Three Most Likely Outcomes For The Next 4 Game Stretch

[thurst44]

4 hours ago, A Firm Tree Does Not Fear said:

don't see them beating seattle and you would normally check the pats game as a loss but they may have a small chance in winning that game. arizona is a toss up and will depend on what defense shows up, that really speaks for all four games. the jets game and automatic win? not in this league.

 

I'm going to give them the jets, the other three, at his point, I wont mark as a W.

 

1-3

 

I know that tends to bother some of the fans wearing blinders and there are quite a few out there who have believed this team was winning 12 games and making the post season before the season started and have yet to change that outlook based off the hot start. but the last two games should of even brought some of them back down to reality.

I'd say the fans wearing blinders are the ones who are hopelessly negative and won't acknowlege that football is a fluid game of peaks and dropoffs. Things can change in a hurry. In 2017, we were annihilated in three games in a row, yet were able to revive and sneak into the playoffs. After we started 0-2 in 2018, everyone wrote off the team and the defense as historically bad. That defense turned out to be one of the best in the league the rest of the way and it paved the way for last season's run to the playoffs. 

 

Last year, the Chiefs started 4-0 before losing two games (both at home) and we know how that ended. I've lived in the NYC area the last 20 years and have seen the Giants twice look moribund all season before waking up just before the playoffs, culminating in a Super Bowl win.  

 

This team has a lot of players who are likely playing well-below their ability: Oliver, Edmunds, Poyer, Milano (by mostly not playing), Hyde, even White. For all the offensive explosiveness, there's been a lot of dropped passes. They could return to form and find cohesiveness and go 3-1 or even 4-0. The last two weeks may just be who we are now and we could go 1-3 or even somehow fall apart so bad we lose to the Jets. However, I'd put my money on the talent rising to the top. Maybe Epenesa proves his worth. Perhaps Quinton Jefferson or Vernon Butler or Mario Addison goes on a tear. Maybe Feliciano's return anchors the line and Ford finds his footing. There's a lot that could go right. Yes, it could go wrong, but to act like someone is "wearing blinders" for being hopeful for a talented team is insulting and does not recognize that football is a very unpredictable game where fortunes can change in the blink of a (non-blind) eye.

[Bleedbuffaloblue]

2 hours ago, Dave in Bluffton said:

Based on responses, people seem to think Seattle is a road game.  They are coming to Buffalo this year.

 

You are correct, my mistake. With this correction I thought about saying definitely 4-0, but the Seahawks look like they will have Antonio Brown in their lineup for this game so I’ll stay at 3-1. With our lack of pass rush I don’t think our secondary can hold up against that WR Arsenal.

[MAJBobby]

5 hours ago, corta765 said:

The next four games are pretty crucial for the season and I have them broke down for the most likely scenarios:

 

3-1 - The Jets game is expected and a must win, but getting two of three to get the Bills at 7-3 would really help to solidify the division chances and give some distance for the stretch after the bye. Personally beating NE means more to me then SEA despite the hawks being a better team. If the Bills can get NE and split the NFCW I think they are in really good shape.

 

2-2 - This scenario is dependent on who the two wins come against. If the Bills beat NYJ/NE  I am not devastated losing the next two because of the division implications and tie breakers they get on AFC wins. Worst case scenario would be the Bills don't win the AFC games but somehow win both NFC games. The only positive there is the Jets getting a win would potentially stop them from getting T Law which would be kind of funny granted at our expense. If the Bills beat the Jets and Cards that would be probably the worst case 2-2 stretch as the Bills would fall again to the Pats and lose again to a great team SEA reigniting more issues about the team not being good enough.

 

1-3 - Beat the Jets and lose the next three yikes. Even if they beat the Pats and lost the other three it doesn't do a enough for the division the door is still open. I don't want to even have to think about what if the Bills lose both AFC games and only get an NFC win.

 

 

For me I see them going 2-2 with wins against the Jets and Pats solidifying the division, but struggling against SEA and losing out west against ARZ.  I think the Bills need to make some addition on defense whether trade or FA to get me to 3-1. The offense has stretch coming up where they can certainly score against the defenses that they are playing, but my confidence is low the defense can do enough against SEA or ARZ to keep them at bay. The Pats will be a tough game but Buffalo has more talent to overcome BB plans and I honestly haven't been impressed with NE as the season is progressing. BB's gameplans are keeping this team closer then it should be which is really my greatest fear. Talent wise the offense doesn't have much after Edelman who has been good and the defense isn't bad but not the same as in years prior.

