Bills Lose to Bengals in NFL Division Playoffs

The Bills lost to the Bengals 27-10 in a tough loss.  Tough watching them play so poorly.  Allen never looked comfortable, and the defense struggled whether it was against Joe Burrow's passes or getting beat in the trenches.  On offense the team couldn't rely on a running game when they struggled through the air.  It wasn't fun to watch.  It felt like Cincy had this game in hand early and Buffalo struggled in all but one drive in the game.  

It'll be interesting to see what happens this offseason.  This is a talented team but needs tweaked.  They feel so close to getting it all together with a dynamic passer and great defense.  Coaching changes?  Where to they put their focus?  The receiving corps?  A running back?  On D?  They really could go anywhere.  Again this team is really good and should only need to be tweaked.  How they do that could make a big difference.  

 

Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins - Wild Card Weekend

 

The Bills play a depleted Miami Dolphins team today who is down to their third string quarterback.  But don't take anything for granted.  San Francisco is playing great with Mr. Irrelevant at QB and we saw what happened to the Chargers last night.  Yes I think Buffalo wins but I wouldn't say I'm confident. I'll be out of town with family and won't be able to see the game but I'm hoping for a win today.  Buffalo is too good to lose.

2022 Atlanta Falcons Preview

 Atlanta Falcons:  The Atlanta Falcons struggled last year and that was with Matt Ryan.  Now they have Marcus Mariotta under center with third-round draft pick Desmond

Ridder waiting in the wings.  Neither make you think this will be a high

flying offense even with stud tight end Kyle Pitts.  Cordarrelle Patteson

had a great season as a hybrid RB/WR.  He provided some spark to the offense

and rushing capability to a team that didn't seem to have a good RB option

to start the season.  Losing Calvin Ridley for the year is a huge loss

(suspension).  The o-line might be better so that is always helpful.  Some

good weapons on offense but I don't know if it makes any really strides.

That will boil down to Marriota who is capable but no one thinks he is the

long term solution.

The defensive line could be better with some top draft picks being used on

that side of the ball.  The linebacker corps has been revamped.  The

defensive backs are anchored by excellent corner A.J. Terrell and newly

signed Casey Hayward Jr.  This gives Atlanta the best corners they had in

years and they have some depth to lean on.  So the defense could be better and that 

is a good thing as they were horrible on defense last year.   

Some folks are high on the young talent Atlanta has but I doubt that

translates to much this year though they could be more competitive in games.

That's what this year will be is seeing what some of those young guys bring

to the team.  Will they give them hope for the future?  While Atlanta fans

can't expect much in the win column this is all about the future.

2022 Buffalo Bills Preview

The Buffalo Bills come into the season with lots of expectations.  They now contend

at the highest levels in the AFC and with a few breaks could have been

really close to a Super Bowl appearance or two.  That goes to one of my main

concerns.  The lack of big plays when needed especially in the

playoffs.  I'll always harp on needing a run game to take pressure off Josh

Allen as well as keeping him from having to run so much.  Overall the

offense will look exactly as it did last year.  A few minor changes at WR

and on the o-line.  I expect the offense to again be one of the best in the

league and should be able to compete with any offense out there. 

The defense is one of the best in the league but last season it will be

remembered for their epic collapse in the final second of their playoff game

against KC.  The defensive line has been revamped with many players leaving

and other filling in.  It'll be interesting to see how that plays out.  They made a

big splash signing Von Miller but that was a head scratcher for me.  I don't

know if he has enough in the tank to be a difference maker.  They do have a

great defensive back group which comes back healthy.  That'll include Tre'Davious

White who was injured most of last season. 

Last year they were 11-6 including a maddening loss to Pittsburgh to open the season and a lost to Jacksonville in which they only scored nine points.  There was also the crazy wind game loss against New England.  Some will say see those could have been three wins.  I say "why did they lose them?".  Their offense can be erratic at times and it disappeared in the playoffs scoring a total of 19 points against the Patriots and Chiefs.  Yes, New England had a really good defense and the Chiefs were top 10 in points allowed but this offense has to be better against good defenses and score in big moments.

I'm hoping Buffalo can use their experience in the playoffs (4 of last 5

seasons) and build on those losses.  Maybe get their game to the next level.

I know expectations are high.  I have some hope they can come through this

year but as a fan it's pretty guarded optimism.  Still there's no reason not

to be happy with this team.  Excellent quarterback and defenses aren't easy

to come by and they make games much more fun to watch. Really tough schedule this year but I can still see them winning 11 games though there will be plenty of tough games.