Game week thread - Bills at Steelers

[Goin Breakdown]

1 hour ago, Casey D said:

I hope Josh Allen does not read this board, because if he does, he would want to get out of town fast.  The great Bills mafia, hah!  If based on the posts here, we have some of the softest, fair-weather fans in the league.  When it's too tough for them... we turtle and pee our pants, to paraphrase Marv.  Some of you please grow a set. 

 

Team is still in this.  Given the negative posts, I checked the league rankings in offense and defense.  In just about all categories the Bills are a top 5 offense and about a 17th ranked defense.  It is clear that the team can win, and the biggest problem is turnovers-- we started giving them and stopped taking them.  Can we just see how the next six games turn out and stop the effing whining?  It is beneath the general toughness of my hometown. 

I'm sincerely asking

What constitutes as whining?  Is it Critique?  Is calling the team out on its inconsistent play whining or is it a fact that is right there for all to see?  Is it being frustrated by all the injuries and concerned that it may be the downfall of the season?  

Im asking because I have all these kind of thoughts and I have been a fan for as long as I can remember. Lived in Buffalo and am proud of all

of it. 

[Coach Tuesday]

1 hour ago, Casey D said:

I hope Josh Allen does not read this board, because if he does, he would want to get out of town fast.  The great Bills mafia, hah!  If based on the posts here, we have some of the softest, fair-weather fans in the league.  When it's too tough for them... we turtle and pee our pants, to paraphrase Marv.  Some of you please grow a set. 

 

Team is still in this.  Given the negative posts, I checked the league rankings in offense and defense.  In just about all categories the Bills are a top 5 offense and about a 17th ranked defense.  It is clear that the team can win, and the biggest problem is turnovers-- we started giving them and stopped taking them.  Can we just see how the next six games turn out and stop the effing whining?  It is beneath the general toughness of my hometown. 

 

Please.  Stop insulting the fans.  That is the issue.  The issues the team has experienced this season were issues known and discussed by the fanbase all offseason (and last offseason).  We are not idiots.  And when Beane went on the air in August and basically goaded the fanbase by saying he's smarter than we are, because he found the "Right Josh" and basically said, stop questioning me, he brought this on himself.  Buffalo Bills fans can put up with a lot, and they're wiling to reach into their pockets and spend a higher percentage of their disposable income on the product than most fanbases, so long as they're not insulted by the organization.  Brandon Beane committed the cardinal sin - insulting the fans' intelligence - and he did so at a time when the issues facing the team were obvious to most of us and when they were asking us to dig into our pockets to buy PSLs for the new (largely taxpayer-funded) stadium.  (And not for nothing, Sabres fans have been insulted by Pegula for like a decade.)

Edited 3 hours ago by Coach Tuesday

[WNYFAN1]

I think we take this without too much trouble if it's at home.

 

But it's on the road, and we are a demonstrably better team at home. That puts this one into "toss up" territory for me.

[BeastMaster]

2 hours ago, Casey D said:

I hope Josh Allen does not read this board, because if he does, he would want to get out of town fast.  The great Bills mafia, hah!  If based on the posts here, we have some of the softest, fair-weather fans in the league.  When it's too tough for them... we turtle and pee our pants, to paraphrase Marv.  Some of you please grow a set. 

 

Team is still in this.  Given the negative posts, I checked the league rankings in offense and defense.  In just about all categories the Bills are a top 5 offense and about a 17th ranked defense.  It is clear that the team can win, and the biggest problem is turnovers-- we started giving them and stopped taking them.  Can we just see how the next six games turn out and stop the effing whining?  It is beneath the general toughness of my hometown. 

What a tough guy you are because you don't post negatively on this board 

 

I'll call it as I see it, and I really couldn't care less what that makes me in your book

 

Bills should win this game unless the Steelers dominate the Bills Oline and get to Josh

 

I have little confidence, though, and would never bet on this team...especially on the road

[Casey D]

1 minute ago, BeastMaster said:

What a tough guy you are because you don't post negatively on this board 

 

I'll call it as I see it, and I really couldn't care less what that makes me in your book

 

Bills should win this game unless the Steelers dominate the Bills Oline and get to Josh

 

I have little confidence, though, and would never bet on this team...especially on the road

Give me a break.  All I am saying is what Allen said to the fans after many left before the end of the Ravens game-- "have a little faith next time."  I have no idea how this will turn out, but in the meantime I won't be miserable and certainly won't whine over a situation I have no control over.  I guess that is what faith is all about.

