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The expectations of too many fans are out of whack


Max Fischer

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I’m disappointed the Bills lost but not upset and it’s because I believed the Bills had a good chance to win but did not “expect” a win.

 

I believe 6-7 weeks ago a great majority of fans would have very happy to have the Bills compete at an extremely high level against the Ravens and the Pats. They were in a position to tie each game in the last minute, our second year QB is clearly on the rise and despite the the disappointing day, the Defense will scare the crap out of upcoming playoff opponents. 

 

The last few weeks give me a great deal of confidence the Bills could beat the Texans and they have a good chance to beat the Patriots, Chiefs or Ravens in the second round. The Bills are far ahead of any reasonable expectation for this season and that’s why I feel pretty good. Hers to a week of rest and two weeks of preparation for the playoffs. 

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It's part of fandom.  The post-loss period of time is, by design, not rational or worthy of defending.  It's as "fanatic" as fans get.  Everything is wrong, life is bad, nothing will ever be good again.  

 

It lasts at least 12 hours. Depending on factors such as age, upbringing, longevity as a fan and genetic influences, it could go up to 24 hours, 1 week, or in some extreme cases, indefinitely.

 

We signed up for all of it.  And I embrace it.

 

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7 minutes ago, Max Fischer said:

I’m disappointed the Bills lost but not upset and it’s because I believed the Bills had a good chance to win but did not “expect” a win.

 

I believe 6-7 weeks ago a great majority of fans would have very happy to have the Bills compete at an extremely high level against the Ravens and the Pats. They were in a position to tie each game in the last minute, our second year QB is clearly on the rise and despite the the disappointing day, the Defense will scare the crap out of upcoming playoff opponents. 

 

The last few weeks give me a great deal of confidence the Bills could beat the Texans and they have a good chance to beat the Patriots, Chiefs or Ravens in the second round. The Bills are far ahead of any reasonable expectation for this season and that’s why I feel pretty good. Hers to a week of rest and two weeks of preparation for the playoffs. 


This was the same idea is a post that I wrote.  Some fans are acting like because the Bills didn’t win today that it’s a future predictor of their success in the playoffs.  It means nothing.

 

The Giants lost to the Patriots in Week 17 and then beat them in the Super Bowl.

 

Even old man Rex Ryan beat New England in the playoffs after losing TWICE in the regular season.

 

Its a new season once playoffs start, so fans need to stop crying and get ready for the Buffalo Stampede!!!!!!

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I posted in another thread that the way the Bills were playing I was hoping that we were a year ahead of schedule. I have been a fan for 40+ years and I have never expected the Bills to lose. I swear just as loud when they fail as I cheer when they win. Its part of the "fun" of being entertained. there are good/bad plays every game, every quarter, every series. Its called perspective. Our goal was to get to the playoffs this year. Or was it just to be better than the 6-10 record we had a year ago? making the Patriots sweat for the division was a HUGE bonus. That because of the experience our team is better off for. We are building for a very bright future. I plan on enjoying the same roller coaster ride next season as we have had this season. Because YES I am entertained!

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Im Mostly disappointed because every team in the NFL gets their “signature” win against the Pats.  This year the Ravens, Chiefs and Texans all got em. But Buffalo can never beat Brady and Belichek’s defenses have owned Buffalo since Super Bowl 25.  Just tired of it.

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I didn’t expect a win either. I thought they had a good chance to pull it off.

 

The disappointing part is how they lost. The D was horrible. They got run over, run around and passed on with ease. They couldn’t stop one of the worst offenses in the league all game. They didn’t blitz an offense that has struggled with the blitz most of the year.

 

The strength of the team was exposed. That’s disturbing heading into the playoffs. 

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11 minutes ago, Success said:

It's part of fandom.  The post-loss period of time is, by design, not rational or worthy of defending.  It's as "fanatic" as fans get.  Everything is wrong, life is bad, nothing will ever be good again.  

 

It lasts at least 12 hours. Depending on factors such as age, upbringing, longevity as a fan and genetic influences, it could go up to 24 hours, 1 week, or in some extreme cases, indefinitely.

 

We signed up for all of it.  And I embrace it.

 


that’s true.
 

After a loss, Stage 1 is extreme and irrational anger. Stage 2 is sadness and frustration. Stage 3 is constructive dialogue. Stage 4 is rational thinking. By next weekend, most everyone on here will be relatively sane (and those that aren’t, have other mental problems!).

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Just now, MDH said:

I didn’t expect a win either. I thought they had a good chance to pull it off.

 

The disappointing part is how they lost. The D was horrible. They got run over, run around and passed on with ease. They couldn’t stop one of the worst offenses in the league all game. They didn’t blitz an offense that has struggled with the blitz most of the year.

 

The strength of the team was exposed. That’s disturbing heading into the playoffs. 

Defense was on the field wayyyyyyyyyyyyy too long they were toast by the 4th quarter.

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Just now, MDH said:

I didn’t expect a win either. I thought they had a good chance to pull it off.

