Bengals @ Bills - Post Game Thread - January 22, 2023 - NFL Divisional Round Playoffs

[Sisyphean Bills]

12 hours ago, Simon said:

 

I think it could, if it was coached that way.

Long time, hoss; hope all is well. 

Hey, bro. Been a long time indeed.

 

What I meant was if the design is "small and quick" then there isn't a lot you can do in the moment adjusting scheme wise when the field is a skating rink. Whether that is a good design and whether its good coaching to not have an answer to that in Orchard Park, NY is completely wide open for debate. (Add that the design is trouble with AFC North teams anyway, since they are built to play smashmouth on both sides of the ball; to compete with the Ravens and Steelers, it's what you have to do.)

 

Josh hides and compensates for a lot of flaws, like an OL that periodically can't pass pro or run block and a defense that can be pushed around.

[MILFHUNTER#518]

12 hours ago, GoBills808 said:

Scumbags

 

 

I am not getting bent out of shape, I am old and mature enough to know what goes around inevitably comes around. I stopped talking smack years ago for this very reason.

 

That comment will result in a safe being dropped on his head down the road, he cannot undo that.

[newcam2012]

1 hour ago, Bruffalo said:

Two days removed and I'm still gutted by it.  It feels worse than the 13 seconds loss. 

Imho, 13 seconds was much much worse. That should have NEVER happened. The Bills were the better team. 

 

The Cinci game was a thrashing, A$$ whipping, beat down, etc...They were the better team by miles. The score felt like 47 to 10 not 27-10. It was over fairly early. This game was easier to swallow for those reasons. Tip your hat to the Bengals they earned the win. 

Edited January 24, 2023 by newcam2012

[Awwufelloff]

11 minutes ago, newcam2012 said:

Imho, 13 seconds was much much worse. That should have NEVER happened. The Bills were the better team. 

 

The Cinci game was a thrashing, A$$ whipping, beat down, etc...They were the better team by miles. The score felt like 47 to 10 not 27-10. It was over fairly early. This game was easier to swallow for those reasons. Tip your hat to the Bengals they earned the win. 

Agreed, I'm a season ticket holder and was over the loss before the game was over. The better team won, 13 seconds was rough...Took weeks for me. 

Edited January 24, 2023 by Awwufelloff

[Bruffalo]

34 minutes ago, newcam2012 said:

Imho, 13 seconds was much much worse. That should have NEVER happened. The Bills were the better team. 

 

The Cinci game was a thrashing, A$$ whipping, beat down, etc...They were the better team by miles. The score felt like 47 to 10 not 27-10. It was over fairly early. This game was easier to swallow for those reasons. Tip your hat to the Bengals they earned the win. 

It definitely should have never happened, but I felt better about the team and our prospects moving forward. 

 

With how ugly this loss was, and how utterly unprepared the coaching staff seemingly was, I just don't feel good about the state of the team. The Bills will still be good, but until the coordinators get shipped out I don't trust the coaches to get this team into the best positions to win games.

 

 

Edited January 24, 2023 by Bruffalo

[BillsVet]

19 hours ago, technobot said:

To all the haters, I raise my glass. Nothing can kill my love for the Bills but you guys were right, enjoy our misery. There's a lot to be done but not quite sure of what will be done and if we have the will or even the resources to do what's necessary. For me, it's starts with enough of this Cam Netwon/Big Ben/Andrew Luck bull***t where getting our QB (one of our only superstars) smoked every game is some kind of deviant fetish we're obsessed with and applaud. Protect him while there's still a chance. Get him more weapons so he doesn't feel like we have to do everything, because he simply does.

 

I'd really like to see the term, "hater" applied to people who highlight easily anticipated problems to die.  Permanently.  It's a clown term to separate fans into 1 of 2 camps and there's no way to make it a binary issue, i.e. pro or anti-team.  Perhaps you're using it somewhat casually, but it's hard to discern intent on a message board.

 

Aside from that, good post. 

[PromoTheRobot]

F*** the Bengals.

 

 

 

 

[newcam2012]

I agree. The issue with the Bills is really two fold. It's on both the coaches and the players. The coaches lack the ability to win deep into the playoffs. Their game plans and adjustments are inferior to their opponents. 