Going 3-1

 

Beat Jets, Cardinals and Patriots

 

Lose to SEA

[Pokebball]

Loss to Seattle

[WideNine]

I have to see a win over Belichick before I tick anything off in that column.

 

That being said, the few times the Bills did beat the goat over the past decades were times he did not have Brady behind center. Or the one time that Wrecks lured a player of theirs away early in the season to learn everything he could about their team - of course they came back later in the season and gave Ryan a clinic on how to receive a proper spanking.

 

We will see, the goat was the master of that original 2-deep shell defense with some man mixed in that gave Allen fits and took away what he does best which is extending plays and pushing the ball past the sticks. Teams have just been putting their own twists on it since, but it has been effective in forcing the kind of game we saw against the Titans and KC where patience and a high level of execution behind the sticks is required to get the win.

 

Turnovers, field position, and running against that defense while being able to stop the run are the keys to TOP and winning. I don't think there are going to be a lot of deep opportunities where a receiver is not bracketed by two defenders. Not sure how you get defenses out of that other than being able to gash them behind the sticks. I was kind of enjoying the "air Bills" offense, but defenses have adapted well.

 

Maybe Daboll can figure out how to flood those deep zones to free someone up, but against teams that can also play man against your best receiver those flood concept options become limited.

 

 

 

[SlimShady'sSpaceForce]

4 hours ago, whatdrought said:

4-0. 
 

Jets seem obvious, we’re a better team than NE, Seattle made Cam look like a world beater, and Arizona has no passing game and no defense. 

I was looking for that option myself.  
 

 

[H2o]

1 minute ago, High Football IQ said:

Unless this team was truly a grand deception the first 4 weeks I can't see us losing against the Jets even if we continue to struggle.

 

However I went with 1-3 since I see them finishing 7-9 and they will lose 3 in a row after this week heading into the bye.

[DaBillsFanSince1973]

2 hours ago, thurst44 said:

I'd say the fans wearing blinders are the ones who are hopelessly negative and won't acknowlege that football is a fluid game of peaks and dropoffs. Things can change in a hurry. In 2017, we were annihilated in three games in a row, yet were able to revive and sneak into the playoffs. After we started 0-2 in 2018, everyone wrote off the team and the defense as historically bad. That defense turned out to be one of the best in the league the rest of the way and it paved the way for last season's run to the playoffs. 

 

Last year, the Chiefs started 4-0 before losing two games (both at home) and we know how that ended. I've lived in the NYC area the last 20 years and have seen the Giants twice look moribund all season before waking up just before the playoffs, culminating in a Super Bowl win.  

 

This team has a lot of players who are likely playing well-below their ability: Oliver, Edmunds, Poyer, Milano (by mostly not playing), Hyde, even White. For all the offensive explosiveness, there's been a lot of dropped passes. They could return to form and find cohesiveness and go 3-1 or even 4-0. The last two weeks may just be who we are now and we could go 1-3 or even somehow fall apart so bad we lose to the Jets. However, I'd put my money on the talent rising to the top. Maybe Epenesa proves his worth. Perhaps Quinton Jefferson or Vernon Butler or Mario Addison goes on a tear. Maybe Feliciano's return anchors the line and Ford finds his footing. There's a lot that could go right. Yes, it could go wrong, but to act like someone is "wearing blinders" for being hopeful for a talented team is insulting and does not recognize that football is a very unpredictable game where fortunes can change in the blink of a (non-blind) eye.

fair enough and a good thought out post. one that could even sway the most negative of fans, including myself. I will admit I have not been too optimistic and the last two games just fueled the fire for me. I have seen it too many times in the last 20 years. I am a need to see more kind of fan though and going in to year 4 they really should of been in a better position to compete consistently. hopefully it does turn around, beginning this week where they should really be able to go in there against the jets and handle their business and come out with a W? 

 

I'll take my blinders off now and hopefully the team will take away the hopelessly negative feelings I've had and they become the contender every fan wants to see going forward?

