The Bills control their own destiny

[Matt_In_NH]

hey if you want an optimistic viewpoint, the Bills with 5 games to do, win the division if they win the rest of their games on the schedule.   Are they where we want or expected them to be right now, no we all know that.   Obviously this can change tomorrow but if you want to have an optimistic view, this is it...win your games.

[Nextmanup]

NY Times says they have a 100% chance to make playoffs even with a LOSS to TAMPA, but then 4 wins thereafter.

 

 

[ChronicAndKnuckles]

6 minutes ago, mattynh said:

hey if you want an optimistic viewpoint, the Bills with 5 games to do, win the division if they win the rest of their games on the schedule.   Are they where we want or expected them to be right now, no we all know that.   Obviously this can change tomorrow but if you want to have an optimistic view, this is it...win your games.

 

I think going 3-2 will do it, but 4-1 is the sweet spot. A loss to Tampa mathematically wouldn't be the worst, but it could go a long way in psychologically ruining this team. A win against Brady would be huge and give much more confidence in somehow winning the rest of the schedule.

[oldmanfan]

Just go kick their ass tomorrow.

[Hermes]

19 minutes ago, mattynh said:

hey if you want an optimistic viewpoint, the Bills with 5 games to do, win the division if they win the rest of their games on the schedule.   Are they where we want or expected them to be right now, no we all know that.   Obviously this can change tomorrow but if you want to have an optimistic view, this is it...win your games.

Easy friend. Lots of posters around these parts detest that kind of talk.

 

Although, I'm excited for tomorrow since the pressure officially ramps up for the Bills. A game against the reigning SB champs and a string of must win games, means that, in essence the playoffs start tomorrow and I for one could not be happier. 

[RiotAct]

35 minutes ago, Nextmanup said:

NY Times says they have a 100% chance to make playoffs even with a LOSS to TAMPA, but then 4 wins thereafter.

 

 

this is actually a very likely scenario.   I think we win tomorrow, though.

[Success]

So many people have written the Bills off this week. After a loss like NE, I always tell myself I'm going to stay away from the internet & sports shows - I failed at that this week.  The Bills have basically been buried for the 2021 season.

 

Which would make a run right now VERY satisfying. They are capable of it. If they beat the Bucs, everything is back on the table.  

 

Things can change quickly in this league.

 

[Sugar High JA17]

4 minutes ago, Success said:

So many people have written the Bills off this week. After a loss like NE, I always tell myself I'm going to stay away from the internet & sports shows - I failed at that this week.  The Bills have basically been buried for the 2021 season.

 

Which would make a run right now VERY satisfying. They are capable of it. If they beat the Bucs, everything is back on the table.  

 

Things can change quickly in this league.

 

I think the same thing, Well said!

[Billl]

4 minutes ago, Success said:

So many people have written the Bills off this week. After a loss like NE, I always tell myself I'm going to stay away from the internet & sports shows - I failed at that this week.  The Bills have basically been buried for the 2021 season.

 

Which would make a run right now VERY satisfying. They are capable of it. If they beat the Bucs, everything is back on the table.  

 

Things can change quickly in this league.

 

Yep.  A win tomorrow and the conversation becomes “the Bills have beaten both Super Bowl teams from last year”.

[bigK14094]

Bucs are a tough out.....we'll see how it goes.

 

 

[djp14150]

1 hour ago, mattynh said:

hey if you want an optimistic viewpoint, the Bills with 5 games to do, win the division if they win the rest of their games on the schedule.   Are they where we want or expected them to be right now, no we all know that.   Obviously this can change tomorrow but if you want to have an optimistic view, this is it...win your games.

Gee is this breaking news…

 

it has been known for some time.

 

theysplit with Patriots they win out they win division. Because New England lost to Miami in week 1.

[Utah John]

Those of you of a certain age will remember one of the Rocky movies, where Rocky fought Mr. T.  The theme song was about the Eye of the Tiger, about how a champion athlete needed the inner fire and drive to conquer their opponent.

 

Last year the Bills had that.  If they were in a close game, they hunkered down as a team and figured out how to win.