 

The Bills lack talent on both sides of the ball in the trenches. They are soft, light, and vulnerable to being pushed around. Hard to win playoff game vs good teams with holes on both lines. Beane has whiffed badly with his DL drafts. The Bills organization has made poor decisions with regards to their Oline. It's been problematic for years. I will just stop here because they are more concerns. 

[ngbills]

Was Dorsey preoccupied with the CAR interview? Still having trouble understanding how the team was that unprepared on offense. 

[WideNine]

On 1/24/2023 at 2:47 AM, IndyMark said:

 

Agreed!  Again, he seems like a really good dude but he is so dependent on other things to be a game changer particularly for a top 10 pick.  Top ten picks should be disruptors on their own.  He totaled zero tackles yesterday and 1 assist.  Against 3 back up OL.  Was he doubled teamed? Sure at times but not every snap and against back ups as well.

 

Sure we all remember his game against the Lions this year and Saints last year - he was a force.  However, to me that is the precise issue, you can recall and nail down the exact two games he dominated over 2 seasons (33/34 games).  That tells me all I need to know about how to prioritize him remaining with the Bills. 

 

If we are being honest, he is replaceable; a JAG as they say.  Beane will be considered a wizard of epic proportions if he can find a trade partner for Ed and get anything below (5th, 4th, 3rd....) a 6th round pick. 50% turnover on the DL; this is what I speculate. 

 

In the right systems with the right supporting cast these players may shine more than here, BUT the Bills have some changes they need to make.

 

Those changes will be set back quite a ways if they fall into the trap of overpaying to keep potentially replaceable talent instead of finding similar talent for cheaper or shorter term deals on their roster.

 

Even Edmunds who flies all over the field, gets in the way of passes, and makes tackles all over the second level. The team has to ask, do you break the bank?

 

The questions surrounding Edmunds has been his ability to diagnose plays in the backfield, shed blocks to get in position to make plays, and the low number of impact plays... INTs, forced fumbles, sacks, and TFLs for the amount of snaps he takes.

 

Other than that, he covers a lot of ground, is a great tackling safety net for the team, and deterrent to QBs trying to pass where they are staring... QBs like Burrows and Mahomes do a better job moving him out of the way with their eyes.

 

In Frazier's current scheme this team admittedly felt it when Edmunds was not on the field.

 

They are both above average players, but is that enough to justify being locked into a long-term cap hits?

 

I am sure Beane wanted nothing more than to have rings on the fingers of every player before having to make the tough decisions.

 

Don't envy his position this offseason.

 

 

 

Edited January 26, 2023 by WideNine

[Fleezoid]

2 hours ago, Bruffalo said:

Two days removed and I'm still gutted by it.  It feels worse than the 13 seconds loss. 

 

After that loss, there was hope. The offense was lighting it up. Gabe Davis was on fire. It gave us the thought that we had most of the pieces. A few tweaks on defense and the offensive line, and we all thought this was the year. I was completely invested in the offseason last year. 

 

This loss is the icing on a cake that was getting stale and moldy as the year went on. The defense continued to give up monster plays, the offense turned average. Then the mistakes started piling up. A wins a win. You need them to be successful. But how you win, or how you lose, matters. 

 

The team's regressing. Lots of question marks. I don't know. Maybe this is what the team and fans needed. Smack us back down to earth. Unfortunately, I've always thought A Buffalo team would have to be absolutely dominant to win it all. I never thought we were lucky enough to go in as an underdog and shock the world. 

 

I'll be much less glued to the Bills this offseason. I'll check in from time to time. That's all I got now. 

[technobot]

41 minutes ago, BillsVet said:

 

I'd really like to see the term, "hater" applied to people who highlight easily anticipated problems to die.  Permanently.  It's a clown term to separate fans into 1 of 2 camps and there's no way to make it a binary issue, i.e. pro or anti-team.  Perhaps you're using it somewhat casually, but it's hard to discern intent on a message board.

 

Aside from that, good post. 

 

I'll respond to you and WideNine said the same thing. That hater callout was for an obvious troll, who is gone, but who happened to be right.

 

Bills fans being critical of their team is not hate, I never once said that. Ask my wife how critical I am of her, my kids, myself. Terrible person I am but I don't hate my family.

[WideNine]

9 minutes ago, Fleezoid said:

 

After that loss, there was hope. The offense was lighting it up. Gabe Davis was on fire. It gave us the thought that we had most of the pieces. A few tweaks on defense and the offensive line, and we all thought this was the year. I was completely invested in the offseason last year. 

