Silver linings and the loss to Denver

[Success]

We all want the Bills to still be playing right now.  But maybe that loss to Denver is what we needed to get the most out of the 2nd half of Allen's career.

 

If we won that game, chances are we're playing next Sunday. Which would have been amazing. Would we have beaten Seattle?  I think maybe a 30-40% shot, but not more than that.  And if we lost, we still wouldn't have a title, McDermott would still be HC, and we would still have no real DC or change in scheme.  

 

We wouldn't see much change in the years ahead - we'd be a contender, but one that plays down to the level of their competition, plays too soft on D & relies on Allen to be heroic more often than not.  And we would likely continue to see heartbreak in the playoffs, with maybe a chance that 1 year we could luck into a title before Allen retires.

 

We don't know what we have w/ this new staff, but right now, it feels exciting.  New energy, and a change in direction.  It may fall flat, but I have a hunch we'll be talking here in about 9-10 months about how much better we look on defense and how much more dominant we look in general.

 

I tend to rationalize, and see silver linings in every setback. But I think this one is pretty real.  We may come out of this realizing that we have a better chance at not just 1 Lombardi, but maybe a real run where we stack a few of them.

[SoonerBillsFan]

Great post.  The loss to Denver is going to be listed as the turning point to us winning a superbowl someday.

[boyst]

Speaking of Denver I had listened to the radio taking about their free agent losses pending. Evidently their defense is losing some quality players on DL, LB, and safety who are not expected to re-sign

[transient]

From that loss came continuity on offense and an overhaul of defensive philosophy.
 

I was vocal through the regular season about the offensive philosophy and the awful WR production. Despite that, against 2 top 5 defenses in the playoffs, the Bills averaged 28+ points and generally looked like they could grind opponents into the dirt if they held on to the ball. Add a WR who can separate AND catch the ball more than 50% of the time and keep it rolling. 

 

On defense, I’m expecting the new approach to be to get off the field and feed the offense the ball. 
 

Best case scenario, this has the feel of what we’ve been clamoring for since 2021. If there was a growing rift b/w McDermott and Beane, based on these hires, I suspect this was it. 

[Mojo44]

I’ve had the same thought. Maybe it was a good thing that Josh didn’t hit Knox for that touchdown.

[NeverOutNick]

35 minutes ago, Success said:

We all want the Bills to still be playing right now.  But maybe that loss to Denver is what we needed to get the most out of the 2nd half of Allen's career.

 

If we won that game, chances are we're playing next Sunday. Which would have been amazing. Would we have beaten Seattle?  I think maybe a 30-40% shot, but not more than that.  And if we lost, we still wouldn't have a title, McDermott would still be HC, and we would still have no real DC or change in scheme.  

 

We wouldn't see much change in the years ahead - we'd be a contender, but one that plays down to the level of their competition, plays too soft on D & relies on Allen to be heroic more often than not.  And we would likely continue to see heartbreak in the playoffs, with maybe a chance that 1 year we could luck into a title before Allen retires.

 

We don't know what we have w/ this new staff, but right now, it feels exciting.  New energy, and a change in direction.  It may fall flat, but I have a hunch we'll be talking here in about 9-10 months about how much better we look on defense and how much more dominant we look in general.

 

I tend to rationalize, and see silver linings in every setback. But I think this one is pretty real.  We may come out of this realizing that we have a better chance at not just 1 Lombardi, but maybe a real run where we stack a few of them.

Agree with everything except we were winning the Super Bowl this year. Allen would put on his cape and will this team to a Lombardi vs his boy Darnold. But now we’re going to win multiple instead of just the one so I’m happy 

[GroteStreet]

37 minutes ago, Success said:

We all want the Bills to still be playing right now.  But maybe that loss to Denver is what we needed to get the most out of the 2nd half of Allen's career.

 

If we won that game, chances are we're playing next Sunday. Which would have been amazing. Would we have beaten Seattle?  I think maybe a 30-40% shot, but not more than that.  And if we lost, we still wouldn't have a title, McDermott would still be HC, and we would still have no real DC or change in scheme.  

 

We wouldn't see much change in the years ahead - we'd be a contender, but one that plays down to the level of their competition, plays too soft on D & relies on Allen to be heroic more often than not.  And we would likely continue to see heartbreak in the playoffs, with maybe a chance that 1 year we could luck into a title before Allen retires.

 

We don't know what we have w/ this new staff, but right now, it feels exciting.  New energy, and a change in direction.  It may fall flat, but I have a hunch we'll be talking here in about 9-10 months about how much better we look on defense and how much more dominant we look in general.

 

I tend to rationalize, and see silver linings in every setback. But I think this one is pretty real.  We may come out of this realizing that we have a better chance at not just 1 Lombardi, but maybe a real run where we stack a few of them.

Yes, loss to Denver may be one of the best day of allen’s career

[T.E.]

