Bigger Failure? No Super Bowl Appearance With 17 at QB or Four Straight SB Losses

[SF Bills Fan]

I am convinced that Josh Alan will get a Super Bowl sometime in the next few years maybe even this year. In my opinion, going to the Super Bowl four times in a row and not getting a trophy is worse.

[JakeFrommStateFarm]

22 hours ago, 90sBills said:

Winning a Super Bowl is definitely a player’s and coach’s identity. Especially for someone as great as Allen. 

Josh wants it bad.

 

He talked about it alot in the Bills Hard Knock special.

 

I'm concerned that McDermott is not the guy to make it happen 

[hondo in seattle]

This thread is an exercise in self-flagellation.  

[RyanC883]

no SB win with JA as a QB is a massive failure, IMO.  Not even making a SB would be one of the greatest failures of any NFL team.  JA is arguably a top 5 all-time QB.  

[billsfan714]

I would vote no SB for Josh, Im trying to think of a QB of Josh's caliber that didnt at least get to one superbowl in the superbowl era.   Dan Fouts maybe, and he had Wes Chandler, Kellen Winslow, John Jefferson, Charlie Joiner and Chuck Muncie.  Im glad Marv made it to 100, but there wasnt a SB he wasnt outcoached in and the NFC was a more physical conference.   

Edited August 12 by billsfan714

[bmur66]

Win one with no. 17 and the 4 losses will just be a bad memory.

[Ethan in Cleveland]

10 minutes ago, billsfan714 said:

I would vote no SB for Josh, Im trying to think of a QB of Josh's caliber that didnt at least get to one superbowl in the superbowl era.  

There are so few and I really dont think any are truly as good as Allen, but my list includes Fouts, Moon, Kosar, Rivers, and maybe Cunningham. Of course Lamar is on the list too.

[Gregg]

1 minute ago, Ethan in Cleveland said:

There are so few and I really dont think any are truly as good as Allen, but my list includes Fouts, Moon, Kosar, Rivers, and maybe Cunningham. Of course Lamar is on the list too.

 

You know who these Bills remind me of in trying to get past the Chiefs. The Houston Oilers. They had some great teams in the Campbell era and if it wasn't for the Steelers they probably would have gotten to a Super Bowl and won one. The Steelers were to the Oilers what the Chiefs are to the Bills.

[billsfan714]

8 hours ago, Ethan in Cleveland said:

There are so few and I really dont think any are truly as good as Allen, but my list includes Fouts, Moon, Kosar, Rivers, and maybe Cunningham. Of course Lamar is on the list too.

Yeah Kosar isnt even close to Josh, Fouts had all the weapons and no mobility,  Rivers had no mobility, Moon and that run n shoot was kind of gimmicky, Cunningham maybe kind of close.

[corta765]

Josh not making a SB would break me as a fan if that is how he retires. The 90s teams had their shot and made a legacy even if they did not win the big game. Norwood's miss hangs big because it was their best chance and they were that close to have the crown.

 

Josh coming here, growth, and ascension into a truly all time elite QB is what you dream of. In a league where QBs are favored and given every adventure rules wise, to not break through with what will be the most talented QB we will ever have in my lifetime is the worst. Your telling me they make or win a SB with a lessor talent and team after all of that? I am sorry but I just don't buy it with how circular sports are with good and bad. Green Bay is truly the one exception to that rule but they sucked for the 20+ years between Lombardi & Farve. The down periods are real and when you in the up period you better hit the f*cking mark especially when the QB you have is setting all types of records. Pittsburgh has been a model of consistency but even they are seeing how hard it is to make a SB even in a better org and culture. I honestly do not even think Cowher would make a SB in the 90s if todays rules and game existed given how important the QB is.

 

The AFC title lost this last year was probably the worst loss I've went through as a Bills and Sabres fan because of the opportunity that was lost. I am still very very optimistic the break through is coming so I am ignoring the other the side of the coin at this point. BUT where after the 2020 AFC Title loss the sky felt like the limit, it now feels like the hour glass is moving and the next 5-7 years it better happen otherwise uh oh.

3 minutes ago, Gregg said:

 

You know who these Bills remind me of in trying to get past the Chiefs. The Houston Oilers. They had some great teams in the Campbell era and if it wasn't for the Steelers they probably would have gotten to a Super Bowl and won one. The Steelers were to the Oilers what the Chiefs are to the Bills.

 

The Bills are the 70's Raiders v the Steelers. Look at the success those Raiders teams had until they broke through and how many times PIT blocked them out. It finally happened and they got their ring, but they could've been a dynasty had PIT not been that good. That is what I see right now.

[Gregg]

2 minutes ago, corta765 said:

Josh not making a SB would break me as a fan if that is how he retires. The 90s teams had their shot and made a legacy even if they did not win the big game. Norwood's miss hangs big because it was their best chance and they were that close to have the crown.

 

Josh coming here, growth, and ascension into a truly all time elite QB is what you dream of. In a league where QBs are favored and given every adventure rules wise, to not break through with what will be the most talented QB we will ever have in my lifetime is the worst. Your telling me they make or win a SB with a lessor talent and team after all of that? I am sorry but I just don't buy it with how circular sports are with good and bad. Green Bay is truly the one exception to that rule but they sucked for the 20+ years between Lombardi & Farve. The down periods are real and when you in the up period you better hit the f*cking mark especially when the QB you have is setting all types of records. Pittsburgh has been a model of consistency but even they are seeing how hard it is to make a SB even in a better org and culture. I honestly do not even think Cowher would make a SB in the 90s if todays rules and game existed given how important the QB is.

