Are we more deserving of the SB hype this year than last?

[Success]

And I say this realizing that we will NOT be hyped this year, which I think is a good thing.

 

But it's clear what our deficiencies were last year - and they became even more glaring in the playoffs. We were speed & finesse, and so top heavy - mainly Allen, Diggs and Miller.

 

It's like Beane looked at the Cincy game, and addressed everything we were missing. A deeper & more powerful run game? Check.  Physical receivers who have better hands and get YAC?  Check.  A stronger O-line that can both protect JA and open holes for the RB's?  Check.

 

This team is now built more for Buffalo weather - and more for overpowering opponents.  For months now on the general boards, both "Buffalo will take a step back in '23" and "The Bills window is closing" have become like mantras.  But our 2023 team is our best & most balanced yet, imo.  It feels like this team is the one that should get the big hype. And again, I'm glad they aren't.

 

[Donuts and Doritos]

We have a harder schedule this year (away @ Philly, KC, Cincinnati & Bolts) & the division will be harder. Plus we have a change at D. Coordinator, questions at MLB & Off Coordinator. So no.

Edited May 3, 2023 by Donuts and Doritos

[Warcodered]

Just now, Donuts and Doritos said:

We have a harder schedule this year & the division will be harder. Plus we have a change at D. Coordinator, questions at MLB & Off Coordinator. So no.

The Offensive Coordinator is the same one from before just with a year of experience.

[Donuts and Doritos]

Just now, Warcodered said:

The Offensive Coordinator is the same one from before just with a year of experience.

 

There's questions there based on his performance last year.

[BIGFOOTspaceman]

How can you hype a potential 9-8 team to win the SB?

[BillsPride12]

2 minutes ago, Warcodered said:

The Offensive Coordinator is the same one from before just with a year of experience.

I think people were more optimistic about Dorsey going into last season than how the results panned out.  I don't think he is looked at as a strength at the moment.

[Gregg]

No. The schedule especially the road schedule is brutal. The Bills will also be challenged within the AFCE along with KC/CIN in the conference. My guess is 10-7 is the floor with 12-5 being the ceiling for the Bills this year.

 

[sherpa]

No. We will not be as hyped, and that's a good thing.

I got really tired of it after the LA Rams and Titans games.

 

Let the media talk about the Jets and Dolphins.

We should operate in the shadows.

[ColoradoBills]

Regardless of the hype (which I don't put much concern in) the Bills have as good of a chance to make the SB as last season.  IMO.

[ngbills]

I disagree. To beat KC and CIN or whoever you add in the mix is pretty basic. 

 

You need to either be able to outscore them with our O, stop them with your D, or out scheme them. 

 

I don't think our O has improved to outscoring them. We may be more balanced which can help in the regular season and take some pressure off. But it is debated to non-Bills fans if our RB's are better. Singletary got paid more than any of our RB's. So if money talks he is better. Hopefully, our WR/TE room is better, which should not take much, but many unknowns. Our OL does look better but again if Brown is the weak link we are in trouble. So while our O could be better its still below KC and CIN.

 

Only Bills fans will say our D is better. Most will point out the losses at dey positions and our DC. This will be a wait-and-see but is concerning to me. We did not add anyone on the edge and who knows when Miller is back. Our LB corp outside of Milano is a huge ?. Is Tre going to bounce back or continue to decline? Will Hyde be back healthy, Poyer as well? Tons of questions on D.

 

Dorsey, Dorsey, McD. The pressure will be on this year. Allen cannot always be superman. The coaches need to help out.  

[Big Blitz]

No.  
 

But get for a roller coaster of media narrative chaos all year.  
 

Especially when we beat the Chiefs in the Thursday night opener.**
 

 

**Make it happen NFL Mahomes v Allen is this league’s money maker ratings bonanza 

[NoHuddleKelly12]

16 minutes ago, Donuts and Doritos said:

We have a harder schedule this year (away @ Philly, KC, Cincinnati & Bolts) & the division will be harder. Plus we have a change at D. Coordinator, questions at MLB & Off Coordinator. So no.

Each one of those teams should fear playing us just as much, if not more, imho. 

