So what are everyone's record expectations now?

[Fletch]

Remaining home games:

New England
Minnesota
KC
Jets
Cleveland
Green Bay

Remaining Road Games:

Jets
Miami
Denver
Oakland
New England

We need to go 6-5 to post a winning season.

I don't see us beating New England if Gronk is healthy, Denver, or Green Bay.

KC is a better team and Cleveland and Miami are playing about as well as we are. Oakland's horrible but the game's in Oakland where we haven't won since '91. The Jets suck but Vick will probably be starting soon, will they get better as a result if he does? Minnesota's had a tough schedule.

[l3ills]

14-2

[Dr. Lecter]

So do you think they will win again this year?

[EricStratton]

3-13.

I'm just riding the wave.

[Historian]

7-9, and we haven't won in Oakland since 1965.

[jimmifli]

16-0.

[RedEyE]

Next weeks game will set the tone for the remainder of the season. Knock off the Patriots, advance to 4-2 atop the division, and the Bills are onto something decent.

Lose at home in typical Bills fashion and nothing changes.

[Dr. Lecter]

New England - W.

This game is huge. Massive. Gigantic. They have to win it.
Despite what the Pats did this weekend, I am not sold on them being what they were. We all know the Bengals choke when in the national spotlight - even worse than the Bills.

The pressure gets to Brady just enough and the Bills ride the energy of a fired up RWS and win.

Minnesota - W

They beat two better NFC north teams on the road. They'll win this

KC - L

I'm torn on this one. I'll go with KC just because. But maybe they can revenge for last year.

Jets - W

Vick? He looked no better than Geno. Both of their QBs are worse than EJ. The tires are coming off this team. Coaches like Ryan are great when it is going well, but their team can also crash hard.

Cleveland - W

Another close one. Homefield tips it to the Bills. But Petine scares me.

Green Bay - L

I think this might be closer than many think. Green Bay is certainly not unbeatable

Remaining Road Games:

Jets - W

Yeah. The Jets are pretty bad.

Miami - W

The last few years they have had Miami's number and Tannehill struggles agains the Bills

Denver - L

Even with this defense, playing there against Manning and co won't turn out well

Oakland - W

Yeah. Oakland is pretty bad

New England - L

Probable loss. Being the last game makes it hard to predict

So optimistic Lecter has them at 10-6. Splitting with NE and going 5-1 in the East wins the division as they win tiebreakers.


Boom!

[Generalissimus Gibby]

New England - If we have been paying attention and the Pats' Jekyll and Hyde syndrome keeps up, this game is winnable. However, I see Hackett trying to outsmart himself yet again and not run and set up the pass using the run. So Loss

Minnesota - Win, I've had this as a win since July.

KC - Win, if our D is healthy they do not scare me.


Jets - Win, We will at least split the series

Cleveland - Win. Homefield as Mehs says is the key

Green Bay - Win, this is my upset Special

Remaining Road Games:

Jets - Loss, they have a bad history of beating us in Joisy


Miami - Loss Close grudge mass offered up by the Bishop of Miami, but we lose a close grudge match

Denver - Loss, if this was in Buffalo, it might be close. Unfortunately its in Denver

Oakland - Win, we are simply better than them

New England - Loss, Typical Pattern is close loss in the first game, blowout loss in the second and I am sticking to this model until it is happily proven wrong



9-7, but the range is the minimum acceptable win total at this juncture has to be 7 as we have Minnesota, KC, Cleveland, and the Jets on this schedule

[Ed]

I've been guessing 8-8 all year, but 9-7 definitely looks possible. I can see them taking 2 of their next 3, and then taking 3 of 4 in November. That would put them at 8 wins heading into a tough December. West coast road game or not, losing to an atrocious Raiders team is inexcusable. So I'll hold out hope for a winning record, but realistically I would probably stick with 8-8.

[better days]

7-9, and we haven't won in Oakland since 1965.

