Playoff Mindset...the Enemy is...us

[First Round Bust]

relax we won...enjoy...the closeness..the drama...the victory..its hard to beat a division rival when you play them 3 times

 

we are 24-5 record over past 30 games - Cincy MNF included as no game

 

Those 5 losses by a total of 20 points, include 3 OT losses to Mahomes and Brady on the road and to the flukey Vikes at home this season, other losses to Mia and Jets on road 

 

31 points to a 3rd stringer...yes...but besides the picks, we gave them the short field - their 40 (kickoff penalty) our 48, 27 and 15 yard lines..TO START drives...not to mention the sack-fumble-score..Only 1 drive longer than 40 yards...we are not used to the D winning games but they gave FGs not TDs which really was the diff for the W

 

Then the  Rex Ryan defense, stack the line to no space the runs and blitz leaving sticky man-man 1:1 coverage which is high risk or high reward and a safety spy on Josh instead of a usual linebacker.

 

Certainly not Josh best game, but still a good game with inches on the Knox (TD) and Shakir (bomb) just missing which would have been another 7 or 10 points at least.

we won despite Josh not having to be superman

 

We are facing better coaching, QBs and defense, and the pass rush misses a hall-of-famer and the secondary the vet presence in Hyde (not to mention the range of Damar verus Marlowe).

 

Its gonna be another close one, its a different game, different team..rather be at home than Cincy or KC, and we are 5 point favorites opening against the Bengals...

 

Enjoy...

 

 

 

[US Egg]

So this is a look in mirror stratagem.

 

I like what I see. 👹 

[Dan]

So I see the facts you’re trying to put out there.  But doesn’t it just feel like we lost a lot more than 5 games?  I know you have data, but what about the eye test?  When I’m drunk in the 3rd quarter, I see a team that loses to all the good teams and can’t do anything.  If only we had a better coach, drafting, QB, LT, C, #4DB, dome, line backer, DT, weather, beer, cheerleaders, radio play by play guy; then maybe I could feel better about this team.  But right now, it just feels like we should have lost the last 12 games.  Maybe one day, this team can finally live up to the same standards of excellence I exhibit daily in my personal and professional life.   Until then, I can’t enjoy life.  

[Boatdrinks]

Pretty much sums it up…

[Wraith]

2 minutes ago, Dan said:

So I see the facts you’re trying to put out there.  But doesn’t it just feel like we lost a lot more than 5 games?  I know you have data, but what about the eye test?  When I’m drunk in the 3rd quarter, I see a team that loses to all the good teams and can’t do anything.  If only we had a better coach, drafting, QB, LT, C, #4DB, dome, line backer, DT, weather, beer, cheerleaders, radio play by play guy; then maybe I could feel better about this team.  But right now, it just feels like we should have lost the last 12 games.  Maybe one day, this team can finally live up to the same standards of excellence I exhibit daily in my personal and professional life.   Until then, I can’t enjoy life.  

😂 It has occurred to me more than once in the last 24 hours that the person I'm arguing with who can't quite remember the play they're complaining about was probably drunk off their ass when the play happened.

[Big Turk]

The difference in this game is when the Bills dialed up the old Daboll move of sending everyone deep, leaving no checkdowns and counting on Allen's legs to be the Checkdown against man coverage, the Fins were ready for it.

 

Several times it appeared the Red Sea parted up front, Allen was staring at 20 yards of open space right up the middle and when he went to take off to exploit it, the Fins DLine converged on him and stopped him for like a yard or half yard loss.

 

That never used to happen and is the type of adjustment ONLY divisional opponents can make when they see something twice a year every year. If the Fins didn't make the adjustment, the game would have likely gotten out of hand as Allen would have run wild on them.

 

Kudos to the Fin for the cat and mouse game of letting Allen think he had something and then taking it away as soon as he tried to take advantage of it. A very interesting wrinkle I saw 3 or 4 times yesterday.

 

Also why I take those 7 sacks with a grain of salt. 3 of them at least weren't real sacks, they were tackles for like a half yard loss as he tried to run through the middle.

 

[WhoTom]

The only team that's beaten the Bills this season was the Bills.

The only team that can beat the Bills in the playoffs is the Bills.

