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

[Dan]

The answer is always … 3.5. 

[Victory Formation]

1.) Dalton Kincaid: With the emergence of Khalil Shakir last year, I think if Dalton Kincaid can step up this year and be “that guy” for Josh, our offense will continue rolling. Can he step up and be the guy that we drafted him to be?

 

2.) Cole Bishop: Taylor Rapp proved to be a solid safety for us last year, but Buffalo needs more depth and consistency at the position. Can Bishop help fill that void left by Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer? 
 

3.) Tyler Bass: Can he step up and close games out like the assassin that we all know he can be? Can Tyler Bass be Buffalo’s version of Adam Vinatieri?

 

Honorable mentions: Keon Coleman, Dawson Knox, TJ Sanders, Deone Walker and Maxwell Hairston.

[The Firebaugh Kid]

It’s clearly several on defense. These guys were really really bad, other than creating turnovers. 

[Doc Brown]

It's got to be premium position guys with playoffs on the mind.

 

1.) Coleman

2.) Groot

3.) Hairston

[ChronicAndKnuckles]

On 6/9/2025 at 3:29 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.

 

Absolutely agreed. Last year proved to me (without a doubt) that Allen is going to play at a high level well into his “old” age when he loses a little bit of that running power. The running threat will always be there to an extent, but Allen is throwing the ball so accurately & efficiently. People hate these WRs, but they all have complementary skill sets to the QB. Having smaller WRs his whole career kind of forced him to be more precise and timed. 

[ChronicAndKnuckles]

On 6/9/2025 at 4:06 PM, 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 

They weren’t really praying for turnovers. They were pretty much guaranteed 1 a game. That’s McDermotts coaching style. 

[LABILLBACKER]

On 6/9/2025 at 9:24 PM, US Egg said:

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

Not any of the games....I'm talking about games that matter. High leverage games like afcc, SB's or any playoff game against KC in the Allen era. We don't have a gamewrecker on defense anywhere? Sure Taron and Carlton made nice plays but did they translate to a championship?...No!  Historically, the main reason we've failed to win a championship during the 90's and now remains defensive limitations. Too bad we don't have a young Bruce right now to compliment Josh.

[PonyBoy]

Will James Cook show up & will he be focused? 

He's a pretty important part.

[Ethan in Cleveland]

On 6/10/2025 at 12:04 AM, 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 pick 6 against the Ravens is a top 5 all time play in franchise history.

[T master]

20 hours ago, Toyo321 said:

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.

Then you must have been for firing Marv !! At what point do the players get the biggest share of the blame ? I know the very first SB the Bills lost against the Giants was almost all on the defense, missing tackles allowing drives to stay alive but every one blames Norwood for missing a FG outside of his range .

 

This is the same thing the players are the ones making the plays the coach can only give them the scheme and coach them up to. a point then it's on them, and last year the Refs were the ones that gave that game to KC !

 

If you can't watch that game and come to that conclusion then you & I were watching a different game .

 

Every year every team is different and chemistry is a huge part of the plan ! KC & the Bills are the ONLY 2 teams that have been to the play offs fro the last 5 years so you would rather start all over and lets say have the same scenario that happened when they brought in Rex to take the chance of ruining the team rather than stick with those that have brought this team out of a 17 year play off drought to be a contender EVERY YEAR ???

 

Thanks but NO THANKS !!! I'd rather be in the conversation then sitting at home during the play offs with out a chance but then that could just be me ... 

[Big Turk]

Someone needs to make a play on defense so Allen doesn't need to put up 30 points to win playoff games every time.

[richardb1952]

On 6/10/2025 at 12:04 AM, 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 pick six against the Ravens in playoffs a few years ago.  Happened early, but still, it was a spectacular moment that turned the game around.  The multiple turnovers caused by the defense in last years Ravens/ Bills playoff game.   We forget those moments because we won the game.  

[Bermuda Triangle]

Need consistency from the DL (looking at you, Oliver and Rousseau).  The good for 2 games, meh for 2 games routine has to end.

 

Benford to finally stay healthy in the playoffs.

On 6/10/2025 at 11:06 AM, PoundingDog said:

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.

 

So it's a personnel issue, which means that it's on Beane?

[PoundingDog]

Yes, but only partially on Beane.

 

When you pick in the bottom of 5/6 of every round every year, it is hard to get generational talent. You'll need to be a great talent evaluator. I don't know Beane is that. The reason I say that is because when he did get his chance - when he traded up to get Edmunds, and when he had pick #9 in 2019, he didn't wiff but he missed superior talent. Even for the same position, look at all the DT talent in 2019 and all the LB talent in 2018 that he could have.

 

Beane will need to improve and/or find scouting talent in evaluating football talent. In the latter case, that person will eventually leave to be a GM himself if he does have strong influence in advice to help Beane finding talent. Helping the Bills finding Allen played a big part in Joe Schoen getting the Giants GM job.

[SoonerBillsFan]

All of them. 

[NoHuddleKelly12]

The DL. Getting actual bona fide pressure on Mahomes, Burrow and the like is crucial in must win games. 

[Solomon Grundy]

On 6/14/2025 at 8:10 PM, Big Turk said:

Someone needs to make a play on defense so Allen doesn't need to put up 30 points to win playoff games every time.

Particularly the defensive front...IMO

[The Cincinnati Kid]

I think 6 players need to step up. Maybe onto a plyo-box or aerobics board. Not totally sure what they’re stepping on to… maybe they’re stepping up to something metaphorically… like stepping up to greatness. 
 

But, in professional sports your team is only as good as it’s weakest link so they all need to be as good as they can be for the Bills to be successful. 
 

Maybe in September I will put the snark away. Probably not.

 

“My eyes feel like they’re gonna bleed…oh my god, here we go.”

Edited 7 hours ago by The Cincinnati Kid

[Mikie2times]

On 6/13/2025 at 7:05 PM, Dan said:

The answer is always … 3.5. 

3.14159265359

[L Ron Burgundy]

On 6/9/2025 at 4:06 PM, 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 

Love this post.  There are other ways to win but this is most simple. Our defense making plays with mcds current scheme is another way.  Need some rookies to be more than jags.