LAMP - Anyone else still overall pessimistic about this season/Super Bowl chances?

[Bruffalo]

1 minute ago, Pete said:

If Bills trade for a true #1 WR, and if Bills stay healthy, they are winning the SuperBowl IMO.

 

If we do not get a #1 WR, we might not make the playoffs, or just barely make a wildcard IMO

That feels a little melodramatic.

 

I think a WR1 should rightfully be the priority at the trade deadline. It's the easiest thing to fix with a single player, but I don't think it'll be as impactful of a swing as you're saying. We need to see Brady get more creative and scheme guys better than what he's currently doing.  

[corta765]

41 minutes ago, FireChans said:

we watched basically the same team fall short last year with Josh playing at an MVP level and just hoped he would maintain that for another 19 games and that the Chiefs would fall apart.

Unfortunately this is the dark truth especially with the offense that has forever bothered a lot of people and no WR addition over true quality. Expecting the offense to be at that peak which meant record low turnovers, sacks, & penalties is statistically impossible.

 

I had hoped that the defense with all the investment would be able to carry its weight more and that would swing the difference. With injuries this year you will probably not see the full vision and the defense was not good the first 6 weeks. I will say yesterday they looked really good with a lot of those additions playing granted it was against Dalton.

 

At this point I am hoping they can add a good WR so the offenses potential is higher and the defense molds into a unit that can create pressure at the line without giving up a ton of big plays. IF that happens it could be a different year. But your premise is spot on and why so many including myself were frustrated with how the offense was constructued.

[SC STATE NUPE]

I’m very pessimistic at this point. At first, I thought folks were overreacting. I know why we won’t and can’t win a Super Bowl, but I can’t say because folks in here lose their minds if your opinion is different from the norm. But it’s not looking good…

[Livinginthepast]

1 hour ago, Virgil said:

Ugh, while I hate a LAMP post, I've been struggling with my disconnect from the Bills season so far and more so am curious to see if anyone else is feeling the same way.  Many people know me on here as a poster for over 20 years, season ticket holder of both the old and new stadium, and definitely capable of allowing this "game" to affect me on an emotional level that isn't super healthy.

Going into this season, my expectations were #1 seed and Super Bowl or bust.  Last season, I genuinely believed we were going to the Super Bowl and were going to beat the Chiefs in the AFC Championship game.  I had visions of a Super Bowl parade, which is something I never dared allow myself to think about.  With this season, between our easy schedule, easy division, offseason focus on the defense, and expectation that our offense would continue to find dominant success, it felt like our time.  Now, 5-2 later with a half-game deficit to the surging Patriots and peaking Chiefs coming in this week, I find myself just waiting for the 5 seed and a division round exit from the playoffs.  In prior years, I would have chalked this all up to BBFS, which would have been washed away with our beating of the Panthers in such dominating fashion.  Yet here I am the next day, writing this, because I still just can't shake the feeling that we've peaked and Josh won't bring one home.  Yes, Josh probably has another ten years in him at least, and that assumption is a ridiculous one to make.  But here I am.

 

When I try to pinpoint where all of this is coming from, as much as I hate to say it, I think it's stemming from the rising Patriots.  I never expected the AFC East to always be terrible, nor did I want to be handed anything.  Seeing the Pats and Maye grow as a team and building a potential winning culture is reminding me of what we've had over the past five years and how quickly things can change.  While it was just us vs the Chiefs for a while, now we have the Chiefs getting their offense of 3 years ago back, a genuine challenger in the the Pats who already beat us at home and equally have an easy schedule, plus the rise of other teams.  All of that together just makes me feel like we really missed our opportunity these past five years to seize our window.  

 

There's also the human element in that sometimes we forget that Josh, McD, Pegula, and everyone else are just people that are capable of crashing out.  Think about job hunting.  It would only be natural to get defeated after going through numerous interviews, putting your best game face on with a great resume, only to get passed over time and time again.  Josh has had the Super Bowl right in front of him multiple times, only to come up short.  At what point, does he start to doubt himself or those around him?  Would you blame him?  I'm not saying that's what is happening this season, but something is clearly off with Josh.  I get having a bad game or making a bad throw, but I used to count on one hand how many errand throws Josh would make in a game.  This season, I need more hands.  I'm not going to play the game of guessing why, because I can't possibly know.  Things just feel different. 

