Having a hard time talking myself out of 10 wins for this team...

[Thurman#1]

13 hours ago, eball said:

Having a hard time talking myself out of 10 wins for this team...

 

 

Nothing wrong with having expectations that are kinda unrealistic as long as you don't piss and whinge at 8 or 9 wins if that's what happens. If you're one of those who would react to 8 or 9 wins with, "I can't believe they didn't win 10 with so much talent," then yeah, you'd be falling prey to confirmation bias.

 

10 wins doesn't seem impossible or even close to it, but there's a reason that when you look around at the pundits, at Vegas ... everywhere, really ... that very few are predicting that.

 

Yeah, the schedule's easy early. But it's hard late. The OL looks much improved, but based on history will take time to gel. We've got a 2nd year QB. I'd expect a really good defense, and an improved offense, but not as much as you're predicting. Long as you don't bet the farm, though ...

 

My guess is 7 to 9 wins. If no real key injuries, I'd throw out the 7. An 8 - 9 win season with improvement by Allen, especially in accuracy, would really be a great sign for the future

.

 

 

Edited July 10, 2019 by Thurman#1

[formerlyofCtown]

12 hours ago, PlayoffsPlease said:

original post is well thought through and makes a good case for ten wins.  I am a bit of a contrarian. I think the offense assuming proper coaching will be above NFL average. I expect Allen’s floor this season to be an average Brett Farve season and his ceiling  to be a good Steve Young season. I think people  are overly optimistic about the defense I don’t. Expect in his rookie season for Oliver to be a an upgrade over kyle Williams I am concerned that without KYLE and after getting paid Hughes will be less productive. 

 

 

My biggest concern is coaching. I think McDermott has a tendency towards blind spots the biggest being his terrible assessment of NATE Peterman. I don’t consider him a proven head coach. 

An upgrade to 2014 KW no, an upgrade to 2018 KW yes.

[Thurman#1]

4 hours ago, ScottLaw said:

Well he tried.

 

Zay was mostly terrible against the Lions, Jets, and Patriots. 

 

 

No, he really wasn't. Not getting thrown to much doesn't make you terrible. Nor does having the ball not reach your catch radius, which happened several times in those games, especially when he was followed around the whole game against Detroit, by Slay, an elite CB.

 

The NE game was very solid, where he caught 5 of 9 targets for 67 yards and a TD. Oh, wait, are you one of those guys who wants to say, "Yeah, but if you take out the plays that are inconvenient for my argument, then after that his game looks bad? 'Cause you're right. I won't even argue that. If you take out the productive plays, the plays people who don't like Zay would rather not consider, then yeah, what's left doesn't look that good. 'Course, the same would be true of any reciever if you don't look at his most productive plays.

 

Pretty much everyone knows Zay got a lot better late in the season. Not that he didn't have bad games and good games. But overall, he got better.

 

Got a quick quote for you:

 

"I think we all can agree that Zay Jones is trending up."

 

-  Brandon Beane in the 2018 post-season press conference

 

https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2018/12/31/18163024/buffalo-bills-end-of-season-press-conference-open-thread-sean-mcdermott-brandon-beane-josh-allen

 

When he said it, not a single reporter disagreed, then or in print. Pretty much all of us do agree that Zay is trending up.

 

Edited July 10, 2019 by Thurman#1

[Punching Bag]

45 minutes ago, Ol Dirty B said:

 

Anyone thinking 14 wins is remotely possible is absolutely insane.

 

And my guess from your posts that you think 0 wins is more likely.

[Ol Dirty B]

1 minute ago, Limeaid said:

 

And my guess from your posts that you think 0 wins is more likely.

 

I won't take the bait but I think anywhere between 7-9 wins is realistic. You're really going to troll me over saying 14 wins is insane?

4 minutes ago, Limeaid said:

 

And my guess from your posts that you think 0 wins is more likely.

 

You realize we're talking the Bills and not the Sabres right?

