Round 1 Playoff: Colts at Bills - Sat. 1/9 1:05pm

[Scott7975]

NFL Super Wild Card Weekend: One big question for each of the six games

 

1:05 p.m. ET (CBS) | Bills Stadium (Orchard Park, N.Y.)

 

Can any defense slow down the Bills?

 

It's remarkable how far the Bills have come over the last year. While the NFL stuck them in the early-Saturday wild-card slot again -- which is even earlier this year -- this Buffalo team could not be any more different than its 2019 edition. When I did this exercise a year ago, I asked if the Bills' defense was enough because Josh Allen was so erratic. Now, the Bills' offense is good enough to put up 56 against a terrific Dolphins defense, despite Allen being benched at halftime.

 

The Colts have a well-coached, playmaking defense led by DeForest Buckner and Darius Leonard that is up for a challenge, but that's unlikely to be enough. The return of Buffalo speedster John Brown on Sunday added another dimension for Allen, who finished the season playing better than any quarterback. (Even MVP-to-be Aaron Rodgers.) The Bills' defense has performed like a top-10 unit since Week 7, which will make it harder for a Colts offense without left tackle Anthony Castonzo to try to keep up.

 

Bills coach Sean McDermott is the rare defensive coordinator-turned-head coach who has embraced an aggressive offensive philosophy because he saw that a sound defense and running game would only take him so far. The Colts may learn a similar lesson Saturday.

 

 

There is also a highlight vid of Josh's passes yesterday.

https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-super-wild-card-weekend-one-big-question-for-each-of-the-six-games

Edited January 4, 2021 by Scott7975

[Success]

7 minutes ago, BillsSbSoon said:

Rivers actually worries me a bit because weve struggled with him whenever weve played him for the most part. Different team different year i know. He gets the ball out quick like fitzpatrick and that has given us problems

 

I've always been a fan of his game, and his attitude. He had the unfortunate luck of spending his peak years in the shadow of Brady & Manning.

 

The games I've seen this year, he's just not the same guy. He's capable of some of the old brilliance, but it seems like he can get rattled more easily, and he floats and skips more passes than he used to.

 

Not that he can't still get it done, but he's not as scary as he used to be. Age is catching up.

 

[r00tabaga]

7 minutes ago, Success said:

 

I've always been a fan of his game, and his attitude. He had the unfortunate luck of spending his peak years in the shadow of Brady & Manning.

 

The games I've seen this year, he's just not the same guy. He's capable of some of the old brilliance, but it seems like he can get rattled more easily, and he floats and skips more passes than he used to.

 

Not that he can't still get it done, but he's not as scary as he used to be. Age is catching up.

 

He’ll need to put up 40+ pts this week. Not sure he can especially if it’s ‘chilly’.

A Carolina native who’s spent his career in SD & now a dome it doesn’t look real great IMO.

Frazier will sell out on run.

[QLBillsFan]

Colts will be tough. They can run the ball with break away RB in Taylor. Veteran QB who will dump all day and work his way down field. A stout D who can bring pressure. Bills advantage is WR vs DB’s. That is the key for Bills on O. Manage the Colts run game on D. Much closer hard fought game then I’m seeing from Bills fans. Bills in a tight one. 

[Warcodered]

20 minutes ago, BillsSbSoon said:

Rivers actually worries me a bit because weve struggled with him whenever weve played him for the most part. Different team different year i know. He gets the ball out quick like fitzpatrick and that has given us problems

That was an NFL arm ago.

[Success]

3 minutes ago, QLBillsFan said:

Colts will be tough. They can run the ball with break away RB in Taylor. Veteran QB who will dump all day and work his way down field. A stout D who can bring pressure. Bills advantage is WR vs DB’s. That is the key for Bills on O. Manage the Colts run game on D. Much closer hard fought game then I’m seeing from Bills fans. Bills in a tight one. 

 

Agreed.  

 

Teams that can run well scare me.  That's the one thing that can derail the Bills - an opponent chewing up big chunks of clock by grinding out 1st downs on the ground.

 

Those are frustrating games to watch, too. we've had some games this year where it felt like we only had 2-3 actual possessions in a half.  

 

TOP is a key indicator for this year's Bills. If we can keep that relatively even, we generally win.

