Last night’s game was the quintessential example of how close NFL teams are…

[Kornfed]

Remember during the drought when we would loose a close game? Not because we were as talented but we had played a good game. .. It’s the opposite side of the coin. We are now the team winning those games. .. Not always by a lot but WINNING 

[Shaw66]

1 hour ago, eball said:

…and why no team should EVER take another team for granted.

 

The 49ers were missing their starting QB, top 3 WRs, star TE, and all-pro edge rusher.  That’s SIX out of 22 starters (27%).  They were facing a stacked Rams team that was basically healthy.

 

The difference between success and failure in this league is a hair’s breadth, which is why Bills fans sound like lunatics and entitled A-holes when complaining about how many style points the Bills have amassed during their first four wins of the season.

 

Ask the coaches and players around the league if they care how much they win by or whether their team beat the spread.

 

This is also why I and several others on this forum have chosen to appreciate and enjoy what we have the privilege to witness right now in Buffalo, rather than starting insane thread after thread about WRs or that Babich/McD can’t coach.  I’ve said it before — if you tie your enjoyment of Bills football solely to whether or not they hoist a Lombardi Trophy, you’re doing yourself a disservice.

 

Go Bills!!!

 

 

I was watching last night and thinking about how the 49ers in particular, and the Rams generally, are designed the same way the Bills are. The announcers, as usual with those two, completely missed the point.

 

The 49ers weren't good last night because some substitutes had incredible games. The substitutes, like Jones, had incredible games because of how the 49ers are designed. They have a true team philosophy. Like the Bills, the 49ers expect every player at every position to execute his job, and his job is designed to blend with the jobs of the other 10 guys. Every starter and every starter learns the same job for his position.  What that means is that when a player goes down, they have another guy to plug in who executes the same stuff the starter executed, only just not quite as well.  

 

It's a great system, because every team loses guys to injury during the season, but when a guy goes down, the team isn't designed around his special talents.  There's always a guy behind him who knows the same job.  So, when Purdy goes down, he can be replaced not because he isn't very good in the first place, but because another NFL-quality guy has been studying and practicing the exact same role.  The 49ers were missing all those guys, but it's a team designed as a true team, so next man up works pretty well. 

 

Compare the 49ers to the Bengals, who are designed around have a QB and two great receivers. When one of the receivers goes down, the offense begins to struggle, because his part of the design cannot be replaced. When the QB goes down, well, that's a huge problem. 

 

What does that say about the Bills?  Well, first, for 21 positions, if a guy goes down, he can be replaced.  We see it every week.  That's why a guy like Cam Lewis is so valuable - he can play multiple positions, and he knows exactly what he's supposed to do.  But what about Allen?  Obviously, he can't be replaced.  But look at how his game has evolved.  This season, the team is relying even less on his greatness, and more on his ability to execute the offense at a high level.  And that's why they have Trubisky. He is a veteran, smart QB, and he can come in to execute the same offense.  He can't make every throw and every run Allen can, but he can play the position as it's designed to be played, so the whole playbook remains open.  

 

It's a good style to play for the regular season.  As we've seen, both with the Bills and with the 49ers, it doesn't necessarily work so well in the playoffs. 

[BVBILLS]

Rams have some serious weapons! Their D was getting shredded by ex pats. The goal line fumble was a killer, and shanked kicks.

 

Also, I think Shanahan is a choker. I will never forgive him for giving the Pats that SB. Terrible choke like 13 seconds 

[Einstein]

40 minutes ago, eball said:

 

And they didn’t really stop them, either.  Those two RB fumbles were killers.

This is a bad habit of fans. 

"X didn't win. Y lost"

This gives zero credit to the absolutely awesome punch out by the 49ers rookie defender. The Rams didn't just drop the ball. That ball was violently punched out. It was a great play by the defense.

[GoBills808]

1 hour ago, eball said:

…and why no team should EVER take another team for granted.

 

The 49ers were missing their starting QB, top 3 WRs, star TE, and all-pro edge rusher.  That’s SIX out of 22 starters (27%).  They were facing a stacked Rams team that was basically healthy.

 

The difference between success and failure in this league is a hair’s breadth, which is why Bills fans sound like lunatics and entitled A-holes when complaining about how many style points the Bills have amassed during their first four wins of the season.

 

Ask the coaches and players around the league if they care how much they win by or whether their team beat the spread.

 

This is also why I and several others on this forum have chosen to appreciate and enjoy what we have the privilege to witness right now in Buffalo, rather than starting insane thread after thread about WRs or that Babich/McD can’t coach.  I’ve said it before — if you tie your enjoyment of Bills football solely to whether or not they hoist a Lombardi Trophy, you’re doing yourself a disservice.

