2024 Schedule release predictions?

[TacklingDummy]

How many prime time games?

Buffalo Bills 2024 Opponents
Here are the teams whom Buffalo will visit on the road next season:

Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, New York Jets, New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens, Detroit Lions

And here's who it'll face at Highmark Stadium:

Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, New York Jets, New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs

Week 1: Home vs Patriots
Week 2 : Away vs Seattle
Week 3: Home vs Tennessee
Week 4: Away 3-0 Bills vs Houston SNF

Thanksgiving at Detroit
KC@Buff 4pm on CBS
49ers@Buffalo MNF

[Ed]

A lot of good options for prime time games. I would guess at least four prime time games and then a few 4:00 pm that are the featured nationally televised games.

[TacklingDummy]

Tier 1: Houston, KC, 49ers, Lions, Ravens, and Miami are all good candidates for prime time games and nationally televised.

CBS probably won't give up the KC game again this year.

Tier 2: Jags, Rams, Jets could be nationally televised.

Tier 3: Cards, Seahawks, Patriots, Tenn., Colts

[YardRat]

Wk 1--at Houston
Wk 2--Arizona
Wk 3--New England
Wk 4--at Miami

Thanksgiving at Detroit
Sunday night KC
Sunday night San Fran
Monday night at Baltimore.

[T&C]

Tier 1: Houston, KC, 49ers, Lions, Ravens, and Miami are all good candidates for prime time games and nationally televised.

CBS probably won't give up the KC game again this year.

Tier 2: Jags, Rams, Jets could be nationally televised.

Tier 3: Cards, Seahawks, Patriots, Tenn., Colts

I'd be fine with a primetime game AT Miami, otherwise... that game needs to be in the last 8 games due to the heat and the way their stadium is positioned.

[Woodman]

Under/Over I'd set at 6.5.

[Ed]

I'd be fine with a primetime game AT Miami, otherwise... that game needs to be in the last 8 games due to the heat and the way their stadium is positioned.
That would be ideal. An early season night game in Miami and then they still have to come to Buffalo later in the year.

[Novacane]

Houston will definitely be a prime time game. TV will play up the Diggs story.

[Woodman]

Houston will definitely be a prime time game. TV will play up the Diggs story.

That one is a lock! :cheers:

[GreedoII]

Mon Night Games:
@Hou
SF

Sun Night Games:
Jets
@Balt

Thu Night Game:
Jax

CBS Game
KC

Xmas Game (Bills get one)


Having a hard time on Thanksgiving @DET as they did that recently.

[TacklingDummy]

Having a hard time on Thanksgiving @DET as they did that recently.

I forgot they both played each other recently on Thanksgiving.

They both should be good this year and could be a good choice for Thanksgiving.

[mightysimi]

I need early at Seattle so it isn't pouring rain.

[ckg927]

Buzz is that the NFL schedule is going to be released this Thursday.

[Mad Max]

A lot of good options for prime time games. I would guess at least four prime time games and then a few 4:00 pm that are the featured nationally televised games.

Yep. at least one of the Jet games, one of the Fish games, Chefs, Texans and Niners…all prime time red meat.

[ckg927]

Update to #13: They've set the release day for next Wednesday, May 15th.

[POTLAND PSILBYLO]

I need early at Seattle so it isn't pouring rain.

There maybe a western Zone contingent there. I am looking to go, and Historian mentioned his interest as well...

[TheConsigliere]

I need early at Seattle so it isn't pouring rain.

Me too but for other reasons since I am NOT a sugar cube.

- - - Updated - - -


There maybe a western Zone contingent there. I am looking to go, and Historian mentioned his interest as well...

I expect to be there with my Seahawks fan wife after we visit Portland first for a protest or two.

[TacklingDummy]

Ravens open at KC.

So it won't be the Ravens week 1.

[TacklingDummy]

Jets vs 49ers MNF Week 1.

They are out.

[Woodman]

The full schedule comes out at 8pm.

[ckg927]

A couple other games have been revealed:

Week 1: Dallas at Cleveland(notable because it'll be Tom Brady's debut as Fox's lead analyst)
Week 2: Cincinnati at Kansas City

[Historian]

https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/438082240_472157238710398_8399185524120586598_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_p526x296&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=5f2048&_nc_ohc=uqJa3DBzjxUQ7kNvgErZUzw&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AYDJ3yc8PklMq__ckdvwM_AVCL5r3GosfoSzKvA12QBQDg&oe=664A38B3

[TacklingDummy]

Bills vs 49ers SNF Week 13.

[TacklingDummy]

Bills vs Jets MNF Week 6

[TacklingDummy]

Jets at Buffalo Week 17

[TacklingDummy]

So far...

Week 2: Bills at Miami TNF
Week 6: Bills at NJ Jets MNF
Week 13: 49ers at Bills SNF
Week 17: Jets at Buffalo

[Historian]

No leaks yet, huh?

You guys are usually spot-on with your leak sources.

[TacklingDummy]

No leaks yet, huh?

You guys are usually spot-on with your leak sources.

Just the 4 above so far that I found.

[TacklingDummy]

Rumor so far, Miami at Buffalo Week 9

[TacklingDummy]

Reported Bills 2024 schedule
Week 1:

Week 2: at Miami (TNF)

Week 3:

Week 4:

Week 5:

Week 6: at Jets (MNF)

Week 7:

Week 8:

Week 9: vs. Dolphins 1pm

Week 10:

Week 11:

Week 12:

Week 13: vs. 49ers (SNF)

Week 14:

Week 15:

Week 16:

Week 17: vs. Jets

Week 18:

Joe Buck says Bills have 2 MNF games.

[TacklingDummy]

Bills at Ravens week 4, rumored

[Woodman]

We should open with the Patriots ..... :idunno:

[TacklingDummy]

Bills at Seattle Week 8, rumored

[TacklingDummy]

Reported Bills 2024 schedule
Week 1:

Week 2: at Miami (TNF)

Week 3:

Week 4: At Baltimore

Week 5:

Week 6: at Jets (MNF)

Week 7:

Week 8: At Seattle

Week 9: vs. Dolphins 1pm

Week 10:

Week 11:

Week 12:

Week 13: vs. 49ers (SNF)

Week 14:

Week 15:

Week 16:

Week 17: vs. Jets

Week 18:

Joe Buck says Bills have 2 MNF games.

[OpIv37]

So.... we only know 7 games and 3 of them are night games already. Ugggghhh.

Also I wish that Fish game was later.

[Woodman]

Home Games (8)


Kansas City Chiefs
San Francisco 49ers
Jacksonville Jaguars (https://www.bigcatcountry.com/)
Tennessee Titans (https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/)
Arizona Cardinals (https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/)
Miami Dolphins (https://www.thephinsider.com/)
New York Jets
New England Patriots (https://www.patspulpit.com/)

[Woodman]

Away Games (9)


Detroit Lions (https://www.prideofdetroit.com/)
Houston Texans (https://www.battleredblog.com/)
Baltimore Ravens
Indianapolis Colts (https://www.stampedeblue.com/)
Los Angeles Rams (https://www.turfshowtimes.com/)
Seattle Seahawks (https://www.fieldgulls.com/)
Miami Dolphins
New England Patriots
New York Jets

The bye week will be some time between Week 6 and Week 14.

