Ravens Win. Good news for the Bills

[peterlaw]

Some were hoping for a Browns win to seal a super early Play Off spot for the Bills.

But a Browns loss all but confirms the Steelers as AFCN champs with their next game against the Bengals.
Steelers will get seeded 2 or 3 if Bills can leapfrog.

So if Bills stay at 3 seed (or get to 2) that means if we can get through the Wildcard round the Divisional game will be against Steelers.

Steelers seem to be the weakest potential opponent of any of the AFC contenders.

Lots can change but that’s not a bad scenario for the Bills.

#GoBills

[Thurman#1]

Would much rather have seen a Ravens loss. Don't want to play them, and now we easily might, even on wild card weekend.

 

[Chaos]

3 minutes ago, Thurman#1 said:

Would much rather have seen a Ravens loss. Don't want to play them, and now we easily might, even on wild card weekend.

 

Disagree. Bills struggle with the run. Chubb and Hunt scare me more than the Ravens. 

[peterlaw]

Wildcard won’t be easy.  Lots of good teams.  Best options look to be Colts or Dolphins or Raiders.  Worst options Titans, Ravens or Browns (run heavy teams).  But for the Divisional round you couldn’t ask for better than the Steelers.

[SCBills]

2 minutes ago, Chaos said:

Disagree. Bills struggle with the run. Chubb and Hunt scare me more than the Ravens. 

Do we though?  I haven’t been too worried about teams running on us for a few weeks now. 
 

Our defense is getting healthy and rounding into shape.  

[peterlaw]

4 minutes ago, Chaos said:

Disagree. Bills struggle with the run. Chubb and Hunt scare me more than the Ravens. 

 Bills D is improving against the Run.  Thinking of the 49ers game in particular.  Bills playing more aggressive. LBs closer to the line of scrimmage.  Good test coming up against Broncos.

[loveorhatembillsfan4life]

You know which team I wouldn’t want to play in the wildcard. The Bills.

[FeelingOnYouboty]

There won’t be a gimmie in round 1. Every team offers a huge challenge but I’d love to play the Steelers in Round 2 if they can get past the Dolphins

[H2o]

Whoever the opponent may be it's the Playoffs. It's win or go home. I expect after last year that this team will be in a different place mentally once that time rolls around. The improvement on the offensive side of the ball is huge. The defense getting healthy at the right time even more so. If we can run the ball just enough to keep teams off balance then I like our chances against ANYONE in this league. 

[Doc]

I’d rather they make the playoffs and win the division in one fell swoop against the Broncos this Saturday.

[buffalo2218]

14 minutes ago, Chaos said:

Disagree. Bills struggle with the run. Chubb and Hunt scare me more than the Ravens. 

Given what Kyler Murray did to us, I’m not sure I wanna face Jackson

[Brennan Huff]

We’re going to beat anybody we play on wild card weekend 

[peterlaw]

1 minute ago, ScottLaw said:

I can't see how people actually want to play the Ravens in the first round... they are the last team I'd want to play... crossing my fingers for a Dolphins or Colts match up. 

Eh. The AFC is so stacked. A lot of good teams so WC weekend will be no cake walk. 

There is a realistic scenario where the Ravens win out, get to 11-5 and still don’t make the Play Offs.  This would involve the Bills resting all their starters in Week 17 and gifting Miami a win.  And then play Miami the following week in the Wildcard.

[Doc]

Bring ‘em all on. 

[Brennan Huff]

5 minutes ago, ScottLaw said:

Eh. The AFC is so stacked. A lot of good teams so WC weekend will be no cake walk. 

Definitely not a cake walk. But we can beat anybody 

[RichRiderBills]

I'll take on anyone. Especially in Buff. Phins are the only possible easy out. Otherwise, we are going to have to stop the run. 

 

I like our odds against the Phins, Colts, as I think both these teams will cave in cold weather. 

 

Browns i just would like to see that game. Rookie rivals versus 89 revenge matchup 31 years in the making. 

 

Ravens and Titans are the ones we dont want. I doubt we play the Titans , but Ravens scare me the most, but I still dont really fear em.

 

[H2o]

14 minutes ago, buffalo2218 said:

Given what Kyler Murray did to us, I’m not sure I wanna face Jackson

Murray is a better passer than Jackson and almost as dynamic a runner. We lost on a Hail Mary thrown to DeAndre Hopkins. It was a fluke and this team pulled together even more because of it. As long as the team's overall health continues to trend in the right direction, and if we can get Smoke back at full tilt come the Playoffs, then we are the team that no one wants to see. 

