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This has to be the best job McD has ever done as a coach. The GM lets “star” linebacker walk in Edmunds. You lose two all-pros for the season (Milano and White). You lose DT Jones for much of the season. You then turn to kids Benford, Benard, and Dodson, who all step up. Beane adds Douglas at the deadline who plays like an all-pro and the team charges into the playoffs. However in the last two games, you have lost 4 players in the secondary and 3 Linebackers, including 5 key starters (CB T. Johnson, CB Douglas, S Rapp, CB Benford, LB Benard, LB Dodson, and LB Spector). Next Sunday is a major step up in competition. What are McD/Beane going to do? We have no practice squad linebackers left. Klein and Williams did an amazing job at LB considering the situation, but are they up for stopping Pacheco and Kelse? How does the secondary handle Rice? Douglas said he could have played this week if necessary and that is great news for next week, but what about who plays the opposite side? Elam? Who steps into the Taron Johnson role if he can’t go? Can the offense run the ball well enough to keep Mahomes on the sidelines? Beane and McDermott have their hands full on this short week. Hopefully there will be good news on the injury front. I did search the practice squad for possible LB signings. Joe Giles-Harris (NE) is the only one I could find with Bills experience. There are two very experienced LB’s out there Dameon Wilson (Dal) has 73 career starts and was a 2 year starter for Reid in KC. Also Jaylon Smith (Pit) has 69 career starts including 11 last year for the Giants.

I hated the Bernard pick and I was skeptical he had any chance to hold up vs the run in the nfl. I was clearly wrong I liked the Spencer Brown pick but after a couple years of what I thought was poor RT play, I thought he would be the demise of our offense. I was wrong this year. Not sold if we should hand him a big bag or not just yet, but I’d take him for 7M aav. He’ll likely command 10+ if he can sustain this level of play next season. i hated the elam pick, but I haven’t lost complete hope on the kid yet. He flashed last year and is playing behind 3 corners that are much more experienced playing zone. If he can bring that playbook on every plane, he might be worthy of a roster spot or maybe a move to safety next season. But he’s a fail so far. I wasn’t a fan of the epenesa and moss picks- I wasn’t wrong. They both turned into decent players, but I think they’ll both have better careers on other teams than in Buffalo. I was on board with the majority of Beanes other selections. The picks I liked most: Kincaid, Torrance, Shakir, Rousseau, Dane Jackson, Oliver, Motor, Edmunds and Phillips.