 

This year they have the eye of the housecat.  If they're ahead comfortably they relax and play well, and generally dominate an opponent.  But when they're challenged, this year they wilt.  They make enough mistakes to lose games they should win.  They fumble on kickoffs without being touched.  They fumble a simple handoff during a quarter when they had the wind against New England, costing them a chance to score when they could do it more easily.  They drop easy passes that could turn into first downs.  They usually play pretty decent football against tough teams, but they let ONE long run break free and they can't overcome it.

 

Where's the team leadership?  Who's holding the players responsible for their mistakes and failures?

 

It's funny.  Two years ago the defense was strong but last year they had a down year.  This year the defense is generally very good, but they still break at the worst possible times.  

 

Sure, I hope they make the playoffs but they're not SB bound.  Not this year.  

[Ray Stonada]

44 minutes ago, Utah John said:

Those of you of a certain age will remember one of the Rocky movies, where Rocky fought Mr. T.  The theme song was about the Eye of the Tiger, about how a champion athlete needed the inner fire and drive to conquer their opponent.

 

Last year the Bills had that.  If they were in a close game, they hunkered down as a team and figured out how to win.

 

This year they have the eye of the housecat.  If they're ahead comfortably they relax and play well, and generally dominate an opponent.  But when they're challenged, this year they wilt.  They make enough mistakes to lose games they should win.  They fumble on kickoffs without being touched.  They fumble a simple handoff during a quarter when they had the wind against New England, costing them a chance to score when they could do it more easily.  They drop easy passes that could turn into first downs.  They usually play pretty decent football against tough teams, but they let ONE long run break free and they can't overcome it.

 

Where's the team leadership?  Who's holding the players responsible for their mistakes and failures?

 

It's funny.  Two years ago the defense was strong but last year they had a down year.  This year the defense is generally very good, but they still break at the worst possible times.  

 

Sure, I hope they make the playoffs but they're not SB bound.  Not this year.  

I agree with everything but the last two sentences. All the Bills need is to come together again, as a team. It hasn’t been that way this season for many possible reasons, but it can happen in a flash, and bring them back together to fight against a common enemy. Maybe Jerry Sullivan?

[DabillsDaBillsDaBills]

7 hours ago, Nextmanup said:

NY Times says they have a 100% chance to make playoffs even with a LOSS to TAMPA, but then 4 wins thereafter.

 

 

 

4-1 with the loss to TB probably gets us in 99%+ of the time, but I don't think it's a mathematical guarantee. If Ravens, Titans, Chiefs, Patriots win their divisions and Bengals, Chargers, Colts win out then we'd be eliminated. I'm sure there's more fringe scenarios that would leave us eliminated given how many teams are 6-6 or better along with the Bills mediocre conference record.  

[Process]

Shhhhhhhhh

[Sherlock Holmes]

8 hours ago, Nextmanup said:

NY Times says they have a 100% chance to make playoffs even with a LOSS to TAMPA, but then 4 wins thereafter.

 

 

 

8 hours ago, ChronicAndKnuckles said:

 

I think going 3-2 will do it, but 4-1 is the sweet spot. A loss to Tampa mathematically wouldn't be the worst, but it could go a long way in psychologically ruining this team. A win against Brady would be huge and give much more confidence in somehow winning the rest of the schedule.

I've heard that a win in Tampa would be detrimental to our playoff hopes... you know out of conference games and all

[LABILLBACKER]

8 hours ago, Nextmanup said:

NY Times says they have a 100% chance to make playoffs even with a LOSS to TAMPA, but then 4 wins thereafter.

 

 

The Bills have a 100% chance of breaking my heart.

[Governor]

15 hours ago, RiotAct said:

this is actually a very likely scenario.   I think we win tomorrow, though.

How would this team win 4 straight games when we’re awful at home? This team hasn’t played a complete game against a quality opponent at home since McD arrived. We’ve had a few good half’s, a few good quarters, that’s it.

Edited December 12, 2021 by Governor

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

playoffstatus.com

 

Projects a 37% chance of no playoffs for Buffalo.

