down and 100 degree heat for the Dolphins to win by 2 at home. This team was banged up and tired from two big prime time games to start the season. On a short week. Lost Micah for the year. No Poyer. etc., etc. And still had so many chances to pull this one out. Just didn't have enough in the tank to do it. I'm proud of our guys. They left it all out on the field today, even though they came up short. They literally played their guts out. And I'm not worried about Miami in the long run. It's only week three. Heal up, rest up, and continue the march next week. Go Bills! (And you guys are ridiculous to be calling out McDermott...he's THE main reason we are where we are)

NEXT MAN UP! Here's to all of the young guys showing out today and helping to Squish the Fish! It's your time to shine boys. LET'S GO BUFFALO!

Some of the young'uns don't fully understand Miami week. It ain't what it used to be, but we remember. And having Tyreek and all this hype, makes me want the win even more. SQUISH THE DAMN FISH!!!!!!!

They are all so hyped...after Tua's big day and all of our injuries, they really think they have a chance to win. They will be disappointed. Despite the injuries, we are still the superior team with a far superior QB. It sounds to me like jealousy. I think a lot of other team's core fans wish their fanbase was like the Mafia! And the Miami and NE fans gloating over our injuries is just classless. Let's go Buffalo! And cheers to all of the Bills fans heading down to Miami...take over that stadium!

I mentioned this in another thread. Poyer and Hyde both missed time in training camp and barely played in the preseason games. Jaquan Johnson (4 years in our system) and Damar Hamlin (3 years in our system) both got a ton of work in training camp (with and against the #1s) and in the preseason games this year. They might not be Poyer and Hyde back there, but they should, no doubt, hold their own if called upon. And the rookie corners have played well so far. If the D-line brings it again, limiting the time Tua has to throw, the secondary should be fine. Waddle and Tyreek will make some plays---I can envision at least one or two slants going for big plays, Tyreek has killed us on those when he was with KC---but overall, I don't think it will be enough to go score for score with our offense. And if we get Oliver, Settle, and Gabe back, that should help to balance out missing Dane, Micah, and Jordan.

In my opinion, switching backs (Singletary and Moss) every drive is idiotic. Neither guy ever gets in a rhythm with as little as we run. It started with Daboll and Dorsey seems to be following suit. I like Moss, but Motor is clearly the better back and should be getting most of the touches, with Moss spelling him and Cook in on special packages (not sure he's up for a full 3rd-down role yet...not sure of his pass protection). They seem to want to use Moss as their short yardage back, but he's not an old thunder, bull dozier type of player. He's not elite/special in that role by any means. He should be used to spell Motor and maybe in 4-minute drives at the end of the game to wear the other team out (he does have a bit more pop than Singletary). No, we don't need a bell cow back, as we are a passing offense. But, we do need to use our backs better and more strategically.

I am expecting that Poyer will play, not sure about Micah. But, this is why it wasn't a bad thing that they both missed some time in training camp and didn't play much in the preseason games. Our backup safeties got a lot of extra work in training camp and the preseason. Johnson is a 4th-year guy and Hamlin a 3rd-year guy. They obviously wouldn't be Poyer and Hyde out there, but they should be able to hold their own. Our depth is really being tested early in the season here. Thank goodness Beane and Co. have built a deep team, and hopefully we get the injury bug out of the way and everyone stays healthy down the stretch of the season.

Man, they just aren't ever going to put Tasker in, are they? It's a shame. And I absolutely love Pat McAfee and his show, but is he deserving of the hall? 8-year career, 1 All-pro, 2 pro bowls, 46.4 yard punting average on 575 punts? I hardly remember him in the league and he only retired 6 years ago. This isn't a knock on Pat (as he was very humble about it and said, "Put Lechler in, not me...I didn't play long enough or have a big enough impact on the game"), it's a knock on the Hall selectors. Pat had a real nice career, just not HOF worthy imo. Punter comparisons: Shane Lechler (nominated this year): 18-year career, 9 All-Pros, 7 Pro bowls, 47.6 yard punting average on 1,444 punts. Ray Guy (in Hall): 14-year career, 4 All-pros, 7 Pro Bowls, 42.4 yd avg on 1,049 punts. Sean Landeta (not in Hall): 21-year career, 3 All-pros, 2 Pro Bowls, 43.3 yd avg on 1,401 punts. Reggie Roby (not in Hall): 16-year career, 3 All Pros, 3 Pro Bowls, 43.3 yd avg on 992 punts. Brian Moorman (obv not in Hall): 13-year career, 2 All Pros, 2 Pro Bowls, 43.8 yd avg on 979 punts And so many more. I threw Brian in there just for comparison, there are many others (including some real old-timers) that are probably above Moorman and McAfee. Sure, Pat's yards per punt average is really good, but he only played 8 years. If he played another 6-10 years and punted 500-900 more balls (like the other guys listed above), would his average have held? Lechler deserves to be in, no doubt, but I'd rather a special teamer like Tasker (13 years and 7 Pro Bowls as a STer) make it over someone like Pat. And I think there are other punters ahead of Pat too. The HOF has become so watered down and yet there are lots of guys that are deserving that can't seem to make it. Seems like it is more about names and personalities now than consistent, elite play over a long period of time on the field.