 

This loss is the icing on a cake that was getting stale and moldy as the year went on. The defense continued to give up monster plays, the offense turned average. Then the mistakes started piling up. A wins a win. You need them to be successful. But how you win, or how you lose, matters. 

 

The team's regressing. Lots of question marks. I don't know. Maybe this is what the team and fans needed. Smack us back down to earth. Unfortunately, I've always thought A Buffalo team would have to be absolutely dominant to win it all. I never thought we were lucky enough to go in as an underdog and shock the world. 

 

I'll be much less glued to the Bills this offseason. I'll check in from time to time. That's all I got now. 

 

Right there with ya.

 

Not really feeling any joy in being right about this team, but I do feel that folks are more receptive to the comment you made above.

 

I felt like McD was trying to preach this message in his post game locker room speech after Miami. That they could not keep playing sloppy football and expect to win.

 

Then Allen stepped in and said something like any way you can win...

 

An ugly win means there are things that need to be cleaned up. Enjoy your "W", but know and embrace that there is work to be done and that the same effort and execution may not cut it against a different opponent.

 

Not saying he lost the team, just that I think there was a disconnect in regards to the urgency needed to clean things up; A complacency that things would somehow always work out, they would get a stop, or a bounce, or Allen would magic a come back....

 

I am not in that "fire them all" place, I remember too well how Wade was ran out of town and how long the Bills sucked after that knee-jerk decision by Ralph.

 

I do recognized this year that we took a step back on offensive consistency, with turnovers and stalled drives, and on defense.

 

Injuries on defense certainly took a toll, so not certain how much that factors into their slide. The secondary was certainly impacted.

 

 

 

 

[Scott7975]

1 hour ago, newcam2012 said:

Imho, 13 seconds was much much worse. That should have NEVER happened. The Bills were the better team. 

 

The Cinci game was a thrashing, A$$ whipping, beat down, etc...They were the better team by miles. The score felt like 47 to 10 not 27-10. It was over fairly early. This game was easier to swallow for those reasons. Tip your hat to the Bengals they earned the win. 

 

I agree.  13 seconds is a game we had no business losing.  Mahomes didnt do anything great in those 13 seconds to win the game.  We had a complete collapse even after time outs.  That should never freaking happen ever.

 

On the flip side this game was one we had no business winning.  They just kicked our ass.

[Franco_92]

This game is much easier to get over because when you just get beat up on, it's easier to see we weren't doing anything this winter. The chiefs game gave me nightmares for the next 9 months. Literal nightmares. I'm already over this one. 

 

We are never as invincible as we feel when things go well (Bengals fans will learn this at some point like we did after 2020) and things are never as doomed as they feel when they don't. 

 

Philly had no business playing in a playoff game 12 months ago when Tampa smoked them. They look like the best team I've seen in a decade just 12 months later. The Bills don't need half that much improvement to be playing next February. Everything is on the table for them, they just have to grab it. 

Edited January 24, 2023 by arcane

[Returntoglory]

WE SUCK!!!

[Beck Water]

4 hours ago, ngbills said:

Was Dorsey preoccupied with the CAR interview? Still having trouble understanding how the team was that unprepared on offense. 

 

It's a good question. 

 

On the other hand, Brian Callahan (Bengals OC) was announced to have the Colts request an interview last Weds and to have completed his HC interview by Friday.  So it's not as though Dorsey was prepping for an interview while Callahan wasn't.  Maybe the timing was a factor.

[Low Positive]

18 minutes ago, Beck Water said:

 

It's a good question. 

 

On the other hand, Brian Callahan (Bengals OC) was announced to have the Colts request an interview last Weds and to have completed his HC interview by Friday.  So it's not as though Dorsey was prepping for an interview while Callahan wasn't.  Maybe the timing was a factor.

Callahan doesn't call the plays. In fact, I'm not quite sure what he does.

Edited January 24, 2023 by FrenchConnection
Typo

[newcam2012]

4 hours ago, ngbills said:

Was Dorsey preoccupied with the CAR interview? Still having trouble understanding how the team was that unprepared on offense. 

Lou Anarumo took him to the woodshed. It was actually embarrassing how bad of a mismatch it was. The playoffs are a whole different ballgame. Dorsey's inexperience and lack of creativity was exposed. 