When is the last time the Bills won in Chicago or Detroit?

10-6

[Generalissimus Gibby]

When is the last time the Bills won in Chicago or Detroit?

10-6
Had we ever won at Chicago?

[YardRat]

I'm still hanging around the .500 mark...gotta see Orton and this offense for more than one game, there are going to be injuries, etc.

The encouraging thing for me is, if (big if) the team can keep performing at this level or better, no games the rest of the season look unwinnable, except for Green Bay (even then, at home it isn't impossible) Denver, and the NE games (and I think we should at least split with them).

[paladin warrior]

11-5 lose is Denver ,Green Bay . at Patriot. .Bills division is 5-1

[colin]

11-5 lose is Denver ,Green Bay . at Patriot. .Bills division is 5-1

this is pretty much what i think it takes to win the division. SD/Denver are gonna tie up a wild card spot, Hou/Indy and Balti/Cinci will be really hard to beat out for the other wild card if we don't beat NE at home, which we also need to do to win the division. so based on all that i figure we need to win the division, which means we need to beat new england

[THRILLHO]

I'm still jaded as a bills fan, so I realistically think 8-8.

[justasportsfan]

I'll let you know after Sunday but for now I'm thinking 14-2.

[TheBrownBear]

I'll go with 9-7, but I think 10-6 or 11-5 is still within the realm of realistic possibility. I can see them winning 6 of their next 7 if the defense keeps it up.

[Skooby]

Ask me this last Saturday, I'd say 5-11. Today I'll say 11-5 & after this Sunday's games, I'll be back at 5-11.

[trapezeus]

in the camp that you can't really get a feel for this team until next week's game. they beat the pats by any margin, the season is on. if they do it confidently, and orton plays well....then it's hard to deny the team has upside. if they are confident, there are only 2 games that they should lose. everything else they should win or be in it until the end.


a close loss will probably mean 7-9/6-10 season.

a blowout loss will be 4-12/5-11 season. and sadly, but perhaps mercifully a full rebuild with a proper front office.

I of course want immediate satisfaction, so i want them to win this game. if they injure brady, all the sweeter.

[YardRat]

this is pretty much what i think it takes to win the division. SD/Denver are gonna tie up a wild card spot, Hou/Indy and Balti/Cinci will be really hard to beat out for the other wild card if we don't beat NE at home, which we also need to do to win the division. so based on all that i figure we need to win the division, which means we need to beat new england

San Diego may be in for a little bit of a tailspin...going to have to go with center #4 starting this Sunday.

[jlgarsh]

10 and 6. The Bills will win the AFC East

[HAMMER]

Still at 10-6, not changing it until we win 11.

[BillsImpossible]

I'll stick with my original prediction of 11-5.

Bills defense is very close to being great.

[Luisito23]

10-6 and the AFC East crown.

We better win on Sunday though.

[Fletch]

7-9, and we haven't won in Oakland since 1965.

We won there in 1991.

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199112080rai.htm

[Dr. Lecter]

that was in Los Angeles, not Oakland

[Fletch]

I'll go with 9-7, but I think 10-6 or 11-5 is still within the realm of realistic possibility. I can see them winning 6 of their next 7 if the defense keeps it up.


Bills defense is very close to being great.

I'll make a prediction now.

Come Sunday after the game once again everyone's going to be talking about how our defense has been smoke and mirrors up 'til now.

I detest Belicheat, but he knows how to dissect an opponent's team. After Sunday I expect Brady to be his usual self again despite my post to the contrary last week.

I simply don't view holding RBs like Donald Brown, George Winn, Alfred Blue, and Lamar Miller down in yards as anything significant. I don't think that any of them has even ever had anything close to a 1,000 yards season. If I'm off it's not by much.

Tate was the only weapon that Detroit had on Sunday and he posted a career game, his best ever.

Also, we did shut down Arian Foster, but he was a gametime decision with a hammy and didn't even play the whole game and came out. Fitzpatrick, once again, Fitzpatrick lit up this D for the win.