 

[Warcodered]

 

[Patrick Duffy]

50 minutes ago, Success said:

 

I've always been a fan of his game, and his attitude. He had the unfortunate luck of spending his peak years in the shadow of Brady & Manning.

 

The games I've seen this year, he's just not the same guy. He's capable of some of the old brilliance, but it seems like he can get rattled more easily, and he floats and skips more passes than he used to.

 

Not that he can't still get it done, but he's not as scary as he used to be. Age is catching up.

 

Well thing is, is that they have a pretty good running game. As they say, it's a QB's best friend. He has struggled a little maybe but if they get their running game going good it will open it up for him and that's what you don't want with his quick release.

 

In any event I have a lot of confidence in the Bills secondary and he has not seen this particular Bills secondary yet (if I'm not mistaken). We know this is not the Rivers from a few years ago when he came in and picked the Bills D apart.

 

He is gotten older and this is a very good secondary that will hopefully make his day difficult.

Edited January 4, 2021 by Patrick_Duffy

[Bangarang]

Get up early and let Rivers’ noodle arm try and get them back in.

Edited January 4, 2021 by Bangarang

[JMF2006]

1 hour ago, QLBillsFan said:

Colts will be tough. They can run the ball with break away RB in Taylor. Veteran QB who will dump all day and work his way down field. A stout D who can bring pressure. Bills advantage is WR vs DB’s. That is the key for Bills on O. Manage the Colts run game on D. Much closer hard fought game then I’m seeing from Bills fans. Bills in a tight one. 

 

The Bills dare other teams to string together 10-12 play drives...they know the opponent is going to fail or make a mistake

[Straight Hucklebuck]

When does McDermott speak to the media again?

[Patrick Duffy]

4 minutes ago, Bangarang said:

Get up early and let Rivers’ noodle arm try and get them back in.

That's what we hope will happen. Then the secondary can get an INT or 2. Really going to come down to how well the Bills do against their rushing attack. Still though I have confidence in the secondary.

 

Allen and co. will put up some points. So will be great if the Bills can pull ahead, but I just think this will be a little closer game imo

[Pokebball]

 

[Domitian]

IMO it comes down to two things:

 

The offense keeping up their high flying momentum

The defense stopping Jonathan Taylor

 

2020/21 Rivers does not worry me.  Bills secondary is solid. Colts secondary, however, is ass.

[Cheektowaga Chad]

The bills will be the best defense the colts have played all season - something no one is really talking about

 

 

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

1 minute ago, Cheektowaga Chad said:

The bills will be the best defense the colts have played all season - something no one is really talking about

 

 

How do you figure? They have played the titans (twice), bears, Steelers, browns, and ravens. 

[Domitian]

2 minutes ago, Miyagi-Do Karate said:

How do you figure? They have played the titans (twice), bears, Steelers, browns, and ravens. 

 

All true, except the Titan's D is absolutely terrible.  They have the 5th worst defense in the league.  Their secondary especially is trash.

[r00tabaga]

7 minutes ago, Miyagi-Do Karate said:

How do you figure? They have played the titans (twice), bears, Steelers, browns, and ravens. 

Browns & Titans???? Lol

[Cheektowaga Chad]

4 minutes ago, Miyagi-Do Karate said:

How do you figure? They have played the titans (twice), bears, Steelers, browns, and ravens. 

Bears and ravens I see as debatable but very comparable and maybe lean towards those teams. And a healthy steelers is better than the bills but they played them a week ago but when they played I would say the bills defense is currently better

 

The titans defense is bad, one of the worst defenses in the league on 3rd downs, browns have Garrett and thats it

[RichRiderBills]

Hot take: I dont think we need to stop the run to win.

 

Look at this past game, 200 plus yards and they barely beat the Jags. A JV offense and Jax could have won.

 

Rivers cant beat this D. Hes going to get sacked and cough up the ball. Im not saying this out of disrespect, Rivers has always turned the ball over a ton, even in games they win. 

 

Rivers cant run, so this is a huge bonus to our D who have eaten alive immobile QBs.

 

Both those will be brutal versus the Bills O. 

 

My big key to the game is force 3rd and longs. Get Rivers in this down and we will win. Chargers will need to score 35 to compete....can they do that? Not if they need to drive the field and convert 3rd downs. No sir.

 

Too many things need to line up for colts to win. 

