SI: Are The Bills Ready To Take The Division?

[Coach Tuesday]

Albert Breer’s MMQB

 

”This, of course, is a big year in Buffalo. Expectations are probably in a place they haven’t been since Jim Kelly retired. McDermott’s in his fourth year. GM Brandon Beane just wrapped up his third draft. Josh Allen and Tremaine Edmunds, still just 23 and 22, respectively, and the faces of the new Bills on each side of the ball, are headed into Year 3.

 

And that’s without even getting to what everyone in the rest of the football world wants to talk about: For the first time in forever, with Tom Brady now in the NFC South, it sure feels like the AFC East is up for grabs, and no one’s better positioned to take advantage than Buffalo.”

Edited May 11, 2020 by Coach Tuesday

[Punching Bag]

On the MMQB NFL Podcast Josh Allen is mentioned at 08:00 - They (him and Cam) are not intrinsically accurate but unlike other QBs they can push the ball to different parts of field others cannot do.

[SlimShady'sSpaceForce]

they are not alone.   I've posted some GMFB links indicating that they can.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[TC in St. Louis]

He said, "Fellas, thank you for urinalysis."  They're branching out due to the coronavirus.

 

[bigK14094]

Could win it, but, NEVER count out the Pats when Belicheck running the show.  McD is good, but, Bill B is proven all world.

[BillsFan4]

 

[dorquemada]

27 minutes ago, bigK14094 said:

Could win it, but, NEVER count out the Pats when Belicheck running the show.  McD is good, but, Bill B is proven all world.

 

The only way to get this 2 decade old albatross from around our necks is for the Bills to beat the Pats. And not just squeak by in the last minute, but a start to finish physical domination and win by 3+ scores

[starrymessenger]

Right now and on paper I project the Bills as slightly ahead of the Pats as favourites to take the AFCE title, but it's a close call. So much depends on how the respective QBs make out. Josh is clearly ahead of Stidham in terms of experience and development (as well as athleticism and arm strength), but he will be asked to do much more than Stidham and the Pats are very good at getting the best out of their Qbs through coaching and game planning. I see Stidham as potentially adequate this year and given his skillset comfortable running the Pats offence that Bill and Brady have turned to in the last couple of years. On the other hand if Josh is able to show good progression in his third year and make good use of the tools he has been given the odds swing strongly in the Bill's favour since he continues to flash a sky high ceiling. Raw talent is up there with Mahomes, Watson.

The whole division will likely be more competitive. Jets had a good draft and some of their FA signings could pan out. Flores looks to me like he could be a good head coach. Those teams are still a year or two away in terms of being consistently good but on any given Sunday they are perfectly capable of beating you. Nothing is given over the course of a season and sometimes things that you were counting on are taken away.

[T master]

The last hurdle is the Pats even with out Brady, BB is going to  have his team ready to play but given what the other teams in the division have done it's not going to be a cake walk just because TB 12 has left the division .

 

McD & Beane have given just about every thing a team could want to build a perennial play off caliber team between players and coaches it just all needs to come together at the right time .

[Flip Johnson]

I think the people who wonder if the AFCE is up for grabs are forgetting that it was absolutely up for grabs last year. The Bills came within a play or two of beating New England in Foxboro and would have won the division already.

 

In this upcoming seasons as the rosters now stand I don't think New England has a single positional grouping that is better than Buffalo. You could make the argument for offensive line, but I'm not sure I would buy it.

[Punching Bag]

10 minutes ago, Flip Johnson said:

I think the people who wonder if the AFCE is up for grabs are forgetting that it was absolutely up for grabs last year. The Bills came within a play or two of beating New England in Foxboro and would have won the division already.

 

In this upcoming seasons as the rosters now stand I don't think New England has a single positional grouping that is better than Buffalo. You could make the argument for offensive line, but I'm not sure I would buy it.

 

I'd argue they are if they continue to get the non-calls for holding they have gotten for years.

[LOVEMESOMEBILLS]

 

The Pats*** aren't winning the division this year or even coming close. They lost several key guys to the front 7 of their defense, a defense that carried last year's team. They have absolutely no talent on offense, lost the GOAT and replaced him with a QB that has 4 total passes in his career, one being a pick 6. I would be really surprised if they finish with a winning record. 