I think that there's a huge overreaction here based on the offenses we've played.

[better days]

in the camp that you can't really get a feel for this team until next week's game. they beat the pats by any margin, the season is on. if they do it confidently, and orton plays well....then it's hard to deny the team has upside. if they are confident, there are only 2 games that they should lose. everything else they should win or be in it until the end.


a close loss will probably mean 7-9/6-10 season.

a blowout loss will be 4-12/5-11 season. and sadly, but perhaps mercifully a full rebuild with a proper front office.

I of course want immediate satisfaction, so i want them to win this game. if they injure brady, all the sweeter.

Am I the only person on this board that remembers the Bills signed Pepper Johnson in the off season?

Or is it that people don't understand what a GREAT signing that was & how much he will help against the Pats*?

The Bills have a lot of Confidence after going into Detroit & knocking off the Lions.

In BUFFALO, the Pegula's first game as owners, I expect the Ralph to be ROCKING & the Bills to WIN.

[Fletch]

that was in Los Angeles, not Oakland

Thanks, I forgot about that.

[Dr. Lecter]

I'll make a prediction now.

Come Sunday after the game once again everyone's going to be talking about how our defense has been smoke and mirrors up 'til now.

I detest Belicheat, but he knows how to dissect an opponent's team. After Sunday I expect Brady to be his usual self again despite my post to the contrary last week.

I simply don't view holding RBs like Donald Brown, George Winn, Alfred Blue, and Lamar Miller down in yards as anything significant. I don't think that any of them has even ever had anything close to a 1,000 yards season. If I'm off it's not by much.

Tate was the only weapon that Detroit had on Sunday and he posted a career game, his best ever.

Also, we did shut down Arian Foster, but he was a gametime decision with a hammy and didn't even play the whole game and came out. Fitzpatrick, once again, Fitzpatrick lit up this D for the win.

I think that there's a huge overreaction here based on the offenses we've played.

There might be an over reaction.

But the defense is still 1st overall against the run. And first on 3rd downs. Even playing against teams reserves that is still damn impressive.

And Fitz hardly lit up this team. Don't hyperbolize so much

[better days]

There might be an over reaction.

But the defense is still 1st overall against the run. And first on 3rd downs. Even playing against teams reserves that is still damn impressive.

And Fitz hardly lit up this team. Don't hyperbolize so much

LMAO at Fletch & Fitz.

EJ lost that game with a pick 6, Fitz did NOT win it.

[Dr. Lecter]

Here are the ranks of the Bills opponents for running offense and 3rd down offense

Chicago 22nd, 11th
Miami 5th, 21st
San Diego 27th, 3rd
Houston 11th, 20th
Detroit 28th, 9th

it's not like all have been pushovers.

[JohnnyGold]

I have thought this team can compete for and win a super bowl ever since we signed Orton.

Ill make a thread about it later this week, just so my prediction is set in stone.

I saw nothing last sunday that made me think any differently.

Some on here will nitpick everything to death--but teams that can go on the road, and come from 2 tds back to beat the number one defense in the nfl? along with having an excellent defense? and consistent special teams? That's good enough to win the super bowl.

if you don't believe me, look at the list of teams to win a super bowl:
seahawks (fit that mold)
ravens (fit that mold)
giants (fit that mold)
packers--don't fit that mold, but the team they beat, the steelers, do
saints--dont fit that mold
steelers-fit that mold
giants-fit that mold
colts, dont fit that mold, but the team they beat, the bears, do
steelers--fit that mold
pats--fit that mold
bucs--fit that mold
pats--fit that mold
pats--fit that mold

basically, we have an imposing defense, and can control the ball with depth at running back and receivers that can get open when the whole stadium knows the ball is going to them.

i dont care if the bills lose this weekend, or if they go 10-6. they are a talented team that is built like a super bowl champion.

