Buffalo had the hardest path to the Conference Championship, but won't get any credit for it

[GunnerBill]

9 hours ago, transplantbillsfan said:

 

The truth is that the national media was pretty consistently picking the 5th seeded Ravens to beat the Bills last weekend.  Fairburn and Buscaglia are pretty well on the Bills bandwagon and don't seem to be picking against them anymore.  But they're part of the WNY media more than the national media.  I'm noticing it's the guys who cover the Bills closely are the only guys picking them.  That goes for the guy over at ESPN assigned to Buffalo, too.

 

But the Bills players were correct that the Ravens were the perceived favorites outside of the local WNY media and guys assigned to Buffalo.

 

For CBS Sports 6 out of 8 of the "experts" pick the Ravens. 

 

For ESPN 6 out of 9 picked the Ravens

 

For USA Today 5 out of 7 picked the Ravens

 

For Bleacherreport 2 out of 3 picked the Ravens

 

Florio and Simms both picked the Ravens over the Bills... and no one's going to say they're Bills haters by any means

 

Gregg Rosenthal picked the Ravens.

 

 

It's not a "made-up" narrative.

 

https://nflpickwatch.com/nfl/picks/su/experts/2020/19

 

60% of regular media "pickers" picked the Bills last week. 

 

Including the Athletic, Sports Illustrated, PFF, NBC, Cowherd, Baldinger, Cynthia Freelund. 

 

Again if you only look at the respected sources that didn't pick the Bills it will give you a slanted and inaccurate view.

 

6 hours ago, Sharky7337 said:

Is that really all you have left? Trying to wave a seniority flag? Whats next post count?

 

Nothing personal but thats weak. Try harder next time.

 

Its not about people not posting or having a discussion. Its about posters who consistently belittle or trash people for making a post that is completely valid.

 

Like before, this is more about you, then us.

 

We are not completely trashing people. We are disproving their theory. 

1 hour ago, cle23 said:

 

Universally, huh? Cleveland beat Indy pretty easily early in the year. Cleveland was the higher playoff seed. 

 

Football Outsiders is 1 metric. A bunch of power rankings and such had Cleveland ahead. 

 

I personally think Indy was the most overrated team pretty much all season longer. Cleveland beat them easily as you say and if they played tomorrow I'd take Cleveland again. Indy played a great game at Buffalo and for a 7th seed they were a pretty well balanced team but that game was as close as it was because the Bills were below their best. 

Edited January 21, 2021 by GunnerBill

[Bimmer323i]

Of course they won’t get any credit cause everybody is to busy giving the Chiefs a rim job because they won the Super Bowl last year.....

[transplantbillsfan]

1 hour ago, cle23 said:

 

Universally, huh? Cleveland beat Indy pretty easily early in the year. Cleveland was the higher playoff seed. 

 

Football Outsiders is 1 metric. A bunch of power rankings and such had Cleveland ahead. 

 

A bunch?

 

Define "a bunch" and post links. I would think "a bunch" would be more than 3.

 

Post 4.

[transplantbillsfan]

14 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

https://nflpickwatch.com/nfl/picks/su/experts/2020/19

 

60% of regular media "pickers" picked the Bills last week. 

 

 

65% out of 29 picking the Ravens trumps your 60% of out of 16 picking the Bills.

[GunnerBill]

1 minute ago, transplantbillsfan said:

 

65% out of 29 picking the Ravens trumps your 60% of out of 16 picking the Bills.

 

16? They monitor over 200 pickers..... 16 is just the first page. 

[transplantbillsfan]

1 hour ago, cle23 said:

 

Universally, huh? Cleveland beat Indy pretty easily early in the year. Cleveland was the higher playoff seed. 

 

Football Outsiders is 1 metric. A bunch of power rankings and such had Cleveland ahead. 

 

26 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

I personally think Indy was the most overrated team pretty much all season longer. Cleveland beat them easily as you say and if they played tomorrow I'd take Cleveland again. Indy played a great game at Buffalo and for a 7th seed they were a pretty well balanced team but that game was as close as it was because the Bills were below their best. 