[BuffaL0L0k0]

I guess I shoulda' of' come earlier to this very thread in the board! I am feeling way better now! after just scrolling a couple of pages.

In the offseason after the 13 you know what...I have promised myself to come back only after a big win in the 57 Big Bowl,

so I could spare myself of the "split" mode on the board... however I see myself coming here... will become the therapy I need to afford

the (long) wait until SB 58 🙃

Just now, BuffaL0L0k0 said:

I guess I shoulda' of' come earlier to this very thread in the board! I am feeling way better now! after just scrolling a couple of pages.

In the offseason after the 13 you know what...I have promised myself to come back only after a big win in the 57 Big Bowl,

so I could spare myself of the "split" mode on the board... however I see myself coming here... will become the therapy I need to afford

the (long) wait until SB 58 🙃

and... LET'S GO BILLS!!! CHINGAó

7 minutes ago, newcam2012 said:

Lou Anarumo took him to the woodshed. It was actually embarrassing how bad of a mismatch it was. The playoffs are a whole different ballgame. Dorsey's inexperience and lack of creativity was exposed. 

YES! but let's give the guy the benefit of the doubt, the previous playoff loses fell all down in Dabol's shoulders, Ken D can only go up from here!

[Bimmer323i]

I’ve never been one to over react and say fire every body but after a couple days reflecting on everything I think I want Frazier gone…. After him blowing that chiefs game last year and what we’ve seen out of his defense this year it’s time for him to go… As far as Dorsey goes I’m still on the fence… Would Joe Brady be an upgrade maybe but I’m not sure…

[newcam2012]

4 hours ago, WideNine said:

 

Right there with ya.

 

Not really feeling any joy in being right about this team, but I do feel that folks are more receptive to the comment you made above.

 

I felt like McD was trying to preach this message in his post game locker room speech after Miami. That they could not keep playing sloppy football and expect to win.

 

Then Allen stepped in and said something like any way you can win...

 

An ugly win means there are things that need to be cleaned up. Enjoy your "W", but know and embrace that there is work to be done and that the same effort and execution may not cut it against a different opponent.

 

Not saying he lost the team, just that I think there was a disconnect in regards to the urgency needed to clean things up; A complacency that things would somehow always work out, they would get a stop, or a bounce, or Allen would magic a come back....

 

I am not in that "fire them all" place, I remember too well how Wade was ran out of town and how long the Bills sucked after that knee-jerk decision by Ralph.

 

I do recognized this year that we took a step back on offensive consistency, with turnovers and stalled drives, and on defense.

 

Injuries on defense certainly took a toll, so not certain how much that factors into their slide. The secondary was certainly impacted.

 

 

 

 

I feel pretty deflated. Perhaps foolishly, I bought into the Bills Super Bowl hype. Early favorites to win it all. Most experts and media personnel picking the Bills to win it all. The season couldn't start fast enough. Their was a feeling of being invincible. It was euphoric and intoxicating. I flaunted my Bills gear with a sense of pride especially since I'm not in Buffalo.

 

The season starts and the Bills come out like true "gangsters." Destroying one team after another. Things couldn't have looked anymore promising. The media continued With the Buffalo hype. We the Bills Mafia glued to the TV like a chef working in a kitchen preparing their favorite meal. We were hungry for more.

 

Fast forward to mid season and the wheels slowly started to lose its air. The once unbeatable looking Bills looked vulnerable. Injuries continued to mount, the offense lost its earlier mojo, the defense looked average despite great stats. The team struggled week after week in many categories. Never seemed to put together a dominate game  on both sides of the ball. However, they were resilant and won close games. Something the Bills aren't known for. Perhaps, this new formed toughness could lead the team to the Lombardi Trophy? So I wondered... 

 

The team faced enormous adversity like never seen before. No need to reiterate them. Suddenly football became secondary. I can take football a little too serious. The old saying is we eat, sleep, and live for football. That came to a crashing halt as tears rolled down my eyes on that unforgettable Monday night. In some ways the images and thoughts still touch me. Not in a bad way but it feels uncomfortable. 

 

Praise God for Damar's miracle recovery. It was truly a blessing from above. Words cannot express the euphoria, gratitude, and humbleness I felt. However, slowly the football fan in me moved towards football and the Bills team. In some ways, I felt guilty but it seemed as though Damar and his family gave me their blessings. It was now all systems go. 