 

Go Bills!!!

 

 

pretending that people who want to see us win a SB aren't enjoying Bills football is a miserable argument

[Buffalo Junction]

1 hour ago, GunnerBill said:

It has also long been the case that the person who best knows how to stop Sean McVay's offense is Kyle Shanahan. Which is because it isn't really McVay's offense. It's Shanahan's. 

That whole coaching tree — Shanny, McVay, LeFleur, O’Connell, etc — plays each other closely in most games. The only exception is McDaniels who seems to crap the bed against all of them. 

[LABILLBACKER]

I love it when fans tell other fans how they're supposed to act in supporting their team.  Everyone is wired different and that's a good thing. Last I checked the whole point of playing any sport is to strive to win a championship. To those that just want to be entertained and enjoy a stress free ride thru Bills regular season Wonderland,  thats perfectly fine....knock yourselves out. You aren't being judged for that approach.

 

Let some of us critique in our own way. It's part of the whole gambit of the sports fan experience. But lose the whole A- hole, lunatics attitude. It makes you come off as "holier than thou". 

[eball]

22 minutes ago, GoBills808 said:

pretending that people who want to see us win a SB aren't enjoying Bills football is a miserable argument

 

Yeah, that’s what I said.

 

32 minutes ago, Einstein said:

This is a bad habit of fans. 

"X didn't win. Y lost"

This gives zero credit to the absolutely awesome punch out by the 49ers rookie defender. The Rams didn't just drop the ball. That ball was violently punched out. It was a great play by the defense.

 

Who said it wasn’t?  Those fumbles were killers…were they not?

 

[Steptide]

I'm a firm believer that scheme has a big part to do with success. I think Shanahan has a system that is somewhat plug and play. Look what he's done with Matt Ryan, Purdy, Mac Jones and Darnold to an extent. Doesn't mean it'll win you 10 or 11 games every year (ie 9ers last season), but I think it's a big part. 

[boater]

2 hours ago, eball said:

.... if you tie your enjoyment of Bills football solely to whether or not they hoist a Lombardi Trophy, you’re doing yourself a disservice.

 

Go Bills!!!

 

 

How very true.

 

I'd bet there is a correlation between someone's tenure as a fan and their appreciation for the team today. 

 

Plot: X axis=fan tenure in years, Y axis=how much they appreciate the team as it is today.

 

Thesis:

1. the "Super Bowl or Bust" types, or the "Fire McDermott" types are younger fans who know only the good years and don't appreciate the entertainment provided by the current team.
2. the more patient and appreciative fans are older ones who lived through 4 Super Bowls, and/or the drought.

[Alphadawg7]

1 hour ago, Mango said:

 

This AM I was just thinking what a get Baker Mayfield would have been for Shanahan. He is CHEAP and was available at one point. Certainly an upgrade from Mac Jones and Brock Purdy. 

 

TBH, I just don't really understand why Purdy doesn't get more credit and respect as a QB right now.  I have watched every game Brock has played given my wife is a die hard Niners fan.  The only exceptions were the few times Niners and Bills were on at the same time where both games were on, but I was only really paying attention to the Bills lol.

 

What I will say is that Brock Purdy has been better than people give him credit for.  I am not saying what he will or wont be moving forward, but the touch and precision he has had since he got the job has been impressive.  The Niners offense was night and day different the second he took over for Jimmy G.  Brock, and the Niners, have been hit hard by injuries every season in the Purdy era.  He has still played at a very high level even through the difficulties of constant injuries to all the teams best players on both sides of the ball.  

 

I don't know if Purdy has the staying power or not, I am only talking about how he has been thus far.  And IMHO, he has been better than he often gets credit for and he throws a pretty ball.  

[strive_for_five_guy]

Another reason getting the 1 seed is so important.  Aside from injuries and lack of home field, having to play the extra game is that one additional chance of getting knocked out of the playoffs early if your team has an off-day or the opponent is on fire.

[hondo in seattle]

1 hour ago, zow2 said:

 

That's another reason why it's insanely frustrating that the Bills do not have a SB appearance in the Allen era.  Their point differentials over the past few seasons (prior to this one) have been other-worldly for an NFL franchise.  You just don't see it.  These opponents are all professional football players and it's not like you can just push them around that easily.  Many fans here are probably younger and don't get it.

 

Yeah, if you look at the Bills regular season performance over the past few years, you'd expect that the team would have gone to at least one Super Bowl.  Whether it's luck, coaching, injuries, or something less... it's maddening.  