[bdutton]

Remaining home games:

New England (W)
Minnesota (W)
KC (L)
Jets (W)
Cleveland (W)
Green Bay (L)

Remaining Road Games:

Jets (W)
Miami (W)
Denver (L)
Oakland (W)
New England (L)


10-6

Honestly... I think we could win the KC game too but I think the NE game is too close to call so I will call one of those a loss and the other a win.

[JohnnyGold]

Tate was the only weapon that Detroit had on Sunday and he posted a career game, his best ever.


we held them to 7 points, what difference does it make if tate had 500 yards.

we don't have the best player in the league at every position. sometimes, guys will go off. no defense is perfect, no offense is unstoppable, no special teams units never allow mistakes or hit 100% of their field goals.

AS A TEAM, though, can each unit overcome the deficiencies of the other? that's never been the case in buffalol. anemic offenses have been paired with excellent defenses, like the jauron years. or high powered offenses have had to win games 35-28, like the fitzpatrick years.

we have a well rounded TEAM right now... and teams win titles, not players. hard not to see this unit going deep into the playoffs, possibly winning it all.

fwiw, this has nothing to do with orton, specifically. i think sanchez could do the same thing with this squad.

"HAHAHA" you say, "you just lost all credibility with me for using butt fumble as an example of a qb who could game manage this team deep."

wrong--sanchez did just that in back to back seasons with a dominant defense and conservative offense.

it's not sexy, we wont get a nickname, but well win, and win often.

[Oaf]

I'm still jaded as a bills fan, so I realistically think 8-8.

If I look at the schedule, 10-6. If I look at the Bills, 8-8.

[BillsOverDolphins]

10-6 if Orton starts the rest of the year.

[YardRat]

I have thought this team can compete for and win a super bowl ever since we signed Orton.

Ill make a thread about it later this week, just so my prediction is set in stone.

I saw nothing last sunday that made me think any differently.

Some on here will nitpick everything to death--but teams that can go on the road, and come from 2 tds back to beat the number one defense in the nfl? along with having an excellent defense? and consistent special teams? That's good enough to win the super bowl.

if you don't believe me, look at the list of teams to win a super bowl:
seahawks (fit that mold)
ravens (fit that mold)
giants (fit that mold)
packers--don't fit that mold, but the team they beat, the steelers, do
saints--dont fit that mold
steelers-fit that mold
giants-fit that mold
colts, dont fit that mold, but the team they beat, the bears, do
steelers--fit that mold
pats--fit that mold
bucs--fit that mold
pats--fit that mold
pats--fit that mold

basically, we have an imposing defense, and can control the ball with depth at running back and receivers that can get open when the whole stadium knows the ball is going to them.

i dont care if the bills lose this weekend, or if they go 10-6. they are a talented team that is built like a super bowl champion.

While the presence of Manning and the perception of the Colts could lead to the conclusion that they 'don't fit that mold', the one season they actually were able to win it all, they really did 'fit'...their defense stepped up, and played dominant, in that playoff run.

[imbondz]

We have been in every game so far. I'd like to know how many teams this far can say that, obviously not including the undefeateds.

[Dr. Lecter]

We have been in every game so far. I'd like to know how many teams this far can say that, obviously not including the undefeateds.


There are no undefeateds

[JohnnyGold]

We have been in every game so far. I'd like to know how many teams this far can say that, obviously not including the undefeateds.

there are no more undefeated teams.

[Fletch]

Here are the ranks of the Bills opponents for running offense and 3rd down offense

Chicago 22nd, 11th
Miami 5th, 21st
San Diego 27th, 3rd
Houston 11th, 20th
Detroit 28th, 9th

it's not like all have been pushovers.

See, here's the bigger question though, did they get to those rankings by using the players that were on the field when we played them? It's asking those kinds of questions that separate the men from the boys in terms of seeing through statistics.

Was it George Winn that has led the Lions to that ranking? And Corey Fuller at WR opposite Tate, who's also not great? Or did they have other key players in other games?