 

I thought this is fate. It's meant to be. The Bills despite looking suspect continued to win and win and win. They had a purpose and destiny was on their side. The story book ending was being written. No Dolphin, Bengal, or Chief could stop us! 

 

We know the rest as the helium has slowly lost its strength...

[nucci]

4 minutes ago, newcam2012 said:

I feel pretty deflated. Perhaps foolishly, I bought into the Bills Super Bowl hype. Early favorites to win it all. Most experts and media personnel picking the Bills to win it all. The season couldn't start fast enough. Their was a feeling of being invincible. It was euphoric and intoxicating. I flaunted my Bills gear with a sense of pride especially since I'm not in Buffalo.

 

The season starts and the Bills come out like true "gangsters." Destroying one team after another. Things couldn't have looked anymore promising. The media continued With the Buffalo hype. We the Bills Mafia glued to the TV like a chef working in a kitchen preparing their favorite meal. We were hungry for more.

 

Fast forward to mid season and the wheels slowly started to lose its air. The once unbeatable looking Bills looked vulnerable. Injuries continued to mount, the offense lost its earlier mojo, the defense looked average despite great stats. The team struggled week after week in many categories. Never seemed to put together a dominate game  on both sides of the ball. However, they were resilant and won close games. Something the Bills aren't known for. Perhaps, this new formed toughness could lead the team to the Lombardi Trophy? So I wondered... 

 

The team faced enormous adversity like never seen before. No need to reiterate them. Suddenly football became secondary. I can take football a little too serious. The old saying is we eat, sleep, and live for football. That came to a crashing halt as tears rolled down my eyes on that unforgettable Monday night. In some ways the images and thoughts still touch me. Not in a bad way but it feels uncomfortable. 

 

Praise God for Damar's miracle recovery. It was truly a blessing from above. Words cannot express the euphoria, gratitude, and humbleness I felt. However, slowly the football fan in me moved towards football and the Bills team. In some ways, I felt guilty but it seemed as though Damar and his family gave me their blessings. It was now all systems go. 

 

I thought this is fate. It's meant to be. The Bills despite looking suspect continued to win and win and win. They had a purpose and destiny was on their side. The story book ending was being written. No Dolphin, Bengal, or Chief could stop us! 

 

We know the rest as the helium has slowly lost its strength...

No god or blessing. Medical people save lives every day. 

[Bimmer323i]

On 1/22/2023 at 6:06 PM, LeGOATski said:

I've never been one to call for firing someone, but I think it's time to part ways with Frazier.

Yea man I’m right there with ya… Eric Washington should be shown the door also… He’s done nothing to help develop guys on the d line imo

[WideNine]

5 minutes ago, nucci said:

No god or blessing. Medical people save lives every day. 

 

Dark with overtures of human hubris.

 

But, I do appreciate our medical professionals and what they do.

 

 

 

[jkeerie]

17 minutes ago, newcam2012 said:

I feel pretty deflated. Perhaps foolishly, I bought into the Bills Super Bowl hype. Early favorites to win it all. Most experts and media personnel picking the Bills to win it all. The season couldn't start fast enough. Their was a feeling of being invincible. It was euphoric and intoxicating. I flaunted my Bills gear with a sense of pride especially since I'm not in Buffalo.

 

The season starts and the Bills come out like true "gangsters." Destroying one team after another. Things couldn't have looked anymore promising. The media continued With the Buffalo hype. We the Bills Mafia glued to the TV like a chef working in a kitchen preparing their favorite meal. We were hungry for more.

 

Fast forward to mid season and the wheels slowly started to lose its air. The once unbeatable looking Bills looked vulnerable. Injuries continued to mount, the offense lost its earlier mojo, the defense looked average despite great stats. The team struggled week after week in many categories. Never seemed to put together a dominate game  on both sides of the ball. However, they were resilant and won close games. Something the Bills aren't known for. Perhaps, this new formed toughness could lead the team to the Lombardi Trophy? So I wondered... 

 

The team faced enormous adversity like never seen before. No need to reiterate them. Suddenly football became secondary. I can take football a little too serious. The old saying is we eat, sleep, and live for football. That came to a crashing halt as tears rolled down my eyes on that unforgettable Monday night. In some ways the images and thoughts still touch me. Not in a bad way but it feels uncomfortable. 

