finn

That doesn't include the incredible passes his receivers dropped or that got called back by penalty, like the dime to Coleman, the falling down perfect pass, and the later Coleman drop.

In order, the Jets players I'd least like to see play against the Bills: Williams, Adams, Gardner, Rodgers.

I have high hopes for the Bills overall, but I suspect Milano will continue to be a net liability out there. He just doesn't have time to get back to peak form, given the rate of improvement he's shown to date and his continuing fragility. In the playoffs, you don't want your guys hesitating, missing tackles, and getting blocked out of the play on a regular basis. I'd rather see Dorian Williams play. He's making fewer mistakes this year, and he flies to the ball like no one else out there. You know, given this defense, Babich deserves a lot of credit. He just doesn't have a lot of talent to work with. Milano, DeQuan, and Douglas are declining fast, Bernard has gone quiet, Epenesa is a warm body, Oliver runs hot and cold, Hamlin must be the slowest safety in the league, and the rookies aren't contributing much yet. Babich is right to stress turnovers. They just can't compete otherwise, as we saw in the Patriots game. In short, Allen has gone supernova in a trough year for the defense.

Yeah, I've noticed the falloff, too. He had that terrific interception against the Chiefs to seal the game but has been quiet since. I haven't seen him sent on blitzes much this year, which is puzzling, because he was very effective in that role last year. (Hamlin is so bad blitzing it's almost fascinating.) I really thought he and a returning Milano would dominate late in the season. Instead, it seems Dorian Williams is the most dynamic linebacker, and only Benford, Rapp, Rousseau, and on occasion Oliver and Miller have really shined on defense.

This happened earlier when Allen's ball hit the helmet of a Pats linebacker. Just good coverage.

Steelers seem sooo weak. No imagination or courage in their play calling, poor execution, just flat, disinterested, going through the motions kind of playing. How may third and sevens have we seen?

I suspect Joe Brady is keeping Cooper in mind for the playoffs. If the Bills can lull even homers like us into thinking Cooper is no longer a big-time weapon, he'll have the defensive coordinators just where he wants them. Just watch. The full Bills offense has yet to be seen.

I think I would rather face disgruntled Rodgers, especially on a gamy knee, than a fresh, cautious, elusive Tyrod Taylor.

Burrow, Lamar, and Allen are playing on a different level than the other quarterbacks in the league. You don't want to face two of the, even with the third on your side.

Nothing worse than panalties. Nothing.

Maybe that's just as well if Babich is going to continue blitzing the slowest player, least athletic on the defense in Hamlin. I don't have the numbers, but it seems Bernard is a far more effective blitzer.

Throughout James' rookie year and even into his second year, he was routinely introduced as Dalvin's younger brother. And I notice that's not the case anymore. The arrow on this guy is still up. Speed, vision, toughness, moves, he has the whole package. Even without exceptional size, he's been durable. I love how he outruns safeties and sometimes cornerbacks. Fast, fluid, even graceful. And he's not dropping balls or fumbling anymore. Yes, re-sign him. He's still only 25, very likely with his best years ahead of him. One more contract, no more than three years. Allen, the same elite O-line, and the same running back trio. Add just one big-time receiver, and the Bills will be even better on offense next year, which is saying something.

I agree, but I'm also resigning myself to the probability that no one is going to rescue the defense in the playoffs: not Hyde or Milano, or Calais Campbell or some other released veteran. Cole Bishop won't suddenly blossom into a star, Lewis Cine won't be a revelation, and we'll remain paper thin at linebacker and safety, where the starters are no more than adequate. My hopes for the defense lie on their record of forcing turnovers and, oddly, Von Miller, who may finally be ready to resume the level of play he showed his first eight games here. Plus, I like what Babich has been doing: even on its weakest days, his players have shown resilience and spirit, and he has adjusted astutely on the fly. Given the hand he was dealt, he's done well. Bottom line: I think this defense will do its part. They may not carry the team at any point, but they won't let it down, either.

Of course you can. The Diggs drop came at the most critical moment of the most critical game of the season; it was a big-time choke and pretty much doomed the Bills' chances. The Shakir drop was just another play in just another game.

The specter of Spector was too much even for a team so thin at linebacker.

Along with Allen and Dawkins, the only true All Pros on the team. I had hopes for Bernard, but he seems to have faded, or at least not continued developing.

Fair enough. But the Bills aren't talented enough in all phases to win when two of the three (four, if you include coaching) doesn't carry its weight. We saw that in the Rams game. In the Pats game, you could say all four units did enough to balance its respective upsides and downsides. By dint of homefield advantage, they win by three points. That said, I was never really concerned about this game. I sensed the offense could always yawn, shake itself, and put up 20 points whenever it chose to.

Don't let special teams off the hook. It seems that every game, the net contribution of Smiley's game is negative. This time, they allowed a tone-setting big kickoff return to start the game and were caught sleeping on the fake punt. Makes me nostalgic for Levy's teams.

With arguably the weakest defensive rosters of all the playoff teams, we need to be one of the least injured.

One of the head coach's most important duties is to get the team ready. This is the third time (Houston, LA) at least that McDermott has failed in this vital task. What is he doing well, exactly? Someone remind me.

I'm a better OLB than Spector.

So bad,

Baylon Spector. That says it all. At least he tries hard.

Right, see reply above. It's one thing to be upset, even crying, and quite another to be an emotional wreck; we agree there. The sad thing is that men teach their boys to never cry, ever, not realizing that the emotion doesn't just go away when suppressed. It manifests as confusion, frustration, rage, fear, shame, and leads to all sorts of problems for that kid as he grows up. Worst of all, his fear of being unmanly (not strong enough) will make him want to take out these emotions on weaker people, those he knows he can bully, like women and kids, especially boys. Anyone familiar with Little League will know what I'm talking about.

I think that's a good point. If you're sobbing or otherwise out of commission when you're needed, that's hardly a show of strength.