 

Nobody has dominated us - they've simply capitalized on our mistakes.

 

[zow2]

These next 3 games are gonna be the highest level opponents.  Not sure if the Bills need to dial it back and be a bit more conservative?  or if they continue to go Balls to the wall aggressive.  

 

After the Pats game week 18, Josh said something to the effect of "dink and dunks are OK, but it's time to start getting aggressive and let your dogs be dogs".  I think he got a little too high on that concept yesterday and it almost got them eliminated.  Get the ball out of your hand or take off and run.  Can't just stand back there scanning the field too long.

[Sierra Foothills]

6 minutes ago, Wraith said:

😂 It has occurred to me more than once in the last 24 hours that the person I'm arguing with who can't quite remember the play they're complaining about was probably drunk off their ass when the play happened.

 

Which game are we talking about?

 

5 minutes ago, WhoTom said:

The only team that's beaten the Bills this season was the Bills.

The only team that can beat the Bills in the playoffs is the Bills.

 

Nobody has dominated us - they've simply capitalized on our mistakes.

 

 

Lombardi's Packer teams used to say (paraphrasing) "We never lose, sometimes we just run out of time."

 

 

[Boatdrinks]

3 minutes ago, zow2 said:

These next 3 games are gonna be the highest level opponents.  Not sure if the Bills need to dial it back and be a bit more conservative?  or if they continue to go Balls to the wall aggressive.  

 

After the Pats game week 18, Josh said something to the effect of "dink and dunks are OK, but it's time to start getting aggressive and let your dogs be dogs".  I think he got a little too high on that concept yesterday and it almost got them eliminated.  Get the ball out of your hand or take off and run.  Can't just stand back there scanning the field too long.

Agree. More long drives would help- they worked last night, and more Josh running. Huntley was effective yesterday and darn near won the game with it before disaster turned things in favor of the Bengals , who appeared to be on their way to being knocked out on their home turf. 

[Big Turk]

7 minutes ago, zow2 said:

These next 3 games are gonna be the highest level opponents.  Not sure if the Bills need to dial it back and be a bit more conservative?  or if they continue to go Balls to the wall aggressive.  

 

After the Pats game week 18, Josh said something to the effect of "dink and dunks are OK, but it's time to start getting aggressive and let your dogs be dogs".  I think he got a little too high on that concept yesterday and it almost got them eliminated.  Get the ball out of your hand or take off and run.  Can't just stand back there scanning the field too long.

 

That tends to bring out the best in them.

2 minutes ago, Boatdrinks said:

Agree. More long drives would help- they worked last night, and more Josh running. Huntley was effective yesterday and darn near won the game with it before disaster turned things in favor of the Bengals , who appeared to be on their way to being knocked out on their home turf. 

 

People talk about Harbaugh as one of the best coaches with situational football and clock management but what I saw yesterday was dreadful.

 

A QB Sneak with him stretching the ball out and trying to jump over the pile from the 2 yard line?? I mean who the hell does that when you didn't even give Dobbins the ball at ALL inside the 5??

 

Then they run themselves out of time on the final drive with two timeouts in their pocket. Just brutal. Among the worst situational football I have seen.

[NewEra]

11 minutes ago, Big Turk said:

The difference in this game is when the Bills dialed up the old Daboll move of sending everyone deep, leaving no checkdowns and counting on Allen's legs to be the Checkdown against man coverage, the Fins were ready for it.

 

Several times it appeared the Red Sea parted up front, Allen was staring at 20 yards of open space right up the middle and when he went to take off to exploit it, the Fins DLine converged on him and stopped him for like a yard or half yard loss.

 

That never used to happen and is the type of adjustment ONLY divisional opponents can make when they see something twice a year every year. If the Fins didn't make the adjustment, the game would have likely gotten out of hand as Allen would have run wild on them.

 

Kudos to the Fin for the cat and mouse game of letting Allen think he had something and then taking it away as soon as he tried to take advantage of it. A very interesting wrinkle I saw 3 or 4 times yesterday.

 

Also why I take those 7 sacks with a grain of salt. 3 of them at least weren't real sacks, they were tackles for like a half yard loss as he tried to run through the middle.