 

With McD, I'm incredibly torn.  Like most coaches, I think McD struggles to find the right amount of influence to put out there.  I think McD has a very specific vision for how he wants both sides of the ball to operate, and knows he is more than capable to run the defense.  But as McD has said, he also knows that he needs to trust his coaches and focus on other things as a Head Coach.  Like a parent, you have to know when to let your kid fail and skin their knee.  However, as this is a job, he needs to also know the threshold that could cost him his job.  All I know is, this is his team, he has the support of the Pegulas, and this is the bed we've made.

 

Yes, I'm rambling a bit and don't have the answers.  All I know is, I didn't enjoy the win yesterday as I should have.  I don't have the any real optimism about this team anymore.  I wish it wasn't the case, but it's just how I feel.  I'm still not going to miss a game.  I'm still going to wear by gear.  But even with the Chiefs game this week, I feel like it's a lose lose.  If we win, it keeps us up with the Pats and gives us the tie breaker for the one seed, but we've seen what beating the Chiefs in the regular season gets us.   If we lose, which I think we will, then I feel like the one seed and division are gone.  

 

Anyways, sorry to crap in anyone's cereal and I'm sure some will take the opportunity to flame away.  But if I we get one LAMP a season, I'm cashing mine in now.

As a fan going back to the 1979 season, I can tell you that the only time I felt that the SB was a lock was right after they beat the Raiders 51-3 in the 1990 AFC championship. And then wide right just ruined everything. Since then we have gotten teased with a SB but never ever had everything go our way. This year my expectations were pretty middling. I certainly didnt count on the Pats emerging so fast. Denver also scares me a bit more than I thought and the Colts leading the AFC? Just WTF? in the end I think this current squad could win it all but so many things have to be right. I still say that we do win an SB it will be because of Allen's heroics and not with anything our coaches are going to do. 

[billsfan714]

Im with you, was way more optimistic going into this season than where I am now.   Im a transplanted WNYer and was up in Buffalo for my fathers 91st birthday for the Ravens game.  Im not a big McD fan, but I kept telling him when it looked dark in the 4th quarter that sicker dogs than this have gotten better as he was bitchin about WR screens, and then it happened, boom we came back and pulled it out.  However I went into the season worried about the defense and watching Henry rumble again did nothing to dampen that concern.   Then the Pats/Falcons game happened.   Same old, same old.  Yeah they showed up against a has been Andy Dalton, who got sacked multiple times, threw a pass directly at AJE, gifting us 7.  Just seemed to reinforce that we can pad our stats against lesser QBs. 

 

Then you add into the regression in the passing game.   I give all the WR talkers on this board a lot of crap, but their not all wrong.   Its a very weak group.  Joshua Palmer wouldnt even start for the Chargers.  Moore was a bargain basement late FA pickup.  I have no idea what Beane was thinking on Samuel.   But its his MO, that he likes to pay for mid FA veteran Wrs.    Shavers is what he is, a late round draft choice.  Coleman looks like all the concerns about him pre-draft are proving to be exactly right, cant get separation, no speed. 

 

I kind of think were a wild card team and do I have faith McD can win 3 road playoff games, no I dont.  I dont want to give up any 3rd rounder for a one year/half year rental trade.  I would rather have the 3rd rounder here for 4 years on a rookie deal.  If we have to take a slight step back this year, so be it.   There will be more turnover on the DL next year, the secondary still needs work, and the WRs need playmakers.  We need all the draft choices we can get next year.  On a scale of a hundred, my superbowl hopes would be in low single digits.

Edited 2 hours ago by billsfan714

[4th&long]

This team does not have what it takes to win a super bowl. Somehow, with this roster, we are up against the cap. They want to turn Josh Allen into a game manager and they are succeeding. The front office is not that good, coaching is worse. 

 

I would like to be excited about yesterday's win but the beat an Andy Dalton lead team. They did what they should do to them, destroy them, but can they do that against a good team? They have not proved that yet this year. 