[TacklingDummy]

So.... we only know 7 games and 3 of them are night games already. Ugggghhh.

Also I wish that Fish game was later.
Joe Buck says 2 MNF games so be atleast 4.

[TacklingDummy]

KC AT Bills Week 11 4:25

[TacklingDummy]

Week 1:

Week 2: at Miami (TNF)

Week 3:

Week 4: At Baltimore

Week 5:

Week 6: at Jets (MNF)

Week 7:

Week 8: At Seattle

Week 9: vs. Dolphins 1pm

Week 10:

Week 11: KC at Bills 4:25

Week 12:

Week 13: vs. 49ers (SNF)

Week 14:

Week 15:

Week 16:

Week 17: vs. Jets

Week 18:

[Novacane]

Jets vs 49ers MNF Week 1.

They are out.

So the Jets start 0-1. Good!

[Woodman]

So the Jets start 0-1. Good!

:hump:

[Woodman]

Week 1:

Week 2: at Miami (TNF)

Week 3:

Week 4: At Baltimore

Week 5:

Week 6: at Jets (MNF)

Week 7:

Week 8: At Seattle

Week 9: vs. Dolphins 1pm

Week 10:

Week 11: KC at Bills 4:25

Week 12:

Week 13: vs. 49ers (SNF)

Week 14:

Week 15:

Week 16:

Week 17: vs. Jets

Week 18:

TD will have this thing filled out before 5pm. :cheers:

[TacklingDummy]

Week 1 Patriots, rumored

[Novacane]

If we're playing Thursday on the road week 2 we should open with a 1pm home game. I say Patriots.

[notacon]

Only three prime time games so far?? Hoping for at least two more.

4:25PM KC game will be on TV here unless it conflicts with the crappy Raiders. :bf1:

[TacklingDummy]

Jags Week 3 MNF

[TacklingDummy]

Week 1:

Week 2: at Miami (TNF)

Week 3: Jags at Buffalo MNF

Week 4: At Baltimore

Week 5:

Week 6: at Jets (MNF)

Week 7:

Week 8: At Seattle

Week 9: vs. Dolphins 1pm

Week 10:

Week 11: KC at Bills 4:25

Week 12:

Week 13: vs. 49ers (SNF)

Week 14:

Week 15:

Week 16:

Week 17: vs. Jets

Week 18:

[TacklingDummy]

Jags might not be Week 3 but will be MNF is the rumor.

[TacklingDummy]

Week 15 Lions, rumored

[Ed]

I saw week 18 is New England, but not sure yet if it's home or away.

[ckg927]

Apparently we open at home against Arizona.

[GreedoII]

Full Sched here:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vQLwjlOWvuU_fxOYc5Bs-Lquw-5yLMMHfFJcm9sUaoyNbdgV5eGqtzghtjSr3FFr9h-zgbYMSNX9Wrj/pubhtml?gid=605588940&single=true

[Woodman]

1) Ari
2) @ Mia
3) Jack
4) @ Balt
5) @ Houston
6) @ Jets
7) Tenn
8) @ Seat
9) Mia
10) @ Colts
11) KC
12) Bye
13) SF
14) @ LAR
15) @ Det
16) Pats
17) Jets
18) @ Pats

[GreedoII]

13-4

book it

[Woodman]

13-4

book it

I approve this post! :10:

[T&C]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GNqJeacXkAA29SI?format=jpg&name=small

[Novacane]

3 out of 4 in prime time to start. OP is having a heart attack lol.

[Novacane]

4 of the first 6. At least they get them over with early Op!

[Woodman]

4 of the first 6. At least they get them over with early Op!

:popcorn:

[sukie]

We lose 3 in first group on left… then 2 on right for 12-5. Brady is a phenom OC. Possible freak ending to a game and we have 11-6 but I stand by 12-5

[Novacane]

11-6 to 13-4.

[Woodman]

Tough schedule 14-3

[OpIv37]

3 out of 4 in prime time to start. OP is having a heart attack lol.

It absolutely blows. I don’t even know if I want to go to the Baltimore game. The stadium is close but with the late start and traffic I still won’t get home til 1 am.

[sahlensguy]

It absolutely blows. I don’t even know if I want to go to the Baltimore game. The stadium is close but with the late start and traffic I still won’t get home til 1 am.

I'll pencil that in as an L anyway. Short week on the road.

[Ed]

When the Bills stop having prime time games it means no more Josh Allen and the team sucks again. Enjoy it while you can.

Bills open as -7.0 favorites against the Cards. Only the Bengals at -8.0 against New England are a bigger favorite in week 1.

[OpIv37]

1) Ari- mediocre team on a long road trip, home opener energy- W- 1-0
2) @ Mia heat still gets to us 1-1
3) Jack despite the poor finish last year, they’ve surpassed us 1-2
4) @ Balt they’ve surpassed is 1-3
5) @ Houston they’ve surpassed us 1-4
6) @ Jets on paper this is a W but this coaching staff drops at least two easy Ws a year. 1-5
7) Tenn not much to say here 2-5
8) @ Seat road trip kills us 2-6
9) Mia we get them back 3-6
10) @ Colts 4-6
11) KC in the reg season this matchup has been a toss up but all that lost experience hurts us. 4-7
12) Bye
13) SF long trip but they’re just a better team. 4-8
14) @ LAR I’ll call this one a win despite the WC trip 5-8
15) @ Det yeah right. 5-9
16) Pats 6-9
17) Jets we get them back 7-9
18) @ Pats 8-9

This is gonna be a big setback.

[TacklingDummy]

:lmao:

[jamze132]

Just bought tickets for the 11/3 home game vs Miami. Anyone who wants to meet up, let me know.

[Woodman]

:lmao:

:lol: :lol: :lol:

[Novacane]

1) Ari- mediocre team on a long road trip, home opener energy- W- 1-0
2) @ Mia heat still gets to us 1-1
3) Jack despite the poor finish last year, they’ve surpassed us 1-2
4) @ Balt they’ve surpassed is 1-3
5) @ Houston they’ve surpassed us 1-4
6) @ Jets on paper this is a W but this coaching staff drops at least two easy Ws a year. 1-5
7) Tenn not much to say here 2-5
8) @ Seat road trip kills us 2-6
9) Mia we get them back 3-6
10) @ Colts 4-6
11) KC in the reg season this matchup has been a toss up but all that lost experience hurts us. 4-7
12) Bye
13) SF long trip but they’re just a better team. 4-8
14) @ LAR I’ll call this one a win despite the WC trip 5-8
15) @ Det yeah right. 5-9
16) Pats 6-9
17) Jets we get them back 7-9
18) @ Pats 8-9

This is gonna be a big setback.



So basically we're going to lose to every team that doesn't suck ass. At least you stay on script :lol:

[YardRat]

They'll split with the Jets and Dolphins, and they always lose at least two games between weeks 8-11. They don't lose to Miami in Buffalo, so that's at least four losses for starters. They always lose to one NFC team, so if that isn't Seattle in week eight that could be a fifth loss.