[Thurman#1]

6 hours ago, RocCityRoller said:

 

so if it's 8-9, but the team shows progress. No blow out losses, no losses where the Bills get run over for 200 yards, keep.

 

I'm not happy at 8, but injuries happen, a guy does not pan out, bounces don't go the Bills way.

 

Less than 8 wins, without a major injury and I am more concerned.

 

I'm all for a 5 year tryout with McBeane. Got to let the plan gel.

 

I like the direction, and I have patience.

 

 

Love your last sentence. Me too.

 

But I'd expect a blowout loss. Why wouldn't you? Every team gets 'em. The Pats were squashed 34-10 last year against Tennessee. It happens. And Miami put up 189 yards of rushing on the Bradys, and the Fins aren't exactly a rushing juggernaut. Bad games happen. It's when they happen often or consistently that you need to worry.

[formerlyofCtown]

36 minutes ago, Thurman#1 said:

 

 

Nothing wrong with having expectations that are a bit unrealistic as long as you don't B word at the results or blame the team for "only" winning 8 or 9 with "so much talent," if that's what happens.

10 wins doesn't seem impossible or even close to it, but there's a reason that when you look around at the pundits, at Vegas ... everywhere, really ... that very few are predicting that.

Yeah, the schedule's easy early. But it's hard late. The OL looks much improved, but based on history will take time to gel. We've got a 2nd year QB. I'd expect a really good defense, and an improved offense, but not as much as you're predicting. Long as you don't bet the farm, though ...

 

My guess is 7 - 9. If no real key injuries, I'd throw out the 7. An 8 - 9 win season with improvement by Allen, especially in accuracy, would really be a great sign.

 

 

Vegas doesnt know and neither do we.  The potential is there to do it.  But there is an awful lot of roster turn over.  More than I recall ever seeing.  If this roster gels quick it will be something special.

[Richard Noggin]

7 hours ago, OldTimeAFLGuy said:

...so the obvious next questions....8 "W's" means no playoffs....10 "W's" is a legitimate chance.....9 is borderline......so if it's 8 or "borderline 9", are you inclined to keep McBeane/McDermott knowing that 2019 is a multitude of changes, albeit roster and/or coaches, or are you of the "fire everybody" camp?....

I'll chime in on this one, too.

 

Only way McBeane DOES NOT get another season at the helm is if the team implodes and fields an unwatchable product (see also: September & October 2018 (minus Minnesota) and November 2017). Those stretches of embarrassing ineptitude cannot continue. 

 

But short of that kind of failure, I don't see McBeane on the hot seat at all. 

[Richard Noggin]

1 hour ago, Thurman#1 said:

 

 

Nothing wrong with having expectations that are kinda unrealistic as long as you don't piss and whinge at 8 or 9 wins if that's what happens. If you're one of those who would react to 8 or 9 wins with, "I can't believe they didn't win 10 with so much talent," then yeah, you'd be falling prey to confirmation bias.

 

10 wins doesn't seem impossible or even close to it, but there's a reason that when you look around at the pundits, at Vegas ... everywhere, really ... that very few are predicting that.

 

Yeah, the schedule's easy early. But it's hard late. The OL looks much improved, but based on history will take time to gel. We've got a 2nd year QB. I'd expect a really good defense, and an improved offense, but not as much as you're predicting. Long as you don't bet the farm, though ...

 

My guess is 7 to 9 wins. If no real key injuries, I'd throw out the 7. An 8 - 9 win season with improvement by Allen, especially in accuracy, would really be a great sign for the future

.

 

 

Looking at the bolded in particular: over the last decade, Vegas has actually been MOST accurate (in the entire NFL) when predicting the Bills W/L record, according to https://nationalfootballpost.com/win-totals/. Now I know past results do not necessarily predict future outcomes, but we should not so casually dismiss the Vegas predictions. Unlike sports writers and fans, the casinos have quantifiable skin in the game. 

