How important is the Week 1 game against the Jets

[DJB]

Must win for me.

 

If his team is going  to be in the playoff hunt then we need to win our "winnable" games. 

[billsfan89]

It's about as close to a must win as a week one game could be. It's a divisional game which is always critical and being that week 1 and 2 are on the road it would set up the season great to go 2 and 0 on the road against less than stellar competition.

[corta765]

1 hour ago, teef said:

 

 

that 2012 opener was the last time i let the bills "upset" me.  i was so excited for that year, as i thought it would be the one where we finally snuck back into the playoffs.  the game was a complete disaster.  it was like the bills hadn't practiced all summer.  they showed up only to roll over.  i was pissed, and that was my "f it" moment with this team.  after that, i decided not to let any bills loss bother me.  

 

this opener has that same feel to me.  not that the bills will roll over, but in the sense that there's a certain importance to it with how the season will unfold.  would a loss ruin the season?  of course not, but a loss may be the closest thing i've had to the bills bother me in a long time.

 

It wasn’t my F it moment but it was probably the hardest reality check I ever had as a Bills fan (being 31I don’t remember much of the early 90s for the bigger reality checks we had). If an NFL team ever wants a look at how quickly the goodwill from an exciting offseason can go away the 2012 Bills Jets disaster is pretty solid proof. Just about everyone jumped off that bus after the game.

 

I remember distinctly that virtually every national analyst had the Bills as one of the two WC teams thanks to Mario, Fitz play, CJs emergence, and a young team that added a lot of good talent like Gilmore and Dareus. Even Jerry Sullivan had them 10-6 in his preview and a playoff team.

 

The defeating feeling of watching that game and going from yea they definitely are a playoff team to dear god they’ll be lucky if they win 5 games was unnerving to this day. I had tickets to the home opener against KC the next week which I wanted to give away and would’ve had it not been for my wife who loves the Bills to an undying point who made us go.

 

The season was encapsulated 6 weeks later when they pissed away an easy win against the Titans before the bye which would’ve got them to 4-3 with a solid look at the playoffs still. Those Chan teams collapsed under the lightest pressure in 2011 & 2012 and the opener in 2012 pretty much defined that time period.

 

This opener reminds me far more of 2014 where we know the talent is there on the team and it’s a strong opponent that is a good measuring stick. 

Edited August 6, 2019 by corta765

[tbonehawaii]

2 hours ago, BillsfaninSB said:

Most important game.  We lose we go 9-7 at best.   Take our chances getting into playoffs. 

 

Bills win and 10-6 is doable. 

If we win two away games to start the season against two beatable teams it will be very exciting. A real opportunity with minimal travel-lag. 

[row_33]

Losing to this garbage team would be a maximum on the suckmeter

 

 

[teef]

22 minutes ago, corta765 said:

 

It wasn’t my F it moment but it was probably the hardest reality check I ever had as a Bills fan (being 31I don’t remember much of the early 90s for the bigger reality checks we had). If an NFL team ever wants a look at how quickly the goodwill from an exciting offseason can go away the 2012 Bills Jets disaster is pretty solid proof. Just about everyone jumped off that bus after the game.

 

I remember distinctly that virtually every national analyst had the Bills as one of the two WC teams thanks to Mario, Fitz play, CJs emergence, and a young team that added a lot of good talent like Gilmore and Dareus. Even Jerry Sullivan had them 10-6 in his preview and a playoff team.

 

The defeating feeling of watching that game and going from yea they definitely are a playoff team to dear god they’ll be lucky if they win 5 games was unnerving to this day. I had tickets to the home opener against KC the next week which I wanted to give away and would’ve had it not been for my wife who loves the Bills to an undying point who made us go.

 

The season was encapsulated 6 weeks later when they pissed away an easy win against the Titans before the bye which would’ve got them to 4-3 with a solid look at the playoffs still. Those Chan teams collapsed under the lightest pressure in 2011 & 2012 and the opener in 2012 pretty much defined that time period.

 

This opener reminds me far more of 2014 where we know the talent is there on the team and it’s a strong opponent that is a good measuring stick. 

this is a perfect summation of the start of 2012.  completely agree.

