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Week 13 Bills @ 49ers in Phoenix PreGame Thread


Chandler#81

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27 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

The former.  Most people haven't seen us.  They're still in meme-land where Allen is a QB who can throw the ball through a brick wall, but might have trouble hitting said wall.  If anyone did see us, it was Titans and KC, our 2 worst games.

 

The SF49ers are the defending NFC champions seen as bravely battling through injury and getting a couple guys back therefore improving.

 

Shanahan is seen as a coach who can confuse and bemuse young QB and bait them into mistakes, as can Belicheck.  Allen is seen as a QB who can be confused and bemused and throw picks (I'm not saying I agree, just saying how I see it) 

 

AND we're seen as a team that has a poor defense especially against the run, the play action and the screen, while SF is seen as an offense built for all 3 of these.

 

Add in that we didn't show up against the Titans and Chiefs and got "dunked on" by Zona, and folks are thinking the defending SB champs should be able to take us out.

 

 

Pretty sound argument (although the Bills' D has been improved the last couple of games).

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Just now, par73 said:

Pretty sound argument (although the Bills' D has been improved the last couple of games).

 

Again, I'm not saying I agree with any of that.  I'm just saying that's the general perception. 

 

"Josh Allen Inaccurate Cannon Arm" and "Bills got embarrassed by Tenn and KC ran all over them" are what most of the country knows about us.

 

Nate Geary weighs in:

 

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2 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

Again, I'm not saying I agree with any of that.  I'm just saying that's the general perception. 

I know. I am agreeing that it is likely the general perception.

 

 

2 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

"Josh Allen Inaccurate Cannon Arm" and "Bills got embarrassed by Tenn and KC ran all over them" are what most of the country knows about us.

 

Nate Geary weighs in:

 

 

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1 minute ago, Miyagi-Do Karate said:

Just reading an article about this game from the main page, and it said the Bills lead the league in penalty yards this year!! Did anyone else find this to be surprising? 

 

I knew we were up there - the fact that we're actually leading is a bit surprising.

 

The penalties are driving me crazy, for the most part.   I can't remember a Bills team that was Offside so much.

 

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1 hour ago, quinnearlysghost88 said:

I’m still trying to figure out why this game continues to be billed as a coin toss? Everyone picking or preview articles are couching it this way. They’re 5-6 and we’re 8-3. Do people still not respect us or is this a way to hype up a kind of mediocre matchup? 

 

San Francisco was easily considered one of the best teams in the NFL going into the season, but were absolutely destroyed by injuries.  They have also had a brutally tough schedule.  They finally got back some key players last week, and they responded by beating the Rams.  I think there is a growing expectation that the 49ers are much better than their record and can make a late-season/desperation push for the playoffs.

 

Meanwhile, the Bills are a team that (unfortunately) screams overrated.  They often struggle against mediocre/bad opponents, and only have 3 victories of more than one-score.  They consistently blow first-half leads, looking sloppy and unfocused for long stretches of time.  And in both primetime matchups this season, they looked totally unprepared and played absolutely terrible.

 

My question is why you think the Bills should be strongly favored, when they can't soundly beat anyone (including the Jets) and always seem to tank in primetime?

 

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6 minutes ago, Dan said:

The one thing I’m certain of... if the Bills have 10pt lead in the 3rd quarter, the flags against us will start flying fast and furious.

I will say, however, that most of those 2nd half flags against us that I've seen have been correct.  There is at least one second half offensive drive every dang game were we seem to find our way to 20-35 penalty yards.  Drive killers.  Officials don't necessarily need to pile on our self inflicted penalties.

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17 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

Does anyone have ESPN and know what was actually said in the Taysom Hill/Josh Allen comparison?

I normally never watch their Sunday Football Countdown, but I did yesterday out of boredom. 
 

Rex Ryan made the comparison between Taysom and Josh at one point when they were ragging on Taysom, he said something along the lines of “Taysom reminds me of a young Josh Allen, can hurt you with his legs, can make some wow plays... you just need to stick with him.” 
 

It was sort of a compliment, saying that Josh has graduated past that... it was an odd comp though.

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2 minutes ago, Michael1962 said:

It seems to me that the Bills do better as underdogs.  Does anyone know if research supports this?  I googled and got Buffalo News and don't want to pay them money.

Well they have been underdogs for the better part of two decades so there's probably a lot to dissect. 

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11 minutes ago, mjt328 said:

 

San Francisco was easily considered one of the best teams in the NFL going into the season, but were absolutely destroyed by injuries.  They have also had a brutally tough schedule.  They finally got back some key players last week, and they responded by beating the Rams.  I think there is a growing expectation that the 49ers are much better than their record and can make a late-season/desperation push for the playoffs.