[Saint Doug]

Absolutely. Something is wrong with Josh. Would prefer him to get over whatever his issue is before teams start game planning for Cook. 

[BigAl2526]

They won't make it playing like they have thus far in the season, including yesterday.  I'm always optimistic that they can improve though.  I'm still wondering if and when they can get some of their wounded warriors back and healthy.

[Pete]

1 minute ago, Bruffalo said:

That feels a little melodramatic.

 

I think a WR1 should rightfully be the priority at the trade deadline. It's the easiest thing to fix with a single player, but I don't think it'll be as impactful of a swing as you're saying. We need to see Brady get more creative and scheme guys better than what he's currently doing.  

Its a passing league, and ours is broken.  Average defenses have stifled our offense.  As long as we dont have a WR that defenses respect, teams are going to continue to stack the box, cage rush, spy in middle, overload one side, and we have no answers.  Its a copycat league, and teams will continue to so.  And 7 yard average depth passes doesnt scare any team at all.  This team will go as far as James Cook takes us IMO.  But if you cant pass, your not going to win many games.  
How the hell do you do a 2 minute drive if you cant pass?

 

The solution is so obvious.  Beane caved last year and traded a precious draft pick for Amari, and it worked out.  Defenses backed up when we added Amari.  (to refresh your memory-Bills offense sucked the 3 games prior to Amari).  Once we added Amari, the Bills offense rocked!  It wasnt that Amari put up great #s.  It was that the Bills finally had a WR that respected.  It opened up the middle of defense for Cook, Dalton,Hollins.  Pre Amari Josh had one of his worst games against HJouston.  Same ***** as this year.   Its the Emperors New Clothes.  How can Beane not fix it?

[PrimeTime101]

1 hour ago, Einstein said:

I think we will know more around 7:30pm next Sunday.

I think the Team is trying to evolve the way most of the teams are evolving, sometimes you can do something about it.. other times we cant. RB position is a great subject concerning this cause just 4-5 years ago.. the best could not find a contract. Now the NFL is running way more these days and the NFL has caught up to spread offenses with high Calibur QB's. we do not have the WR weapons to pass all game long so we running. like most of the league is doing.

 

Edited 2 hours ago by PrimeTime101

[Buffalo Boy]

My wife had bomb tickets to the game yesterday. 14th row behind the Bills bench. I’ve only missed one Bill/Panthers game. The first one was not by choice, this one was. My son hadn’t been to a regular season game here( Clt) since 2016 and I knew he’d enjoy it. So they went and I stayed home and topped a tree that was  too close to the house.

100% sure we are not winning a SB this year…..99% sure we aren’t making one.

My hopes have been displayed for all to see.

At this point , hoping for good players for a next regime……a seer can dream.

 

 

 

[RobbRiddick]

1 hour ago, Einstein said:

I think we will know more around 7:30pm next Sunday.

Even if the Chiefs obliterate them I still don't think that means they can''t get to the SB. They've been KC continuously in the regular season only to lose in the playoffs. They got steamrolled by Baltimore last season and then took them in the playoffs.

 

I know people think this sort of thing has zero bearing but it's a fact that it's hard to beat a good team twice in one season. And the way KC and the Bills always play each other it's very difficult. If they lose to KC next week (which I expect them to) I won't be hitting a panic button

[NewEra]

I’m less optimistic based on a few things.  
 

-injury- ed is out for the year.  Bosa hasn’t been injured yet, but that’s likely to come.  Bernard is always dinged up. Milano always dinged up.  Shaq has played great, but hasn’t played much the last 2 seasons due to injury.  If benford gets hurt (which is likely based on history) our cornerback unit is in big trouble. Our only 1T is injured (and old).  Our DT situation is scary and we desperately need Sanders to return and pay some dividends.  
 

- KC, NE and Indy are all playing GREAT complimentary football and have easy schedules.  
 

- our passing game is relegated to WR screens and we rarely ever throw the ball to the RBs (which is unfathomable imo).

-I was feeling sick about our defense, but things are looking up a bit with McD involved in play calling.  Hoecht is a baller and brings exactly what we need.  Maybe his presence will raise the play of Epenesa.  