 

There are myriad scenarios (injuries, historically inconsistent defensive results from year-to-year, lack of progression from young players, etc.) wherein the Bills fall short of ten wins. Ten wins would mean that nearly every ? on the team becomes a + in 2019. It CAN happen. But it's not statistically likely. 

 

That being said, go Bills. Win the bleeping division.

[Bookie Man]

I bet the over 7 wins for Buffalo. I was 2 for 2 last year on my NFL season total bets. That being said, I hope I didn't jinx it. Jinxes aren't real though. 

[eball]

5 hours ago, Thurman#1 said:

10 wins doesn't seem impossible or even close to it, but there's a reason that when you look around at the pundits, at Vegas ... everywhere, really ... that very few are predicting that.

 

The Vegas odds have very little to do with "predictions" -- we all know that the public bias outside of WNY is that the Bills are horrible.

[PromoTheRobot]

https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/07/09/nfl-mock-draft-2020-justin-herbert-tua-tagovailoa

 

Well SI thinks the Bills will be drafting #7 in 2020. I wonder how Beane managed to get that pick from the Patriots?

[Another Fan]

The realistic part of me thinks 8-8

[JerseyBills]

22 hours ago, eball said:

With the days winding down until training camp starts I'm becoming more and more convinced that only a rash of key injuries will prevent McD's third team from compiling at least 10 wins and a playoff spot.  The schedule is favorable, particularly early, which means an already established defense (boosted by Ed Oliver) should be able to not only hold their own but control games.  This is the third year for many of these guys in the defense.  The secondary is second to none (can this even be disputed?).  Edmunds got a "free" year of NFL schooling, added bulk, and should now be playing rather than thinking.  Milano was a budding star before his leg snapped.  If the offense merely improves from awful to average that should be good enough.  Special teams can't be worse -- the Bills added one of the premiere return men in the game and washed the stale taste of Danny Crossman from our mouths.  Heath Farwell is energetic and ambitious, he has the respect of players because he was one of them, and I think he'll have guys trying to run through walls for his ST.

 

And let's talk about the offense.  Last year it was bad.  Through nine games, historically bad.  But then something happened.  Josh Allen returned from injury and made plays.  Enough plays to show us what he's capable of (as well as what he needs to work on).  More importantly, he got eleven weeks of coaching and preparing for NFL competition as "the man."  Through the final seven weeks of the season the Bills bore resemblance to an NFL offense -- despite receiving some of the shoddiest OL play I've ever witnessed.

 

Fast forward to the offseason.  Two veteran receivers added, including an expected "safety valve" for Allen.  A top line center.  Loads of veteran competition along the OL along with a promising rookie draft pick.  A new OL coach who has been spoken of highly around the league.  Gore and Singletary.  Who here is going to predict that the offense will do anything but improve?

 

Everything I've seen/heard from Josh Allen suggests he is smart, competitive, and tough as nails.  His teammates already love him.  So yeah, if he can improve his numbers to something north of 55% completions, 3500 yards, and a 2.5-1 TD/INT ratio I think the Bills will be just fine.

 

Is this an indefensible "homer" post?  I really don't think so.  Tell me why expectations should be lowered.  And be civil.

Great points I pretty much been in the same boat, I'm cautiously optimistic because of the past but there's just so many areas of the team trending upwards. 

 

Also , we have great coaching imo. McDermott is a natural n I feel will be a staple here for a long time. He has assembled quality coaching throughout this roster. It's going to be a helluva year

[Pete]

I'm taking the over on Bills winning 10.  If Buffalo can stay healthy, and Josh continues to develop, and our D can improve with Oliver and company, we will be one of top teams in NFL IMO.   That's a lot of if's.  But this is the deepest Bills team I have seen since the 90's.  We will run the ball.  We will play tough D.  And we will be ready to play.  This is a new Bills team and a new Bills era.  We are starved for a great Bills team.  This Bills team has swag, and some great leaders with Josh, Lorenzo, and Tra'Davious.  Just my opinion, but I expect big things from Josh and our Bills. 