 

Is it just slipping everyone's mind that the Colts also beat the #4 seed Titans and #1 seed Packers in consecutive games AFTER the aforementioned Cleveland loss???

[GunnerBill]

1 minute ago, transplantbillsfan said:

 

 

Is it just slipping everyone's mind that the Colts also beat the #4 seed Titans and #1 seed Packers in consecutive games AFTER the aforementioned Cleveland loss???

 

Not slipping my mind at all but I have been pretty consistent on the Colts all year. I think the are a nice, solid, balanced team but they have no "special" in my view and hence I believe them to have generally been slightly overrated. 

 

Cleveland while they have a bigger flaw than Indy in terms of their secondary do have a special in terms of that run game. I generally think the ceiling for teams with some special is higher than the ceiling for nice solid teams without.

 

Edited January 21, 2021 by GunnerBill

[transplantbillsfan]

 

Just now, GunnerBill said:

 

Not slipping my mind at all but I have been pretty consistent on the Colts all year. I think the are a nice, solid, balanced team but they have no "special" in my view and hence I believe them to have generally been slightly overrated. 

 

you just said Cleveland is better 

[GunnerBill]

2 minutes ago, transplantbillsfan said:

 

 

you just said Cleveland is better 

 

My personal view? Yea I think they are.

 

It is like the Bills and Chiefs. They are similar level teams and when you have similar level teams and you are asking that who is better question looking back at a head to head in that season is the best deciding factor you can have. Cleveland beat the Colts. The Chiefs beat the Bills. The Colts didn't get a second chance..... luckily for us the Bills do. 

Edited January 21, 2021 by GunnerBill

[transplantbillsfan]

9 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

16? They monitor over 200 pickers..... 16 is just the first page. 

 

Good lord that's the most random bunch of names I've ever seen.

 

I also see things like "Yahoo users" and "ESPN picks" in there.

 

This doesn't exactly qualify as national media... just an argument you obviously want to win.

[GunnerBill]

Just now, transplantbillsfan said:

 

Good lord that's the most random bunch of names I've ever seen.

 

I also see things like "Yahoo users" and "ESPN picks" in there.

 

This doesn't exactly qualify as national media... just an argument you obviously want to win.

 

There are some random names in there, agreed. But I have provided a list of equally credible names to your list. If you only look at the ones who picked against the Bills it is much easier to whip yourself in a lather about disrespect that actually is not true.

[transplantbillsfan]

3 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

My personal view? Yea I think they are.

 

Well you're entitled to that, but most football people seem to disagree.

 

Cleveland was lucky to get a reeling Pittsburgh team in round 1 and then a twice injured Patrick Mahomes in round 2.

Just now, GunnerBill said:

 

There are some random names in there, agreed. But I have provided a list of equally credible names to your list. If you only look at the ones who picked against the Bills it is much easier to whip yourself in a lather about disrespect that actually is not true.

 

I looked through your list. The even slightly recognizable names are largely picking the Ravens

[GunnerBill]

1 minute ago, transplantbillsfan said:

 

Well you're entitled to that, but most football people seem to disagree.

 

Cleveland was lucky to get a reeling Pittsburgh team in round 1 and then a twice injured Patrick Mahomes in round 2.

 

Cleveland played an easier game at Pittsburgh than Indy played at Buffalo, for sure. 

 

I picked Cleveland to beat the Steelers (which was not the consensus it should be said) because they are better than Pittsburgh. I'd pick them straight up if they played the Colts again tomorrow as well. 

[GunnerBill]

11 minutes ago, transplantbillsfan said:

I looked through your list. The even slightly recognizable names are largely picking the Ravens

 

NBC, The Atheltic, Cytnhia Freelund, Brian Baldinger (wasn't on the list but he was on the UK TV broadcast and picked the Bills), Cowherd, PFF.... okay ESPN and CBS generally liked the Ravens. That was not despite your attempt to suggest otherwise representative of some sort of national groundswell. It was pretty balanced and overall actually more pickers picked the Bills. 