[kscdogbillsfan1221]

I see 11-6

[kscdogbillsfan1221]

I know this team is far from perfect, but if you have a top 5, if not top 2-3 qb in the nfl

as long as he’s healthy you will win at least 10 games

[Gibby 2.0]

1) Ari- mediocre team on a long road trip, home opener energy- W- 1-0
2) @ Mia heat still gets to us 1-1
3) Jack despite the poor finish last year, they’ve surpassed us 1-2
4) @ Balt they’ve surpassed is 1-3
5) @ Houston they’ve surpassed us 1-4
6) @ Jets on paper this is a W but this coaching staff drops at least two easy Ws a year. 1-5
7) Tenn not much to say here 2-5
8) @ Seat road trip kills us 2-6
9) Mia we get them back 3-6
10) @ Colts 4-6
11) KC in the reg season this matchup has been a toss up but all that lost experience hurts us. 4-7
12) Bye
13) SF long trip but they’re just a better team. 4-8
14) @ LAR I’ll call this one a win despite the WC trip 5-8
15) @ Det yeah right. 5-9
16) Pats 6-9
17) Jets we get them back 7-9
18) @ Pats 8-9

This is gonna be a big setback.

I am bookmarking this thread for laughter in December

[Woodman]

I am bookmarking this thread for laughter in December

:cheers:

You won't mind if I just go ahead :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao:

I'm old and need a head start.

Bless you for bookmarking the drivel.

[ghz in pittsburgh]

.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The OFFICIAL 2024 Buffalo Bills schedule <a href="https://t.co/zPN0jkli3r">pic.twitter.com/zPN0jkli3r</a></p>&mdash; ���������������� ���������� (@tailgate_beers) <a href="https://twitter.com/tailgate_beers/status/1790921730728358354?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Gibby 2.0]

1) Ari- Big Win 1-0
2) @ Mia, this could be an ugly loss. Miami plays their best football in September 1-1
3) Jax- We play like **** against them on the road, but hold our own against them at home 2-1
4) @ Bal, Josh and co tend to have their number 3-1
5) @ Hou, Astrodome to NRG its a house of pain 3-2
6) @ NYJ, they always play us tough in the swamplands of Joisy 3-3
7) Ten, home cooking and a W 4-3

8) @ Sea a young team in the middle of a rebuild 5-3
9) Mia, the winning streak continues 6-3
10) @ IND trap game we get caught looking ahead to KC 6-4

11) Queefs, we win an ugly one 7-4

12) Bye

13) SFO, we do this stupid thing of the regular season game v KC is the superbowl so we come out flat and lose big to the 9ers 7-5

14) @Rams, we silence the lambs 8-5

15) @ Det, we lose people 8-6

16) @NEP, the playoff run begins 9-6
17) Jets are burnt out by now 10-6
18) @ Pats we go in there and win the division 11-6

We win a wildcard, possibly against Houston

and it ends in KC or Cincy again

[TheConsigliere]

Me too but for other reasons since I am NOT a sugar cube.

- - - Updated - - -



I expect to be there with my Seahawks fan wife after we visit Portland first for a protest or two.

Sunday October 27th @ 1:00 PM PST it is

[OpIv37]

So basically we're going to lose to every team that doesn't suck ass. At least you stay on script :lol:

Script? No. We are worse than we’ve been in 5 years. Yes, we lose every tough game and a couple that we should win.

[OpIv37]

I am bookmarking this thread for laughter in December

You won’t be laughing when you’re wrong and I won’t be gloating when I’m right. Best case scenario is 9-8 and sneaking into a div win cuz the Fish choked.

[TheConsigliere]

Script? No. We are worse than we’ve been in 5 years. Yes, we lose every tough game and a couple that we should win.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MevYCdn5S8&ab_channel=TheDeadSouth

[Historian]

Kind of a boring schedule.

11-6 is doable, unless some ref gets a stick up his ass against us.

Losses to: KC, Miami, LA, Seattle, Baltimore, Detroit.

Probably still win the division...not bad for a rebuilding year.

[Historian]

And what's with all the love for the 7-10 jets, who last made the playoffs in Obama's first term?

Seven national games?

Is the NFL trying to tank their ratings?

[Gibby 2.0]

You won’t be laughing when you’re wrong and I won’t be gloating when I’m right. Best case scenario is 9-8 and sneaking into a div win cuz the Fish choked.

when have you ever been right? 2017, Is this the worst team of the drought? 2019, this team won't make the playoffs
2020, this team sucks, 2021, I have covid despite the shot this team stinks, 2022, they blow, 2023, the window is closed, 2024, 8-9 tits up

[TheConsigliere]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krokQtkvd9M&ab_channel=TheRamones

[OpIv37]

when have you ever been right? 2017, Is this the worst team of the drought? 2019, this team won't make the playoffs
2020, this team sucks, 2021, I have covid despite the shot this team stinks, 2022, they blow, 2023, the window is closed, 2024, 8-9 tits up

2004-2016.

Oh, and 2023. Still can’t beat the Chiefs, we are worse this year. The window is slammed shut.

[TacklingDummy]

So basically we're going to lose to every team that doesn't suck ass. At least you stay on script :lol:

You mean like not being able to beat the

11-6 Dolphins
12-5 Cowboys
11-6 Chiefs
9-8 Bucs
11-6 Dolphins

?

[OpIv37]

You mean like not being able to beat the

11-6 Dolphins
12-5 Cowboys
11-6 Chiefs
9-8 Bucs
11-6 Dolphins

?

Last year’s team was way better than this year’s.

[notacon]

1) Ari- mediocre team on a long road trip, home opener energy- W- 1-0
2) @ Mia heat still gets to us 1-1
3) Jack despite the poor finish last year, they’ve surpassed us 1-2
4) @ Balt they’ve surpassed is 1-3
5) @ Houston they’ve surpassed us 1-4
6) @ Jets on paper this is a W but this coaching staff drops at least two easy Ws a year. 1-5
7) Tenn not much to say here 2-5
8) @ Seat road trip kills us 2-6
9) Mia we get them back 3-6
10) @ Colts 4-6
11) KC in the reg season this matchup has been a toss up but all that lost experience hurts us. 4-7
12) Bye
13) SF long trip but they’re just a better team. 4-8
14) @ LAR I’ll call this one a win despite the WC trip 5-8
15) @ Det yeah right. 5-9
16) Pats 6-9
17) Jets we get them back 7-9
18) @ Pats 8-9

This is gonna be a big setback.


The MOST PREDICTABLE event in the World is Opi coming out with his annual SOUR PUSS (almost always WRONG) prediction of Bills schedule. :lmao:

[TacklingDummy]

Last year’s team was way better than this year’s.

Sure.

[Woodman]

The MOST PREDICTABLE event in the World is Opi coming out with his annual SOUR PUSS (almost always WRONG) prediction of Bills schedule. :lmao:

Sour puss :comedy:

[Novacane]

Script? No. We are worse than we’ve been in 5 years. Yes, we lose every tough game and a couple that we should win.


You have no idea if that's true or not. Learn to wait and see.

[OpIv37]

You have no idea if that's true or not. Learn to wait and see.

Lmao. We lost talent and experience and replaced it with rookies and backups. It doesn’t take a genius on this one.

