When do you typically get big game, game day anxiety?

[Augie]

2 minutes ago, Logic said:

My wife used to work every Sunday. She'd find out from co-workers or customers what the final score of the Bills game was so that she knew what to expect and "how to act around me" when she got home.

What saints they are to put up with our foolishness!

I've gotten much better over the years. I used to let a loss ruin my whole Sunday (and maybe my Monday, and maybe...). I'd be all sullen and irritable. Not any more. Life is too short. Losses suck, sure. They hurt bad. But not bad enough to let it affect my life or the way I interact with loved ones. Life is just too damned short.

 

I swear that I remember the mood of the CITY being in the dumps after a loss. Despite all the practice we had getting used to it! We have the best fans in the NFL. There is a reason LA went so many years without an NFL team. If they aren’t front runners, they just barely notice when they moved away. Buffalo and the Bills are intertwined like few other sports franchises anywhere. 

[BullBuchanan]

I don't see this as a big game. Yea, they're last year's Super Bowl winner, but it's a new season, and they don't crown champions in September.

[GottaRun]

Strange for me but I'm dead calm.  I'm expecting the Bills to win their first Super Bowl this season, I'm calm as f***.  Let the others stress about us for a change.  

[Augie]

5 minutes ago, GottaRun said:

Strange for me but I'm dead calm.  I'm expecting the Bills to win their first Super Bowl this season, I'm calm as f***.  Let the others stress about us for a change.  

 

Yeah, but you bet $10,000 on the Bills in this game and don’t tell your wife? 

 

That will result in a turbulent tummy! 

 

I heard that somewhere…..I believe it to be true. 

[Royale with Cheese]

13 minutes ago, BullBuchanan said:

I don't see this as a big game. Yea, they're last year's Super Bowl winner, but it's a new season, and they don't crown champions in September.

Its a prime time game with two of the top Super Bowl favorites and teams both with super stars.  Its not a big game as far as standings but its a big game for interest…its opening the NFL season.

[BullBuchanan]

1 minute ago, Royale with Cheese said:

Its a prime time game with two of the top Super Bowl favorites and teams both with super stars.  Its not a big game as far as standings but its a big game for interest…its opening the NFL season.

Sure, but that's nothing to be nervous about. It's something to be excited about. They could get blown out 48-0 and it won't effect my feelings about our year at all if they bounce back the next week.

 

[Royale with Cheese]

2 minutes ago, BullBuchanan said:

Sure, but that's nothing to be nervous about. It's something to be excited about. They could get blown out 48-0 and it won't effect my feelings about our year at all if they bounce back the next week.

 

I’m excited and nervous.

[Saint Doug]

Game day anxiety? I’m anxious right now. 

[Warcodered]

36 minutes ago, Boatdrinks said:

Especially since we know NFC losses help our playoff standing! 

It is kind of a really big game that doesn't actually matter a whole lot.

[HappyDays]

I don't get anxious, I get impatient. The closer to kickoff it gets the more that time slows down. Thursday at work is going to be agonizing.

[Maynard]

I’m already a mess. 

[Augie]

3 minutes ago, Maynard said:

I’m already a mess. 

 

Did you see the rest of us all offseason? You are not alone! In fact, YOU FIT RIGHT IN! 

[Wizard]

I really only get anxious in games against other playoff caliber teams, especially those in the AFC.

 

The playoffs bring on real anxiety. 

 

I don't feel anxious until kickoff as work, family, and other commitments keep me busy throughout the rest of the week.

 

 

[Jauronimo]

The anxiety is different now than it was during the drought when you were just hoping they could back into a wild card spot.  And its different now than it was when we went to the AFC Championship.  Even in that season, that level of success was mostly unexpected but still we recognize that such opportunities are rare. 

 

Right now the Buffalo Bills are in a super bowl or bust window.  This should be the best Bills team that will take the field since the early 90s and anything short of that will be a disappointment.  Its going to be hard to remember that no one game weeks 1 through 18 means that much and the goal is to peak in January.

[Scott7975]

I actually dont until like playoffs.  No matter what happens in the regular season I dont get anxiety. I feel this team is at a level they will compete every season.  Just need to get over that hump, so nothing has me worried about making the playoffs.  I do get a little ansy in the playoffs though... because its so close I can feel it.

[Scott7975]

5 hours ago, Captain Hindsight said:

Had some new gear delivered today, promptly put it on and am ready for football 

 

That only works if you dont take it off until we win the SB.

[Scott7975]

3 hours ago, Logic said:

I don't get much pre-game anxiety.

DURING the game, though? Oh man.

I can often be found pacing back on forth, standing mere inches from the TV, or sitting literally on the edge of my seat.

I have to have a book to read on commercial breaks because I have no chill for the three minutes that the game isn't on.

My wife often says "why do you do this to yourself? Do you even ENJOY watching football?!". The answer is...."it's complicated". 😆

 

[rockpile]

I start pacing right before kickoff. It is excitement with some anxiety. I worry all the pregame hype may have jinxed the season some.  I am also  delighted the Bills are a real contender. I do not relax until they have more points than the other team and the clock is at zero.

[Captain Hindsight]

38 minutes ago, Scott7975 said:

 

That only works if you dont take it off until we win the SB.

Oh man my wife isn’t gonna like this 

[John from Riverside]

I remind myself that this was last year Super Bowl champions and that they are a very big good team there is a chance we could lose this game and if we do it’s not going to anywhere ruin our season we’re not gonna win every game this year

 

Of course the winning is better

 

[rockpile]

2 hours ago, SlimShady'sSpaceForce said:

 

Prepare for the worst, hope for the best 

...and have no expectations. 😄

[Florida Bills Fanatic]

Usually around the day the NFL season schedule is released.

