If the bills lose this week, does your opinion change?

[John from Riverside]

Not really. I'm still in wait and see mode. If we beat the Raiders and Chiefs and notch a win vs the Pats, then I'm sold. I know that's a lot to ask, but I just keep reminding myself that there will be a lot of new faces here next year.

Lets keep in mind what expectations actually were at the beginning of the season.

[somnus00]

Does my opinion change? No.

 

I love this team and where it's headed. They're well coached/prepared. They seem to play better as the game goes on. A lot of positives.

 

But there are weaknesses too. The offense worries me. This offence only scored 1 touchdown last game. Only 3 touchdowns in the last 3 games. We're lucky that the defense and special teams have been playing lights-out. Yes, I know we played some tough defenses. But we still have to start punching it into the endzone. Besides Shady, we don't have big play threats (no offense to Clay and Tyrod).

 

Having said that, I think we go on a run. I expect Week 12 against the Chiefs to be a very interesting game. Go Bills!

[SlimShady'sSpaceForce]

Does my opinion change? No.

 

It remains the same. Well mostly. Need more data on what 2017 will actually be.

[Royale with Cheese]

It depends on how we play if we lose.

[PrimeTime101]

Then don't reply to the thread.. but stop making stupid comments like this cause it makes you look stupid..

Awesome another hypothetical! Golly, I love hypothetical questions.

[Billsfan1972]

My opinion is already tempered.

 

If we lose 35-31 and the Offense is productive, that would excite me (in a loss).

[richardb1952]

This is a gritty, hard fighting team that isn't beating itself. I would expect that to continue. This is not a team that will dominate on the scoreboard so most games will come down to 3 - 4 plays that will determine the outcome. So far, the Bills have won those 3 - 4 plays. Will it continue? Maybe. Maybe not. But I believe those 3 - 4 plays will be there every week and as long as they continue to not beat themselves, they will be in almost every game.

[Dorkington]

Not really, I'm still skeptical at the moment, since we've had various hot starts before. If we go in there and dominate, I might actually start believing, who knows.

[Nanker]

[DasNootz]

A win this week will mean more to me than last week. We beat a seemingly good team, but without its star talent. Their crowd was a non-factor, and we won't get either of those benefits this weekend. This has the feeling of a let down game, and it's one you just need to survive. One Vontaze Burfict cheap shot, and we could be in for a world of hurt. Survive and make it to our bye, and I'll start feeling a whole lot more optimistic.

always a classic

[teef]

A win this week will mean more to me than last week. We beat a seemingly good team, but without its star talent. Their crowd was a non-factor, and we won't get either of those benefits this weekend. This has the feeling of a let down game, and it's one you just need to survive. One Vontaze Burfict cheap shot, and we could be in for a world of hurt. Survive and make it to our bye, and I'll start feeling a whole lot more optimistic.

always a classic

people keep mentioning the bolded, but come on...even with the "star talent" out, i think the falcons are still a better team on paper than the bills. not to mention that the bills started the game without their starting lt and de, while losing the wlb and wr1 during the game.

[DasNootz]

people keep mentioning the bolded, but come on...even with the "star talent" out, i think the falcons are still a better team on paper than the bills. not to mention that the bills started the game without their starting lt and de, while losing the wlb and wr1 during the game.

You're right. The loss of Matthews is the same as losing Julio Jones. /sarcasm. Maybe you can equate it tot the loss of Sanu, but the equivalent of them losing Julio would be us losing Shady.

 

Vic Beaslely, Courtney Upshaw, Ricardo Allen all didn't play on defense. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy with the win, and I understand anything can happen in the NFL. I was much more impressed with the Denver win than the Atlanta game.

Edited October 5, 2017 by DasNootz

[Royale with Cheese]

You're right. The loss of Matthews is the same as losing Julio Jones. /sarcasm. Maybe you can equate it tot the loss of Sanu, but the equivalent of them losing Julio would be us losing Shady.