[Novacane]

You won’t be laughing when you’re wrong and I won’t be gloating when I’m right. Best case scenario is 9-8 and sneaking into a div win cuz the Fish choked.

You haven't been right since McBeane took over this team. You have PTSD from the old regimes.

[Novacane]

Lmao. We lost talent and experience and replaced it with rookies and backups. It doesn’t take a genius on this one.


You mean like our mlb last year? The expected downgrade that turned into a big upgrade? None of us have a clue what back ups can do until given the chance.

[Novacane]

I'd love to know who are these big talents we lost. Diggs? The guy who was almost invisible for the 2nd half of the season. He contributed next to nothing when the team was playing at it's best. Hyde? The guy who missed almost the entire season White? Again a player who missed almost the entire season. Floyd? Another guy who started great then didn't do much at all during our winning streak. Gabe? He was replaced with equal talent. Poyer? A vet leader who could hurt but was fading fast. It's not a stretch to think a younger guy can step in and at least play at the same level. Morse is the biggest loss IMO. I worry about that one but they obviously think they can replace him. I'll trust Beane over OP.


Who else are these big talents lost because if you think those guys are not irreplaceable I seriously question your football intelligence.

[Novacane]

If OP was in charge nothing new would ever get invented. No young person would ever get the chance to show what they could do. No new music would need to be written because we have the old stuff. Never try any new food! You might not like it!!! We'd never have any Lou Gehrigs because OP loves the Wally Pipps of the world.

[kscdogbillsfan1221]

Last year’s team was way better than this year’s.

YOU DON'T KNOW THAT!

[Typ0]

8 maybe 9 wins and a sneak into the playoffs if the team really achieves. It is a simple matter or timing and resources. They need more time to develop with the resources they have. This is not a dig on McDermott he's going to be the same McDermott which is basically 3 guaranteed losses his slow as molasses systems create before you even kick off the season. He's got a good knack for raising the bar on mediocrity to just above mediocrity though so maybe they can be above .500 despite his flaws.

[Historian]

Hyde is toying with the idea of coming back too.

[Novacane]

YOU DON'T KNOW THAT!

Yes he does!

[Woodman]

Lmao. We lost talent and experience and replaced it with rookies and backups. It doesn’t take a genius on this one.

We're not worried about that. :D

[TacklingDummy]

Hyde is toying with the idea of coming back too.
Good, he wants a ring.

Knows its our year.

Just to stick it to Diggs.

[TacklingDummy]

Lmao. We lost talent and experience and replaced it with rookies and backups. It doesn’t take a genius on this one.

We lost aging injury prone talent and replaced it with rookies and backups who are now starters.

[Woodman]

The best ability is availability.

[OpIv37]

We lost aging injury prone talent and replaced it with rookies and backups who are now starters.

Starters because we didn’t have the cap space to go with any other options, not because they earned it. And experience matters.

[jamze132]

And what's with all the love for the 7-10 jets, who last made the playoffs in Obama's first term?

Seven national games?

Is the NFL trying to tank their ratings?

NFL admitted it’s because of Aaron Rodgers. They said “Jets owe us one” due to Rodger’s playing four snaps last year.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/40158448/nfl-executive-explains-jets-heavy-early-prime-schedule

[YardRat]

NFL admitted it’s because of Aaron Rodgers. They said “Jets owe us one” due to Rodger’s playing four snaps last year.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/40158448/nfl-executive-explains-jets-heavy-early-prime-schedule


They are going to be a player for the division this year, even if Rodgers goes down again. If Aaron/Tyrod and the defense can't do it alone the league will help them out here and there.

There's a reason they end with Buffalo and Miami.

[GreedoII]

2004-2016.

Oh, and 2023. Still can’t beat the Chiefs, we are worse this year. The window is slammed shut.

Disagree

Think the team is actually better and younger. I was looking back at earlier seasons and this year's roster to me is just as good or better in a few positions to be honest. I know it will only take 1 super bowl to take the sour tastes out of our mouths over the decades. Still plenty of time to get one with the QB they have. It will be ok. I won't be firing back with insults and tell you how stupid you are like everyone else. I dunno...this QB seems like he is going to get one. Head coach might be another conversation though. I thin it's prove it time more than ever for him.

[Novacane]

They are going to be a player for the division this year, even if Rodgers goes down again. If Aaron/Tyrod and the defense can't do it alone the league will help them out here and there.

There's a reason they end with Buffalo and Miami.

I'll belive it when I see it. It's more likely Saleh is fired before the season ends imo.

[OpIv37]

Disagree

Think the team is actually better and younger. I was looking back at earlier seasons and this year's roster to me is just as good or better in a few positions to be honest. I know it will only take 1 super bowl to take the sour tastes out of our mouths over the decades. Still plenty of time to get one with the QB they have. It will be ok. I won't be firing back with insults and tell you how stupid you are like everyone else. I dunno...this QB seems like he is going to get one. Head coach might be another conversation though. I thin it's prove it time more than ever for him.

Younger? Yes. Better? Only if we are extremely lucky with all the replacements, and we all know luck is the enemy of Buffalo sports. Morse was a bit of a head-scratcher, and I don’t fully understand taking the huge cap hit to get rid of Diggs. The other moves make sense from a cap perspective. We had a bunch of aging vets not playing up to their contracts. Still, it doesn’t necessarily improve things on the football field. “Younger” isn’t necessarily the same as “better.”

Josh is headed for the Kelly/Marino club. He’s a better athlete and completely different QB than those guys, but the similarity is stats and wins but never getting over the hump to actually get a championship.

It’s not entirely his fault. He has to shoulder part of the blame, but he doesn’t have the coaching or the team around him. And with his salary eating so much of the cap, it’s unlikely that he ever will. He certainly doesn’t this year.

[Typ0]

I am encouraged McDermott is putting a lot more support in place for himself this season. He seems to be asking for help. However, it does make sense to me Pegula could be at the helm of that help being put into place which could be a pretty bad train-wreck coming. It is going to be an interesting season if nothing else. I don't agree with a lot of fans and McDermott's vision a free range Josh Allen can will the Buffalo Bills to a Super Bowl Victory but I would love to be wrong.

[notacon]

I am bookmarking this thread for laughter in December

Except as been revealed with the "New BillsZone (http://www.billszone.com/fanzone/announcement.php?f=2&a=63)" (over due) upgrade, "old links will not work, because the site is getting a new IP address.". So, in addition to bookmarking Opi's usual sourpuss baloney, I copied it to a note for future reference. :D:

In any event, I have bookmarked and detailed the inane and stupid predictions that Opi has made over the past several years, when he is wrong the overwhelming majority of the time, yet, he persists. Many of the bookmarks that I made of his foolishness were useless when the last big data crash happened with this (soon to not be) creaky site held together with spit and bubble gum, as all the posts were LOST and not accessible from between November 2017 and September 2002.

If they WERE accessible (my memory) has Opi with the same dour predictions of the Bills going to have a "big setback" or varying degree of a "setback" year after year after year.

I do not believe he has predicted any more than 9 wins in YEARS. The bookmark DOES work for his sour puss 2023 prediction (http://www.billszone.com/fanzone/showthread.php/263169-2023-Regular-Season-Record-Predictions?p=5022768&viewfull=1#post5022768) of 9-8. What blows Opi's sad sack credibility out of the water to any sane person is the FACT that the Bills (despite Opi's anti-Bills crap) have had FIVE CONSECUTIVE seasons of DOUBLE DIGIT WINS. Opposite of what Opi continually tells us.

