Cash

We should run one of those defenses that shuts down elite offenses every time. I don’t know why everyone doesn’t just run that kind of defense - they must be much dumber than me.

I'm pretty sure you're allowed to say 'bit' on this forum. 😜

I haven't seen him play this year but everyone seems to think he's completely washed up.

Okay I went and looked some stuff up. First, I was right that Singletsry didn’t have a TD catch that year. Moss and TJ Yeldon each had 1, but none on 38 catches for Devin. Second, we tied the record by throwing TDs to 13 players in 2020. In 2024, we currently sit at 12 players with TD receptions. But the pickings are pretty slim to add to that number. Plausible candidates: Jalen Virgil, while he’s still on the active roster Zach Davidson if he gets called up again (would’ve had a TD last week if Fred Warner wasn’t so good) An o-lineman on a tackle eligible play

I thought it was Singletary? Or maybe Moss. I remember it as one of our main backs caught a TD early in the season (I think Moss), and the other only had the one chance late and dropped it. They were 100% trying to set that record.

I definitely want the 1 seed this year, and I’m pretty sure the Bills do, too. But to whatever poster called it a must win game: no it isn’t. The Chiefs are gonna lose 2 more games, maybe 3. Even if they don’t, going from 2 seed to 1 seed isn’t enough to get to “must win” status. Reserve that for stuff like making the playoffs vs missing the playoffs.

When did Travis Henry come out of retirement?

I think what @Beck Water was saying aligns with this, it’s just that presumably the player in question would rather be on his current team’s 53 than change teams. I agree that it doesn’t have to go down like that, but I would be pretty surprised if it ever did. (Beck, please correct me if I’m wrong.)

There’s no way the timing was pure coincidence. Hyde didn’t just wake up today and decide he’s coming back. The Bills haven’t given away his number OR LOCKER all year. Some of that may have been aspirational, but I have to think there’s been a few realistic convos between Hyde and McBeane. And it seems like Hyde was/is willing to come back for the playoffs and maybe a little of the home stretch of the regular season. Him signing now gives him a window to get into game shape, reacclimate, etc., and be potentially ready to contribute come playoff time. One side note regarding McD’s comments today: I think he’s being completely honest, but also that it means nothing. When answering questions about Hyde’s potential contributions, I think he’s speaking in the immediate present and taking nothing for granted. Meaning even if he’s more or less planning on having Hyde start, he won’t actually do it unless/until Hyde looks the part in practice. And a guy who’s been out of practice for is definitely not ready to contribute right this moment.

I voted yes, but I think it’ll be tight. There are realistic scenarios where he doesn’t play week 18, and 13 TDs in just 4 games is a very tall order. Even if he plays the full remaining slate, McD is still going to be happy to pull Allen out of any more blowouts. With that said, I feel like the passing game ticks up down the stretch as pass-catchers get healthy, and that gets Allen close enough to seal the deal in week 18. If he’s at 38 or 39 and we need that game, bank on us throwing at the goal line.

Agree with this, but keep in mind that neither Hamlin nor Rapp can touch Hyde’s knowledge of how to play safety in this defense. So if it gets to a point where Hyde is back in game shape, and at that point he’s tied physically with Hamlin? Then Hyde would look like a clear upgrade, or at least a gamble worth taking. With the info available to us outsiders, I’ll be ready for either “Hyde never sees the field”, or “Hyde starts every playoff game and plays 100% of defensive snaps.” I think I’d be more surprised by something in between those two (barring injury of course).

I agree, partially because I have faith in the people involved. Hypothetically, let’s say Hyde has lost enough speed that he’s simply not as good as Hamlin right now. In that scenario - even as respected/beloved as Hyde is - someone would be mad if Hamlin went to the bench so Hyde could start. (Maybe not Hamlin, to be fair.) I don’t think there’s a realistic chance of that scenario happening though, because I don’t think that Hyde would see the field if he’s too slow to play now. Worst case, this adds a ton of football IQ to the safeties room to help prep for playoff opponents.

