Buffalo Bills Fan Here...

[derekshank]

its the freakin bills for crying out loud, the same team that went 4-12, they are jus catching some breaks this year.

Perhaps.

Then again... the Lions were "the freakin lions" and the Saints were "the freakin saints" - that is... until they weren't any more. Sometimes perennial losers get better.

Sometimes.

[ct_bengal]

the saints yes, the lions have yet to post a winning record. how do u hand off to AP (the number 1 rb in the league hands down) just 4 times in the entire 2nd half with a 20-0 halftime lead. Minnesota gave away that game.

[COB]

I was at last year's debacle against the Bills. The second half turned me against Carson Palmer for life. He showed no leadership, was a limp-wristed little Nancy in the face of a furious comeback by the Bills, and just generally displayed none of the qualities one would want in a team leader.

Why so serious?

That malfunctioning grill has really got me riled.

[HairOnFire]

malfunctioning grill has really got me riled fired up.

I apologize.

[derekshank]

the saints yes, the lions have yet to post a winning record. how do u hand off to AP (the number 1 rb in the league hands down) just 4 times in the entire 2nd half with a 20-0 halftime lead. Minnesota gave away that game.

I don't have a horse in this race, but it's still safe to say that no one in the league views the Lions as basement dwellers anymore.

In other words... things change. Sometimes quite quickly.

Is that the case for Buffalo? Well, they certainly aren't the worst team in their division anymore. Their schedule has been significantly tougher than Cincy's... and they are 3-0. Unless you are predicting they go 1-12 for the next 13 games, that 4-12 record from last year doesn't count for much... does it?

[ct_bengal]

the saints yes, the lions have yet to post a winning record. how do u hand off to AP (the number 1 rb in the league hands down) just 4 times in the entire 2nd half with a 20-0 halftime lead. Minnesota gave away that game.

I don't have a horse in this race, but it's still safe to say that no one in the league views the Lions as basement dwellers anymore.

In other words... things change. Sometimes quite quickly.

Is that the case for Buffalo? Well, they certainly aren't the worst team in their division anymore. Their schedule has been significantly tougher than Cincy's... and they are 3-0. Unless you are predicting they go 1-12 for the next 13 games, that 4-12 record from last year doesn't count for much... does it?

nothings changed in my opinion til either team hits at least 9 wins. i never said the bills were going to go 4-12 again, i said they were the essentially the same team and they are. they will play alot of close games, and they won't get all the breaks everytime. lets just see where they finish this year before we crown them is all im saying, 3 games is still a long ways from either of them winning their divisons, let alone a wild card spot.

[rtconner]

Here's my take:

The Bengals aren't as bad as they seem. The Bills are not as good as they seem. I don't see the Bills having the staying power to make it to the playoffs this year. It's too bad they play in one of best divisions in football. I just can't shake the memories of the Broncos of 2009 beating the Patriots on the way to 6-0. They finished 8-8.

This Sunday. The Bills strengths seem to match up better with the Bengals strengths. I can't see the Bengals defense containing the Bills offense for 4 quarters. The only way the Bengals win is if they come out balls to the wall and play like they have nothing to lose. Change up the playcalling and involve some more of their skill players. It's going to be a relatively close game.

Bills 21

Bengals 17

(disclaimer: Bills fan)

Ack!!! I don't underestimate the Bengals. I have Dalton on my fantasy team with hopes he'll improve. But I came here to warn you, in my opinion this is the best Buffalo Bills team since '99. So I implore you not to think this is the same old Bills.

I'll tell you why, there is something this team is doing that is has not since big Ted Washington left. The Bills are dominating in the trenches. The O-line is superp and blocking everything. The D-line is bulked up in size and can stop anyone from running (see Oakland).

So even if Fitz dies of Lyme disease, this team will still be dangerous. Our new GM from last year (Buddy Nix) has made a strong point of getting bigger in the trenches. It's really made a difference.

[cincyhokie]

Here's my take:

The Bengals aren't as bad as they seem. The Bills are not as good as they seem. I don't see the Bills having the staying power to make it to the playoffs this year. It's too bad they play in one of best divisions in football. I just can't shake the memories of the Broncos of 2009 beating the Patriots on the way to 6-0. They finished 8-8.

