How many players need to step up to propel the Bills go a step further towards Superbowl this year?

[Mikie2times]

I would say this years squad has a pretty long list of potential breakout players. Samuel, Moore, Coleman, Kincaid, Bishop, Groot, AJ, Oliver, Bernard, Benford, Mad Max, Forrest, Hancock, Strong, Sanders, Walker, Jackson. Some rookies and vets on this list, but all could potentially take another step or perhaps even the first step being a big one. Some might even throw Rapp on the list. 

 

Sure, none of these could work out as well, but we have a lot of options this year and that’s part of what I’m excited to see. 

Edited Tuesday at 03:21 AM by Mikie2times

[LABILLBACKER]

7 hours ago, TheBrownBear said:

53 plus PS.

Since 1990 I've been waiting for our defense to have that one spectacular play / moment.  It’s yet to happen. 

[US Egg]

18 minutes ago, LABILLBACKER said:

Since 1990 I've been waiting for our defense to have that one spectacular play / moment.  It’s yet to happen. 

None at all in any game since 1990? Man, that’s pretty bad.

[Thurman#1]

11 hours ago, Brianmoorman4jesus said:

We can just dance around the true issues as much as we want but it’s truly pointless. The issue has been the same for 7 full years. Outside of the Jags playoff loss. Always the same. The defensive coaching needs to step up. The defense needs a philosophical overhaul to something more aggressive and less predictable. Making stops. That’s how it happens. Not praying for turnovers. Not watching good QBs absolutely shred us on every 3rd down. The defensive coaching needs to step up. That’s the whole answer 

 

 

It really isn't.

 

The problem has essentially been KC in the playoffs. That's the problem. And when we get there the main reason they haven't done that well is that they haven't been able to pressure Mahomes. Haven't had the guys, with the one exception of the season when we looked like we did till Von Miller's injury.

 

This year they finally spent a bunch of resources on pass rushers. Hopefully they'll finally be able to put some heat on signal callers.

[Mr. WEO]

McD

 

[GunnerBill]

7 hours ago, Ya Digg? said:

This Bishop statement is outstanding-PEAK offseason nonsense and I love it! Little evidence to suggest growth-no crap, they’ve had lifting and like 3 OTA practices. Then you compare it to Bernard’s 2nd year that nobody saw coming. Great, nonsensical stuff!!!

 

Indeed Bernard was LOSING that camp battle to Dodson. He got hurt, missed the pre-season games in which Dodson struggled and as such they plumped for Bernard almost by default. 

 

I don't think it is wise to expect that sort of surprise break out too often, and I'd sure like to hear positive reports on Bishop when the pads come on at camp and when we get to the warm up games, but Bernard is a reminder that sometimes a light can go on very suddenly for a guy. 

[corta765]

The real question is who needs to step down this season lol

[JP51]

17 hours ago, Don Otreply said:

Everyone needs to step up, let’s not fool ourselves into believing three guys or so will put us over the line, its going to take everyone, 

I  am with you, I honestly believe in order to win a championship in the Free Agent world of sports you have to have special play from everyone 

[WNYFAN1]

32 minutes ago, JP51 said:

I  am with you, I honestly believe in order to win a championship in the Free Agent world of sports you have to have special play from everyone 

Agreed. And our luck needs to continue. Specifically, our O-Line has been REMARKABLY healthy, gotta have that for another year IMO.

 

Also, the luck on turnovers would be great to have a gain, but not sure how repeatable that is.

[Gregg]

9 hours ago, LABILLBACKER said:

Since 1990 I've been waiting for our defense to have that one spectacular play / moment.  It’s yet to happen. 

 

I will name one for you. 1992 AFC championship game. Bills 10 Broncos 7. The Bills only TD this game was a pick 6 by Carlton Bailey in the 3rd quarter.

[ganesh]

18 hours ago, Don Otreply said:

Everyone needs to step up, let’s not fool ourselves into believing three guys or so will put us over the line, its going to take everyone, 

Everybody Eats !!!

18 hours ago, Don Otreply said:

Everyone needs to step up, let’s not fool ourselves into believing three guys or so will put us over the line, its going to take everyone, 

Everybody Eats !!!

