If the Bills get bounced in the divisional round are we back on the fire everyone bandwagon?

[Lost]

I think most posters here myself included expected a one and done playoff performance from the Bills this year but having gone into Jacksonville for the WC round and winning has changed things.  At this point I think it's fair to say the Bills, much like last year have exceeded expectations.   Last year was supposed to be our reset year, dumping some cap space and getting the team younger.  We were supposed to come into this season refreshed with a younger, more talented roster.   In retrospect however this has not been the case.   Things looked promising early on but by mid season some major deficiencies started popping up.  Our WR group has been markedly worse than even last year(that's a Beane problem).  Our play calling has been questionable at times on both sides of the ball often too simple and predictable(Brady and Babbich problems). More injuries with rookies and the team as a whole(Training staff problem?).   Very limited production from any of our 1st round picks from the last 4 years(another Beane problem).   Despite all that, we're once again playing in a divisional round playoff game and a win on Saturday would certainly blow away my expectations for this season considering how things were looking around week 12.   As the graphic below shows however only 4 teams have won playoff games 6 years straight and it's only the Bills who have no trophies to show for it(maybe that's a McDermott problem?).   

 

 

 

 

Since the win last week my opinion on Coaching and GM is pretty much solidified regardless of what happens from here on out.   

 

I've been on the Brady hate train for most of the season and still am to an extent.   I do understand however that maybe the simplistic predictable plays he calls are purely designed to cover up some of our deficiencies at WR position.   He called a decent game against Jacksonville so I commend him for that.   My personal preference is to have an OC that runs a pass first offense especially when we have the best QB of a generation at helm.   Chances are he will be gone next year regardless due to the sheer number of HC positions that have opened up.   

 

I expect Babbich may get fired this offseason.  Our D looked absolutely disastrous until mid season when McDermott took over the play calling.   I'm not sure if McDermott is still doing the defensive playcalling now or if he just talked some sense into Babbich but our D has looked very competent in the back half of the season and is even capable of winning games.   

 

Brandon Beane deserves the most scrutiny of the bunch and I wouldn't be upset if he got fired this season though I see zero chance of that happening.   After last years "reset" year, we were supposed to come into this season younger and more talented.   He mocked reporters for questioning his lack of addressing the the WR position properly but as we see now it's quite possible that his handling of that position may have heavily contributed to the Bills not being able to grab the #1 seed this season.   Thankfully James Cook, the one player Beane was most reluctant to re-sign stepped up and saved his behind by having a monster season and covering up for the lack of talent at other skill positions.  

 

I've been mostly satisfied with Sean McDermott this season and he'd be the last of the group I want to see go.   He's been a good leader and has kept the culture in tact here the last 7 seasons.   He's been able to rally his team when their backs are against the wall and led some remarkable late season turnarounds.   He does seem to have trouble getting his team mentally prepared for those gloss over games which seems to happen every year under him so that deserves some criticism.   

 

 

In summary what I would like to see happen is

 

McDermott > back for 2026

Beane > Back for 2026 only if we get AFCCG or beyond

Babbich > Fired

Brady > Hopefully gets HC gig somewhere else

[Charles Romes]

The defense has turned around because Babich has settled into the role of assistant DC taking some of the day-to-day burden from McD with McD being the real DC. That’s a formula that can work going forward so I don’t see Babich getting fired. I think they will run everything back, though I’m already cringing at the thought of Beane’s presser Monday when he expressly and self-serving notes how tough it’s been for other teams with HOF type QBs with low draft picks and salary cap constraints, and winning a playoff game for the sixth straight year, bla bla, bla. 

[Success]

I will not consider this.

 

[BillsShredder83]

7 minutes ago, Charles Romes said:

The defense has turned around because Babich has settled into the role of assistant DC taking some of the day-to-day burden from McD with McD being the real DC. That’s a formula that can work going forward so I don’t see Babich getting fired. I think they will run everything back, though I’m already cringing at the thought of Beane’s presser Monday when he expressly and self-serving notes how tough it’s been for other teams with HOF type QBs with low draft picks and salary cap constraints, and winning a playoff game for the sixth straight year, bla bla, bla. 

What makes us believe that?  Dudes defense has looked awful for 1.5yrs, clearly had play calling taken away.... what is the point in having a DC that cant call his own plays, at least 90% of the timr?  That's called dead weight IMO.  A HC has enough on his plate that having his attention redirected to Coordinator is bad overall for the team.

