I’m just going to come out and say it - this is the year

[LSHMEAB]

4 hours ago, reddogblitz said:

 

I don't know.  If Trent Dilfer can win a SB with a monster D, why can't Josh?

 

I think the league has changed a little too much and I don't think our D is at the same level as that Baltimore D. But who knows? I'll take a Bills Superbowl any day, even if YOU'RE playing QB.

 

Dilfer also didn't turn the ball over much and was a perfect game manager. They're just not gonna ask that of Allen, even if it may be beneficial in the short term. They're gonna let him sink or swim by taking chances. In the long run, that'll be good in the sense that we'll know if we have right guy or not.

[Thurman#1]

On 10/11/2019 at 1:47 AM, Wayne Arnold said:

This team has what it takes to win 13 games and make a serious run at the AFC Championship.

 

I’m no homer. Trust me. That said - it’s time we stop being afraid of believing in this team. This isn’t 2004 or 2008 or 2011. 

 

It’s also time we stop thinking that progress is linear and we aren’t ready yet. Three reasons why 12 wins should be the minimum expectation for this team:

 

1. The schedule is as easy as it’s going to ever be. Easiest schedule in the NFL going forward. You have to take advantage of that. 

 

2. The defense is dominant. Third year in this system, they have arrived. Edmunds is on the verge of becoming a perennial All-Pro. Best safety tandem in football. A shut-down corner. And DEPTH. There is no reason for this team to not impose their will on each of the 11 offenses they will face moving forward.

 

3. The offense is better than they have showed. They aren’t scoring enough points yet. They’re turning it over too much. But they’re moving the ball (12th in total offense). Allen is only going to get better. The brand new pieces should improve as the season goes along. We have seen this offense at its worst - and we have won 4 out of 5 (possibly 5 out of 5 if our QB hadn’t gotten concussed).

 

No excuses. 12 wins minimum. 

 

 

You're a homer, you're unrealistic in looking at this offense and STs unit and the schedule late in the year and saying this.

 

Some people love to spend the offseason kvetching and moaning. Expecting 12 wins minimum will be an excellent way to virtually guarantee that you have that chance and that everyone around you knows you're both irritating and nuts. 12 wins would be spectacular but is still highly unlikely. This season from minute one looked like we had an easy first half and a brutal second half, and that hasn't changed.

 

This is a young team, still coming together. If Allen had developed faster, this might not have been such a completely wacked out position. But he didn't and it is.

 

Expect improvement. We've seen it and it should continue, barring serious injuries.

 

[LSHMEAB]

5 hours ago, Happy Gilmore said:

 

The 2000 Raven's D was probably a little better than ours right now.  We have a very good D, but still a good DE (and probably DT, Star has to do more than eat space) away from that equivalent.  Trent Dilfer was a more mature QB than Josh is at this point.  Dilfer was a game manager who did not make mistakes, Josh will never be that and makes too many dumb mistakes at this time in his career.

 

It would be nice to go to the SB this year, but I think it is probably too soon to expect that.

I basically stole your post, but it wasn't intentional!

[Happy]

Just now, LSHMEAB said:

I basically stole your post, but it wasn't intentional!

 

All good!  Great minds think alike ?  Seriously, I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks we're still a little ways off on offense and defense; more so offense.  One aspect that isn't being discussed is special teams.  Is it me or does it seem like Danny Crossman is still the coordinator?

 

[Bmbchiefs66]

Pipe dreams. 

[Thurman#1]

6 hours ago, reddogblitz said:

 

I don't know.  If Trent Dilfer can win a SB with a monster D, why can't Josh?

 

 

 

Was Dilfer a 2nd year man when he won that SB? Was he a gunslinger?

 

More, Dilfer's 2000 Ravens had the 2nd ranked STs unit in the league that year, according to DVOA. Think the Bills end up near there this year? They had everything except that passing offense absolutely maximized.

 

I think Josh can maybe do some real damage down the road, with luck and circumstance, assuming his development keeps going well over the next year or three (which is an awful lot to assume, but go with me for a minute). Just not yet.

 

 

 

Edited October 12, 2019 by Thurman#1

[Bmbchiefs66]

On 10/10/2019 at 5:28 PM, Hebert19 said:

Issue is the league will not be this up for grabs next year.   We can beat the elite teams this year.   With even average play from allen we beat the Pat's 2 games ago and no one else really scares me...including the chiefs. 