[Chicken Boo]

On 1/19/2021 at 6:16 PM, GunnerBill said:

I don't get where the "they get no credit" narrative comes from. Everyone I watch, read and listen to is giving the Bills a ton of credit and deservedly so. There is that bozzo Nick Wright who likes playing a WWE heel type character but who else isn't giving them credit? 

 

The Bills could win the Super Bowl, gain the respect of nearly everyone, sans a few analysts and there will be a thread about it.  

 

Who tf cares?!  Just win!

[GunnerBill]

1 minute ago, Chicken Boo said:

 

The Bills could win the Super Bowl, gain the respect of nearly everyone, sans a few analysts and there will be a thread about it.  

 

Who tf cares?!  Just win!

 

Correct. I have said it before about elements of this fanbase.... there isn't just a chip on the shoulder... it is the whole sack of potatoes. 

 

The Bills media coverage all season long in my view, but unquestionably the last two months, has been overwhelmingly positive. 

[Mr. WEO]

10 hours ago, transplantbillsfan said:

 

 

 

 

 

"And yet the national media had also been picking the Bills. Buscaglia said the Bills thrive on it"

 

 

lol

 

I'm sure they have team meeting daily to chew over the "national media" postings.

10 hours ago, transplantbillsfan said:

 

Just to let you know, Josh Allen said in a recent interview (I can't remember if it was the DP show or a post game interview or what) that he's been watching the national media.

 

They pay attention.

 

And if you think the negative or neglectful stuff isn't being used as fuel in some way, you're kidding yourself.

 

Now, the sign of a well-coached team is one that channels the attention properly.

 

Basically... ignore everything good said about you and pay extra attention to everything bad or any time you're "left out."

 

That's what "bulletin board material" means.

 

I don't think they're "worrying" about it.  

 

I bet they're using it as fuel, though.

 

 

Do you think that this well coached team has ever been told this by any member of the coaching staff?

 

Didn't you just post a quote saying they "thrive on" the national media "picking the Bills"?  So this is thriving against the coaching staff's direct instructions?  Will there be team fines for inappropriate/unauthorized  thriving? 

[Mr. WEO]

9 hours ago, transplantbillsfan said:

 

They ended the season with the same record.  According to FootballOutsiders' DVOA metric Indy was the 10th best team in the NFL and Cleveland was the 18th best.

 

The Colts were almost universally considered a better team than the Browns.

 

 

Even on Oct 12?  Got a link for that?

[transplantbillsfan]

3 hours ago, Mr. WEO said:

 

 

 

"And yet the national media had also been picking the Bills. Buscaglia said the Bills thrive on it"

 

 

lol

 

I'm sure they have team meeting daily to chew over the "national media" postings.

 

[cle23]

11 hours ago, transplantbillsfan said:

 

A bunch?

 

Define "a bunch" and post links. I would think "a bunch" would be more than 3.

 

Post 4.

 

You said universally considered better yet gave 1 example. Define "universally."

 

I'll post some links I found later but I'm on a phone right now. Once I have access to a PC I will do that.

Edited January 21, 2021 by cle23

[cle23]

11 hours ago, transplantbillsfan said:

 

 

Is it just slipping everyone's mind that the Colts also beat the #4 seed Titans and #1 seed Packers in consecutive games AFTER the aforementioned Cleveland loss???

 

Cleveland beat Tennessee too. You also left out where Indianapolis got blown out by Tennessee two weeks later. How about how they gave Jacksonville their only win of the year?

 

The Packers win is obviously impressive. Well done. Doesn't mean they're a "great" team. Good, solid playoff team. 

[Mr. WEO]

1 hour ago, transplantbillsfan said:

 

So the Bills players are thriving on both not getting the credit they deserve...AND by "getting picked" to win it all by the national media.

 

 

 

I heard also that they are completely pumped with indignation by the tragic and sudden absence of the McRib, while simultaneously being totally amped over the reappearance of Nacho Fries...