Was it Donald Brown that has been a big source of SD's success, or can you think of another RB that may have contributed more than him but that wasn't on the field when we played them?

How about Miami with Lamar Miller and undrafted rookie Damian Williams? Can you think of another RB that may have helped them get that 5th ranking?

Forte and Cutler both had no trouble moving the ball against us, despite their average at best rankings, they just made too many stupid mistakes, or Cutler did. 427 total yards. Is that what we can expect when teams bring their offenses at full strength?

How many times do you think we'll be playing teams featureing starting RBs as "good" as Winn, Miller, Williams, and Brown? Or starting WRs as "good" as Corey Fuller?

[Fletch]

There might be an over reaction.

But the defense is still 1st overall against the run. And first on 3rd downs. Even playing against teams reserves that is still damn impressive.

No doubt, but against which RBs? Winn, Brown, Miller, and Williams, two of which you'd never even heard of prior to the season starting. Is this impressive? just asking. I'm not impressed. I'll be impressed when our #1 D can hold the Pats to under 300 yards of offense, or the Packers, or Broncos or Chiefs.

[djjimkelly]

Had we ever won at Chicago?

no

and im sticking to 9-7 hoping for more

[streetkings01]

7-9, and we haven't won in Oakland since 1965.
What does that have to do with this season? We havent played in Oakland since 2004. I never understand why people post stats that have nothing to do with anything!

[HHURRICANE]

Remaining home games:

New England
Minnesota
KC
Jets
Cleveland
Green Bay

Remaining Road Games:

Jets
Miami
Denver
Oakland
New England

We need to go 6-5 to post a winning season.

I don't see us beating New England if Gronk is healthy, Denver, or Green Bay.

KC is a better team and Cleveland and Miami are playing about as well as we are. Oakland's horrible but the game's in Oakland where we haven't won since '91. The Jets suck but Vick will probably be starting soon, will they get better as a result if he does? Minnesota's had a tough schedule.

Wins:

Jets 2
Miami 1
Oakland 1
Minnesota 1

Losses:

New England (in BFLO) 1
Denver 1
Green Bay 1

So that puts us at 8 and 5.

The playoffs hinge on these games:

KC
Cleveland
NE on the road which I actually think is a winnable game.

[better days]

No doubt, but against which RBs? Winn, Brown, Miller, and Williams, two of which you'd never even heard of prior to the season starting. Is this impressive? just asking. I'm not impressed. I'll be impressed when our #1 D can hold the Pats to under 300 yards of offense, or the Packers, or Broncos or Chiefs.

You know Fred Jackson was a NOBODY from Coe College before he became a STAR for the Bills.

Winn could be the next Freddie for all you know.

And Reggie Bush played for quite a while in that game as well.

[Typ0]

11-5 if Orton stays healthy...if he doesn't the record will depend on what week he gets hurt.

[YardRat]

See, here's the bigger question though, did they get to those rankings by using the players that were on the field when we played them? It's asking those kinds of questions that separate the men from the boys in terms of seeing through statistics.

The men know the team is 3-2 and in first place in the division. The boys keep pouring over ultimately useless statistics and extenuating circumstances to try and prove why that isn't 'really' true.

You really shouldn't try to pull that **** when it's obvious your balls haven't dropped yet.

[Historian]

7-9

[Fletch]

The men know the team is 3-2 and in first place in the division. The boys keep pouring over ultimately useless statistics and extenuating circumstances to try and prove why that isn't 'really' true.

You really shouldn't try to pull that **** when it's obvious your balls haven't dropped yet.

I really think that you need to start reevaluating whose balls it is that haven't dropped yet. This season is proving you wrong the more it develops.

- - - Updated - - -


11-5 if Orton stays healthy...if he doesn't the record will depend on what week he gets hurt.

You still thinking this?

[Dr. Who]

I would start a thread: Fletch is like . . .