[Boatdrinks]

The opener is always important, even more so when it’s a division opponent. Throw in the fact that one of the Bills divisional opponents is almost certain to sweep the season series and the impact becomes greater still. I wouldn’t be so quick to describe  the Jets and Darnold outplaying the Bills as an “ unlikely “ outcome. It could easily happen, and Darnold already outplayed Allen in their first meeting. I wouldn’t be surprised if it happened again, and the Jets will probably be a more solid favorite by the time the game rolls around. 

[Golden*Wheels]

I have a fever dream where our Ed and the D line wrecks their re-worked O-line, basically exposing them from game one and showing every team they should just roll over that line, leading to a long season for the Jets and Darnold. We win and they spiral into out and out panic mode about their line after game one. Kind of a best case scenario dream I guess. Watch it go the exact opposite.

Edited August 6, 2019 by Golden*Wheels

[Jay_Fixit]

2 hours ago, Royale with Cheese said:

 

Wait, wait, wait.....MR8 from BBMB?

What gave it away?

 

The name? Or the long winded post?

[nucci]

1 hour ago, aristocrat said:

 

first game of the year against a divisional opponent. i think it's slightly more important than a handful of other games. not incredibly important but slightly more. 

but there are only 16...obviously some more important than others...not directed at you but this is a ridiculous topic

[Another Fan]

If this team really wants to think of themselves as a playoff team, it’s a game you shouldn’t lose.  Make a statement early otherwise it’s same old Bills 

2 hours ago, teef said:

 

 

that 2012 opener was the last time i let the bills "upset" me.  i was so excited for that year, as i thought it would be the one where we finally snuck back into the playoffs.  the game was a complete disaster.  it was like the bills hadn't practiced all summer.  they showed up only to roll over.  i was pissed, and that was my "f it" moment with this team.  after that, i decided not to let any bills loss bother me.  

 

this opener has that same feel to me.  not that the bills will roll over, but in the sense that there's a certain importance to it with how the season will unfold.  would a loss ruin the season?  of course not, but a loss may be the closest thing i've had to the bills bother me in a long time.

Same here.  I’ll never forget that pick 6 by Fitz to start the second half that day.  Imo a very underrated game in terms of disappointment 

[Royale with Cheese]

29 minutes ago, Jay_Fixit said:

What gave it away?

 

The name? Or the long winded post?

 

This actually made me laugh Chevy.

 

But to answer your question, the name raised suspicion and the long winded post confirmed the suspicion.  

[Victory Formation]

I think it sets the tempo for the rest of the year.

[K-Apps]

Anybody who doesn’t think beating a divisional opponent on the road isn’t important doesn’t realize Bills and Jets more likely gonna be battling for a WC spot. Tiebreakers will be important come December, gotta have as many advantages as you can in that criteria.

[Rocket94]

1 hour ago, row_33 said:

Losing to this garbage team would be a maximum on the suckmeter

 

 

Yes, and look how fast the season goes. How many times late in the season have we said "If we had only won that earlier game" This is not MLB where you can sometimes afford a few lapses. You get 16 chances to get it right.

[MR8]

Darnold drew first blood by winning their first head to head last year... 

 

2018:
Darnold - 16/24 - 170 Yards - 1 TD - 1 INT... 4 Carries for 10 yards
Allen - 18/36 - 204 Yards - 0 TD - 2 INTs... 9 Carries for 101 & 1 TD

 

Hopefully Allen evens the score week 1, and then doubles down week 17.

[Another Fan]

1 hour ago, row_33 said:

Losing to this garbage team would be a maximum on the suckmeter

 

 

They actually typically seem though to play good the first few games of the year before falling apart.

 

Not gonna lie this game worries me 

[MJS]

About the same as the other 15 games.

[RobbRiddick]

4 hours ago, njbuff said:

 

2002 (Bledsoe's first game, a loss in an exciting shootout)

 

 

Can't believe that's 17 years ago. Jesus! Remember it so well - 3 TDs by Henry and then we lose on a kick off return in OT.

 

I remember that especially well because fans were crying all through preseason saying the rushing game was garbage and Henry was terrible, then he went and had a great game and a probowl season

[ndirish1978]

All division games are must win

[Bills fan since 87]

I remember with that 2012 Jets loss they did something like fire their OC in the preseason.  They scored maybe one or two touchdowns in the entire preseason.  Then they dropped 48 on us opening day.  That and last years Baltimore loss were just kicks in the gut, I didn't even get to halftime before being deflated.