 

No you dont. Pats where not losing that game no matter how bad there offense looked. 

[Talley56]

It's nice to be doing so well right now especially when you consider that today was the 10 year anniversary of this gem:

 

 

 

[DuckyBoys]

You guys saying Dilfer was a game manager have short memories.  Trent Dilfer was extra horrendous that season.  136 yards per game, threw a int once per 20 passes attempted. They did everything in their power not have him throw That D only gave up 10 pts a game

[The Dean]

10 minutes ago, DuckyBoys said:

You guys saying Dilfer was a game manager have short memories.  Trent Dilfer was extra horrendous that season.  136 yards per game, threw a int once per 20 passes attempted. They did everything in their power not have him throw That D only gave up 10 pts a game

 

 Indeed.

 

But just like there are good gunslingers and bad gunslingers, there are good game managers (skilled in some things) and Trent Dilfer game managers (hand the ball of, Trent).

[dous21]

On 10/10/2019 at 12:52 PM, Another Fan said:

Gotta hope everybody still says healthy but agree with the OP.  Hopefully there not gonna be happy winning 9 games and sneaking into the playoffs 

 

well we can't win the division unless the patriots collapse. there might not be a difference between winning 9-10 games or winning 12 games. 

[Real McClappy]

Been saying it for awhile, just win the damn division.  It can happen now! 

 

Without reading all the pages or comments it's all on Allen not turning the ball over. Daboll has to stop passing 75% of the time and take pressure of Allen so that can happen. The O-line run block great = use Gore and Devin more.....   The D is already ready for a SB victory IMO. We need a Offense that can pop 21-28pts a game every week against any opponent. 

 

Let's go!!!

[DuckyBoys]

the offense will get better  They have been moving the ball.  Need to some short field opportunities, get the turnovers down and maybe let hauscka kick  Is it me or does McDermott not trust the kicker   He sure has passed up quite a few field goals  In 2017 he was happy to trot out house money anytime we breached  the 45 yard line

[BADOLBILZ]

8 hours ago, Happy Gilmore said:

 

The 2000 Raven's D was probably a little better than ours right now.  We have a very good D, but still a good DE (and probably DT, Star has to do more than eat space) away from that equivalent.  Trent Dilfer was a more mature QB than Josh is at this point.  Dilfer was a game manager who did not make mistakes, Josh will never be that and makes too many dumb mistakes at this time in his career.

 

It would be nice to go to the SB this year, but I think it is probably too soon to expect that.

 

 

I think the point of the OP is that they don't have to be near some kind of peak as a team.............they have an easy schedule and a very good defense and the AFC(and NFL on the whole) is full of flawed teams...........the Bills could have a better team 2 seasons from now and get taken down by a tough schedule..........or a dominant team could emerge.

 

The point about improvement not being linear is basically lost on this board where many members haven't really followed the NFL itself closely since the 90's and still remember the days of teams having to earn their dues with multiple playoff trips to reach a SB.    Just two years ago the Eagles won the SB a season after having a losing record the season before.   The Rams were only 2 seasons removed from being terrible under Jeff Fisher when they made the SB under McVay.   

Edited October 12, 2019 by BADOLBILZ

[WhickedWilliams]

Hope so.... 3k on Buf to win SB....  some say idiot, some say wow.

 

240 big ones 

Edited October 12, 2019 by WhickedWilliams

[Big Turk]

On 10/10/2019 at 12:47 PM, Wayne Arnold said:

This team has what it takes to win 13 games and make a serious run at the AFC Championship.

 

I’m no homer. Trust me. That said - it’s time we stop being afraid of believing in this team. This isn’t 2004 or 2008 or 2011. 

 

It’s also time we stop thinking that progress is linear and we aren’t ready yet. Three reasons why 12 wins should be the minimum expectation for this team:

 

1. The schedule is as easy as it’s going to ever be. Easiest schedule in the NFL going forward. You have to take advantage of that. 

 

2. The defense is dominant. Third year in this system, they have arrived. Edmunds is on the verge of becoming a perennial All-Pro. Best safety tandem in football. A shut-down corner. And DEPTH. There is no reason for this team to not impose their will on each of the 11 offenses they will face moving forward.