 

Let's go Buffalo!

 

Sabres are making some nice moves too.  The City of Buffalo's arrow is pointing up!

 

Disclaimer- I am a hopeless optimist for Buffalo, and have been wrong many, many preseason before

Edited July 10, 2019 by Pete

[Pete]

23 hours ago, Ridgewaycynic2013 said:

Good thing you threw a few names in there.  I thought you meant KC.  ?

We have KC's starting Center.  No Kareem Hunt.  No Tyreek.   That's 3 huge losses for Mahomes.

 

Me myself, I will take Buffalo's roster and cap situation over KC all day

[Shaw66]

2 hours ago, Another Fan said:

The realistic part of me thinks 8-8

Me too. 

 

But the other part of me thinks they will have 10 wins by Thanksgiving night and really start rolling after that. 

[oldmanfan]

For the past 59 years I've gone into each season optimistic (even as a 5 year old that first year).  I have a hard time seeing them get to 10 wins (given they already have two losses penciled in with the Pats, who as long as the y have Brady and Belichick I'll continue to write off), but anything's possible!  I think a 9-7 record and playoff appearance is in the cards.

[RochesterLifer]

8 hours ago, Richard Noggin said:

I'll chime in on this one, too.

 

Only way McBeane DOES NOT get another season at the helm is if he is arrested for a violent crime and it is captured on video.

 

But short of that kind of failure, I don't see McBeane on the hot seat at all. 

 

Corrected this for you.

[Stank_Nasty]

4 minutes ago, oldmanfan said:

For the past 59 years I've gone into each season optimistic (even as a 5 year old that first year).  I have a hard time seeing them get to 10 wins (given they already have two losses penciled in with the Pats, who as long as the y have Brady and Belichick I'll continue to write off), but anything's possible!  I think a 9-7 record and playoff appearance is in the cards.

I get this... I really do. but if we look back at that Monday night game last year, they would have most likely won that game with about 31 other qb's in the nfl not named Anderson or Peterman. 

 

that game was 12-6 in favor of the pats with 10 min left in the 4th. it was just a train wreck for the bills offense. the bills d had brady and that offense completely bottled up all game. so with that being said i'm picking a split, with the win being at home in week 4

Edited July 10, 2019 by Stank_Nasty

[oldmanfan]

4 minutes ago, Stank_Nasty said:

I get this... I really do. but if we look back at that Monday night game last year, they would have most likely won that game with about 31 other qb's in the nfl not named Anderson or Peterman. 

 

that game was 12-6 in favor of the pats with 10 min left in the 4th. it was just a train wreck for the bills offense. the bills d had brady and that offense completely bottled up all game. so with that being said i'm picking a split, with the win being at home in week 4

I applaud your faith!

[eball]

5 minutes ago, ScottLaw said:

Did you just look at the box score for that Patriots game? 

 

Zay was non existent up until the last drive of the game when the game was well out of reach. 

 

There's no question he's improved from the disaster he was in 2017. He still has big issues in struggles getting separation and catching the football along with consistency. He look good against the Dolphins and the next week against the Jets he was dropping balls all over the field. 

 

At at this point he's an average reciever, probably a borderline #3 option on most teams.

 

I'm not about to predict that Zay Jones will suddenly become a star, but he was an incredibly accomplished receiver in college who did not drop balls.  That has to be mental.  Also, 2019 is Zay's first true offseason of participation because last year he was recovering from his Vegas escapade.  By all accounts he has added upper body strength and has been working on his route running.  He knows the offense, and he was able to create some chemistry with Josh last season.

 

If we are ever going to see something out of Zay it will be this year...and I'm cautiously optimistic.

[Alphadawg7]

23 hours ago, Jobot said:

I think on paper this team has enough playoff level talent.  The main factors that will determine playoffs for me are as follows:

 

1-Josh Allen Development

2-Can the offensive line gel quick enough

 

I don't expect much clarity to either of these items until midway through the season.  So my hopes are that the team can stay close to .500 while they come together.