[billsbackto81]

I think it's important in the sense that it would really send the Jets and their fan base into panic mode and increased pressure. To lose to a division rival in your opener that you feel you're superior to would be a big slap of reality. 

[Royale with Cheese]

If it's anything like the Jets opener in 2012....this will be me Monday morning.

 

[MILFHUNTER#518]

5 hours ago, njbuff said:

 

I don't buy it.

 

Let's just concentrate on week one and take it from there.

 

I say this because this is the LEAST daunting schedule I have ever seen as a Bills fan in my life, as there isn't a game they can't win on the schedule (I don't count NE). 

 

Projecting a record at this point is silly. All depends if Allen is the man in year two. Then the sky is the limit if he is.

 

So, one game at a time and see how it plays out.

It is IMPOSSIBLE to be reasonably accurate on schedule predictions as we cannot know how healthy each team is week to week

[Big Turk]

The same as any other divisional game

[Buffalo Boy]

Momentum is the word.

I HOPE to see us as that underdog team that is greater than the sum of its parts and efforts its way to 10-11 wins.

That starts week one with a fairly decisive victory over the Jets!!!

[Jay_Fixit]

It’s one of 16 games. And it’s a divisional game.

 

It’s very important.

[Gugny]

6 hours ago, PlayoffsPlease said:

In the NFL games can range from meaningless (late season game after the team has missed the playoffs, or has clinched home field advantage throughout) to immediately critical (playoffs or other win or go home games). 

 

The Bills are slight underdogs to the Jets.  The teams have a couple of  similarities particularly young unproven QBs.  From setting a tempo for the season, I feel as though this game is a bit out sized in importance to the typical week 1 game.  If Allen significantly outplays Darnold and the Bills win, (as I expect), I think Jets fans will be devastated.  Do you think the Jets players will be similarly de-moralized.  In the  unlikely event the situation is reversed, Darnold outplays Allen and the Jets win, I think Bills fans will be pretty disappointed. 

 

 

I think starting the season with a division win on the road would be enormous.

 

I don't think losing the game would be horrible ... unless it's an embarrassing loss.

 

But a win would be a hell of a shot in the arm to kick things off, in my opinion.

[teef]

2 minutes ago, ScottLaw said:

A blow out loss would spell same ole Bills for me.

 

A close loss and I don't think you can get too upset, unless it's a game they are controlling throughout and some how blow it in the end.

i think i'd be annoyed either way.  not that this game is a gimmie, but it's winnable.  if this team finally wants to take the next step forward, it's games like these they're going to have to take.  it won't be the end to the season, but jesus...the bills need to win these games.

[BUFFALOKIE]

7 hours ago, billsfan89 said:

It's about as close to a must win as a week one game could be. It's a divisional game which is always critical and being that week 1 and 2 are on the road it would set up the season great to go 2 and 0 on the road against less than stellar competition.

To be 2-0 going into the week three home opener.....OMG the crowd will be nutz.....then *NE at home....I hope all th the AEDs have been recently inspected!

[Real McClappy]

Would be a blowing loss if we want the division title this year. 

 

Just win Baby!

[PlayoffsPlease]

11 hours ago, buffaloboyinATL said:

I heard it will count as 1/16th of our overall record.

You can look at it any way you want of course. 

 

But we likely can't lose more than 6 games and make the playoffs.  So a loss to the  Jets means we have spent 1/6 of the games we can afford to lose.  That seems like a steep price against a team that was 4-12 last year. 

[Forward Progress]

Realistically, there isn’t room for both the Jets and the Bills in the playoffs. Assuming the Patriots continue their reign of dominating the AFC East, it’s unlikely that both AFC wildcards come from the same division. The winner of this game is much better positioned than the other for a wildcard spot. 

 

The fanbase of the losing team of this game will be hurting after this game as both fan bases view this as a winnable game. 

[Orlando Tim]

the wins are equal the first two weeks but I try to keep expectations in check and know the first two games teams are still trying to work out kinks. but 2-0 teams that are 8 -6 the rest of way make the playoffs.

[TigerJ]

The thinking of some is that if you lose an early game you can make up for it by playing better and winning games later.  I suppose there could be something to that, but the first game of the season counts in the standings at the end of the season just as much as a December game.  Add to that the fact that it's a division game, and I think it's pretty important.  A few pundits think the Jets are a better team.  A win in the Meadowlands on the first game of the season send a message to thos pundits that they might want to rethink their preseason assessments.