This Sunday. The Bills strengths seem to match up better with the Bengals strengths. I can't see the Bengals defense containing the Bills offense for 4 quarters. The only way the Bengals win is if they come out balls to the wall and play like they have nothing to lose. Change up the playcalling and involve some more of their skill players. It's going to be a relatively close game.

Bills 21

Bengals 17

(disclaimer: Bills fan)

Ack!!! I don't underestimate the Bengals. I have Dalton on my fantasy team with hopes he'll improve. But I came here to warn you, in my opinion this is the best Buffalo Bills team since '99. So I implore you not to think this is the same old Bills.

I'll tell you why, there is something this team is doing that is has not since big Ted Washington left. The Bills are dominating in the trenches. The O-line is superp and blocking everything. The D-line is bulked up in size and can stop anyone from running (see Oakland).

So even if Fitz dies of Lyme disease, this team will still be dangerous. Our new GM from last year (Buddy Nix) has made a strong point of getting bigger in the trenches. It's really made a difference.

I think the Bills are a solid team. I just think they're more in the 8-8 to 10-6 range than the 12-4 to 13-3 area that people are pumping them up to be. But we can remember the feeling. In 2009 we were coming off of a terrible year and ended up starting the season 7-2. People were still doubting the Bengals.

3 games is too early to gage a whole lot with anything. As of right now I don't see them making the playoffs. I might change my mind in a few weeks. I do, for the time being, see them beating the Bengals. But it won't be a blowout as some are predicting.

[Spor_tees]

It's pretty simple. If the Bengals can win in three categories they will win the game: Time of possession, penalties, and turnovers.

[rtconner]

3 games is too early to gage a whole lot with anything. As of right now I don't see them making the playoffs. I might change my mind in a few weeks. I do, for the time being, see them beating the Bengals. But it won't be a blowout as some are predicting.

Ya, just letting you know. My opinions are based off watching progress last season, as well as watching pre-season games. If I lived in vegas I would have bet money on the Chiefs game.

But ya I don't expect more than 10 to 11 wins. I give Bills 65% chance of win against Bengals though. You will need to bring your A game to win. Picks/penalties on your part will lose it.

[rtconner]

Anyways, what are the Bengals strengths? Obviously I hope your DB's suck and can't pick off the multiple errant throws Fitz will make during a game.

[saundena]

The Bengals defense has faced:

#26 Cleveland

#27 Denver

#32 San Francisco

While that is true, one of the reasons those teams are ranked so low in offens is that they've faced the Bengals defense. One third of that ranking is attributable to the Bengals' D.

True enough. But that is just as true for Buffalo's 3rd ranked offense against KC, Oak, and NE.

If the Bengals are far and away the best defense Buffalo has faced... then it's only fair to point out that Buffalo is far and away the best offense the Bengals have faced.

Just sayin'

Very true. I think it's very easy to get caught up in statistics this early in the year- before teams have a chance to play a variety of opponents. I don't place too much stock in Buffalo's defensive performance over the Chiefs. They really are such a bad team that I don't think they can be accurately used as a benchmark. Our defense played pretty well against the Oakland rush. That is encouraging to me, but we still gave up too many points and yards. Now for the Cheatriots Game.... They have such an amazing offense, I don't think you can really judge our defense too well- There were expected to rack up the yards. Ultimately, we gave up just about as many yards as the Chargers did (who had one of the top defenses last year) so that, and the 4 INT's make me feel better.

Like several of you pointed out it will be a good game for statistics to begin normalizing. Our high power offense and your top notch defense will face off, while our mundane defense will square off against your less than spectacular offense- as least as far as statistics are concerned!

Should be a good game. I like the Bills intangibles better (particularly coaching, making adjustments, etc), but if they underestimate your team they will lose. Going on the road after a big win over the Pats* scares me.

[cincyhokie]

Anyways, what are the Bengals strengths? Obviously I hope your DB's suck and can't pick off the multiple errant throws Fitz will make during a game.