 

Meanwhile, the Bills are a team that (unfortunately) screams overrated.  They often struggle against mediocre/bad opponents, and only have 3 victories of more than one-score.  They consistently blow first-half leads, looking sloppy and unfocused for long stretches of time.  And in both primetime matchups this season, they looked totally unprepared and played absolutely terrible.

 

My question is why you think the Bills should be strongly favored, when they can't soundly beat anyone (including the Jets) and always seem to tank in primetime?

 

I don’t completely disagree with the view, but those  weren’t actual prime time games. Those were necessary because of COVID, they weren’t planned and almost every team in that situation has looked sluggish. 
 

Maybe historically they tank in prime time, but what do Dick Jauron’s collapses have to do with this team? They beat Dallas in Dallas on Thanksgiving and Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh on SNF last year. Not quite tanking in prime time. 
 

I’m concerned for tonight’s game for various reasons, but none of them are media driven storyline reasons like “Bad in prime time” or “Don’t have any blow out wins” 

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2 minutes ago, JGMcD2 said:

I don’t completely disagree with the view, but those  weren’t actual prime time games. Those were necessary because of COVID, they weren’t planned and almost every team in that situation has looked sluggish. 
 

Maybe historically they tank in prime time, but what do Dick Jauron’s collapses do with this team? They beat Dallas in Dallas on Thanksgiving and Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh on SNF last year. Not quite tanking in prime time. 
 

I’m concerned for tonight’s game for various reasons, but none of them are media storyline reasons like “Bad in prime time” or “Don’t have any blow out wins” 

 

Say more?

 

In addition to Covid, I personally believe Matt Hasselbeck knows a thing and maybe playing with a linebacker brace on his L shoulder kinda hindered Josh passing in the Tenn and KC games, especially at the beginning of the game before he got his adrenaline going enough to "feel no pain".  He had notably low completions in the 1Q each of those games.

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11 minutes ago, mjt328 said:

 

San Francisco was easily considered one of the best teams in the NFL going into the season, but were absolutely destroyed by injuries.  They have also had a brutally tough schedule.  They finally got back some key players last week, and they responded by beating the Rams.  I think there is a growing expectation that the 49ers are much better than their record and can make a late-season/desperation push for the playoffs.

 

Meanwhile, the Bills are a team that (unfortunately) screams overrated.  They often struggle against mediocre/bad opponents, and only have 3 victories of more than one-score.  They consistently blow first-half leads, looking sloppy and unfocused for long stretches of time.  And in both primetime matchups this season, they looked totally unprepared and played absolutely terrible.

 

My question is why you think the Bills should be strongly favored, when they can't soundly beat anyone (including the Jets) and always seem to tank in primetime?

 

Love your objectivity here, but be careful...people around here will be coming for you with shivs when you aren't looking.

 

 

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7 hours ago, The BLUES Brothers said:

ATTN: Long Time Bills Fans:

Remember when the late 80s/early 90s it was always the Bills and the 49ers near or at the top of their conference?

 

The No Punt Game against them ended with us winning 34-31 and do not think the defenses tonight will let the scores get that high this time, but hoping for the same kind of outcome...

 

Go Bills! 

Remember the no punt game so well. Listened on a radio deep in the Adirondacks. We were at a camp on a lake. Sat around drinking and playing cards all afternoon glued to the game. Great memory. Bills went into virtually every NFC place and won during that era but couldn’t win a Super Bowl. Sigh

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1 minute ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

Say more?

 

In addition to Covid, I personally believe Matt Hasselbeck knows a thing and maybe playing with a linebacker brace on his L shoulder kinda hindered Josh passing in the Tenn and KC games, especially at the beginning of the game before he got his adrenaline going enough to "feel no pain".  He had notably low completions in the 1Q each of those games.

The way the Chargers attacked last week gave our defense line fits. It actually really all started in the 2nd half of the AZ game. 
 

Saleh is one of the best defensive minds in the game and will most likely find a way to do that again, if we continue to let that happen it’s going to put Josh in a position where he feels the need to make plays. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but if it’s too forced, that’s when the risky throws into crowds of people and sack-fumbles pop up. 
 

Defensively I am not too worried. I think we can confuse Mullens enough and as long as we rally to the ball and tackle we should be fine. Deebo and company seem to make their biggest plays after breaking tackles... so if we get sloppy there it’ll be an issue. It’s going to come down to fundamentals... our defense for 3 years was very good because they were always where they needed to be and made you beat them over and over again to score. It seems like that is back, but if the 49ers get rolling it’ll be because they’re back to being sloppy technique wise. 

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5 minutes ago, Nextmanup said:

Love your objectivity here, but be careful...people around here will be coming for you with shivs when you aren't looking.