 

Vic Beaslely, Courtney Upshaw, Ricardo Allen all didn't play on defense. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy with the win, and I understand anything can happen in the NFL. I was much more impressed with the Denver win than the Atlanta game.

 

They still had the league MVP in Matt Ryan and All Pro Devonta Freeman. They weren't moving the ball when both Jones and Sanu were in there.

Matthews isn't as good as Jones of course but our depth at WR is much worse. We were left with K Clay, rookie Zay Jones and Andre Holmes.

3 rookies took the place of Matthews, Cordy Glenn and Ramon Humber.

[xsoldier54]

My "opinion" hasn't changed since 1960. My sister went to Buff State and brought me home a poster of that first team. I hung it on my wall and have been a fan ever since. Every week, I tune in and root for them to win. When they don't, I'm disappointed, but I have never wavered in my loyalty. I always hope for the best. So to answer your question, no, my "opinion" will not change if they lose. I'll be disappointed as always, but will tune in the following week, again, hoping for the best. Go Bills.

[simool]

My "opinion" hasn't changed since 1960. My sister went to Buff State and brought me home a poster of that first team. I hung it on my wall and have been a fan ever since. Every week, I tune in and root for them to win. When they don't, I'm disappointed, but I have never wavered in my loyalty. I always hope for the best. So to answer your question, no, my "opinion" will not change if they lose. I'll be disappointed as always, but will tune in the following week, again, hoping for the best. Go Bills.

 

[YoloinOhio]

No one here in local media are picking Bills to win and mind you they are typically very negative toward the Bengals. They know they suck. Seems most just expect Bills to lose for whatever reason. The world ends if Bills win 3 in a row, maybe.

Edited October 5, 2017 by YoloinOhio

[teef]

You're right. The loss of Matthews is the same as losing Julio Jones. /sarcasm. Maybe you can equate it tot the loss of Sanu, but the equivalent of them losing Julio would be us losing Shady.

 

Vic Beaslely, Courtney Upshaw, Ricardo Allen all didn't play on defense. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy with the win, and I understand anything can happen in the NFL. I was much more impressed with the Denver win than the Atlanta game.

i hear ya, and it's all fair. i was just thinking it was a more impressive win than some are making it out to be because it was away, and the bills certainly weren't at full strength either. either way, as you mentioned, it's hard not to be happy with the win.

[Last Guy on the Bench]

Im expecting a loss. Two tough wins in a row has to have drained these guys to some degree plus were banged up a bit. Add Cincy essentially playing for their season and the fact that they have the third ranked defense and are playing at home makes this an unlikely place to get a win. If we do pull it off it will certainly say something about how good we might really be. Im not expecting it however. Bottom line is it wont change my opinion on this team. Three very winnable games after the bye could put us at 6-2 at the mid point even if we lose sunday.

That's where I am. I was pretty optimistic (though not especially confident) about the last two games. I really think we drop this one. Cincy is good, hungry, and home.

 

My opinion is that we are a decent team - bordering on good. We should be in most games and will win our share. A loss to Cincy on the road won't change that.

 

However, a WIN will definitely change my opinion. It would really surprise me, and I think it would be a signal that this team is more than decent. A win this week will make think they are potentially special.

[CLTbills]

Not necessarily. It depends on how we lose. If we come out and just look like garbage, unprepared (I HIGHLY doubt that will happen with this coaching staff), etc, then yes. If we lose a close game because of some bad bounces and bad calls and injuries (which we've certainly been the beneficiaries of so far this season - that always seems to come back and get you on the other side) then I won't be too concerned, although this a big game, a conference opponent, and momentum into the bye if we win.

 

Although Tasker had a good take on the John Murphy Show this week... He said essentially that good teams just get the bounces and calls to go their way, bad teams generally dont. We haven't seen many go our way over 17 years, but we haven't been any good either.

