Let's talk about the Buffalo Bills (Week 5)

[TLO]

Discuss

[Tonka83]

Originally Posted by Jim V.

Okay I'm gonna take the bait. I'm a Bills fan and I'm gonna throw what I got at y'all.

First off, I think the Chiefs are still the class of the AFC. I don't expect the Bills to win on Sunday. The Chiefs have had the Bills number lately and I don't see that changing. I'll also admit Josh Allen has been a bundle of nerves at times, especially around big games. Maybe it changes on Sunday night, but I won't count on it.

Now for the stuff you guys may not love, but here's why I think KC is vulnerable, and why I don't think they are destined for a New England type dynasty.

I think ol' Patty has read a few too many of his paper clippings (and heard a bit too much of the dick slurping from ESPN and Tony Romo). He's been told he is already the GOAT and that nobody can touch him for a few years now and I think he's really feeling himself. And perhaps he should. But I think stuff like the no-look passes are unnecessary. And yes, I saw the one that got intercepted and while it wasn't his fault, I'm sure as a receiver it's probably a bit weird to have a guy who isn't looking at your throwing you the ball. Probably puts you behind a split second. And thus my point, his showing off is hurting the team. I think one reason (among many) why the Patriots basically ruled the NFL for nearly 20 years was that nobody was their own biggest fan. I despise them, but that whole "do your job" thing worked out kinda well for them. Brady may have had that annoying primal scream after scoring a touchdown and whatnot, but honestly the most annoying thing about that team is that they won and just kept on doing it without saying much of anything. Mahomes is great, but he's not the GOAT (yet). He's won as many Super Bowls as Brad Johnson and Jeff Hostetler. Do I expect him to win at least a few more? Sure. But until he wins as many as Aikman or Bradshaw or Montana, he's just a great QB who's done it once (Rodgers) but lost big to the true GOAT (we know who). But I think if they don't tamp down on the braggadocio, you might see the target on KC's back get bigger.

Now don't get me wrong. It's fine with me if he wants to continue being a showoff rather than just doing his job. Even if the Bills lose on Sunday, I have pretty decent hopes we can still get home field as we have a much, much easier schedule than the Chiefs from here on out. And sure, it's lame, but I think it's a possibility somebody else knocks them off in the playoffs before then and then Mahomes and company are no obstacle.

Also, how has this team not gotten this defense on track? How did they let a relatively bad Eagles team score 30 and stay in the game until the 4th quarter? Now, I'll readily admit that they have had the Bills number (and Josh's) lately, and once again, until I see differently, I actually don't expect the Bills are going to light them up. But things don't look great for your guys defense.

Actually, what is up with a team that only seems to come alive at the very last moment? Why can't the Chiefs go in and whoop on the teams that they should whoop on? Why the last minute dramatics against teams that they shouldn't need it against? Is it that same overconfidence I was speaking of earlier? Feeling like they were above the rest of the league and their opponents and not taking them seriously? I think Andy Reid is wonderful, but it is sure odd.

Lastly, this has nothing to do with the team and their success, but Travis Kelce's "Fight For Your Right" thing? Is it a joke? Cuz even the Beastie Boys realized that song was a ****ing joke somewhere around 1987 and never played it again live after that. He comes across as the meathead's meathead with that kinda stuff. I mean, Gronk was the poster boy for that, but even he is showing some awareness of it, and playing off of that with things like his USAA commercial.

[TwistedChief]

Originally Posted by Jim V.

Lastly, this has nothing to do with the team and their success, but Travis Kelce's "Fight For Your Right" thing? Is it a joke? Cuz even the Beastie Boys realized that song was a ****ing joke somewhere around 1987 and never played it again live after that. He comes across as the meathead's meathead with that kinda stuff. I mean, Gronk was the poster boy for that, but even he is showing some awareness of it, and playing off of that with things like his USAA commercial.

You do realize he was parodying it with "Fight...for your right...to Lombaaaaardy?"

Not unlike when the actual Beastie Boys parodied the song with a short film starring an endless amount of celebrities:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evA-R9OS-Vo

Good use of critical thinking there, nerd.

[MahomesMagic]

Originally Posted by TwistedChief

You do realize he was parodying it with "Fight...for your right...to Lombaaaaardy?"

Not unlike when the actual Beastie Boys parodied the song with a short film starring an endless amount of celebrities:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evA-R9OS-Vo

Good use of critical thinking there, nerd.