 

That sounds threadworthy.  Jump on that!

Edited January 21, 2021 by Mr. WEO

[transplantbillsfan]

25 minutes ago, Mr. WEO said:

 

So the Bills players are thriving on both not getting the credit they deserve...AND by "getting picked" to win it all by the national media.

 

 

 

I heard also that they are completely pumped with indignation by the tragic and sudden absence of the McRib, while simultaneously being totally amped over the reappearance of Nacho Fries...

 

That sounds threadworthy.  Jump on that!

 

Have you not been following your own contradictory logic?

 

Direct quotes from you:

 

I think there is little chance that Bills players are using the perception that they are not being talked about enough going into this game as any kind of motivation whatsoever.

 

players aren't concerned with something as trivial as this entire subject.

 

 

And yet even @Thurman#1 who's on your side with the argument says that Joe B in his podcast has been hearing from players that they are using it as motivation.  Then you try shifting the narrative by clinging to Joe B's vague statement that the national media is actually picking Buffalo win the Super Bowl... which really isn't backed by anything.

 

So the players are evidently using it as motivation.  And you were wrong.  

[transplantbillsfan]

2 hours ago, cle23 said:

 

You said universally considered better yet gave 1 example. Define "universally."

 

I'll post some links I found later but I'm on a phone right now. Once I have access to a PC I will do that.

 

What was the word that preceded "universally?"

 

Go google your power rankings and you might find one here or there that had Cleveland better than Indy.  The vast majority of them had Indy better, though.

 

I know because I already looked.

[Mr. WEO]

1 hour ago, transplantbillsfan said:

 

Have you not been following your own contradictory logic?

 

Direct quotes from you:

 

I think there is little chance that Bills players are using the perception that they are not being talked about enough going into this game as any kind of motivation whatsoever.

 

players aren't concerned with something as trivial as this entire subject.

 

 

And yet even @Thurman#1 who's on your side with the argument says that Joe B in his podcast has been hearing from players that they are using it as motivation.  Then you try shifting the narrative by clinging to Joe B's vague statement that the national media is actually picking Buffalo win the Super Bowl... which really isn't backed by anything.

 

So the players are evidently using it as motivation.  And you were wrong.  

 

It was so vague a statement ("Bills thrive on it. They love that feeling") that you decided to re-post it in one of your responses?  And it's not backed by "anything"?----except by Joe B, the same guy who said the players told him they were motivated by "We know you all thought we were gonna lose". !

 

The contradiction is right there. Everything one way or the other motivates them:  'Put that praise from the "national media" on that "bulletin board" so we can....love/hate it!....or somethin!!'

 

These guys are just amped to win a championship. They are busy getting ready, not seething over phony "disrespect".

 

 If you think they need (or have) "bulletin board material" motivating them even further, then......you read too much national media.

 

 

15 minutes ago, transplantbillsfan said:

 

What was the word that preceded "universally?"

 

Go google your power rankings and you might find one here or there that had Cleveland better than Indy.  The vast majority of them had Indy better, though.

 

I know because I already looked.

 

"Universally" doesn't need modifiers.  It's like "pregnant"

[transplantbillsfan]

6 minutes ago, Mr. WEO said:

"Universally" doesn't need modifiers.  It's like "pregnant"

 

Doesn't need it, but when the word "almost" precedes it, the word has been modified.

7 minutes ago, Mr. WEO said:

 

It was so vague a statement ("Bills thrive on it. They love that feeling") that you decided to re-post it in one of your responses?  And it's not backed by "anything"?----except by Joe B, the same guy who said the players told him they were motivated by "We know you all thought we were gonna lose". !

 

The contradiction is right there. Everything one way or the other motivates them:  'Put that praise from the "national media" on that "bulletin board" so we can....love/hate it!....or somethin!!'

 

These guys are just amped to win a championship. They are busy getting ready, not seething over phony "disrespect".

