6-2 mid-season....not too shabby

[Sweats]

I couldn't even watch the game on sunday.....apparently, my local t.v. station figured the Bills would blow out the Jets by such a wide margin, that they aired the Fins game instead. That was the first time in 35 years that i had not watched a Bills game, however, i watched the updates on my phone as the day progressed and felt that our team would somehow pull off the win. Was i devastated by the loss? Well, yes and no. It never feels good to have your team lose, however, were 6-2....that's not too shabby, ya know. If you were to tell me that we would be 6-2 mid-season before the season started, i'd think we were in pretty good shape. The only problem i see is that the 2 losses were against divisional opponents...the AFCEast right now kinda reminds me of the 90's, where this was the toughest division in the NFL. All four teams are poised to take a crack at the crown, but i still think that we are the team to beat.

 

I'm not worried.....we've been here before and we'll be here again. This is a typical mid-season Bills slump (can you even call 2 losses, not even back to back, a slump?).

 

I still haven't watched any highlights of the game....what's the point? Don't you know that we lost to a good team and the sky is falling. It's all coming apart at the seams and maybe we should tear it all down and start over.....or maybe, just maybe, we enjoy this team for what it is, let the FO do their jobs, sit back and relax and watch our team go to the SB this year.

 

Superbowl or bust, baby.

Go Bills.

[Straight Hucklebuck]

Except we’ve seen this before.

 

A swoon is not a Playoff chances killer, but the whole point was to get the #1 seed.

 

We’ve done road Arrowhead twice and it sucks.

 

8 games in and we’re sitting here asking again about run game for the third year in a row, who is our #2, why don’t we have a Tight End, who is our Right Tackle this week, why does our offense go off the rails for 2-4 games every season? 
 

Edited November 8, 2022 by Straight Hucklebuck

[Aussie Joe]

Did the Kelly era team(s) have mid season "slumps" and "swoons"?

 

Its so long ago I cant recall ... also it was pre internet days so I had to look up the results each week in the Tuesday newspaper at the time.

[chongli]

6-2 is awesome!

 

But one poster said this in August:

 

 

His entire post:

 

"There's a good chance this team is sitting around .500 after the first half of the season given the schedule and how many good QB/offenses we face.

 

We don't need to rush him, but we also should have adequately addressed the DB position in FA instead of relying on rookies, including a 1st rounder that doesn't look like he's ready to make a meaningful contribution right away and whose career could be adversely impacted by forcing him into the lineup against some of the league's elite QB/WR combos we are going to see in the first half of the season.

 

As for the continued word salad from McD/Beane/etc they know he's likely not ready and won't be any time soon hence the 'run out the clock' type of comment because once he is put on PUP or IR they don't have to answer media questions anytime soon."

 

Ok then...this turned out to be a great prediction!!!! 😂

Edited November 8, 2022 by chongli

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

2 hours ago, Aussie Joe said:

Did the Kelly era team(s) have mid season "slumps" and "swoons"?

 

Its so long ago I cant recall ... also it was pre internet days so I had to look up the results each week in the Tuesday newspaper at the time.

yeah, they had some real dogs. The difference is we knew they were a good team, so we didn’t panic like we do now.

[newcam2012]

3 hours ago, Straight Hucklebuck said:

Except we’ve seen this before.

 

A swoon is not a Playoff chances killer, but the whole point was to get the #1 seed.

 

We’ve done road Arrowhead twice and it sucks.

 

8 games in and we’re sitting here asking again about run game for the third year in a row, who is our #2, why don’t we have a Tight End, who is our Right Tackle this week, why does our offense go off the rails for 2-4 games every season? 
 

I agree 100% with your post.

[newcam2012]

40 minutes ago, Miyagi-Do Karate said:

yeah, they had some real dogs. The difference is we knew they were a good team, so we didn’t panic like we do now.