I'm glad Buffalo fans have time to critique our players joy in their Super Bowl Championship season.

[smithandrew051]

Originally Posted by dma0034

First off; as a Bills fan let me apologize for this incredibly stupid take. I think some fans want to discredit players just to try and prop their teams up and this is just a stupid take especially after the QB has 14 TDs in 4 games this year with almost no defense.


So I just wanted to talk a little bit about the Bills with you. As there is some changes compared to last year. So let's talk about the Offense.
First off; it hasn't been good. Josh Allen looked terrible against the Steelers and Dolphins; missed some easy throws. He dominated the WFT and looked good against Houston (not that that's saying much). The Bills have become more balanced on Offense; they can definitely lean a little on their running game (not as dominate as the Ravens or Browns or anything but decent). Sanders has been a good edition to the team but the WR have underwhelmed. The main issue with the Bills Offense right now is the O-Line play. They did just bench Cody Ford whom was pretty much useless but it is very concerning. If the Chiefs can pressure with 4 the Bills won't be able to keep up with Mahomes.

The Defense. It has been amazing this year. Star Lotuleli, the Bills DT, skipped all of last year due to Covid (and missed week 1). In one of those "you don't know what you got until it's gone" moments; the Bills fans favorite whipping boy really stood out when he wasn't playing. The Bills were the #2 Defense in 2019 and took a step back in 2020 because teams could gash them in the running game. Right now they are the #1 Defense; and yes... they beat some trash QBs (though I think Heinicke will actually be pretty decent). THe crazy part isn't that they shut out the Dolphins and Texans... it's what they did in the game. The Texans had 8 Total yards at the end of the 3rd quarter before the Bills pulled the starters. Most of the yardage from all those teams happened after the Bills pulled their starters. Now that said: Matt Milano has been the best Bills player for the first 4 games and he got hurt last week. If he doesn't play the Bills will not have an answer for Kelce at all. As some have mentioned the Bills did use the 2021 draft to target DEs to go after Mahomes. Rousseau has been decent but Epenesa in his second year looks like a man possessed. I do think the Bills are good enough to slow the Chiefs but I can easily see the Chiefs dropping 30+. My guess is the Bills will play similar to the first game last year where CEH destroyed them and see if Star makes an impact.

Special Teams. Kicker Bass is pretty good. Bills had a punt blocked and almost had another one in week 2. They also let the WFT recover a kickoff. So the ST is definitely a concerning area for the Bills.


The only chance the Bills will have at winning is to score on Offense. I thought they played very scared against the Chiefs last year in the AFC Championship game (not going for TDs for example). If the Bills Offense isn't clicking there is almost no chance they match up with the Chiefs. I for one am very interested to see how Allen does against the Chiefs defense this go round. The biggest disappointment I had last year was how the Chiefs defense dominated the Bills Offense; everyone knows the Chiefs are going to score points but to watch the Bills Offense look hapless was something else for me.

I say Final: Chiefs 31 Bills 27

I wanted Basham when we took Nick Bolton. I’m fine with Bolton so far, and I expect to like him more and more.

What have you thought of Basham so far? Looks like he’s only played in 1 game from what I can tell. Any thoughts from his limited action, preseason, or TC?

[TomBarndtsTwin]

You're right, Jim V (Bills fan). The Chiefs ARE still the class of the AFC right now. Even though they haven't played like it. They're better than both the Chargers and Ravens, the two teams they lost two. Dumb turnovers are the difference between this team being 4-0 and instead, 2-2.

That said, our defense has been REALLY bad these first few games . . . . . . like really REALLY bad. So for that reason, while I don't think the Bills are better than the Chiefs, that fact will make it a MUCH closer game than the AFC Title Game.

I can't honestly see our defense shutting down Josh Allen, unless he just simply makes dumb mistakes. Our coverage has been poor, we can't stop the run, we have no pass rush to speak of. Just been awful all the way around.

The silver lining is that our offense is as good as ever. Very efficient. For the most part, moving the ball at will in these first few games. If not for some dumb turnovers near the redzone, we would be averaging 40 points a game right now and would be 4-0 in spite of our god awful defense.

I really have no idea how Buffalo's D will stop our O. We can run the ball. Have much better run blocking with our new O-Line. Can obviously pass the ball. We can kill you deep with our passing game, and if you choose to take that away with deep safety play, we'll kill you underneath and with our running game.