 

But as someone who's lived through 2-win seasons, I'm enjoying the ride.  

[sunshynman]

2 hours ago, chris heff said:

Can I still yell at the television when the Bills allow a team to pick up 3rd and 12? I won’t invoke any one specifically.

It's essential!

[BarleyNY]

1 hour ago, GunnerBill said:

It has also long been the case that the person who best knows how to stop Sean McVay's offense is Kyle Shanahan. Which is because it isn't really McVay's offense. It's Shanahan's. 

It’s MIKE Shanahan’s offense. Both Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay are part of his tree and run their own versions of his offense. Many others do as well. It’s not some exclusive club where these two are the only members. NFL coaches know what their schemes are about and some do well defending them. They do have a healthy rivalry and beating the other does seem personal.

 

I highly recommend Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic’s podcast series on them and the other “piss boys” (aka Mike Shanahan disciples of their time). It’s called “The Playcallers” and is free.

[muppy]

44 minutes ago, LABILLBACKER said:

I love it when fans tell other fans how they're supposed to act in supporting their team.  Everyone is wired different and that's a good thing. Last I checked the whole point of playing any sport is to strive to win a championship. To those that just want to be entertained and enjoy a stress free ride thru Bills regular season Wonderland,  thats perfectly fine....knock yourselves out. You aren't being judged for that approach.

 

Let some of us critique in our own way. It's part of the whole gambit of the sports fan experience. But lose the whole A- hole, lunatics attitude. It makes you come off as "holier than thou". 

I partake  as often as possible in the game day thread..  The heat of the moment can overrule common sense and venting happens. sometimes I think low level trolling happens. It is what it is.  The overreactions are predictable and tired  but I get it. It's the internet.People can say or feel any sorta way behind a keyboard

 

I'm grateful for NFL . I Love the NFL. and my home town team is the Buffalo Bills. Our fan base is legend

 

Im embracing ALL of it. . I want  NFL glory though. I feel lucky to be able to be living it when many friends and family can only watch  the #17 era from heaven.

 

Edit: no NFL game is a 100% sure Dub. Whenever I heard about  a game being a  "Trap" game meaning overlooking an opponent I think nah. I don't really buy that teams do that. It's hard to win in the NFL.

 

what is different for me as a fan is playing the Bills be  seen as many teams "super Bowl"  we are THAT Good. YES!

 

Edited 12 hours ago by muppy

[Mango]

25 minutes ago, Alphadawg7 said:

 

TBH, I just don't really understand why Purdy doesn't get more credit and respect as a QB right now.  I have watched every game Brock has played given my wife is a die hard Niners fan.  The only exceptions were the few times Niners and Bills were on at the same time where both games were on, but I was only really paying attention to the Bills lol.

 

What I will say is that Brock Purdy has been better than people give him credit for.  I am not saying what he will or wont be moving forward, but the touch and precision he has had since he got the job has been impressive.  The Niners offense was night and day different the second he took over for Jimmy G.  Brock, and the Niners, have been hit hard by injuries every season in the Purdy era.  He has still played at a very high level even through the difficulties of constant injuries to all the teams best players on both sides of the ball.  

 

I don't know if Purdy has the staying power or not, I am only talking about how he has been thus far.  And IMHO, he has been better than he often gets credit for and he throws a pretty ball.  

 

I think Purdy is a good QB and a great fit for his situation. I just think Baker is very very good, and easily a top 10 QB in the league with a very friendly contract for his production. More props to Mayfield than shade at Purdy.  

Mac Jones is getting the benefit of being a new QB in a new system with a good coach. I think he/SF will run into issues the more he plays. Purdy is a better QB than Jones. 

[GoBills808]

32 minutes ago, eball said:

 

Yeah, that’s what I said.

 

 

Who said it wasn’t?  Those fumbles were killers…were they not?

 

it's exactly what you're saying

 

and i can forgive that tbh. it was a very select few of us who saw Allen coming in 2019. so not only am i greatly enjoying this version of the Bills, it was expected. for the vast majority who didn't it's very logical why you'd just be pleasantly surprised w where we are at. but don't hold it against folks who expected more at this point.

[Jauronimo]

2 hours ago, Walking Tall said:

Brock Purdy is so overrated. 

He didn't even play.

[Walking Tall]

Just now, Jauronimo said:

He didn't even play.

No *****? I’m speaking of the 49ers missing him as it is clearly stated Purdy didn’t play in the OP.

 

Seems everyone else knew what I was speaking of.