That 90s Kelly led team was elite on both sides of the ball with huge playmakers. One should never compare those teams with the current Bills team. It's not even close. You have several Hall of famers from that team. Four straight super Bowl appearances. Stop with the non sense. There was no panic because they were that good. They proved it year after year. This version of the Bills has proven they can't even get to an AFC Championship game. Maybe that's why there's concern. 

Edited November 8, 2022 by newcam2012

[Bubba Gump]

We're you yelling that whole post while typing? Lol. 

 

Seriously, I would take 13-4 or 12-5 at this point. Really want home field advantage though. 

[John from Riverside]

4 hours ago, Aussie Joe said:

Did the Kelly era team(s) have mid season "slumps" and "swoons"?

 

Its so long ago I cant recall ... also it was pre internet days so I had to look up the results each week in the Tuesday newspaper at the time.

I can’t remember one undefeated season during that time

1 hour ago, newcam2012 said:

I agree 100% with your post.

Of course you do

[Aussie Joe]

3 minutes ago, John from Riverside said:

I can’t remember one undefeated season during that time

 

I was thinking more along the lines of last years team dropping 4 out of 6 games mid season…that’s what I call a “ slump”… not losing one game 

[Bad Things]

1 hour ago, newcam2012 said:

One should never compare those teams with the current Bills team. It's not even close. You have several Hall of famers from that team. Four straight super Bowl appearances. Stop with the non sense.

Give me a break.  We can most certainly compare these two teams. 

Just because we compare them doesn't mean that we think they're equal.

 

 

2 hours ago, Miyagi-Do Karate said:

yeah, they had some real dogs. The difference is we knew they were a good team, so we didn’t panic like we do now.

I think the main difference was that back in the day, we didn't have social media where people act like idiots.

[Airseven]

Try italics next time.

[Aussie Joe]

56 minutes ago, Airseven said:

Try italics next time.

huh??… someone thinks a slump means losing one  game and I need to show something in italics?

 

Edited November 8, 2022 by Aussie Joe

[Pete]

6-2 is fantastic.  Especially with the tough schedule, injuries, and most games on road.  6-2 backoff sounds great- give me that.

1 hour ago, Gene1973 said:

This is likely the start of a slump. Sure smells like it anyways.

that's just your opinion, man

 

You may be Mr my glass is half empty guy, but you are not Nostradamus

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

 

[zow2]

None of the comparisons to past seasons matter if Allen is hurt for any length of time. 

[Billzgobowlin]

I love the fact that a 6-2 Bills team is a disappointment as opposed to a disappointing 2-6 team.  Let's go undefeated the rest of the way!!!!

[Greg S]

6-2 is a good record. They were never winning 15,16,17 games. Reality is it's hard to win every week and there are always ups and downs in every season. If Allen misses any significant time, then all bets are off as far as the record goes. In the end I think they win 12-13 games which means 4 or 5 losses.

[Nuncha]

10 hours ago, Aussie Joe said:

Did the Kelly era team(s) have mid season "slumps" and "swoons"?

 

Its so long ago I cant recall ... also it was pre internet days so I had to look up the results each week in the Tuesday newspaper at the time.

I remember the early 1990's Bills going to New England (back when they were horrible) and losing once or twice.  Those patriot teams were garbage but they always played us tough especially in New England.

 

I see this was posted in a Tasker tweet above - saw it after I wrote this.  Funny

 

 

Edited November 8, 2022 by Azucho98

[SoCal Deek]

I’m not exactly sure what this thread is about. Yes, the Kelly era team lost regular season games. But after the first Super Bowl it was all about getting into the playoffs where you knew their experience would win the day. The current era Bills don’t have that…yet. In fact, they have almost the opposite problem. They’re still holding their breath in the playoffs and the Chiefs loom like an ever present boogie man. 

[without a drought]

The only difference between the 90's and today is that after a loss like this . No one is calling for Case Keenum to start. The rest of these takes are just selective memories to try and back their story of the past.

[SMAKCruiser]

3 minutes ago, without a drought said:

The only difference between the 90's and today is that after a loss like this . No one is calling for Case Keenum to start. The rest of these takes are just selective memories to try and back their story of the past.