Prayers for Dane! 🙏

1. Acorns were our weapon of choice in my neighborhood (not chestnuts). 2. I don't use Blue Cheese, and I hate Ranch...for me, just give me a classic, plain, hot Buffalo wing (not BBQ, or Parmesan, etc.). If I'm using any sauce at all, it would be Boss Sauce. 3. And I keep hearing how the Titans are going to be so motivated for this game because they lost last week and don't want to go 0-2. But somehow I think Buffalo has a lot more motivation than that, losing to this team two years in a row. The damn COVID game that got moved all around and finally played on a Tuesday (when the Titans were the cause of the game getting moved in the first place). And then last year, losing on the goal line on the last play...not to mention that ex-Pat ass Vrabel trying to pull off another Homerun Throwback to rub it in our faces (even though we all know the original was a forward pass anyhow and therefore illegal). Home opener on Monday Night Football with all of the BS mentioned above? Von's first home game. Phils first game back in front of the mafia. Rooks and other free agents first real taste of the home crowd, etc. No way the Titans are more motivated than the Bills for this one. Let's break the decibel record Mafia! and LET'S GO BUFFALO!!!!!!!

Everything happens for a reason. Josh Allen was destined to live his best life as a Buffalo Bill! And we get to watch it! 👍🕺🏈

Didn't want to give up a garbage time score. I respect that. He had the defenses back. They wanted to keep the Rams to 10 points.

Good Post Dean. Most fans don't care about special teams until we get a PR or KR TD scored against us or have a botched punt, etc. And then they are mad at the team for not having good special teams, even though on cut day they were advocating to cut core special teams players. We have been spoiled by good special teams the last few years, for the most part (and during the Super Bowl runs). But there have been many years in between where they weren't so special, where it cost us games, etc. Field position is real (even though the new kickoff rules have diminished the number of kick returns themselves). As to the roster... I really wanted to see Hodgins make the team (I think he's a beast at converting 3rd and 4th downs and catches everything thrown his way). But, how much would he have realistically played (barring injury). Are you sitting Diggs, Davis, Crowder/McKenzie, Cook/Singeltary on 3rd down for Isiah? Whereas Kumerow will play teams every week. And, most likely, Hodgins ends up on the practice squad anyhow...so will still be available if injuries occur. My heart would have liked to see Blackshear make it, but my head pretty much knew he wouldn't. Again, with Singletary, Moss, and Cook in front of him, he's not on the field unless there are injuries. Whereas Taiwan plays every week at an important position (just not RB). And again, we will most likely have at least one, if not both, Duke Johnson and/or Blackshear on the practice squad, in case of injuries. Not sure why everyone is so down on Tommy Sweeney all of a sudden. O.J. Howard is a name and a high draft pick, so I can only assume that people are still holding out hope that he'll finally reach his potential (I did too when they signed him). But, he didn't do it in Tampa Bay with the Goat, and from all reports, was not playing well in training camp. And he was invisible in the preseason except for that one TD...and he played a lot of minutes. I'm not sure yet if Sweeney is much better than O.J., but I definitely don't think he is clearly worse. And if it's even, or slight edge to Sweeney, why wouldn't you keep the guy you know better, that does all of the right things, that already is bonded with the rest of the team, and knows the system better? As for Morris, I think he did stand out in the preseason and is more athletic than Howard or Sweeney, so deserved a spot. I can't knock the Bills for the roster decisions they made (with some tweaks still to come, I'm sure). Even if a guy I wanted didn't make it, I at least can see the reasoning behind the decisions. Could we lose a player like Blackshear or Hodgins to waivers (possibly, and that would suck), but come week one, who is more important on the field? A 6th-string WR who can or can't play STs, a 4th/5th-string RB who can or can't play STs, etc. And with the size of and lack of restrictions on the practice squads now, you can stash a lot of injury insurance there.

Yeah, but how many third downs has he converted this preseason? Two tonight so far. It was like 3 or 4 each in the first two preseason games. You aren't going to have a high YPC when many of your receptions come on 3rd and 3 or whatever. The kid is a first down making machine. Super sure hands. Was in college, and still appears to be now. That's a very valuable asset.

People think Tasker isn't great on the mic? Steve Smith is absolutely woeful and the game has barely started. Gonna be a tough listen tonight.