I still think we’re a SB contender, but we need to either add a speed element to the outside WR group or get Palmer involved a lot more in the pass game and hope he takes his game up a notch. I 

[corta765]

46 minutes ago, gonzo1105 said:

I say it every year, we have just as good a shot as anyone to win it. About making clutch plays at the clutch times 

Matt Bove says this team can absolutely win a SB, but they go as far as 17 takes them.

I tend to agree with that despite my frustration currently. If 17 is on a heater they can go places regardless of talent.

[BigAl2526]

1 minute ago, Buffalo Boy said:

My wife had bomb tickets to the game yesterday. 14th row behind the Bills bench. I’ve only missed one Bill/Panthers game. The first one was not by choice, this one was. My son hadn’t been to a regular season game here( Clt) since 2016 and I knew he’d enjoy it. So they went and I stayed home and topped a tree that was  too close to the house.

100% sure we are not winning a SB this year…..99% sure we aren’t making one.

My hopes have been displayed for all to see.

At this point , hoping for good players for a next regime……a seer can dream.

 

 

 

I have a sister-in-law and her husband living a bit north of Charlotte, the Denver area.  If any thing, they are Steeler fans having lived outside Pittsburgh for a number of years. 

[Juice_32]

I'm torn, something is definitely "off". The word malaise was used up thread and that feels accurate. The lack of WR talent on the outside is killing us and it feels like they are trying to work it out with no breakthrough yet.

 

I also think the perception that the Pats* have somehow rocketed past us is not right. We played terrible and honestly had them if not for a few miracle plays by Maye. He's going to be a good one but he's not king of the mountain yet. 
 

Hopefully we can figure it out and get hot late. It would be a massive letdown to go out early or worse not get in at all. I wouldn't be surprised either way I guess. 

[Sweats]

Here's how my Sundays have been over the past 45 years.......i've never missed a Bills game, never. Whether it was on t.v, at the stadium, on the radio, didn't matter, i never missed a game. I would never even dare to miss a game.

The Bills were my number one passion.

 

Here's how my football experience has been over the past 5 years........if i can't make the games or see them on tv, i record them and watch them later. If my local broadcasting station doesn't show the Bills game that Sunday, i watch the highlights that evening.

 

You know what i do every Sunday these days?.......i live my life and if i'm not busy and i don't have much going on and the Bills are playing, i might actually sit down to watch the game, however, i'm not going out of my way to watch the games anymore.

Why would i?!?..........why would i waste a Sunday afternoon watching a game that puts us one step closer to the post season and one step closer to getting bumped out by KC, but oh no, Sweats, this year is different.......is it, is it really?!?

 

Honestly, 13 seconds was the turning point for me and i know you could say that this could happen to any team and no, it could not........it was typical Bills and typical Shenanigans by our FO, pushing a mediocre product, believing they are the smartest ones in the room and trying to sell a fanbase a Porsche with Hyundai parts.

 

I have spoken.

 

[90sBills]

1 hour ago, Big Blitz said:

Wins like yesterday against opponents like yesterday do absolutely nothing for me.  
 

This Sunday is a massive game - on display is the Chiefs build over the last 3-5 years vs ours.  That’s how I see it.  

Beane and McD have built a great team, great culture.   
 

But relative to the SB contenders, how does this roster stack up?  I’m certain it isn’t a top 5 roster in the league.
 

Against the Chiefs, At home, a SB team wins this game.  No freaking excuses.  This game is an indictment on him - maybe McD if he’s as involved with draft picks and FAs. 

 

They did beat KC at home last year and they weren’t a Super Bowl team. How would that be different this time around?

 

I agree with you about the win yesterday not moving the needle. Coming off a bye after two consecutive losses they had to beat a mediocre team like Carolina. Nothing was a surprise. 

[Big Blitz]

The AFC playoffs this year are going to most likely feature Bo Nix, Drake Maye, Daniel Jones, and maybe old man Rodgers.  
 

 

It’s an absolute disaster if that happens and we don’t make the SB and would / should be a fireable offense.  
 

Bc if it doesn’t happen under these circumstances it ain’t happening.  

[Goin Breakdown]

Playoffs probably anything else I don't think so