[buffaloboyinATL]

7 hours ago, Royale with Cheese said:

I'm starting to get mine now.  I watched a couple of the hype videos, watched the GMFB and other sports shows....I'm feeling it now.

 

For the regular season games that aren't "big games"...I don't get it until like an hour before the game.

 

Big games like this, playoff games or prime time games....I start getting getting them the morning of.  This one, probably because of the hype...2 days before.

 

I'm doing the bare minimum at work today.  Just enough not to get noticed that I'm doing nothing.

During the game, unfortunately. We could be up by 21, the anxiety will still rear it's ugly head.  

[Royale with Cheese]

9 minutes ago, buffaloboyinATL said:

During the game, unfortunately. We could be up by 21, the anxiety will still rear it's ugly head.  

We could be up by 21 with a minute left and I won’t be comfortable.

[Augie]

14 minutes ago, Royale with Cheese said:

We could be up by 21 with a minute left and I won’t be comfortable.

 

Duh???

 

 

BTW - Shameless plug for an author who doesn’t need one, but Grisham’s book Playing For Pizza describes a similar situation that kept the Browns out of the Super Bowl. It’s a good read right up this alley. 

[BADOLBILZ]

 

I don't get anxious before the games.

 

When you are confident.......and Josh Allen gives me great confidence in the Bills playing well.......it's easy to just live in the moment and enjoy it as it comes.

 

When you aren't worrying about how the Bills might lose the game or more specifically sad-sack nonsense like curses or bad luck or unfair officiating calls and league conspiracy BS then there isn't any reason to not just live in the moment and enjoy it and not be anxious about what is coming.

 

That anxiety sometimes blinds people to the obvious.

 

Example:   While many fans were worried sick about the possibility of losing that WC game to the Patriots..........too much so to enjoy it.........preparing for a loss or a joyless "supposed to beat that team" result...........I was preparing for what could be one of the most glorious wins I've enjoyed as a Bills fan.

 

And then they came out and pitched a perfect game on offense.

 

That entire week should have been nothing but a complete joy to be a Bills fan..........if it wasn't, you should re-examine how you are Billsing.

 

Not surprised to hear you slack on the job though........totally on-brand. 

 

Edited September 7, 2022 by BADOLBILZ

[Jauronimo]

1 hour ago, Sherlock Holmes said:

 

I've made sure Cooper Kupp won't be his usual self for this game...

By violating the restraining order?

[Doc Brown]

8 hours ago, Steptide said:

About 15 mins before kickoff. I actually anticipated it this year being on the Thursday night opener, so I took Friday off. If we win, I won't be able to sleep from excitement, if we lose, I won't be able to sleep from dissapontment. A few of those primetime games on Monday night last season, I didn't take off the next day, and I paid for it 😂

So, the best hope for you to sleep is a tie.

[machine gun kelly]

8 hours ago, K-9 said:

Honestly, you guys who are funny keep me laughing, reminding me it’s a game and it’s week 1.

 

it’s so easy to get too amped, but I competed when young and dumb enough as an adult I powerlifting until 33.  The longer I competed, the more I realized it’s just managing It and having fun.  Heck, I’m not on the field and have no control so enjoy it.

 

As the ABC guy said decades ago, it’s the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.  For me the agony is going to come later so why worry about it.

 

Were going to do it boys, and 18 weeks is just a prelude to the real dance.

 

[Doc Brown]

Just to keep things in perspective.....

 

The Pats are the only team to play in the kickoff game and go to the Super Bowl in the same season.  They did it twice so we have a 1 in 20 chance of making the Super Bowl this year regardless of outcome.  It's science.

[MJS]

I do get a bit of anxiety for playoff games. Not for regular season games, though. I just look forward to them.

[iccrewman112]

9 hours ago, Bruffalo said:

Unless somebody forgot to tell me I don't think I'm playing. 

 

I get very little anxiety. I get excited for the games, but not anxious. 

Beane must have you slated for a post week 1 veteran deal where the cash isn’t guaranteed 

[Chandler#81]

April

[PrimeTime101]

Right effing now. Thanks for reminding me..

 

jeez

[bmur66]

When there is 13 seconds left in the 4th quarter

[Steptide]

5 hours ago, Doc Brown said:

So, the best hope for you to sleep is a tie.

I'll always take a win. Once the initial excitement wears off, I'll sleep just fine. Glad I took Friday off though 

[eball]

14 hours ago, Virgil said:

This thread is why I’m on this board.  It makes me feel less crazy for being anxious about the game.  
 

I already have my “at least it was a NFC team” excuse ready to go 

 

If the Bills lose to an NFC team it helps their postseason tiebreaker status…everybody knows that.

 

[Donuts and Doritos]

6 hours ago, Doc Brown said:

Just to keep things in perspective.....

 

The Pats are the only team to play in the kickoff game and go to the Super Bowl in the same season.  They did it twice so we have a 1 in 20 chance of making the Super Bowl this year regardless of outcome.  It's science.

 

Great, so you're telling me we're screwed just by being in this game regardless of the outcome. Cancel the confedie boys!

Edited September 7, 2022 by Donuts and Doritos

[Sherlock Holmes]

8 hours ago, Jauronimo said:

By violating the restraining order?

Trust me, he didn't mind

[muppy]

16 hours ago, Dukestreetking said:

I've had anxiety sh**ts since Saturday.

 

...wait, what was the question?

TMI hermano TMI

 

LOL