What Are Your Expectations For The 2023 Season?

[UKBillFan]

4 hours ago, Straight Hucklebuck said:

If I was Allen I would get into a weight room all off-season and come into training camp in the best shape of my life.

 

That vacation photo and he’s got a pooch gut? Not acceptable. 
 

Get into the weight room, and come back with 10+ pounds of muscle. 
 

On Kyle Brandts podcast he talks about always joking with Jordan Palmer when Burrow is “all ball”.

 

Not saying he’s not serious, but one thing he can control is his fitness and I think by the photos he could be an even more dynamic athlete. 
 

 

I think Josh needs a disciplinarian around him. Someone to lay down the law and get him into line, otherwise he can be too laid back and casual. Which is odd for someone who is nauseous with nerves before games. In the most recent Brandt basement podcast, though this is probably being unfair, it felt like Kyle was more upset about the Bengals defeat than Josh was.

There was something off about the whole team post bye this year and that does lead to concerns heading into next season. And, even if the Bills start well, what happens when they hit the bye, as it was a similar story in 2021 until the play offs, when the offense suddenly clicked into gear.

[SydneyBillsFan]

I can only answer this when I see the changes in coaching and playing roster.

 

My gut tells me there will be cosmetic improvement only.

[Buffalo_Stampede]

41 minutes ago, SydneyBillsFan said:

I can only answer this when I see the changes in coaching and playing roster.

 

My gut tells me there will be cosmetic improvement only.

I don’t understand the the calls for coaching changes. Look at the defensive line they put on the field in the playoffs and compare it to pretty much any other championship DL. We haven’t had anyone  on the DL we can depend on to make a play in any of Josh Allen’s playoff years.

 

When it’s about beating the top 2-3 teams in the league you need those players on the DL.

Edited January 30, 2023 by Buffalo_Stampede

[BillMafia716ix]

1 hour ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

I don’t understand the the calls for coaching changes. Look at the defensive line they put on the field in the playoffs and compare it to pretty much any other championship DL. We haven’t had anyone  on the DL we can depend on to make a play in any of Josh Allen’s playoff years.

 

When it’s about beating the top 2-3 teams in the league you need those players on the DL.

Yup, they signed Von Miller to be that guy for them in the postseason and he wasn’t available. The performance of the Bills DL in the playoffs this year showed why they signed him in the first place. 

[entropyrules]

Expectations are tempered. Their schedule is brutal (this is the biggest problem for 2023), the AFC East teams will be better, the Bills lack elite talent (except for Allen, Diggs and maybe Miller if he recovers from the ACL injury - Milano is really good but he is not elite like a  Fred Warner), the coaching in terms of in-game adjustments is simply lacking, and they are in cap hell. They'll probably go 10-7 and slip in as a wild card or maybe even win the division if they can go 4-2 in their division. I prefer they start to jettison players who won't be here in 2025 and use whatever draft capital they acquire to load up on O linemen but I get it if others feel they need to keep plugging away and hope Allen can overcome any team weaknesses in the playoffs.

[Buffalo_Stampede]

12 minutes ago, entropyrules said:

Expectations are tempered. Their schedule is brutal (this is the biggest problem for 2023), the AFC East teams will be better, the Bills lack elite talent (except for Allen, Diggs and maybe Miller if he recovers from the ACL injury - Milano is really good but he is not elite like a  Fred Warner), the coaching in terms of in-game adjustments is simply lacking, and they are in cap hell. They'll probably go 10-7 and slip in as a wild card or maybe even win the division if they can go 4-2 in their division. I prefer they start to jettison players who won't be here in 2025 and use whatever draft capital they acquire to load up on O linemen but I get it if others feel they need to keep plugging away and hope Allen can overcome any team weaknesses in the playoffs.

The schedule is always brutal. We’re always a first Place schedule.