 

This.

 

While it’s very possible to open the season strong, it’s also quite possible that the offense may have some bumps in the road in the first half of the season until they really come together.  I mean most the offense has been turned over, so people will need to have patience early on if their are some ups and downs.

 

Although we all know TSW won’t be patient lol.  First loss there will be 100 each of “Fire Beane”, “Fire McD”, and “Allen is a bust” threads.  We could open up 3-0 and still this will happen if we lose week 4 lol.

[eball]

5 minutes ago, Alphadawg7 said:

Although we all know TSW won’t be patient lol.  First loss there will be 100 each of “Fire Beane”, “Fire McD”, and “Allen is a bust” threads.  We could open up 3-0 and still this will happen if we lose week 4 lol.

 

Nah, if that happens there will just be a vocal "Belichick owns McD" contingent.

 

Anyway, I agree with your other point about bumps in the road for the offense early.  That's where the team's strength (D) comes into play.  And can the "bumps" this year's O faces still be any worse than what Josh was dealing with last season?

[RoyBatty is alive]

1 hour ago, Stank_Nasty said:

I get this... I really do. but if we look back at that Monday night game last year, they would have most likely won that game with about 31 other qb's in the nfl not named Anderson or Peterman. 

 

that game was 12-6 in favor of the pats with 10 min left in the 4th. it was just a train wreck for the bills offense. the bills d had brady and that offense completely bottled up all game. so with that being said i'm picking a split, with the win being at home in week 4

 

 

That is true but honestly, did you really think the Bills had any chance? I didnt.  Pats were in control the entire game.

 

And we did next to nothing to shore up our run defense this year.  Pats get their 1st rd O Lineman back this year, added O line in the draft and a RB.  Sorry but I dont see how we are going to be able to stop them running right up our gut like they did the last game for 274 yards. 

[Stank_Nasty]

15 minutes ago, RoyBatty is alive said:

 

 

That is true but honestly, did you really think the Bills had any chance? I didnt.  Pats were in control the entire game.

 

And we did next to nothing to shore up our run defense this year.  Pats get their 1st rd O Lineman back this year, added O line in the draft and a RB.  Sorry but I dont see how we are going to be able to stop them running right up our gut like they did the last game for 274 yards. 

not with the qb's that were dressed.... I think you may have missed my point.

 

that bills d had brady completely stifled for 3.5 quarters.... there are about 25-30 other qbs in the league that would have won that game for buffalo. 

 

lets not pretend that 2nd game against the pats was more than just an exception to the rule.... even with that awful performance they were still an average run d... in fact I may have to go back and look it up but i'm almost certain they were top 10 in yards given up per rush.

 

EDIT: just looked it up. 16th in rush yds allowed and 10th in ypc. so i'm not gonna use one game as how I think they'll fair all year. or even again against the pats.

Edited July 10, 2019 by Stank_Nasty

[Stank_Nasty]

3 minutes ago, ScottLaw said:

They had a few awful performances on the ground.

 

I believe they ranked 15th in the league against the run.... Jacksonville had their way with them as well.

16th. and then 10th in ypc…. my point is lets not use the worst game of the year for the run defense as the foundation of an argument. its pretty apparent it was an outlier.

 

why is it that his reference to the 270 yd debacle on the ground has anymore merit than the first game when the d basically shutdown brady for 3.5 quarters with absolutely NO HELP from the offense?.... I guess because it fits the narrative trying to be projected.

Edited July 10, 2019 by Stank_Nasty

[Another Fan]

2 hours ago, oldmanfan said:

For the past 59 years I've gone into each season optimistic (even as a 5 year old that first year).  I have a hard time seeing them get to 10 wins (given they already have two losses penciled in with the Pats, who as long as the y have Brady and Belichick I'll continue to write off), but anything's possible!  I think a 9-7 record and playoff appearance is in the cards.