 

Why is this better than doing what McD has been unable to do for a Decade, and hiring a real Coordinator (on both sides of ball)?

 

Bringing him back is a great example of us not getting the #1 seed... he'll get the reigns back next season.  Work well against subpar offenses.... perform poorly vs Real Offenses, then lay stinkers like ATL vs a team nobody has been threatened by..... this is exactly whats cost us a #1 seed.

 

Not a big deal???  Look at the shape our injury report is in after JAX?  Think that doesnt highly effect our chances over potentially 3 more remaining games?

 

Imagine not only avoiding those bumps n bruises, but getting everyone back fresh..... having had an extra week to prepare for possible matchups.

Edited January 16 by BillsShredder83

[uticaclub]

McDermott can stay, everyone else can go

[Rochesterfan]

15 minutes ago, Lost said:

I think most posters here myself included expected a one and done playoff performance from the Bills this year but having gone into Jacksonville for the WC round and winning has changed things.  At this point I think it's fair to say the Bills, much like last year have exceeded expectations.   Last year was supposed to be our reset year, dumping some cap space and getting the team younger.  We were supposed to come into this season refreshed with a younger, more talented roster.   In retrospect however this has not been the case.   Things looked promising early on but by mid season some major deficiencies started popping up.  Our WR group has been markedly worse than even last year(that's a Beane problem).  Our play calling has been questionable at times on both sides of the ball often too simple and predictable(Brady and Babbich problems). More injuries with rookies and the team as a whole(Training staff problem?).   Very limited production from any of our 1st round picks from the last 4 years(another Beane problem).   Despite all that, we're once again playing in a divisional round playoff game and a win on Saturday would certainly blow away my expectations for this season considering how things were looking around week 12.   As the graphic below shows however only 4 teams have won playoff games 6 years straight and it's only the Bills who have no trophies to show for it(maybe that's a McDermott problem?).   

 

 

 

 

Since the win last week my opinion on Coaching and GM is pretty much solidified regardless of what happens from here on out.   

 

I've been on the Brady hate train for most of the season and still am to an extent.   I do understand however that maybe the simplistic predictable plays he calls are purely designed to cover up some of our deficiencies at WR position.   He called a decent game against Jacksonville so I commend him for that.   My personal preference is to have an OC that runs a pass first offense especially when we have the best QB of a generation at helm.   Chances are he will be gone next year regardless due to the sheer number of HC positions that have opened up.   

 

I expect Babbich may get fired this offseason.  Our D looked absolutely disastrous until mid season when McDermott took over the play calling.   I'm not sure if McDermott is still doing the defensive playcalling now or if he just talked some sense into Babbich but our D has looked very competent in the back half of the season and is even capable of winning games.   

 

Brandon Beane deserves the most scrutiny of the bunch and I wouldn't be upset if he got fired this season though I see zero chance of that happening.   After last years "reset" year, we were supposed to come into this season younger and more talented.   He mocked reporters for questioning his lack of addressing the the WR position properly but as we see now it's quite possible that his handling of that position may have heavily contributed to the Bills not being able to grab the #1 seed this season.   Thankfully James Cook, the one player Beane was most reluctant to re-sign stepped up and saved his behind by having a monster season and covering up for the lack of talent at other skill positions.  

 

I've been mostly satisfied with Sean McDermott this season and he'd be the last of the group I want to see go.   He's been a good leader and has kept the culture in tact here the last 7 seasons.   He's been able to rally his team when their backs are against the wall and led some remarkable late season turnarounds.   He does seem to have trouble getting his team mentally prepared for those gloss over games which seems to happen every year under him so that deserves some criticism.   

 

 

In summary what I would like to see happen is

 

McDermott > back for 2026

Beane > Back for 2026 only if we get AFCCG or beyond

Babbich > Fired

Brady > Hopefully gets HC gig somewhere else

 

The graphic indicts the issue.  During this time it has never overlapped until the Bills started their run 2 years behind KC.

 

If you eliminate KC - who knocked the Bills out most years and won the SB - the Bills have 3 instead of KC.

 

It isn’t coaching as much as timing where both KC and Covid hurt our chances.

[Einstein]

Perhaps for Beane.

 

Not for McD.

[Taro Nimbus]

I swear I think there are some people here who want the Bills to lose just to fire McDermott 

[rusty shackleford]

WE will be, but not Pegula.

[Royale with Cheese]

1 minute ago, Einstein said:

Perhaps for Beane.

 

Not for McD.

 

I agree with this.  McDermott has done a lot this year with injuries and multiple contributors not contributing.