[Bferra13]

1 hour ago, BillsFan4 said:

 

Haha I like how they use the pic of McD lookin like hes either got man boobs or nipping out there something fierce in the cold.

[billsfan89]

It's division or bust honestly. The Fins and Jets are decent but nothing special. The Fins are a solid team who is mediocre at QB, the Jets are a mediocre team with a good but not yet great QB. The Pats are a well coached defensive machine but they have major issues at the QB position and other places on the offense. If there was ever a time for the Bills to expect 11+ wins and a division title it is this season. 

 

The Bills retain a strong top 5 defense, added to a solid special teams unit, and added a big weapon to the offense which should help it improve. To quote the Goonies, "It's our time."

[Happy]

Bills winning the AFCE should be expected.  If they do not win the AFCE, it will be an underperformance and various aspects of the organization need to be looked at closely.

[Pine Barrens Mafia]

3 minutes ago, Happy said:

Bills winning the AFCE should be expected.  If they do not win the AFCE, it will be an underperformance and various aspects of the organization need to be looked at closely.

[RiotAct]

5 minutes ago, Happy said:

Bills winning the AFCE should be expected.  If they do not win the AFCE, it will be an underperformance and various aspects of the organization need to be looked at closely.

depends on our record.  If we go 10-6 or 11-5 and still lose the division, I’m not going to be that upset.

[BillsFan4]

Quote

It’s been a veteran opening his home to a rookie and having him stay there so he could mentor his younger teammate, and, both guys hope, give him a head start on his career.

 

Anyone know what Bills players he’s referring to?

 

 

[Happy]

37 minutes ago, RiotAct said:

depends on our record.  If we go 10-6 or 11-5 and still lose the division, I’m not going to be that upset.

 

If another AFCE team is 12-4, then sure, I'll concede to your point.  This is not likely, though.

 

 

39 minutes ago, Joe in Winslow said:

 

I'll bet this picture is on your dresser mirror.

Edited May 11, 2020 by Happy

[FireChans]

1 hour ago, Joe in Winslow said:

You don’t think winning the division should be an expectation with our current roster? I bet the Bills brass disagree with you.

[Pine Barrens Mafia]

5 minutes ago, FireChans said:

You don’t think winning the division should be an expectation with our current roster? I bet the Bills brass disagree with you.

 

I'm fine with that part of it. Just not the "OR ELSE!!!1!!"

 

[BillsVet]

3 hours ago, bigK14094 said:

Could win it, but, NEVER count out the Pats when Belicheck running the show.  McD is good, but, Bill B is proven all world.

 

3 hours ago, dorquemada said:

The only way to get this 2 decade old albatross from around our necks is for the Bills to beat the Pats. And not just squeak by in the last minute, but a start to finish physical domination and win by 3+ scores

 

The roster is better, the QB is more experienced and they have continuity at the coordinator and HC.  Everything is aligned for Buffalo to beat their biggest adversary. 

 

Still, it should be noted that McD is 0-6 against BB and been out-scored by 85 points in those games.  He's gotta be better because most games are decided by one score or less. 

 

 

 

[FireChans]

5 minutes ago, Joe in Winslow said:

 

I'm fine with that part of it. Just not the "OR ELSE!!!1!!"

 

So if the Bills go 6-10 and miss the postseason, you would advocate NOT looking at some aspects of the team more closely?

 

I don’t think we should fire everyone, but I would be examining why we fell short and where we need to improve to get over the hump.

[Pine Barrens Mafia]

1 minute ago, FireChans said:

So if the Bills go 6-10 and miss the postseason, you would advocate NOT looking at some aspects of the team more closely?

 

I don’t think we should fire everyone, but I would be examining why we fell short and where we need to improve to get over the hump.

Correct. I think these guys have shown enough that we should have extended them this offseason. They're easily the most talented HC/GM combo we've had in town for the past 20 years, and tying their future to a year-by-year evaluation is short-sighted at best and utterly stupid at worst.

