Regardless of playoff outcome, will you consider this Bills season a success?

[NoHuddleKelly12]

If you look at the totality of the body of work put in by this regime, then there is zero question that the progress shown from the depths of the 2018 tear down/rebuild are long in the rearview mirror, and we have tangible milestones that have been reached (finding/developing a franchise worthy heir QB most of all), so much so that even though it would be tough to watch us strike out in the playoffs, I'd hold my fire on the hot takes until next year at least. But it's almost inconceivable that they won't win at least one playoff round this year. 

[RiotAct]

AFC Championship Game or bust.  Anything that happens from that point on is just gravy (although, it’ll be hard to remember that when the games are in progress I’m sure!)

[Success]

Must. End. Drought.

 

[gjv001]

As the old saying goes, "strike while the iron is hot". With upcoming salary cap issues looming don't know what next year will bring. Super Bowl or Bust!!!!!!! this season.

[MJS]

5 minutes ago, ScottLaw said:

They "choked" in 2018?

 

They weren't even favorites in the game against the Chargers. They didn't choke at all..... Last year yes, a very disappointing loss to the Titans at home.

They were coming off a big win streak and looked very good. And then they were completely neutralized. I think everyone was pretty surprised to see them struggle so badly that year. And I don't think anyone would have been surprised to see Baltimore win that game.

[BigBuff423]

Two or more years ago I would have said "Yes", but given the state of the franchise and what has been accomplished by this team, I have to answer "No". It will be difficult to predict what my perception of success will be for anything short of a Super Bowl win. That's not to say that if the Bills were to lose anywhere between the Divisional Round and the Super Bowl that I would consider it a "failure", but I just can't anticipate that thought process until after the season is fully complete for the Bills. 

[DCBongo]

At this point I will not be happy unless the Bills reach the AFCC.  Assuming that will be KC, its house money.  I will not be surprised if they win or lose.  Anything short, makes this a good season,  but not a great one.

[DCOrange]

To me, it's already a success. Allen and the team made a huge leap and the offense as a whole made an even larger leap.

 

It can be a successful season with a disappointing ending (losing to the Colts). I don't think those two things contradict one another.

[BuffaloBaumer]

Just knowing that we have our QB with an exciting offense, great coach/GM combo and the comfort of making the playoffs for many years to come is all I needed. But hell yea, I really think this team is the best in the league and the stars are aligned to take this thing this year....let's go get it

[BillsVet]

It's not wrong to re-evaluate expectations during the course of the season.  To start the year I thought they needed to win the division and make the playoffs that way, then take a post-season game.  

 

Now, to be the 2 seed with 6 straight wins entering the playoffs the standard rises.  Winning 2 games to advance to the Conference Championship has to be the bar.  And why not think SB while we're at it.  This team is that good right now.    

 

Nothing illegal about shooting for the highest level.  You never know what'll happen in future seasons, so win now.

[HOUSE]

5 weeks ago a playoff win would have been good enough.

 

I now need the whole SB victory

[Process]

Anything other than a loss to KC in the AFCCG or trip to the SB is a huge disappointment. 

 

Going into the season a playoff win was a good goal. After the season we had, going into the playoffs as the best and hottest team in the league, with an elite QB, they need to do more. 

 

Going 13-3 only to lose to the freakin colts in the playoffs would be a bigger failure than last year. 

[Casey D]

2 hours ago, klos63 said:

If we beat Indy and then lose to Pittsburgh or Cleveland, I will not consider the season a great success, although it really was successful.

There is no chance we play Cleveland unless it is in the AFC Championship game.  Game 2 if we get there is Pitt or the Balt/Tenn winner.

[SoTier]

1 hour ago, YoloinOhio said:

I feel this. I’m so used to losing in the playoffs that I’m not fully enjoying the excitement of their regular season like I should. I’m bracing myself. I hate that. 

 

Wait a minute ... the Bills have only played in 2 previous playoff games in the last 20 years.   I think that 2 playoff losses -- one of which was a last minute surprise from a make-shift roster filled with hold overs from the previous regime -- does not scream a pattern of losing in the playoffs.   I think that the Bills' long history of blowing opportunities to win games in the past is what's really limiting your excitement for their regular season. 

 

This team isn't anything like any Bills teams we've seen before ... even us old-timers who remembered the great Super Bowl teams of the 1990s.   I will be disappointed if the Bills don't win the Super Bowl, but manure can happen in the playoffs.  This season has already been a great success, win or lose against Indy on Saturday.

[ticketssince61]

after being a Bills fan for over 50 years, it is WIN "superbowl or bust"

 

A good friend of the family just turned 90, and he says that he is tired of wait til next year since "I am not sure how many more next year's I will have"

[Hampton Josh fan]

7 hours ago, MJS said:

I guess I'd have to see how the playoffs happen before really being able to answer this. If the Bills get spanked by the Colts, that's pretty disappointing. If Josh Allen and Diggs get COVID and can't suit up, it's a little of a different story though.

