2nd Window for Superbowl Taking Shape

[ChronicAndKnuckles]

On 8/13/2025 at 10:45 PM, PoundingDog said:

When Josh broke out 2020 season, the 1st window for superbowl opened. OBD went ahead added Von to their core players of Allen, Diggs, Knox, Dawkins, Morse, Oliver, Milano, White, Hyde, and Poyer. 3 seasons, 21-23, some bad luck like injuries, inexperience, and aging of a lot of the core guy proved to be not quite good enough. 
 

2024 was supposed to be a reset and reloading year. Almost all of the aging core guys were let go. But Allen took a step ahead into an MVP. As such OBD is setting up the 2nd window for superbowl, identifying and signing up the new core guys. Allen, Oliver, Dawkins, Knox remained; Bernard, Brown, Shakir, Rousseau, Benford and now Cook are given extension to be the new core guys. They really need a few more to step up like Kincaid and Coleman, plus a few defensive side rookies to pan out in the next 3 years, starting from the 2025 campaign. NFL windows are short. 3 years from now, if they don’t get it, a number of these core guys will be out of the door and a new reset is in the order to clear the book.

 

Let’s hope from the coaching stuff to the core guys left from the first window got hardened enough to gives us better results in January.

I know it’s cliche, but the window is open every year Allen is healthy and in his prime. I didn’t think for one second that 2024 “rest & reload” year. Allen got screwed on the MVP in 2023 despite having 15 more TDs than the winner. So there was no indication that he was going to slow down. 
 

The reasoning for the down year was because of Diggs leaving. I feel like that was a narrative driven by the national media more so than fans. We all know who was more responsible for the others success. And sure enough Allen won MVP and Diggs spent the season rehabbing. 
 

I’m with you as far as the Bills being a true contender this year, but I don’t think they are head & shoulders closer than they were last year. They made some upgrades, but a lot of them are rookies not expected to pan out until a season or 2 down the road. Buffalo is largely returning w/ the same roster as last year albeit with a little more experience. 

[GunnerBill]

4 minutes ago, ChronicAndKnuckles said:

I know it’s cliche, but the window is open every year Allen is healthy and in his prime. I didn’t think for one second that 2024 “rest & reload” year. Allen got screwed on the MVP in 2023 despite having 15 more TDs than the winner. So there was no indication that he was going to slow down. 
 

The reasoning for the down year was because of Diggs leaving. I feel like that was a narrative driven by the national media more so than fans. We all know who was more responsible for the others success. And sure enough Allen won MVP and Diggs spent the season rehabbing. 
 

I’m with you as far as the Bills being a true contender this year, but I don’t think they are head & shoulders closer than they were last year. They made some upgrades, but a lot of them are rookies not expected to pan out until a season or 2 down the road. Buffalo is largely returning w/ the same roster as last year albeit with a little more experience. 

 

I disagree. I always thought last year was a mini reset year. Not rest and reload, but definitely the turning of a page on AllenBills v1.0. That wasn't to say it was a free hit, or the Bills didn't try to win. They did. And they were darn close. But I always felt it was more about the growth of the guys in that new core..... Cook, Benford, Shakir, Brown etc... I think that happened - all four of those guys took a step forward and I feel better about the Bills chances going into this year. 

 

I always say Superbowl teams generally have 3 to 4 elite players and the Bills last year going in only had one. I still think absolute bona fide it is one right now but I think Benford and Brown in particular are right there on the cusp. If they can take another small step into the company this year then by the post season I think the Bills might have what you need elite talent wise. 

 

It wasn't that the window was shut in 2024, but it was open less wide than in 2021-23 and less open than it is this year too IMO and looks to be for the next 2 or 3 years too. 

[gonzo1105]

11 minutes ago, ChronicAndKnuckles said:

I know it’s cliche, but the window is open every year Allen is healthy and in his prime. I didn’t think for one second that 2024 “rest & reload” year. Allen got screwed on the MVP in 2023 despite having 15 more TDs than the winner. So there was no indication that he was going to slow down. 
 

The reasoning for the down year was because of Diggs leaving. I feel like that was a narrative driven by the national media more so than fans. We all know who was more responsible for the others success. And sure enough Allen won MVP and Diggs spent the season rehabbing. 
 