[BigBuff423]

In my opinion, Steelers are NOT the team you want to play in the playoffs. Steelers are missing Dupree and Spillane and Haden, with just one done for the season. Vince Williams, their leading run stopping LBer was out due to COVID, he'll be back. They had situational injuries throughout the Offensive Line. The Bills did a great job and I'm not taking anything away from them because Pitt still had great players in the game and the biggest difference was the Bills' Defense. 

 

But all of that said, Ben's long history of playoff and Super Bowl experience, the #1 Defense in the NFL, players getting healthy at the end of the year, depth at key positions and basically a fully operational Offense (only one major injury early in the year) with 4 high quality NFL WRs and Big Ben - is NOT the smoke you ask for, it's the one you deal with. 

 

As for which team the Bills would "prefer" to face on Wildcard weekend, I just don't have a preference. I think at this point all of the teams have ways of beating / overcoming the Bills depending on how that team prepares for the Bills and how the Bills prepare for that team.

 

Tenn has a beast in Henry, and him getting moving in a cold weather game could be lights out for the Bills if the Defense misses some tackles and Josh is forced to sling it 50 times. 

Indy has a very underrated Defense as they create turnovers, sacks, and disruption for momentum plus an improved running game and experienced QB in Rivers, although lost some zip on his arm.

Ravens - well, when healthy, a very good Defense and the running game is everything.

Browns - strong running game, Defense is a bit of a roller coaster ride - but when they're "high", they're tough to get through.

Miami - Divisional opponent and IF, that's still a big IF, the Bills beat them to end the season, it's usually difficult to beat a Divisional opponent 3 times in a year, let alone in back to back weeks. Plus, they've got an opportunistic Defense and a pretty solid running game.

 

All are difficult, but I'd rather avoid the Steelers in the opening round.

[SoCal Deek]

I just want the Bills to take care of their own business these next three weeks. Having quickly scanned the remaining schedules of our major contenders they all have a pretty easy final three weeks. I was honestly hoping they’d all be playing each other, but sadly not. In this oddest of all NFL seasons I can see some of the cellar dweller teams just folding up their tent and rolling over. The Bills need to focus!

[peterlaw]

6 minutes ago, BigBuff423 said:

In my opinion, Steelers are NOT the team you want to play in the playoffs. Steelers are missing Dupree and Spillane and Haden, with just one done for the season. Vince Williams, their leading run stopping LBer was out due to COVID, he'll be back. They had situational injuries throughout the Offensive Line. The Bills did a great job and I'm not taking anything away from them because Pitt still had great players in the game and the biggest difference was the Bills' Defense. 

 

But all of that said, Ben's long history of playoff and Super Bowl experience, the #1 Defense in the NFL, players getting healthy at the end of the year, depth at key positions and basically a fully operational Offense (only one major injury early in the year) with 4 high quality NFL WRs and Big Ben - is NOT the smoke you ask for, it's the one you deal with. 

 

As for which team the Bills would "prefer" to face on Wildcard weekend, I just don't have a preference. I think at this point all of the teams have ways of beating / overcoming the Bills depending on how that team prepares for the Bills and how the Bills prepare for that team.

 

Tenn has a beast in Henry, and him getting moving in a cold weather game could be lights out for the Bills if the Defense misses some tackles and Josh is forced to sling it 50 times. 

Indy has a very underrated Defense as they create turnovers, sacks, and disruption for momentum plus an improved running game and experienced QB in Rivers, although lost some zip on his arm.

Ravens - well, when healthy, a very good Defense and the running game is everything.

Browns - strong running game, Defense is a bit of a roller coaster ride - but when they're "high", they're tough to get through.

Miami - Divisional opponent and IF, that's still a big IF, the Bills beat them to end the season, it's usually difficult to beat a Divisional opponent 3 times in a year, let alone in back to back weeks. Plus, they've got an opportunistic Defense and a pretty solid running game.

 

All are difficult, but I'd rather avoid the Steelers in the opening round.

Seems virtually impossible we could face Steelers in the Wildcard.  But very good chance of meeting in the Divisional round.  The Steelers Offense looks the weakest of all the contenders.  Agree the D looks good but great to see JA17 beating the all out blitz.  Big Ben doesn’t look like the Big Ben of old. 

[ChevyVanMiller]

56 minutes ago, Chaos said:

Disagree. Bills struggle with the run. Chubb and Hunt scare me more than the Ravens. 

