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D&C's Roth Serves Up 9-7 Prediction With Playoffs


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...Patsies tumble??............

Roth: Bills to finish 9-7, with upsets over New England Patriots, Baltimore Ravens

 

Leo Roth, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle Published 1:02 p.m. ET April 18, 2019 | Updated 1:12 p.m. ET April 18, 2019

 

New York, New York.

Well actually, it’s New Jersey, New Jersey.

The Buffalo Bills open the 2019 season with odd back-to-back road games against the Jets and Giants at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. Fans might want to drive the motor home down and stay for the week. Plenty of parking. Take in a couple Broadway shows.

The NFL has released its schedule (heart be still) and here’s how I see the Bills (6-10 last season) faring (Warning: this column contains upsets of Patriots and Ravens at home):

https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/sports/football/nfl/bills/2019/04/18/buffalo-bills-to-finish-9-7-with-upsets-over-new-england-patriots-and-baltimore-ravens/3507707002/

 

 

Edited by OldTimeAFLGuy
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20 minutes ago, FeelingOnYouboty said:

I'd be disappointed if we don't win 10+. Not even a homer but we should be challenging the Pats for the division this year.

 

...I'd be satisfied with a 1-1 Pats split and a WC berth earned on our own......would be a decent accomplishment IMO.............

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10 minutes ago, OldTimeAFLGuy said:

 

...I'd be satisfied with a 1-1 Pats split and a WC berth earned on our own......would be a decent accomplishment IMO.............

Unless you are in a division with a 12-4 juggernaut. It will be just like last time you know where they had to win 9 games to get in.

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9 minutes ago, OldTimeAFLGuy said:

 

...I'd be satisfied with a 1-1 Pats split and a WC berth earned on our own......would be a decent accomplishment IMO.............

We earned our WC the other year.  It isn't invalidated just because one of the games that went our way was in dramatic fashion in week 17.  It counts the same as the hundred other games through the season that affected our standing.

 

How would a 9-7 record this year be more earned than a 9-7 record two years ago?

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4 minutes ago, OldTimeAFLGuy said:

 

...I'd be satisfied with a 1-1 Pats split and a WC berth earned on our own......would be a decent accomplishment IMO.............

 it will probably take 10-6 to do it.  unlike most predictions that i've seen so far,  i'm going with a win week one and i'm also counting a win at home against philly.  i also believe we can beat those low down titans in their crib.

 

i believe weeks 7,8,and 9 will be a 3 game win streak where we start clicking on all cylinders, getting some national buzz.  if we can start no worse than 3-2,  i can see a possible 11-5.   my losses...ne x2,  pitt, the cowboys and maybe dropping a close one against some team we should have beat...ie. the ravens in a defensive field goal battle.

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3 minutes ago, Max Fischer said:

A win over the Ravens won’t be an “upset.”  I’m not a homer but the Bills could already be as good as the Ravens. 

 

...agree....way too much stock put in Jackson IMO.....think he is the epitome of one read and run......strictly opinion........his pressers are hardly impressive IMO...

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Just now, billsredneck1 said:

 it will probably take 10-6 to do it.  unlike most predictions that i've seen so far,  i'm going with a win week one and i'm also counting a win at home against philly.  i also believe we can beat those low down titans in their crib.

 

i believe weeks 7,8,and 9 will be a 3 game win streak where we start clicking on all cylinders, getting some national buzz.  if we can start no worse than 3-2,  i can see a possible 11-5.   my losses...ne x2,  pitt, the cowboys and maybe dropping a close one against some team we should have beat...ie. the ravens in a defensive field goal battle.

 

...exactly my point......10-6 and and 1-1 split works for me.......with no "Dalton Intervention"......think about all of the potential roster newness and Josh getting acclimated....gratifying accomplishment or meh?...just askin'........

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I'd hardly call a win at home against the Ravens an upset. No Flacco, Mosley, Suggs and a QB who IMO didn't impress and got exposed when it counted. We beat Tennessee last year and see no reason it can't happen again. Jets may come out tight in the opener due to unwarranted expectations. The rest I think is spot on.

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2 minutes ago, OldTimeAFLGuy said:

 

...agree....way too much stock put in Jackson IMO.....think he is the epitome of one read and run......strictly opinion........his pressers are hardly impressive IMO...