 

It seems teams in general have been doing a better job on his runs up the middle this year. 

[AuntieEm]

12 minutes ago, Wraith said:

😂 It has occurred to me more than once in the last 24 hours that the person I'm arguing with who can't quite remember the play they're complaining about was probably drunk off their ass when the play happened.

 

   Yea I'm surprised they aren't whining about no flags thrown on Miami for having 22 players in the field, but maybe cause they see Bills gotv22 players on field as well.

 

[LABILLBACKER]

Before the season many pundits said the only team that can beat the Bills were the Bills themselves.  And as this season has panned out this remains true.

[Big Turk]

2 minutes ago, NewEra said:

It seems teams in general have been doing a better job on his runs up the middle this year. 

 

At times but he still breaks free at least a few times a game. He had his highest Yards per game rushing since his rookie year at 47.6, and averaged over 6 yards a carry, so how good of a job could they realistically be doing?

[WhoTom]

4 minutes ago, Big Turk said:

People talk about Harbaugh as one of the best coaches with situational football and clock management but what I saw yesterday was dreadful.

 

A QB Sneak with him stretching the ball out and trying to jump over the pile from the 2 yard line?

 

Yeah, Collinsworth pointed that out - either spread the formation to unclog the middle, making the dive at least feasible, or stay low and let the big guys behind you push you into the end zone. They lined up in the "push" formation but ran the play that belongs in the "dive-over-the-top" formation.

 

 

[NewEra]

Just now, Big Turk said:

 

At times but he still breaks free at least a few times a game. He had his highest Yards per game rushing since his rookie year at 47.6, and averaged over 6 yards a carry, so how good of a job could they realistically be doing?

You don’t notice teams doing a better job against his runs this year?  Of course you have.  But just argue to argue

[bigduke6]

just cut down on the self inflicted mistakes.   protect the ball,  catch the ball.  ezpz.

 

im sure they realize and know this all too well.  Josh was not a happy camper after the game.  he knows it wasnt all that great of a win.   its a win,  live to fight another day, but things have to be better.  i expect them to really bear down and work at it this week.

[Boatdrinks]

11 minutes ago, Big Turk said:

 

That tends to bring out the best in them.

 

People talk about Harbaugh as one of the best coaches with situational football and clock management but what I saw yesterday was dreadful.

 

A QB Sneak with him stretching the ball out and trying to jump over the pile from the 2 yard line?? I mean who the hell does that when you didn't even give Dobbins the ball at ALL inside the 5??

 

Then they run themselves out of time on the final drive with two timeouts in their pocket. Just brutal. Among the worst situational football I have seen.

I think Harbaugh said he wanted Huntley to go low. Anyway that was an awful play call and not just because it didn’t work. It had zero chance of working and backfired in the worst way. They needed to spread the defense out of that was the call, no way to go over the top there. I wondered about the TO’s myself and thought it seemed like they were saving them to have a chance to run when they got closer. The goal was to score with little to no time left for CIN to get a quick FG attempt. It got sloppy at the end for sure but I think Harbaugh is a top coach and came very close to a big win vs a team with a superior QB on the road. 

[Best Williams Available]

Most games of this caliber come down to a guy or 2 you don’t expect making a play at a critical juncture. Yesterday it was Shakir (that catch in the 4th) and Elam (pick and breakup on 4th down). Someone else will need to step up vs Cincy and hopefully they deliver.

[Thrivefourfive]

Why I’m I counting 8 losses in the last 30 games played?

[Logic]

The only team that has beaten the Bills all year is the Bills.

Dolphins 
Jets
Vikings

None of those teams caused us to lose those games. Self inflicted wounds caused us to lose all three.

Had we lost yesterday, what would've been the cause? More self inflicted wounds.

If the Bills can avoid beating THEMSELVES, they'll win the Lombardi. 

[Thrivefourfive]

1 hour ago, First Round Bust said:

31 points to a 3rd stringer...yes...but besides the picks, we gave them the short field - their 40 (kickoff penalty) our 48, 27 and 15 yard lines..TO START drives...not to mention the sack-fumble-score..Only 1 drive longer than 40 yards...we are not used to the D winning games but they gave FGs not TDs which really was the diff for the W

Absolutely the reason to NOT relax.

