The Red King Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 (edited) As I revel in the afterglow of this most wonderful beatdown I'm left to wonder...was that painful loss to Arizona actually beneficial? Up to that point, the Bills would roll up an early lead, then go flat dropping into conservative mode. They let their opponents back into games and then we all held our breath as they turned it back on and clawed out a win. They almost did it again against the Cardinals. Forget the painful ending a moment, the Bills had and blew a decent lead. Once again Allen had to fight back near the end to take what looked like a game winning score, only to have their hearts ripped out. Things changed after that. Buffalo stopped trying to protect a lead, and started stepping on throats, and it was glorious. The Bills started leaving a trail of broken bodies, dreams and playoff chances in their wake. So, what do you all think? Was the Hail Murray actually a much needed wake-up call to rouse the meat grinder we saw on display today? Edited January 3, 2021 by The Red King 12 4 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TailgateChef Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 (edited) Good take. Sorta reminds me of this: I loved this guy in college. Imagine his passion and drive with unlimited arm talent? We have him. Edited January 3, 2021 by TailgateChef 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BADOLBILZ Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 I think it was just the one-week-at-a-time approach and deliberate routine. They've had some dog-day stretches in every season but they have come earlier and earlier each successive playoff season. That's a credit to McD and also to Josh Allen for not losing focus.........it's something we've seen the Patriots do for 2 decades prior...........if your leaders don't get caught up in the moment then it's a lot easier to keep the team on point and improving. 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsfaninSB Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 At least it did not come back to haunt us. I’m relieved about that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Over 29 years of fanhood Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 13 minutes ago, The Red King said: As I revel in the afterglow of this most wonderful beatdown I'm left to wonder...was that painful loss to Arizona actually beneficial? Up to that point, the Bills would roll up an early lead, then go flat dropping into conservative mode. They let their opponents back into games and then we all held our breath as they turned it back on and clawed out a win. They almost did it again against the Cardinals. Forget the painful ending a moment, the Bills had and blew a decent lead. Once again Allen had to fight back near the end to take what looked like a game winning score, only to have their hearts ripped out. Things changed after that. Buffalo stopped trying to protect a lead, and started stepping on throats, and it was glorious. The Bills started leaving a trail of broken bodies, dreams and playoff chances in their wake. So, what do you all think? Was the Hail Murray actually a much needed wake-up call to rouse the meat grinder we saw on display today? I don’t think it was a bad thing they had to go into the bye thinking about that game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Success Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 I don't think there is any doubt. That would have been the end of the season for a lot of Bills teams we've seen over the years. But it brought out the best in this team. They took it as a challenge - we've been a different team since that day. Leaving nothing to doubt. And it's interesting to see that the Cards went in a completely different direction. They're probably going to miss the playoffs now. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffaloboyinATL Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 That is a great take. I agree! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Otreply Posted January 4, 2021 Share Posted January 4, 2021 I believe it drove home the point that success can be fleeting, and that it’s not over till the clock hits zero, that and never take your foot off the gas on either side of the ball, never! Go Bills!!! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBBills Posted January 4, 2021 Share Posted January 4, 2021 (edited) Nah the Bills were beginning to peak there that loss had nothing to do with everything else. That game was won for the most part so it wasn't huge. They were finally getting players back on defense and the defense was starting to get better. Edited January 4, 2021 by TBBills 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo Junction Posted January 4, 2021 Share Posted January 4, 2021 4 minutes ago, TBBills said: Nah the Bills were beginning to peak there that loss had nothing to do with everything else. That game was won for the most part so it wasn't huge. They were finally getting players back on defense and the defense was starting to get better. In large part I agree. I do think it made a difference with the playcalling though. Frazier in particular has been more aggressive in the second half since that game; especially in the third quarter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OZBILLS Posted January 4, 2021 Share Posted January 4, 2021 Still should have broken up the pass. Unforgivable Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whatdrought Posted January 4, 2021 Share Posted January 4, 2021 It's a good point... Furthermore, there's a shot of Josh walking to the bench to get his hat directly after the Hail Mary with a look of complete determination as if to say "I'm not going to be the reason my team loses again." I think that's a moment like last years Pats game, and the WC game where we see the Psychology of Josh changing to become what he is. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarleyNY Posted January 4, 2021 Share Posted January 4, 2021 They turned a negative into a positive by using the Hail Murray as motivation. That’s a mark of good leadership and a strong organization. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fergie's ire Posted January 4, 2021 Share Posted January 4, 2021 Agreed. I remember Josh saying as much after the game...that they had to learn to stop letting teams back in the game. Plus, it's always a good idea to lose against NFC teams because it helps with the tiebreaker. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsPride12 Posted January 4, 2021 Share Posted January 4, 2021 I felt like it definitely lit a spark in them and gave them more of a killer instinct mentality going forward. Sure they were a young team that was going to progress throughout the season either way but I think that heartbreaking loss was a part of the progression. You could tell the players and coaches were truly hurting after that loss. They seemed just as hurt over that one as the Houston playoff game last year. Then we had the BYE week right after it so it really gave them some time to have to sit with that feeling in their gut. That seemed like a major turning point in the season to me where we were on a mission to completely bury teams. The coaching and game planning seemed much more aggressive when we came back from the BYE. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giuseppe Tognarelli Posted January 4, 2021 Share Posted January 4, 2021 Micah Hyde said he's glad it happened, so yes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunnerBill Posted January 4, 2021 Share Posted January 4, 2021 I think that drive at the end of that game, even though in the end it counted for nought, clicked Josh back into top gear. He was awesome for 4 weeks then dinged up and decent but not special for a spell from Tennessee to Arizona. Since then we got first 4 week Josh back. I think him feeling better physically played in but also I think that drive was a bit of a moment for Allen and Diggs of "man we can't be stopped". 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed_Formerly_of_Roch Posted January 4, 2021 Share Posted January 4, 2021 2 hours ago, The Red King said: As I revel in the afterglow of this most wonderful beatdown I'm left to wonder...was that painful loss to Arizona actually beneficial? Up to that point, the Bills would roll up an early lead, then go flat dropping into conservative mode. They let their opponents back into games and then we all held our breath as they turned it back on and clawed out a win. They almost did it again against the Cardinals. Forget the painful ending a moment, the Bills had and blew a decent lead. Once again Allen had to fight back near the end to take what looked like a game winning score, only to have their hearts ripped out. Things changed after that. Buffalo stopped trying to protect a lead, and started stepping on throats, and it was glorious. The Bills started leaving a trail of broken bodies, dreams and playoff chances in their wake. So, what do you all think? Was the Hail Murray actually a much needed wake-up call to rouse the meat grinder we saw on display today? I certainly think if they hadn't lost that game, they'd have lost at least one down the stretch, maybe more. So overall agree Hail Murrey helped the team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billznut Posted January 4, 2021 Share Posted January 4, 2021 Hated losing that way to Arizona and Murray, who are both way overrated. So glad to see their season end today as they never should have been in position to get in the playoffs with a win today anyways if it wasn’t for that lucky win vs Buffalo. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoloinOhio Posted January 4, 2021 Share Posted January 4, 2021 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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