Remember how ridiculous some of the fans were back then and wanted Frank Reich to start over Kelly.   Lolll

[Royale with Cheese]

10 hours ago, Straight Hucklebuck said:

Except we’ve seen this before.

 

A swoon is not a Playoff chances killer, but the whole point was to get the #1 seed.

 

We’ve done road Arrowhead twice and it sucks.

 

8 games in and we’re sitting here asking again about run game for the third year in a row, who is our #2, why don’t we have a Tight End, who is our Right Tackle this week, why does our offense go off the rails for 2-4 games every season? 
 

 

Because every team goes through slumps.  Chiefs were 3-4 last year after 7 games and still secured homefield.

We were #3 in run defense in the league before the last 6 quarters.  We just have been bad very recently.

[T master]

6-2 is definitely a lot better than 4-4 a lot of the division leaders are at 5-3 so yes it is good but these injuries are killing the Bills along with not utilizing certain players they have all the weapons a team would ever need to keep any D guessing what they are going to do but they don't use some of what has worked this year .

 

I think the next game against the Jets will be different but the Fins are playing really good so the division is not ours to win the Bills will have to earn it if they want it i hope they get & stay healthy ...

[klos63]

1 hour ago, Billzgobowlin said:

I love the fact that a 6-2 Bills team is a disappointment as opposed to a disappointing 2-6 team.  Let's go undefeated the rest of the way!!!!

Do you think the team is trending up or down right now?

[Buckets]

11 hours ago, Aussie Joe said:

Did the Kelly era team(s) have mid season "slumps" and "swoons"?

 

Its so long ago I cant recall ... also it was pre internet days so I had to look up the results each week in the Tuesday newspaper at the time.

I remember that most of the losses during the "golden years" were squarely on game planning and coaching. Sound familiar?

[US Egg]

Shabby play, a 6-2 record.

 

Unacceptable/acceptable.
 

It’s the flying fickle of fate.

[BillsVet]

LOL at the comparisons to Bills teams from 30 years ago.  Pre salary cap when Buffalo's roster was exceedingly better than just about every team in the league.  It's as if people cannot comprehend the game's changed markedly in the intervening years.

 

The loss to Miami was not good, nor the Jets loss.  It happens and every reasonable fan knew they weren't going 16-1 or 17-0.  

 

Doesn't mean it's fun to see division rivals win, albeit when they're home.  

 

At this point, it's time to see what this staff can do. For all the plaudits given them, at crucial times they seem caught flat-footed.  Time will tell.  

[Moulds 808080]

Just win!!!

[msw2112]

2 hours ago, SMAKCruiser said:

Remember how ridiculous some of the fans were back then and wanted Frank Reich to start over Kelly.   Lolll

 

I was never a proponent of pulling a healthy Jim Kelly for Frank Reich, even when the Bills had some slumps.  

 

That said, in 1992, Kelly was injured and Reich was starting in his place.  Reich was at the helm for the greatest comeback in NFL history in the Wild Card round.  Then the team went into Pittsburgh with Reich at QB and won 24-3.  The team had great momentum and was playing excellent football.  Reich was in total command.

 

The following week, in the AFCCG, they went back to Kelly, who I don't think was 100%.  Yes, the Bills beat Miami (29-10) and cruised to the Super Bowl.  But, in that game, Kelly was all screen passes, dinks and dunks.  He was not at the top of his game.  In the Super Bowl, Kelly was not good and ultimately was pulled for Reich due to injury, but he was also ineffective.  Reich was better than Kelly in that SB, but the game was already out of hand.

 

I believed then, and still do today, that they should have stuck with Reich.  They had great momentum and chemistry, and Kelly was not 100%.  Bill Pacells stuck with the hot hand in Jeff Hostetler in 1990-91 and we all know how that turned out.  Was Hostetler the better QB than Phil Simms?  No.  But was the team on a roll with him at QB?  Yes.  Reich was not a better QB than Jim Kelly, but he was the right guy at that time, just like Hostetler was for the Giants.