 

The disappointing part is how they lost. The D was horrible. They got run over, run around and passed on with ease. They couldn’t stop one of the worst offenses in the league all game. They didn’t blitz an offense that has struggled with the blitz most of the year.

 

The strength of the team was exposed. That’s disturbing heading into the playoffs. 


they have earned a wild card spot, a huge accomplishment after the last 20 years

 

maybe pull off an upset....

 

 

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1 minute ago, stryker5673 said:

I don't want more moral victories. I want a championship. A great team beats New England. We're good, but not great. 

They’re not yet great. Today’s result shouldn’t be that surprising. Doesn’t mean they can’t win a game or two in the playoffs , even if they see NE again. 

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Two things

 

I bet if fans were told they would have 10 wins at this point in the year at the beginning of the season....they totally would have taken

 

This team is STILL not a finished product.....this is year 1 after a massive rebiuld.....the fact that we are doing this well with the offense playing so poorly is great

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Just now, JR in Pittsburgh said:


that’s true.
 

After a loss, Stage 1 is extreme and irrational anger. Stage 2 is sadness and frustration. Stage 3 is constructive dialogue. Stage 4 is rational thinking. By next weekend, most everyone on here will be relatively sane (and those that aren’t, have other mental problems!).


Stage 5 is rationalizing things to make one feel better about things.

 

You’ve done a great job of getting to stage 5 this quickly!

 

I kid, but rationalizing crap play has been a staple of this fan base for 20 years.  

2 minutes ago, Azucho98 said:

Defense was on the field wayyyyyyyyyyyyy too long they were toast by the 4th quarter.


Yeah, they should have gotten off the field more by stopping the Pat’s O and forcing punts.

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5 minutes ago, stryker5673 said:

I don't want more moral victories. I want a championship. A great team beats New England. We're good, but not great. 

 

This is true, right now the Bills are good and not great. But the last several weeks have given me hope they have the tools to become great. Which is pretty great. 

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3 minutes ago, row_33 said:


they have earned a wild card spot, a huge accomplishment after the last 20 years

 

maybe pull off an upset....

 

 

Yeah, I’m excited about the playoff birth but I think that Brady has one regular season game left with the Pats. I wanted to beat that team in their place before he left. 
 

Maybe I’m wrong and he stays and we get another shot but I have my doubts.

 

And yeah, I realize it sounds weird that I’m hoping Brady plays another year but I want to beat him not just wait until he goes away.

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2 minutes ago, Virgil said:

Yeah, who wouldn’t want to go 0-2 against the team that’s owned you for 20+ years?

 

This isn’t about pre-season expectations.  It’s about beating them 


What are the Bills gonna do about it?

 

wait until Brady retires and pray the Pats slip without him?  Or that all the other teams won’t try to improve as well?

 

 

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Just now, Virgil said:

Yeah, who wouldn’t want to go 0-2 against the team that’s owned you for 20+ years?

 

This isn’t about pre-season expectations.  It’s about beating them 

 

The team has surpassed my preseason expectations. It’s nice that it’s now reasonable to expect at least one playoff win and competing in the second round. 

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It's just that the Pats bring out so much frustration in this fan base.  What if instead of NE we lost on the road in the exact same way to SF, GB or NO today?  I bet we would feel a whole lot different.

 

This year it's about winning that first playoff game in over 20 years.  Next year it will about burying the Pats and winning the division.

 

 

 

 

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17 minutes ago, AlCowlingsTaxiService said:

Expectations do change over the course of a season. That’s OK you know. 


Yeah but expectations also have to be grounded in reality 

1 minute ago, CincyBillsFan said:

It's just that the Pats bring out so much frustration in this fan base.  What if instead of NE we lost on the road in the exact same way to SF, GB or NO today?  I bet we would feel a whole lot different.

 

This year it's about winning that first playoff game in over 20 years.  Next year it will about burying the Pats and winning the division.

 

 

 

 


Well said, and I referenced this in my thread too.  I think this loss was more about building confidence in the fans than building confidence in the players.  
 

That’s why I have no doubt that once the playoffs begin, this game is already out of our players minds 

9 minutes ago, MDH said:

Yeah, I’m excited about the playoff birth but I think that Brady has one regular season game left with the Pats. I wanted to beat that team in their place before he left. 
 

Maybe I’m wrong and he stays and we get another shot but I have my doubts.

 

And yeah, I realize it sounds weird that I’m hoping Brady plays another year but I want to beat him not just wait until he goes away.


Is 1 win really going to matter though?  He’s dominated all of the AFCE.  Who cares about “1 last win?”

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3 minutes ago, Phil The Thrill said:


Is 1 win really going to matter though?  He’s dominated all of the AFCE.  Who cares about “1 last win?”


I do. I’m going to assume that if I do then other Bills’ fans feel the same.

 

If some others don’t that’s fine, but I’d like to send Brady limping into retirement having lost his last game to the Bills in a big spot.

