finn

McDermott's defense is an embarrassment. Where are the adjustments? Why are they playing so soft?

Time to play way behind the sticks.

He's a real linebacker. If we had Milano in his prime, they'd be one of the best duos in the league.

Let's see if McDermott has learned anything.

Sorry, it was seven minutes.

It's like we put on the tape. Now the Bills offense will struggle to get down the field and kick a field goal before giving Burrow the same look. 14-3 minutes from now.

I'd like to hear the rationale. Are they hoping the receiver will drop the ball? Or they'll get discouraged catching only for eight or nine yards a pop? Where is the logic?

Waiting for them to drop a ball or commit a penalty. The ultimate passive defense. So ugly to watch when it's your team, like letting someone spit in your face and doing nothing.

So much for my hope for a physical defense. It's like they're playing with their nieces and nephews in the snow, letting them catch it then playfully tackling them.

Reminiscent of last season's third-and-long weakness. Just let them score and get it over with.

Pitch and catch.

Are they doing the "sent out my tapes, no response" story>

Going way back, I remember OJ Simpson running wild on a snowy Thanksgiving game, then mashing a snow ball into the camera "for all you folks back home sitting in a warm living room" or something like that.

I don't know my football x's and o's as well as many people here (I'm a hockey player), but isn't the answer jamming the receivers at the line to throw off their timing? I don't recall our cornerbacks doing that much, which is actually all the more reason to do it today, take them by surprise. Of course, both Chase and Higgins are big boys, and White at least may be the least physical DB on the team, but still, you can't let them just catch the ball in stride. Another strategy, a complementary one, is to blow them up at the catch point. Both Bishop and Poyer have done that at times this season. Physicality is what I'd like to see. Since it's unlikely they'll hurry Burrows, who gets the ball off quickly anyway, focus on intimidating the receivers. Doesn't sound like a McDermott defense, though, does it?

I would say it's the New England game that skewed the season. They're not going to win every game, and the Miami game with the heat and the timing was just an aberration, I think. But you got to win at home against divisional rivals, and there was no reason to lose against New England, who were playing well but not stellar. As usual, turnovers were the problem. Hard to overcome two fumbles and an interception. But, looking deeper, the real culprit was Coleman. Allen was constantly targeting him, and Coleman was doing nothing, quite apart from his disastrous fumble. That was the game I think the Bills brain trust realized "Houston, we have a problem." At least they have no illusions about the guy anymore, or the WR corps overall. With it's MVP quarterback, stellar line, All-Pro running back and JUCO receivers, the Bills are like a weight lifter jacked above the waist but with skinny little legs. Against the Bengals today, I think that will more than suffice.

I'd love the defense to continue their physical play. Remember when the Giants shut down Andre Reed in the Super Bowl, not with good coverage but just by hitting him hard every time he caught the ball? I'd love to see our safeties crush Chase and Higgins. Poyer can do it (if he can get there in time), and Bishop is showing his hitting ability this season. Rapp was physical, but it was like he closed his eyes five yards out and hit anything in his path, friend or foe, concussing everyone, including himself. I haven't seen Benford lay the lumber, and White is anything but physical, but Hairston, surprisingly since he's so skinny, has had some big hits.

What I'd give to have Bruce in his prime on this team. A guy that size moving that quickly and with so much power... I've never seen anyone like that, except maybe Myles Garrett. Thurman and Kelly were amazing, loved Biscuit, Talley, and Reed, but Bruce was on a different level altogether. If there was a HOF for HOF players, he would be in it.

It didn't hurt their effort that Brady, in his wisdom, declined to order up more protection, which was like putting out an "Open season on Josh Allen" sign to this defense. Adapting on the fly is not one of Brady's strengths. (Remind me: What are his strengths again?)

Yes, Allen doesn't get enough blame for his part on missed throws. Although he's done miracles with his accuracy overall, he's still no Brady or Marino, whose ball placement were things of beauty. I wouldn't say Allen is inaccurate by any means, but his strengths lie elsewhere. What I don't get is why his receivers can't get open even when Allen buys them enormous amounts of time. You see them out there running INTO coverage or just jogging around aimlessly. How hard can it be to run to the open field or come back to your quarterback or just sprint upfield?

I don't think that's right. I saw a chart--will post it if I can find it again--that shows the Pats as one of three teams whose EPA is far lower than its win-loss record indicates it should be, compared to other teams. In other words, they're not as good as their record, much like KC last year. That doesn't mean they can't continue the good play and stupid luck (e.g., playing the Bengals without Burrow or Chase, playing the Bills after their bye), but they very well fall flat on their face. If I'm walking by, I won't avoid stepping on them, either. You live in New England, you either love or despise the Patriots.

A receiver being "open" is not as simple as it appears. It's not enough to "be open" at some point; you have to be open when the quarterback is looking your way. Very often, Allen appears to be looking at Coleman, even waiting for him, then turning to his next read because Coleman is glued to the receiver or not looking back (or both). In those cases, it doesn't help if Coleman breaks free two beats later because Allen has already made his decision. That's why timing and being in synch with your quarterback is so critical. Remember all those back-shoulder throws to Diggs that were virtually impossible to defend? Allen threw half a dozen of them to Coleman early in the season, and I think he caught just one. The other times he wasn't looking back, hadn't made his break, allowed the DB to make the play, or dropped the ball. The only thing I've seen Coleman to well is climb the ladder for the ball. Throw it way above his head and he'll go get it. Route-running, slants, comeback routes, even jump balls with DBs, he's at best mediocre. Blocks ok, I'll give him that. And sometimes--not usually--he can get open on fire drills. I'm not giving up on him because who knows? But he has an awful lot of work to do.

This is why I'm at peace with this game, instead of feeling anxious or confident or resigned. If they lose, it will confirm that this just wasn't their year; even with they squeak into the playoffs, I'll know it's just a matter of time before they're beat, since a Super Bowl team does not lose to Cincinnati at home with this much at stake. Resignation, in short. If they win? Well, I go back to the twin peaks of anxiety and confidence. But for now, I'm just plain curious. Ah, the life of a fan!

You forgot wide receiver. Beane must be sleeping next to the waiver wire.

Oh, come on. Whatshisname has been here for ages! At least since that other guy (forgot his name) drafted ahead of him out of that college somewhere in the Midwest. (Or was it the Southwest?) Now that he's gone, we'll miss him every day, good old... whathisname.

Might go the way of Rapp and Bass in the end.