I don't care how well he's played this year, I would've liked our odds in a Super Bowl matchup against Darnold. This was a weak playoff year and we predictably blew it, per usual. No way to dress it up.

[Big Blitz]

Beane believes your last loss reveals team weaknesses.  
 

I think Beane’s takeaway is:

 

1. Head Coach was who ran into the proverbial playoff wall.  
 

2. The Defense no longer really was totally McDs since he began to tweak it and bring in different coaches to enhance the scheme - was that his or Babbich’s comfort zone?
 

3. If 1 and 2 are true it was time to move on - and I think defense is going to be THE focus of the off season.  
 

 

We will draft a WR and make a play for someone via trade.  
 

But I think they know the pass rush isn’t good enough and the scheme became to stale.  
 

I still hear Tee Higgins from a few years ago “They ain’t the Ravens.”  

 

 

[sven233]

10 hours ago, Success said:

We all want the Bills to still be playing right now.  But maybe that loss to Denver is what we needed to get the most out of the 2nd half of Allen's career.

 

If we won that game, chances are we're playing next Sunday. Which would have been amazing. Would we have beaten Seattle?  I think maybe a 30-40% shot, but not more than that.  And if we lost, we still wouldn't have a title, McDermott would still be HC, and we would still have no real DC or change in scheme.  

 

We wouldn't see much change in the years ahead - we'd be a contender, but one that plays down to the level of their competition, plays too soft on D & relies on Allen to be heroic more often than not.  And we would likely continue to see heartbreak in the playoffs, with maybe a chance that 1 year we could luck into a title before Allen retires.

 

We don't know what we have w/ this new staff, but right now, it feels exciting.  New energy, and a change in direction.  It may fall flat, but I have a hunch we'll be talking here in about 9-10 months about how much better we look on defense and how much more dominant we look in general.

 

I tend to rationalize, and see silver linings in every setback. But I think this one is pretty real.  We may come out of this realizing that we have a better chance at not just 1 Lombardi, but maybe a real run where we stack a few of them.

 

I mean, yes and no.  Do I think we could have beaten the Pats*?  Yes.....but it wouldn't have been easy.  Their defense is really good and ours.....well, it wasn't.  So, as bad as some of these other teams have made the Pats* look on offense, I am not sure we would have had the same luck.  But, I do think we probably would have beaten them.  As for Seattle?  That would have been a tough hill to climb, honestly.  Kubiac and that offense would have been a severe mismatch against our defense and, while I think we would have gotten some points against their defense, it would have been a battle.  But, you can't win a Super Bowl without playing in the Super Bowl, so I would have happily taken the shot.

 

I said all year that we just didn't have a good enough roster to win the thing this year.  I thought this was the least amount of talent we have taken into the Playoffs with Allen at QB.  And, you couple that with coaching (McDermott) who I haven't believed in since 13 seconds, I just didn't think we had enough.  Now, I also didn't expect the AFC to playout like if did and in the end, I think if you have 17 in the Super Bowl, I will take my chances all day no matter who he's playing with, but we came up a bit short.

 

Silver lining?  Yes.....firing McDermott is a brilliantly bright silver lining.  And, with the new coaching staff we are putting together, along with Beane absolutely being under the microscope to improve the roster, it might be just the thing we needed to push us over the top and win that elusive Super Bowl.  But, it's on Beane and company to put their money where their mouths are, actually get aggressive and improve this roster dramatically and prove it wasn't all lip service.  Because I got news for you.....next year's schedule is TOUGH.  You can't just assume that everything will be the same as it was this season.  Teams are getting better in the AFC and our NFC schedule has the chance to be brutal.  It's not going to be easy.

Edited February 1 by sven233

[Billsfanatic8989]

Mahomes, Burrow and Lamar won't all miss the postseason next year. There are young QB's like Maye, Nix, and then Lawrence seems to be getting better. This was a weak year and a golden opportunity to get to the SB. And it did not happen. 

 

The Bills will probably get a legit #1 WR and improve the defense. However, other teams in the conference will improve as well. 

 

So...no silver lining for me. They had a golden opportunity and lost. 

Edited January 31 by Billsfanatic8989

[Billsfanatic8989]

14 minutes ago, sven233 said:

 

I mean, yes and no.  Do I think we could have beaten the Pats*?  Yes.....but it wouldn't have been easy.  THeir defense is really good and ours.....well, it wasn't.  So, as bad as some of these other teams have made the Pats* look on offense, I am not sure we would have had the same luck.  But, I do think we probably would have beaten them.  As for Seattle?  That would have been a tough hill to climb, honestly.  Kubiac and that offense would have been a severe mismatch against our defense and, while I think we would have gotten some points against their defense, it would have been a battle.  But, you can't win a Super Bowl without playing in the Super Bowl, so I would have happily taken the shot.