 

The good news for the Bills is that if Allen is injured, Reich is now available!  (Bad joke, I know.)

[Nextmanup]

Where do you live OP?

 

 

[Success]

I think this team is about to go on a run similar to what they did after the "Hail Murray."

 

It's not like our losses were blowouts that would make you re-think how good this team really is.  We're as good as anyone, and better than most.

 

[CorkScrewHill]

10 hours ago, newcam2012 said:

That 90s Kelly led team was elite on both sides of the ball with huge playmakers. One should never compare those teams with the current Bills team. It's not even close. You have several Hall of famers from that team. Four straight super Bowl appearances. Stop with the non sense. There was no panic because they were that good. They proved it year after year. This version of the Bills has proven they can't even get to an AFC Championship game. Maybe that's why there's concern. 

1988 2020 Bills AFC Championship - got beat soundly in both games

1989 2021 Bills Divisional Round - lost a heartbreaker

1990-1994 SBs ..

 

So not seeing a difference so far.

[MJS]

13 hours ago, Straight Hucklebuck said:

Except we’ve seen this before.

 

A swoon is not a Playoff chances killer, but the whole point was to get the #1 seed.

 

We’ve done road Arrowhead twice and it sucks.

 

8 games in and we’re sitting here asking again about run game for the third year in a row, who is our #2, why don’t we have a Tight End, who is our Right Tackle this week, why does our offense go off the rails for 2-4 games every season? 
 

We've seen this before because it happens to every single team every single year. That's football. Every team goes through a tough stretch of games and needs to change things up and get back on track.

[billybob71]

my slump my slump my lovely billsy slump

[B-Large]

After witnessing 2000-2016, I will just be grateful that this team will always be in the hunt as long as Allen plays.  
 

It feels good to be the guys on the pedestal, rather that buried under it somewhere in endless irrelevancy. 
 

6-2 is lovely. 

[Billzgobowlin]

2 hours ago, klos63 said:

Do you think the team is trending up or down right now?

I'm not worried about trending because all that's important right now is the Vikings.  Yes they can beat the Vikings even without Josh

[msw2112]

I said this after the Miami loss and it applies again here.  Better to lose to a team that you face again, than to a AFC contender that you only play once.  The Bills can avenge these 2 losses later in the season when momentum is even more important.  Playing the Ravens, KC, and Tennessee only once, it was critical to win those games and retain the tie-breaker over those teams.  While the Bills currently don't have the tie-breaker against Miami and the Jests, they can negate the loss of tie-breaker by beating them in the 2nd matchup.

 

Let me be clear - it is never good to lose a game and losing certain games does not improve the team's playoff chances.  (I'm sure some will remember a post here a few years ago implying that a loss to a NFC team would help the Bills playoff chances....)  The point is that if you are going to lose 2 games, these are better ones to lose than some others.  And yes, I realize that division and conference records are important for playoff seeding, but I still stand by the premise that, based on this season, how the schedule pans out, etc., that these 2 games were "better" losses than Baltimore, KC, and Tennessee.  (Obviously, losses to NFC teams and non-division, non-contending AFC teams would be even better losses.)

[Bob in STL]

14 hours ago, Aussie Joe said:

Did the Kelly era team(s) have mid season "slumps" and "swoons"?

 

Its so long ago I cant recall ... also it was pre internet days so I had to look up the results each week in the Tuesday newspaper at the time.

They had an occasional bad game.  No slumps and no swoons, and they rarely lost to inferior teams, which is why they had home field advantage in the playoffs a lot of the time.  

 

This team has not shown they are as good as the Kelly era teams.  Not yet anyway.  

Edited November 8, 2022 by Bob in STL

[Pine Barrens Mafia]

33 minutes ago, Success said:

I think this team is about to go on a run similar to what they did after the "Hail Murray."

 

It's not like our losses were blowouts that would make you re-think how good this team really is.  We're as good as anyone, and better than most.

 

yeah, what indicators have you seeing that