[entropyrules]

6 hours ago, Mango said:

I am afraid the wheels fall off this thing and this staff and FO lose the roster and that forces the Pegulas to reset, which is terrifying. I think the staff knows this is a possibility and they may risk long term resources in order to save a single season/their jobs. Also a scary prospect. 

that is a reasonable fear..I wish it had zero probability but its probably 90% accurate

[entropyrules]

1 minute ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

The schedule is always brutal. We’re always a first Place schedule.

that would be true except look at the two divisions they are playing next year as opposed to this year -  are you suggesting the NFC East is equivalent to the NFC Central? Same for the AFC West vs, the AFC North (this one I could see arguing they about the same overall but I give the edge to teh AFC West)

[Buffalo_Stampede]

6 minutes ago, entropyrules said:

that would be true except look at the two divisions they are playing next year as opposed to this year -  are you suggesting the NFC East is equivalent to the NFC Central? Same for the AFC West vs, the AFC North (this one I could see arguing they about the same overall but I give the edge to teh AFC West)

You never know what will happen. Packers were a Super Bowl contender prior to last year. Giants could easily fall apart. Washington? Who knows.

[Gregg]

Road games at KC, CIN, and PHIL. The Bills better do well at home. I could see a losing road record next year. We will have to see how FA and the draft go but my early guess is 10-7 as a worst-case scenario and 12-5 as a best-case scenario. Assuming they don't get hit too hard with injuries. 

Edited January 30, 2023 by Gregg

[H2o]

2 hours ago, UKBillFan said:

I think Josh needs a disciplinarian around him. Someone to lay down the law and get him into line, otherwise he can be too laid back and casual. Which is odd for someone who is nauseous with nerves before games. In the most recent Brandt basement podcast, though this is probably being unfair, it felt like Kyle was more upset about the Bengals defeat than Josh was.

There was something off about the whole team post bye this year and that does lead to concerns heading into next season. And, even if the Bills start well, what happens when they hit the bye, as it was a similar story in 2021 until the play offs, when the offense suddenly clicked into gear.

I don't believe he is too laid back or casual at all. If anything, I think he gets too amped and takes too much of the weight upon himself to do extraordinary things. Another problem with that is outside of Diggs, the talent is very ordinary or below average. If you don't think Josh was crushed inside about losing to the Bengals then I don't know what to tell you. He is the ultimate competitor who has had to scratch and claw his way through everything during his life in sports. There was something off about the team. Hard to say what it was, but it's over now. Hopefully, we have better fortune with injuries next year and they do a thorough, good reshaping of the roster. 

[Buffalo_Stampede]

22 hours ago, Rebel101 said:

Disappointment and the hopes everyone will be fired by 2024. I also hope we haven’t wasted such a talented roster by having soft hearted coaches. 

I don’t think they’re that talented. I think the Bills built a good college program and we have a bunch or juniors and seniors that play well together and know the system.

I think they have a few talented players in the right spots, QB1 and WR1 that can carry an offense. So we’ll be contenders, especially with our QB1.

 

Edited January 30, 2023 by Buffalo_Stampede

[SoCal Deek]

Expectations? None. Those completely died this season. 2023 will be another season of more wins than losses, but the results will be the same come playoff time, if they make it through all the tiebreakers as a wildcard. 

[BobbyC81]

21 hours ago, Herb Nightly said:

The OP was so long that I couldn't read it all the way through. 

When you talk about cutting players dont forget  about dead cap money.

There's always a chance Josh reworks his contract to free up cap space.

Hines' contract isn't guaranteed,is it? I'd try to renegotiate and if Singletary gets an offer the Bills won't match,draft a bigger back.

Brown was hurt and I think he can be serviceable. Morse is much more than "meh" but Bills need a plan in case he gets hurt again. Bates might be better off at LG and good riddance to Saffold.

Poyer, Hamlin and Hyde could ALL be gone. Benford to safety has been floated...could the Bills move to a 4-3 ,dump the nickel and try Taron at safety?

It may have been long but it was good and thorough.

 

Some people have the attention span of my dog.  Squirrel!

[stlbills13]

My expectation is honestly still to win the Super Bowl. That should be what the front office and coaching staff are building towards and that should be the players' goal.

[Thriftygamer83]

Super Bowl or bust anything short of that or not qualifying for the playoffs.  Or hearing trusting the process is an automatic termination of anyone and everyone on the Coaching staff!

[SoCal Deek]

14 minutes ago, Thriftygamer83 said:

Super Bowl or bust anything short of that or not qualifying for the playoffs.  Or hearing trusting the process is an automatic termination of anyone and everyone on the Coaching staff!

The process has been trusted to death. Enough already. 