[Ga boy]

3 minutes ago, BeastMaster said:

What a tough guy you are because you don't post negatively on this board 

 

I'll call it as I see it, and I really couldn't care less what that makes me in your book

 

Bills should win this game unless the Steelers dominate the Bills Oline and get to Josh

 

I have little confidence, though, and would never bet on this team...especially on the road

Yea being on the road makes it tougher.  They’ve beat the Pats and Colts; however, we beat Ravens and KC.  If Kincaid plays and we neutralize their rush with Cook and quick passes, we win 36-29.

[MasterStrategist]

Steelers have really struggled against teams with a balanced run/passing attack --- unfortunately, that's not what we have going on right now.  And they are very good at forcing turnovers, generating pressure with their front 4.

 

And their run game/short passing game is very efficient.  Basically, reminds me of playing that Patriots the way they spread the ball to many different targets and use their TEs and RBs in the passing game.

 

I wouldn't consider this a "must win" quite yet, but if we lose then next week against Cincy is a must win.  Josh/Brady/OL need to step up like they did against KC, hopefully Kincaid is back this week.  

 

Injury-wise:

Steelers - Rodgers will be back and I'd expect Highsmith might return with his Pec injury (he got 2 LPs last week before being listed as doubtful).  Joey Porter left with a hip injury and did not return, if he's out then Darius Slay gets the start opposite James Pierre.  DK was hobbled with an ankle and had to leave the game 2x, but returned and finished the game, I'd expect he plays but isn't 100%.

 

Bills --- way too many injuries right now.  Spencer and Bernard are definitely out this week per McD (week to week, potentially IR).  Max is in the concussion protocol, with 10 days to clear, hopefully he'll be ready.  Biggest concern is on the DL, especially DE.  AJE was dinged up with a neck but finished and Bosa is not himself with the wrist (speculation he might require surgery).  TJ Sanders is being wasted at DE, we need a legit 4th DE to rotate in and unfortunately Solomon is too weak to hold up there against the run.  I'd expect we place Bernard or Spencer on IR and promote Fox, and sign another DE to the P/S.  We already have 1 roster spot open, I'd expect Gabe is promoted to the 53 as well.  

 

Steelers are +6 on the turnover differential at Home this season, 3-0 when winning the turnover differential.  Bills are -2 turnover differential on the Road this season, and 0-3 when losing the turnover battle.  

 

To me, this is a simple formula.  Win/play neutral with the turnover battle and set the tone with energy/urgency on both sides.  Steelers are the definition of a fringe playoff team, with a 6-5 record and games remaining against us, 2x Ravens, Dolphins, @ Lions, and @ Browns - they likely lose 1 against Bmore and against Detroit at minimum - they will be treating this as a must-win/playoff game.  We need to match that energy.

[dave mcbride]

18 minutes ago, MasterStrategist said:

Steelers have really struggled against teams with a balanced run/passing attack --- unfortunately, that's not what we have going on right now.  And they are very good at forcing turnovers, generating pressure with their front 4.

 

And their run game/short passing game is very efficient.  Basically, reminds me of playing that Patriots the way they spread the ball to many different targets and use their TEs and RBs in the passing game.

 

I wouldn't consider this a "must win" quite yet, but if we lose then next week against Cincy is a must win.  Josh/Brady/OL need to step up like they did against KC, hopefully Kincaid is back this week.  

 

Injury-wise:

Steelers - Rodgers will be back and I'd expect Highsmith might return with his Pec injury (he got 2 LPs last week before being listed as doubtful).  Joey Porter left with a hip injury and did not return, if he's out then Darius Slay gets the start opposite James Pierre.  DK was hobbled with an ankle and had to leave the game 2x, but returned and finished the game, I'd expect he plays but isn't 100%.

 

Bills --- way too many injuries right now.  Spencer and Bernard are definitely out this week per McD (week to week, potentially IR).  Max is in the concussion protocol, with 10 days to clear, hopefully he'll be ready.  Biggest concern is on the DL, especially DE.  AJE was dinged up with a neck but finished and Bosa is not himself with the wrist (speculation he might require surgery).  TJ Sanders is being wasted at DE, we need a legit 4th DE to rotate in and unfortunately Solomon is too weak to hold up there against the run.  I'd expect we place Bernard or Spencer on IR and promote Fox, and sign another DE to the P/S.  We already have 1 roster spot open, I'd expect Gabe is promoted to the 53 as well.  