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Just now, Phil The Thrill said:


Yeah but expectations also have to be grounded in reality 

It's just hard to take when they still look better than we do in all departments. 

 

I know Allen made some plays but I tell you what concerns me -

 

With all the throws that are missed, I'm starting to think you put brees, mahomes, Rogers, brady (hate to say it) on this team.. We are then Better than the patriots. 

 

This is what makes me anxious, that we are close. 

 

All the talk of the defence,. we were still holding them to some field goals. 

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22 minutes ago, Azucho98 said:

Defense was on the field wayyyyyyyyyyyyy too long they were toast by the 4th quarter.

 

So what's their reason in the 1st and 2nd Q?

 

TOP was something like Pats 21:16 Buffalo 8:43 in the 1st half

Slightly more equitable 17:36 to 12:25 in the 2nd half

 

If you don't want to get gassed, don't give up a 7:26 and a 8:58 minute drive to the opponent in the 1st half

 

 

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Just now, london_bills said:

It's just hard to take when they still look better than we do in all departments. 

 

I know Allen made some plays but I tell you what concerns me -

 

With all the throws that are missed, I'm starting to think you put brees, mahomes, Rogers, brady (hate to say it) on this team.. We are then Better than the patriots. 

 

This is what makes me anxious, that we are close. 

 

All the talk of the defence,. we were still holding them to some field goals. 


This is a very good point and one that a lot of fans don’t want to acknowledge.  Allen does need to be better - he can’t miss Dawson Knox in the endzone at the end of the game.  
 

The Bills organization is better that he will continue to improve,m.  Only time will tell but I do think that with better QB play this is a different team

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Just now, Phil The Thrill said:


This is a very good point and one that a lot of fans don’t want to acknowledge.  Allen does need to be better - he can’t miss Dawson Knox in the endzone at the end of the game.  
 

The Bills organization is better that he will continue to improve,m.  Only time will tell but I do think that with better QB play this is a different team

Might even be the superbowl with these QBs. 

 

So frustrating 

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After last year’s disaster, pretty much every Bills fan should be ecstatic we are in the playoffs this year.
 

This team is young, they have a bunch of new personnel this year, tons of salary cap room and plenty of draft picks going forward.  They have/will play meaningful games down the stretch here against quality teams that will prove as invaluable experience.  
 

The window is the next two years before they have to extend Josh and Josh needs to start hitting more open receivers to get the offense moving on a consistent basis.

 

Regardless of how far we go in the playoffs, you don’t think the two loses to the Pats will drive these guys to get better over the spring/summer coming into 2020?

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is it to much to expect that by the end of the year we wrap up and make good tackles?  how about not running the same delayed hand off 75% of every first down?  

How about looking at what we did in week 4 with great results and repeating that on D.   If we can pressure Jackson we can pressure tom but we didnt even try.   

 

I expect us to capitalize on the things we can do well and we didnt do that today.  

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Just now, Mc1320 said:

After last year’s disaster, pretty much every Bills fan should be ecstatic we are in the playoffs this year.
 

This team is young, they have a bunch of new personnel this year, tons of salary cap room and plenty of draft picks going forward.  They have/will play meaningful games down the stretch here against quality teams that will prove as invaluable experience.  
 

The window is the next two years before they have to extend Josh and Josh needs to start hitting more open receivers to get the offense moving on a consistent basis.

 

Regardless of how far we go in the playoffs, you don’t think the two loses to the Pats will drive these guys to get better over the spring/summer coming into 2020?


Probably not but In the scenario you mentioned, let’s hope it does

1 minute ago, Comebackkid said:

is it to much to expect that by the end of the year we wrap up and make good tackles?  how about not running the same delayed hand off 75% of every first down?  

How about looking at what we did in week 4 with great results and repeating that on D.   If we can pressure Jackson we can pressure tom but we didnt even try.   

 

I expect us to capitalize on the things we can do well and we didnt do that today.  


Sure but that isn’t how the NFL works.  Teams go up and down given the matchup and different circumstances of the games.  Today was a little step down but not as bad as some are making it out to be.  

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45 minutes ago, Max Fischer said:

I’m disappointed the Bills lost but not upset and it’s because I believed the Bills had a good chance to win but did not “expect” a win.

 

I believe 6-7 weeks ago a great majority of fans would have very happy to have the Bills compete at an extremely high level against the Ravens and the Pats. They were in a position to tie each game in the last minute, our second year QB is clearly on the rise and despite the the disappointing day, the Defense will scare the crap out of upcoming playoff opponents. 

 

The last few weeks give me a great deal of confidence the Bills could beat the Texans and they have a good chance to beat the Patriots, Chiefs or Ravens in the second round. The Bills are far ahead of any reasonable expectation for this season and that’s why I feel pretty good. Hers to a week of rest and two weeks of preparation for the playoffs. 

No more moral victories, they have proven to be able to hang and win with the better teams. Time to win games!

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