I think 9-7 might be hard to sneak into the playoffs this year.  Unfortunately I still expect the Pats to win the division which leads 2 spots left.  The Chargers/Chiefs/Steelers/Browns all look pretty solid if they don’t win their division.  I think the Jags will improve too.  It’s a more stronger AFC than 2017.  Jmo 

[oldmanfan]

14 minutes ago, Another Fan said:

I think 9-7 might be hard to sneak into the playoffs this year.  Unfortunately I still expect the Pats to win the division which leads 2 spots left.  The Chargers/Chiefs/Steelers/Browns all look pretty solid if they don’t win their division.  I think the Jags will improve too.  It’s a more stronger AFC than 2017.  Jmo 

Could very well be right

[RoyBatty is alive]

3 hours ago, Stank_Nasty said:

16th. and then 10th in ypc…. my point is lets not use the worst game of the year for the run defense as the foundation of an argument. its pretty apparent it was an outlier.

 

why is it that his reference to the 270 yd debacle on the ground has anymore merit than the first game when the d basically shutdown brady for 3.5 quarters with absolutely NO HELP from the offense?.... I guess because it fits the narrative trying to be projected.

 

 Because now Belichek learned the Bills cant atop the run.  It isnt exactly rocket science.   Do you really think belichek will do much different in the next Bills match up, as I have stated several times the Pats have gotten stronger in the run dept and what have we done to shore up our run d?  next to nothing, got a rd 1 arguably undersized penetrating DT, the Pats will either run right through the gap Oliver leaves in his wake or will blow him out.  We have quick mostly rangey LBers more effective in the pass defense.

 

Next game versus the Pats I believe are are going to have to prove that we can stop their run. Leslie Frazier has a very tough assignment.

[formerlyofCtown]

15 hours ago, Ol Dirty B said:

 

I won't take the bait but I think anywhere between 7-9 wins is realistic. You're really going to troll me over saying 14 wins is insane?

 

You realize we're talking the Bills and not the Sabres right?

Its a long shot but you never know.  I garuantee  some of the easy teams will be better than expected and some of the tough teams will play poorly.  It happens every season.

[Stank_Nasty]

14 minutes ago, RoyBatty is alive said:

 

 Because now Belichek learned the Bills cant atop the run.  It isnt exactly rocket science.   Do you really think belichek will do much different in the next Bills match up, as I have stated several times the Pats have gotten stronger in the run dept and what have we done to shore up our run d?  next to nothing, got a rd 1 arguably undersized penetrating DT, the Pats will either run right through the gap Oliver leaves in his wake or will blow him out.  We have quick mostly rangey LBers more effective in the pass defense.

 

Next game versus the Pats I believe are are going to have to prove that we can stop their run. Leslie Frazier has a very tough assignment.

this is all fair.... but lets not forget Milano was out that 2nd game and he was an absolute HEAT SEEKER that first game. I like the bills at home early in the season. pats havnt exactly astounded in the first month of the season recently.

[formerlyofCtown]

5 hours ago, eball said:

 

I'm not about to predict that Zay Jones will suddenly become a star, but he was an incredibly accomplished receiver in college who did not drop balls.  That has to be mental.  Also, 2019 is Zay's first true offseason of participation because last year he was recovering from his Vegas escapade.  By all accounts he has added upper body strength and has been working on his route running.  He knows the offense, and he was able to create some chemistry with Josh last season.

 

If we are ever going to see something out of Zay it will be this year...and I'm cautiously optimistic.

I think Zay will be our top WR and top 15 in the NFL if Josh takes significant steps forward and I believe he will.

22 minutes ago, RoyBatty is alive said:

 

 Because now Belichek learned the Bills cant atop the run.  It isnt exactly rocket science.   Do you really think belichek will do much different in the next Bills match up, as I have stated several times the Pats have gotten stronger in the run dept and what have we done to shore up our run d?  next to nothing, got a rd 1 arguably undersized penetrating DT, the Pats will either run right through the gap Oliver leaves in his wake or will blow him out.  We have quick mostly rangey LBers more effective in the pass defense.