All that to say, expect a high scoring affair Sunday night. With the Chiefs being at home and our offense being a little better than your offense, I expect for us to come out on top. But make no mistake, this will not be a beatdown like the AFC Championship game.

I'd love to be proven wrong on that, but can't imagine that I will be based on how bad our D has looked.

[jettio]

In the AFC Championship, the officials let the DBs play with hands on receivers and that was a factor.

Officials will likely call a different game in that regard. Spags and DB coach should expect that and coach the players to stay tight if man to man, but try not to draw many flags.

Hopefully Ward is healthy and plays without limitation.

[Marcellus]

Originally Posted by Chris Meck

Our defense is going to have to play better, it's that simple.

Pretty much sums up the whole thing.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by jettio

In the AFC Championship, the officials let the DBs play with hands on receivers and that was a factor.

Officials will likely call a different game in that regard. Spags and DB coach should expect that and coach the players to stay tight if man to man, but try not to draw many flags.

Hopefully Ward is healthy and plays without limitation.

This was definitely a key factor. Do they let the DBs play physically this time? Shoot, what DBs are even out there for the Chiefs?

I'm interesting to see how much KC is in the "big" dime set. If Gay is cleared and they feel good about him, maybe they are more comfortable with the traditional nickel set.

[duncan_idaho]

And one bit of "lurking" feedback ... I keep seeing Bills fans hope that their DL can now pressure Mahomes with just 4. They don't seem to be aware that the Chiefs' OL upgrade is already evident and that the interior OL is really starting to gel and dominate (Ask Fletcher Cox and Hargraves).

[MahomesMagic]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

And one bit of "lurking" feedback ... I keep seeing Bills fans hope that their DL can now pressure Mahomes with just 4. They don't seem to be aware that the Chiefs' OL upgrade is already evident and that the interior OL is really starting to gel and dominate (Ask Fletcher Cox and Hargraves).

The Bills DL is much weaker than what we have faced most of this year.

They don't have a Garrett, a Bosa, a Fletcher Cox.

Hughes is ok but he's old and can be pushed to the edge.

Addison is 100 years old.

Little Ed Oliver is a bust.

Star Lotulelei is useless against the pass.

I like Rousseau but he is a rookie they are working in and Epenesa is good but a power rusher and that won't work against our OL.


Mahomes will have all day and we will maul them in the run game.

[Marcellus]

The Chiefs offense has had the least drives in the NFL (36) through four weeks.

The lead the lead in scoring percentage (55.6%), net yards per drive (47.5), and points per drive (3.56), despite being second in the league in turnover percentage (19.4%).

— Craig Stout (@barleyhop) October 5, 2021

[TwistedChief]

Originally Posted by Marcellus

The Chiefs offense has had the least drives in the NFL (36) through four weeks.

The lead the lead in scoring percentage (55.6%), net yards per drive (47.5), and points per drive (3.56), despite being second in the league in turnover percentage (19.4%).

— Craig Stout (@barleyhop) October 5, 2021

I don't think people understand how amazing the point per drive (3.56) stat is. We were at 3.12 ppd in 2018 with what most here would describe as a legendary offense.

We're back to being able to perform in the red zone and that's absolutely huge.

[MahomesMagic]

Originally Posted by Marcellus

The Chiefs offense has had the least drives in the NFL (36) through four weeks.

The lead the lead in scoring percentage (55.6%), net yards per drive (47.5), and points per drive (3.56), despite being second in the league in turnover percentage (19.4%).

— Craig Stout (@barleyhop) October 5, 2021

But I though Mahomes was just showing off and too full of himself.

You make it sound like the KC offense is scarier than ever....

[ForeverIowan]

If not for a Mecole Hardman fumbled punt inside our own ten yard line last years AFC Championship game was even more of an absolute ass pounding than it was with Mahomes on one foot nonetheless. Spare me the Bills defense is elite this year BS they have played Big Ben (who should have retired three years ago) and lost, Jacoby Brissett, Taylor Heinicke and Davis Mills. Mahomes, Hill, Kelce, Hardman is gonna hit a little different. Mahomes and Reid in Arrowhead for a must win game and people have been disrespecting them and calling the Chargers the class of the AFC West. I like this spot. Bring it!

[Hammock Parties]

We got our running game back, that's what.

Mahomes is a better QB than he was then, our running game is a bit worse, so it evens out.

Gonna be a LEGENDARY YEAR!!!!!!!!!