If the forecasts hold, we're looking at wind game 2.0. Based on the previous wind game, a lot of us aren't feeling great about that (myself included). So I went back and watched the 2021 game against New England to see if there was anything I could take away that would leave me feeling encouraged... and there is. GAME RECAP: 1st HALF The Patriots got the ball first and gained -1 yards on 3 plays. Bills run D was on it. Pats punt and Buffalo starts near midfield. Buffalo runs on 1st and 2nd down gaining 3 yards. On 3rd and 7, Dawson Knox drops a pass that would have likely gone for a first down. Bills punt. Pats 2nd drive gains 5 yards. Bills run D looks good. Pats punt and it's a bad one. Bills get the ball at the NE 40. On 1st down, the Bills try a WR screen to Emanuel Sanders (remember him?) that gets blown up for a 3-yard loss. This is followed by a 4-yard run and then a defensive neutral zone infraction on NE. On 3rd and 4, the Bills complete a 5-yard pass to Matt Breida for the first down. Bills have it inside the NE 30. The very next play is a stretch to Breida and Breida just drops the handoff. NE Recovers. Pats have it at their own 31. They run twice and gain a few yards, nothing major. And then on 3rd and 5, Damien Harris goes 67 yards for a TD. NE goes for 2 and gets it. Next Bills drive picks up a first down after an 8-yard pass to Diggs and a Singletary run. the next play, Josh Allen scrambles for 2 yards followed by a 1-yard singletary run. Then we get a holding on Spencer Brown on 3rd down, making it 3rd and 17. Drive killed. Bills punt. BUT, the ball takes a weird bounce and hits the Pats punt returner and the the Bills recover. One play later, Josh Allen throws a slant to Gabe Davis for a TD. Next Patriots drive goes 10 plays with some solid run gains and a bobbling circus catch by Jonnu Smith on Mac's only pass attempt of the 1st half. Pats stall at the Buffalo 25 and kick a field goal. Bills get a solid kickoff return. They pick up 2 first downs and get to the NE 40. Then it's a 1-yard run, delay of game, 5-yard sack, and now it's 3rd and 19. Drive killed. Bills pint. Pats go 3 and out. Run D looks good again. Pats punt. Bills go 3 and out after the 3rd and short pass is batted down at the line. Bills punt. Pats go 3 and out. Punt. End of 1st Half. Score is 11-7 Patriots. 2nd HALF Bills start their first drive with an 11-yard pass to cole beasley. Then they gain 5 on a 1st-down run. That's followed by 2 Josh Allen incompletions to receivers that are pretty well covered. Bills punt. New England picks up a first down running the ball and then get a holding penalty that backs them up. NE Punts. Bills start at their own 37. 1st play is a short pass to Sanders that goes for 19. Then Allen throws a go route to Diggs, who has his man beat, but the ball is moving in the air and Diggs is having trouble tracking it. It bounces off of Diggs extended forearm in the endzone and falls incomplete. On 3rd and 7, Josh scrambles and is pushed OB 1 -yard short but a late hit on NE gives the Bills 15-yards and a first down. Bills have it at the NE 20. Zack Moss 3-yard run. Incomplete pass. Incomplete pass. Tyler Bass field goal is good. NE leads 11-10. Patriots receive the kick to start the 4th quarter and go on a 15-play, 8:34 drive that includes 3 runs of over 10 yards and Mac Jones QB sneak on 3rd and 5 that goes for 4 yards, followed by a Mac Jones QB sneak on 4th and 1 that converts. The Bills stop the drive in the red zone and NE kicks another field goal. NE leads 14-10. Bills start their next drive at their own 36. Allen completes to Knox for 7 yards. Allen completes to Diggs for 11. Allen tries a deep shot to Sanders, incomplete. Allen scrambles and picks up 21. Allen passes to Moss for 7 and 15 yards is tacked on for a horse collar tackle. Bills have it at the NE 6. Then it's a 0-yard rush by Zack Moss. On 2nd down, Josh takes a bad sack and loses 9 yards. Now it's 3rd and goal from the 15. Incomplete pass. Bass misses the field goal wide right. Pats take over and go 3 and out. Bills get it back at their own 20. Josh throws a beautiful back shoulder pass to Diggs who toes the sideline for a 26-yard gain. 5 yard pass to Moss. 7 yard pass to Knox. 17 yard run by Singletary down to the NE 25. 6-yard pass. 5-yard run. 1st and goal at the NE 14. 1st down is a run that goes for 1 yard. 2nd down is an incomplete pass. On 3rd and 9, Dawson Knox jumps and makes it 3rd and 14. On 3rd and 14, Allen has Diggs wide-open over the middle and it might go for a TD but there's pressure in his face and Josh bails, never seeing Diggs. He tries to force one to Knox in the end zone but it gets broken up. On 4th and 14, Josh is pressured again and has to throw off his back foot, attempting to get it to Davis who is running post in the end zone, but one of the NE cornerbacks comes off the underneath route and knocks the ball down. Game over. THOUGHTS AFTER REWATCHING The Bills had 3 linebackers on the field a lot. Edmunds, Milano, and Dodson played a ton of snaps. All 3 linebackers had a forgettable night but Edmunds was baddddddd. He just didn't fit the run well at all, constantly getting blocked at the 2nd level and taken out of the play. Milano struggled early but made some plays late. Dodson just wasn't very good at this point in time. The narrative is that the Bills waited too long to start throwing the ball, but they did try and throw the ball consistently throughout the game. Josh Allen was 5-7 with a TD at one point in the first half. He was also 7-10 at one point in the 2nd half. There were some drops that hurt the Bills (what's new), and Allen forcing into tight coverage a few times. But they moved the ball okay through the air, and overall, the Bills got into scoring position more than the Patriots did. Penalties, predictable play-calling in the red zone is really what hurt the Bills in this game. They had 3 red zone possessions that resulted in 0 points. Turn 1 of those into a TD or 2 of those into field goals and the Bills win. HOW IT RELATES TO THIS WEEKEND I think the Steelers are similar to the 2021 Patriots. Good defense, good physical running backs, and a weak-armed QB who is playing smart and taking what the defense gives him. I think Mason Rudolph is playing around the same level that Mac Jones was in 2021, when people were calling him the Baby GOAT. The difference is the Steelers have receivers that can turn a quick slant into a long TD. The argument can be made that this game is setting up well for the Steelers, especially given Buffalo's history of wind games. This looks like it could be a very, very similar game. REASONS TO FEEL CONFIDENT The 2023 Bills Defense fits the run much better. 2023 Ed Oliver is much better than 2021 Ed Oliver. Daquan Jones is much better than Harrison Phillips. 2023 Groot is better than 2021 Groot, and Leonard Floyd is better than Jerry Hughes. Tremaine Edmunds has gone and Bernard has shown much better instincts in run defense. I think 2023 defense only struggles against the run when they have to account for the passing game, which is why Miami had success in the 1st half last week. The Bills o-line is much better in 2023 than it was in 2021. Allen was not used much as a runner in the 2021 wind game. At that point in the season, he was really trying to be a pocket guy. If Allen had run a few more times in that game, they likely would have won. This year, Allen is in playoff mode, which means, Allen will run more than he did in the 2021 game.