[Ethan in Cleveland]

Bills will win the next two and split with Seattle and AZ.  Seattle's defense is trash and even though they play very well on the East coast they still need to travel.  AZ is up and down too.  I honesty think 4-0 is even more likely then 2-2.  I just don't see them losing to either the Jets or the Pats.  They will turn it around. They are a wounded and embarrassed team right now. That is a dangerous thing in the NFL.

[ColoradoBills]

I don't know.  It's why I watch every game.

[mjd1001]

I have no idea either...right now my 'feeling' is this is a 9-7 team by years end.

[CSBill]

Well, over half at 7-3 -- We're still optimistic, that's good.

 

But the biggest thing: two wins the next two weeks against Division opponents. A win with Seattle or Arizona is a bonus.

 

 

[Greg S]

44 minutes ago, CSBill said:

Well, over half at 7-3 -- We're still optimistic, that's good.

 

But the biggest thing: two wins the next two weeks against Division opponents. A win with Seattle or Arizona is a bonus.

 

 

 

Exactly while 6-2 at the break is a good record being 4-0 in the division is better.

[Your Brown Eye]

I'm torn between 1-3 and 2-2.  They way our defense has been exposed up the middle I think the only sure-fire win is versus the Jets. I could very easily see Belicheck running 60 times testing out our porous run-d and keeping Allen and company off the field ala SB 25 and making Allen try to be superman when he's getting his limited touches and possibly making mistakes. Seattle is a tough outting, they are undefeated for a reason, but if the Bills are sloppy the next two weeks, oohh boy, Seattle might be nasty, but if the Bills win soundly against Jets and Pats, this could be a great game, but they have to get back on track and rolling for me to have much confidence in them going into Seattle matchup. I don't know why, but I didn't like the Arizona match-up at the beginning of the season and I don't now. They have a good offense and good young QB with weapons, I worry our pass rush won't touch him and it'll be a shoot-out in the desert.

 

The Patriots will be the litmus test though. Belicheck and company will go right at the run-d and play action. A solid win (not a nail-biter) there could get this team hot again.

[JMF2006]

22 hours ago, RiotAct said:

3-1 baby.  Loss to either New England or Seattle.

 

I would prefer a loss to the Seahags although 4-0 would be real nice

[BillsFanSD]

1 hour ago, CSBill said:

A win with Seattle or Arizona is a bonus.

Wait a second, I thought beating NFC teams weakened our playoff chances by hurting our tiebreakers.  Now I'm all confused.

[Victory Formation]

7-3 unless Belichick completely out coaches McDermott which is very possible..

[bobobonators]

Worst case i see 1-3. Best case i see 3-1.

 

4-0 is highly unrealistic as is 0-4. Just like the last time we had this convo before the most recent 4 game stretch, i see 2-2. 

[formerlyofCtown]

23 hours ago, A Firm Tree Does Not Fear said:

don't see them beating seattle and you would normally check the pats game as a loss but they may have a small chance in winning that game. arizona is a toss up and will depend on what defense shows up, that really speaks for all four games. the jets game and automatic win? not in this league.

 

I'm going to give them the jets, the other three, at his point, I wont mark as a W.

 

1-3

 

I know that tends to bother some of the fans wearing blinders and there are quite a few out there who have believed this team was winning 12 games and making the post season before the season started and have yet to change that outlook based off the hot start. but the last two games should of even brought some of them back down to reality.

Sounds like you're no firm tree.😁

I think we beat the Best.  Have a close call against NE.  Lose a close one to Seattle and all the sudden the D plays like it should in Arizona leaving us scratching our heads as in the past but happy.

[formerlyofCtown]

15 hours ago, Ethan in Portland said:

Bills will win the next two and split with Seattle and AZ.  Seattle's defense is trash and even though they play very well on the East coast they still need to travel.  AZ is up and down too.  I honesty think 4-0 is even more likely then 2-2.  I just don't see them losing to either the Jets or the Pats.  They will turn it around. They are a wounded and embarrassed team right now. That is a dangerous thing in the NFL.

Being wounded and embarrassed didn't work for us last week but I guess eventually they gotta get it together.

[hondo in seattle]

I voted 2-2.

 

I know the Bills are 4-2 overall but after the last two games, I think we're looking pretty average.  So I put them at .500.