Edited January 4, 2021 by RichRiderBills

[Magox]

29 minutes ago, Pokebball said:

 

 

I'm just watching this and basking in it all, soaking it all up.  What a pleasure it has been to be a Bills fan this year.  

 

Rome made the point that the Bills aren't just happy to be in the playoffs and it ends with Edmunds telling Rome that they are looking to win it all.

[freddyjj]

1 minute ago, RichRiderBills said:

Hot take: I dont think we need to stop the run to win.

 

Look at this past game, 200 plus yards and they barely beat the Jags. A JV offense and Jax could have won.

 

Rivers cant beat this D. Hes going to get sacked and cough up the ball. Im not saying this out of disrespect, Rivers has always turned the ball over a ton, even in games they win. 

 

Rivers cant run, so this is a huge bonus to our D who have eaten alive immobile QBs.

 

Both those will be brutal versus the Bills O. 

 

My big key to the game is force 3rd and longs. Get Rivers in this down and we will win. Chargers will need to score 35 to compete....can they do that? Not if they need to drive the field and convert 3rd downs. No sir.

 

Too many things need to line up for colts to win. 

Sounds like a strategy but Rivers has been sacked less than 20 times.  Costanzo out at LT so Jerry or Addison have to beat Veldeheer to get to him.  They throw a lot of screens to RB and TE.  

[TylerD]

Howdy folks, first time poster here. I just wanted to say good luck this weekend, and I respect the hell out of what Buffalo was able to do this season! As a Colts fan (have been since 2004) I am not quite sure what to expect this weekend..... Hopefully we can at least make this game competitive and not get blown out lol. If the Colts aren't able to get the W this weekend, I will be rooting for Buffalo to go all the way this year!

 

I will be around and hope to chat with some of you folks.... I am definitely not a troll, or someone that likes to fight... Though I do enjoy a good debate.... For example should Rivers start wearing a condom? My vote is yes lol. Anyway, cool board you guys have over here.

 

Take care.

[YoloinOhio]

 

[BuffaloBobs]

Just now, TylerD said:

Howdy folks, first time poster here. I just wanted to say good luck this weekend, and I respect the hell out of what Buffalo was able to do this season! As a Colts fan (have been since 2004) I am not quite sure what to expect this weekend..... Hopefully we can at least make this game competitive and not get blown out lol. If the Colts aren't able to get the W this weekend, I will be rooting for Buffalo to go all the way this year!

 

I will be around and hope to chat with some of you folks.... I am definitely not a troll, or someone that likes to fight... Though I do enjoy a good debate.... For example should Rivers start wearing a condom? My vote is yes lol. Anyway, cool board you guys have over here.

 

Take care.

 

Welcome, you guys have a balanced and tough squad.

 

It's too bad we face each other this first game -- I've been quietly rooting for you guys since one of our favorites became your coach. 

[Cheektowaga Chad]

3 minutes ago, TylerD said:

Howdy folks, first time poster here. I just wanted to say good luck this weekend, and I respect the hell out of what Buffalo was able to do this season! As a Colts fan (have been since 2004) I am not quite sure what to expect this weekend..... Hopefully we can at least make this game competitive and not get blown out lol. If the Colts aren't able to get the W this weekend, I will be rooting for Buffalo to go all the way this year!

 

I will be around and hope to chat with some of you folks.... I am definitely not a troll, or someone that likes to fight... Though I do enjoy a good debate.... For example should Rivers start wearing a condom? My vote is yes lol. Anyway, cool board you guys have over here.

 

Take care.

Are bills fans that scary that this post was needed!??!?? Lol

 

Love to hear the opposing fans take, so welcome

[Warcodered]

2 minutes ago, TylerD said:

I am not quite sure what to expect this weekend.....

The way the Bills have been playing probably this:

 

3 minutes ago, TylerD said:

Though I do enjoy a good debate.... For example should Rivers start wearing a condom? My vote is yes lol. Anyway, cool board you guys have over here.

I mean at this point 🤷‍♂️ horses are kind of out of the barn already.

[YoloinOhio]

 

 

[YoloinOhio]

 

[TylerD]

15 minutes ago, BuffaloBobs said:

 

Welcome, you guys have a balanced and tough squad.

 

It's too bad we face each other this first game -- I've been quietly rooting for you guys since one of our favorites became your coach. 