IMO, barring injury, Hyde only starts if he’s consistently showing in practice that he’s one of the 2 best safeties on the team. Which I think is possible if his legs are fresh, but I’m also not banking on. Under McD, it’s been pretty consistent - once a guy earns a starting job in camp or preseason, it’s pretty much his to lose. This is a little different, because the job was Hyde’s to lose last time he played. But I think McD & Babich won’t be willing to rock the boat unless they either need to, or they’re really confident it’ll pay off.

I just voted yes, but I only kinda mean it. I moreso think there’s still a realistic path to him coming back. Right now, my best guess is that he only comes back if someone gets hurt, and even then maybe not if they think Cole Bishop is ready.

Virgil recovered Deebo’s fumble on the kickoff!

Right. The case for Lamar only works if they win out, get the 2 or at worst 3 seed, and Lamar looks incredible doing it. Even then I think Lamar would be an underdog.

I agree with all of this, in order. Vegas odds have Allen as a pretty major favorite right now, which reflects where the voters collectively are at. Doesn't guarantee anything with 5 games left, of course, but it's pretty good evidence that Allen is on pace to win the MVP as things currently stand. I said after the Chiefs game that if we get the 1 seed, Allen will definitely win MVP this year. At this point, I'd probably extend that to 1 or 2 seed. Here's my quick thoughts on the likely competition: Saquon or any other non-QB: I'm normally very down with arguments for non-QBs - I think I would've voted for CMC last year if I had a vote. But c'mon, please just not this year. And like @Logic, I worry about it but ultimately don't think it'll happen. MAYBE if Saquon or Henry breaks Dickerson's record or the yards from scrimmage record. Lamar: It's hard for me to see voters giving a third MVP to a guy with so little playoff success. I know it's a regular season award, but these are human beings voting on it, and on some level they want their votes to be at least a little predictive of the playoffs. But if he's transcendent in leading the Ravens to a comeback division title, he can't be counted out. I think Allen would have to slip at least a little on top of that, though. Mahomes: Seems unlikely now, but let's say they win out and do it because Mahomes catches fire down the stretch. In that scenario, very good chance he wins another MVP. You'd need to see a big jump in his stats from where he is now though - just winning won't be enough IMO. Goff: It's a little weird that he's gotten so little buzz, because he's the QB on the (seemingly) best team in football, and some of his completion % stats this year have been historically good. Like, absolutely nuts, but no one seems to care. I'd put him as the biggest threat to Allen most likely, especially if the Lions beat us and he has a great game. If they finish something like 15-2 with the 1 seed, and Goff doesn't throw another INT this year, he would be a very deserving MVP. With that said, I think Allen has a distinct advantage with the voters, and it's that almost every voter would agree that Allen is a much better player than Goff in a vacuum. So I think if it's close, or "both guys deserve the award", most of those tiebreakers will break towards Allen.

1) Agreed 2) Agreed, but I don't think CMC would've made much difference ultimately. He looked a little better than Mason on the night but not a lot. Sucks for him that he's apparently out for the year though. Dude has had a rough go of it this season. 3) Yes, big yes! DB didn't turn around and also directly impacted Shakir's ability to make the catch. Textbook DPI in my opinion. I got over it after the illegal contact on 3rd down, but I still think it was an incorrect no-call. 4) Several of our d-lineman have at least one hustle play like that this year. It's a really good sign! 5) Yeah, I thought it was a good call, but it wasn't super far from being legal or at least "they can throw a flag for holding on every play but don't" level. Luckily the sting of a return TD not counting is a lot less when you're blowing out the other team. 6) Yes! Absolutely loved it. Watched the ESPN clip this morning (that's who McD was interviewing with), and it's phenomenal. One low-key thing I liked: Allen came over unprompted to say "coach of the year" into the mic. McDermott haters are in shambles right now.

Brock Bowers is who Kyle Pitts was hyped to be.

Ameer Abdullah is having a game!

Why not run it?!? That was bonkers.

58 yards

That TO would help a lot right now.

Four down territory here.

I don’t know why, but the Chiefs D looks much worse today than they did against us.