Agree. Right now, Edmunds. If Bernard backs it up then the Bills have a tough choice after next season because he becomes eligible for an extension. If there is a way to extend him where his cap hits don't kick up until 2026 (by which point I suspect Milano who will be turning 32 before the 2026 season might be on the outs) then I can see them taking that option. Otherwise he plays out his final contract year in 2025 and then he will get paid in free agency.

Edmunds seemed like a good dude but it's crystal clear Bernard has way way more instincts, always flying around, doesn't get fooled like Edmunds did , just plays way more fast and aggressive, great pick and great move to move on from Edmunds, whose size was his biggest asset

Not really a fair question. Edmunds has been starting for years. Now if Bernard has another year like this next year...

A few thoughts, based on your responses: - Kaiir Elam is 22 years old in his second season, and has never played in a zone-heavy defense in his life. Calling him TBD is accurate. Perhaps we shouldn’t throw him out in the same scrap heap as AJ Epenesa, Terrel Bernard, and Spencer Brown. - Complaining that Beane will “probably sign Gabe Davis” without knowing anything about the contract or intent is ridiculous. Yes, they “love him” and he’s a team captain. They also “loved” Tremaine Edmunds and he was also a team captain. Beane could give you guys a million dollars and you’d still complain that you need to pay taxes. Jesus.

These must be Edmunds numbers i just looked at Bernards and his stats for this regular season because i didn't have the last game in those numbers are Bernard - 143 total tackles - 59 assists - 6.5 sacks - 3 INT's - 0 - FF - 2023 regular season . Edmunds - 113 total tackles - 44 assists - 0 sacks - 4 INT's - 0 - FF - 2023 regular season . Either way for the money the bears did;t get the better end of that deal was far as how much it cost them to get that production from Edmunds .

Personally, I wish Edmunds the best. While here, he was quite underwhelming. Always missing out on making plays when they were right there in front of him to be made. Have a RB run right past him like he didn't even see the guy. Guess which gap he wanted to shoot, and 9 times out of 10 it would be the wrong gap. Watching him run directly into the defending OL player and flailing his arms because he had 0 rush ability or physicality. These are all things I don't miss. I can't recall how many footballs I saw bounce off of his stone hands either. It was a lot. I don't think most of the Chicago fans are all that impressed with him at this point already. No matter what, I still hope he plays well and has a long career. Bernard has been the complete opposite of Edmunds in this defense and I would keep him over Tremaine all day, everyday.

Look at Milano vs Edmunds contract and Milano is a better player than Bernard. The Bills were smart to save the money from Edmunds and adjust the defense to better fit Bernard. Its why they beefed up the DT position as well. It is really hard to say Bernard is better than Edmunds because they are asked to do different things. Bernard could not do what Edmunds does and Edmunds could not play the same way as Bernard. However, there are more players that could replace a Bernard than a Edmunds without other changes. That is why Edmunds has a higher value, even than Milano.

Edmunds was expected to be our run stopper and told to keep everything in front of him. There is is a reason that JT went off the day he was not in the lineup. Edmunds had the job of cleaning up others messes which he did very well. Edmunds rarely blitzed and was often expected to play all of the underneath stuff much more often Bernard. Bernard is more dynamic and allowed more latitude in where he is expected to be. As far as your comment of the "same defense" I can't really help because this defense this year is much more attacking than previous years and we try to dictate much more than prior years.

If Bernard and Edmunds were both free agents this year who would get the bigger contract?

Why do u say that? What was Bernard asked to do differently than Edmunds ? Or vice versa? They play the same position in the exact same defense. Both played deep coverage. Both blitzed. There is nothing that I saw all year to suggest Bernard was asked to do anything differently than Edmunds was the prior 5 years. Bernard is just a better player despite Edmunds being bigger, stronger, and faster.

edmunds is just a man amongst boys in terms of attributes and stature. He's also super young, i think that also impresses people. he's just not that great of a linebacker. for all of his size and power, he's really not that physical. if you put poyer's heart and football mind in edmund's body, you'd have a 10 time all pro guy who walks to canton on a street named after him.

i wonder how much better fraziers defense would have been with bernard rather than edmunds in the middle. edmunds was usually a step behind.