 

One thing I do like this season is winning the gutty close games. I took them in the regular season because those games can go either way and the NFL season is an absolute grind. But at home against that ^^^^ I hate it, in the almighty playoffs…. Not relaxed one bit. 

[SoCal Deek]

4 minutes ago, Best Williams Available said:

Most games of this caliber come down to a guy or 2 you don’t expect making a play at a critical juncture. Yesterday it was Shakir (that catch in the 4th) and Elam (pick and breakup on 4th down). Someone else will need to step up vs Cincy and hopefully they deliver.

It interesting that you mention those two specific plays. When you look back at yesterday's game, you see major contributions from a few players who until just a few weeks ago were in the dog house, the rest house, or someone else's house: Beasely, Elam, Marlowe, and Shakir immediately come to mind.

[PonyBoy]

1 hour ago, First Round Bust said:

relax we won...enjoy...the closeness..the drama...the victory..its hard to beat a division rival when you play them 3 times

 

we are 24-5 record over past 30 games - Cincy MNF included as no game

 

Those 5 losses by a total of 20 points, include 3 OT losses to Mahomes and Brady on the road and to the flukey Vikes at home this season, other losses to Mia and Jets on road 

 

31 points to a 3rd stringer...yes...but besides the picks, we gave them the short field - their 40 (kickoff penalty) our 48, 27 and 15 yard lines..TO START drives...not to mention the sack-fumble-score..Only 1 drive longer than 40 yards...we are not used to the D winning games but they gave FGs not TDs which really was the diff for the W

 

Then the  Rex Ryan defense, stack the line to no space the runs and blitz leaving sticky man-man 1:1 coverage which is high risk or high reward and a safety spy on Josh instead of a usual linebacker.

 

Certainly not Josh best game, but still a good game with inches on the Knox (TD) and Shakir (bomb) just missing which would have been another 7 or 10 points at least.

we won despite Josh not having to be superman

 

We are facing better coaching, QBs and defense, and the pass rush misses a hall-of-famer and the secondary the vet presence in Hyde (not to mention the range of Damar verus Marlowe).

 

Its gonna be another close one, its a different game, different team..rather be at home than Cincy or KC, and we are 5 point favorites opening against the Bengals...

 

Enjoy...

 

 

 

 

I think you forgot the Diggs touchdown they didn't review.

I don't remember if they scored 3 or 7 after that or not.

 

 

Certainly not Josh best game, but still a good game with inches on the Knox (TD) and Shakir (bomb) just missing which would have been another 7 or 10 points at least.

[muppy]

THIS GAME THOUGH. I honestly cannot recall a game where a Win was achieved but the getting there was so Not fun. I will admit to being over confident going into this game. I was emboldened by the pats*  injury report and at home thinking that the bills would roll.

 

This game salted me but good. Well guess what. The Team AND the fanbase imo need to develop a CB mentality and take the dub and keep it moving forward.  Get your mind and head straight to play the next game better. And fans quit grippin yesterday so hard.  That last point is mostly for Me.

 

The team well it really goes without saying:  .LEARN from it. Do you think #17 is going to see the tape of yesterdays game and NOT realize he needs to utilize his check downs a bit more? . The Bills simply cannot afford mistakes of any and all kind  perfection Perfection PERFECTION Right?

 

ACK! As IF we are Ever going to get THAT. I' settle for a bit more effective pass rush for starters. How used to we seeing Bass kick near flawlessly and then yesterday he kicks off one out of bounds? Yeah thats RARE . Next game BASSOMATIC again. Right? RIGHT. and the OL Oh My. Come up with SOMETHING play  more effectively that will be a Huge consideration next game.

 

Bengals at home. Oh Baby Baby BABY. I may need to dust off the ole xanax drip 😲

 

haha Im feeling better already. 😁

 

GO BILLS!~!~!!!

 

 

Edited January 16, 2023 by muppy

[frostbitmic]

The Bills play up to or down to their opponent, yet they're 14-3 and on an 8 game winning streak.

 

Nothing is easy for this team but they have enough talent to get the W at the end of nearly every game.