 

Praise God for Damar's miracle recovery. It was truly a blessing from above. Words cannot express the euphoria, gratitude, and humbleness I felt. However, slowly the football fan in me moved towards football and the Bills team. In some ways, I felt guilty but it seemed as though Damar and his family gave me their blessings. It was now all systems go. 

 

I thought this is fate. It's meant to be. The Bills despite looking suspect continued to win and win and win. They had a purpose and destiny was on their side. The story book ending was being written. No Dolphin, Bengal, or Chief could stop us! 

 

We know the rest as the helium has slowly lost its strength...

We as fans had a hard time getting over that Monday night.  Many of us decided that the rest of the season was irrelevent.  Think what it has been like for the players.  The team was not the same after that night.   Yes, Damar, recovered...but the man, their teammate...who plays the same game they do...still almost died while playing that game.  So...I actually saw it as the end of this season.  The way the season came to an end...against the very team when the incident occurred...was what I expected. 

 

So...the players will go through their off-seasons sorting out feelings still.  Some...will be able to think about football, being better next year, etc but for some it stopped being about football that Monday night.  McD, the coaches and Beane have to get back to X's and O's, who stays, who goes, etc.  We will see how the off season plays out. 

[Coffeesforclosers]

Fix the lines. Who gives a ***** what else they do, just fix the lines. 

 

 

 

[Beck Water]

2 hours ago, FrenchConnection said:

Callahan doesn't call the plays. In fact, I'm not quite sure what he does.

 

Well, whatever it is, the Colts think it's enough to qualify him for HC consideration

 

49 minutes ago, Coffeesforclosers said:

Fix the lines. Who gives a ***** what else they do, just fix the lines.

 

I'll go further.  FIX THE OL.  The DL had its infusion of FA $$$$ and high draft picks.  Two of the key ones were out/IR; two others playing injured.  There's reason to believe that as those guys come back, it will improve.

 

The OL was the starters.  FIX THE OL.

Edited January 24, 2023 by Beck Water

[Low Positive]

3 minutes ago, Beck Water said:

 

Well, whatever it is, the Colts think it's enough to qualify him for HC consideration

 

 

I'll go further.  FIX THE OL.  The DL had its infusion of FA $$$$ and high draft picks.  Two of the key ones were out/IR; two others playing injured.  There's reason to believe that as those guys come back, it will improve.

 

The OL was the starters.  FIX THE OL.

Well, Zach Taylor was Goff’s QB coach with McVey and got promoted right to HC and that seems to have worked. Callahan fits the mold of Offensive Genius. Young guy with good hair who never played in college.

[muppy]

21 hours ago, Simon said:

 

Oliver was drawing a C/G combo all day long; the multiple injuries up front were probably the biggest reason the Bills are booking tee times right now.

I would go along with this. The Bills O Line was also beaten up in this game.

 

For me the reasons the Bills lost is a trifecta of suck. OL, DL and the overall fatigued,  ran out of gas factor. WE didn't really know how the wear and tear of a year like 2022 would have on the Bills going into this game.  That aspect was not a major factor or worry going in at least not spoken of that much. . But the proof is in the pudding. And here we are.

Edited January 24, 2023 by muppy

[Momma Pecoraro]

All for the best. Better beat by the Bengals than humiliated a fifth time by the Niners or Eagles. Bills do not hold up against the fronts of either NFC semi finalist.

[nucci]

2 hours ago, WideNine said:

 

Dark with overtures of human hubris.

 

But, I do appreciate our medical professionals and what they do.

 

 

 

Nothing arrogant about it. I don't believe in religion or gods. Wasn't trying to be disrespectful

[TheWei44]

2 hours ago, newcam2012 said:

I feel pretty deflated. Perhaps foolishly, I bought into the Bills Super Bowl hype. Early favorites to win it all. Most experts and media personnel picking the Bills to win it all. The season couldn't start fast enough. Their was a feeling of being invincible. It was euphoric and intoxicating. I flaunted my Bills gear with a sense of pride especially since I'm not in Buffalo.

 

The season starts and the Bills come out like true "gangsters." Destroying one team after another. Things couldn't have looked anymore promising. The media continued With the Buffalo hype. We the Bills Mafia glued to the TV like a chef working in a kitchen preparing their favorite meal. We were hungry for more.

