finn

That's what people were saying after the Cincinnati game. And the Miami game. And after an offseason when he was roasted as a turnover machine. No, if he hasn't gotten it yet, after six years in the league, he likely won't ever get it. We have to accept who he is: a very entertaining, very exciting player who simply cannot or will not play cautiously. It may still be enough to go all the way.

The two sets of traits might be connected. He has bad judgment because it pays off many times, like the TD throw to Diggs, which could have been picked off. He can do things no other QB can do. Paradoxically, that's why he may never be great.

I'm really beginning to think Allen would rather lose than play dink football. He equates winning with the big play, not the score at the end of the game. He'll feel bad for awhile now--and go back to the same pattern. What's different now? Humiliation on national TV? Been there done that. High-stakes game? Ditto. A long offseason to get his act together? He's had several. If the Bills go all the way, it will only because other teams don't or can't follow Saleh's blueprint.

I think self-discipline is the problem, not confidence. He's addicted to the dopamine rush of the deep ball, and teams that can get pressure with four can just wait for him to implode, like a child who really really really wants that candy just out of reach. Maybe that's what Diggs is seeing. A man-child quarterback.

Wow. All Allen had to do was not turn over the ball. He could have just kneeled.

Who is our backup QB? Doesn't matter who he is. Put him in.

What a story. Jets win even without Rogers. I still have faith, but I really don't like Allen's face. He has the flushed look he has when he plays like a fool.

Is that what happened? He broke off his route?

I'm the ultimate Allen defender, and I can't defend his play this game. He's playing like a stupid rookie.

Why aren't they giving it to Hall and Cook every single play?

It's just a great defense, disciplined, great tackling, athletic, fast. Our skill players match up, but our line is two or three levels below their d-line in quality, and that's the difference. By the way, the score would be the same with Rogers in there.

He's no Brady, and I mean that as a compliment. I like that he chucks it, overall. Frustrating at the moment, but the payoffs are great. I don't want a Marcia Brady dinking and dunking.

Looks like the same guy from late last season. What happened to his vow to be patient? It's like he's itching to chuck it downtown, no matter what the coverage.

That's their game plan now. Take the air out of the ball, win by three points or less.

I wouldn't say slow. Harty, Cook, Diggs, and Kinkaid all look fast. The offensive line, though, good lord. Allen is spooked, and I don't blame him. They're in his face every time he doesn't throw immediately. Really limits what he does best. He can't even scramble.

You know, the announcers could be talking about Kincaid. That's a real story.

Not sure any line can do well against this D line, but they're doing about as poorly as they can. No running lanes, constant breakdowns in pass pro.

Jets D impressive. Nothing about Bills impressive. Yet.

You were saying?

Think of the competing narratives, all primed and ready to go. The announcers will certainly have their script. Vegas should take odds on what it turns out to be. I have my suspicions.

I have high hopes for a bulldozing right side, with Torrence and Brown knocking people off the ball. Brown may suck in pass pro, but he does seem to relish knocking people down. Put Knox next to him and let Cook cook.

At the time, I thought, "Allen would have ducked that rusher and either run or thrown for a first down." That's the difference between them, and it's a big one.

Direct snap to Kenneth Davis or TD toss to Will Wolford.

Predictions: Brown and Torrence create some space for Cook, but Cook dances and mostly gets tackled for little or no gain. Brown whiffs spectacularly at least twice and is generally leaky. Kincaid has 5 catches for 85 yards. Allen gets sacked five times, Rogers twice. Breece Hall gains 130 yards. Bills fan howl at Sauce Gardner mugging Diggs and Davis time after time without flags. Bills win because Allen shows he's the best player in any position the league has ever seen. He carries the team all by himself.

Wonder if this chart factors in the mid-round picks Beane gave up to move up. E.g., for Elam, Kincaid. That fourth for Elam hurts.