 

3. The offense is better than they have showed. They aren’t scoring enough points yet. They’re turning it over too much. But they’re moving the ball (12th in total offense). Allen is only going to get better. The brand new pieces should improve as the season goes along. We have seen this offense at its worst - and we have won 4 out of 5 (possibly 5 out of 5 if our QB hadn’t gotten concussed).

 

No excuses. 12 wins minimum. 

Might be 2 shutdown corners...Wallace is allowing virtually nothing on the other side either...

[GreggTX]

I can see us winning 10 or even 11 games along with getting to the 2nd round, but Allen still has a LONG way to go. The OL is still a work in progress as is the WR corps and the TE's. On D, we're solid, but CB and DE could use a boost.

[Deadstroke]

On 10/10/2019 at 3:14 PM, CLTbills said:

Yeah... if they can get the offense to 21-24 ppg, I don’t know how we possibly lose a game. 

 

Yes, I know we’re not going to go 15-1 but... the point is, we will absolutely b in every single game with a shot to win. 

 

There will be no blowouts against this squad.

I hope this is not famous last words.

[EasternOHBillsFan]

We need Robert Foster back and our line/TEs/RB block better against the blitz. The magic that Josh had to open the field up last year has fizzled as of late now that Brown is being well covered. Foster is another home run guy that makes our WRs even more potent.

[reddogblitz]

17 hours ago, DuckyBoys said:

You guys saying Dilfer was a game manager have short memories.  Trent Dilfer was extra horrendous that season.  136 yards per game, threw a int once per 20 passes attempted. They did everything in their power not have him throw That D only gave up 10 pts a game

 

our D gives up only 14  per game.  2nd lowest n AFC.  The Cheats score 32 points per game but only got 1/2 that against us. Don't sell ourselves short.

 

I also would not be so sure that Coach McDermott won t tell Daboll to protect the football more and take less chances.  O in Titans game looked more ball control oriented to me. And it's smart.

 

We're set up to make some serious noise this year.  We must take advantage.  Every year is different.

Edited October 12, 2019 by reddogblitz

[Happy]

16 hours ago, BADOLBILZ said:

 

 

I think the point of the OP is that they don't have to be near some kind of peak as a team.............they have an easy schedule and a very good defense and the AFC(and NFL on the whole) is full of flawed teams...........the Bills could have a better team 2 seasons from now and get taken down by a tough schedule..........or a dominant team could emerge.

 

The point about improvement not being linear is basically lost on this board where many members haven't really followed the NFL itself closely since the 90's and still remember the days of teams having to earn their dues with multiple playoff trips to reach a SB.    Just two years ago the Eagles won the SB a season after having a losing record the season before.   The Rams were only 2 seasons removed from being terrible under Jeff Fisher when they made the SB under McVay.   

 

I don't think the team has to peak or earn their dues, so we are in agreement there.  I do think there are a couple of pieces missing (another DE and DT for sure, possibly OT, possibly WR1), and some that are currently present and need further development (Josh).  I don't think we're far off, the team needs to gel a bit more, especially on offense.  Can this team beat KC as it is right now?  Not out of the question, but not an automatic either.

 

I hear you with the timing thing with regards to schedule; unfortunately that can't be controlled.  They'll be ready when they're ready.  That said, the NFC West looks to be a monster next year.  No clear powerhouse this year so far in the league as a whole.

Edited October 12, 2019 by Happy Gilmore

[billsredneck1]

20 hours ago, Happy Gilmore said:

 

All good!  Great minds think alike ?  Seriously, I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks we're still a little ways off on offense and defense; more so offense.  One aspect that isn't being discussed is special teams.  Is it me or does it seem like Danny Crossman is still the coordinator?

 

i wanna give heath a chance. are we worse without crossman? would we have gotten better if he'd had stayed? i'm voting no. i like farwell...

.AND I LIKE CHAD HALL TOO MOMMA!... AND HE LIKES ME BACK!....AND HE SHOWED ME HIS DUKE!....AND I LIKE HIM TOO!....ok that might be kinda stupid. i'm bored.

[Buffalo03]

I actually think Vegas's prediction of 6.5 wins for this team was actually kind of ignorant. They didn't look at the bigger picture. They just basically looked at it like "oh, the Bills, 6 wins". I get it based on past experience but it was clear to see with the talent they brought on and the schedule that this was at least a 9 win team. They're gonna lose some money on that and I love it

Edited October 13, 2019 by Buffalo03

[F.W. Cyclone]

On 10/10/2019 at 12:47 PM, Wayne Arnold said:

This team has what it takes to win 13 games and make a serious run at the AFC Championship.