 

Fast forward to mid season and the wheels slowly started to lose its air. The once unbeatable looking Bills looked vulnerable. Injuries continued to mount, the offense lost its earlier mojo, the defense looked average despite great stats. The team struggled week after week in many categories. Never seemed to put together a dominate game  on both sides of the ball. However, they were resilant and won close games. Something the Bills aren't known for. Perhaps, this new formed toughness could lead the team to the Lombardi Trophy? So I wondered... 

 

The team faced enormous adversity like never seen before. No need to reiterate them. Suddenly football became secondary. I can take football a little too serious. The old saying is we eat, sleep, and live for football. That came to a crashing halt as tears rolled down my eyes on that unforgettable Monday night. In some ways the images and thoughts still touch me. Not in a bad way but it feels uncomfortable. 

 

Praise God for Damar's miracle recovery. It was truly a blessing from above. Words cannot express the euphoria, gratitude, and humbleness I felt. However, slowly the football fan in me moved towards football and the Bills team. In some ways, I felt guilty but it seemed as though Damar and his family gave me their blessings. It was now all systems go. 

 

I thought this is fate. It's meant to be. The Bills despite looking suspect continued to win and win and win. They had a purpose and destiny was on their side. The story book ending was being written. No Dolphin, Bengal, or Chief could stop us! 

 

We know the rest as the helium has slowly lost its strength...

Really well written and fairly closely tracks my views/emotions.  I've come around to the general (fairly obvious) view that we were healthy early in the season and really clicking/on fire.  Then we had major injuries and then weather and other awful circumstances toward the end of the season.  Those myriad factors caused us to go from a great SB-caliber team to a good team that could barely beat the crippled Dolphins, etc.  In contrast, the Bengals started the season like crap (also key injury to Chase) but are clearly hitting their stride now.  So there's clearly a luck/timing aspect to being at your best late in the season.  And think about the Chiefs - Mahomes injury may or may not be the reason they don't go all the way this year.  I wouldn't be against letting Frazier go (not renewing his contract) - I just feel like we're not creative and flexible enough on D (and lack aggressiveness when desperately needed). 

[klos63]

2 hours ago, WideNine said:

 

Dark with overtures of human hubris.

 

But, I do appreciate our medical professionals and what they do.

 

 

 

I blame god for stopping his heart.  He hates the Bills. 

[Boatdrinks]

2 hours ago, newcam2012 said:

I feel pretty deflated. Perhaps foolishly, I bought into the Bills Super Bowl hype. Early favorites to win it all. Most experts and media personnel picking the Bills to win it all. The season couldn't start fast enough. Their was a feeling of being invincible. It was euphoric and intoxicating. I flaunted my Bills gear with a sense of pride especially since I'm not in Buffalo.

 

The season starts and the Bills come out like true "gangsters." Destroying one team after another. Things couldn't have looked anymore promising. The media continued With the Buffalo hype. We the Bills Mafia glued to the TV like a chef working in a kitchen preparing their favorite meal. We were hungry for more.

 

Fast forward to mid season and the wheels slowly started to lose its air. The once unbeatable looking Bills looked vulnerable. Injuries continued to mount, the offense lost its earlier mojo, the defense looked average despite great stats. The team struggled week after week in many categories. Never seemed to put together a dominate game  on both sides of the ball. However, they were resilant and won close games. Something the Bills aren't known for. Perhaps, this new formed toughness could lead the team to the Lombardi Trophy? So I wondered... 

 

The team faced enormous adversity like never seen before. No need to reiterate them. Suddenly football became secondary. I can take football a little too serious. The old saying is we eat, sleep, and live for football. That came to a crashing halt as tears rolled down my eyes on that unforgettable Monday night. In some ways the images and thoughts still touch me. Not in a bad way but it feels uncomfortable. 

 

Praise God for Damar's miracle recovery. It was truly a blessing from above. Words cannot express the euphoria, gratitude, and humbleness I felt. However, slowly the football fan in me moved towards football and the Bills team. In some ways, I felt guilty but it seemed as though Damar and his family gave me their blessings. It was now all systems go. 

 

I thought this is fate. It's meant to be. The Bills despite looking suspect continued to win and win and win. They had a purpose and destiny was on their side. The story book ending was being written. No Dolphin, Bengal, or Chief could stop us! 

 

We know the rest as the helium has slowly lost its strength...