 

My blood pressure would be lower if they went into the 4th Q with a 30 point lead.

[Big Turk]

23 minutes ago, muppy said:

THIS GAME THOUGH. I honestly cannot recall a game where a Win was achieved but the getting there was so Not fun. I will admit to being over confident going into this game. I was emboldened by the pats*  injury report and at home thinking that the bills would roll.

 

This game salted me but good. Well guess what. The Team AND the fanbase imo need to develop a CB mentality and take the dub and keep it moving forward.  Get your mind and head straight to play the next game better. And fans quit grippin yesterday so hard.  That last point is mostly for Me.

 

The team well it really goes without saying:  .LEARN from it. Do you think #17 is going to see the tape of yesterdays game and NOT realize he needs to utilize his check downs a bit more? . The Bills simply cannot afford mistakes of any and all kind  perfection Perfection PERFECTION Right?

 

ACK! As IF we are Ever going to get THAT. I' settle for a bit more effective pass rush for starters. How used to we seeing Bass kick near flawlessly and then yesterday he kicks off one out of bounds? Yeah thats RARE . Next game BASSOMATIC again. Right? RIGHT. and the OL Oh My. Come up with SOMETHING play  more effectively that will be a Huge consideration next game.

 

Bengals at home. Oh Baby Baby BABY. I may need to dust off the ole xanax drip 😲

 

haha Im feeling better already. 😁

 

GO BILLS!~!~!!!

 

 

 

He will not realize it because most of the checkdowns were his legs. Once again, not sure how many times it has to be said. Allen had gaping holes to run through and 20+ yards easily several times. The Fins almost baited him into it and then shut the hole as he tried to run through it. At least 3 of their "sacks" were him trying to run up the middle and pick up huge yards. That was the old Daboll move against heavy man coverage teams. Everyone go deep, no checkdowns, Allen takes off and gets huge chunks.

 

Fins were ready for it, credit to them.

Edited January 16, 2023 by Big Turk

[Best Williams Available]

37 minutes ago, SoCal Deek said:

It interesting that you mention those two specific plays. When you look back at yesterday's game, you see major contributions from a few players who until just a few weeks ago were in the dog house, the rest house, or someone else's house: Beasely, Elam, Marlowe, and Shakir immediately come to mind.

Shakir doesn’t catch that pass and Bills punt again back-to-back and there goes the game IMO. But yes agree. Knox and Diggs early then new contributors late. Whatever it takes.

[SoCal Deek]

1 minute ago, Best Williams Available said:

Shakir doesn’t catch that pass and Bills punt again back-to-back and there goes the game IMO. But yes agree. Knox and Diggs early then new contributors late. Whatever it takes.

We'll take great plays from wherever we can get them, but I was really happy to see some contributions from this year's rookie class, including the increased playing time for Cook. Just a few weeks ago it honestly looked like a completed wasted draft. 

[extrahammer]

20 minutes ago, Big Turk said:

 

He will not realize it because most of the checkdowns were his legs. Once again, not sure how many times it has to be said. Allen had gaping holes to run through and 20+ yards easily several times. The Fins almost baited him into it and then shut the hole as he tried to run through it. At least 3 of their "sacks" were him trying to run up the middle and pick up huge yards. That was the old Daboll move against heavy man coverage teams. Everyone go deep, no checkdowns, Allen takes off and gets huge chunks.

 

Fins were ready for it, credit to them.

 

Is this something new they threw at him compared to the last two times we've played them? I do remember when he would step up in the pocket it would look like he had a lot of room in front of him only to see it collapse as soon as he decided to take off. Also even with Skylar Thompson I expected the game to be potentially close like the previous two times. 

[Big Turk]

18 minutes ago, extrahammer said:

 

Is this something new they threw at him compared to the last two times we've played them? I do remember when he would step up in the pocket it would look like he had a lot of room in front of him only to see it collapse as soon as he decided to take off. Also even with Skylar Thompson I expected the game to be potentially close like the previous two times. 

 

Yes...I haven't seen it before from them. It was a brilliant wrinkle from them.

1 hour ago, NewEra said:

You don’t notice teams doing a better job against his runs this year?  Of course you have.  But just argue to argue

 

Again, it is at times. There are also times he still kills teams with them. I think it depends on the team. Bills also have done far fewer designed runs it seems this year.