Too many times I’ve seen an OL get his hands on Tremaine and drive him back like he’s on skates. I’ve seen that maybe once or twice all year with Bernard. I think the difference between the two is Bernard tries to slip past the block, while Edmunds just seemed content to occupy a blocker. I’d take Bernard over Edmunds at equal salary.

Beane is good to very good. Just dont call him a genius as many do but the OP did not. Lots to agree with the OP. But... Ttmhe OP gives credit for not signing Edmunds to a long term deal but forgets it was Beane who gave up an extra second round pick to move up and draft him. Many of us wanted Allen. But we have no idea what Beane's board was. If the Jets or Browns take Allen it is more likely than not Beane would have been fired by now. My biggest miss was on Bernard. I really criticized Beane for the draft pick and not having a better option to replace Edmunds. Was wrong on that account so far. Bernard has instincts that Edmunds will never have. He is a playmaker. As for the OL, he has had more than his share of misses. He's overpaid for guys and had guys on second contracts really crap out. But his faith in Brown looks reasonably well deserved and the starting 5 and depth guys in 2023 are the best we have had since the SB years. WR is still very hit and miss. Obviously he hit it out of the park with the Diggs trade. Almost every other WR trade or draft pick is middling at best. TE. I am an unabashed Knox fan. Like the Kincaid draft pick too. Hopefully we find an OC that figures out how to use both. I'm not criticizing the Miller deal. I praised it at the time so I can't rip him now that he is injured and unproductive! My second biggest miss was Oliver. Didn't like the pick at the time and didn't like the second contract. I would have let him walk but he has been very good this year. He's still not a top 5 guy but he is also not being paid like a top 5 guy either. Currently ranked 12th in salary which feels just about rightm

Thought it might be interesting, as we head into the playoffs, to discuss a few times in recent seasons that we were all wrong and Brandon Beane was right: - "Wrong Josh" - don't you wish you had Josh Rosen right now? - "Undersized LB" - letting Tremaine Edmunds walk and replacing him with a tiny LB in Terrel Bernard?? Disaster! - "Pay Shaq! Pay Phillips! Pay Poyer!" - Beane let all of them walk and all of them came back on cheaper contracts. - "Don't pay Ed!" - Remember your reaction when you saw the big Ed Oliver contract? - "Another RB who can't handle a full workload!" - Cook is way too small to ever be a true lead back. - "Pay Gabe Davis" - what a difference a year makes. Wish we locked Gabe up last year at $12M/yr. - "FIRE MCDERMOTT" - this would have been Beane's call, if it happened. I'm sure there are many more, but those are just from the top of my head. How about that Rasul Douglas trade? 2022 Draft Class: 1st - Elam - TBD 2nd - Cook - STUD 3rd - Bernard - STUD 5th - Shakir - STUD 6th - Benford - STUD 7th - Spector - Possibly good depth! 2023 Draft Class: 1st - Kincaid - STUD 2nd - Torrence - STUD 3rd - Dorian - TBD 5th - Shorter - TBD 7th - Broeker + Austin - our team was too deep to keep them Beane has been en fuego. Do you have any others?

Edmunds is a good play just not 18 mil a year good.

Johnson & Johnson will probably think it's time for the Jets to 'pull a Patriots'. Make Saleh the team's GM as well. No matter what, a noisy minority here will find a way to blame Edmunds.

Edmunds pff 56 (woof) Bernard 63 i see Bernard miss a lot of tackles at point of attack. But he’s far superior in impact plays. And also not looking like he’s dancing out there OH and cap hit is insanely better for bills. That’s a bad bears contract. Flat out bad. They would honestly rather have Maine than roquan who will be first team all pro? Nonsense.

Gabe is the Tremaine Edmunds of WRs.

What are the chances that this defense just makes LBs? Milano Edmunds (if you want it, not looking for an argument) Dodson Bernard Now this guy steps in…maybe it’s the system

Bobby Babich is definitely one of the unsung heroes for this team. First he was the safeties coach during the peak Hyde/Poyer years. Then he became the LB coach last year and immediately Edmunds and Milano both had the best years of their career. Now this year Bernard is having a breakout year, Dodson is a beast against the run all of a sudden, and our 7th round pick from last year is playing at a high level in a must win game. Absolutely floored he isn’t a DC in this league yet.

I could be mis-remembering, but weren't you using "poor LB play" and Tremaine Edmunds in the same sentence? And again, I could be mis-remembering, but I don't think that sentence was to the effect of "good thing we have Edmunds so we don't see poor LB play in Buffalo"