Tyrod Taylor 2.0.   Somewhat improved but with the same basic design flaws as the original.  

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2 minutes ago, billsredneck1 said:

leo looking for clicks...

 

...LMAO......funny thing is Leo is a native Buffalonian but fires off his shots perennially.....ain't no homer.........

1 minute ago, FLFan said:

Tyrod Taylor 2.0.   Somewhat improved but with the same basic design flaws as the original.  

 

 

 

...strange how some of the "TBD picking pundits" advocated McBeane taking him at #12......

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1 minute ago, OldTimeAFLGuy said:

 

...exactly my point......10-6 and and 1-1 split works for me.......with no "Dalton Intervention"......think about all of the potential roster newness and Josh getting acclimated....gratifying accomplishment or meh?...just askin'........

i think the fact that we have a whole new team....which basically makes dabol a new oc is going to give us an early season advantage. i'm praying we have a good summer....

starting 5 oline figured out right away....josh being much improved with timing and taking what is given...and an attacking defense.

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1 minute ago, billsredneck1 said:

i think the fact that we have a whole new team....which basically makes dabol a new oc is going to give us an early season advantage. i'm praying we have a good summer....

starting 5 oline figured out right away....josh being much improved with timing and taking what is given...and an attacking defense.

...good assessment.....dead on IMO......:thumbsup:

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7 minutes ago, billsbackto81 said:

I'd hardly call a win at home against the Ravens an upset. No Flacco, Mosley, Suggs and a QB who IMO didn't impress and got exposed when it counted. We beat Tennessee last year and see no reason it can't happen again. Jets may come out tight in the opener due to unwarranted expectations. The rest I think is spot on.

 

Yea that is the only point I was take with Leo. Ravens are absolutely our equal and I think were better straight up. They like the Steelers rest on reputation not actual true roster analysis these days.

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18 minutes ago, Max Fischer said:

A win over the Ravens won’t be an “upset.”  I’m not a homer but the Bills could already be as good as the Ravens. 

I’m curious about the Ravens. Will they have any semblance of a passing game? Will teams figure them out and make it a tough year? 

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3 minutes ago, Augie said:

I’m curious about the Ravens. Will they have any semblance of a passing game? Will teams figure them out and make it a tough year? 

 

Their WR corp is hilariously bad pre-draft. We will see after

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28 minutes ago, Max Fischer said:

A win over the Ravens won’t be an “upset.”  I’m not a homer but the Bills could already be as good as the Ravens. 

I fully agree on this. Ravens are not that great of a team, especially on defense now. They’ll never win a game this season if they go down 10 points 

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12 minutes ago, Augie said:

I’m curious about the Ravens. Will they have any semblance of a passing game? Will teams figure them out and make it a tough year? 

They got pretty figured out in the playoffs. They were a train wreck on offense. They couldn't do a thing in the passing game.

 

I think they will grind out 7 or 8 wins because they have a quality coach, but I don't think it'll be pretty.

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15 minutes ago, Augie said:

I’m curious about the Ravens. Will they have any semblance of a passing game? Will teams figure them out and make it a tough year? 

 

...a WHAT??....Harbaugh was smart inking his extension quickly with their QB eggs in Jackson's basket IMO.....strictly opinion, but Watson kid is similar in style and despite being a project, FAR more polished than Jackson......

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42 minutes ago, Max Fischer said:

A win over the Ravens won’t be an “upset.”  I’m not a homer but the Bills could already be as good as the Ravens. 

Baltimore's defense was one of the best last season yet they might take a step down or two because of lost UFAs. Yet they should have a better running game with Ingram taking carries compared to their guys from last year. That said I don't like their passing game at all as not sold on Lamar and they don't have great WRs. We should beat them since we're playing that home but it's no gimme either. 

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35 minutes ago, The Jokeman said:

Baltimore's defense was one of the best last season yet they might take a step down or two because of lost UFAs. Yet they should have a better running game with Ingram taking carries compared to their guys from last year. That said I don't like their passing game at all as not sold on Lamar and they don't have great WRs. We should beat them since we're playing that home but it's no gimme either. 