 

I think Cincinnati is a bit better than people think they are and their record indicates. I know the board will blow up if we lose "to a team whose only other win was against the Browns." It'll be chaos on here.

[SaviorPeterman]

Yes because we'll be in the same boat we were last year record wise at 3-2 and heading into the bye week on a low note. Plus all the questions about depth and the Bills being a pretender will start.

 

Bengals have been better lately but I don't believe they are a good team or going to the playoffs this year. And if the Bills have serious aspiration these are the games you have to win even if the opposing teams brings their A game and gives their best shot.

Edited October 5, 2017 by SaviorPeterman

[SlimShady'sSpaceForce]

last years defense is not this years defense.

[Chicken Boo]

Yes. The Bills should easily make them a one-dimensional offense. The Bills' offense should be solid and protect the ball.

 

They should win this game by playing the same way they've been playing.

 

I don't want this team playing to the level of their competition. I want to see them be consistent. If they play poorly against the Bengals, it will definitely change my opinion of them so far.

 

 

Agreed, but not having Matthews DOES make a difference.

 

A loss this weekend to THIS team will come back to bite them in the ass come December.

[Alphadawg7]

It's kinda ironic how we upset a team this past week that nobody thought we would beat. Just like 2011 how we upset the Pats to go 3-0 and then just like this year, played the Bengals the next week.

 

Anyways, if we do lose, does your opinion of the team change? For me I guess it depends on how we lost. If it's like 27-10, then I'd say yes, we're not as good as maybe I thought. If it's 19-17, I might still feel the same. At any rate, I want nothing more than to go into the bye week 4-1

 

No...simply because my opinion is cautiously optimistic. I am not prepared to declare this team a playoff team just yet, what is more important is just seeing that there is progress being made in the right directions with the new staff. And win or lose this week, we have definitely seen some very positive progress, especially on defensive unit and also getting TT to see and use more of the field.

 

Bottom line is that the Bengals are not as bad as many people think. They had a poor offensive start, but like us last year, fired their OC and the offense came to life. This is no gimme game by any means, many people expected this team to be a tough team this year especially adding some fast and talented rookies to the offense at RB and WR.

 

I have real concerns with our WR situation right now, we are in DIRE straits big time and going up against an offense capable of scoring in bunches. If our D can't keep the Bengals O in check, I fear our lack of WR's is going to be a big achilles heal this week. I mean our top guy is a rookie who has been terrible to start the year, so I don't know what to expect from ZJ this week. Essentially, with no one to worry about at WR, it allows Cincy to focus on Clay and McCoy.

[HansLanda]

Yes because we'll be in the same boat we were last year record wise at 3-2 and heading into the bye week on a low note. Plus all the questions about depth and the Bills being a pretender will start.

 

Bengals have been better lately but I don't believe they are a good team or going to the playoffs this year. And if the Bills have serious aspiration these are the games you have to win even if the opposing teams brings their A game and gives their best shot.

 

+1

 

While this team has a different feel - for sure - that the Rex years...the "S.O.B's" talk will start if they lose this one.

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

This game, Oak at home, Indy at home, and LA on the road - are the 4 biggest non-division games remaining. If we can win 3 of those and 3 in the division that'd get us 9.

 

Win 1 of NO, TB, KC, NE1, NE2 and we'd be at 10. The AFC games though would be huge for tiebreakers at 9-7/10-6, and we'd have a 4-2 divisional record.

 

It's not a "must-win" week, but I'd lose a lot of confidence the remainder of the year if we couldn't pull this one down.

 

I also feel like we have to beat NE once to make it this year... just feels like its gotta happen.

[Alphadawg7]

This game, Oak at home, Indy at home, and LA on the road - are the 4 biggest non-division games remaining. If we can win 3 of those and 3 in the division that'd get us 9.

 

Win 1 of NO, TB, KC, NE1, NE2 and we'd be at 10. The AFC games though would be huge for tiebreakers at 9-7/10-6, and we'd have a 4-2 divisional record.