A normal person, would be chastised and embarrassed by the bumbling constant wrongness, and refrain from such trolling rubbish by shame.

Shamelessness comes to mind with Opi's Anti-Bills jihad


You won’t be laughing when you’re wrong and I won’t be gloating when I’m right. Best case scenario is 9-8 and sneaking into a div win cuz the Fish choked.
Except you are hardly ever right with your anti-Bills rubbish.

I particularly liked The Athletic's Tim Graham's answers to two question posed by the authors of today's "Scoop City" (https://links.e1.theathletic.com/e/evib?_t=1d75fd3a730a463c8648bd84293b832a&_m=61ceccb6d51744799ce861dbda09a000&_e=ccwxB8EYJtW9e3upWsjOu15KWozUmLOsIUC0k93oorBEBOHL_Ui998n9rbKjWVNu) newsletter...



Optimism in Buffalo?

Q: Given all the offseason moves, what are the chances that Buffalo can win a Super Bowl (or, at least, overcome the Chiefs)?

To answer, I brought in Tim Graham, a senior writer for The Athletic covering Buffalo sports. Here's what he said:

"I don’t think they’ve slipped too much despite the loss of so many veteran leaders. They’ve gotten younger at positions that were aging out. The nagging question will be how Josh Allen handles life without Stefon Diggs, but the Bills proved they didn’t need him as they kept winning while Diggs’ production plummeted down the homestretch."

Q: How important will second-round S Cole Bishop be for the Bills? - James N.

"Cole Bishop is a legit candidate for Defensive Rookie of the Year. Safeties are critical to Sean McDermott’s defense, and with Jordan Poyer already gone and Micah Hyde contemplating retirement, the Bills wanted Bishop badly. They were visibly thrilled Bishop was on the board when they picked in the second round. GM Brandon Beane said they even tried to trade up to make sure they got him, and felt blessed Bishop was still there."

For more on the Bills, Tim shared his thoughts on their schedule (https://links.e1.theathletic.com/u/click?_t=1d75fd3a730a463c8648bd84293b832a&_m=61ceccb6d51744799ce861dbda09a000&_e=bAnv72rtcy496Xj1JKb7n_zlI_tuk7U_I-57kjMFpXGHK5LzMYWT5lvs8r-SGxTKdBaMiPRHRI39-8K4SniKVj6yCicnpsFHXn_OD88RTOPHIf6tTooOZ5CgxlKtLqrKiEkS0I9qQvK7KQMATYhzw3QZ5G188dgFjixgxTt0uoIQv0r_X2rBntw0Y9flTs2kD3Hz4iWrTVEqOrQeN97BzrIqFWnjZvjYi7An2FwNuPxb4og3rupDvOLxBLR3VC-T8DYpjVL8sW33UilSoh0gAgBhmrfVmQsK_PUCZzoN6egJ-w6WY56P36mSmrbO_oQLY5FPg14TDsmgp_aNd-lRemGmg8I3nzT0wCOOXjd_i8g%3D), which includes a road stretch from Weeks 4 through 6 against the Ravens, Texans and Jets. It should be a fascinating year for a team with the fifth-best betting odds to win the Super Bowl. BetMGM has projected them for 10.5 wins.
by definition, is a “violent uprising against an authority or government.


:rofl: It almost looks like Mr. Graham (who's expert opinion has my respect) has read some of Opi's crap and dismissed it out of hand, like any realistic person would and should. He also predicted (https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5494165/2024/05/15/buffalo-bills-schedule-2024/?source=scoopcity_newsletter&campaign=9828772&userId=13460465) the Bills with a 11-6 record and winning the AFCE for the FIFTH year in a row.

For the record, I predict a minimum of 11 wins this season and a ceiling of 13. Bills win the AFCE again.

[Novacane]

They were decimated with defensive injuries last season. If they have better luck in the injury department I think 11-6 is the floor. Depending on how the new starters do they could still do as well as the top seed in the AFC imo.

[ghz in pittsburgh]

They were decimated with defensive injuries last season. If they have better luck in the injury department I think 11-6 is the floor. Depending on how the new starters do they could still do as well as the top seed in the AFC imo.
I'm reasonably confident the offense will be fairly good - typically when an offense is established, it is more consistent than the defense, year-to-year. People going by name recognition will say the loss of Diggs. But we know Diggs isn't all that towards the end last year.

the defense is still what worries me. Safety is a big one. CB depth is still a question. Then the D-line. We are still counting on old guys like DaQuan. Oliver surprised last year but I fear for a drop in performance from him. Last year before the season started, he prepared and trained hard for his contract year. Then the extension happened right before the season starting but his prep carried him thru the best season he had in NFL. I hope he learned and continued to prepare 2024 season like it is his contract year but history tells us you are far more likely to see a drop in performance when a guy gets paid big on his 2nd contract. Even on this Bills team, Allen, Dawkins, Knox all followed the same pattern. Bass signed his extension April last year and promptly had his worst year in the fall. It is part of human nature that you see the reward of your labor, right.

[notacon]

They were decimated with defensive injuries last season. If they have better luck in the injury department I think 11-6 is the floor. Depending on how the new starters do they could still do as well as the top seed in the AFC imo.

NFL.com has published the projected starters for each AFC team (https://www.nfl.com/news/afc-east-projected-starters-for-2024-nfl-season-bills-still-division-s-best-jets-back-on-track). This is Buffalo's' which is fairly obvious....


<tbody>
OFFENSE
PLAYER
DEFENSE
PLAYER


QB
Josh Allen
Edge
Greg Rousseau


RB
James Cook
DT
Ed Oliver


WR
Keon Coleman
DT
DaQuan Jones


WR
Khalil Shakir
Edge
A.J. Epenesa


WR
Curtis Samuel
OLB
Matt Milano


TE
Dalton Kincaid
MLB
Terrel Bernard


LT
Dion Dawkins
CB
Christian Benford


LG
David Edwards
CB
Rasul Douglas


C
Connor McGovern
CB
Taron Johnson


RG
O'Cyrus Torrence
S
Mike Edwards


RT
Spencer Brown
S
Cole Bishop

</tbody>



The biggest changes are at WR and Safety.

With the offense now clearly into "Let Josh be Josh" mode with the much needed removal of the diva Diggs...and the welcome departure of the under-performing (lately) hands of concrete, Gabe Davis, there is every reason to believe that the WR roster is improved. It's going to be fascinating to see how Joe Brady uses these new weapons like Coleman and Samuel.

On defense, losing the two aging, much injured duo of Poyer and Hyde was also due to be done. It remains to be seen if Cole Bishop and Mike Edwards are up to the task, but it was obvious that Poyer and Hyde are well past their prime. That's life in the NFL.

Floyd was fading as the season progressed, and it's doubtful at he will be missed. Epenesa will do fine.

We all loved Tre' White, but, the reality is that he has been a non-factor for over two seasons, and his injuries have spelled the fast approaching end to his stellar career. Rasul Douglas is one of the best trades Beane has done. He is a ball hawk.