 

Steelers are +6 on the turnover differential at Home this season, 3-0 when winning the turnover differential.  Bills are -2 turnover differential on the Road this season, and 0-3 when losing the turnover battle.  

 

To me, this is a simple formula.  Win/play neutral with the turnover battle and set the tone with energy/urgency on both sides.  Steelers are the definition of a fringe playoff team, with a 6-5 record and games remaining against us, 2x Ravens, Dolphins, @ Lions, and @ Browns - they likely lose 1 against Bmore and against Detroit at minimum - they will be treating this as a must-win/playoff game.  We need to match that energy.

This game is kind of the season for the Steelers. They will very likely lose on the road at Detroit and Baltimore, and 9-8 will not get them in the playoffs. On the flipside, if the Bills lose yet again, they'll be 3-5 in their last 8 and 1-4 in their last four road games -- a bad sign for January even if they manage to slip in as a #7 wild card. Huge game for them too. They need to stop the bleeding and prove they can beat a team on the road not named the (now tanking) Jets or the Andy Dalton-led Panthers. 

Edited 2 hours ago by dave mcbride

[Casey D]

40 minutes ago, Goin Breakdown said:

I'm sincerely asking

What constitutes as whining?  Is it Critique?  Is calling the team out on its inconsistent play whining or is it a fact that is right there for all to see?  Is it being frustrated by all the injuries and concerned that it may be the downfall of the season?  

Im asking because I have all these kind of thoughts and I have been a fan for as long as I can remember. Lived in Buffalo and am proud of all

of it. 

That's a very fair question.  I'm not sure I can answer it well, but I'll try. 

 

To me it is the constant negativity, that all is lost and there is no hope.  Constant bashing of Beane and McDermott as being incompetent fools who should be working at Walmart when they took a disaster of a team in 2016 and turned it into a franchise that is thoroughly respected, gets teams up to play against them(especially in the frequent prime time games we never had much of before), and have movies made about the fan base.  Winning 5 Division titles in a row.  Endlessly complaining about poor draft picks and taking for granted the good ones.  Saying other teams are so great and we aren't-- poor little old us.

 

There are lots of things I wish were different too.  I wish we had a Chase or Higgins at WR.  I wish the big decisions made to shore up the defense had not come up short because of injuries and the like.  I wish there were fewer injuries overall. But it is what it is. 10 years ago we would have been thrilled to be 7-4.  Now anything short of a SB appearance/win and the whole organization-- outside of basically Allen and Cook-- is entirely inept.  

 

That is whining to me, feeling sorry for yourself and endlessly talking about it.  Best I can do.

[Goin Breakdown]

2 minutes ago, Casey D said:

That's a very fair question.  I'm not sure I can answer it well, but I'll try. 

 

To me it is the constant negativity, that all is lost and there is no hope.  Constant bashing of Beane and McDermott as being incompetent fools who should be working at Walmart when they took a disaster of a team in 2016 and turned it into a franchise that is thoroughly respected, gets teams up to play against them(especially in the frequent prime time games we never had much of before), and have movies made about the fan base.  Winning 5 Division titles in a row.  Endlessly complaining about poor draft picks and taking for granted the good ones.  Saying other teams are so great and we aren't-- poor little old us.

 

There are lots of things I wish were different too.  I wish we had a Chase or Higgins at WR.  I wish the big decisions made to shore up the defense had not come up short because of injuries and the like.  I wish there were fewer injuries overall. But it is what it is. 10 years ago we would have been thrilled to be 7-4.  Now anything short of a SB appearance/win and the whole organization-- outside of basically Allen and Cook-- is entirely inept.  

 

That is whining to me, feeling sorry for yourself and endlessly talking about it.  Best I can do.

Yeah. I get it. I agree with a lot of this. I think we're conditioned to only see and respond to negativity. You're right in that there is plenty to be thankful for and appreciate. I think what this season has reminded me of is that this is a game and really it has no barring on my life (other than emotionally on Sundays lol) but I need to enjoy it a little more as we are watching a great team. Yeah this looks like a down year but there is still hope. 

