Who is our worst match up in the AFC as of now?

[Mikie2times]

Kansas City = Doesn't really feel like a horrible match up but we can't seem to get it done in the postseason. They have championship DNA and are the most difficult to put to bed in a game 

 

Baltimore = I thought they outplayed us in the playoff game without Zay Flowers and in somewhat optimal weather to bother Lamar.  We forced the key turnovers but I still see this as a bad match up for us. 

 

Cincinnati = These aren't the Bengals from yesterday, but Burrow is built to play against our scheme. I have highlighted before he has no incompletions in 3 opening drives vs us, almost 200 yards, and 3 TD's. 

 

Houston= They beat us up last time and produced one of the worst games in Allen's career. It's a very aggressive and physical defense. Nico Collins didn't play in the 2nd half last year either

 

I think all 4 of these teams could give us problems. We play all four, should be absolute battles. 

Edited 16 hours ago by Mikie2times

[H2o]

I say Cincinnati because they have beat us handedly. We are 0-2 against them, and likely would have been 0-3 except for what happened to Hamlin. 

[Greg S]

Chiefs. The playoff games where it all matters. We all know the results.

[Mark Vader]

Our worst match-up is A) Ourselves & B) The officials.

 

We can beat any team. We cannot beat ourselves, and we cannot be put in a position where the officials can screw us over.

[Mikie2times]

14 minutes ago, Mark Vader said:

Our worst match-up is A) Ourselves & B) The officials.

 

We can beat any team. We cannot beat ourselves, and we cannot be put in a position where the officials can screw us over.

 

This is the last 4 playoff losses. Three of the four vs KC, all close games. Some beating ourselves and some poor calls contributed but within the games I would argue it's just been easier for the other team. Which also shows up in the stats.

 

In my opinion, the defense has to force more punts. We can't get off the field in these games and teams that can do that and play good defense vs us is really a bad combination. That's why I still lean Baltimore, even though I think Baltimore is more more likely to commit a critical error than somebody like KC. 

 

 

Edited 16 hours ago by Mikie2times

[Billl]

That’s a really good question.  It’s not the Texans, but you could make a case for any of the other three.  I guess I lean Baltimore, but I could be convinced otherwise.

[947]

Chiefs have had our number, but it hasn't been domination. 

 

If we played Cincy with McD's 2024 version of our Defense, Burrow would have 500 yards & 5 TDs, on 85% completions. I know the Bengals D stinks, but it's not really feasible to rely on the offense to match 50 points. McD says Defensive changes are coming, and I pray it actually happens. It was more than just a talent upgrade needed.

[HappyDays]

KC for sure. Their coaches and players have a psychological advantage over us in the playoffs and we won't shake it until we finally beat them when it counts.

[SF Bills Fan]

Baltimore. Chiefs are starting to fade, but Baltimore are formidable and got better in the draft. It was a miracle we beat them in the playoffs. Bengals are dysfunctional with bad ownership that won't spend money and Burrow is fragile. 

[Shortchaz]

I think the chargers are on the rise 

[Big Blitz]

Baltimore and it isn’t close.  
 

Personally I think they’re the AFC favorite and I blame the Packers for passing on Starks.  

[sven233]

Going to be a tough question to answer because our defense has basically been completely overhauled.  It's going to be completely different than it has been the last few seasons.  The defensive line alone, even with a Oliver and Groot returning to starting roles is going to look completely different with the depth we now have, especially after week 6 when the suspensions are lifted.  Our secondary is going to look completely different than it has, especially if Hairston and Bishop win starting jobs. 

 

With the young talent influx we are going to have, I think we will actually see a change in overall philosophy as well.  I don't think we are going to see our soft zone that we have played almost exclusively the last several years.  I think with the signings they have made, they are going to try and force the issue a little bit.  Bosa is obviously a huge X factor in all of this.  If he's healthy the entire season and is the dominant player he has been in the past, this defense is going to look a lot different.  I think their goal is to rush the passer with big, fast, athletic guys that will run probably 8-9 deep on this roster and force the QB to get rid of the ball quickly against corners that can now play both man and zone.  And, especially if Hairston is that dude like we all hope, and Bishop takes a giant step forward, our team speed on defense is going to really show.  So, until we see how it looks on the field, I am not sure I am ready to say who the toughest matchup might be because I do expect our defense to play a lot differently this season.  And, as long as 17 is healthy and running the offense, I do expect them to be able to score enough to win most weeks.