You are spot on with the observation that the Bills were "decimated with defensive injuries last season." As I have already detailed (http://www.billszone.com/fanzone/showthread.php/265287-So-where-do-we-stand-after-today-s-bloodletting?p=5090731&viewfull=1#post5090731)the Bills "...in 2023 had the fourth-most games lost by starters on defense in the NFL with 46".

While KC had the second fewest games lost with only 27. They also had lost the fewest games to starters in 2022, the third fewest in 2021 and the 10th fewest in 2020. They were tied for the 13th fewest in both 2018 and 2019.

KC has the advantage of playing 83% of their games on grass the past six seasons, while the Bills had 75% played on crappy turf.

Until the new stadium opens it will take some "luck" in the injury department.

In fact, if there ARE fewer games lost to injuries to starters in 2024 there is no reason to believe the Bills will suffer a "big setback". The fact that Joe Brady has the opportunity to install HIS offensive schemes can be a huge positive.

[Novacane]

Diggs last 8 games when the team was playing it's best? 37 grabs for 349 yards


Gabes stats in the last 9 games......................16 catches for 312 yards FIVE of those 9 he had 0 catches. Nothing!


All the talk that we've had a huge downgrade at WR doesn't make sense.

[notacon]

Diggs last 8 games when the team was playing it's best? 37 grabs for 349 yards


Gabes stats in the last 9 games......................16 catches for 312 yards FIVE of those 9 he had 0 catches. Nothing!


All the talk that we've had a huge downgrade at WR doesn't make sense.

Don't forget the sparse contributions of the other WR's that were on the roster (hard to remember that they were)....

Deonte Hardy - 16 games - 15 catches for 150 yards
Trent Sherfield - 17 games - 11 catches for 86 yards.

The Bills started the season in 2023 with 5 WRs on the active roster...

Stefon Diggs
Gabe Davis
Khalil Shakir
Deonte Hardy
Trent Sherfield

The most likely 5 WRs to make the 2024 opening day active roster are...

Keon Coleman
Khalil Shakir
Curtis Samuel
Marquez Valdes-Scantling
Mack Hollins (or possibly Chase Claypool)

There is no reasonable reason to think "we've had a huge downgrade at WR" and it's very reasonable to think the opposite.

[ghz in pittsburgh]

I hear this phrase "Let Josh be Josh" in the media, and here from a few including nottie. What does it mean? What dose Josh do that's different from everyone else?

Tom Brady - always making the right decision. Peyton Manning - on field offensive coordinator. Roethlisberger - making plays even when defenders hanging onto him. Aaron Rogers - probably the most accurate QB in the pocket or on the run. Mahomes = coming thru at the right time.

What can you say about Allen? At this point most people will say his legs are as dangerous as his right arm. But I feel we, as well as the front office, are still expecting Allen to evolve. This year, with Joe Brady likely emphasizing a no dominating #1 receiver approach, with an entirely different types of weapons from what he used to have, we may ask him to be a "new Josh" from his previous version.

[notacon]

I hear this phrase "Let Josh be Josh" in the media, and here from a few including nottie. What does it mean? What dose Josh do that's different from everyone else?

Tom Brady - always making the right decision. Peyton Manning - on field offensive coordinator. Roethlisberger - making plays even when defenders hanging onto him. Aaron Rogers - probably the most accurate QB in the pocket or on the run. Mahomes = coming thru at the right time.

What can you say about Allen? At this point most people will say his legs are as dangerous as his right arm. But I feel we, as well as the front office, are still expecting Allen to evolve. This year, with Joe Brady likely emphasizing a no dominating #1 receiver approach, with an entirely different types of weapons from what he used to have, we may ask him to be a "new Josh" from his previous version.

"Let Josh be Josh" is not putting constraints on his style, like McD has done from time to time. Not frowning on his refusal to go down....not saying publicly that he should not play so recklessly.

Josh Allen is a rare bird. Not sure if the NFL has ever seen a QB like him from the physical ability (toughness AND speed) who plays the game with little kid gusto.

Too many times, McD tires to suppress Josh's instincts.

Although I may not agree with everything that Tyler Dunne has said (he is extremely critical of McD) his three part series concluded with this Part III. The headline surmises the idea quite clearly...


The McDermott Problem, Part III: Let Josh be Josh (https://www.golongtd.com/p/the-mcdermott-problem-part-iii-let)
“He wants to run through your face and establish the fact that he’s the biggest alpha male dog quarterback in the history of pro football." Buffalo needs to do what's right for its QB. Time's ticking.


Here is the start of the long article (hence the name of his site “Go Long”) that embodies the idea…


There are two distinct versions of Josh Allen this 2023 season. One is fun. One takes off on the run — “The crowd loves it!” Al Michaels professes — and holds the football over the goal line while staring down a Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback. All at full speed.

This version gets a Cincinnati Bengals safety to leave his feet with a pump fake, points, laughs and runs in for a TD. Flag ‘n fine, be damned. Meanwhile, Sean McDermott, spits on the turf and purses his lips. Fifteen yards lost on a kickoff likely means more to the Buffalo Bills head coach than any momentum gained by his backyard quarterback rediscovering himself.

This version, at rain-slopped Philadelphia, rams through Reed Blankenship at the goal line, chucks the ball against the backstop and — flanked by teammates — swaggers right into the teeth of those trash-talking Eagles fans as if welcoming a dark-alley fight. The TD launched a tour de force for the quarterback: 420 total yards, four touchdowns.

“No. 17 is just a different bird,” said one friend and former pro teammate. “He’s wired different. He’s not like most of these quarterbacks. He wants to make dick jokes and run into people.”

If Buffalonians could create the quarterback they’ve always desired in a lab, it’s exactly this.

But then, there’s the other Allen. The pale, stupefied, knockoff version who trudges to the sideline after an interception vs. Denver with McDermott screaming in his ear.

Unlike his boss, Allen does not come remotely close to assigning blame. Doesn’t embarrass receivers on national TV. Doesn’t snipe into earholes on the sidelines. Doesn’t kindly remind the public what McDermott said back in March when, in truth, it’s fully within his rights to alert your attention to these trainwreck comments. When, in reality, this is everything a former Bills assistant coach meant when he said this team is forced to “overcome the head coach.” Everything a former teammate meant by McDermott serving as a drop of “poison.”

A smart coach does everything in his power to accentuate the first version of Allen.

Realize you’ve been gifted a Marvel character at the most important position in sports and let him fly.

Then, there’s McDermott sitting down with NFL Network last March. He made it abundantly clear that Allen needed to siphon these sorts of plays out of his game.

“I don’t think that that’s a healthy way to play quarterback in this league,” said McDermott, in a video posted by the team. “It’s really undefeated that things are going to happen when you play that style, that brand of football. So, we’ve got to get that adjusted. It’s never going to go completely away but it has to get to where it’s workable. I don’t want to take his personality away from him as far as that goes. His signature. But there needs to be an adjustment in that style of play.”

Manually warping the “style” of your most valuable commodity should’ve slotted in as the 2,789th item on the Bills’ offseason agenda. But this was no surprise.

This is a head coach with a low Quarterback IQ.