 

[Warcodered]

50 minutes ago, BillsFan4 said:

 

Anyone know what Bills players he’s referring to?

 

 

Maybe John Brown? Davis said he was going to go train with him for a little while.

[Johnnycage46]

3 hours ago, bigK14094 said:

Could win it, but, NEVER count out the Pats when Belicheck running the show.  McD is good, but, Bill B is proven all world.

 

While I won't argue against Belichik being a great coach, his "all world" status has only ever been with Brady.  In his head coaching career with the Browns and with the Pats without Brady playing (2000 and 2008), his winning percentage is 46.4%.  Not exactly all world.  The next couple of seasons without Brady will really tell a lot about who was responsible for their dynasty.  Maybe they both needed each other.

[ColoradoBills]

1 hour ago, Johnnycage46 said:

 

While I won't argue against Belichik being a great coach, his "all world" status has only ever been with Brady.  In his head coaching career with the Browns and with the Pats without Brady playing (2000 and 2008), his winning percentage is 46.4%.  Not exactly all world.  The next couple of seasons without Brady will really tell a lot about who was responsible for their dynasty.  Maybe they both needed each other.

 

FWIW Josh McDaniels record (OC/HC) without Brady on his team is 13-31.

Edited May 11, 2020 by ColoradoBills

[Mr. WEO]

1 hour ago, Johnnycage46 said:

 

While I won't argue against Belichik being a great coach, his "all world" status has only ever been with Brady.  In his head coaching career with the Browns and with the Pats without Brady playing (2000 and 2008), his winning percentage is 46.4%.  Not exactly all world.  The next couple of seasons without Brady will really tell a lot about who was responsible for their dynasty.  Maybe they both needed each other.

 

He took the. moribund Browns to their only 11 win season in 34 years and their only playoff win in the last 30 years.

 

Not "all world"?  Better toss Levi (.425 with the Chiefs) and heck, even Lombardi (.500 with the Skins) out of the HOF then.

[Johnnycage46]

9 minutes ago, Mr. WEO said:

 

He took the. moribund Browns to their only 11 win season in 34 years and their only playoff win in the last 30 years.

 

Not "all world"?  Better toss Levi (.425 with the Chiefs) and heck, even Lombardi (.500 with the Skins) out of the HOF then.

 

Done!  They're out of there!

 

I get it.  Belichik is great.  My only point is that there are a lot of variables to consider during the Pats dynasty especially the continuity between HC and QB.

 

I'll give you the Browns 11-5 team.  But that was a single season.  It just seems that there can't be a coincidence between Belichik's record once Brady arrived and before Brady arrived.

[thenorthremembers]

6 minutes ago, Johnnycage46 said:

 

Done!  They're out of there!

 

I get it.  Belichik is great.  My only point is that there are a lot of variables to consider during the Pats dynasty especially the continuity between HC and QB.

 

I'll give you the Browns 11-5 team.  But that was a single season.  It just seems that there can't be a coincidence between Belichik's record once Brady arrived and before Brady arrived.

Belichick's coaching win pct, including that 11-5 team before Brady was .460.   There is a reason Phil Jackson only coached teams with Michael, Kobe, and Shaq on them.   Belichick was a good coach in terms of game day readiness prior to Brady, but he wasnt great until Brady showed up.    It's the same reason Andy Reid hadnt won a title before Mahomes.

 

You're correct here.  Its not a coincidence. 

Edited May 11, 2020 by thenorthremembers

[ColoradoBills]

21 minutes ago, Mr. WEO said:

 

He took the. moribund Browns to their only 11 win season in 34 years and their only playoff win in the last 30 years.

 

Not "all world"?  Better toss Levi (.425 with the Chiefs) and heck, even Lombardi (.500 with the Skins) out of the HOF then.

 

I always thought he was doing good things in Cleveland.  That was decades ago and it seems to me he has a lot on his plate this year.

He ain't getting any younger himself.  I keep expecting him to promote his kid after a number of his assistants left this year.

He is going to have to rely on Josh McDamiels a lot this year and I always wondered how much of the Offense had TB's fingerprints on it.

 

A lot has changed in Beantown this past year!

