Game week thread - Saints at Bills

[balln]

3 minutes ago, Low Positive said:

I'm surprised that no one has posted this yet, but Chase Young is still not practicing, so it looks like he won't play on Sunday. 

He stinks

[RoyBatty is alive]

On 9/25/2025 at 11:30 AM, Big Turk said:

 

There is no arrogance. The Bills won by their average margin in any game they play over the last 5+ seasons which an absurd almost 10 points.

 

Which includes their losses.

 

It's so far ahead of the next closest team, it's almost unfathomable.

 

So it's valid to expect them to roll over these middling teams, especially NFC teams, because they do it so regularly.

There is no arrogance, really?  

 

Did you read the post I was responding to?  The post ended with this gem , " The only thing that can go wrong in this game is someone important gets a new injury or aggravates an existing one".  If you dont think that is fan arrogance,there is no point in further debate.

[mannc]

27 minutes ago, RiotAct said:

did you mean to say “KC” instead of “Tampa”?  lol

KC has earned the benefit of the doubt 

[Dan]

3 hours ago, mjt328 said:

 

Probably not going to be many "real tests" for the Bills this year.

 

Looking at the schedule, we only face three legitimate playoff teams the rest of the season.  Chiefs, Bucs, Eagles.  I would have put the Bengals there until they lost Joe Burrow for basically the season. A couple teams are decent enough to possibly push for an upset.  Texans, Steelers.  Divisional games can be tough sometimes, so there's that.

 

My biggest worry about the Bills this year is they FINALLY get the #1 seed, but then march into the playoffs overconfident without being pushed enough during the year.  My second biggest worry is that we get the Bye and then still have to play the Chiefs or Ravens in the Divisional Round.

 

It typical BBFS, I fully expect the Bills will end up as the 1 seed.   And still get the Ravens in the Divisional round, and the Chiefs in the AFCCG.   Q we

 

 

1 hour ago, BigAl2526 said:

The Bills could probably rest Brown without a problem.  In all honesty, Epenesa doesn't matter all that much.  If he plays and gets hurt, well the Bills have Landon Jackson in the wings, who could come in next week.  Hoecht is getting closer to the end of his suspension.  Epenesa has never been a difference maker and is in a contract year.  I'll be a bit surprise if he's a Bill next season.  If the Bills do rest him, it might give us the first regular season look at Landon Jackson.  The bottom line is, I don't care whether Epenesa plays or not.

Epenesa is apparently the new TBD whipping boy?    The notion that Landon Jackson, who by all accounts looked bad during camp and preseason and hasn’t dressed for any of the first 3 games, can step in and be better than Epenesa is ridiculous.   I think too many people place hope and misguided expectations above reality. 
 

It’s a bit like folks thinking Hairston, who hasn’t even taken a practice snap since late July, can come off IR and immediately be better than Tre (or even Strong).  It just isn’t going to happen, folks. He may be better one day, but frankly I’d be shocked if it’s this season.  
 

Similar, again, to the talk back in July of Davis being as good as Cook.  Hence, we can trade our best offensive weapon not named Allen.   It’s just hope and misguided expectations of players being plug and play pieces. And completely ignores the reality of the world, the team, and the sport they’re playing.  
 

I hope Jackson and Hairston are all pro, long term Bills.  But it should not be the expectation that they’re going to beat out current starters any time soon. 
 

 

 

and BTW… WTF with Oliver!  3 games because someone stepped on his foot.  

[Pete]

5 minutes ago, Dan said:

It typical BBFS, I fully expect the Bills will end up as the 1 seed.   And still get the Ravens in the Divisional round, and the Chiefs in the AFCCG.   Q we

 

 

Epenesa is apparently the new TBD whipping boy?    The notion that Landon Jackson, who by all accounts looked bad during camp and preseason and hasn’t dressed for any of the first 3 games, can step in and be better than Epenesa is ridiculous.   I think too many people place hope and misguided expectations above reality. 
 

It’s a bit like folks thinking Hairston, who hasn’t even taken a practice snap since late July, can come off IR and immediately be better than Tre (or even Strong).  It just isn’t going to happen, folks. He may be better one day, but frankly I’d be shocked if it’s this season.  
 

Similar, again, to the talk back in July of Davis being as good as Cook.  Hence, we can trade our best offensive weapon not named Allen.   It’s just hope and misguided expectations of players being plug and play pieces. And completely ignores the reality of the world, the team, and the sport they’re playing.  
 

I hope Jackson and Hairston are all pro, long term Bills.  But it should not be the expectation that they’re going to beat out current starters any time soon. 
 

 

 

and BTW… WTF with Oliver!  3 games because someone stepped on his foot.  

