What game(s) would make this team a legitimate WC/playoff contender if the Bills win?

[BillsOverDolphins]

We're obviously going to drop some games at some point, so...

Remaining schedule:

Chargers
@Texans
@Lions
Patriots
Vikings
@Jets
Chiefs
@Dolphins
Jets
Browns
@Broncos
Packers
@Raiders
@Patriots

I see the next 2 divisional games as a litmus test for how legit this team really is--not only because the rival/divisional implications, but right around that time is when the Bills usually start their downward spiral (2003, 2008 and 2011). To add to that Brady owns us and the Bills have been awful in NJ since the mid-90's. To go into the Bye with 3 divisional wins under our belt would be pretty schweet. I made a thread like this in 2011 and had similar reservations about the Jets home game, and how that would be our make-or-break moment. As usual, I was right. The next 2 games will also be a nice test, but I like our chances in the next 2 games if EJ can keep on not screwing up. We'll need him to actually throw for a respectable amount of yds in the divisional games, though.

The encouraging part is I only see 2 automatic L's on the schedule (@NE, @DEN) as of now, where as in years past there was about 5-6 per year.

[Fletch]

Re: What game(s) would make this team a legitimate WC/playoff contender if the Bills

any 8 more

[Historian]

Re: What game(s) would make this team a legitimate WC/playoff contender if the Bills

If they beat NE on Columbus Day weekend, I'll start saving money for the playoff voucher...

[don137]

Re: What game(s) would make this team a legitimate WC/playoff contender if the Bills

If they win two of next three than Patriots game will really set the tone of this team. This team for the first time since Kelly has a little swagger in its step. Beating two good teams to start the season goes a long way.
However, they need to defeat the dragon and knock off the Patriots. Knocking off the Patriots at home will set the tone for a wild card berth. Sweeping the Patriots will slay the dragon for the division crown. However, way to early to seriously think about division title. Small steps.

[RedEyE]

Re: What game(s) would make this team a legitimate WC/playoff contender if the Bills

The Patriots game is the obvious answer but truthfully, if you want to set the tone, you beat the Chargers this week. Beating the team that just beat the "untouchable" Seahawks and skyrocketing to 3-0 sends a message up and down the spine of every other team on the Bills schedule this season.

And honestly, if the Bills are a playoff caliber team you should win these games at home. It has been a loooooong time coming since the Bills have been dominate on their own turf. This game, while not nearly as important as beating the division rival Dolphins, becomes necessary. It sets precedence. Especially before heading out the road for two weeks and then a home coming with the Pats. Before the Bills leave Buffalo, they need to send a message to the Patriots, to the league, that the Buffalo Bills are the only team that will win at Ralph Wilson Stadium this season.

[The Beef]

Re: What game(s) would make this team a legitimate WC/playoff contender if the Bills

Fletch nailed it, get to wins.You may not make it with 10, but you are worthy of being in the playoff conversation.

[stuckincincy]

Re: What game(s) would make this team a legitimate WC/playoff contender if the Bills

The Patriots game is the obvious answer but truthfully, if you want to set the tone, you beat the Chargers this week. Beating the team that just beat the "untouchable" Seahawks and skyrocketing to 3-0 sends a message up and down the spine of every other team on the Bills schedule this season.

And honestly, if the Bills are a playoff caliber team you should win these games at home. It has been a loooooong time coming since the Bills have been dominate on their own turf. This game, while not nearly as important as beating the division rival Dolphins, becomes necessary. It sets precedence. Especially before heading out the road for two weeks and then a home coming with the Pats. Before the Bills leave Buffalo, they need to send a message to the Patriots, to the league, that the Buffalo Bills are the only team that will win at Ralph Wilson Stadium this season.

Agree 100%. SD got beat by a point by a decent AZ club, and holding the ball for 42 minutes against SEA was notable, at least as things go on early in the season.

Knocking off SD, albeit at home, would be a big step.