I’m with you as far as the Bills being a true contender this year, but I don’t think they are head & shoulders closer than they were last year. They made some upgrades, but a lot of them are rookies not expected to pan out until a season or 2 down the road. Buffalo is largely returning w/ the same roster as last year albeit with a little more experience. 

Im with you when everyone was saying 10-7, 9-8, and yes there were a lot of people on this board saying that, I was like the Bills are winning 12 games minimum. When you have a guy like Allen you’re always going to be in the picture. Did this team transition , yes that’s true, but transition doesn’t necessarily mean the team is going to be worse 

[DeltaDigital]

they're not winning the superbowl until the defense gets a philosophical rebuild. 

[zow2]

On 8/14/2025 at 8:44 AM, Florida Bills Fanatic said:

Injuries play such a big part in team failures, it's hard to predict who will succeed in any season.  What we can say at this point is that the Bills roster on paper is as good or better than it has been at any point in the Brandon Beane era.  Baltimore also has a roster that can be the best that they have been in years.  IMHO the Chefs can't say the same thing, although they will still be very good.  It's going to be a very interesting season in the AFC.

 

If the playoff race goes the same as the past couple years we really need Baltimore to play KC in that divisional weekend game.  Buffalo has to get the 1 seed and play a lower seed that weekend and then play the winner of Bal/KC at home for all the marbles.   

 

But yeah, injuries happen and you never know if those teams will even make it that far.

[PoundingDog]

Come on now. We are now way past the drought years when we had no chance because of qb issue. We are now talking about windows among elite teams which have qbs who can lead the respective teams to a Super Bowl. Yes Allen is elite. But when he is facing another team in the playoffs that also has an elite qb, then it matters who has more and better core supporting casts. 

[DaVinci]

Statistic OddsImplied ProbabilityLast Updated

Make Playoffs-750 88.2%August 6, 2025

Win AFC East Division-260 72.7%August 6, 2025

Win AFC Title+350 22.2%August 6, 2025

Win Super Bowl LX+650 13.3%August 6, 2025

[Dick_Cheney]

9 hours ago, DeltaDigital said:

they're not winning the superbowl until the defense gets a philosophical rebuild. 

I kind of agree with this to an extent, but time will tell. 

 

If we get to the midway point of the season and the defense is leaving anything to be desired, I’d like to see us swing for the fences with some kind of a high profile trade. Whether it’s for an edge, or some part of the secondary, I’m not sure. We still have too many instances of barely squeaking by and certain players in certain positions being just serviceable until they suddenly aren’t. 

 

We have a solid D but I don’t think they are particularly threatening or genuinely have a killer instinct. Perhaps they will show this come the start of the season. It’s why I’m okay with us giving up first round picks and then some to grab a player like Parsons. I don’t want this team to hopefully maybe just be good enough. I want them to be intimidating and destructive. And I don’t want them, and us, to look back at the end of another potentially disappointing season wondering “What if?”

[DeltaDigital]

8 minutes ago, Dick_Cheney said:

I kind of agree with this to an extent, but time will tell. 

 

If we get to the midway point of the season and the defense is leaving anything to be desired, I’d like to see us swing for the fences with some kind of a high profile trade. Whether it’s for an edge, or some part of the secondary, I’m not sure. We still have too many instances of barely squeaking by and certain players in certain positions being just serviceable until they suddenly aren’t. 

 

We have a solid D but I don’t think they are particularly threatening or genuinely have a killer instinct. Perhaps they will show this come the start of the season. It’s why I’m okay with us giving up first round picks and then some to grab a player like Parsons. I don’t want this team to hopefully maybe just be good enough. I want them to be intimidating and destructive. And I don’t want them, and us, to look back at the end of another potentially disappointing season wondering “What if?”

They need a Chris jones type… all the rose colored glasses in the world won’t make ed Oliver that… can’t get pressure with 4 when dudes disappear for months at a time… mcclappys defense relies on pressure from front 4. Can’t get it. Can’t close. See: Chiefs, Kansas city. 

