Don't hit the panic button...yet.

by NJBillsfan on Nov 11, 2008 3:27 PM EST Comment 5 comments

Unlike others at Buffalo Rumblings (see: Brian Galliford and Kurupt among others), I do not think that this last stretch of games has made or broken the season. I think that our second visit with all of the division foes, including the trip to Denver, will make or break the season. So please, bear with me and pull your hand off of the panic button for a minute.

Taking a look at the games between then and now, we play Cleveland, Kansas City, and San Francisco. The Bills have a long week to prepare for the primetime matchup with the Browns this upcoming Monday night. Don't get me wrong, this Cleveland team is dangerous when on their games, but they have performed below expectations this year. For the Bills to pull out the win, they will have to do two things they have been unable to do in their losing streak; run the ball effectively and minimize on turnovers. Buffalo's offense, or subsequently a lack thereof, will decide the outcome of this game. Buffalo must get more colorful with the playcall, and additionally take some shots down the field. Solid, methodical drives that end in seven points, not a field goal or a turnover, are what the Bills need to muster the victory. Getting the run going is a huge must in this game. If Buffalo picks up significant yards rushing early on, Cleveland's secondary will have to cheat up to the line, leaving them vulnerable to the playaction. It is also not inconceivable to pick on the weak secondary of Cleveland early on to open up the running game. Whatever the case, Buffalo has to maintain ball control and move the ball down the field. The defense must contain receivers like Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow, and get some semblance of a pass rush towards Brady Quinn.

Moving on to the games against Kansas City and San Francisco. As long as the Bills execute on Monday night and pull off the win, these games (KC and SF) will go a long way towards helping the Bills win at least two of their last four. Kansas City is a franchise in turmoil, a team which has a rather anemic offense without Larry Johnson and a weak defense. Buffalo needs to put up big offensive numbers against this defense for one reason: confidence. The same goes for the home game against San Fran, in which Buffalo must assert themselves against a weak defense (Quick note: San Fran has lost its last six games). Much of the same keys that are central to the Browns game will be so towards all remaining games; don't turn the ball over, and get the running game going.

This stretch of three games is a saving grace after these past three weeks, as it is conceivable that the Bills will win all three games and bolster their record to 8-4. This also brings us to the Buffalo-Miami game in Toronto. By this time, Buffalo should have built offensive confidence with strong showings against Kansas City and San Francisco. This is a game that Buffalo CANNOT lose, and a game that I think they will not lose. By this time they should have gained some confidence from victories in their previous games, and should have an extra incentive to win in Toronto. I also believe that the Bills can stop Jay Cutler and company on offense and win with their own strong offensive showing. Theoretically, that would put the Bills at 10-4, not counting the games against New England and the Jets. What happens in those games will go a long way towards determining Buffalo's playoff hopes.

Do the Bills have what it takes to take control of their season and right the ship?

We'll see.

This FanPost was written by a registered user of Buffalo Rumblings. Its views do not necessarily reflect the views of Rumblings' editorial staff, but are just as valued as our own.

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It wasn’t make or break, but it sure put us in about as deep a whole as we could possibly be in while still having a winning record. 0-3 in the division, while the other three are all 2-1 really puts us deep in the hole. They also have easy schedules, so it’ll be tough to overtake them. Plus, our team has look absolutely brutal in the past 3. That’s where much of the concern lies….

KC has looked much better on O with Thigpen under center. And LJ is back with them now. They will be a difficult challenge on the road, no doubt.

If we don’t win the next 4, we’re in trouble for the playoffs….

by Kurupt on Nov 11, 2008 3:51 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

My issues are with the fact that they ain’t doing anything different from week to week. Jauron gives his little speech about preferring 9-0 yatiyatiyata… That’s the problem! There is no sense of responsibility or urgency from the coaching staff, at this point they should understand that it is no longer about execution it’s about designs & concepts.

I continue to hope that something will change before the next game but I somehow get the feeling that it won’t. I hope that I am wrong.

by keysh67 on Nov 11, 2008 4:02 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Hmmmmmmm

Our division record is murder. This could really come back to haunt us. We almost have to win our division to ensure a spot. Honestly, we absolutely must win the next four. I’m not sure we will if we don’t have a serious wake up call. Cleveland, like you said,can be very dangerous. It’s a shame how the just gave up against Denver. San Fran? Not good, but played very hard for Iron Mike last night. They might have a few things together by the time we see them. Denver? Reminds me of the Browns. I’ll echo K about K.C., and we already know what our divisional foes bring to the table.

I really enjoyed being 5-1, but since I don’t like sweets, I abstained from the kool-aid. After the Arizona game, I went to work and had to quote Denny Green to all the Redskins fans. My overall disdain is the simple fact that we refuse change things up. That I don’t understand.

Can we sign up DJ and the boys Rumblings accounts?

by MonStarr_716 on Nov 11, 2008 5:33 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I haven’t hit the panic button or given up on the team, but I will say it’s one thing to lose a game because the other team(s) is/are better. when you see the #’s that Brian posted about play selection and from what formation (shotgun) it makes you wonder if the offensive coaching staff is incompetent and unable to make the necessary adjustments after the opposition has seen your offense for half a season. we have weapons (Lynch/Jackson) that are being woefully underutilized and that has made me extremely angry the last couple of weeks. for your star running back to get 14, 9 and 13 carries the last 3 weeks is pathetic. we were in those games and to totally abandon the run probably cost us at least 1 of those games. that to me is inexcusable.

by gatornation on Nov 12, 2008 9:05 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

just to add

We went on a 3 game losing streak and the Dolphins and Jets both went on 3 game win streaks. That can’t keep up for any of these three teams. If we play well and get smart with coaching we should be 8-4 after the next three.

By contrast, the Jets have their next two AT New England and AT Tennessee, followed by the Broncos at home. That sounds like 1-2 to me, and if Favre trys to keep up with Cutler (a younger version of himself) in a shootout, I think he will lose, putting them at 0-3.

The Dolphins schedule is much kinder than the Jets with Oakland coming to Miami, followed by New England before they go play at St. Louis. Oakland is without Russell most likely so that doesn’t bode well, but you know what? I think they still might be due for a win. New England will play Miami tough and St. Louis has been an upset maker or at least close to an upset maker against tough AFC and NFC East teams already. I say in the end Miami comes out 2-1, but 1-2 isn’t that unlikely. Either way, That makes our meeting with the Dolphins huge and puts our destiny somewhat in our own hands. We should beat them at “home”.

Finally, the Pats next three isn’t a walk in the park by any means. As mentioned above they take on Miami and Jets before getting the Steelers. We may in fact want to be rooting for the Pats for the next to weeks and then pull for the Steelers to win a game they should, their defensive pass rush should destroy Cassel. So let’s put the Pats at 2-1.

That makes it Bills 8-4, Pats 8-4, Dolphins 7-5, and Jets at 7-5. All year we have beaten the teams we are supposed to and the next three are against teams we are supposed to beat. Our problem is beating teams that are about even or better than us. These could be the standings if we beat our next three.

Then let’s pray we’ve learned how to play against good competition.

McKelvin and Hardy - rookies of the year

by poz on Nov 12, 2008 3:28 PM EST reply actions 0 recs