 

Question: why do you believe "objectivity" is a good description of "they can't soundly beat anyone (including the Jets) and always seem to tank in primetime"

 

Those are statements of perception, right?  Because objectively, we won in Primetime against Dallas and the Steelers last year.  You could say "yeah, well Titans and KC this year", but at best then the objective statement would be "have tanked so far this season in Primetime" or "50/50 in the last 2 years in primetime" right?

 

 

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8 minutes ago, JGMcD2 said:

The way the Chargers attacked last week gave our defense line fits. It actually really all started in the 2nd half of the AZ game. 
 

Saleh is one of the best defensive minds in the game and will most likely find a way to do that again, if we continue to let that happen it’s going to put Josh in a position where he feels the need to make plays. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but if it’s too forced, that’s when the risky throws into crowds of people and sack-fumbles pop up. 
 

Defensively I am not too worried. I think we can confuse Mullens enough and as long as we rally to the ball and tackle we should be fine. Deebo and company seem to make their biggest plays after breaking tackles... so if we get sloppy there it’ll be an issue. It’s going to come down to fundamentals... our defense for 3 years was very good because they were always where they needed to be and made you beat them over and over again to score. It seems like that is back, but if the 49ers get rolling it’ll be because they’re back to being sloppy technique wise. 

 

I assume from context you mean "offensive line" not "defense line", since the discussion is Saleh and impact on Josh?

All fair points.  Josh was under a lot of pressure.

 

What can you pick out about what they're doing, and WHY it gave our OL fits?  All I got is that Bosa was "crunk up" for us (and AWOL against the Pats, go figgur), and that Dawkins and Williams seemed to be playing with "slow feet" in the 2nd half  (maybe a bit out of shape from the Bye followed by the perennial OL Weight Gain Contest eg Thanksgiving)

 

 

6 minutes ago, billsherd said:

"Maybe my parents will finally watch it"😃

 

LOLOLOL was that Horrible Harry?

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32 minutes ago, JGMcD2 said:

I don’t completely disagree with the view, but those  weren’t actual prime time games. Those were necessary because of COVID, they weren’t planned and almost every team in that situation has looked sluggish. 
 

Maybe historically they tank in prime time, but what do Dick Jauron’s collapses have to do with this team? They beat Dallas in Dallas on Thanksgiving and Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh on SNF last year. Not quite tanking in prime time. 
 

I’m concerned for tonight’s game for various reasons, but none of them are media driven storyline reasons like “Bad in prime time” or “Don’t have any blow out wins” 

 

The Dallas and Pittsburgh games last year were great wins for an emerging Wild Card level team.  But they mean very little for a team trying to win the AFC East and establish themselves as a championship contender.  Don't forget that both of those teams ultimately missed the playoffs last year.

 

Regardless of the original scheduling, primetime is primetime.  Night games and playoff matchups get another level of fans, most of whom never watch the Bills on Sunday afternoons.  The whole NFL world was watching against the Titans and Chiefs.  And instead of establishing themselves as the class of the league, the Bills embarrassed themselves in back-to-back weeks.

 

I know that it's not a popular opinion on this message board, but the 2020 Bills (on a team level) have been very disappointing to me.

Sitting at 8-3 is nice.  The improvement from Josh Allen has been great.  But outside of the passing offense and the return game, this team has regressed from last season.  My standard for a "successful" year has always been winning double-digit games, winning the AFC East and winning at least one playoff game.  Falling short in any of those areas is just not OK with me.  And when I see this team play (regardless of record), I see the division being way too close for comfort and I just don't see them beating anyone in the playoffs.

 

 

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18 minutes ago, par73 said:

Game line is now SF -2. Bills perception as overrated and a prime time pinata?                                                                                 

Seems to be predicated on our suspect run defense and them getting healthier.

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8 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

I assume from context you mean "offensive line" not "defense line", since the discussion is Saleh and impact on Josh?

All fair points.  Josh was under a lot of pressure.

 

What can you pick out about what they're doing, and WHY it gave our OL fits?  All I got is that Bosa was "crunk up" for us (and AWOL against the Pats, go figgur), and that Dawkins and Williams seemed to be playing with "slow feet" in the 2nd half  (maybe a bit out of shape from the Bye followed by the perennial OL Weight Gain Contest eg Thanksgiving)

 

 

 

LOLOLOL was that Horrible Harry?

 

I mean - the patriots had 2 ST TDs in that one in the first half.  They basically just ran the ball the rest of the game - 23 total pass plays and i imagine many of them being quick hitters.  Not exactly a game bosa can influence quite as much.

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https://theathletic.com/2240098/2020/12/04/bills-49ers-josh-allen/

Why Josh Allen is the X-factor against the 49ers and 4 other Bills thoughts

USATSI_15247643-1024x682.jpg
By Joe Buscaglia Dec 4, 2020comment-icon@2x.png 13 save-icon@2x.png

The Bills handled business against the Chargers, as their defense and running game each took a big step forward. Now, the degree of difficulty increases with their Monday night matchup.