 

Next game versus the Pats I believe are are going to have to prove that we can stop their run. Leslie Frazier has a very tough assignment.

The Bills had a hard time stoping the run after several injuries and being worn out from to much time on the field.  I expect improvement from both Philips this season and I believe Oliver will upgrade the line.

[Shaw66]

28 minutes ago, RoyBatty is alive said:

 

 Because now Belichek learned the Bills cant atop the run.  It isnt exactly rocket science.   Do you really think belichek will do much different in the next Bills match up, as I have stated several times the Pats have gotten stronger in the run dept and what have we done to shore up our run d?  next to nothing, got a rd 1 arguably undersized penetrating DT, the Pats will either run right through the gap Oliver leaves in his wake or will blow him out.  We have quick mostly rangey LBers more effective in the pass defense.

 

Next game versus the Pats I believe are are going to have to prove that we can stop their run. Leslie Frazier has a very tough assignment.

I think the Bills will be a lot better this season, and I expect them to beat the Patriots once this season.   It's a real benefit to get them at home early in the season.  The pats always improve a lot when as the season progresses; every year they look beatable and actually lose a few in the first six weeks.   

 

Still, I don't see the Bills being much better than 9-7.  Sure, they've gotten better, but the league improves every year, and winning isn't going to be easy. 

[formerlyofCtown]

4 hours ago, RoyBatty is alive said:

 

 

That is true but honestly, did you really think the Bills had any chance? I didnt.  Pats were in control the entire game.

 

And we did next to nothing to shore up our run defense this year.  Pats get their 1st rd O Lineman back this year, added O line in the draft and a RB.  Sorry but I dont see how we are going to be able to stop them running right up our gut like they did the last game for 274 yards. 

Ed Oliver is nothing?  H. Phillips will now be in year 2.  J. Phillips I believe will be improved as will Edmunds.  I dont quite get your did nothing to improve statement.  They did what they needed to the D last offseason and added a few pieces this offseason, while focusing on the O. An improved Offense was the best possible thing that could be done for the D.  Unless you dont think the amount of time the O spends on the field effects the D.

[RoyBatty is alive]

7 minutes ago, Shaw66 said:

I think the Bills will be a lot better this season, and I expect them to beat the Patriots once this season.   It's a real benefit to get them at home early in the season.  The pats always improve a lot when as the season progresses; every year they look beatable and actually lose a few in the first six weeks.   

 

Still, I don't see the Bills being much better than 9-7.  Sure, they've gotten better, but the league improves every year, and winning isn't going to be easy. 

 

 

Not so sure about that.  We have almost an entirely new offensive line, new WRs , TEs, i think the Bills could be very very shakey on offense for mutliple weeks to start the season, sure hope I am wrong.  

2 minutes ago, formerlyofCtown said:

Ed Oliver is nothing?  H. Phillips will now be in year 2.  J. Phillips I believe will be improved as will Edmunds.  I dont quite get your did nothing to improve statement.  They did what they needed to the D last offseason and added a few pieces this offseason, while focusing on the O. An improved Offense was the best possible thing that could be done for the D.  Unless you dont think the amount of time the O spends on the field effects the D.

 

I dont think a rookie Ed Oliver is well suited to stop the run, esp versus brady/belichek.  Edmunds improvement is extremely critical, that i agree with, let see if it happens.  Yes other players can improve, hopefully.  At the same time, the PAts O line should be stronger and they added real depth.

[formerlyofCtown]

6 minutes ago, RoyBatty is alive said:

 

 

Not so sure about that.  We have almost an entirely new offensive line, new WRs , TEs, i think the Bills could be very very shakey on offense for mutliple weeks to start the season, sure hope I am wrong.  

