It dawned on me tonight that out of the FIVE DIVISION WINNERS we play, we only play ONE at home

[BillsFan619]

I’ll start out by saying that it's not that the NFL has something against the Bills as the structure of the schedule has been out for years at this point.

 

When the schedule first came out, it was apparent that most of the Bills harder games were on the road. But tonight, I realized that out of FIVE games that we play against DIVISION WINNERS, we only play ONE at home. And, that one at home happens to be the easiest team of all five:

   -Jags - at maximum this was a neutral field game, but it definitely wasn't a home game and most likely favored the Jags

   -Bucs - our one home game

   -Bengals - on the road

   -Eagles - on the road

   -Chiefs - on the road

 

And like I mentioned, it's not the NFL messing with the Bills. You could argue the "experiment" of the Jags playing two games in a row was them messing with us but some team had to play that role.

 

It really came down to a set of unfortunate circumstances. Since the schedule has been out for years, it came down to where teams placed last year. For instance, say the Raiders would've won the division last year. Since it was their turn to play us in OP, that would've been a division winner that we would've played in Buffalo. Or, if the Cowboys would've won the division last year, since we're playing them in OP this year, that would've been another division winner we would've played at home.

 

You would think with nine home and eight away games, if there was any imbalance, it would've been that we would've only played one division winner on the road. But, because of where everyone placed last year (and the London decision), we only play one division winner at home.

 

I'm not necessarily scared to play these teams on the road as Buffalo can beat any of them. We've beat the Chiefs twice in two years, the Eagles look very beatable and the Bengals are not the team they were last year (at least not at this point). It's just crazy that with nine home games, we only play one division winner at home.

 

If anyone can overcome it though, why not us. Go Bills!

Edited October 17, 2023 by BillsFan619

[FireChans]

2 minutes ago, BillsFan619 said:

No, it's not just the London game. And no, it's not that the NFL has something against the Bills as the structure of the schedule has been out for years at this point.

 

When the schedule first came out, it was apparent that most of the Bills harder games were on the road. But tonight, I realized that out of five games that we play against division winners, we only play one at home. And, that one at home happens to be the easiest team of all five:

   -Jags - at maximum this was a neutral field game, but it definitely wasn't a home game and most likely favored the Jags

   -Bucs - our one home game

   -Bengals - on the road

   -Eagles - on the road

   -Chiefs - on the road

 

And like I mentioned, it's not the NFL messing with the Bills. You could argue the "experiment" of the Jags playing two games in a row was them messing with us but some team had to play that role.

 

It really came down to a set of unfortunate circumstances. Since the schedule has been out for years, it came down to where teams placed last year. For instance, say the Raiders would've won the division last year. Since it was their turn to play us in OP, that would've been a division winner that we would've played in Buffalo. Or, if the Cowboys would've won the division last year, since we're playing them in OP this year, that would've been another division winner we would've played at home.

 

You would think with nine home and eight away games, if there was any imbalance, it would've been that we would've only played one division winner on the road. But, because of where everyone placed this year (and the London decision), we only play one division winner at home.

 

I'm not necessarily scared to play these teams on the road as Buffalo can beat any of them. We've beat the Chiefs twice in two years, the Eagles look very beatable and the Bengals are not the team they were last year (at least not at this point). It's just crazy that with nine home games, we only play one division winner at home.

 

If anyone can overcome it though, why not us. Go Bills!

Bills better get used to playing against the big dogs in the conference on the road, because we are gonna be a road team in January.

[Warcodered]

We also get the Bengals off our mini-bye from Thursday-Night Football and the Chiefs off our actual bye.

[Franco_92]

This is finally the last of visiting Arrowhead every regular season. For 2024, 2025, and 2026, the Bills will face the AFC west team that matches them (has been the Chiefs for 3 years) in Buffalo (24 & 25) and then will host the Chiefs in 2026 guaranteed, when we play the AFC west again. 

 

Similarly, we will be at Cincinnati in 2022 (AFCN rotation), 2023, and 2024 (if we finish in the same spot as them this year, it could be @ Baltimore or Cleveland or Pittsburgh). But will then play home vs Cinci in 2025, and then potentially 2026 and 2027

[Big Blitz]

7 minutes ago, FireChans said:

Bills better get used to playing against the big dogs in the conference on the road, because we are gonna be a road team in January.