[trapezeus]

Re: What game(s) would make this team a legitimate WC/playoff contender if the Bills

if the bills are in first or tied for first going into Pats game and they win that one, that's how you know its for real that the playoffs could happen.

not only because it would have gotten us past our normal failing spot, but because we'd be 2-0 in the division at that point and other teams wouldn't be.


and it would mean that we kind of took care of business at home and won the games that we were supposed to win.

[Ed]

Re: What game(s) would make this team a legitimate WC/playoff contender if the Bills

Denver still looks like the favorite to be #1 in the AFC, so winning in Denver looks like the toughest game to me by far. I might actually go to this game. I'm still debating.

Being able to finally win at New England would tell me this team is for real, but these games are both late in the year.

I'd really like to see this team develop an attitude by being tough and dominant at home.

[BLeonard]

Re: What game(s) would make this team a legitimate WC/playoff contender if the Bills

any 8 more

This is pretty much my answer, as well. However, I will elaborate a bit...

IMO, the easiest path to ten wins is to win the 7 remaining home games. That puts the Bills at 9 wins, meaning any one of the remaining road games that the Bills can win would put the win total at 10.

In a perfect world, the Bills will have those 10 wins before the month of December, because those last four games are brutal.

In short, I don't think any one game or games is more important to win... They just need to get to 10 wins.

-Bill

[Ed]

Re: What game(s) would make this team a legitimate WC/playoff contender if the Bills

This is pretty much my answer, as well. However, I will elaborate a bit...

IMO, the easiest path to ten wins is to win the 7 remaining home games. That puts the Bills at 9 wins, meaning any one of the remaining road games that the Bills can win would put the win total at 10.

In a perfect world, the Bills will have those 10 wins before the month of December, because those last four games are brutal.

In short, I don't think any one game or games is more important to win... They just need to get to 10 wins.

-Bill

Agreed that December is brutal, but I would like to think they can win in Oakland. That is a terrible team. Maybe the worst in the league. Either way, if we don't have at least 8 or 9 wins after Thanksgiving, we probably don't make the playoffs.

[BLeonard]

Re: What game(s) would make this team a legitimate WC/playoff contender if the Bills

Agreed that December is brutal, but I would like to think they can win in Oakland. That is a terrible team. Maybe the worst in the league. Either way, if we don't have at least 8 or 9 wins after Thanksgiving, we probably don't make the playoffs.

The main issue I have with the Oakland game is that it is the second West Coast trip in 3 weeks... If the Packers and Raiders games were swapped, I'd be much less concerned, because they'd likely just stay out West after the Denver game.

Going to Denver, coming all the way back to host Green Bay and going all the way back out to Oakland, just to turn around and go all the way back to New England is around 9000 miles of travel in the month of December.

-Bill

[Jry44]

Re: What game(s) would make this team a legitimate WC/playoff contender if the Bills

I don't think there is no one game. The Patriots game in 2011 told us this. You have to approach 10 wins, then I will start thinking playoffs.

[Ed]

Re: What game(s) would make this team a legitimate WC/playoff contender if the Bills

The main issue I have with the Oakland game is that it is the second West Coast trip in 3 weeks... If the Packers and Raiders games were swapped, I'd be much less concerned, because they'd likely just stay out West after the Denver game.

Going to Denver, coming all the way back to host Green Bay and going all the way back out to Oakland, just to turn around and go all the way back to New England is around 9000 miles of travel in the month of December.

-Bill

That's a good point. I'm hoping the Bills will still have something to play for and the Raiders will just be looking to end a miserable season, so that even a tired or flat team can still eek out a win. That's a long ways away though.

[Ingtar33]

Re: What game(s) would make this team a legitimate WC/playoff contender if the Bills

i think the chargers are a legit wild card team. this is EXACTLY the type of game we need to win if we want to make the playoffs. and the quality of team we'll need to beat if we want to go deep into those playoffs.