Edited January 16, 2023 by Big Turk

[ColoradoBills]

1 hour ago, Thrivefourfive said:

Why I’m I counting 8 losses in the last 30 games played?

 

Gotta be that new math I keep hearing about.

[NewEra]

27 minutes ago, Big Turk said:

 

Yes...I haven't seen it before from them. It was a brilliant wrinkle from them.

 

Again, it is at times. There are also times he still kills teams with them. I think it depends on the team. Bills also have done far fewer designed runs it seems this year.

Of course there are times where he gets through…..my point was, teams have done a better job with closing off the middle this year compared to years past.  

[PauleeeWalnuts]

Saw this posted on FB….🤦🏻‍♂️

 

[Generic_Bills_Fan]

2 hours ago, Big Turk said:

The difference in this game is when the Bills dialed up the old Daboll move of sending everyone deep, leaving no checkdowns and counting on Allen's legs to be the Checkdown against man coverage, the Fins were ready for it.

 

Several times it appeared the Red Sea parted up front, Allen was staring at 20 yards of open space right up the middle and when he went to take off to exploit it, the Fins DLine converged on him and stopped him for like a yard or half yard loss.

 

That never used to happen and is the type of adjustment ONLY divisional opponents can make when they see something twice a year every year. If the Fins didn't make the adjustment, the game would have likely gotten out of hand as Allen would have run wild on them.

 

Kudos to the Fin for the cat and mouse game of letting Allen think he had something and then taking it away as soon as he tried to take advantage of it. A very interesting wrinkle I saw 3 or 4 times yesterday.

 

Also why I take those 7 sacks with a grain of salt. 3 of them at least weren't real sacks, they were tackles for like a half yard loss as he tried to run through the middle.

 

Hard to say they were ready for it when we were winning the go routes nearly every time. If you’re talking about the scramble part specifically then sure lol  Idk maybe it’s just me but 9 times out of 10 with that exact gameplan against that exact defense we probably score 50+.  Davis/diggs got behind the defense seemingly all day we just missed the connection by inches quite a few times 

[RocCityRoller]

1 hour ago, Thrivefourfive said:

Why I’m I counting 8 losses in the last 30 games played?

 

Yep, would be since the loss to TEN and bye week last season.

 

2022 Reg Season L since then = Jax/ Indy/ Pats/ Tampa (4)

2022 Playoff L = KC (1)

2023 Regular Season L = Miami/ Jets/ Vikings (3)

2023 Playoffs = 0

 

4+3+1 = 8

 

I still agree with the gist of the post. In most of those games the Bills had a chance to win, or blew it themselves.

Indy smoked em, and Tampa laid it on really thick in the first half before Buffalo had a furious rally in the 2nd that came up short.

 

[Generic_Bills_Fan]

6 minutes ago, PaulieYayo said:

Saw this posted on FB….🤦🏻‍♂️

 

Haha imagine what the jokes would’ve been if they lost though…if they win next week no one will care about this game 

 

cincy easily could’ve lost their game as well 

Edited January 16, 2023 by Generic_Bills_Fan

[extrahammer]

47 minutes ago, Big Turk said:

 

Yes...I haven't seen it before from them. It was a brilliant wrinkle from them.

 

 

 

Do you believe some of the media labeling Allen this generation's Brett Favre is fair?

[Generic_Bills_Fan]

2 minutes ago, RocCityRoller said:

 

Yep, would be since the loss to TEN and bye week last season.

 

2022 Reg Season L since then = Jax/ Indy/ Pats/ Tampa (4)

2022 Playoff L = KC (1)

2023 Regular Season L = Miami/ Jets/ Vikings (3)

2023 Playoffs = 0

 

4+3+1 = 8

 

I still agree with the gist of the post. In most of those games the Bills had a chance to win, or blew it themselves.

Indy smoked em, and Tampa laid it on really thick in the first half before Buffalo had a furious rally in the 2nd that came up short.

 

Tampa loss was BS…this whole don’t throw flags down the stretch or in playoff games needs to end.  Diggs got straight up tackled in the end zone while the ball was in the air