2020 Our Year For Sure

And with the way the media clings to controversy, things might have gotten messy if we switched quarterbacks and Nall or Holcomb came in and looked good. I don't want anyone calling for a quarterback change at this point, as Losman needs more time to be evaluated fairly. Its garbage time, just leave our young QB in there and let him gain another posession worth of experience.

The Bucs new uniforms are modern and hideous also, though. As are the Ravens...and the Patriots... That said, I agree those road unis have to go. But because I can't stand looking at them, not because they'll play better. I love the home blues though.

I worked hard to suppress that memory

So when we got that onside kick against Minnesota, the one that was waved off by that fair catch penalty, you weren't surprised? Knew that was coming, did you?

Maybe we weren't consistently pounding the rock but thats understandable given how quickly we fell into a hole. When we did run the ball, there was no daylight to be found. I also remember Peters ruining a drive with a false start, and that wasn't the only offensive line penalty JP had to deal with. If decent pass protection against a team that hardly ever blitzed makes up for no holes in the running game and drive-killing penalties then yeah, they played fine. Again I'm not saying we lost because of the offensive line, just that they are at least partially at fault. Their aforementioned shortcomings left JP out to dry.

We tried to establish the run early but McGahee getting 3 yards on his first 3 carries wasn't really helping the offense. And go figure that no running game, an early deficit, dropped passes, and a top-notch defense would lead a young quarterback into turnovers.

Thats the first costly mistake the guy has made all year! Week in and week out I've noticed him breaking up passes all over the field. He comes to play every week. I wish I could say this stuff about Clements, although Nate doesn't deserve quite the amount of criticism some give him.

This is an easy one. Almost doesn't count! Seriously though, the fact that we lost to the same Jets that the Jags decimated is only one reason why we won't beat the Jags. The fact that their team is worlds ahead of ours would count as another. But of course, on any given sunday...

Terrence McGee looked like a pro bowler today, as he has all season.

How in the world are we beating the Jaguars and Chargers in back-to-back weeks? Did you see what the Jags did to the Jets today, the very same Jets that beat us in our house? Jacksonville mopped the floor with those Jets. It won't be easy but I think this team can go 8-8, and I'd like to see that. It will be a nice springboard to next year when we can hopefully compete for real. I like your optimism though, and I hope you're somehow right!

You quoted my post, but I'm not sure that you actually read it. I never said pass rush caused Losman to turn the ball over. The reason why the O-line has to take at least some of the blame for this is because of the total lack of a running game we had today. McGahee was stopped on a 3rd and 1 on our 2nd possession (or was it the first?) of the game and he picked up 10 yards on his first 5 carries. We didn't get any kind of ground attack until it was at least 20-0. I'm no blind Losman supporter. Of course he takes some of the blame. He turned the ball over far too much today and he just can't do that. And I'm with you on the point that he'll learn from today and hopefully be better for it in the future. But saying all of the blame for this falls squarely on him is absurd. Expecting him to play well at this point going into Chicago to face the NFC's best club and a defense that has embarrassed every offense they've played this year...and expecting him to do it with no running game...just isn't fair. Again, thats not to mention those dropped passes...

I think its safe to say that going through progressions and showing patience in the pocket is more important than avoiding a sack every now and then.

double post, my bad

I remember seeing Willis with 3 yards on his first 3 carries, and 10 yards on his first 5 carries. But sure, this loss falls "squarely on JP." We all expect him to go on the road against the best team in the NFC and look good with no running game whatsoever. Oh wait, you're right, we got the ground game working when it was 27-0! Of course Losman takes his share of the blame, but with no running game he was a dead duck. Not to mention those dropped passes...

We were calling for his head because he was too often late on deep balls, not because of any character issues. He should jump into coaching next year.

In my opinion winning this game is all about controlling the run. I won't even say we need to "stop" the run, just keep it under control, because thats the best I can hope for. We can't eat up clock and control the game if its their offense thats always on the field. That said, I voted for the special teams. Them getting a TD and forcing a turnover would be huge, and unfortunately 'holding Chicago to 70 yards on the ground' wasn't an option.

Does everyone's career end at 29, or just Takeo Spikes?

I said he was dreaming, but I didn't say there was anything wrong with that. Dream on, my friend. Trust me when I say I Billieve every bit as much as you do. Unfortunately I happen to be of the opinion that we'll have to try to win this thing with only one offensive touchdown, but I could be wrong. As so many have already said in this thread, "on any given sunday..."

You're dreaming if you think we're getting more than one offensive touchdown in this game. Sure, we'll score...but not a whole lot.

Wow I'm sorry man, I had no idea of the context. I guess thats the disadvantage of not being from the WNY area.

Uh, whats so funny? That's all true... Have we actually gotten to the point where anytime somebody says something positive about Donahoe our response is automatically to laugh, completely disregarding whether or not the statement is true?

Yup. I don't know how a person who has been watching these games can look at his performance this season and say that Willis doesn't give enough effort. The guy is a workhorse and I applaud the season he's having, and now it even seems that he's learned how to block. The only question left is whether or not he's going to stay in Buffalo long-term.

Please Dibs, I don't want to see posts like that this week, especially from an intelligent poster like you. Its like you're trying to set me up for an emotional downfall when we lose. Can't you just let me accept this loss in peace?

Only if we could've converted the 4th downs, as those were the killers in my opinion. Those were drives we should have gotten points on.