 

I don't expect to be as bad every game as we were against the Chiefs.  But the year long struggles on defense and the recent struggles faced by the offense make me wonder if this team is any better than mediocre.  

 

It's perplexing.  The D plays really well for 2 years then falls apart this season.  The offense looks great for 4 games to start the year and then looks fatally flawed for the past 2.  Will the real Buffalo Bills please stand up.

 

Maybe it's just the fate of all Bills fans to suffer.    

[DaBillsFanSince1973]

22 minutes ago, High Football IQ said:

 

I would agree with this if we had a real HC, franchise QB, star players, etc.

 

And that's the biggest concern right now is that we may have none of these and the first month of the season was simply fool's gold like so many years past.

I have to admit, I have been pretty critical, even went with 1-3 in the next stretch but this, right here, is way out there in left field...

 

4 hours ago, formerlyofCtown said:

Sounds like you're no firm tree.😁

I think we beat the Best.  Have a close call against NE.  Lose a close one to Seattle and all the sudden the D plays like it should in Arizona leaving us scratching our heads as in the past but happy.

I hope you're right, I really do. win sunday and I can start billeving again 👍

 

a lot needs to change though and it may not start this week with all the injuries but lets hope they can start by getting past the jets?

 

 

 

 

Edited October 23, 2020 by A Firm Tree Does Not Fear

[muppy]

these long distance predictions are tricky. Assuming (hoping) there are no significant injuries on either side I would say we optimistically go 3-1 but it may well be 2-2

[Ethan in Cleveland]

1 hour ago, High Football IQ said:

 

I would agree with this if we had a real HC, franchise QB, star players, etc.

 

And that's the biggest concern right now is that we may have none of these and the first month of the season was simply fool's gold like so many years past.

I share your concerns but in McDs defense when his team got killed in the past, they did rally to play better in subsequent games. Look I've made no secret I don't really like McD and I think Beane is no better nor no worse than any other GM.  But McD has shown an ability to adjust and improve during a season.  He appears incapable of ingame adjustments but when he has time to plan he generally has turned things around. 

New England and Arizona have rushing attacks that can pose problems. Seattle is one dimensional again due to RB injuries. 

[Radar]

With our defense and injuries on top of that I see them at best 2-2 but I think 1-3 unfortunately. The Pats I don't have us winning that one. Jets a win.

 

 

[buffaloboyinATL]

I voted 2-2. Unless we make some kind of substantial addition on Defense, I am seeing 2-2 over the next 4 games, with losses to Seattle and Arizona.  IF we can shore up the Defense, especially against the run, I could see 3-1 losing only to the Seahawks.  

[PatsFanNH]

On 10/22/2020 at 9:42 AM, corta765 said:

The next four games are pretty crucial for the season and I have them broke down for the most likely scenarios:

 

3-1 - The Jets game is expected and a must win, but getting two of three to get the Bills at 7-3 would really help to solidify the division chances and give some distance for the stretch after the bye. Personally beating NE means more to me then SEA despite the hawks being a better team. If the Bills can get NE and split the NFCW I think they are in really good shape.

 

2-2 - This scenario is dependent on who the two wins come against. If the Bills beat NYJ/NE  I am not devastated losing the next two because of the division implications and tie breakers they get on AFC wins. Worst case scenario would be the Bills don't win the AFC games but somehow win both NFC games. The only positive there is the Jets getting a win would potentially stop them from getting T Law which would be kind of funny granted at our expense. If the Bills beat the Jets and Cards that would be probably the worst case 2-2 stretch as the Bills would fall again to the Pats and lose again to a great team SEA reigniting more issues about the team not being good enough.

 

1-3 - Beat the Jets and lose the next three yikes. Even if they beat the Pats and lost the other three it doesn't do a enough for the division the door is still open. I don't want to even have to think about what if the Bills lose both AFC games and only get an NFC win.

 

 

For me I see them going 2-2 with wins against the Jets and Pats solidifying the division, but struggling against SEA and losing out west against ARZ.  I think the Bills need to make some addition on defense whether trade or FA to get me to 3-1. The offense has stretch coming up where they can certainly score against the defenses that they are playing, but my confidence is low the defense can do enough against SEA or ARZ to keep them at bay. The Pats will be a tough game but Buffalo has more talent to overcome BB plans and I honestly haven't been impressed with NE as the season is progressing. BB's gameplans are keeping this team closer then it should be which is really my greatest fear. Talent wise the offense doesn't have much after Edelman who has been good and the defense isn't bad but not the same as in years prior.