A LOT more…

[notacon]

BTW...there have been signs that McD is starting to "get it".

In a weird way, the failure for the Bills to score on their last drive vs KC was "letting Josh be Josh". I believe that JOSH made the decision to forgo to an easy lay-up for a probable critical first down and instead, went for the kill by passing to Shakir.


Josh made the questionable decision that time, as Kurt Warner has told us (https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/fmia/news/fmia-conference-championships-brock-purdy-delivers-again-to-meet-mahomes-in-super-bowl), but he is more than likely to make more great decisions than not. It's the way he plays the game when he's at his best.

The Bills moving on from Diggs (and redoing the WR almost completely)and consulting with Josh on drafting Keon Coleman are signs that the team has been handed over to Josh 100%....and it's sure looking like the Bills will "Let Josh be Josh".

I hope so because THAT is the key to glory.

[ghz in pittsburgh]

Well, I read Tyler Dunne before and certainly enjoyed some of his work with Whaley/Monos to get some inside stories that we are not privy to before. BUT I always get the sense that he's more of a shock jockey and try to draw attention to himself with catchy story lines - like Pegula wanted Mahomes in 2017 but Whaley/Monos didn't believe that type of run and gun QB would ever work in NFL and implied somehow it is McDermott's fault for not pushing to draft Mahomes because he had power in that 2017 draft. I don't hate him because I believe you need some of these guys (like Jerry Sullivan) in the media to keep those with power in check. That's how the system works, like the political system here.

In this case, I completely disagree with him on McDermott's handling of Josh Allen -
“No. 17 is just a different bird,” said one friend and former pro teammate. “He’s wired different. He’s not like most of these quarterbacks. He wants to make dick jokes and run into people.”
That is exactly McDermott showing his care for his players. McDermott has seen player Cam Newton and others before him example upon example again that Allen cannot sustain the kind of running he had in order for a long term career. Unlike Newton and many others before him, Allen had elite mind above his shoulders to go with his arm to do better then over-relying on his legs. He needs to be reined in and guided into a more sustainable direction for the Bills and his career. Even the great Tom Brady had been routinely humiliated by Belichick in front of the whole team to propel him to newer heights. We may take some hits in terms of wins and losses at times while during the transition of Josh.

[notacon]

Well, I read Tyler Dunne before and certainly enjoyed some of his work with Whaley/Monos to get some inside stories that we are not privy to before. BUT I always get the sense that he's more of a shock jockey and try to draw attention to himself with catchy story lines - like Pegula wanted Mahomes in 2017 but Whaley/Monos didn't believe that type of run and gun QB would ever work in NFL and implied somehow it is McDermott's fault for not pushing to draft Mahomes because he had power in that 2017 draft. I don't hate him because I believe you need some of these guys (like Jerry Sullivan) in the media to keep those with power in check. That's how the system works, like the political system here.

In this case, I completely disagree with him on McDermott's handling of Josh Allen -
“No. 17 is just a different bird,” said one friend and former pro teammate. “He’s wired different. He’s not like most of these quarterbacks. He wants to make dick jokes and run into people.”
That is exactly McDermott showing his care for his players. McDermott has seen player Cam Newton and others before him example upon example again that Allen cannot sustain the kind of running he had in order for a long term career. Unlike Newton and many others before him, Allen had elite mind above his shoulders to go with his arm to do better then over-relying on his legs. He needs to be reined in and guided into a more sustainable direction for the Bills and his career. Even the great Tom Brady had been routinely humiliated by Belichick in front of the whole team to propel him to newer heights. We may take some hits in terms of wins and losses at times while during the transition of Josh.

I'm more of a McD supporter than most here.

I have already said many times that the posters calling for his head (one particularly confused and bitter sour puss, actually said after only week 5 last season "I’m rooting for them to lose from here on out, only a coaching change and roster turnover can fix this.") have no idea what they are talking about, as firing McD after five consecutive seasons with 10+ wins and playoffs berths, four consecutive AFCE titles the stupidest thing in the world is to fire him.

That does not mean he does not deserve some reasonable criticism.

You asked what does using the phrase "Let Josh be Josh" mean, and the best explanation comes from this Tyler Dunne article and it has a lot of credibility.

With that said you are misrepresenting what Dunne wrote about the decision to not draft Mahomes when you write..."Pegula wanted Mahomes in 2017 but Whaley/Monos didn't believe that type of run and gun QB would ever work in NFL and implied somehow it is McDermott's fault for not pushing to draft Mahomes because he had power in that 2017 draft.".

That is NOT what Dunne wrote, and what Whaley/Monos said or thought in the least. The story was written in November 2020...."Part I: The Pressure in on Josh Allen" (https://www.golongtd.com/p/part-i-the-pressure-is-on-josh-allen?s=w)

Basically, it is true that Pegula wanted Mahomes in the worst way. Whaley/Monos did NOT think "believe that type of run and gun QB would ever work in NFL" although they was slightly concerned with his style of play.

Here is an excerpt of pre-draft meetings with Mahomes that disproves your assertion of what Dunne wrote...



Mahomes was an alpha in every sense. He picked the steakhouse. He commanded the table.

He was fearless in every sense of the word.

“You wanted to stay with him all night,” Monos says. “It was awesome. … Mahomes was a guy who, ‘Let’s go get some wings and beer. Let’s go.’”

The next day — through driving 20 MPH winds— his workout was nothing short of phenomenal. With Pegula, Whaley, Monos, McDermott, then-OC Rick Dennison and then-QB coach David Culley all on site, Mahomes wasn’t stressed, nor nervous. He made every throw look easy. He carried himself with, as Monos puts, “If you want me, take me”-swag.

Adds Whaley, “The moment was not going to be too big for him. It was what he was born to be. The way he handled himself through the process, through the interviews, through the workout, it was like ‘Alright!’ This guy was a professional from Day 1. It didn’t faze him. It was ‘What do you want to do? OK. Let’s do it. You want me to do it better? You want me to do it this way? Whatever you want.’ You knew he had everything you wanted to be special.”

One week later, the Bills met with Deshaun Watson. Which went well. They liked him, too.

But Mahomes was the target. Part of Monos worried the Brett Favre-like gambling would break a lot of hearts, while Whaley worried about the Air Raid lineage and Mahomes going 5-7 his last season. McDermott? He made it clear he wanted to compete in Year 1 and his assistants flat-out did not want the quarterback. All in all, nobody in the entire building was standing on the table for Mahomes. Nobody that is, other than Pegula.

Nobody had “Top 10 conviction” on Mahomes, adds Monos, “other than Terry.”

So, the Bills charted a new battle plan. Their calculated gamble was that their reservations would be the entire league’s reservations and Mahomes would slip. No QB had come out of this scheme and torn up the pros. He put up video-game numbers, sure, but this was also the Big 12. Whaley figured doubts could precipitate a drop and when Monos thinks back to everyone he knows in the NFL scouting community today, he is adamant: There was not love for Mahomes. Like, at all. Right up to draft day, he insists Mahomes was not considered a “can’t-miss guy” so Buffalo straddled its initial plan at Tempo with a prudent pursuit of Mahomes by trading down from No. 10 to No. 27.

The parameters of a trade with the Chiefs were set before the draft.