[Mr. WEO]

3 minutes ago, Johnnycage46 said:

 

Done!  They're out of there!

 

I get it.  Belichik is great.  My only point is that there are a lot of variables to consider during the Pats dynasty especially the continuity between HC and QB.

 

I'll give you the Browns 11-5 team.  But that was a single season.  It just seems that there can't be a coincidence between Belichik's record once Brady arrived and before Brady arrived.

 

No, it's not. coincidence.  Bill Walsh was 6-18 with the Steve DeBerg led 49ers.  Levy without Kelly.  Dungy without Manning.

 

It's no coincidence nor a secret that some of the game's greatest coaches have been blessed with the greatest QBs.  The point is that it doesn't matter what BB does with whats' left of the NE team, as far as his place among the greats.  

[Punching Bag]

6 hours ago, bigK14094 said:

Could win it, but, NEVER count out the Pats when Belicheck running the show.  McD is good, but, Bill B is proven all world.

 

No one can cheat better than him and if he was so good he would not need to cheat.

[Mr. WEO]

15 minutes ago, thenorthremembers said:

Belichick's coaching win pct, including that 11-5 team before Brady was .460.   There is a reason Phil Jackson only coached teams with Michael, Kobe, and Shaq on them.   Belichick was a good coach in terms of game day readiness prior to Brady, but he wasnt great until Brady showed up.    It's the same reason Andy Reid hadnt won a title before Mahomes.

 

You're correct here.  Its not a coincidence. 

 

 

lol, not exactly.

[Johnnycage46]

14 minutes ago, Mr. WEO said:

 

No, it's not. coincidence.  Bill Walsh was 6-18 with the Steve DeBerg led 49ers.  Levy without Kelly.  Dungy without Manning.

 

It's no coincidence nor a secret that some of the game's greatest coaches have been blessed with the greatest QBs.  The point is that it doesn't matter what BB does with whats' left of the NE team, as far as his place among the greats.  

 

Right but the discussion was not about his place among the greats.  The original comment that I replied to was in regard to not counting the Pats out of the division race this year because Belichik is "all world".  So nobody is saying he doesn't have a legacy.  That was never mentioned by me.  I was merely stating that without Brady it hasn't been all roses for Bill and the Pats.  So without Brady this year, and with very weak QB play, I don't think the "all world" status of Belichik will matter.

Edited May 11, 2020 by Johnnycage46

[Mr. WEO]

9 minutes ago, Johnnycage46 said:

 

Right but the discussion was not about his place among the greats.  The original comment that I replied to was in regard to not counting the Pats out of the division race this year because Belichik is "all world".  So nobody is saying he doesn't have a legacy.  That was never mentioned by me.  I was merely stating that without Brady it hasn't been all roses for Bill and the Pats.  So without Brady this year, and with very weak QB play, I don't think the "all world" status of Belichik will matter.

 

No, it won't.

[thenorthremembers]

23 minutes ago, Mr. WEO said:

 

 

lol, not exactly.

So what is the reason then?  He never had the superior quarterback in the big game.  This year he did.

[Best Player Available]

The Bills are playing the Chiefs in the regular season. Which is great, since they should be meeting them again in the playoffs.

Winning the division,hasn't felt this close this century. 

[Mr. WEO]

18 minutes ago, thenorthremembers said:

So what is the reason then?  He never had the superior quarterback in the big game.  This year he did.

 

He had the best QB in the NFL in 2018.  Couldn't get out of the AFCC game with a win.

 

In Philly he had top 5 or top 10 offenses multiple times with McNabb and had 8 10 or more win seasons...and went 1 for 5 in conference championship games.

 

Reid wasn't suffering for lack of an adequate QB in all those years before he finally won a SB....

[Happy]

3 hours ago, Joe in Winslow said:

 

I'm fine with that part of it. Just not the "OR ELSE!!!1!!"

 

 

Here is a scenario:  Let's say the Bills go 9-7 and sneak into the playoffs as a WC team, then lose in the WC round.  Further, the Patriots won the division and we didn't beat them during the regular season.  This is a possible situation.  What should happen?  What would you do?