 

So yeah......going to wait and see what this is all going to look like before I start trying to figure out how we match up against teams.

[QLBillsFan]

1 hour ago, Mikie2times said:

Kansas City = Doesn't really feel like a horrible match up but we can't seem to get it done in the postseason. They have championship DNA and are the most difficult to put to bed in a game 

 

Baltimore = I thought they outplayed us in the playoff game without Zay Flowers and in somewhat optimal weather to bother Lamar.  We forced the key turnovers but I still see this as a bad match up for us. 

 

Cincinnati = These aren't the Bengals from yesterday, but Burrow is built to play against our scheme. I have highlighted before he has no incompletions in 3 opening drives vs us, almost 200 yards, and 3 TD's. 

 

Houston= They beat us up last time and produced one of the worst games in Allen's career. It's a very aggressive and physical defense. Nico Collins didn't play in the 2nd half last year either

 

I think all 4 of these teams could give us problems. We play all four, should be absolute battles. 

Ravens have the best roster, Chiefs the best coach, and Bengals the best O. I think Ravens end of with the 1 seed. 
 

Texans have a solid D. But confused with OL moves in trading arguably their best OT. Guessing he was a cancer. But I see OL regression and Stroud has hit his ceiling. They don’t concern me as much as the other 3. 

[Ethan in Cleveland]

We can beat any of them.  I think Baltimore, KC, and LA Chargers could all beat Bills in the playoffs.  Baltimore and Chargers can run on our defense.  Not sure Chargers have enough in the passing game with their current WRs.  Of those three I am least worried about KC. Kelce is a corpse out there now.  KC o-line is worse. Jones is still dominant but he is getting older too - he will be 31 this season.   I understand the fear of Cincinnati but I think they have a bottom 5 defense again and probably will not even make the playoffs.  

[QLBillsFan]

50 minutes ago, Shortchaz said:

I think the chargers are on the rise 

Yes they and the Broncos are better than the Texans. Texans have the worst or 2nd worst division in football. 

[MJS]

The Bills are the worst matchup for the rest of the AFC.

[No_Matter_What]

Chiefs until proven otherwise.

[Chicagobills]

Andy Reid and Mahomes 

[Mister Defense]

1 hour ago, MJS said:

The Bills are the worst matchup for the rest of the AFC.

 

 

What do you think you are doing??  That was not part of the poll, not an option.

 

Yes, what you say makes perfect sense ( and that in itself means your words have no place in this thread), as the Bills will clearly have a better defense next year, maybe even a top ten defense, or better, and their offense, well we all know what we will get from them. And with another year under Brady's belt, and the continued maturation of our young players, and some exciting new additions, and a healthy Knox and Coleman...

 

But you know perfectly well that yours is not an acceptable answer, does not relate to the narrow poll and comically negative OP. Read between the lines: The lowly Bills, 13-4 last year, leading the AFC Championship game late in the fourth quarter, are not in the same league as those AFC behemoths. They are going to wreck the lowly Bills, just you watch.

 

This  super positive thread is designed to be a bash and then bash some more and then, well, you know...

 

Perhaps you did not read the entire OP?, where each of those dynamic powerhouses, every team, is described in an extremely positive manner, and of course, all better than the lowly Bills, and all going to beat them up, duh,  (And notice, duh again, not one positive word at all about the Bills , how they positively match up, as each of those ultra scary AFC giants is so glowingly described?)  Go back and read it again, and see what i mean.

 

You cannot disrupt this thread with this your over the top, ultra positive, albeit objective, jibber jabber.

 

Get with the program!

 

(And notice: not one weakness, nor negative quality, of any of those teams is ever mentioned, not one, for any.  But for the Bills?  In every instance an extremely negative, a fundamental weakness, is clearly included, in fact is the highlight, the main point.  So the Bills are likely in serious serious trouble...)

 

 

Edited 13 hours ago by Mister Defense

[GunnerBill]

I do think it is Baltimore. They do the most things well that matches up to Bills weaknesses.