[Captain Hindsight]

16 minutes ago, Donuts and Doritos said:

 

There's questions there based on his performance last year.

The Bills offense last year was:

 

4th in total yards per game

2nd in average yards per game

8th in passing yards

9th in rushing yards

4th in points scored

 

All while playing one less game than the rest of the NFL

 

Dorsey isn't perfect, but his shortcomings have been widely exaggerated 

 

https://www.espn.com/nfl/stats/team/_/table/passing/sort/totalPoints/dir/desc

Edited May 3, 2023 by Captain Hindsight
attach link

[AuntieEm]

19 minutes ago, Donuts and Doritos said:

We have a harder schedule this year (away @ Philly, KC, Cincinnati & Bolts) & the division will be harder. Plus we have a change at D. Coordinator, questions at MLB & Off Coordinator. So no.

 

I don't think there's anyway to say yes or no till we see the final team and how well they play complementary football.  If our offense stays the same but the defense can cause opponents into mistakes and they create to's and perhaps a higher bit of scoring off some of those  we may find that the talent upgrades of the other teams still leave them in the dust when compared to Josh really start to master his craft.  

[Gregg]

2 minutes ago, Big Blitz said:

No.  
 

But get for a roller coaster of media narrative chaos all year.  
 

Especially when we beat the Chiefs in the Thursday night opener.**
 

 

**Make it happen NFL Mahomes v Allen is this league’s money maker ratings bonanza 

 

They played the Thursday opener last year at LA. I doubt they get the game again. I hope for a Sunday afternoon 1:00 start at home against a team the Bills should beat. Starting 1-0 is always nice.

[97bills]

We got a chance to win it all !!!! That’s all that matters. 

[Ethan in Cleveland]

 

Jets will be the story of the NFL for the first month. 

Would not be surprised to see a Bills Jets opening week game to add to the hype. 

[Call_Of_Ktulu]

We have a top 5 offense and Allen, we should be every year

[BuffaloBillyG]

I think the teams that will get the hype this year as the "best AFC team...can't miss....already won the Super Bowl in week 4" team in the media is going to be the Bengals. Watch for them to be the "trendy" pick. Also, if the Jets start out something like 2 or 3 and O..major media hype. I also think Miami is going to get a lot of play always with the caveat of "if Tua stays healthy...watch out".

 

Many media people picked Buffalo last year and were wrong. Doubt many double down. 

 

And that's the way I like it.😏

[ColoradoBills]

2 minutes ago, Captain Hindsight said:

Dorsey isn't perfect, but his shortcomings have been widely exaggerated 

 

Definitely exaggerated but having a rookie OC had an effect.  Also having an effect was the rash of injuries, crazy weather, the Hamlin/

Bengals drama and what I truly believe, a "mentally" exhausted team going into the playoffs.

 

Some say these are excuses, but I see it as just a realistic cause and effect of human beings, being human beings.

 

As the dust settles in the offseason, I think the Bills overall roster is slightly, to more than slightly, better than last year.

They have a harder schedule, but it will still all come down to how they play in the playoffs (which I expect them to be in).

[Gregg]

Just now, Ethan in Cleveland said:

 

Jets will be the story of the NFL for the first month. 

Would not be surprised to see a Bills Jets opening week game to add to the hype. 

 

I could see the Jets getting a week one primetime game at MetLife. First game with Rodgers the league will want to showcase that. 

[That's No Moon]

37 minutes ago, Success said:

And I say this realizing that we will NOT be hyped this year, which I think is a good thing.

 

But it's clear what our deficiencies were last year - and they became even more glaring in the playoffs. We were speed & finesse, and so top heavy - mainly Allen, Diggs and Miller.

 

It's like Beane looked at the Cincy game, and addressed everything we were missing. A deeper & more powerful run game? Check.  Physical receivers who have better hands and get YAC?  Check.  A stronger O-line that can both protect JA and open holes for the RB's?  Check.

 

This team is now built more for Buffalo weather - and more for overpowering opponents.  For months now on the general boards, both "Buffalo will take a step back in '23" and "The Bills window is closing" have become like mantras.  But our 2023 team is our best & most balanced yet, imo.  It feels like this team is the one that should get the big hype. And again, I'm glad they aren't.