 Yes, agreed completely! I was hoping to face the Titans or Browns and get some much needed revenge on them..... I was hoping we wouldn't face you guys in the first round.... I also would have been very happy with Miami LOL!

15 minutes ago, Cheektowaga Chad said:

Are bills fans that scary that this post was needed!??!?? Lol

 

Love to hear the opposing fans take, so welcome

Hahahaha, naw you guys seem like good people! I have browsed the Chiefs planet forum before..... that is a special breed over there......

[Chandler#81]

Wow! Just WOW!

[TylerD]

15 minutes ago, Warcodered said:

The way the Bills have been playing probably this:

 

I mean at this point 🤷‍♂️ horses are kind of out of the barn already.

Lmao, valid point

Just now, Chandler#81 said:

Wow! Just WOW!

You guys definitely have a special QB..... Man is he ever fun to watch. I found myself watching quite a few Bills games this year. A rematch of Bills and Chiefs could go down as one of the greatest games ever if these two play like they have been!

[st pete gogolak]

6 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said:

 

TB put out word same day on Evan’s: no structural damage.  I don’t see why they can’t say the same thing about Beasley (assuming it’s true).

[PromoTheRobot]

I don't think this guy won the jersey. 

 

 

 

[Steptide]

I keep seeing a Bills vs Green Bay superbowl in my head. 

[Fan in Chicago]

26 minutes ago, TylerD said:

Howdy folks, first time poster here. I just wanted to say good luck this weekend, and I respect the hell out of what Buffalo was able to do this season! As a Colts fan (have been since 2004) I am not quite sure what to expect this weekend..... Hopefully we can at least make this game competitive and not get blown out lol. If the Colts aren't able to get the W this weekend, I will be rooting for Buffalo to go all the way this year!

 

I will be around and hope to chat with some of you folks.... I am definitely not a troll, or someone that likes to fight... Though I do enjoy a good debate.... For example should Rivers start wearing a condom? My vote is yes lol. Anyway, cool board you guys have over here.

 

Take care.

I am of course a Bills homer - but you should know what to expect this weekend. If the Colts cant keep scoring, this game could be over in the 3rd Q. 

But yea, a competitive game is more exciting to watch. 

I have never liked Rivers- even when he was putting up good passing numbers. I understand the Colts getting him as a bridge, but y'all do need a long term solution to go along with the good HC, RB and some skill players. 

Good of you to stop by, we like respectful posters around these parts.  

[YoloinOhio]

16 minutes ago, st pete gogolak said:

TB put out word same day on Evan’s: no structural damage.  I don’t see why they can’t say the same thing about Beasley (assuming it’s true).

Arians and McDermott couldn’t be more different. McDermott simply does not talk about injuries.

[BuffaloBobs]

Just now, Putin said:

2 to 3 possessions in a half I don’t remember a game like that 

 

I don't recall that either -- there were definitely games where the offense stalled out and we settled for field goals instead of touchdowns but don't recall a game like the OP describes.

 

This matchup is similar to the Steelers to me, I think our defense matches up well and if our offense is cooking it's going to be challenging for the Colts to hang with us.

[YoloinOhio]

 

[TylerD]

11 minutes ago, Fan in Chicago said:

I am of course a Bills homer - but you should know what to expect this weekend. If the Colts cant keep scoring, this game could be over in the 3rd Q. 

But yea, a competitive game is more exciting to watch. 

I have never liked Rivers- even when he was putting up good passing numbers. I understand the Colts getting him as a bridge, but y'all do need a long term solution to go along with the good HC, RB and some skill players. 

Good of you to stop by, we like respectful posters around these parts.  

That is my biggest fear with the Colts.... They can't put together a full 60 mins.... In at least 6 games this year, they have scored 17 or more in the first half and then just 3 or 0 in the second half..... I think the Colts will keep this reasonably close for the first half... Maybe something like 20-14 at half..... But if the Colts can't compete in the second half, this game will be a nasty blowout and Bills will win by 20 plus.

 

I couldn't stand Rivers trust me.... He was so arrogant in LA and always beat Manning and company when we played them. I definitely haven't minded having him on the team, but at this point he is just a game manager.... He won't lose you many games, but he damn sure can't put a team on his back like he used to. Colts definitely need something (I wouldn't be surprised if Carson Wentz came to Indy) time will tell.