 

Just have to take things one game at a time. All things bring equal, I would like to see the Bills make it to the conference championship game.

I guess. The Ravens choked in the playoffs two years in a row but I think most people think they are still a very good team and a threat in the playoffs.

 

That being said, the Bills need to go prove their worth in the playoffs.

The thread was what would make the season a success? What does the perception of the Ravens after they lost as the top seed have to do with us. Losing for this team will not be acceptable after this regular season. 

[WideNine]

I am not quite so harsh on this team, as I do not think that any of us would be harder on this team as they would be on themselves if they do not go far this post-season.

 

I cannot look at the ground-work that has been laid, the team that has been assembled, the continuity of FO management that has been invested in and call this season a failure if the bounces do not go our way in the playoffs.

 

Will I be disappointed, sure. But, is there anyone that thinks that this Bill's squad and Allen are one and done for post-season appearances? This team is built to be competitive for a long haul with a generational talent at QB.

 

They just need to get their ticket to the shows, prep and game-plan like they have all year, then focus and execute as they have at a high level.

 

The rest will take care of itself.

[SlimShady'sSpaceForce]

Am I skeered?  
 

Damn straight I am. 
 

it would suck if the worst happens 

 

BBFS has us / me always waiting for the shoe to drop. 
 

But in the end -  this is an awesome team and will be good for a while 

 

[transient]

If this was the beginning of the season and the poll was worded such as to ask if the Bills were able to achieve what they've in fact achieved irrespective of playoff results, I think I would have answered differently. Watching this team grow and seeing the momentum they have going into the playoffs, while I wouldn't necessarily call this season unsuccessful if they fail to reach the AFC Championship game or SB, I would feel like they fell well short of their potential and wasted an opportunity that there is no guarantee that they'll get again, especially with the poaching of the coaching staff and front office that will inevitably take place.

[MJS]

32 minutes ago, Hampton Josh fan said:

The thread was what would make the season a success? What does the perception of the Ravens after they lost as the top seed have to do with us. Losing for this team will not be acceptable after this regular season. 

I responded to a specific post in the thread. If you want more context for what I wrote, reference that specific post.

[Warcodered]

I think going into the season the goal was at least 1, week 16/17 I'd say it's not unreasonable to think this team should make it to the AFC Championship at least. They are clearly better and should beat any of the teams they face before then.

[Hampton Josh fan]

10 minutes ago, MJS said:

I responded to a specific post in the thread. If you want more context for what I wrote, reference that specific post.

I'm sorry, I responded incorrectly to your post. It was supposed to be directed to someone who said the Ravens blowing the 1st playoff game 2 years in a row and their still considered a great team.

 

[Augie]

I couldn’t vote, because I’m torn.

 

This season has been a huge success without question. It wildly exceeded my expectations, not only with the record, but how they looked getting there. They didn’t just win, our offense was more entertaining than I could have dreamed to see. 

 

The post-season is the question. I’ll be extremely disappointed if we are not at least in the AFC Championship Game. We are good enough to belong there. However, this is the NFL, and this is the playoffs. “On any given Sunday” applies all season long, and it applies even more when every game is against one of the best teams. 

 

We CAN beat anyone, I have no doubt about that. If we play a stinker or come across a hot team, I’ll still be thankful for all the enjoyment and hope this season has provided. I’ll also look forward to next season more than ever!  (That means I won’t throw my hands up and swear to be done with this team forever!  ) 

[YoloinOhio]

Added the AFC Championship game option

[Pine Barrens Mafia]

9 hours ago, teef said:

i'm at the point that if the bills don't win this saturday, i'm going to go all kyle and punch holes in the wall.

 

"I miss her so much BRO!"

[KarmicReset]

9 hours ago, wjag said:

Next year, hell yes.  This year, I think their run defense and run offense is just a little short of getting it done.   Will be delighted to be wrong.

I think our run defense is our Pass Offense.   And our defense is kept rested to motivate the opponent into gotta keep up no time for running. Let's our defense feast in takeaways or just stonewalling their pass offense. I see our offense make defense easier and our defense makes our offense easier due to Bills being able to use any play because we have a qb who can read defenses and knows what will be a good counter play.  I expect them to bring home the Lombardi, if they fall short at any step I know the game is gonna be a great football game that will be entertaining to all fans that tune in, so it would just delay the SB victory. And just means watching some great football for however long JA17 decides to play football for.  He is a franchise QB, and I think he is Bill he entire career, and ushers in a new era of future gold jacket wearing Bills.

[machine gun kelly]

SB is a push.  We can make it, but wouldn’t be upset terribly if we made it to the wire and they win by 3 or 4.  I expect more than just winning one game.  That is a huge disappointment the way we are playing and the way the Colts are playing if we can’t beat the Titans, Steelers, Browns, or Ravens.

 

We are the better team than all of them.  We can certainly stand toe to toe with the Chiefs, but won’t be distraught is if we lose close.  If we do lose, my bet is the Chiefs beat whoever is there in Tampa.  Either one of us should be able to beat the Packs, Hawks, Saints, or Bucs.

