More defense on Saturday, please, to finish the job, and take the final step

[Mikie2times]

44 minutes ago, Mister Defense said:

 

 

1.  I think a team can expect to not be missing their starting (and best) cornerback and player in the secondary AND their starting safety.  Those are huge losses in a any defense, especially one clearly undermanned all year long, and now playing Mahomes and his three time Super Bowl champion team in their own home.  Bizarre that someone would think the head coach and quarterback of a team in that position would not feel more pressure.  Of course, they would. A duh, actually.

 

2.  The Bills getting to the Championship Game again and not winning it would be disappointing, and of course a failure to many concerned.  But it is not a massive failure, would likely only be to bashers and haters of McBeane, who try to turn almost every thread into a 'Fire the bum', thread.  Hard for them to see the forest through the trees, as their vision is so distorted.

 

3.  ...which is a nice segue into my response to your "They have never played good playoff defense."

 

Yes, they lost to the Chief in that playoff game, of course, even with an excellent defense that year. The Chiefs got the better of almost every defense they played that year and scored over 30 points nine times that season, winning the Super Bowl to cap it all off. But like so much of the McBeane bashing, just hyperbole and  throw away nonsense for anyone to say that Bills have never played good playoff defense--unless they only choose to watch Bills' losses. 

 

The Bills have definitely played good, some would say excellent, or even superb, playoff defense under this particular team. Just the weak before this game, they man handled the Patriots--the pats were never in the game.  And then they crushed the Ravens in the playoffs to an even greater degree, holding them to just 3 points.  And ditto for their win against the Steelers after the 2023 season, a 31-17 win.  And last year's beat down of the Broncos, who, after their initial score early in the game, were shutout, 31-7.  The word Never seems to mean something much different to you than to most people, and as defined in most dictionaries, I think. 

 

 

(I probably should have never said, as I did just a few posts ago, that I did not want this to turn into a 'Fire the coach!' (or GM) thread, as any attention keeps them going...)

 

 

 

People that defend the defense vs scrub quarterbacks just aren't seeing things clearly. We have played good playoff defense against Mac Jones, Mason Rudolph, and a few other back ups. Who cares? Then Lamar Jackson in the wind tunnel game where Josh also did nothing (because neither offense could). Again, WHO CARES?

 

We played a good first half against Baltimore last year. That is our crown jewel thus far.

 

The question mark for this team isn't can the defense be good or will it be good. Both are likely going to be the case. It is about things translating to the postseason. Can they also be good in the divisional round or later where they have nearly the worst EPA defense out of any team in football to make the divisional round since 2020. 

 

 

Edited 5 hours ago by Mikie2times

[Mister Defense]

40 minutes ago, Mikie2times said:

People that defend the defense vs scrub quarterbacks just aren't seeing things clearly. We have played good playoff defense against Mac Jones, Mason Rudolph, and a few other back ups. Who cares? Then Lamar Jackson in the wind tunnel game where Josh also did nothing (because neither offense could). Again, WHO CARES?

 

We played a good first half against Baltimore last year. That is our crown jewel thus far.

 

 

???

 

I was just responding to what you had actually said, which was "They have never played good playoff defense."

 

You have now moved the goal posts in a dramatic manner in the new post above,  so changed your point in a fundamental manner.

 

I cannot read your mind, so just responded to what you actually said, believing that "They have never played good playoff defense" is what you actually meant.

 

Even in real life, on more important issues, when the other side just moves, even changes the goal posts, it is not a good sign for their argument.

 

 

[billsfan89]

The Bills defense is even in its lesser years still a better than average NFL defense. It has just come up short against KC (and a few other times) in the playoffs. Typically better offenses in the playoffs have given the Bills issues. What I hope the heavy defensive emphasis in free agency and the draft (mainly targeted towards the D-line and CB spots although safety had some moderate additions) is that it helps raise the defenses "ceiling" so to speak. The Bills haven't had that elite defense that's gonna take out top 10 (let alone top 5) offenses consistently. I think this year is gonna test the theory that maybe McD's defensive gameplan just doesn't work against elite teams in the playoffs. I think he has the talent on the defense to make it work. 

