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

[boater]

21 minutes ago, CirclnWagons said:

My opinions on the rest of the season rely heavily on the actions taken by the front office prior to the deadline. There are some gaping holes on this team and if we make a meaningful move or two then I am optimistic that there is belief they can compete for a championship. If not, it’s just another year of seeing how far they can ride on Josh’s other worldly talent and being totally fine going home early 

Boy, are you going to be disappointed.

 

The Front Office is not going to make any big news--it can barely make one move. Multiple moves is out of the question.

[Virgil]

20 minutes ago, bmur66 said:

What's a LAMP?

 

Look At Me Post.

 

These are typically the cringiest posts where the OP makes it about them and their feelings, not really contributing to a conversation.  

 

Basically, me being a baby about a football team. 

[corta765]

8 minutes ago, Process said:

We'll have a much better idea where this team stands in two weeks

 

We play the chiefs, there is the trade deadline, and then we play one of the worst secondaries in the league and a team Josh historically owns. 

 

If the passing game still looks bad, oof

 

Not sure how old you are but the offense this year has reminded me of what Brady went through 2005 and especially 2006 where his best receiving option was his TE Ben Watson while the WR corp has Reche Caldwell & Jabar Gaffney! Non surprisingly the Pats while competitive with a good running game didn't have the pieces on offense and flamed out. Of course the 07 Pats happened after that and Brady never had a WR room again that shallow in talent (lesson learned).

 

I am nervous the same is happening here where they hope they can win with the QB being the game manager with a great running attack. Problem is that limits your gameplan in a league that favors passing far more then 2005-06.

Edited 4 hours ago by corta765

[Virgil]

24 minutes ago, Einstein said:

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

 

Honestly, why?  We've beat them each of the last four seasons and it translated to nothing.   I'm not being a jerk to your post.  I'm honestly asking why this would be different to you than before.

[eball]

I think you're letting the Buffalo Bills occupy just a wee bit too much of your time.

 

[Virgil]

Just now, eball said:

I think you're letting the Buffalo Bills occupy just a wee bit too much of your time.

 

 

I'm not saying you have 35.2k posts, but.....

 

(Not a serious dig at you, just having fun)

[appoo]

This isn't a Super Bowl team. I actually think the defense can get there. I think the offense needs an injection of blue chip talent at WR, and then maybe someone like healthy Josh Palmer opposite. So basically two starters at this point

 

I actually still believe in Keon's ceiling and potential as a #2 complementary guy, but he's clearly going through something right now, and he's still relatively young 

[Mat68]

No.  Im fully confident Allen will catch fire and play like an Alien.  Ideally, that isn't needed and doesn't happen until the playoffs.  I understand the wr question but winning with Allen doing next to nothing is ideal at the moment.  

[FireChans]

There was never a reason to be super optimistic imo.
 

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.

[Dan]

There’s still a lot of football to be played.  Anything can happen.  But, this is the Bills.  Despite all the amazingness of Josh and this team, we’re still a cursed franchise that finds crushing ways to lose games and seasons.  I truly thought Josh was good enough to beat our curse.  Last year, I genuinely believed we could make the Super Bowl.  I literally could see envision it.  Then.. the Chiefs game.   Not even Josh with the ball in his hands and a few minutes away from the Super Bowl could do it.  So…am I pessimistic.  No.   I fully expect the team to be in the playoffs (and quite frankly being a wild card team vs the 2 seed doesn’t seem to matter much).    But do I expect them to be in the Super Bowl?  Come on.. this is the Bills.   I won’t believe that until it happens.  And I won’t believe they’ve won one until about 5 mins after the game and I actually see a Bills player holding the trophy.    

[Steptide]

I'm a bit impartial. I feel like we're headed to the exact same place we ended last season. Which is a playoff loss. Cook can't be 90% of our offense, it's just not sustainable. Betting on Coleman to turn it around is a risk and even if they trade for a WR, there's no gaurentee he comes in and has an immediate impact. If the defense keeps playing how they did yesterday, maybe I'll be more optimistic, but at this point, I feel like we're headed for the same result as past years 

[Virgil]

20 minutes ago, zow2 said:

Sometimes a perennial playoff team has a down season.. and it's natural to think it's just not their year.  But then they make the playoffs and go on an unexpected run. That's pretty much where I'm at.  Hoping for the best, but preparing for an early exit.

 

Thank you for mentioning this.  I feel like, if the Bills do win one, it will be very similar to when Manning finally got his.  His defense finally figured it out for the playoff run and the offense did just enough to win.  It wasn't their brand of football, but things finally clicked in the right moment.  T

 

That's my only real hope at this point.  

1 minute ago, FireChans said:

There was never a reason to be super optimistic imo.
 

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.

 

I don't know.  Going into the Pats game, if we won that, our lead would have been ridiculous.  Add in how the Chiefs offense was, and how bad the Ravens and Bengals are....it was all lining up for once.  

17 minutes ago, strive_for_five_guy said:

We beat the Chiefs next weekend, we’ll

all be feeling a lot better about the outlook for this season.  Win against the Chiefs or not, I don’t believe the Pats have actually surpassed us, and this team will leave no doubt who the top of the AFC East belongs to later this season.  We’ve seen it before with McD and Josh, and we’re going to see it again.

 

I think a letdown will come for the Pats, as it does all teams.  But right now, they have a lot of confidence and it's puling them through.  Maye also isn't making mistakes.  They kind of remind me of the Broncos from last season, so maybe we'll see the same outcome.