Colts, Steelers, Raiders, and Browns all with a lesser chance of making the playoffs.

[Billsfan1972]

Again anyone think NE is so good that they're going 3-1 at worst (if Bills beat them)?  Bills at worst should go 4-1.  

 

Starts today.....

[SoCal Deek]

Newsflash: It’s going to be ugly today. 

[P Riv]

Bills control their own destiny if they can figure out how to control the line of scrimmage.  It's that simple, and that's what great teams do this time of year.  

[RiotAct]

56 minutes ago, Governor said:

How would this team win 4 straight games when we’re awful at home? This team hasn’t played a complete game against a quality opponent at home since McD arrived. We’ve had a few good half’s, a few good quarters, that’s it.

Panthers, Falcons, and Jets are all awful.  Not even average or slightly below average.

[Hermes]

59 minutes ago, SoCal Deek said:

Newsflash: It’s going to be ugly today. 

If you're a Bucs fan!

[Giuseppe Tognarelli]

16 hours ago, Success said:

So many people have written the Bills off this week. After a loss like NE, I always tell myself I'm going to stay away from the internet & sports shows - I failed at that this week.  The Bills have basically been buried for the 2021 season.

 

Which would make a run right now VERY satisfying. They are capable of it. If they beat the Bucs, everything is back on the table.  

 

Things can change quickly in this league.

 

They won't, though.

[Dr. K]

9 hours ago, DabillsDaBillsDaBills said:

 

4-1 with the loss to TB probably gets us in 99%+ of the time, but I don't think it's a mathematical guarantee. If Ravens, Titans, Chiefs, Patriots win their divisions and Bengals, Chargers, Colts win out then we'd be eliminated. I'm sure there's more fringe scenarios that would leave us eliminated given how many teams are 6-6 or better along with the Bills mediocre conference record.  

If the Colts win out, that means they must beat the Patriots. If the Bills lose to Tampa Bay but win out after that that means they also beat the Patriots. Therefore the Bills would win the division over the Pats because of their better division record.

 

If the Colts lose to the Pats, but the Bills go 4-1 with a win over the Pats, the Bills finish second in the East, but still are in the playoffs. 

 

If the Bills go 4-1, with the only loss being to the Bucs, they are in regardless of what anybody else does. 

Edited December 12, 2021 by Dr. K

[Success]

2 hours ago, Giuseppe Tognarelli said:

They won't, though.

 

They may or may not.  They're good enough to.

 

I see no reason at to assume the worst.

 

[P Riv]

2 hours ago, Dr. K said:

If the Colts win out, that means they must beat the Patriots. If the Bills lose to Tampa Bay but win out after that that means they also beat the Patriots. Therefore the Bills would win the division over the Pats because of their better division record.

 

If the Colts lose to the Pats, but the Bills go 4-1 with a win over the Pats, the Bills finish second in the East, but still are in the playoffs. 

 

If the Bills go 4-1, with the only loss being to the Bucs, they are in regardless of what anybody else does. 

 

I think we'll know pretty much everything by next Monday morning, so not long to wait.  If we play well today and win next week, that's a step in the right direction.  If Indy wins, another strep in the right direction and the future looks bright.  However, if NE goes to Indy and wins.... I think they win out.  The implications from that are what the NFL league office and media want, Tom vs Hoodie for all the marbles.  The media is already buzzing over the idea.

Edited December 12, 2021 by P Riv

[Nextmanup]

4 hours ago, RiotAct said:

Panthers, Falcons, and Jets are all awful.  Not even average or slightly below average.

And we are better than New England!  Not a popular opinion here right now, but your average Bills fan doesn't appreciate what a mickey mouse outlier of a game that was.  You can't draw many conclusions from it.

 

3 20+ point wins and a close, tough win over NE and we are in the playoffs, even if we get KILLED by Tampa today.

 

All hope is not lost.

 

 

[Billsfan1972]

37 minutes ago, P Riv said:

 

I think we'll know pretty much everything by next Monday morning, so not long to wait.  If we play well today and win next week, that's a step in the right direction.  If Indy wins, another strep in the right direction and the future looks bright.  However, if NE goes to Indy and wins.... I think they win out.  The implications from that are what the NFL league office and media want, Tom vs Hoodie for all the marbles.  The media is already buzzing over the idea.