 

 If you think they need (or have) "bulletin board material" motivating them even further, then......you read too much national media.

 

 

"Everything one way or the other motivates them"

 

So then you're conceding that players are using that national media attention or lack thereof for motivation.

 

Thank you 

[Mr. WEO]

7 minutes ago, transplantbillsfan said:

 

Doesn't need it, but when the word "almost" precedes it, the word has been modified.

 

"Everything one way or the other motivates them"

 

So then you're conceding that players are using that national media attention or lack thereof for motivation.

 

Thank you 

 

 

They are having some fun with the media, that much was clear (they were laughing about it).  Maybe you think they can actually "give 110%"  when they tell you that as well?  Oh...of course you do.

 

There's no chance they get together and discuss this as a group before a game and seethe over it.  None.  On the grand scale of all that can and is  motivating this team right now, reporters and talking heads picking a very hot Ravens team over them last week...... is zero.

[cle23]

38 minutes ago, transplantbillsfan said:

 

What was the word that preceded "universally?"

 

Go google your power rankings and you might find one here or there that had Cleveland better than Indy.  The vast majority of them had Indy better, though.

 

I know because I already looked.

 

So I say "a bunch" and you require 4 sources. You say "almost universally" and think 1 is fine. Makes sense.

[transplantbillsfan]

@Mr. WEO

[Sharky7337]

Game set match 

43 minutes ago, transplantbillsfan said:

@Mr. WEO

Game over you lose haters

[Watsonsbuttcrack]

You have to give credit to the defending world champs. When the Bills win another Super Bowl, they'll be the team everyone talks about. Who cares if people choose the Ravens to win? Or the Colts? Or are picking Mahomes? If you were born in Baltimore, you'd be a dumb Ravens fan too, and have a different perspective. If everyone agreed that the Bills would win, no one would watch the game or care. The national media guys are paid to have differing opinions on the talk shows too, so they talk out of their ass about every team. Each of us is better off listening to local media, who actually know whats going on with each team. Then go to the KC radio stations and listen to what they say about their own team. 

 

About Allen - he is not worth the praise that Mahomes is getting. Not yet. Why? To be the best, you have to beat the best.Mahomes didn't recieve praise his first year - he only started one game, and many thought KC should have chose Watson. Almost everyone thought Watson was the better QB coming out of college. Watson balled, but got injured. Then Mahomes second year he won MVP and the next year he won Super Bowl MVP. So when Allen does that, the media will consider him to be Mahomes primary rival, and guess what? If Allen wins more than Mahomes, Allen will be seen as the #1 QB. Why annoint him before he's due? He's really good - so let the process play out and watch him light the league on fire.

As for the players - the coaches WILL bring up national media and use it to fuel the players. To make the players think they are being disrespected. Even the Patriots did this when they had won 5 Superbowls in the last 15 years. It's the smart thing to do, and many players will fall for it. Wiser players will go along with it too, knowing it helps the team. It just means there are people out there who think you'll fail, and think another team won't. Big shock to everyone, not everyone is a Bills fan.

 

[Mr. WEO]

14 hours ago, transplantbillsfan said:

@Mr. WEO

 

 

Did he list all those experts?  ESPN radio this AM was playing clips of a bunch of their talent picking the Bills. Then their wagering guy did a whole slot talking about bith games this weekend and touting tips.  He said he was worried because "everyone" he is talking to "is picking the Bills", wo he wants to go the other way.

 

Maybe there will be another team meeting where the fellas can switch to being pumped up by all the experts picking them?  lol

[transplantbillsfan]

3 hours ago, Mr. WEO said:

 

 

Did he list all those experts?  ESPN radio this AM was playing clips of a bunch of their talent picking the Bills. Then their wagering guy did a whole slot talking about bith games this weekend and touting tips.  He said he was worried because "everyone" he is talking to "is picking the Bills", wo he wants to go the other way.

 

Maybe there will be another team meeting where the fellas can switch to being pumped up by all the experts picking them?  lol

 

Bru, stop trying to wiggle out of what you said.