Bills have held their opponents under 100 yards in 4 of their last 5 games. Don’t fear the run.

[mjt328]

Honestly, none of the AFC teams are going to be pushovers this year.

 

Best case scenario would probably be the Raiders, but they are clearly on the outside looking in now.

Next best case would probably be the Dolphins.  And they gave the Chiefs all they could handle on Sunday.

 

Very likely the Bills will be playing the Browns, Colts/Titans or Ravens on Wild Card weekend.  All of those matchups could be brutal.

[Jobot]

Have no fear for any of these pesky wild card teams, my friends. The Bills built what they have the RIGHT way, with great coaching, players, mentality, and purpose. We've got something special with this team.. this is not just a one-year spurt to a post season knock out.

[jletha]

1 hour ago, peterlaw said:

Some were hoping for a Browns win to seal a super early Play Off spot for the Bills.

But a Browns loss all but confirms the Steelers as AFCN champs with their next game against the Bengals.
Steelers will get seeded 2 or 3 if Bills can leapfrog.

So if Bills stay at 3 seed (or get to 2) that means if we can get through the Wildcard round the Divisional game will be against Steelers.

Steelers seem to be the weakest potential opponent of any of the AFC contenders.

Lots can change but that’s not a bad scenario for the Bills.

#GoBills

If Pittsburgh is so beatable that you are happy they will remain the 2-3 seed why do you just assume they will automatically win their WC game? With how bad their offense is and the injuries on defense I think any WC team (Colts, Titans, Browns, Ravens) could beat them.

[Beast]

1 hour ago, Thurman#1 said:

Would much rather have seen a Ravens loss. Don't want to play them, and now we easily might, even on wild card weekend.

 

 

I would LOVE to play the Ravens. Absolutely love to.

[MAJBobby]

The Bills can go toe to toe with any team in the league. Let alone in the AFC playoffs. 
 

There isn’t a team that scares me in the AFC. 

[Casey D]

6 minutes ago, mjt328 said:

Honestly, none of the AFC teams are going to be pushovers this year.

 

Best case scenario would probably be the Raiders, but they are clearly on the outside looking in now.

Next best case would probably be the Dolphins.  And they gave the Chiefs all they could handle on Sunday.

 

Very likely the Bills will be playing the Browns, Colts/Titans or Ravens on Wild Card weekend.  All of those matchups could be brutal.

Given the schedules, it would be a big upset if Colts/Titans, Ravens or Browns are not the three wild card teams.  Cleveland has two easy games, Ravens three.  Miami Raiders and Pats are toast.

[peterlaw]

1 minute ago, jletha said:

If Pittsburgh is so beatable that you are happy they will remain the 2-3 seed why do you just assume they will automatically win their WC game? With how bad their offense is and the injuries on defense I think any WC team (Colts, Titans, Browns, Ravens) could beat them.

Steelers have a better chance of defeating a Run Heavy team (like Titans or Ravens).  If Steelers are 2 seed and they lose Wildcard that gives Bills a better chance to host the Divisional game.  So that’s good news as well,

[Nihilarian]

Just think, the Bills are one miracle hail-mary play from being 11-2. They are also 6-1 at home. 

 

Sat @ 5-8 Denver

Mon @ 6-7 New England

Sun in Buffalo snow an cold 8-5 Miami

 

...all very winnable games. 

 

8-5 Miami plays, NE, Raiders, Bills

 

11-2 Pittsburgh plays, Cincy, Indy, Cleveland

 

9-4 Tennessee plays Lions, Packers, Texans

 

9-4 Colts plays, Texans, Steelers, Jags

 

8-5 Ravens plays, Jags, Giants, Bengals

 

12-1 Chiefs plays, Saints, Falcons, Chargers

[Captain Caveman]

1 hour ago, peterlaw said:

Some were hoping for a Browns win to seal a super early Play Off spot for the Bills.

But a Browns loss all but confirms the Steelers as AFCN champs with their next game against the Bengals.
Steelers will get seeded 2 or 3 if Bills can leapfrog.

So if Bills stay at 3 seed (or get to 2) that means if we can get through the Wildcard round the Divisional game will be against Steelers.

Steelers seem to be the weakest potential opponent of any of the AFC contenders.

Lots can change but that’s not a bad scenario for the Bills.

#GoBills

You're making the assumption that the Steelers will win in round 1, which seems pretty unlikely right now.  Both the Browns and Ravens do seem. really dangerous after last nights game (although maybe it's just the fact that neither team plays defense.)

