finn

He better step up. He owes one to Josh.

Great matchup. About time it's not in Arrowhead. Both defensive coordinators are innovative, so that's a wash. I'd say the offensive coordinators are about even, too. And Allen and Mahomes, although I think Allen is better because of his will to win. Pachenko = Cook. Home field is an advantage, but it's more than outweighed by the injuries. Their kicking game is superior. The slightest of edges to KC, but a single holding or PI call, a blocked kick, or fumble, a big return...anything can turn the game one way or another. All things being equal, I'd give it to the Bills because Allen is a better quarterback than Mahomes. Bigger, faster, stronger, more clutch, more determined. Plus, he doesn't run like a squirrel or sound like Kermit.

Look, Allen turned it over 23 times, Mahomes 17. Meanwhile, he produced 44 touchdowns compared to Mahomes' 27. Would you give up six turnovers for 17 touchdowns? More to the point here, how often do you see these two sets of numbers presented together? Like, never? It's always some version of Allen as turnover machine, to the point that literally every comment or observation about Allen includes some note about his turnovers. As for dropped passes, whose receivers led the league in dropped passes last year? If you don't know, it may be because the media didn't repeat the fact ad nauseum because it wasn't Mahomes. It was Allen. And Allen also lost his coordinator, didn't he? In fact, he's on his third in three years. All his career, Mahomes has been playing for an excellent coach with excellent receivers and an excellent line. For the first time, he has to do it himself, the way Allen has all HIS career. And the excuses pour forth.

No, but don't you find all comments that he hasn't been great are quickly followed by excuses, none of which have to do with Mahomes himself? It's his receivers, his line, the fatigue that comes with all that winning, etc. His Holiness himself is never doubted that I ever heard. Nothing like, "He's great but..." as with Allen. It's always "He's struggling because others are letting him down." I get why. People think he deserves the benefit of the doubt because he's won in the past. But that doesn't change the facts, which are ignored in service of the Narrative.

The OP is right about the anti-Bills, anti-Allen narratives out there. They stand in stark contrast to the narratives on KC, which are invariably positive or spin any negatives in a positive light. Doesn't reflect very well on the media figures perpetuating these narratives. They come across as not just lazy but cowardly as well. It would take initiative to say something new and courage to point out that (correctly) that Josh Allen has done more with less than anyone else in the league. Laziness and cowardice must be part of the job description.

I just wonder how Baltimore's receivers always appear to be wide open, much like Kelce in past years, while our receivers are open only because they're terrific route runners (Diggs) or someone falls down (Davis). Maybe they have a better coordinator. My take is that Allen has made a one-man receiving corps look average or even above average at times over the past six years. Thank god Shakir is developing and Kincaid looks good. With Diggs evidently fading, the cupboard is otherwise empty.

Shakir and Kincaid are bright spots. Add one star receiver and they'd have one of best receiving corps on the league. I hope Beane realizes this. Davis has been a disaster in much the same way Von Miller has been this season: He takes snaps away from more effective players, which is saying a lot because it's not like there's a lot of star power behind them. Hopkins would likely have caught a lot of balls AND drawn double coverage. Davis has done neither.

I haven't heard a single commentator point out that maybe, just maybe, Mahomes did as well as he did in his career because he was throwing to two future HOF receivers. TWO! And his down year (relatively speaking) may be how he performs when he has the same quality receivers most of his peers have. He's terrific, but hardly the Messiah Who Must Not Be Criticized.

More like a chipmunk on meth, if you ask me.

Agree, but it's rare to see this many injuries during the game.

The blocked punt was the turning point, but that Knox drop was killer, too. Allen was sacked, and that was it. I think that's when the Steelers went down and scored.

Can you imagine Mahomes against this defense?

Play action, anyone?

Now let's see if Knox can catch a pass.

I was reassured by Allen quietly taking that sack instead of trying to flip it to someone or whatever.

This board would have erupted if McD had punted. It was a good call, but, truthfully, a punt would have been better if it pinned them way back with three minutes on the clock.

You don't need a healthy hamstring to hold.

Spotted Von Miller flailing away ineffectually against a single block. So glad he's contributing. A cheerleader would be more effective. At least she might distract the Steelers.

The only thing that makes sense is that they're thinking the Steelers will fall behind and be passing most of the game, in which case they will want a robust rotation. But, as you say, Kingsley has been more effective rushing the passer than Miller, at least so far. I don't get it.

But Miller can't stop the run OR rush the passer, or at least he hasn't shown that he can do either this year. I'm hoping he has shown something in practice, and it's not just wishful thinking.

Not too confident. With blue-collar teams like this, it doesn't take much to lose. A blown assignment or missed tackle to give them points, then lousy field position all game mixed in with a few drops or penalties at key moments, and suddenly you're down by four late in the fourth quarter backed up with one time out. Allen is the X factor, though. If he's on, it doesn't matter if the line sucks, his receivers drop balls, or Bass misses kicks. He'll win through sheer will power. In short, we have a Hulk, and they don't.

I just don't get greed in extremely wealthy people. They don't want to postpone because the revenue will be slightly lower? They're upset because, what? they can't buy a 3rd helicopter pad yet another house on a tropical island? They're willing to risk the safety of fans for a .0002% gain on their portfolio?

You got to wonder how either team gains more than a few yards, given that in these conditions you stack 11 players in the box. I guess you're hoping for two four-yard gains and one three-yarder? Seems like the points will come from wayward punts. If you're kicking into a 50 mph gust, it will blow somewhere other than you intend, a recipe for turnovers and turnarounds. Both teams might be going on fourth down a lot when they're going into the wind. I wish I didn't care, because it sounds wicked entertaining.

The Bills will miss Gabe Davis' blocking, but this type of game is perfect for tight ends, and the Bills have two good ones. Knox and Kincaid might not leave the field.

Maybe you're right. The thing is, Allen isn't just a good runner; he's huge, fast, and he can juke. Most importantly, he's got that dog in him. He WILL get that first down. Ok, now I feel better, thanks. 🙂