 

I dont think a rookie Ed Oliver is well suited to stop the run, esp versus brady/belichek.  Edmunds improvement is extremely critical, that i agree with, let see if it happens.  Yes other players can improve, hopefully.  At the same time, the PAts O line should be stronger and they added real depth.

And the improvements to our Offense, which believe it or not is the most critical element I stated.  And Ed Oliver was a man among boys in college, they couldnt stop him at times with triple teams.  Maybe Im wrong but we are probably talking about the NFL DROY.

Edited July 10, 2019 by formerlyofCtown

[Stank_Nasty]

24 minutes ago, Shaw66 said:

I think the Bills will be a lot better this season, and I expect them to beat the Patriots once this season.   It's a real benefit to get them at home early in the season.  The pats always improve a lot when as the season progresses; every year they look beatable and actually lose a few in the first six weeks.   

 

Still, I don't see the Bills being much better than 9-7.  Sure, they've gotten better, but the league improves every year, and winning isn't going to be easy. 

this is what I've been trying to say as well. the last 2 seasons they've gotten off to 2-2 starts and that's happened 3 of the last 5 seasons as well.

 

if our bills are improved like we think then that game at home in week 4 should be very winnable.

[Shaw66]

15 minutes ago, RoyBatty is alive said:

 

 

Not so sure about that.  We have almost an entirely new offensive line, new WRs , TEs, i think the Bills could be very very shakey on offense for mutliple weeks to start the season, sure hope I am wrong.  

 

Of course you may be right, but you aren't responding to the point.  The point is that the Patriots are a much better team in the second half of the season than the first.   The Patriots we all think of as unbeatable are the second half of the season Patriots.   In the fourth week of the season, you will have two mediocre NFL teams playing each other, and the Bills will be at home.  That's why I think the Bills have a good shot at winning the game.  

 

Why are the Patriots so much better in the second half of the season?  Two reasons:  First, the Patriots get better every week, by design.  Belichick keeps taeching them more and more, and more variety, so that by the second half of the season they can come at you in a variety of ways.  They can be a running team, a passing team, a burn the clock team, whatever they want.  In the first half of the season they are more limited.   Second, by the second half of the season, most other teams have become set in their ways, and by studying film of the previous three or four weeks Belichick has a very good idea of what the opponent is going to do.   In the first half of the season, teams haven't settled into a particular style yet, and they are tougher to prepare for.   

 

Early in the season is the time to play them  

[RoyBatty is alive]

2 minutes ago, Shaw66 said:

Of course you may be right, but you aren't responding to the point.  The point is that the Patriots are a much better team in the second half of the season than the first.   The Patriots we all think of as unbeatable are the second half of the season Patriots.   In the fourth week of the season, you will have two mediocre NFL teams playing each other, and the Bills will be at home.  That's why I think the Bills have a good shot at winning the game.  

 

Why are the Patriots so much better in the second half of the season?  Two reasons:  First, the Patriots get better every week, by design.  Belichick keeps taeching them more and more, and more variety, so that by the second half of the season they can come at you in a variety of ways.  They can be a running team, a passing team, a burn the clock team, whatever they want.  In the first half of the season they are more limited.   Second, by the second half of the season, most other teams have become set in their ways, and by studying film of the previous three or four weeks Belichick has a very good idea of what the opponent is going to do.   In the first half of the season, teams haven't settled into a particular style yet, and they are tougher to prepare for.   

 

Early in the season is the time to play them  

 

 

Solid points.

 

I am not so sure I am buying everything you write, that Belichek is some kinds of demi-god that is so vastly superior to the entire NFL, esp with the way players/coaches constantly move around.  There is no "magic" to what Belichek has been doing, it is called hard work.    His two other huge benefits are 1) consistency which ties into 2) Brady. imagine every year for the past 18? the NFLs number one concern, the QB, is an afterthought for the pats.  they have 95% certainty that Brady will finish the season, and to top it of he gives them a home town discount.  Talk about incredible benefit, that is as powerful as any.