Big Turk Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 I don't know how much I like this... https://www.yahoo.com/sports/report-belief-bills-play-josh-040335197.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djp14150 Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 Josh would be playing just to through the 40 or so yards needed for team record. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hapless Bills Fan Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 9 minutes ago, Big Turk said: I don't know how much I like this... https://www.yahoo.com/sports/report-belief-bills-play-josh-040335197.html FWIW, on the Buffalobills website, One Bills live segment with Greg Cosell, he alludes to calling Chris Brown and Steve Tasker and pumping them for what was going to happen because they were profiling the Bills on their pregame show, and Brown says "sorry we couldn't help you". So I don't think Fowler really knows who will play or how much. People are trying to read the tea leaves from the PS callups as well, but look at last week where they called up Davis Webb then left him inactive. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocky Landing Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 (edited) The Bills want to win this game, and will do what they need to do to get it done. The Steelers losing is not a forgone conclusion. I would be pretty surprised not to see Allen play, and to be honest, I'm not worried in the least. The O-lines has been giving him great protection, he's been taking it easy on the hero-ball thing, and, of course, the league, and the refs are strict on roughing the passer calls. Diggs and Smoke are the players I worry about unnecessarily putting in harm's way. I hope they limit their snaps. Diggs doesn't need them, and give Smoke just enough to get his groove back from his absence. Let Davis have a huge game. Maybe elevate a WR from the PS. Run the ball more. But, win the game. Edited January 3, 2021 by Rocky Landing 11 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick Duffy Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 (edited) 11 minutes ago, djp14150 said: Josh would be playing just to through the 40 or so yards needed for team record. Nah they are playing for that 2nd seed. Sure a record for JA would be great, but I doubt that's the 1st thing on their mind Edited January 3, 2021 by Patrick_Duffy 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsFan619 Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 1 minute ago, Patrick_Duffy said: Nah they are playing for that 2nd seed. Sure a recored for JA would be great, but I doubt that's the 1st thing on their mind Yup! That’s my hope too. Grab that #2 seed and run with it. Go Bills! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dablitzkrieg Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 I expect all starters to play. It will be a normal game. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LABILLBACKER Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 There's no way they play more than the 1st half. Too risky to have any of our top players go down. Especially with no bye. Mason Rudolph is not beating the Steelers. 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJS Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 It just depends how long. I could see the first half. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nelius Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 (edited) I've come around on it. Who knows, maybe maintaining the same rhythm is better Covid prep in some way, of which this team has done a pretty good job of managing so far. We've kept a pretty healthy team together for the most part so I'm okay with the professionals just doing their thing. On the brightside if Allen stays upright and healthy for even just a half he's got a good shot at 4500-35, which is just awesome. Edited January 3, 2021 by Nelius 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downunderbill Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 https://fb.watch/2N8xQb7qRH/ FWIW, Hyde says they are all anticipating on playing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malazan Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 Has anyone been expecting that the Starters wouldn't play at all? And if so, what drugs are you taking? It's always seemed like the starters (well, the Allen/Diggs/etc guys) would come in play a quarter to a half and call it a day. The hand wringing over someone possibly getting hurt is insane. They've played 15 games and some of you would have had starters sitting week 1. 6 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nelius Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 I am banking on 20+ Zack Moss touches tomorrow. I think this is the true Zack Moss breakout game. He's averaged ~13 carries the past 3 weeks, his usage is ramping up and this is a perfect game for the rook to take some pressure off of the passing game. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big C Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 The Bills are playing to win. And I think it's good to keep the starters in game shape. But, I do expect them to keep the starters mostly out of harm's way and probably get some of them out early. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big C Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 10 minutes ago, jeremy2020 said: Has anyone been expecting that the Starters wouldn't play at all? And if so, what drugs are you taking? It's always seemed like the starters (well, the Allen/Diggs/etc guys) would come in play a quarter to a half and call it a day. The hand wringing over someone possibly getting hurt is insane. They've played 15 games and some of you would have had starters sitting week 1. The implications of starters getting hurt in week 1 versus 17 are massively different. And it's easy to say things like this now, but if we are up two scores in the third and Allen or Diggs gets hurt you aren't going to feel this way. I trust the staff knows how to handle this, especially after Beasley got hurt last week during a meaningless series. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warcodered Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 3 minutes ago, Big C said: The implications of starters getting hurt in week 1 versus 17 are massively different. And it's easy to say things like this now, but if we are up two scores in the third and Allen or Diggs gets hurt you aren't going to feel this way. I trust the staff knows how to handle this, especially after Beasley got hurt last week during a meaningless series. Didn't the starting LT for Greenbay just go down during practice? I mean you kind of just have to roll with it. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big C Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 4 minutes ago, Warcodered said: Didn't the starting LT for Greenbay just go down during practice? I mean you kind of just have to roll with it. Sure fluky things happen. I don't have a problem with the starters playing; I'm just saying that I don't buy the "resting the starters week 17 is no different from resting them week 1" logic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QB Bills Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 What is this insanity? I'd like to see what fans advocating for the Bills to go all out to win would say if Allen gets hurt. It's beyond stupid to play the big guys tomorrow. Worst case, they go to Pittsburgh in the second round. And that is already highly unlikely. It's definitely not worth risking an injury. I hope this is all just a smokescreen and McDermott actually isn't this dense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Blitz Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 (edited) Do we have official word on what the Steelers are doing? If you see all the Steelers start, a couple things are clear. They are playing to win. However Ben is definitely playing injured. That has to be why Tomlin declared him out almost as soon as the week 16 games were done. My guess is Diggs will not play. I'd bet the farm he's not. Edited January 3, 2021 by Big Blitz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Blitz Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 (edited) Ok just saw its official. Out for the Steelers: Watt Heyward Pouncey And Haden and Ebron to Covid IR. They're done. Already down Bush and Dupree. Baltimore is going to steamroll them in RD 1. Our starters minus Diggs will be playing 2 series when Allen should get the record. Miami will win which is fine. Cleveland in RD1 then winner of Miami Tennessee in RD 2. Fine by me. Edited January 3, 2021 by Big Blitz 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Brown Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 6 minutes ago, Big Blitz said: Ok just saw its official. Out for the Steelers: Watt Heyward Pouncey And Haden and Ebron to Covid IR. They're done. Already down Bush and Dupree. Baltimore is going to steamroll them in RD 1. Our starters minus Diggs will be playing 2 series to Allen gets the record. Miami will win which is fine. Cleveland in RD1 then winner of Miami Tennessee in RD 2. Fine by me. That's where I'm at too although I could care less about the record. The best case scenario if we lose is that the Browns and Ravens win at the 1:00 time slot. Then I'll be rooting for the Colts to beat the Jags and the Titans to lose to the Texans on the road in the late afternoon games (give me a hungry Watt and Watson). That would give us Bills-Browns, Steelers-Ravens, and Colts-Fins with the covid Titans knocked out of the playoffs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warcodered Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 2 minutes ago, Doc Brown said: That's where I'm at too although I could care less about the record. The best case scenario if we lose is that the Browns and Ravens win at the 1:00 time slot. Then I'll be rooting for the Colts to beat the Jags and the Titans to lose to the Texans on the road in the late afternoon games (give me a hungry Watt and Watson). That would give us Bills-Browns, Steelers-Ravens, and Colts-Fins with the covid Titans knocked out of the playoffs. Honestly it's seemed like both the Browns and the Steelers are competing on who's going to have to drag the most dead weight in this race. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Blitz Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 12 minutes ago, Doc Brown said: That's where I'm at too although I could care less about the record. The best case scenario if we lose is that the Browns and Ravens win at the 1:00 time slot. Then I'll be rooting for the Colts to beat the Jags and the Titans to lose to the Texans on the road in the late afternoon games (give me a hungry Watt and Watson). That would give us Bills-Browns, Steelers-Ravens, and Colts-Fins with the covid Titans knocked out of the playoffs. This is without question the most ideal scenario. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigDingus Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 I just hope this isn't some weird game that sets the team back for no reason whatsoever... Derek Carr was great for a season, got injured, team bombed in the playoffs & then was never the same. Wentz looked great, got injured, they go on to win the SB, but then Wentz was never the same. RG III got injured, rushed back too early, failed in the playoffs, then was never the same. These didn't all happen last game of the season or anything, it's just my Bills PTSD talking & not wanting this ride to end! And if we lose Daboll, who knows what this team will look like next season, so can't take this year for granted 👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nextmanup Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 3 hours ago, Dablitzkrieg said: I expect all starters to play. It will be a normal game. I expect the opposite! And hope for the opposite! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warcodered Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 20 minutes ago, BigDingus said: I just hope this isn't some weird game that sets the team back for no reason whatsoever... Derek Carr was great for a season, got injured, team bombed in the playoffs & then was never the same. Wentz looked great, got injured, they go on to win the SB, but then Wentz was never the same. RG III got injured, rushed back too early, failed in the playoffs, then was never the same. These didn't all happen last game of the season or anything, it's just my Bills PTSD talking & not wanting this ride to end! And if we lose Daboll, who knows what this team will look like next season, so can't take this year for granted 👍 Well by all means speak it into existence. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Brown Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 1 hour ago, Warcodered said: Honestly it's seemed like both the Browns and the Steelers are competing on who's going to have to drag the most dead weight in this race. The Browns will play all those who are hobbled while the Steelers won't. The Steelers are also resting all of their essential players. It'll be interesting to see what they do with Johnson, Schuster, and Fitzpatrick. Browns running game is far superior and their passing attack is at least equal to the Steelers with Rudolph as QB. If the Browns are a true playoff team they should win this by double digits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beast Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 I like it A LOT! When you have something to play for, play for it hard! That is a great mentality to have throughout the organization! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nineforty Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 3 hours ago, QB Bills said: What is this insanity? I'd like to see what fans advocating for the Bills to go all out to win would say if Allen gets hurt. It's beyond stupid to play the big guys tomorrow. Worst case, they go to Pittsburgh in the second round. And that is already highly unlikely. It's definitely not worth risking an injury. I hope this is all just a smokescreen and McDermott actually isn't this dense. Why can't you trust the process? 12 wins... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beast Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 Other factors concerning today’s game... Do the Bills prefer playing at home? Are they more comfortable in their own surroundings or does it not matter to them, hopping on a plane, staying in a hotel and being bussed around, the comfort of their own locker room compared to playing in a stadium they aren’t as familiar with, then getting back on a plane and flying home? How do the Pegula’s feel about possibly hosting a second playoff game with a win in their first? These things certainly will play a factor in the decision that is to be made. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
machine gun kelly Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 3 hours ago, Big C said: The implications of starters getting hurt in week 1 versus 17 are massively different. And it's easy to say things like this now, but if we are up two scores in the third and Allen or Diggs gets hurt you aren't going to feel this way. I trust the staff knows how to handle this, especially after Beasley got hurt last week during a meaningless series. C, I think it could be something in the middle. At a minimum, I wouldn’t want to see Allen and Diggs. The injury risk too high as it’s not like they could be out for a couple of weeks and come back mid season. We have to have the stars be healthy in the playoffs. My only contention is the Beasely example. Even if he didn’t play doesn’t mean he could’ve done the same thing in practice. You can’t bubble wrap these guys. I’m betting whoever plays we’ll see our best players getting pulled somewhere in the first half. The D Line’s on a rotation, and we don’t have that many O Linemen. We’ll find out at 1pm. Probably the most attentive we’ll be for the first snap to see who is playing. Then it will be sit down watch. The best outcome is receive, score three times and then run the hell out of the ball. Moss is going to have a good day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleedbuffaloblue Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 IMO the Bills play their starters and play to win. That guaranteed second home playoff game is too important to leave in the hands of another team (Browns) to secure it for them. The players want to play this game for the organization and the fans. I can’t believe they would be in favor of risking a loss and potentially pimping the fans on a second home playoff game. No doubt if the Bills are solidly ahead in the second half they will start pulling key players from the game, but not until then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billsfan1959 Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 (edited) 2 hours ago, BigDingus said: I just hope this isn't some weird game that sets the team back for no reason whatsoever... Derek Carr was great for a season, got injured, team bombed in the playoffs & then was never the same. Wentz looked great, got injured, they go on to win the SB, but then Wentz was never the same. RG III got injured, rushed back too early, failed in the playoffs, then was never the same. These didn't all happen last game of the season or anything, it's just my Bills PTSD talking & not wanting this ride to end! And if we lose Daboll, who knows what this team will look like next season, so can't take this year for granted 👍 Not everyone lives their lives in fear... Edited January 3, 2021 by billsfan1959 4 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hemma Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 I think most people would agree that it is an advantage to be playing your best football as you enter the playoffs. Strive for perfect execution. To do that, you need to actually play football. I think we see 4 drives from 'the starters'. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jpsredemption Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 2 hours ago, Doc Brown said: The Browns will play all those who are hobbled while the Steelers won't. The Steelers are also resting all of their essential players. It'll be interesting to see what they do with Johnson, Schuster, and Fitzpatrick. Browns running game is far superior and their passing attack is at least equal to the Steelers with Rudolph as QB. If the Browns are a true playoff team they should win this by double digits. And the Bills should have won by double digits vs the Steelers backups in 2004. I know these are different teams but we shall see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thurman#1 Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 (edited) 6 hours ago, Big Turk said: I don't know how much I like this... https://www.yahoo.com/sports/report-belief-bills-play-josh-040335197.html Yeah, I'd expect them to do just as they did last year, play 'em for a series or two. I wouldn't even do that, but I'm not the coach. Edited January 3, 2021 by Thurman#1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KCNC Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 If this is true, I do not agree with it 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thurman#1 Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 (edited) 5 hours ago, jeremy2020 said: Has anyone been expecting that the Starters wouldn't play at all? And if so, what drugs are you taking? It's always seemed like the starters (well, the Allen/Diggs/etc guys) would come in play a quarter to a half and call it a day. The hand wringing over someone possibly getting hurt is insane. They've played 15 games and some of you would have had starters sitting week 1. It's anything but insane. It's completely sensible. That's why Pittsburgh is doing it. It's simple risk/reward. The same risk as usual but for much less reward. And your week 1 comparison is utter nonsense. The reward is different. The risk is the same, but the reward is different early. The biggest advantage they could possibly get is the possibility of a home game for the second game, and even that would only happen if the Steelers win this week behind Mason Rudolph and then both the Steelers and Bills win the first playoff game. The odds are pretty decent that at least one of those three events won't come true, particularly the Steelers winning today. And the odds of the Bills winning that first playoff game would be gravely decreased by a crucial injury or two. 1 hour ago, billsfan1959 said: Not everyone lives their lives in fear... Correct. And that includes the teams that sit the starters. That's not fear. It's sense. It's playing the odds. It's being smart. It's heeding what the risk/reward ratio tells you. Edited January 3, 2021 by Thurman#1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giuseppe Tognarelli Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 5 hours ago, QB Bills said: What is this insanity? I'd like to see what fans advocating for the Bills to go all out to win would say if Allen gets hurt. It's beyond stupid to play the big guys tomorrow. Worst case, they go to Pittsburgh in the second round. And that is already highly unlikely. It's definitely not worth risking an injury. I hope this is all just a smokescreen and McDermott actually isn't this dense. Playing Pittsburgh home vs. away is not the primary thing at stake. Playing Baltimore round 1 is. 4 hours ago, Doc Brown said: That's where I'm at too although I could care less about the record. The best case scenario if we lose is that the Browns and Ravens win at the 1:00 time slot. Then I'll be rooting for the Colts to beat the Jags and the Titans to lose to the Texans on the road in the late afternoon games (give me a hungry Watt and Watson). That would give us Bills-Browns, Steelers-Ravens, and Colts-Fins with the covid Titans knocked out of the playoffs. I have a strange feeling Watson is going to knock Titans out of playoffs. Could just be indigestion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOUSE Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 6 hours ago, LABILLBACKER said: There's no way they play more than the 1st half. Too risky to have any of our top players go down. Especially with no bye. Mason Rudolph is not beating the Steelers. Don't be so sure 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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