 

There are 11 games still to be played.  
 

The Chargers have 12 games left - they probably have to win 9 to get in.  It’s possible but if they lose to KC twice…nope.  They absolutely have to beat us now.  
 

 

The AFC North is going to beat the hell out of each other.  
 

Cleveland and the Texans are getting annoying - talk about defense catching up with offense look at the Texans, Browns and Steelers - each .500 or better.  

Edited October 17, 2023 by Big Blitz

[Doc Brown]

The London game against the Jags was an absolute eff you but they made up for it with extra time to prepare for KC and CIN.  

[FireChans]

1 minute ago, Big Blitz said:

 

There are 11 games still to be played.  
 

The Chargers have 12 games left - they probably have to win 9 to get in.  It’s possible but if they lose to KC twice…nope.  They absolutely have to beat us now.  
 

 

The AFC North is going to beat the hell out of each other.  
 

Cleveland and the Texans are getting annoying - talk about defense catching up with offense look at the Texans, Browns and Steelers - each .500 or better.  

If the Bills are LUCKY enough to get to play KC in the postseason, I promise, we will be traveling to Arrowhead again

[GoBills808]

Away teams actually performing better ats thus far

 

Straight up home teams winning only a little over 51% 

 

 

[Big Blitz]

It dawned on me watching Dallas with their injuries that our defense should still be better then competent with the D line we have.   
 

No excuses.  No feeling sorry for ourselves.  
 

No worrying about the schedule.  
 

Just win.  Get healthy.  Get in.  Get hot at the right time.  I’ll take my chances vs anyone anywhere.  

[Draconator]

We play on the road

 

So?

[PBF81]

52 minutes ago, FireChans said:

Bills better get used to playing against the big dogs in the conference on the road, because we are gonna be a road team in January.

 

That's a good point.  And our other Miami game is on the road too.  Who knows, maybe that'll be the one to determine the division.  

 

 

[BillsFan619]

1 hour ago, arcane said:

This is finally the last of visiting Arrowhead every regular season. For 2024, 2025, and 2026, the Bills will face the AFC west team that matches them (has been the Chiefs for 3 years) in Buffalo (24 & 25) and then will host the Chiefs in 2026 guaranteed, when we play the AFC west again. 

 

Similarly, we will be at Cincinnati in 2022 (AFCN rotation), 2023, and 2024 (if we finish in the same spot as them this year, it could be @ Baltimore or Cleveland or Pittsburgh). But will then play home vs Cinci in 2025, and then potentially 2026 and 2027

Thanks for sharing. Yes, totally get this and know that the schedule has been set for years.

 

It’s just crazy that because of where everyone placed last year (and the London decision) that we only play one division winner at home out of the five games we play against division winners this year.

 

You would think with nine home and eight away games, if there was any imbalance, it would've been that we would've only played one division winner on the road. But because of where everyone placed last year, along with the London decision, we get one home game against a division winner.

 

Like I said though, if anyone can do it, why not us. Go Bills!

[Italian Bills]

7 hours ago, FireChans said:

Bills better get used to playing against the big dogs in the conference on the road, because we are gonna be a road team in January.

Good point if it’ll be the case. 

[Sammy Watkins' Rib]

7 hours ago, arcane said:

This is finally the last of visiting Arrowhead every regular season. For 2024, 2025, and 2026, the Bills will face the AFC west team that matches them (has been the Chiefs for 3 years) in Buffalo (24 & 25) and then will host the Chiefs in 2026 guaranteed, when we play the AFC west again. 

 

Similarly, we will be at Cincinnati in 2022 (AFCN rotation), 2023, and 2024 (if we finish in the same spot as them this year, it could be @ Baltimore or Cleveland or Pittsburgh). But will then play home vs Cinci in 2025, and then potentially 2026 and 2027

figures. Right when Miami starts to win the division anyway.

[Matt_In_NH]

The bills have proven to be an outstanding road team.  

[mjt328]

They almost lost at home to one of the worst teams in football, with a backup QB.

 

Does it really matter where they play the Eagles, Chiefs and Bengals?

[BillsFanSD]

So what?  The home-away split is completely formula-driven.  