 

More deserving of hype right now?

 

Short answer. No 

 

Long answer. Heck no.

[Big Blitz]

21 minutes ago, Gregg said:

 

I could see the Jets getting a week one primetime game at MetLife. First game with Rodgers the league will want to showcase that. 

 

NY media rumors Monday night is 9-11 and Giants-Jets is possible.   

[BillsPride12]

Just now, Big Blitz said:

 

NY media rumors Monday night is 9-11 and Giants-Jets is possible.   

I wouldn't have a problem with that

[BillsFanSD]

The Bills are a legitimate SB contender and will be for the foreseeable future as long as Allen is healthy.  I don't see how anybody who watched the second half of last season could consider us "favorites" or anything.  Good team, can beat anybody on the right day, not special.

[Freddie's Dead]

No.

[VaMilBill]

1 hour ago, BillsPride12 said:

I think people were more optimistic about Dorsey going into last season than how the results panned out.  I don't think he is looked at as a strength at the moment.

Agree. In fact, I think he is quietly on a hot seat. If this offense isn’t efficient early on, I think they can him in favor of Joe Brady. 
 

I think McD realizes he is also on a warm seat and if things kind of fall apart this season, Dorsey will be the first to go. 

[MJS]

I don't think we were the best team in the NFL last year. That hype was not warranted. Did the Bills have a chance to make it to the superbowl and win it? They did. They were among those teams who should always be in that conversation.

 

That said, the biggest deficiency was injuries. The Bills got decimated by key injuries on the defense, plus the Josh Allen elbow injury that hampered him. If we are healthier this year, that's one major deficiency that is easily overcome by default.

 

I don't think the Bills necessarily deserve more or less hype this year, but I do think the team, mostly on offense, seems more complete and more talented. But still, there is some projecting there.

 

The Bills are still an elite team and they have a good shot at getting to and winning the Super Bowl, just like last year. They have to perform a little better in those big games, players have to make those key plays in those key moments, and we have to be healthier. With McDermott calling the defense and Dorsey in year two, I think we should all feel confident in our chances.

1 hour ago, BillsPride12 said:

I think people were more optimistic about Dorsey going into last season than how the results panned out.  I don't think he is looked at as a strength at the moment.

The pendulum swung the other way. People were too optimistic last year, and too pessimistic this year regarding Dorsey. The Bills still had a good offense last year. There's no reason to believe that the offense can't succeed or get better this year.

Edited May 3, 2023 by MJS

[Southern_Bills]

I think the Bills are betting favorites right now. With that said I don't think they will get alot of praise, perennial bridesmaids will be more of the theme, which is fine by me, get the team fired up.

 

I definitely feel better this year, we have 2 guards that will be better than anything we had last year. 

 

Also I think the defense will be relatively the same. Milano is the only person I would fear losing off defense, if White regains form or at least 85% form we will be fine.

 

Edmunds was above average but he by no means made this defense. 

[L Ron Burgundy]

1 hour ago, NoHuddleKelly12 said:

Each one of those teams should fear playing us just as much, if not more, imho. 

Out of curiosity,  why would someone like Cinci fear us?  They crushed us.  Thoroughly outcoached and outplayed.   We don't have a better def or better weapons.  I put Allen above Burrow but that's it.

[MarkyMannn]

9 minutes ago, MJS said:

That said, the biggest deficiency was injuries. The Bills got decimated by key injuries on the defense, plus the Josh Allen elbow injury that hampered him. If we are healthier this year, that's one major deficiency that is easily overcome by default.

 

Bills were the 4th least injury affected team in regards to man games lost.  Theres a Twitter pos out there that tracks this

[Alphadawg7]

1 hour ago, Success said:

And I say this realizing that we will NOT be hyped this year, which I think is a good thing.

 

But it's clear what our deficiencies were last year - and they became even more glaring in the playoffs. We were speed & finesse, and so top heavy - mainly Allen, Diggs and Miller.

 

It's like Beane looked at the Cincy game, and addressed everything we were missing. A deeper & more powerful run game? Check.  Physical receivers who have better hands and get YAC?  Check.  A stronger O-line that can both protect JA and open holes for the RB's?  Check.