 

The AFC title lost this last year was probably the worst loss I've went through as a Bills and Sabres fan because of the opportunity that was lost. I am still very very optimistic the break through is coming so I am ignoring the other the side of the coin at this point. BUT where after the 2020 AFC Title loss the sky felt like the limit, it now feels like the hour glass is moving and the next 5-7 years it better happen otherwise uh oh.

 

The Bills are the 70's Raiders v the Steelers. Look at the success those Raiders teams had until they broke through and how many times PIT blocked them out. It finally happened and they got their ring, but they could've been a dynasty had PIT not been that good. That is what I see right now.

 

Good comparison with those Raiders teams. Hopefully the Bills can finally break through and win it. I honestly think the Ravens are going to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl this year assuming injuries don't kill there season. That roster is loaded and might be the best in football.

[The Jokeman]

Losing four in a row, sorry but the only teams that were truly better than the Bills were the Redskins and that first Cowboys teams. The other two were winnable but poor play/coaching lead to losing the other two games. In terms of not getting there with JA17 I mean we're facing the best team of the current era and keep losing but although he's been great in those games he can also be considered part of the losses. Especially two seasons ago yet Bass should have tied it with a makeable FG. 

2 minutes ago, Gregg said:

 

Good comparison with those Raiders teams. Hopefully the Bills can finally break through and win it. I honestly think the Ravens are going to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl this year assuming injuries don't kill there season. That roster is loaded and might be the best in football.

Until Lamar learns that he can afford to live another day but avoiding costly turn overs in the playoffs that team is in trouble, I also think going with a rookie kicker might hurt them this season. Toss in that is easily the toughest division in the Conference it's going to tough for them to earn the top seed which think is only way they have a chance to reach the Super Bowl. 

[Augie]

On 8/10/2025 at 6:56 AM, HOUSE said:

This is like selecting electrocution over hanging..

Just give me the needle

 

You couldn’t just order off the menu like everyone else? 

[Gregg]

9 minutes ago, The Jokeman said:

Losing four in a row, sorry but the only teams that were truly better than the Bills were the Redskins and that first Cowboys teams. The other two were winnable but poor play/coaching lead to losing the other two games. In terms of not getting there with JA17 I mean we're facing the best team of the current era and keep losing but although he's been great in those games he can also be considered part of the losses. Especially two seasons ago yet Bass should have tied it with a makeable FG. 

Until Lamar learns that he can afford to live another day but avoiding costly turn overs in the playoffs that team is in trouble, I also think going with a rookie kicker might hurt them this season. Toss in that is easily the toughest division in the Conference it's going to tough for them to earn the top seed which think is only way they have a chance to reach the Super Bowl. 

 

I think its the Bills who need the #1 seed to have a chance to get to the Super Bowl. McDermott has never won a road playoff game. The Ravens have the type of team that can win on the road in the playoffs. They can run the ball very well with Henry/Jackson and they are tough defensively. Jackson can make all throws an NFL QB needs to make to be successful. I hope I am wrong obviously but I do think they are the best team in the AFC and possibly the entire league. I think they will win a minimum of 13 games this season.

[Buffalo Boy]

Pretty sure this NFL head coach was onto something 🤔😉

Edited August 12 by Buffalo Boy

[The Jokeman]

1 hour ago, Gregg said:

 

I think its the Bills who need the #1 seed to have a chance to get to the Super Bowl. McDermott has never won a road playoff game. The Ravens have the type of team that can win on the road in the playoffs. They can run the ball very well with Henry/Jackson and they are tough defensively. Jackson can make all throws an NFL QB needs to make to be successful. I hope I am wrong obviously but I do think they are the best team in the AFC and possibly the entire league. I think they will win a minimum of 13 games this season.

As the Bills have shown talent isn't always deciding factor of winning/losing.

[appoo]

Where’s the option for neither is a failure and that things like the drought are a failure.

 

talk about a false choice 

Edited August 12 by appoo

[Bruffalo]

There are lots of teams with great/elite QBs who don't get to the superbowl every year. Only one team has gone to a SB and lost four times in a row. It's unquestionably a bigger "failure". I don't really think either are failures though.

[JP51]

I went thru them all... actually went to one in Minneapolis... an AFC Championship and Superbowl appearance is something... its something important... No one talks about the Dolphins, Oilers, Raiders, Chiefs Broncos of that era they were what the Bills are today... good teams knocking on the door... but the Bills ran the AFC and for those that were too young or dont remember it was a very special time....  We currently are the Oilers, Dolphins Chiefs of this equation... they were good teams... history doesnt remember their losses in division games, or the occasional championship game... they are just lumped into that era as good teams... if we dont make the Superbowl we will just be one of those good teams...  They will not be making movies and documentaries about our accomplishments, they won't talk of no one ever made it 4 times in a row... blah blah blah...  I respect everyones thoughts here based on their own experience.. but as for me this team with Josh doesnt make it to a Superbowl they will be remembered as one of those good teams but wont be used in the same breath as the SuperBowl Bills....  Now... go to one and win one... they will be remembered as the best team ever... lol...  but they gotta do that... JMO

Edited August 12 by JP51

[billsfan714]

The more I think about it, I believe not having elite coaching is going to be a factor in both.