 

I said all year that we just didn't have a good enough roster to win the thing this year.  I thought this was the least amount of talent we have taken into the Playoffs with Allen at QB.  And, you couple that with coaching (McDermott) who I haven't believed in since 13 seconds, I just didn't think we had enough.  Now, I also didn't expect the AFC to playout like if did and in the end, I think if you have 17 in the Super Bowl, I will take my chances all day no matter who he's playing with, but we came up a bit short.

 

Silver lining?  Yes.....firing McDermott is a brilliantly bright silver lining.  And, with the new coaching staff we are putting together, along with Beane absolutely being under the microscope to improve the roster, it might be just the thing we needed to push us over the top and win that elusive Super Bowl.  But, it's on Beane and company to put their money where their mouths are, actually get aggressive and improve this roster dramatically and prove it wasn't all lip service.  Because I got news for you.....next year's schedule is TOUGH.  You can't just assume that everything will be the same as it was this season.  Teams are getting better in the AFC and out NFC schedule has the chance to be brutal.  It's not going to be easy.

This. 

 

The Bills can get better all they want. The rest of the conference will improve too. The schedule includes: NEx2, KC, LAC, Denver, Rams, Texans, Ravens, Bears, Packers, Vikings, Lions. That is absolutely brutal!!!

 

Maybe the Bills would be as much (or bigger) underdogs to Seattle as NE is right now. Maybe we get obliterated. But I would take my chances with Josh Allen vs any team on any day. It would be nice to at least find out.

Edited January 31 by Billsfanatic8989

[BuffaloButt]

1 hour ago, boyst said:

Speaking of Denver I had listened to the radio taking about their free agent losses pending. Evidently their defense is losing some quality players on DL, LB, and safety who are not expected to re-sign

Welcome to Buffalo!!

[colin]

Good points made.

 

I think (and this is aside from the d scheme and play calling by MCD that I can't stand) the biggest issue we our team design in 2024/2025 is how we spend the whole day trying to shorten the game.

 

We could be a nasty run and pass o with more tempo, we could run multiple sub packages for several plays in a row keeping the d off balance.

 

We gave the ball away 5 times and let up 4 drives averaging near 70 yards, but ultimately we had the ball and the end of the game to kick the fg to force overtime.  If we had another 70 seconds to work with, or say an extra possession, we put up another 10-14 points and dare Denver to match, which given how well we can shorten the game, I think we could have extended our last two possessions (had we had one extra at that point) and stayed above anyone score lead at the end.

 

To me that's the most aggregious coaching issue we had, Allen can pass it to backs and ends if not wideouts, there is no need to shorten a game vs the 29th ranked passing team on the NFL.

 

Scared coaching loses big games 

[ticketssince61]

Never a silver lining to not winning a super bowl in a wide open year

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

9 hours ago, Success said:

We all want the Bills to still be playing right now.  But maybe that loss to Denver is what we needed to get the most out of the 2nd half of Allen's career.

 

If we won that game, chances are we're playing next Sunday. Which would have been amazing. Would we have beaten Seattle?  I think maybe a 30-40% shot, but not more than that.  And if we lost, we still wouldn't have a title, McDermott would still be HC, and we would still have no real DC or change in scheme.  

 

We wouldn't see much change in the years ahead - we'd be a contender, but one that plays down to the level of their competition, plays too soft on D & relies on Allen to be heroic more often than not.  And we would likely continue to see heartbreak in the playoffs, with maybe a chance that 1 year we could luck into a title before Allen retires.

 

We don't know what we have w/ this new staff, but right now, it feels exciting.  New energy, and a change in direction.  It may fall flat, but I have a hunch we'll be talking here in about 9-10 months about how much better we look on defense and how much more dominant we look in general.

 

I tend to rationalize, and see silver linings in every setback. But I think this one is pretty real.  We may come out of this realizing that we have a better chance at not just 1 Lombardi, but maybe a real run where we stack a few of them.

I love the sentiment, and hope you are right. 
 

But all I am thinking about is how we missed a chance to sneak into the SB without playing Mahomes, getting two weeks to get everyone finally healthy, and then getting to play Darnold, who is 100% going to choke. 

[RiotAct]

9 hours ago, SoonerBillsFan said:

Great post.  The loss to Denver is going to be listed as the turning point to us winning a superbowl someday.

I mean, we’ve been saying this for years and years about “signature” losses.

[MrEpsYtown]

As much as I loathe McDermott, if we win that game we are in the Super Bowl. To me, that trumps everything. 

[strive_for_five_guy]

So it’s a good thing we didn’t make the Super Bowl this year, so that we can maybe make it in the future with the new coaching staff?  I’m optimistic the new staff will do a good job too, although it’s always going to come down to can this team make a run in the playoffs.  I would have been totally fine if we had beaten Denver and it was this year.  McD with two weeks to prep for a team was always one of his strengths.

[Real McCoy]

If we lost in the SB say 37 -38 does Pegula fire McD if we a 13 second collaspe?