Contrary to what you've been arguing here, the Bills players DO thrive off negative or neglectful media attention.

 

That's what you've been arguing.

 

You were wrong.  Just admit it and move on.

 

What you're now shifting the argument to is whether the media truly is negative or neglectful in its media attention towards the Bills.  Bravo!  You're shifting back to the essence of what I was arguing in the OP after going off on tangents.

 

And as I stated in the OP... yes... yes I think it is when taken holistically. 

Edited January 22, 2021 by transplantbillsfan

[Mr. WEO]

17 minutes ago, transplantbillsfan said:

 

Bru, stop trying to wiggle out of what you said.

Contrary to what you've been arguing here, the Bills players DO thrive off negative or neglectful media attention.

 

That's what you've been arguing.

 

You were wrong.  Just admit it and move on.

 

What you're now shifting the argument to is whether the media truly is negative or neglectful in its media attention towards the Bills.  Bravo!  You're shifting back to the essence of what I was arguing in the OP after going off on tangents.

 

And as I stated in the OP... yes... yes I think it is when taken holistically. 

 

 

lol come on!  His OC has been voted Asst Coach of the Year, his GM is exec and GM of the year, his QB is most improved and is a serious contender for league MVP.

 

He's doing the usual script: "no one respects us", when he obviously knows (as do you and I) this isn't true.  He's going along with the usual clichés.  They were laughing about this with Joe B days ago.  It's all BS that there's no chance they are thinking about on the practice field today, in the position rooms or on the trip to KC.  They have so much more to concern themselves with.  They know what plays with the fans so this is the stuff they say, when, especially this year, it's really not true.

 

 

[transplantbillsfan]

Just now, Mr. WEO said:

 

 

lol come on!  His OC has been voted Asst Coach of the Year, his GM is exec and GM of the year, his QB is most improved and is a serious contender for league MVP.

 

He's doing the usual script: "no one respects us", when he obviously knows (as do you and I) this isn't true.  He's going along with the usual clichés.  They were laughing about this with Joe B days ago.  It's all BS that there's no chance they are thinking about on the practice field today, in the position rooms or on the trip to KC.  They have so much more to concern themselves with.  They know what plays with the fans so this is the stuff they say, when, especially this year, it's really not true.

 

 

 

[Mr. WEO]

10 minutes ago, transplantbillsfan said:

 

 

yeah, that's pretty much everyone.  "almost unanimous", you might say....

[transplantbillsfan]

2 minutes ago, Mr. WEO said:

 

yeah, that's pretty much everyone.  "almost unanimous", you might say....

[Mr. WEO]

1 hour ago, transplantbillsfan said:

 

I only hope they are properly fueled by this almost unanimous blatant disrespect to the degree that they can give no less than 110% on Sunday!

 

Until then, enjoy the show!  When McD is named COTY---well imagined how much THAT will really get them upset!

[Sharky7337]

13 minutes ago, Mr. WEO said:

 

I only hope they are properly fueled by this almost unanimous blatant disrespect to the degree that they can give no less than 110% on Sunday!

 

Until then, enjoy the show!  When McD is named COTY---well imagined how much THAT will really get them upset!

They are :

 

https://13wham.com/buffalo-plus/bills-latest-news/jordan-poyer

 

But hey ignorance is bliss

[Mr. WEO]

7 minutes ago, Sharky7337 said:

They are :

 

https://13wham.com/buffalo-plus/bills-latest-news/jordan-poyer

 

But hey ignorance is bliss

 

Of course they are!

 

They are playing the SB champs/MVP away at their home in a Conf Championship game (for the first time in 28 years)... yet they are only 3 point dogs (and only +140).  They have taken this blatant national respect and cleverly turned it into disrespect---the rocket fuel of any legit Conf Championship bulletin board!

 

The obvious danger of all this righteous indignation is that they "look past" the Chiefs to their SB opponent!  I hope it's only "we are onto Kansas City" at this point.  Stay focused and indignant fellas!  We are dependent on it!