..think we have the horsepower to challenge them, especially defensively with Jackson at the helm.....damn well NO repeats of the Jax/Bortles escapade.....good Lord...

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2 hours ago, FeelingOnYouboty said:

I'd be disappointed if we don't win 10+. Not even a homer but we should be challenging the Pats for the division this year.

Playoffs are all that matter. 9-7 10-6 either way if they make the playoffs that is it.

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1 hour ago, Max Fischer said:

A win over the Ravens won’t be an “upset.”  I’m not a homer but the Bills could already be as good as the Ravens. 

I see Lamar Jackson taking a step back this fall. I too have us at 9-7 going 4-2 in the east with NE/NY splits. Probably losing to the Eagles but the remaining games can be had....

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9 minutes ago, ScottLaw said:

Why do people insist that it's only possible to make tiny increments of progress year to year?

 

The Rams went from 5-11 in 2016 to 12-4 the next year. Look at the Bears this year.

 

8-8 to 9-7 is a mediocre team. I expect more. 

 

They went to 11-5 not 12-4

They got some really good receivers

Gurley and Goff both made mega leaps

 

Oh and the biggest one?

 

They fired Fisher and got a new coach, mcvay

 

Bears did the same

Went from 5-11 to 12-4

They changed coaches (fox to nagy)

Mitch made a nice improvement

They got a really good receivers 

And the went and got Khalil Mack

 

I don't think we did enough at receiver or in general free agent wise to make the leap that those teams made

 

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Jets opened as 3.5 point favorites FWIW. 

25 minutes ago, ScottLaw said:

Why do people insist that it's only possible to make tiny increments of progress year to year?

 

The Rams went from 5-11 in 2016 to 12-4 the next year. Look at the Bears this year.

 

8-8 to 9-7 is a mediocre team. I expect more. 

8-8/9-7 wouldn't be cataclysmic and certainly wouldn't cost anyone their job, but it wouldn't be "successful" per se.

 

As you said, look at all the teams that turn it around in a year or two. Why not us?

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2 hours ago, corta765 said:

 

Yea that is the only point I was take with Leo. Ravens are absolutely our equal and I think were better straight up. They like the Steelers rest on reputation not actual true roster analysis these days.

 

1 hour ago, The Jokeman said:

Baltimore's defense was one of the best last season yet they might take a step down or two because of lost UFAs. Yet they should have a better running game with Ingram taking carries compared to their guys from last year. That said I don't like their passing game at all as not sold on Lamar and they don't have great WRs. We should beat them since we're playing that home but it's no gimme either. 

 

They lost Mosley, Za'Darius Smith, John Brown, Weddle and Suggs.

They gained Earl Thomas and Ingram.

 

Big losses.

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1 minute ago, ScottLaw said:

Well the offseason isn't over but I tend to agree and have been saying it despite all their moves..... they haven't done enough at the WR position... and the front 7 as a whole is still an average to below average unit. 

 

I guess I'm just saying that the personnel changes we made vs those other examples of big win leap teams aren't on the same level

 

Getting a wr talent like obj or ab (regardless of their personality issues) and a defensive guy like Frank Clark, combined with Allen making a leap, is what it would take I think

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5 minutes ago, ScottLaw said:

Yep.

 

Again, offseason isn't over. Perhaps they still make a trade for a big time WR. 

 

Dont see it happening but you never know. Feel it's a bit of a disappointment they haven't swung for the fences for a big talent WR. Thought it was priority number one for this team.

 

Might swing for the fences with a guy like Metcalf in the draft

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15 minutes ago, Buddy Hix said:

I would take a 9-7 playoff season in a heartbeat. 

 

For 9-7 to happen, Allen would have to play well and it would really feel like we are going somewhere. I want to believe but I need to be shown at this point, I’m scarred.

Based on roster construction, I fully agree. I'd be fine with 9-7 with a playoff spot.

 

Overall though, I don't feel like that should be viewed as a major victory for the regime when you look around the league.

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3 hours ago, OldTimeAFLGuy said:

 

...agree....way too much stock put in Jackson IMO.....think he is the epitome of one read and run......strictly opinion........his pressers are hardly impressive IMO...

 

he was exposed in that Play-off game, that is more of what you'll see from him this year. I doubt they will have a winning record this season.

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