The dream scenario? Get Mahomes at 27 and have two firsts in 2018.

Of course, there was one wild card: Andy Reid. The Bills figured the Chiefs coach was after a QB if he was willing to give up so much… but who? Did Reid like Watson because he reminded him of his days with Donovan McNabb in the 2000s or Mahomes because he reminded him of his days with Brett Favre in the 90s? It was a mystery. Tension built. And on the day of the draft, April 27, 2017, Pegula gave Whaley and Monos and McDermott one final chance to change their minds. In the offensive staff room — upstairs, across from Whaley’s office — all three still agreed that trading down was best.

Even then, however, both Whaley and Monos were sure to remind Pegula who’s boss.

“I said, ‘Hey, Terry,’” says Whaley, “‘this is your team. If you want the guy, you take him. It’s not going to be a bad pick. You’re the owner.’ I looked him in the eye in front of coach and in front of Jim and in front of Kim — ‘This is your team. If you really want the guy, get him.’ We’ll be able to get him at 10 for sure. Now, I do believe we can drop down and get an extra pick and be able to get him at 27 but, worst-case scenario, I have two first-round picks to be able to take our choice of quarterbacks next year.

“Talent-wise, he’s definitely worthy of it. I think we all recognized the talent. Let’s put it this way: If Rex was our head coach, we would’ve most definitely had Mahomes. I’m pretty sure. There wouldn’t have been the excuse of, ‘We need that impact player to help us right now.’ It would’ve been a different discussion.”

Adds Monos, “I just wanted to say, ‘Hey, look, you don’t need our opinion if you want him.’ But Terry, I respect that about him. I really do. I really, really respect him. He just hired Sean. He gave him control. For him to overstep Sean right away would’ve been a tough thing for Terry to do.”

Neither remember McDermott saying anything in this specific moment.

He didn’t need to. By then, the hierarchy was clear.

By then, McDermott had control of the roster. McDermott had final say. And McDermott had repeated all along he wanted to be able to look his players in the eye his first team meeting and say they were competing to win this season. Not rebuilding. Not developing a 22-year-old. So, the Bills executed the trade. If Mahomes fell to 27, to McDermott, that’d be a smoother sell and, Monos adds, the Bills would’ve had to take Mahomes at 27 because of Pegula. (“I think he would’ve been there, too,” he adds. “I really do. I’m telling you, nobody had Mahomes up there.”)

Except, it turns out, the Chiefs. With that 10th pick, the Chiefs drafted Mahomes and, in the war room, Pegula said aloud that Reid “got his Favre.”

Seventeen picks later, Buffalo took White.

Big picture, a major disconnect in vision was clear. All along, Whaley and Monos were fully prepared to lose. Both felt that way back to March when the Bills re-signed Tyrod Taylor — to them, it was time to move on. From Taylor. From so many vets. Meanwhile, McDermott wanted Taylor entrenched as the starter to establish a winning culture. To him, a total reset would signal to his team that they’re “packing it in,” Whaley recalls.

He couldn’t envision presenting that decision to a team he’d be trying to motivate to win now.

Adds Whaley, “To have that guy as our first draft pick — especially at 10 — he thought that wouldn’t send the right message. He said, ‘We have enough talent on this team that we can compete right away if we use that first-rounder on someone that can contribute this year. You hear that and it’s, ‘OK, legitimate, legitimate point, a legitimate thought process.’ And then you get fired and see ‘Trade this person, trade that person.’ It’s like ‘What?’”

Indeed, one day later, the entire personnel staff was whacked. McDermott seized full control the way his mentor, Reid, once did in Philadelphia. Ten days later, McDermott brought in his own general manager (Brandon Beane) and the Bills ejected players one by one: Sammy Watkins, Ronald Darby, Marcell Dareus, Reggie Ragland. Hell, McDermott even benched Taylor when his team was 5-4, thus justifying what Monos and Whaley tried to tell him back in March and, to his credit, still ended the team’s playoff drought. Whaley and Monos claim they wanted this partnership to work, wanted to “sync up” with the coaches and learn what kind of players they desired but — as Whaley put — other plans were “obviously in the works” pre-draft.

And Monos, the one who got McDermott his job interview to begin with, doesn’t fault the Pegulas. He learned the hard way that if a team doesn’t give one boss full authority, things get messy.

The head coach and GM need to be tied together. It’s imperative.


A LOT more...

Drafting QB's is fraught territory. NO ONE knows if a 1st round QB is going to fulfill the expectations....from HOFer, to very good, to serviceable starter to total bust. As we already know from history, about 50% of first round QB's are either busts or huge disappointments.

McD wanted to instill, from day one, a change of culture and WINNING attitude. He felt (100% correctly and he WAS vindicated) that "McDermott had repeated all along he wanted to be able to look his players in the eye his first team meeting and say they were competing to win this season. Not rebuilding. Not developing a 22-year-old. "

The Bills and McD did EXACTLY THAT. Ending the SEVENTEEN YEAR playoff drought.

Pegula, as smart leaders do, wanted to ensure that his FOOTBALL people were EMPOWERED to do what they thought best to revive a battered franchise. That's why Pegula hired him.

McD, Beane and the new football regime were immediately SUCCESSFUL.

THAT is why I admire Terry Pegula as a stellar owner.

In any event, it's rather lame to try and disparage a professional sports journalist, tying to discredit his credibility, by misrepresenting what he wrote four years ago.

If you want to disagree on his opinion based on the MERITS, that's one thing. I disagree with many of Dunne's opinions, but I respect his expertise gleaned from close insider access and his incredible work ethic in talking to many, many knowledge sources that have first hand information.

I see Dunne as a very credible sports journalist.

[Woodman]

Pithy how about it guys. :roflmao:

[kgun12]

I like the Bills chances to sweep Miami, I saw on the NFL Network that they lost 8 players on defense that logged 40% or more of the defensive snaps to make room for Tua’s signing. Not to mention a new defensive coordinator and an entire new defense that the Bills should be able to exploit in the first meeting and the second game is home!

[notacon]

I like the Bills chances to sweep Miami, I saw on the NFL Network that they lost 8 players on defense that logged 40% or more of the defensive snaps to make room for Tua’s signing. Not to mention a new defensive coordinator and an entire new defense that the Bills should be able to exploit in the first meeting and the second game is home!

+1

The Bills have OWNED Miami more ince Josh became QB than any other team in the NFL and it's not even close.

13 games....11-2 record (including playoff, in bold below). The first time in Josh's career that he played against (and lost) to Miami was the eighth game of his rookie year.

Since then it's been almost TOTAL domination. The ONLY game lost after that was the "Sauna Bowl" by only two points.

Not only does Josh (and the Bills) have Miami's number, the have mostly CRUSHED them.

Outscoring them in 13 games 429 - 259. That's a total margin of 170 points.


<tbody>
Year
Bills
Miami
Margin


2023
48
20
28



21
14
7


2022
34

31
3



32
29
3



19

21
-2


2021
26
11
15



35
0
35


2020
56
26
30



31
28
3


2019
37
20
17



31
21
10


2018
42
17
25



17

21
-4









429
259
170

</tbody>
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There is no reason to believe that the domination will wane. Sure, anything can happen in the NFL, but some teams just have some team's number.