[That's No Moon]

They have no money to add anything serious. I expect to lose at least 4 current starters. Their recent draft picks have not been good enough to fill the voids that will be created.

 

Add to that my complete and utter lack of faith in the coordinators and schemes and next year feels like a step back year. It remains to be seen if it's a one year step back or the start of a trend.

 

Teams that are perennially good draft well and the Bills haven't.

[CircleTheWagons99]

After hearing Bean wont get rid of anybody, I have no expectations. Maybe a wildcard loss. 

[That's No Moon]

39 minutes ago, SoCal Deek said:

The process has been trusted to death. Enough already. 

That phrase began I believe with the 76ers who seem to have built the same thing the Bills have. A good team built around one player that they can't seem to support enough to challenge for a title. They lost in heartbreaking fashion in the conference championship one year and never really contended since. They've won games and made the playoffs, but never became that top echelon team. 

[papazoid]

14-3

 

WIN  DIVISION

 

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP  GAME

 

it gets cloudy after that....

[DC Greg]

Super Bowl. As long as JA is QB we will compete every year. I hope Beane puts the pieces around him (i.e. basically a whole new offensive line) that will have us better positioned come divisional round next year.

[Thriftygamer83]

On 1/29/2023 at 9:35 AM, Drew21PA said:

One of either here

 

1 playing with more aggressiveness because jobs are on the line - better coaching decisions and better front office accountability

 

2.  Wheels fall off and we are starting fresh in February 2024

 

We will see what “McBeane” regime is made of this year with their backs against the wall

 

think about it this is it.  New stadium better have something to cheer for with those new ticket and concession prices ….

 

 

Ownership backed itself into the wall threatening a move to Austin and blinked.  When they pulled a move like that when they knew better then to try and threaten moving to creating a three team Texas fan base they bluffed knowing they’d lose in ticket sales to Houston and Dallas.  They’d be caught up as a minor league system again.  

2 minutes ago, DC Greg said:

Super Bowl. As long as JA is QB we will compete every year. I hope Beane puts the pieces around him (i.e. basically a whole new offensive line) that will have us better positioned come divisional round next year.

Don’t think Beane’s ever really been sold on McDermott.  Every GM has their dream coach and thus far he’s been having to compete with a defensive minded Coach.  Allen has such a great career if Sean collapses next season it’ll be a soft rebuild on the coaching staff.  

[dpberr]

I expect OBD to work that season as if every single one of their jobs in that building come 2024 depends on a Super Bowl appearance.  

 

The collegial, "aw shucks, we'll get the gang to work harder" is no longer satisfactory.  Time to show the baby.

[Thriftygamer83]

1 hour ago, SoCal Deek said:

The process has been trusted to death. Enough already. 

We’ve seen the process through I think McDermott knows historically he’s either going to drop off the face of the earth.  Or, he’s going to win it all and leave fans with humble pie.  He’ll just be a rebuilding Coach and that’s where he’ll be sticking to a career path.  Like Marty or Dan Reeves it’ll be perhaps looking at the Bengals OC as most offensive minded Coach run a much more aggressive and tailored defense.  The Bills don’t have that luxury of waiting for McDermott suddenly finding out he can be more aggressive if we’re out of the playoffs and playing spoiler after such a massive improvement over the drought years.  

[Boris12]

Don’t have any yet

[SectionC3]

I’ll chime in after FA and the draft.  At this point, as long as McD is sincere about the honesty comment in his post-season presser, Super Bowl.  Fix the o-line, re-tool the WR room, and hope that we outscore teams and the D is good enough with tweaks in coaching and philosophy.  Also, I suspect we’ve reached the stage in the “culture” process at which we’re going to see some scumbags come into the locker room because they have a desirable combination of talent and economy. 

[BillsFan4]

Maybe I’ll feel differently by the start of next season but as of now I’m kind of at the point where I feel like we’ve gone as far as we can with Frazier as DC. I feel like we’ve seen his ceiling and I’ll expect another heartbreaking playoff loss if he’s retained.

 

Add to that the Bills cap situation for next year and I wouldn’t be surprised to see the team regress. Too soon to say though before we see what moved they make.