 

It's not a "must-win" week, but I'd lose a lot of confidence the remainder of the year if we couldn't pull this one down.

 

I also feel like we have to beat NE once to make it this year... just feels like its gotta happen.

 

I do agree that its not a must win game, but it definitely makes the road to playoffs a lot more realistic as you pointed out.

 

As far as NE goes, I don't think its mandatory to beat them as I would fully expect us to sweep Jets and Dolphins this year. A 4-2 Divisional record would be strong still in tie breaker situations. However, I do think this team is capable of beating the Pats this year at least once and think we will beat them at home. We should be able to move the ball against that terrible D, and our defense is the kind of D that is best against a Brady offense and that is we get a lot of pressure on the QB right now.

 

But a loss to the Bengals would likely put a lot of pressure on us to need to beat NE at least once to get into the playoffs as I think its pretty safe to say the AFC Wildcards will need 10 wins at least to get in.

 

As of your win 1 games, I do think both NO and TB are very winnable as neither has really shown to be overly impressive thus far. They are no gimme's by any means, but definitely winnable. I think we probably safe to say we lose the Chiefs game who have looked like the best team in the NFL this year so far, and I thinks its very possible to beat the Pats at least once.

 

Funny, the first year in a while that I was really prepared to suck and lose while being comfortable with that with all the draft assets we have next year and they go and throw me a curve ball and start making an early case for potential playoff run. LMAO.

[Marty McFly]

This is a conference game. This one means more than last week in the grand scheme of things. Hope for a win. Expect anything.

[Paul Costa]

Ill be a disappointed. I thought we would lose the Atlanta game and beat Cincinnati. To be 3-2 instead of 4-1 would feel like we missed a big opportunity to take control of our division. I still feel really good that we are moving in the right direction!!

[Augie]

Keep hitting the aged one!

[Chandler#81]

Change my opinion? No. My opinion is the current Bills are an under-skilled, over-achieving team moving it an apparently positive direction under their 4th Head Coach (plus an interim HC) in a little more than 4 years.

 

I expect we'll lose Sunday.

[RyanC883]

depends on how they play. If the offense reverts to game 1 and 2 form, then yes, I will be worried. If it takes a step forward, and say CB Rookie White lets AJ Score twice, I'd be okay. AJ is a beast.

 

On the other hand, if we totally shut the Bengals down, I'll be pumped. They have a lot of talent on that team.

[Dablitzkrieg]

I guess, for me, it depends on HOW they lost (I don't expect them to lose). If they get shellacked, then I would be concerned. If it is close, but they are not beating themselves, that is a bit different.

[DaBillsFanSince1973]

Change my opinion? No. My opinion is the current Bills are an under-skilled, over-achieving team moving it an apparently positive direction under their 4th Head Coach (plus an interim HC) in a little more than 4 years.

 

I expect we'll lose Sunday.

 

 

I expect it to rain on sunday, that doesn't mean it will though...

[SlimShady'sSpaceForce]

Keep the Putz down at 2nd in the AFCE with a win.

 

That's motivation as well

[Big Turk]

depends on how they play. If the offense reverts to game 1 and 2 form, then yes, I will be worried. If it takes a step forward, and say CB Rookie White lets AJ Score twice, I'd be okay. AJ is a beast.

 

On the other hand, if we totally shut the Bengals down, I'll be pumped. They have a lot of talent on that team.

 

Umm...you mean game one where Shady was running wild?

[Putin]

Yes. The Bills should easily make them a one-dimensional offense. The Bills' offense should be solid and protect the ball.

They should win this game by playing the same way they've been playing.

I don't want this team playing to the level of their competition. I want to see them be consistent. If they play poorly against the Bengals, it will definitely change my opinion of them so far.

Our offense is not turning the ball over because our defense has been playing lights out , and so is our ST especially Steven Hauschka so there was no reason to take more shots down field and risk INT's , but what happens ( if or when ) were down by two scores and have to throw the ball ?