[Rocket94]

12 minutes ago, TigerJ said:

The thinking of some is that if you lose an early game you can make up for it by playing better and winning games later.  I suppose there could be something to that, but the first game of the season counts in the standings at the end of the season just as much as a December game.  Add to that the fact that it's a division game, and I think it's pretty important.  A few pundits think the Jets are a better team.  A win in the Meadowlands on the first game of the season send a message to thos pundits that they might want to rethink their preseason assessments.

Right on, but who cares what the pundits think. A Bills victory would do wonders for their confidence. Beating a (so called better) division rival in their own back yard is a great way to start the season.

[Another Fan]

11 hours ago, corta765 said:

 

It wasn’t my F it moment but it was probably the hardest reality check I ever had as a Bills fan (being 31I don’t remember much of the early 90s for the bigger reality checks we had). If an NFL team ever wants a look at how quickly the goodwill from an exciting offseason can go away the 2012 Bills Jets disaster is pretty solid proof. Just about everyone jumped off that bus after the game.

 

I remember distinctly that virtually every national analyst had the Bills as one of the two WC teams thanks to Mario, Fitz play, CJs emergence, and a young team that added a lot of good talent like Gilmore and Dareus. Even Jerry Sullivan had them 10-6 in his preview and a playoff team.

 

The defeating feeling of watching that game and going from yea they definitely are a playoff team to dear god they’ll be lucky if they win 5 games was unnerving to this day. I had tickets to the home opener against KC the next week which I wanted to give away and would’ve had it not been for my wife who loves the Bills to an undying point who made us go.

 

The season was encapsulated 6 weeks later when they pissed away an easy win against the Titans before the bye which would’ve got them to 4-3 with a solid look at the playoffs still. Those Chan teams collapsed under the lightest pressure in 2011 & 2012 and the opener in 2012 pretty much defined that time period.

 

This opener reminds me far more of 2014 where we know the talent is there on the team and it’s a strong opponent that is a good measuring stick. 

Interesting that year the Patriots home game was week 4 and the Jets were the final game of the year.  Just like this year.  

 

Both years we were coming off 6-10 seasons the year prior with a lot of optimism for the upcoming year. 

 

As brutally horrible as that Jets game was that year, they did win the next two games and were up 21-7 against the Patriots at home in the 3rd quarter.  But I mean I think after the opener that year we all knew what would happen next 

 

 

[buffaloboyinATL]

1 hour ago, PlayoffsPlease said:

You can look at it any way you want of course. 

 

But we likely can't lose more than 6 games and make the playoffs.  So a loss to the  Jets means we have spent 1/6 of the games we can afford to lose.  That seems like a steep price against a team that was 4-12 last year. 

Sorry, I was actually just joking. In reality, I would love for us to win that game, because it would set a good tone for the season. Plus, I am sick of how the media is all over the Jets once again and I would like to see us take the shine off of them.

[SinceThe70s]

26 minutes ago, ScottLaw said:

It's def winnable.

 

It's too early a game to say must win or disappointing loss unless they got dominated and blown out, IMO.

 

Like I said, I expect the Jets to be a pretty decent team this year and for both teams to have similar records at seasons end so a close week 1 loss in their building wouldn't surprise me nor be a terrible loss.

 

If they lose to the Giants whom I think will be awful then it's another story... 

 

 

 

How would you feel if we blew out the Jets  but lost to the Giants? I've been led to believe that losing non-conference games increases our odds of making the playoffs.

 

On a more serious note, I agree that you can't call week 1 a must win game. I always look at week 1 as somewhat of a wild card.  For example, last year the Bucs shocked  the Saints 48-40 on the road week 1. Saints went on to win 13, Bucs managed 4 more.  

[nucci]

5 hours ago, High Football IQ said:

IMO this is almost a must win game as cliched as that sounds, but I'm very concerned we are going to see a repeat of last year's opener in Baltimore especially since this team has not been very good on the road under McD and also hasn't been very good against the division during his time here. In fact the last meaningful game between both teams we were destroyed and embarrassed in the TNF game a few years ago at the Jets.

 

Word on the street is that Darnold is looking like a STUD in jets camp and Gase is a much better coach than most realize. I'm starting to dread this game quite frankly.

How can you dread the opening game? We should all be excited. 

Edited August 7, 2019 by nucci