[Dr. Who]

11 minutes ago, SectionC3 said:

I’ll chime in after FA and the draft.  At this point, as long as McD is sincere about the honesty comment in his post-season presser, Super Bowl.  Fix the o-line, re-tool the WR room, and hope that we outscore teams and the D is good enough with tweaks in coaching and philosophy.  Also, I suspect we’ve reached the stage in the “culture” process at which we’re going to see some scumbags come into the locker room because they have a desirable combination of talent and economy. 

This is the best case scenario.

Just now, BillsFan4 said:

Maybe I’ll feel differently by the start of next season but as of now I’m kind of at the point where I feel like we’ve gone as far as we can with Frazier as DC. I feel like we’ve seen his ceiling and I’ll expect another heartbreaking playoff loss if he’s retained.

 

Add to that the Bills cap situation for next year and I wouldn’t be surprised to see the team regress. Too soon to say though before we see what moved they make.

And this is the most likely case.

[SectionC3]

26 minutes ago, Dr. Who said:

This is the best case scenario.

And this is the most likely case.

 

I’m an optimist by nature.  And I believe that if you’re not failing, you’re not trying.  We gotta be smart and defiant in the face of defeat.  The best path forward is to double down on Josh, hope that some scheme tweaks are enough on D, and keep on pounding on that rock.  It will break one day.  And the harder we hit it, the sooner it will break.  Never, ever give up. 

Edited January 30, 2023 by SectionC3

[corta765]

Honestly I won't know how I feel until we get free agency, draft, how schedule lays out, etc...

 

They have some holes specifically at WR/OL that I need to see improvement on to feel better, but overall they are running back a lot of the same guys.

 

My current feeling is lukewarm based off where they are at this moment personal and coach wise and they feel like a team who may have a down year where it is a wildcard team. But again so much needs to happen across the board it is pointless to put a target or goal up. They have Allen so I expect them to be a playoff team and have a shot yearly because of it, how I feel about that shot will change as the offseason progresses.

[SoCal Deek]

1 hour ago, Thriftygamer83 said:

We’ve seen the process through I think McDermott knows historically he’s either going to drop off the face of the earth.  Or, he’s going to win it all and leave fans with humble pie.  He’ll just be a rebuilding Coach and that’s where he’ll be sticking to a career path.  Like Marty or Dan Reeves it’ll be perhaps looking at the Bengals OC as most offensive minded Coach run a much more aggressive and tailored defense.  The Bills don’t have that luxury of waiting for McDermott suddenly finding out he can be more aggressive if we’re out of the playoffs and playing spoiler after such a massive improvement over the drought years.  

I’m not all sure what McD knows anymore. I’ve seen the same thing in the business world. He had enough smarts to figure out how to build a GOOD team, he’s had no experience with leading a GREAT team. I fear this leadership style and unfortunately, his integrity, are going to get in the way of him making the really difficult personnel decisions both on the roster and the coaching staff. In the meantime we’ll flirt with winning a bunch of games until Josh is bruised, bored, and broken. 

[corta765]

21 hours ago, Dr. Who said:

And this is the most likely case.

 

With Allen's cap hit now part of the equation I am at a similar point. They should be a playoff team yearly as long as Josh is healthy, but where they go with that fluctuates so much. Right now if they try running again back a similar group and unit it just feels like a burnout Ravens esq where you can compete but your fighting with less of a full deck by your own doing.

Edited January 31, 2023 by corta765

[Jrb1979]

9 minutes ago, SectionC3 said:

 

I’m an optimist by nature.  And I believe that if you’re not failing, you’re not trying.  We gotta be smart and defiant in the face of defeat.  The best path forward is to double down on Josh, hope that some scheme tweaks are enough on D, and keep on pounding on that rock.  It will break one day.  And the harder we hit it, the sooner it will break.  Never, ever give up. 

The past 2 seasons were their best shot. Now with the cap space and so many holes I think they regress for a few seasons. They will be a playoff team but don't see them being in the upper tier til the cap issues are fixed. 

[Thriftygamer83]

1 hour ago, SoCal Deek said:

I’m not all sure what McD knows anymore. I’ve seen the same thing in the business world. He had enough smarts to figure out how to build a GOOD team, he’s had no experience with leading a GREAT team. I fear this leadership style and unfortunately, his integrity, are going to get in the way of him making the really difficult personnel decisions both on the roster and the coaching staff. In the meantime we’ll flirt with winning a bunch of games until Josh is bruised, bored, and broken. 