Ed had ankle injury last year, and missed 3 games.  High Ankle Sprains take several weeks to heel properly, let alone, to get back into performance shape 

 

I agree with most of your post.  Hoecht and Larry O are going to start practicing next week.  We will need to find a roster spot, for those two most welcome additions!
 

 IMO Landon Jackson gets a 2 game tryout.  If he fairs well, Espeneza gets traded.  This frees up one roster spot, and we get cap relief.  

 

I’ve heard that the game is starting to slow down for Landon, and he’s been playing better.  McD said 2 weeks ago that Landon was close to earning a Jersey.

 

There might only be 1 roster spot available between Landon and Salomon IMO

[ShakAttack]

18 minutes ago, Dan said:

It typical BBFS, I fully expect the Bills will end up as the 1 seed.   And still get the Ravens in the Divisional round, and the Chiefs in the AFCCG.   Q we

 

 

Epenesa is apparently the new TBD whipping boy?    The notion that Landon Jackson, who by all accounts looked bad during camp and preseason and hasn’t dressed for any of the first 3 games, can step in and be better than Epenesa is ridiculous.   I think too many people place hope and misguided expectations above reality. 
 

It’s a bit like folks thinking Hairston, who hasn’t even taken a practice snap since late July, can come off IR and immediately be better than Tre (or even Strong).  It just isn’t going to happen, folks. He may be better one day, but frankly I’d be shocked if it’s this season.  
 

Similar, again, to the talk back in July of Davis being as good as Cook.  Hence, we can trade our best offensive weapon not named Allen.   It’s just hope and misguided expectations of players being plug and play pieces. And completely ignores the reality of the world, the team, and the sport they’re playing.  
 

I hope Jackson and Hairston are all pro, long term Bills.  But it should not be the expectation that they’re going to beat out current starters any time soon. 
 

 

 

and BTW… WTF with Oliver!  3 games because someone stepped on his foot.  

 

I am fine with 3 games IF it’s because the Bills are letting him recover to 100%. Hell, give him 4 or 5 if that’s the case. It makes no sense to have an 80% Ed Oliver for the rest of the season; that won’t make an impact anywhere. We need Ed as close to Week 1 form as possible come playoff time if we expect our defense to look any different in the playoffs than it has the past 4-5 seasons. 

[Dan]

3 minutes ago, Pete said:

Ed had ankle injury last year, and missed 3 games.  High Ankle Sprains take several weeks to heel properly, let alone, to get back into performance shape 

 

I agree with most of your post.  Hoecht and Larry O are going to start practicing next week.  We will need to find a roster spot, for those two most welcome additions!
 

 IMO Landon Jackson gets a 2 game tryout.  If he fairs well, Espeneza gets traded.  This frees up one roster spot, and we get cap relief.  

 

I’ve heard that the game is starting to slow down for Landon, and he’s been playing better.  McD said 2 weeks ago that Landon was close to earning a Jersey.

 

There might only be 1 roster spot available between Landon and Salomon IMO

That’s what I think too…   We get the PED Boys back, eventually Hairston will be activated again as well.  So who get cut when that happens?

I maybe give Jackson a real game tryout.  But that’s risky as hell. The Defense is already seeing mistakes from young guys like Bishop and Sanders.  At some point,  that’s going to get us in trouble.  

 

1 minute ago, ShakAttack said:

 

I am fine with 3 games IF it’s because the Bills are letting him recover to 100%. Hell, give him 4 or 5 if that’s the case. It makes no sense to have an 80% Ed Oliver for the rest of the season; that won’t make an impact anywhere. We need Ed as close to Week 1 form as possible come playoff time if we expect our defense to look any different in the playoffs than it has the past 4-5 seasons. 

I agree 100%.  Just makes me nervous.  LOL 

[DJB]

Sit all the guys that are injured. We need them for the big games not this week 

[K-9]

18 minutes ago, DJB said:

Sit all the guys that are injured. We need them for the big games not this week 

There are only 17 games in a season. They are ALL big games. When medical determines they are fully healthy and able to return, they will return. It certainly won’t be because the Bills brain trust thinks certain games are less important than others.

[947]

If Landon Jackson is able to get on the field and even be average, that'll be a big step up what he showed in preseason. From what I saw, he made me question if he'll ever be able to contribute.

 

I did they say the same thing about Bernard after his first game action, so I'd love to be proven wrong again.

[DapperCam]

40 minutes ago, K-9 said:

There are only 17 games in a season. They are ALL big games. When medical determines they are fully healthy and able to return, they will return. It certainly won’t be because the Bills brain trust thinks certain games are less important than others.

McDermott in general seems very conservative about injuries during the regular season, which I think is a good thing. It is not black and white like you say (how often do we see guys playing in the playoffs with nagging injuries they would have sat out for in the regular season). A lot of the medical clearance depends on the players themselves reporting how they feel. A non-conference game against a bad team is about as low stakes as you'll get, and anybody who is borderline should sit.