[EasternOHBillsFan]

9 hours ago, BillsFan619 said:

I’ll start out by saying that it's not that the NFL has something against the Bills as the structure of the schedule has been out for years at this point.

 

When the schedule first came out, it was apparent that most of the Bills harder games were on the road. But tonight, I realized that out of FIVE games that we play against DIVISION WINNERS, we only play ONE at home. And, that one at home happens to be the easiest team of all five:

   -Jags - at maximum this was a neutral field game, but it definitely wasn't a home game and most likely favored the Jags

   -Bucs - our one home game

   -Bengals - on the road

   -Eagles - on the road

   -Chiefs - on the road

 

Look, we had the Bengals at our place and looked pathetic. Sunday night we were playing at home and almost lost to the lowly Giants.

 

We need to get right with the fact that it doesn't matter where the game is played in the NFL these days, because it seems to not matter much.

[The Jokeman]

9 hours ago, FireChans said:

If the Bills are LUCKY enough to get to play KC in the postseason, I promise, we will be traveling to Arrowhead again

KC is a good matchup for us now that they don't have a WR compliment to Kelce this season. Also our rushing defense looks pretty good so think we could keep Pacheco in check. Now the question is if KC's defense as good as they've appeared to be thus far. 

[Ramza86]

We always get the crappier teams at home and the better ones away. Dumb.

[Big Turk]

And? Bills are very good away from home.  There is no real advantage for those teams. Home teams actually have a losing record this year,. so it's no longer any real advantage statistically.

Edited October 17, 2023 by Big Turk

[billsbackto81]

10 hours ago, Doc Brown said:

The London game against the Jags was an absolute eff you but they made up for it with extra time to prepare for KC and CIN.  

Definitely was an eff you, but the Bills could have flown out asap instead of waiting to leave Thursday I believe. That might've help them acclimate to the time change and jet lag. 

[scuba guy]

Just play 1 game at a time 

Next team up 

First quarter we went 3 1

2nd quarter we are    1  1

 

[zow2]

Under Josh Allen, I've always felt like he and the offense have had some of their best games on the road, so road games against anyone don't bother me too much.  This year has started a little iffy...with the Jets meltdown and the sleepy London game.  Hopefully they get right at New England.

[DrBob806]

The NFL schedule rotation is actually brilliant. Timing is everything on when you play the opponents, as to how good or lousy that opponent is.

 

On that note, the whole AFC South division, it seems there's no team that screams " rivalry." The oddest division in the NFL IMHO.

[Buffalo ill]

Thid isn't the 90s Bills that were unstoppable at home.  This is the Bills team that squeaked by a 3rd string qb led Miami, got blown out by the Bengals, and almost lost to a garbage jets team, all in Buffalo.  

[Mr. WEO]

Bills should be able to beat Jax and Tampa on the moon...

[Boatdrinks]

1 hour ago, billsbackto81 said:

Definitely was an eff you, but the Bills could have flown out asap instead of waiting to leave Thursday I believe. That might've help them acclimate to the time change and jet lag. 

The sports science on this says if you can’t get there a couple weeks early to acclimate to the time change , then go as late as possible. A few days won’t make a significant difference. 

[Drew21PA]

Eh I still feel we can win all of them

 

call me crazy I guess

 

jags was a bs game 

 

 

[Utah John]

By this time every year, we realize that the preseason strength evaluations of the various teams and divisions, are all hit or miss.  By the time we play a team later in the year, they could be better or worse (injuries) than they are now.  Just play the games and don't worry about it.

1 hour ago, Boatdrinks said:

The sports science on this says if you can’t get there a couple weeks early to acclimate to the time change , then go as late as possible. A few days won’t make a significant difference. 

That's what we heard the Bills say about sport science, but I've never seen anything other than that.  I'd like to know how many sports and how many games are the basis for their conclusions.  Show us the data, please.

[msw2112]

1 hour ago, Boatdrinks said:

The sports science on this says if you can’t get there a couple weeks early to acclimate to the time change , then go as late as possible. A few days won’t make a significant difference. 