Looking at the pressers his body language and confidence are gone.  I don’t think the Pegula’s last meeting was personable.  No more smirks, sneers, and or trusting the process.  Ike he’s been told they’ve decided in the future for the season ahead to monitor and scout offensive minded Coaches.  

[corta765]

1 hour ago, Jrb1979 said:

The past 2 seasons were their best shot. Now with the cap space and so many holes I think they regress for a few seasons. They will be a playoff team but don't see them being in the upper tier til the cap issues are fixed. 

 

If you look at Manning, Brady, Big Ben, Rodgers, Brees once they got paid they all had years where sometimes you felt like "wow their team looks really good this year" and other years the looked more mortal as a result of losing players with the cap crunch or some not ideal drafting left a roster more barren then other years. That is where the Bills are now, how they address the issues this offseason will dictate many people's feelings. If they add a truly good OL or two and draft a top WR with Edmunds still here I probably will feel good with the team on paper even with some attrition losing Poyer and some others (Dorsey and Frazier a whole different issue, hope to god Dorsey evolves/Frazier should've been canned). But if they run back a similar offense without much added, Edmunds and Poyer leaves, etc.. probably will feel more like a down year. Regardless it is the nature of having a top QB, the last 3-4 years the roster was relatively fit with no real holes and you could use the resources as you wanted. Now you have to pick carefully and hitting a draft can create a potentially stronger roster, but missing and you really are scrapping to fill the gaps. Jeremy White on WGR has brought up how the best QB's go through 3-4 different core's of players in their career, Josh is probably entering a new one as Poyer will most likely join Brown, Beasley, and a few lesser players of ex Bills. Wouldn't be surprised if Morse is cut if he won't rework his deal.

 

Long story short hitting for a real on guys in this draft and next would be pretty big towards giving the team some options roster wise again with money and cap help.

[H2o]

5 minutes ago, corta765 said:

 

If you look at Manning, Brady, Big Ben, Rodgers, Brees once they got paid they all had years where sometimes you felt like "wow their team looks really good this year" and other years the looked more mortal as a result of losing players with the cap crunch or some not ideal drafting left a roster more barren then other years. That is where the Bills are now, how they address the issues this offseason will dictate many people's feelings. If they add a truly good OL or two and draft a top WR with Edmunds still here I probably will feel good with the team on paper even with some attrition losing Poyer and some others (Dorsey and Frazier a whole different issue, hope to god Dorsey evolves/Frazier should've been canned). But if they run back a similar offense without much added, Edmunds and Poyer leaves, etc.. probably will feel more like a down year. Regardless it is the nature of having a top QB, the last 3-4 years the roster was relatively fit with no real holes and you could use the resources as you wanted. Now you have to pick carefully and hitting a draft can create a potentially stronger roster, but missing and you really are scrapping to fill the gaps. Jeremy White on WGR has brought up how the best QB's go through 3-4 different core's of players in their career, Josh is probably entering a new one as Poyer will most likely join Brown, Beasley, and a few lesser players of ex Bills. Wouldn't be surprised if Morse is cut if he won't rework his deal.

 

Long story short hitting for a real on guys in this draft and next would be pretty big towards giving the team some options roster wise again with money and cap help.

With the cap situation we are in, I fully expect Edmunds to be elsewhere next year. Too much money to pay him what the market is at and WAY too much money to use the FT on him. 

[Jauronimo]

I just hope we don't get relegated to the XFL.

 

Most of the responses in this thread are truly pathetic.  Have fun wallowing in your filth and misery, you irredeemable clowns.

[Jrb1979]

6 minutes ago, Jauronimo said:

I just hope we don't get relegated to the XFL.

 

Most of the responses in this thread are truly pathetic.  Have fun wallowing in your filth and misery, you irredeemable clowns.

I will spend the rest of the winter watching the Sabres making the playoffs. 

[corta765]

11 minutes ago, H2o said:

With the cap situation we are in, I fully expect Edmunds to be elsewhere next year. Too much money to pay him what the market is at and WAY too much money to use the FT on him. 

 

I would agree but Beane is super big on keeping guys they drafted. I think Buffalo is going to do everything they can to sign him because of that. If Chicago doesn't get him as I have read they may have interest, I can see him staying.