[Rigotz]

Two things I care about:

1) Win the division

2) Have a better record than everyone else

 

We now have the uncontested #3 seed and we're closing in on the #2 seed.

We need to win and Steelers to lose. Cleveland losing simply eliminates another team from contesting that #2 spot.

[peterlaw]

1 minute ago, Casey D said:

Given the schedules, it would be a big upset if Colts/Titans, Ravens or Browns are not the three wild card teams.  Cleveland has two easy games, Ravens three.  Miami Raiders and Pats are toast.

I would say Miami beats Pats & Raiders.  So then it depends on whether Bills rest their starters in Week 17 which they might.  It’s possible the Ravens win out and fail to make the Play Offs.

[BearNorth]

I'm thinking that a lot of our problems against the run were due to Star opting out.  We don't have a true replacement with his ability to at zero tech to mess up the center of the trenches.  Milano being back, as long as he stays healthy helps us against the mobile qb's.

 

[section122]

7 minutes ago, Rigotz said:

Two things I care about:

1) Win the division

2) Have a better record than everyone else

 

We now have the uncontested #3 seed and we're closing in on the #2 seed.

We need to win and Steelers to lose. Cleveland losing simply eliminates another team from contesting that #2 spot.

Id like to keep the 3 seed or even move to the 2 and have it locked up before week 17 so the Bills can get a pseudo bye.  

 

The 3 is still in danger with the titans right on the Bills heels.

Edited December 15, 2020 by section122

[peterlaw]

6 minutes ago, section122 said:

Id like to keep the 3 seed or even move to the 2 and have it locked up before week 17 so the Bills can get a pseudo bye.  

 

The 3 is still in danger with the titans right on the Bills heels.

 

Thats true. Titans have the potential tiebreaker on us.  

BUT if it's a 3 way tie with Pittsburgh on the basis the Steelers have beaten the Titans the "head to head" tiebreaker would be disregarded.   

[Ed_Formerly_of_Roch]

1 hour ago, peterlaw said:

Some were hoping for a Browns win to seal a super early Play Off spot for the Bills.

But a Browns loss all but confirms the Steelers as AFCN champs with their next game against the Bengals.
Steelers will get seeded 2 or 3 if Bills can leapfrog.

So if Bills stay at 3 seed (or get to 2) that means if we can get through the Wildcard round the Divisional game will be against Steelers.

Steelers seem to be the weakest potential opponent of any of the AFC contenders.

Lots can change but that’s not a bad scenario for the Bills.

#GoBills

 

So hows this good news for the Bills?  Likely even with a Cleveland win everything you just stated would remain the same.  OK yes Cleveland could have little better chance to win the division.

 

The only thing I felt slightly good about from the Ravens win was it most likely reduces the odds of the Pats slipping into the playoffs as a wild card team.  A Raven's loss would have helped them some.

[Royale with Cheese]

1 hour ago, ScottLaw said:

I can't see how people actually want to play the Ravens in the first round... they are the last team I'd want to play... crossing my fingers for a Dolphins or Colts match up. 

Eh. The AFC is so stacked. A lot of good teams so WC weekend will be no cake walk. 

 

I changed my mind on the Browns.  They're good.  Don't think they're great yet but I can now see winning a playoff game.  But still will think they'll be one and done.

[hemma]

Between injuries & COVID, it's tough to say which team(s) will be weakened and there is a lot of time left.

 

Right now, we're looking to be a tough out for any of them.

[Lv-Bills]

2 hours ago, FeelingOnYouboty said:

There won’t be a gimmie in round 1. Every team offers a huge challenge but I’d love to play the Steelers in Round 2 if they can get past the Dolphins

The Dolphins won't be in the playoffs.  The Ravens will easily pass them.

1 hour ago, peterlaw said:

There is a realistic scenario where the Ravens win out, get to 11-5 and still don’t make the Play Offs.  This would involve the Bills resting all their starters in Week 17 and gifting Miami a win.  And then play Miami the following week in the Wildcard.

Not gonna happen.  If the Steelers win one more game, the Bills will automatically have something to play for in Week 17.  The Steelers will win one more game this week vs. Cincy.  The Ravens will easily be in the playoffs.  Miami is in deep trouble.

[dma0034]

The only teams I don't want to play in the first round is Cleveland and Tennessee. Their run game is difficult to stop. Against the Ravens you can load up the box and make Lamar best you with his arm. Baker and Tannehill can actually throw the ball.