Couple days ago, I said a doctor with a horrible bedside manner.
Today, how about a Tory sympathizer who would be tarred, feathered, and rode out of town on a rail . . . if an internet community were not an ethereal entity where individuals can act like jackasses with impunity and middle schoolers have fun pretending to be adult.

In any event, I would, but such a thread would gratify Fletch's narcissistic tendency and I wouldn't want to help contribute to a pathology.

[bdutton]

http://www.billszone.com/fanzone/images/misc/quote_icon.png Originally Posted by Fletchhttp://www.billszone.com/fanzone/images/buttons/viewpost-right.png (http://www.billszone.com/fanzone/showthread.php?p=4003643#post4003643)Remaining home games:

New England (L)
Minnesota (W)
KC (L)
Jets (W)
Cleveland (W)
Green Bay (L)

Remaining Road Games:

Jets (W)
Miami (W)
Denver (L)
Oakland (W)

New England (L)


9-7

Honestly... I think we could win the KC game too but I think the NE game is too close to call so I will call one of those a loss and the other a win.

EDITED... The Refs were a huge momentum killer for the bills vs NE. I still think the Bills could end up with a winning record but will miss the playoffs.

[Fletch]

I would start a thread: Fletch is like . . .

Couple days ago, I said a doctor with a horrible bedside manner.
Today, how about a Tory sympathizer who would be tarred, feathered, and rode out of town on a rail . . . if an internet community were not an ethereal entity where individuals can act like jackasses with impunity and middle schoolers have fun pretending to be adult.

In any event, I would, but such a thread would gratify Fletch's narcissistic tendency and I wouldn't want to help contribute to a pathology.

LMAO at me being the narcissist.

Myself and a handful of other posters put up with so much ****, ... I haven't even rehashed those threads yet, that even if we were the narcissists in this scenario we'd be perfectly justified.

I'm going to post a thread in a second showing why it's ridiculously premature to start ranting about a "1st ranked D" after five games against offenses so beaten up that they make the Jags look tough offensively.

The real enjoyment here has nothing to do with the team, it has to do with watching all the rationalizing from week to week as things progress, or should I say regress, and watching everyone but a handful of people here that are the real narcissists change their tune after every game.

I mean seriously, one week Spikes is awesome, the next week he sucks. One week Dareus is "elite", or for two weeks he's "elite," then all of a sudden he sucks and is overrated and is what some of us calmly say that he is all the time, not merely on a week to week basis.

One week Orton's the answer, the next he's not.

Five weeks ago Spiller was special, now he sucks.

I could go on and on an on.

Then those of us insisting those things all along are said to be narcissists in tantrumatic fashion since the people slamming us from the beginning have no choice but to eat crow.

This place is like a circus, there's always something goofy going on. It really is amusing.

[Fletch]

EDITED... The Refs were a huge momentum killer for the bills vs NE. I still think the Bills could end up with a winning record but will miss the playoffs.

So you think that the penalties were unfair?

I mean that PI against Williams was a no brainer. It would have been a TD anyway. 2 penalties on Williams for 46 yards were the officials' faults?

9 penalties against the Pats, 8 against us.

[bdutton]

So you think that the penalties were unfair?

I mean that PI against Williams was a no brainer. It would have been a TD anyway. 2 penalties on Williams for 46 yards were the officials' faults?

9 penalties against the Pats, 8 against us.

Penalties should have been 11-12 against the pats and 5-6 against us. Each of the calls/non-calls were during critical moments when we needed a stop or needed a first down. Those were crucial.

[notacon]

My projection has not changed much at all. This is a 7-9 team, 8-8 outside chance. This has always been the case considering the QB and coaching situation. Orton brings us the ability to win maybe one more game than Manuel.

Remaining Home Games

Minnesota - W
KC - L
Jets - W
Cleveland - W
Green Bay - L

Remaining Road Games:

Jets - W
Miami - L
Denver - L
Oakland - L
New England - L