[Dillenger4]

43 minutes ago, K-9 said:

There are only 17 games in a season. They are ALL big games. When medical determines they are fully healthy and able to return, they will return. It certainly won’t be because the Bills brain trust thinks certain games are less important than others.

This right here!

[Billsatlastin2018]

I have a tough decision.

 

I’m in an ATS Elim SURVIVOR Pool, having used TB, LAR, LAC in the first 3 weeks. I believe it’s Winner take all, so > $15k is on the line.

 

If you think this is easy, there were only 13 of us left after the first 3 weeks out of > 150. One went out last night on Zona, 3 moved on having the yuuuge balls to take Seattle.

 

My thoughts? Down to Packers, Lions & Bills. Generally, I want a Home team. So, it’s down to DETROIT OR 🦬! 
 

Aaaaaaand, I am going to the game! 😆 Is this the crush em by 40 game? 

 

[Sojourner]

2 minutes ago, Billsatlastin2018 said:

I have a tough decision.

 

I’m in an ATS Elim SURVIVOR Pool, having used TB, LAR, LAC in the first 3 weeks. I believe it’s Winner take all, so > $15k is on the line.

 

If you think this is easy, there were only 13 of us left after the first 3 weeks out of > 150. One went out last night on Zona, 3 moved on having the yuuuge balls to take Seattle.

 

My thoughts? Down to Packers, Lions & Bills. Generally, I want a Home team. So, it’s down to DETROIT OR 🦬! 
 

Aaaaaaand, I am going to the game! 😆 Is this the crush em by 40 game? 

 

Heard some people calling this one of the the Bills “trap games”. I don’t believe it personally but would not be surprised if Kamara, Olave and Johnson cause problems Sunday. 

[K-9]

15 minutes ago, DapperCam said:

McDermott in general seems very conservative about injuries during the regular season, which I think is a good thing. It is not black and white like you say (how often do we see guys playing in the playoffs with nagging injuries they would have sat out for in the regular season). A lot of the medical clearance depends on the players themselves reporting how they feel. A non-conference game against a bad team is about as low stakes as you'll get, and anybody who is borderline should sit.

I don’t necessarily disagree. I just don’t accept the idea that a player is being kept out because the game is deemed “less important” by McD or anyone else with the team.

[Goin Breakdown]

Looking forward to getting Oliver back once healthy. 
Milano on the other hand, I'd expect is going to be injured again very soon. I think LBer is going to be a big need in the draft or FA. We can't keep him as plan A and hope plan B works out in the playoffs. 
Im a little concerned about Brown. Seems his back is going to be a nagging issue throughout his career. I know they are calling it a calf, but having herniated my back, I deal with all sorts of calf pain and cramps now, so I'm wondering if this is what he's experiencing. Not saying it is, but it could be. 
Anyways Go Bills. I'm expecting a win on Sunday. 

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

5 minutes ago, Goin Breakdown said:

Looking forward to getting Oliver back once healthy. 
Milano on the other hand, I'd expect is going to be injured again very soon. I think LBer is going to be a big need in the draft or FA. We can't keep him as plan A and hope plan B works out in the playoffs. 
Im a little concerned about Brown. Seems his back is going to be a nagging issue throughout his career. I know they are calling it a calf, but having herniated my back, I deal with all sorts of calf pain and cramps now, so I'm wondering if this is what he's experiencing. Not saying it is, but it could be. 
Anyways Go Bills. I'm expecting a win on Sunday. 

interesting re the connection between back and calf. Is it a nerve issue? 

[HappyDays]

 

[Goin Breakdown]

34 minutes ago, Miyagi-Do Karate said:

interesting re the connection between back and calf. Is it a nerve issue? 

It is. It's been little over 3 years now. Doc said if it doesn't get better in the first year, it never will so here I am. Feet and calf issues. Most the time others wouldn't  notice, but I feel it to some capacity 100% of the day. 

[Rockinon]

8 hours ago, RunTheBall said:

The only way to deter Buffalo’s running game is by loading the box. Our offensive line is too good, extra tight ends means extra gaps to defend, and then you have to account for the threat of Josh running. Teams have been very reluctant to load the box do because they fear Allen passing. Mature Josh is no longer Sugar High Josh and he’s not forcing the issue when the looks aren’t there. When teams start committing more players to the box, I hope and expect our intermediate / deep passing game will make an appearance. 

The other awesome thing about having all of those TEs is that any one of them can also slip out and catch a pass. Or in J Hawes' case knock someone down then carch a pass for a TD...lol. These guys are absolutely killing it in the blocking game.