 

I’m no homer. Trust me. That said - it’s time we stop being afraid of believing in this team. This isn’t 2004 or 2008 or 2011. 

 

It’s also time we stop thinking that progress is linear and we aren’t ready yet. Three reasons why 12 wins should be the minimum expectation for this team:

 

1. The schedule is as easy as it’s going to ever be. Easiest schedule in the NFL going forward. You have to take advantage of that. 

 

2. The defense is dominant. Third year in this system, they have arrived. Edmunds is on the verge of becoming a perennial All-Pro. Best safety tandem in football. A shut-down corner. And DEPTH. There is no reason for this team to not impose their will on each of the 11 offenses they will face moving forward.

 

3. The offense is better than they have showed. They aren’t scoring enough points yet. They’re turning it over too much. But they’re moving the ball (12th in total offense). Allen is only going to get better. The brand new pieces should improve as the season goes along. We have seen this offense at its worst - and we have won 4 out of 5 (possibly 5 out of 5 if our QB hadn’t gotten concussed).

 

No excuses. 12 wins minimum. 

GO! BILLS!

[LABILLBACKER]

On 10/10/2019 at 9:50 AM, Happy Gilmore said:

 

I think this will be the key to 12 wins.  Josh and the offense has to get better and not make stupid passes which get picked off.  It will also help having a healthy Singletary.

Having Duke and a healthy Devin will help the offense. Josh has to really ramp up intelligent decisions and generate long time consuming drives. Keep the defense rested. 11-13 wins are very realistic with a 5-1 start. Don't take Miami lightly.....

[Wayne Arnold]

On 10/11/2019 at 9:45 PM, Thurman#1 said:

 

 

You're a homer, you're unrealistic in looking at this offense and STs unit and the schedule late in the year and saying this.

 

Some people love to spend the offseason kvetching and moaning. Expecting 12 wins minimum will be an excellent way to virtually guarantee that you have that chance and that everyone around you knows you're both irritating and nuts. 12 wins would be spectacular but is still highly unlikely. This season from minute one looked like we had an easy first half and a brutal second half, and that hasn't changed.

 

This is a young team, still coming together. If Allen had developed faster, this might not have been such a completely wacked out position. But he didn't and it is.

 

Expect improvement. We've seen it and it should continue, barring serious injuries.

 

 

Brutal second half? We have the easiest schedule remaining in the entire league. The second half isn't too hard to win 5 of 8.

 

This isn't a young team, although it is "coming together" but that doesn't mean they're required to lose 7 or 8 games.

 

Stop treating this franchise with kid gloves. This staff and quarterback are either good enough or they aren't. If they can't put it together this season with this relatively creampuff schedule then chances are overwhelming that they never will. End of story.

[GunnerBill]

3 minutes ago, Wayne Arnold said:

 

Brutal second half? We have the easiest schedule remaining in the entire league. The second half isn't too hard to win 5 of 8.

 

This isn't a young team, although it is "coming together" but that doesn't mean they're required to lose 7 or 8 games.

 

Stop treating this franchise with kid gloves. This staff and quarterback are either good enough or they aren't. If they can't put it together this season with this relatively creampuff schedule then chances are overwhelming that they never will. End of story.

 

I started the season saying 10-6. I think that is now the floor. This team should be winning 11 games minimum. It has a chance to win 12 or even 13. 

[Wayne Arnold]

8 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

I started the season saying 10-6. I think that is now the floor. This team should be winning 11 games minimum. It has a chance to win 12 or even 13. 

 

The time is now.

 

The fans here pussyfooting around the thought of being a legit playoff team in 2019 are either too scared to get hurt or have an agenda.

[GunnerBill]

21 minutes ago, Wayne Arnold said:

 

The time is now.

 

The fans here pussyfooting around the thought of being a legit playoff team in 2019 are either too scared to get hurt or have an agenda.

 

Yea. I am not expecting them to win a Superbowl but they should have one of the best 3 or 4 records in the AFC and they have a real shot, even if they end up as the #5 seed, of winning a playoff game because the #4 seed is likely the AFCN winner who will not be great. 