 

I arrived in London on the same day as the Bills.  I was groggy and off of a normal sleep schedule for 3 or 4 days before finally becoming adjusted to the time zone.  That's clearly anecdotal, but Travis Etienne made some comments about feeling off for their first game there, but feeling much better for the 2nd one.  Baltimore also went out there Thursday/Friday for their previous London game and got killed, so they changed their routine and went out Monday/Tuesday this time and played much better this time and won in a rout (against Tennessee who went out there Thursday/Friday).  Again anecdotal, but I was shocked that the Bills didn't get out there by Tuesday and predicted that a Friday arrival was not going to be in their favor.  I fully admit that I have not read the sports science on this topic, but common sense says that the human body/brain needs a few days to adjust to a new time zone.

Edited October 17, 2023 by msw2112

[Boatdrinks]

1 hour ago, msw2112 said:

 

I arrived in London on the same day as the Bills.  I was groggy and off of a normal sleep schedule for 3 or 4 days before finally becoming adjusted to the time zone.  That's clearly anecdotal, but Travis Etienne made some comments about feeling off for their first game there, but feeling much better for the 2nd one.  Baltimore also went out there Thursday/Friday for their previous London game and got killed, so they changed their routine and went out Monday/Tuesday this time and played much better this time and won in a rout (against Tennessee who went out there Thursday/Friday).  Again anecdotal, but I was shocked that the Bills didn't get out there by Tuesday and predicted that a Friday arrival was not going to be in their favor.  I fully admit that I have not read the sports science on this topic, but common sense says that the human body/brain needs a few days to adjust to a new time zone.

I don’t claim to be a sports scientist or anything like it, but sure I can see Etienne and the Jags being closer to acclimated after almost 10 days. The Bills weren’t going to be able to do that . This was discussed heavily before the game and I’m simply repeating the information reported at the time. The good news is these games only come up every 5-8 years or something like that. 

1 hour ago, Utah John said:

By this time every year, we realize that the preseason strength evaluations of the various teams and divisions, are all hit or miss.  By the time we play a team later in the year, they could be better or worse (injuries) than they are now.  Just play the games and don't worry about it.

That's what we heard the Bills say about sport science, but I've never seen anything other than that.  I'd like to know how many sports and how many games are the basis for their conclusions.  Show us the data, please.

You can probably get someone to cite any study to match ones opinion. Why not look it up for yourself if you’re curious. I don’t know what studies they used or how many other teams they talked to. It seems many teams have gone about it the same way , so take it for what it’s worth. 

[msw2112]

1 hour ago, Boatdrinks said:

I don’t claim to be a sports scientist or anything like it, but sure I can see Etienne and the Jags being closer to acclimated after almost 10 days. The Bills weren’t going to be able to do that . This was discussed heavily before the game and I’m simply repeating the information reported at the time. The good news is these games only come up every 5-8 years or something like that. 

You can probably get someone to cite any study to match ones opinion. Why not look it up for yourself if you’re curious. I don’t know what studies they used or how many other teams they talked to. It seems many teams have gone about it the same way , so take it for what it’s worth. 

 

I don't live in Buffalo anymore (although I try to keep up on the local Bills news coming out of Buffalo) and I was super busy in the days before the game trying to get ready for my trip to Europe, so I had not heard this reported or discussed before the game.  It's a fair point.

 

I'd still say that getting out there as soon as you can is the best option.  Having 5 days to overcome jetlag and acclimate to a new time zone is better than having 2 (and the Bills had perhaps a little less than that).  It seemed to work for the Ravens, who had done it the other way around on their previous trip out there and had the opposite result.  My own experience traveling internationally says that it takes 3+ days to adjust and feel "normal again" although I admit that the only international athletic competition I ever participated in was hockey tournaments in the Toronto area as a kid.  It didn't take much time to recover from the long drive up the QEW.

[Punching Bag]

6 hours ago, DrBob806 said:

The NFL schedule rotation is actually brilliant. Timing is everything on when you play the opponents, as to how good or lousy that opponent is.

 

On that note, the whole AFC South division, it seems there's no team that screams " rivalry." The oddest division in the NFL IMHO.

 

Mijami should be moved into the South.  Put the Colts back to the East.

[DrBob806]

On 10/17/2023 at 3:54 PM, Limeaid said:

 

Mijami should be moved into the South.  Put the Colts back to the East.

Actually Baltimore should be in the East, Colts in the North. Or, dare I say the Bills in the North, leave the Colts in the South.