[Ned Flanders]

2 hours ago, AlCowlingsTaxiService said:

If he goes up against RVDM, at least Ryan, while overmatched, will give everything he’s got. I’d move Watt to Dawkins’ side, because Dion will stop blocking to mull over his latest drifting event or Schnowmann merchandise drop 

What's the over/under on Dawkins false starts?  I'm saying 2.5

[Coffeesforclosers]

9 minutes ago, Casey D said:

That's a very fair question.  I'm not sure I can answer it well, but I'll try. 

 

To me it is the constant negativity, that all is lost and there is no hope.  Constant bashing of Beane and McDermott as being incompetent fools who should be working at Walmart when they took a disaster of a team in 2016 and turned it into a franchise that is thoroughly respected, gets teams up to play against them(especially in the frequent prime time games we never had much of before), and have movies made about the fan base.  Winning 5 Division titles in a row.  Endlessly complaining about poor draft picks and taking for granted the good ones.  Saying other teams are so great and we aren't-- poor little old us.

 

There are lots of things I wish were different too.  I wish we had a Chase or Higgins at WR.  I wish the big decisions made to shore up the defense had not come up short because of injuries and the like.  I wish there were fewer injuries overall. But it is what it is. 10 years ago we would have been thrilled to be 7-4.  Now anything short of a SB appearance/win and the whole organization-- outside of basically Allen and Cook-- is entirely inept.  

 

That is whining to me, feeling sorry for yourself and endlessly talking about it.  Best I can do.

 

This can't be repeated enough.

[Patrick Duffy]

1 hour ago, Coach Tuesday said:

 

Please.  Stop insulting the fans.  That is the issue.  The issues the team has experienced this season were issues known and discussed by the fanbase all offseason (and last offseason).  We are not idiots.  And when Beane went on the air in August and basically goaded the fanbase by saying he's smarter than we are, because he found the "Right Josh" and basically said, stop questioning me, he brought this on himself.  Buffalo Bills fans can put up with a lot, and they're wiling to reach into their pockets and spend a higher percentage of their disposable income on the product than most fanbases, so long as they're not insulted by the organization.  Brandon Beane committed the cardinal sin - insulting the fans' intelligence - and he did so at a time when the issues facing the team were obvious to most of us and when they were asking us to dig into our pockets to buy PSLs for the new (largely taxpayer-funded) stadium.  (And not for nothing, Sabres fans have been insulted by Pegula for like a decade.)

Could'nt agree more

[Billsfanatic8989]

This is a 50/50 game imo. The Bills are not a good road team. And Rodgers will likely be back. 

[BearNorth]

Facing Watt, Herbig, Heyward after the display on Thursday in Houston isn't reassuring, esp if Brown is down and Dawkins isn't playing great. Hopefully Brady will come up with a scheme that allows his MVP QB to do that thing he does.

 

 

[JakeFrommStateFarm]

This gonna be a tough physical game on the road. Steelers are a different team at home 

 

The Steelers Dline and linebackers are for real.

 

Bills get this win in a physical slugfest

Edited 1 hour ago by JakeFrommStateFarm

[Mr Info]

3 minutes ago, JakeFrommStateFarm said:

 

Bills get this win in a physical slugfest

I only post rarely in the game week or game threads but, imo, the current Bills active roster is not going to win any physical slugfest. 

[BuffaloBillyG]

1 hour ago, Casey D said:

Give me a break.  All I am saying is what Allen said to the fans after many left before the end of the Ravens game-- "have a little faith next time."  I have no idea how this will turn out, but in the meantime I won't be miserable and certainly won't whine over a situation I have no control over.  I guess that is what faith is all about.

Yet, you will whine over other people whining? 

 

People are allowed to have different opinions. If you want to believe this is still the year and have hope...by all means do it. If people have a differing opinion it's their right to do that just as it's your right to hold your outlook. 

 

There's an old saying that I've always liked. "Never judge others for sinning differently than you"

[BuffaloBaumer]

Bills miss playoffs this year and next year (with cap issues). This is the team we are stuck with and 2027 will be the big bounce-back year. I am thinking a Rams type of rebound. Next year MIGHT be saved since it won't be a 1st place schedule. I REALLY hope a good Offensive coordinator becomes available next year because Joe Brady is a freaking disaster.

[2003Contenders]

It's pretty simple, really. If the offense can simply avoid turning the ball over, they likely win. In all 4 of the Bills' losses this year they committed multiple turnovers.

 

Meanwhile, it would be nice if the defense could force some turnover of their own for a change.