[Dick_Cheney]

11 minutes ago, DeltaDigital said:

They need a Chris jones type… all the rose colored glasses in the world won’t make ed Oliver that… can’t get pressure with 4 when dudes disappear for months at a time… mcclappys defense relies on pressure from front 4. Can’t get it. Can’t close. See: Chiefs, Kansas city. 

There’s a part of me that worries that is indeed how it ends up playing out. I have the same thought about our WR group to a lesser extent, and at least Allen compensates for that. Not so much for the D. So the fear is that it works and is semi impressive until one game, deep in the playoffs, it isn’t. I hope of course this year is different and the team and our GM are willing to do try everything they can instead of relying on hope and vibes. Hope is for the fans. Results are for the professionals. 

[chongli]

On 8/14/2025 at 1:24 AM, Chandler#81 said:

Speaking just as a Florida resident,

 

 

Wait...I thought you lived near Erie?

[Thrivefourfive]

You wanna hear the news.. Allen might be the closer of this second window. Sorry,, but a few of us thought that with his playing style… 10 years.. I’ll say no more. He’s become a helluva passer so his game is already evolved. Man I love the tight spirals he’s ripping on Hard Knocks.

 

Go Bills!!!

 

Edited August 16 by Thrivefourfive

[Richard Noggin]

On 8/13/2025 at 11:28 PM, Draconator said:

Either stop drinking or pour yourself a double

 

[PrimeTime101]

32 minutes ago, Richard Noggin said:

 

[DeltaDigital]

9 hours ago, Dick_Cheney said:

There’s a part of me that worries that is indeed how it ends up playing out. I have the same thought about our WR group to a lesser extent, and at least Allen compensates for that. Not so much for the D. So the fear is that it works and is semi impressive until one game, deep in the playoffs, it isn’t. I hope of course this year is different and the team and our GM are willing to do try everything they can instead of relying on hope and vibes. Hope is for the fans. Results are for the professionals. 

Exactly. There’s no “Josh” on the defense to mask Mcdermotts short comings. It’s so billsy that Allen’s got the most playoff wins with no SB’s… we all know how this turns out, and it’s a crime. 

[DrBob806]

On 8/14/2025 at 6:26 AM, GunnerBill said:

 

There is pressure on both the Bills and the Ravens this year to get it done. And if it is not KC but also neither of them then pressure will rachet up on both staffs IMO.

I think that's the consensus. IMHO the Bills better get the Ratbirds at home for the playoffs.

 

Is there another team that can emerge, like the Chargers or Broncos, and steal a SB spot? Doubtful. Pittsburgh went all in, many times that fails. 

[SoonerBillsFan]

8 hours ago, Thrivefourfive said:

You wanna hear the news.. Allen might be the closer of this second window. Sorry,, but a few of us thought that with his playing style… 10 years.. I’ll say no more. He’s become a helluva passer so his game is already evolved. Man I love the tight spirals he’s ripping on Hard Knocks.

 

Go Bills!!!

 

I noticed that as well. Less wobble on passes vs. Past camps.

[GunnerBill]

1 hour ago, DrBob806 said:

I think that's the consensus. IMHO the Bills better get the Ratbirds at home for the playoffs.

 

Is there another team that can emerge, like the Chargers or Broncos, and steal a SB spot? Doubtful. Pittsburgh went all in, many times that fails. 

 

Of the outsiders I think probably Cincy is still the most dangerous if the change of Defensive Coordinator works for them. Maybe if Houston can get its oline sorted they could still push? I think the Chargers have a tougher road now. They just lost their best player for the year in Rashawn Slater. Denver to me is a team that is going to win double digit regular season games this year but then still look a class below come playoff time.

[Lafromboise]

On 8/13/2025 at 11:11 PM, Shortchaz said:

Peak edging 

Underrated comment.

[DrBob806]

22 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Of the outsiders I think probably Cincy is still the most dangerous if the change of Defensive Coordinator works for them. Maybe if Houston can get its oline sorted they could still push? I think the Chargers have a tougher road now. They just lost their best player for the year in Rashawn Slater. Denver to me is a team that is going to win double digit regular season games this year but then still look a class below come playoff time.

Cincy is dangerous on offense for sure. If they start off slow again, I'd expect changes to the coaching staff.