C Clay( so far ) has been our best reciever and a playmaker , what happens when they shot down Clay and someone else will have to step up ? with J Mathews being out for a month who will that be ?

Our run game was our bread and butter and # 1 in the league for the past 2 years , our OL was our strength last year and Shady was running like a beast , WHY f€<^n change anything ? This whole zone blocking BS is not working , 4 games in to the season and we still cant run the ball ,

How many more games can we win with 180- 200 yards passing , and running game ?

[Over 29 years of fanhood]

Buffalo Bills‏Verified account @buffalobills 11m11 minutes ago

 

 

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"Nobody crowns the champs after five games...It's about preparing well and getting it done." #GoBills

Are they already looking past Cinci?

[Mat68]

It seems like as fans many are waiting for the second shoe to drop. It is like trying to pet a puppy from a shelter that was obviously abused because when you go to pet them they flinch and cower, That is the state of the fan base. On to the point it is a very Bills thing to do. After beating 2 of the top 5 teams in league they lose to a 1-3 Bengals team before the bye week. It is easy to say every game is just as important as the next one. If Buffalo loses a close game short handed to the Bengals does that make what they accomplished thus far that worst? I do not look at it that way. The season is in quarters. First quarter 3-1. Even with a loss Sunday they move to 0-1. Next 3 games are home vs Tampa and Oak and @ NYJ. They will be favored in all of those games. Now I think a win goes along way to validating the team not just to the league but more importantly the fan base. Every fan of Buffalo over the past 17 years has that feeling in their stomach looking at the Cinncy game. The same one that was there this past Sunday with a min left and Matty Ice had the ball. We are expecting the deflating loss. Hopefully, just like Sunday we are proved wrong.

Edited October 6, 2017 by Mat68

[Scott7975]

Our offense is not turning the ball over because our defense has been playing lights out , and so is our ST especially Steven Hauschka so there was no reason to take more shots down field and risk INT's , but what happens ( if or when ) were down by two scores and have to throw the ball ?

C Clay( so far ) has been our best reciever and a playmaker , what happens when they shot down Clay and someone else will have to step up ? with J Mathews being out for a month who will that be ?

Our run game was our bread and butter and # 1 in the league for the past 2 years , our OL was our strength last year and Shady was running like a beast , WHY f€<^n change anything ? This whole zone blocking BS is not working , 4 games in to the season and we still cant run the ball ,

How many more games can we win with 180- 200 yards passing , and running game ?

Don't know what happens. Thus far when Taylor is down by 1-8 points he is 35 of 49 71.4 comp% 379 yards 3 TDs 0 INTs. Last year down by 9-16 points Taylor was 69 of 104 66.3% 859 yards 5 TDs 2 INTs. In 2015 when down 9-16 points Taylor was 49 of 63 77.8% 522 yards 3TDs 1 INT.

 

Put that all together and you get 153/216 70.8% 1760 yards 11 TDs 3 INTs 106.25 rating.

 

Taylor actually plays pretty well when the team is behind.

Edited October 7, 2017 by Scott7975

[LeGOATski]

Don't know what happens. Thus far when Taylor is down by 1-8 points he is 35 of 49 71.4 comp% 379 yards 3 TDs 0 INTs. Last year down by 9-16 points Taylor was 69 of 104 66.3% 859 yards 5 TDs 2 INTs. In 2015 when down 9-16 points Taylor was 49 of 63 77.8% 522 yards 3TDs 1 INT.

 

Put that all together and you get 153/216 70.8% 1760 yards 11 TDs 3 INTs 106.25 rating.

 

Taylor actually plays pretty well when the team is behind.

Yeah, he's safe with the ball and can make plays with his legs.

 

They don't have the playmakers in the passing game to win a lot of comebacks, though.

 

Regardless, I would still be worried by a loss to the Bungals.