[BillsfaninSB]

Need that 1st playoff win to check that box for this regime.  And so I don’t have to hear about 1922 when the Bills won their last playoff game.

 

In addition, I want to watch more football this weekend.   When the Bills lose I tune out.  That would be one of the suckiest things about losing the 1st game on Saturday.   Can’t stand watching Bills highlights from a loss. 
 

 

Edited January 6, 2021 by BillsfaninSB

[whatdrought]

It’s hard to go into the playoffs as the hottest team in the league and think anything short of playing for a chance at the Con. title a success... 

[Do The Reich Thing]

They’ve gotta win Saturday for me to view it as a successful season. Plain and simple. 

[T&C]

10 hours ago, Steptide said:

20 years later it's still insane they started Rob Johnson 

He had the game won though...

[brianb386]

Right now I am in the mindset of Super Bowl or bust. I may change my mind later on and consider it a success if we win a playoff game, but at the time it would be a disappointment if we fall short of at least being in the AFC championship game.

[Georgia Bill]

9 hours ago, Nineforty said:

I view them as two separate entities. Great regular season. great accomplishments. nothing, not even a 50-0 loss to Indy would change that for me. or the fondness I will have for this season.  

 

 

Same here.  You can't say it was not a great season, with massive improvements that leads to a lot of optimism for the years ahead.  When it comes to playoff games I really do want them to win because I want this team to experience that joy together.  Same for losses, I hate to see these guys who played so well together and really bonded as a team to have to suffer a loss. 

 

As for me personally, it's all upside.  I've thoroughly enjoyed the season.  If they lose this week or next or whenever, I can deal with it.  If they win, of course I'll be happy, as there is an ultimate goal here.  I'm just not feeling like it's now or never for this team as they look like they are poised for long term success.  I like their chances this year though, because they seem to be playing loose and having fun.  If they can keep that up and not get all wrapped up in "the pressure" of the playoffs, they might go very far.  Fingers crossed!

[Logic]

Personally, I view this season as a success regardless.

Why? Because the Bills solved, once and for all, the most difficult-to-solve problem in pro football: They confirmed without equivocation that they have a franchise QB. To me, that was the most important thing this season. With the 5th year option on Josh coming up, the Bills needed a clear answer one way or the other as to whether he was "the guy". His play stated emphatically that he is.

Even if the Bills were to go out and get upset in the playoffs -- even if they don't win a single playoff game, in fact -- establishing Allen as a franchise QB, establishing the offense as top shelf, sweeping the division for the first time ever, and tying the team record for most wins....to me, that's a successful season.

All that said, it would obviously be a huge disappointment if they didn't win a playoff game or three. But I wouldn't be all that upset, because this year checked the last "long term contenders" box that needed to be checked: QB. We now know that we have the ownership, the front office, the head coach, the QB, and more often than not, the defense, to contend for titles regularly for the next decade+. So would it hurt? Sure. But I know the Bills will be back and better than ever next year, and the year after that, and the year after that. This Bills team is here to stay.

Edited January 6, 2021 by Logic

[Professor Worthington]

I think Saturday is the most important game of a possible run.  If Josh can get over the hump of winning a playoff game, his confidence will be through the roof.  But if we see flustered, red-faced, impetuous Josh, that won’t be good.

 

If Bills win Saturday, I guarantee at the very least an AFC Championship appearance.  And if the Chiefs were not the reigning champs I would guarantee a SB appearance.

[hemma]

I looked at our schedule and thought 9-7 could be s tough get and I never even considered 13-3.

I'm not going to move the goalposts.  We had a great regular season.

[PrimeTime101]

14 hours ago, YoloinOhio said:

Won AFC East

Swept division opponents 6-0

beat the Patriots (twice)

13-3 record

multiple prime time wins 

josh Allen an mvp candidate, best season a Bills QB has ever had 

501 points scored 

Stefon Diggs leads league in receptions and yards, best season a Bills WR has ever had

All with no OTAs or preseason and navigating numerous Covid challenges 

That's a lot.. but I'm hungry. Look if Josh absolutely destroys the colts then maybe one win would settle my hunger pains.. but deep down inside.. I want KC. I want to know where they are at and until we play KC again that hunger will not be satisfied. Period.

 

To me this is the start of a dynasty.. we had a dynasty in the early 90's and I feel we are there again. Short term AFC Championship game against KC. Long term... SB visits. and a win. 

[billsherd]

I will consider it a success just for one word. Allen. 

[Mango]

15 hours ago, YoloinOhio said:

I’m haunted by the 1999 team. That was a super bowl team. Weird things happen in the playoffs. But at least we don’t have that QB “situation” this time.

Not if Chad Kelly has anything to say about it. 

[JMF2006]

My way of looking at it is this team has grown a lot during this season and Josh has matured into a franchise QB over the course of the last year.

 

He seems to learn from his mistakes and last years playoff loss taught him a lot.

 

While I have high expectations for this year I think they are going to have a lot of good years going forward maybe even some really great ones