McDermott is here next year if we lose....unless it's emabarrassing.

Beane will be gone.

[T.E.]

36 minutes ago, Rochesterfan said:

 

The graphic indicts the issue.  During this time it has never overlapped until the Bills started their run 2 years behind KC.

 

If you eliminate KC - who knocked the Bills out most years and won the SB - the Bills have 3 instead of KC.

 

It isn’t coaching as much as timing where both KC and Covid hurt our chances.

Sorry, but acting like any other NFL team is some impossible juggernaut that you can't be expected to overcome is loser talk, especially when you beat them every single year in the regular season.

Edited January 16 by T.E.

[MJS]

I don't think most assumed the Bills would be one and done. Go look at the "predict the score" thread from that week and you'll see most predicting a Bills win. You're projecting your own feelings onto others a bit there. No matter. I did think the game would be close and I was nervous about it, but had confidence in Allen and the playoff experience of the team.

 

As for coaches, I would not be surprised if Brady and/or Babich go. But I doubt it. Since we won a playoff game, I don't think that will happen. If anyone goes, it might be Babich, because I think McDermott doesn't want to have to be so involved on that side of the ball. He wants to be a head coach and have a coordinator handle that side of the ball. But he got sucked back into coordinator duties because Babich wasn't getting it done by himself.

 

McDermott and Beane are safe and were regardless of what happened in the playoffs this year. Maybe if they went one and done they would be on thinner ice next year. But that didn't happen. They are safe for the foreseeable future. And I'm fine with that.

Edited January 16 by MJS

[DapperCam]

I would like to replace our OC and DC. If we keep Babich, I want him to be the “defensive coordinator” like how the OC in Kansas City is the “offensive coordinator” (actually it is Reid).

 

 

[MrEpsYtown]

I am still on the fire everyone thing if they don't win a Super Bowl, because I do not believe that McDermott will ever win one. If they get there and lose, that may change things slightly because, at the very least, that is progress. 

[Fleezoid]

8 minutes ago, uticaclub said:

McDermott can stay, everyone else can go

 

I agree mostly. If McD is included with the cast offs. I'm okay with it. 

 

I can't understand why this team has the same problems in the playoffs every year. Weak and/or injured WR group; Linebackers that can't stay on the field; a handful of returning players that may or may not play. Rinse and Repeat every year. It hasn't been successful. I'm hopeful this year proves it'll work. We'll see.

 

 

Edited January 16 by Fleezoid

[Toledo Bill]

Have Beane make a public apology for the  wide receiver issue (and his arrogance about it) .......................... then fire him 😂

[eball]

Great thread, dude. You’re a blast at parties I bet. 
 

Good lord. 
 

[Gregg]

I would clean house. Nine years and still can't get over the hump with one of the best QBs in the game. It's time for a change. But since I am not Terry Pegula my opinion is completely meaningless. Terry's is the only one that counts and I think he brings both Beane and McDermott back no matter what happens in Denver.

[Virgil]

First off, comparing us to three dynasty's should be a compliment, not an insult. 

 

However, if we lose this week or even next week, and it's because of the lack of offensive weapons or overall offense, then I think there needs to be tough conversations.  If I'm Pegula, I want to know this:

 

1 - Beane - What is your plan to fix the receiver roster.  I want to hear an aggressive plan that's not "hopefully someone falls in the draft."  I also want to know his plan for the dead cap he created and 2-3 year plan.  If he can't answer those, then he needs to go.

 

2 - McD - What is your plan for the offensive coordinator.  If he's not willing to move on from Brady and potentially Special Teams (Punt coverage and return concerns), then maybe McD needs to do.

 

McD is tough for me because I don't believe he had the team ready for the Falcons, Texans, and Dolphins games, which could have cost them home field advantage and the division.  However, he does seem to have the team locked in when it matters.   Now, if they don't show up like that for the rest of the playoffs, then I don't know that it makes to keep a HC who's team is fluky as to when they show up for games.  

[Generic_Bills_Fan]

6 minutes ago, Fleezoid said:

 

I agree mostly. If McD is included with the cast offs. I'm okay with it. 

 

I can't understand why this team has the same problems in the playoffs every year. Weak and/or injured WR group; Linebackers that can't stay on the field; a handful of returning players that may or may not play. Rinse and Repeat every year. It hasn't been successful. I'm hopeful this year proves it'll work. We'll see.

 

 

I think all the linebackers are probably playing this year which ironically people are probably not happy about 😂