[Mr. SpacePuppy]

On 10/12/2019 at 11:04 AM, EasternOHBillsFan said:

We need Robert Foster back and our line/TEs/RB block better against the blitz. The magic that Josh had to open the field up last year has fizzled as of late now that Brown is being well covered. Foster is another home run guy that makes our WRs even more potent.

Yeah like that’s going to help....how many long balls has Allen connected on this season? Zero. They’ve all been inaccurate throws, mostly too long. 

[The Dean]

2 minutes ago, Mr. SpacePuppy said:

Yeah like that’s going to help....how many long balls has Allen connected on this season? Zero. They’ve all been inaccurate throws, mostly too long. 

 

True. But last year he had a real connection with Foster on the long pass. 

 

IMO the long pass is the least of my concerns about Josh. He's been concentrating on getting the midrange accuracy down and done quite well. Better than a lot of folks here thought he would do.

[london_bills]

On 10/12/2019 at 7:54 AM, matter2003 said:

Might be 2 shutdown corners...Wallace is allowing virtually nothing on the other side either...

Just seen that GMF show predicts a bills patriots AFC championship game!

[Rocket94]

I predicted that the Bills would win 8 or 9 games. I don't think anyone expected the Bills to be on the fast track for 10+ wins. They are suddenly ahead of schedule. 

[Mr. SpacePuppy]

5 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

 

I started the season saying 10-6. I think that is now the floor. This team should be winning 11 games minimum. It has a chance to win 12 or even 13. 

 

5 hours ago, Wayne Arnold said:

 

The time is now.

 

The fans here pussyfooting around the thought of being a legit playoff team in 2019 are either too scared to get hurt or have an agenda.

 

LOL! Zero double digit wins since 1999.....20 years.  I'm playing the odds on this one. 8-8.  Ill be ready with my bucket at the end of the season, I want to taste all of your sweet salty tears after another Bills implosion.  I swear, some of you have been Bills fans for like 5 minutes.

[london_bills]

11 hours ago, Wayne Arnold said:

 

The time is now.

 

The fans here pussyfooting around the thought of being a legit playoff team in 2019 are either too scared to get hurt or have an agenda.

Or are remaining skeptical until they see the bills beat a good team. 

[Pine Barrens Mafia]

7 minutes ago, london_bills said:

Or are remaining skeptical until they see the bills beat a good team. 

 

Whipped dog syndrome.

 

[london_bills]

5 minutes ago, Joe in Winslow said:

 

Whipped dog syndrome.

 

Joe, a 4-1 record is great and you can only beat the teams in front of you.

 

The jest, giants, Bengals and titans were all good wins, with INCREDIBLE defensive play.

The patriots was an uncomfortable loss.

 

 

The jest, giants, Bengals, titans are not particularly good teams. Under McDermott the bills have done a good job of beating the teams they should beat.

 

I'm sure you would agree that the ravens, eagles, cowboys are a bigger test as is seeing how they deal with a winning record.

 

How do the bills deal with being favourites in games? Let's see but great start.

 

Go bills

 

 

[Pine Barrens Mafia]

Just now, london_bills said:

I'm sure you would agree that the ravens, eagles, cowboys are a bigger test as is seeing how they deal with a winning record.

The only one of those teams with a winning record are the ravens, and they're just not that good, buddy.

 

Eagles? I live in the Philadelphia area, see a lot of them. They're trash. Cowboys? You DID just see them lose in horrible fashion, yes?

 

Be a whipped dog, if you want. I won't.

 

[transplantbillsfan]

Yes.

 

It might be.

 

The Bills are one of the 5 best teams in the NFL right now and if Allen keeps learning and improving, we have a legitimate shot this year to hoist the Lombardi in February.

 

Playoffs should be an expectation at this point.

[SlimShady'sSpaceForce]

 a legitimate shot ???  to hoist the Lombardi???   

 

LOL.  

 

7 minutes ago, Joe in Winslow said:

The only one of those teams with a winning record are the ravens, and they're just not that good, buddy.

 

Eagles? I live in the Philadelphia area, see a lot of them. They're trash. Cowboys? You DID just see them lose in horrible fashion, yes?

 

Be a whipped dog, if you want. I won't.

 

 

I was on DTV  ch 702 watching 8 games at once.  As I was sliding to audio about, I caught some idiot say this after Lamar threw a pass... LJ doing what he does best???

 

Maybe I missed the whole conversation ....  but I think I recalled that correctly