 

Good news is, Maye will probably command 65-70 mil, so that will be fun for them.  

[Big Blitz]

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. 

 

 

If the New England Patriots have already lapped us (why would I think we are beating the Chiefs if we couldn’t handle them) then it’s time to move on from the entire regime.  
 

But that won’t happen and I’m not sure I trust Terry to get it right and to get a regime that will get us there.

 

 

At the moment, it’s one week at a time and my expectations are low - with Josh we can win every game.  But as we’ve seen if he’s just ok, we will lose games.   
 

We win this week, SB talk can be back on.  

 

[FireChans]

1 minute ago, Virgil said:

 

Thank you for mentioning this.  I feel like, if the Bills do win one, it will be very similar to when Manning finally got his.  His defense finally figured it out for the playoff run and the offense did just enough to win.  It wasn't their brand of football, but things finally clicked in the right moment.  T

 

That's my only real hope at this point.  

 

I don't know.  Going into the Pats game, if we won that, our lead would have been ridiculous.  Add in how the Chiefs offense was, and how bad the Ravens and Bengals are....it was all lining up for once.  

Our lead for what? The one seed?

 

I mean it would be nice. But the 1 seed Bills hosting the 3 seed Chiefs in the AFCCG in Buffalo isn’t giving me or anyone a ton of confidence I don’t think tbh.

[DeepPass]

40 minutes 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.

GREAT post.  I feel exactly the same way.  It's kind of sad!

[PatsFanNH]

Outsider looking in.. Ghe Bills have as good of a chance as any if not better of making the SB from the AFC. There is not 1 playoff team that doesn’t have holes or look unbeatable. 
 

Indy (7-1) is the best looking team in the AFC. They still have to face the Chiefs, Texans (2X), and Jags (2X).. I am not a believer in Indiana Jones.. he is bound turn into a pumpkin again. 
 

Patriots (6-2) Have a great 2nd year QB and an O line that’s coming into shape. The D has given up opening drive TD on 5 of their last 7 games.. and they are one of the highest penalized teams in the NFL (in the playoffs that will hurt) 

 

Denver — I really haven’t seen enough of their games but they should have lost to the Giants if it wasn’t for the Giants acting like the Jets. In other words they can be beaten and rather easily by a competent team.

 

Steelers (5-3) — Their D is just not that good and if the Pats don’t hand them the game in week 3 with 5 turnovers they are at 4-4.  I see this team as 1 and done.

 

5. Bills  (5-2) — have all the pieces and started 4-0. Weird part about this is with the reigning MVP in Allen it’s the passing game that’s having issues.. I don’t think anyone expects that to continue for long. Biggest weakness IMO is your secondary that’s coming into can be had by a team with good WR.

 

Chargers (5-3) — most inconsistent team in the AFC. Have a great QB but always seem to fade in the second half of the season and seriously they don’t look scary.

 

Jags (4-3) — I expect them fall of the playoff picture and be replaced by KC tonight)

 

KC — They are the chiefs, a great run team but Mahomes has looked human and if you get pressure he will make mistakes.. I’m not sold they are “back” Kelse looks done and this coming weekend could decide if they make noise for a wildcard or their division 

 

So see the Bills can easily make the SB! I had them as my pick before the season started I’m not changing it now… I expect Allen to hit his stride again UNLESS he is hurt and the Bills are not disclosing it 

[appoo]

9 minutes ago, boater said:

Boy, are you going to be disappointed.

 

The Front Office is not going to make any big news--it can barely make one move. Multiple moves is out of the question.

Last season they went out and got the top available WR at the deadline. It didn't work out, but that's hindsight analysis

[Virgil]

1 minute ago, FireChans said:

Our lead for what? The one seed?

 

I mean it would be nice. But the 1 seed Bills hosting the 3 seed Chiefs in the AFCCG in Buffalo isn’t giving me or anyone a ton of confidence I don’t think tbh.

 

In a game where confidence and edge matters, I do believe having a bye week, playing the lowest seed in the divisional, and home for the AFC Championship game in our final season at the Ralph would make a significant difference.  

[appoo]

Also with the Pats, they got lucky. The officiating was about as bad and unlucky for one team as I can remember in that first half, and it prevented Buffalo from taking a decent lead going into half. 

 

2nd half, Maye and Diggs kept pulling rabbits out of their hats, or victimizing a washed Tre White. 

[eball]

Just now, Virgil said:

 

I'm not saying you have 35.2k posts, but.....

 

(Not a serious dig at you, just having fun)

 

Oh, guilty as charged.  I think I've just finally grown up; the ridiculousness of what goes on around here has opened my eyes.  I'll still contribute, but I'm not getting into debates about personnel, playcalling, and other things over which I have no control.  It was actually quite wonderful to spend the last two weeks reading nothing about the Bills, and then going to Charlotte yesterday to see a Bills Mafia takeover and dominant performance.  I watched the TV broadcast today and felt even better.

 

I've said many times that wallowing in the mire amid a golden era of Bills football makes no sense to me.  It takes a whole lot of luck to even get to a Super Bowl much less win one, and the ball just hasn't bounced our way.  Blaming this or that or being "angry" at the team's management doesn't do it for me.

 

I'm going to be a long distance ST holder in the new stadium and the Bills are my favorite sports team by far; this board, unfortunately, has just gone overboard with the negative know-it-alls and crusaders.

 

My posts moving forward will be either of a positive nature or intended to elicit laughs or a smile.

 

Go Bills!