 

This team is now built more for Buffalo weather - and more for overpowering opponents.  For months now on the general boards, both "Buffalo will take a step back in '23" and "The Bills window is closing" have become like mantras.  But our 2023 team is our best & most balanced yet, imo.  It feels like this team is the one that should get the big hype. And again, I'm glad they aren't.

 

 

This is a good question and weird answer for me.  My actual answer is No, we should not be as favored to get there as last year...but with an asterisk of saying I actually think our chances of reaching and winning the Super Bowl are better this year now that we know the real deficiencies of last year and the adjustments we made this offseason.

 

Last year, we were seen as the cream of the crop by most coming off that amazing performance against KC and adding more to our team like Von Miller, while KC lost some guys including Hill.  The NFC wasn't seen as strong at that time either.  

 

This year, our schedule has us playing the consensus 3 toughest divisions in football (Our own, AFC West, and NFC East) plus the Bengals and the Jaguars.  More importantly there are several more teams seen as elite at the top this year compared to last year.  Now you have Eagles, Niners, and in some cases Dallas in the NFC plus the Chiefs, Bengals and Bills in the AFC.  

 

Now this year, while I don't expect us to be as favored to get to the SB, I do think our actual odds of getting there and winning it are better with the offseason moves Beane made for us to get tougher, bigger, and more built to play in those tough bad weather playoff games.  

 

[Einstein]

27 minutes ago, VaMilBill said:

I think McD realizes he is also on a warm seat

 

A lot of people will poo-poo this, but I too think McD's seat is warmer than most realize.

[GunnerBill]

7 minutes ago, Einstein said:

 

A lot of people will poo-poo this, but I too think McD's seat is warmer than most realize.

 

I think it is colder than most realise. I also think it is probably colder than it should be. But I think Pegs is wedded to this regime and especially with Kim's situation I don't see him going for major upheaval unless he has to. 

[gjv]

I think this season, the race for the AFC East Division will be the most competitive we have seen in this division in decades. Perhaps it will come down to the winner being the team that stays the healthiest at critical times and/or throughout the season. Unfortunately, the downside to having such a competitive race, is the likelihood that the only team to make the playoffs from the AFC East will be the Division winner.

[Einstein]

4 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

But I think Pegs is wedded to this regime

 

Oh I think Beane would get to stay...

[Drew21PA]

I prefer they build up the hype around 

 

dolphins

jets

cowboys

 

like always and watch it all fall apart again 

 

😂😂😂

[CincyBillsFan]

29 minutes ago, MarkyMannn said:

Bills were the 4th least injury affected team in regards to man games lost.  Theres a Twitter pos out there that tracks this

The QUALITY of who was injured is a lot more important then the QUANTITY of injuries.  When the injuries happen is also important.  Not sure that this stat is relevant to the impact of injuries on a teams success or failure in any given season.

 

 

 

[Drew21PA]

6 minutes ago, gjv said:

I think this season, the race for the AFC East Division will be the most competitive we have seen in this division in decades. Perhaps it will come down to the winner being the team that stays the healthiest at critical times and/or throughout the season. Unfortunately, the downside to having such a competitive race, is the likelihood that the only team to make the playoffs from the AFC East will be the Division winner.

I completely disagree

 

mcdaniel will be figured out

tua is trash and they will be reeling once again.   Wheels coming off when cheetah isn’t happy 

 

jets won’t perform - Rodgers 40 years old and had the worst year of his life - I. That cake Division!!!!

 

jets are toast…

Just now, Drew21PA said:

I completely disagree

 

mcdaniel will be figured out

tua is trash and they will be reeling once again.   Wheels coming off when cheetah isn’t happy 

 

jets won’t perform - Rodgers 40 years old and had the worst year of his life - I. That cake Division!!!!

 

jets are toast…

Guess my hot take is that jets and fish miss the playoffs and split with the patriots who. Everyone feels is the last team in the afc East 

 

Bills 13-4

Jets 9-8

Patriots 9-8

Fish 6-11

[GunnerBill]

10 minutes ago, Einstein said:

 

Oh I think Beane would get to stay...

 

Nah. This regime is tied at the hip. It is one go both go.