 

Don't forget the Coaches...they have let this team down in critical moments as much as the players.  If they don't step to the next level then we will see the Chiefs or the Ravens still heading to the SB

[PoundingDog]

The counter argument to "it's all McDermott's fault" on defense is to look at what the recent champions have in talent and try to find comparable players on the Bills roster. The Chiefs have Chris Jones, the Eagles have a young upcomer Jalen Jones. There is simply no players of that kind of caliber on the Bills defensive side since Bruce Smith was released.

 

McDermott and his staff is not Belichick back in his days. Belichick is an exception, not a norm that people can easily emulate -- an owner says I can find one next season. So a good D coach can scheme all you want, when it comes down execution at the highest level, meaning facing teams with equal or better overall talent in the playoffs, those unicorn talent really becomes critical. They either do things above what you expect, or force you to devote more of you resources to counter which frees up other talented players to make a play on you, at a critical juncture.

[JP51]

1 hour ago, WNYFAN1 said:

Agreed. And our luck needs to continue. Specifically, our O-Line has been REMARKABLY healthy, gotta have that for another year IMO.

 

Also, the luck on turnovers would be great to have a gain, but not sure how repeatable that is.

OMG yes staying healthy is a key as well as turnover ratio

[PoundingDog]

4 minutes ago, PoundingDog said:

The Chiefs have Chris Jones, the Eagles have a young upcomer Jalen Jones

Correction. Jalen Carter.

[TheBrownBear]

12 hours ago, LABILLBACKER said:

Since 1990 I've been waiting for our defense to have that one spectacular play / moment.  It’s yet to happen. 

Taron Johnson would like a word...

[Chandler#81]

Tre -gotta make the save!

 

[T master]

Just the defense the offense has got it down especially if the players they got this year are as good or better than last season, if the D can just stop the opposition from 1 score per game the Bills are in the big game ...

[Snappysnackcakes]

roughly 53

[Toyo321]

1 hour ago, T master said:

Just the defense the offense has got it down especially if the players they got this year are as good or better than last season, if the D can just stop the opposition from 1 score per game the Bills are in the big game ...

Agreed, the biggest factor has been our D in the playoff's.  By this I mean it has been missing in action every playoff run year after year.  This phantom missing "D" has cost us, and all from a defensive minded head coach in charge of this team.

 

Ughh.....   How much more of a leash do you give McD anyway.  If he can't put it all together and get us there, then he needs to go.

Edited 12 hours ago by Toyo321

[SoonerBillsFan]

On 6/9/2025 at 2:29 PM, PoundingDog said:

Last year most of us are expecting a down year, based on what happened in the off-season. I did expect the Bills to still win the division but not getting to the AFC championship game. 

 

Looking back, I can say for myself that I didn't expect

1) a step forward from Allen. I suspect when we look back years later in Allen's career, it might be a very important year. His 3rd season proved he's elite. But last year (year 6) in my opinion, he became a more rounded, complete QB, especially in decision making.

2) a step forward from Cook. In my book, he became THE offensive weapon and too bad Brady didn't use him enough in the most important game last year.

3) a step backward from Kincaid. Many, including me, expected Kincaid to be THE offensive weapon but he didn't.

4) not a single defensive player stepping up to have a career year. Benford, Rousseau improved, but not a dominant force. Von and Milano didn't have resurgence.

 

This year. I don't think Allen is going to improve significantly again. Neither would I expect from Cook. I expect Kincaid to do better but not sure I would expect a breakout performance.

a) Hairston. Widely reported as a McDermott pick (unlike the Elam pick), he may have a chance to have a Tre White like rookie campaign. If that happens, it is a huge boost to the D.

b) Bishop. Little evidence to suggest that he's in line for a Bernard kind of 2nd year but no one saw that in Bernard either. Just my hope. we can dream that both a) and b) happen this year so McDermott has his best secondary as a HC of the Bills. 

c) Coleman. He played enough last year that he got a taste how people defended him effectively later in the season. Does he develop enough to counter, or do Brady and the staff find something to use him more effectively?

d) Bosa. He's still young enough to do what he can do. Can he provide the Bills what Von provided when he came to the Bills before his knee injury?

 

I know the Bills spent a lot on the D-Line but I'm not going to bet on the rookies and suspended players. Chances are one of the rookie D-Line will flash, but I just don't see consistently D-Line plays from rookies picked in the low 1st round onwards.

 

Coaching

Receivers and Tight ends

Defensive Line.