Good breakdown. The Pats D is stellar where Bills O excelled and that’s in the secondary. The Pats secondary IMO is one of the best in the NFL and right now is #2 in the NFL.. which might not sound like much but seeing as how we have faced Seattle, KC already that’s pretty amazing!

 

i day you guys go 2-2 as well but win  against AZ and lose to the Pats in a close one..  but I can change my mind if Cam after a full week of Practice is still not seeing the wide open receivers and throwing them the dang ball!

[Unforgiven]

Bills are a one dimensional team, BB is a master of game planning against such teams.

[Scott7975]

1 hour ago, PatsFanNH said:

Good breakdown. The Pats D is stellar where Bills O excelled and that’s in the secondary. The Pats secondary IMO is one of the best in the NFL and right now is #2 in the NFL.. which might not sound like much but seeing as how we have faced Seattle, KC already that’s pretty amazing!

 

i day you guys go 2-2 as well but win  against AZ and lose to the Pats in a close one..  but I can change my mind if Cam after a full week of Practice is still not seeing the wide open receivers and throwing them the dang ball!

 

What's with Edelman?  Is he just old?  I watched one of the Pats games and I know Cam didn't play but he had a case of the dropsies and just overall looked like he didn't even want to be on the field.

 

 

Edited October 23, 2020 by Scott7975

[BillsfaninSB]

I’m taking COVID plus the points.   Something will get messed up over the next four weeks.  

[DuckyBoys]

think they will win 2 or 3 games from this stretch  If either the defense gets to at least mediocre or they find some bit of running game I can see three wins.  If those two continue to be a glaring issue I see two wins most likely the afc east games.

[Augie]

Since 4-0 is not a poll option, I will go with 16-0!  

 

You’ll have to forgive the two losses already.

 

Does that get us into the Super Bowl moving forward? Either way, I’ll take it! 

[fansince88]

I went 7-3. We have seen slumps by this staff and we  have seen them correct it. 

[PatsFanNH]

15 hours ago, Scott7975 said:

 

What's with Edelman?  Is he just old?  I watched one of the Pats games and I know Cam didn't play but he had a case of the dropsies and just overall looked like he didn't even want to be on the field.

 

 

The last couple of years he has had the dropsies. He had the most drops on the team last year.  This year the same but he has had a run injury. 

 

I am more worried about Newton not throwing to wide open receivers!  He missed a wide open Harry at the end of the game.. (he admitted it was his mistake) and refused to throw to open rookies.

[Ga boy]

My take is 3-1 with another loss to Bill.  He can beat McD with the Boston College team.  Until proven otherwise, the GOAT coach gets my vote.  

[billsfan89]

3-1 or 2-2 is where is see the next 4 games, Jets should be a win and the Seattle game is a likely loss. You then look at the Pats and Arizona neither team scares me so I think a worst case scenario for that is a split.

[TigerJ]

The New England game is far more important than the Seattle game.  Beat New England and Buffalo will be close to a lock to win the division.

 

I'm counting on Buffalo being much healthier after their bye.  If they aren't  Both Seattle and New England are going to be real tough games.

Edited October 24, 2020 by TigerJ

[DaBillsFanSince1973]

19 hours ago, Scott7975 said:

What's with Edelman?  Is he just old?  I watched one of the Pats games and I know Cam didn't play but he had a case of the dropsies and just overall looked like he didn't even want to be on the field.

he probably misses his girlfriend marcia?

[Bob in STL]

I said 2-2.  I don’t like it but I’m being realistic.  I don’t like the front 7 at all this year.  None of the players acquired are playing better than ones they replaced. Lorenzo and Star have left big holes.  
 

I think our hopes for a division title hang with Josh becoming a star and carrying the team. 

[NewEra]

Tough to say.  I believe our w/l are so injury dependent. If Milano, Norman, Brown, tre, Edmunds, Ford and knox play the next 3 after the jets, I think we go 3-1 if we can win tomorrow.