finn

Bingo.

Not at all. We're playing pretty much the same level as the Panthers. In fact, we've been playing on that level all season. (Please please don't mention how we dominated the Jets, that's just too depressing to hear.)

It's more blindingly obvious than excellent. Maybe it would be a startling observation to Beane, though.

If he sits on his hands and lets the trade deadline go past, any lingering illusions about him will be gone.

Glad they sorted out the offense over the bye.

Someone needs to tell Brady that he...does....not...have....receivers. None. Sit them all.

Which begs the question...

It's perverse. Brady especially is prone to sit Cook when he's doing well, especially if he's the only one doing well. He rips off a 12-yard run, and the next play is (wait for it) a wide receiver screen. He took it to an extreme the last two games.

Cook gains 12 yards, so naturally you sit him.

Wide receiver screen, I thought we buried that.

A linebacker who isn't made of glass.

A lot of things have to fall into place even if Beane pulls off a trade for a Brian Thomas and a competent safety. First, both players, along with Hairston and the PED twins, would have to work out, which is hardly a given. Second, disappointing players like Bishop and Coleman would have to develop, or at least not continue as glaring liabilities. (It would also be nice if role players like Samuel, Shavers, Ty Johnson, Knox, Codrington, Wishnowsky, and Solomon actually contributed.) Third, the chronically injured Milano and Bernard would have to stay healthy; Shaq Thompson was a nice addition, but he can't do it alone. Fourth, Brady and Babich would need to truly innovate, and I don't mean handoffs to tight ends and slight variations on the soft zone. Finally, McDermott will need to find a way to get past his deer-in-the-headlight act when he faces his mentor in the playoffs. I would recommend a psychologist. They could do it, in part because all of these things don't need to happen at once. My sense is the team, including the coaches, need a galvanizing win to create momentum and fire. I'm thinking a blowout of KC, for example. Ironically, the Ravens win, which was very much galvanizing, was exactly what the team did NOT need at the time, because it masked the feebleness in the secondary and at wide receiver and sapped the sense of urgency I hope they feel now. But I don't get a sense of urgency from them, do you? I get more of a sense that they think they just need to tweak a few things here and there. Teach Bishop how to tackle, do a better job setting the edge, shade a safety to Tre's side, stick with the run longer, throw even more jump balls to Coleman, that sort of thing. If that's their approach, they will beat the Panthers today, although not without a struggle, and KC will utterly humiliate them, not the other way around. They'll turn in a mediocre season, lose the division to the Patriots, win one playoff game (because Allen), and lose to the Colts in the divisional round. Let's hope for the urgency.

Here's a question that might deserve its own thread: What do you think Reid would do with the Bills offensive personnel? I'm assuming he could do a superior job to Brady, who I'm beginning to think is a one-trick pony ("Let's run!"), but I'm not sure how.

I think Terry would do nothing at all even if the wheels fell off. The team could go 8-9 and Allen demand a trade, and he still wouldn't do a thing. No, we need to look elsewhere for salvation. Me, I look at blind luck. If Beane keeps throwing darts at the dartboard, he's bound to hit somewhere, right? He hit on Walker and... Did I mention Walker? He definitely hit on Walker, and..... Just give me a second. I'll get back to you.

That would figure. Jerry Hughes shined for the Texans after we let him go.

It wasn't for the Falcons. Just saying.

Good questions, but "good" doesn't mean they don't have answers. The defense has so many problems, the only chance to go all the way is to supercharge the offense, and that means Waddle, and that means making the Fish an offer they can't refuse, such as our first pick in 2026 and 2027, along with extras. I'm not a cap guy, but Beane surely make it happen, especially with Allen willing to do anything to win. Get Waddle and win the Super Bowl. Settle for another mediocrity, and you'll get mediocrity.

Don't forget the free-agent fiascos, too. We can debate the wisdom of signing a 34-year old to a 6-year $120 million contract, but there's no question that it blew up in Beane's face and staggered the franchise. Put it together with the albatross that was Diggs' contract at the end (not really Beane's fault), and you have the difference between KC and the Bills, even before you get to drafting and injuries.

All it takes is more targets!

We Bills fans might need an intervention, as in "Repeat after me: This is not a SB contender, nor even a playoff team. This is a injury-plagued, poorly coached, profoundly mediocre team with a super-nova at quarterback." I would still resist saying it, but my resistance is starting to weaken.

And maybe playing with a JV receiving corps will improve Josh's accuracy. Could happen!

No, just that Brady will keep him mostly on the bench.

Better a concussion-prone receiver as your WR1 than one who can't get open, go deep, box out, or win jump balls.

I'm not worried about this game, but I don't think I'll even watch the Bills-Chiefs game. The copy is already written and ready to go to press: "Surging Chiefs Humiliate Overrated Bills." I think the Bills will recover, in part because the fresh players, including (I hope) Olave, will get up to speed, and they could even beat the Chiefs in the playoffs, not easy with the ref bias. But week nine will be miserable.

Strong is the most overlooked loss of all the injuries, in my view. He might have quietly saved the day as CB2, allowing Hairston time to get his feet under him and keeping Tre mostly on the bench. He was playing well, especially for a rookie. If he returns, he could have more of an impact than Hairston, who has missed so much time. Dream scenario: We muddle through until late in the season when Strong returns, Hairston is making an impact, the PED twins are making a difference upfront, and the Olave-Allen combination is starting to click. 😀