[Mikie2times]

1 hour ago, Mister Defense said:

 

???

 

I was just responding to what you had actually said, which was "They have never played good playoff defense."

 

You have now moved the goal posts in a dramatic manner in the new post above,  so changed your point in a fundamental manner.

 

I cannot read your mind, so just responded to what you actually said, believing that "They have never played good playoff defense" is what you actually meant.

 

Even in real life, on more important issues, when the other side just moves, even changes the goal posts, it is not a good sign for their argument.

 

 

I thought it was a given that nobody cared how we did vs Mac Jones? How specific do you need things? This thread is about our defensive investment. That investment would never happen if those wild card games vs back ups meant anything. 

Edited 3 hours ago by Mikie2times

[BillsVet]

3 hours ago, Mister Defense said:

1.  I think a team can expect to not be missing their starting (and best) cornerback and player in the secondary AND their starting safety.  Those are huge losses in a any defense, especially one clearly undermanned all year long, and now playing Mahomes and his three time Super Bowl champion team in their own home.  Bizarre that someone would think the head coach and quarterback of a team in that position would not feel more pressure.  Of course, they would. A duh, actually.

 

2.  The Bills getting to the Championship Game again and not winning it would be disappointing, and of course a failure to many concerned.  But it is not a massive failure, would likely only be to bashers and haters of McBeane, who try to turn almost every thread into a 'Fire the bum', thread.  Hard for them to see the forest through the trees, as their vision is so distorted.

 

3.  ...which is a nice segue into my response to your "They have never played good playoff defense."

 

Yes, they lost to the Chief in that playoff game, of course, even with an excellent defense that year. The Chiefs got the better of almost every defense they played that year and scored over 30 points nine times that season, winning the Super Bowl to cap it all off. But like so much of the McBeane bashing, just hyperbole and  throw away nonsense for anyone to say that Bills have never played good playoff defense--unless they only choose to watch Bills' losses. 

 

The Bills have definitely played good, some would say excellent, or even superb, playoff defense under this particular team. Just the weak before this game, they man handled the Patriots--the pats were never in the game.  And then they crushed the Ravens in the playoffs to an even greater degree, holding them to just 3 points.  And ditto for their win against the Steelers after the 2023 season, a 31-17 win.  And last year's beat down of the Broncos, who, after their initial score early in the game, were shutout, 31-7.  The word Never seems to mean something much different to you than to most people, and as defined in most dictionaries, I think. 

 

 

(I probably should have never said, as I did just a few posts ago, that I did not want this to turn into a 'Fire the coach!' (or GM) thread, as any attention keeps them going...)

 

You gotta have a backup plan when the defense isn't stopping the offense.  It's akin to a MLB pitcher without his + stuff finding a way to win regardless.  

 

In the NFL, the backup plan is being able to out-score the opponent, which this regime doesn't think is necessary.  (Cue the scoring 30ppg regular season crowd). 

 

Both this HC and GM expect that all pistons will be firing on both sides of the ball in the biggest games of the year.  Even with a workaholic HC and no major weaknesses on that defense they'll run into good offenses who can out-duel it.  People should have seen that against Baltimore, where it took a +3 turnover advantage and a dropped 2 point conversion for Buffalo to barely hold on.  The following week when the injuries happened, Buffalo lacked the offensive firepower to overwhelm the Chiefs...because they don't invest there like their best/likely playoff opponents do.     

 

They're all-in on the strategy for 2025, although perhaps with some schematic wrinkles.  If it doesn't work and they bottom out in the Divisional/Championship game round again...then the current plan should be scrapped in favor of a Josh-centered team.  Because it'll have proven their plan is insufficient after 6 seasons doing it their preferred way. 

Edited 2 hours ago by BillsVet