NE is not a juggernaut that will win 10 straight.

[Nextmanup]

1 hour ago, Success said:

 

They may or may not.  They're good enough to.

 

I see no reason at to assume the worst.

 

Ironically, the only place the Bills have been buried is in WNY among their own fanbase...who should know them better than anyone else! 

 

If you look at what the national media and Vegas are saying...we are still a top favorite to go deep in the playoffs and most pundits have already dismissed the home NE game as "crazy" and a "one off".

 

So what is different about TBD or Bills fans in general?   BIAS.  They are the people who want the Bills to win THE MOST and therefore are the most DISAPPOINTED right now.

 

It darkens their mood and brings out doom and gloom predictions.

 

Follow the people who don't give a rat's ass who wins or loses!  What are THOSE people saying?

They are still BIG on the Bills.

 

 

[ProcessTruster]

20 hours ago, ChronicAndKnuckles said:

 

I think going 3-2 will do it, but 4-1 is the sweet spot. A loss to Tampa mathematically wouldn't be the worst, but it could go a long way in psychologically ruining this team. A win against Brady would be huge and give much more confidence in somehow winning the rest of the schedule.

nah, most of the guys on this roster were in college or on other teams for the vast majority of games when Brady was shredding the Bills.   Fans remember, but players also play and think week to week.  Besides, they are not playing Brady, they are largely playing the TB defense.   Brady will get his points.. Bills O will need to outscore them today IMO.   And I believe they will.   

[RiotAct]

1 hour ago, Nextmanup said:

And we are better than New England!  Not a popular opinion here right now, but your average Bills fan doesn't appreciate what a mickey mouse outlier of a game that was.  You can't draw many conclusions from it.

 

3 20+ point wins and a close, tough win over NE and we are in the playoffs, even if we get KILLED by Tampa today.

 

All hope is not lost.

 

 

we’re better at the most important position - QB.  They have better trench play and coaching than us, however.

[Evian]

If the Bills go 3-2 they are still highly likely to make the playoffs. 10 wins is going to make the playoffs in the AFC.  If they lose to Tampa and even New England they are likely the 7 or even the 6 seed in the AFC. 

 

The NYT has an 89% chance of making playoffs with loses to Tampa and New England if they win the other three games.

 

If they don't get in at 10-7 they can blame the loss to JAX.

 

 

 

Edited December 12, 2021 by Evian

[par73]

22 hours ago, Nextmanup said:

NY Times says they have a 100% chance to make playoffs even with a LOSS to TAMPA, but then 4 wins thereafter.

 

 

This team will not win four in a row. I don't believe they will go 3-0 against their "weaker" opponents.

[ChronicAndKnuckles]

1 hour ago, ProcessTruster said:

nah, most of the guys on this roster were in college or on other teams for the vast majority of games when Brady was shredding the Bills.   Fans remember, but players also play and think week to week.  Besides, they are not playing Brady, they are largely playing the TB defense.   Brady will get his points.. Bills O will need to outscore them today IMO.   And I believe they will.   

 

Not just because Brady beat the Bills all those years. You're right most players weren't around, but Brady is well known as the best QB there is and leading the NFL in TD passes. If Bills can shut him down somewhat it will go a long way in their confidence to beat winning teams. If it comes down to the wire, even better. They need to win a close one for once.

[Bruce Smith]

Bills just ***** the bed today.  I doubt we make the playoffs now. 

[NewEra]

Not sure who has more control, the Bills.  Or the Refs.  This is just ridiculous 

[Bruce Smith]

We're done.  taking off now.  I'm disgusted. 

[Real McClappy]

1 minute ago, NewEra said:

Not sure who has more control, the Bills.  Or the Refs.  This is just ridiculous 

Absolute joke of a non call on Diggs there. 

 

That was a huge 2nd half spark for our team on both sides of the ball. I hope they carry that over to a 4 game win streak. If we play like that 2nd half the entire way out, sky is the limit.