Pretty good retrospective. Nothing foolish about the early confidence ; many observers thought the Bills were the team to beat because they were. Then they were tested by injuries not seen in the McDermott era. The rookie coordinator was studied and dissected by the rest of the league. After the bye week, he proved he wasn’t yet up to the task. He never adapted ; the slot WR was out ,the QB injured his elbow and the middle of the field disappeared. Defensively , injuries piled up and Frazier was unable to adapt and find a way. While it was a tall order, his lack of flexibility was apparent. Some changes are in order for this staff. The WRs and OL aren’t good enough. Josh Allen can’t be asked to do everything all the time. 

[WideNine]

33 minutes ago, nucci said:

Nothing arrogant about it. I don't believe in religion or gods. Wasn't trying to be disrespectful

 

Not taken that way... no worries.

 

The rabbit hole I would start us down would be for another board and would end with both of us resigned to some manner of belief system that works for us.

 

I will leave it at respecting yours, as it should be.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[newcam2012]

3 hours ago, nucci said:

No god or blessing. Medical people save lives every day. 

Them too. 

[LABILLBACKER]

4 hours ago, Bimmer323i said:

I’ve never been one to over react and say fire every body but after a couple days reflecting on everything I think I want Frazier gone…. After him blowing that chiefs game last year and what we’ve seen out of his defense this year it’s time for him to go… As far as Dorsey goes I’m still on the fence… Would Joe Brady be an upgrade maybe but I’m not sure…

We dont have to fire Frazier. Just let his contract expire shortly. This organization/ coaches won't have the stones to fire Dorsey being it's his first year.  Just super disappointing how much he's NOT similar to Daboll.

[Beck Water]

5 hours ago, FrenchConnection said:

Well, Zach Taylor was Goff’s QB coach with McVey and got promoted right to HC and that seems to have worked. Callahan fits the mold of Offensive Genius. Young guy with good hair who never played in college.

 

Zach Taylor is kind of the exception to the rule  “head coaches take a while to develop” 

 

Well, him and Sirianni 

 

Regarding Callahan, actually I just checked and Reich called the plays for the Colts when Sirianni was OC there.

So I guess the Colts would feel there’s precedent for an OC who doesn’t call the plays nevertheless apparently knowing what he’s doing

[LOVEMESOMEBILLS]

5 hours ago, TheWei44 said:

Really well written and fairly closely tracks my views/emotions.  I've come around to the general (fairly obvious) view that we were healthy early in the season and really clicking/on fire.  Then we had major injuries and then weather and other awful circumstances toward the end of the season.  Those myriad factors caused us to go from a great SB-caliber team to a good team that could barely beat the crippled Dolphins, etc.  In contrast, the Bengals started the season like crap (also key injury to Chase) but are clearly hitting their stride now.  So there's clearly a luck/timing aspect to being at your best late in the season.  And think about the Chiefs - Mahomes injury may or may not be the reason they don't go all the way this year.  I wouldn't be against letting Frazier go (not renewing his contract) - I just feel like we're not creative and flexible enough on D (and lack aggressiveness when desperately needed). 

 

 We were still playing really good defense even being down Hyde and White. Hyde was gone in a flash, 4th quarter of the 2nd game. After he was lost 3 out of the next 4 games were against teams scoring alot of points at the time. Miami, Baltimore & KC and the defense only gave up 21, 20 & 20. What makes that more impressive is all those games were on the road. And even the 21 for Miami is a bit misleading as the Dolphins strip sacked Allen and they recovered inside our 10 yard line leading to an easy td. And 2 turnovers directly led to 10 of Baltimore's points. A 4 yard td drive after an Allen pick and a 12 yard fg drive after a Singletary fumble. The Pittsburgh game was sandwiched in the middle of those games and they only gave of 3. So those 4 games they gave up only 64 total points with 17 coming from turnovers by the offense. That's a pretty impressive streak.

 

 For Frazier's defense to really work he needs a healthy Hyde, Poyer, White & Johnson. If those 4 are healthy and he has a Von Miller, Groot and a healthy Oliver & Jones then his defense can be very good, but who couldn'twith that talent. He can get to the passer and play a more completed scheme on the back end. But I also agree it would be nice to see what a different defensive mind could do here. Next year, even if Poyer does leave, we'll still have 4 players on defense that have been All-Pros. Hopefully they all will be healthy. And no more games on Thanksgiving please. First Tre then Von, both ACL injuries.