 

When the Bills take on the San Francisco 49ers in Arizona, they’ll face an injury-ravaged yet talented roster, led by one of the best head coaches in the NFL in Kyle Shanahan. The Bills aren’t taking the 49ers (5-6) lightly. With a win, the Bills would move to 9-3 for a second straight season. It would also make their Week 14 showdown with the undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday Night Football all the more intriguing.

 

How do the Bills match up with the 49ers and what are the keys to a victory? Here are five thoughts to get you ready for what could be a very tight contest.

1) Josh Allen has the chance to take yet another step forward

The Bills have faced challenges throughout the season that have forced the passing attack to adapt, but none of their previous opponents have quite the three-level talent the 49ers do. This matchup is the biggest test to date for the Bills’ offense. Coming off his worst performance of the season against the Chargers, Josh Allen will be up against a 49ers defense that frustrated the Los Angeles Rams last week. Even without Nick Bosa, Dee Ford and Solomon Thomas, the 49ers’ defensive line forces the issue against opposing offensive lines. Arik Armstead leads the way, with the ability to line up anywhere along the line and use his length to disrupt plays regularly. Kerry Hyder is also an underrated disruptor, and first-round pick Javon Kinlaw continues to show potential. They help set the table for an impressive linebacking duo of Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw, who both excel in coverage. In the secondary, free safety Jimmie Ward presents another big challenge, and cornerbacks Richard Sherman and Jason Verrett are perfectly suited for their scheme. There isn’t an easy answer for the Bills, which is why Allen will be the X-factor Monday night.

 

We’ve seen him take on a challenge like this before, when the Bills traveled for a nationally televised game against an underachieving yet talented Cowboys team with a good defense. Allen had the best individual performance to that point of his career in a win on Thanksgiving. While the Bills’ defense helped force turnovers, Allen took over the game. Now against San Francisco, the Bills need their quarterback to perform above expectations, especially with how well the 49ers bottle up the run. The 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh will look to confuse Allen with different coverages and blitzing schemes. This will serve as a good dress rehearsal for Allen, in terms of what he could see both next week against Pittsburgh and later on in the playoffs. We’re going to learn a lot about Allen and just how far he’s come in primetime on Monday night.

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3 minutes ago, mjt328 said:

 

The Dallas and Pittsburgh games last year were great wins for an emerging Wild Card level team.  But they mean very little for a team trying to win the AFC East and establish themselves as a championship contender.  Don't forget that both of those teams ultimately missed the playoffs last year.

 

Regardless of the original scheduling, primetime is primetime.  Night games and playoff matchups get another level of fans, most of whom never watch the Bills on Sunday afternoons.  The whole NFL world was watching against the Titans and Chiefs.  And instead of establishing themselves as the class of the league, the Bills embarrassed themselves in back-to-back weeks.

 

I know that it's not a popular opinion on this message board, but the 2020 Bills (on a team level) have been very disappointing to me.

Sitting at 8-3 is nice.  The improvement from Josh Allen has been great.  But outside of the passing offense and the return game, this team has regressed from last season.  My standard for a "successful" year has always been winning double-digit games, winning the AFC East and winning at least one playoff game.  Falling short in any of those areas is just not OK with me.  And when I see this team play (regardless of record), I see the division being way too close for comfort and I just don't see them beating anyone in the playoffs.

 

 

If the Steelers beat the Bills the end up being tied for a WC slot. Pittsburgh was sitting at 8-6... it was a pretty big game. Dallas also finished a game back of the division, they win that game and they’re tied. The context of when they played during the season matters a little bit... they also mean a little bit because it shows that they don’t collapse in prime time like you suggested. 
 

It’s not a problem having a dissenting opinion on the performance of the team. You should probably enjoy things a little bit though, if you’re going to be upset about 8-3 and controlling our own destiny in the division, which is an improvement over last year already, you’re never going to enjoy it at all.
 

Division is close, but we beat both the teams trailing us, other than beating them... we can’t control what other teams do against them. 6/8 wins have come against teams that are .500 or better and our 3 losses have come against teams .500 or better. Find me another team who has played that level of competition this year and has continued to win, idc about the margin of victory. They’ve found a way to win against good teams, what’s so disappointing about that?

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2 minutes ago, BillsEnthusiast said:

 

Of course not, I just had a little PTSD from that second half kickoff last season. 

 

The intention of downing it in the endzone.  Then kneel dude... thats such an absolute garbage call.  Mental lapses in like 99% of situations will come back to bite you, but for some reason they got a pass.  

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