The DB's have been adequate at best but alot to be desired. The Bengals biggest strength on defense is their pass rush followed by the ability to stop the run.

[saundena]

the saints yes, the lions have yet to post a winning record. how do u hand off to AP (the number 1 rb in the league hands down) just 4 times in the entire 2nd half with a 20-0 halftime lead. Minnesota gave away that game.

I don't have a horse in this race, but it's still safe to say that no one in the league views the Lions as basement dwellers anymore.

In other words... things change. Sometimes quite quickly.

Is that the case for Buffalo? Well, they certainly aren't the worst team in their division anymore. Their schedule has been significantly tougher than Cincy's... and they are 3-0. Unless you are predicting they go 1-12 for the next 13 games, that 4-12 record from last year doesn't count for much... does it?

nothings changed in my opinion til either team hits at least 9 wins. i never said the bills were going to go 4-12 again, i said they were the essentially the same team and they are. they will play alot of close games, and they won't get all the breaks everytime. lets just see where they finish this year before we crown them is all im saying, 3 games is still a long ways from either of them winning their divisons, let alone a wild card spot.

First of all, great Avitar! While I do agree with you that it is too early to say anything about teams that didn't perform well last year, I think the Bills and the Lions provided clues to what kind of team they would ultimately become in 2011. Buffalo finished 4-4 and gave 3 playoff teams all they could handle in overtime. I think we also upgraded our roster pretty significantly in the off-season. Last year we had too many players on defense (that were still a hold over from the previous regime). They were too small and didn't fit the 3-4 / 4-3 hybrid we installed. Under Dickless Jauron we played Tampon-2 and all of our players on defense were undersized. Add to this that the players are in the 2nd year of a system, and I think we will end up OK!

Our problem (and I suspect that the Lions will also have this problem) will be depth. Our first stringers are all quality plyers, but once people get nicked up, we won't be able to do some of the things that we are doing now. Our Oline is especially thin. So while I don't expect Buffalo to win the Division, I think we will compete for a wild card spot.

[saundena]

Anyways, what are the Bengals strengths? Obviously I hope your DB's suck and can't pick off the multiple errant throws Fitz will make during a game.

I love Fitz, but man, some of his throws KILL me!

[rtconner]

I love Fitz, but man, some of his throws KILL me!

I get worried about the windy days in the Ralph.

[cincyhokie]

Just watched some of the Bills-Patriots replay on NFL Network.

The Bills offense is good. Jackson is a beast. He makes plays almost everytime he touches the ball. Fitzpatrick is slinging the ball around like Favre. The crowd in Buffalo is absolutely electric. The Patriots defense looked completely lost in the 4th quarter. Brady threw 4 interceptions and looked very un-Brady-like. Honestly, the Patriots defense looked terrible at the end of the game.

Welker shredded the Bills defense in the slot. The Bengals are going to miss Shipley. Can Caldwell have a good game? Can the Bengals force Fitzpatrick to make some mistakes and turn the ball over?

The game reminded me of when the Bengals beat the 7-0 Chiefs in 2003. Great comeback and the crowd was going nuts. That game was a huge turning point for the Bengals as they developed into a divsional power going into 2004-2005.

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

Fitzpatrick is slinging the ball around like Favre.

I just wanted to quote that for hilarity's sake and harken back to the good old days of Fitzpatrick slinging it around like...well, not Favre, for the Bengals.

[membengal]

Not true...there were two sides to Favre. We just got the turnover one.

[HairOnFire]

Welker shredded the Bills defense in the slot. The Bengals are going to miss Shipley. Can Caldwell have a good game?

Please forgive, but what has Shipley ever done to merit any comparison to Welker? Or for that matter, what has Shipley ever done period?

If by some miracle Jordan Shipley were available for this game there's absolutely zero evidence pointing to him having a breakout game or even being featured in any gameplan by the Bengals themselves.

[cincyhokie]

Welker shredded the Bills defense in the slot. The Bengals are going to miss Shipley. Can Caldwell have a good game?

Please forgive, but what has Shipley ever done to merit any comparison to Welker? Or for that matter, what has Shipley ever done period?

If by some miracle Jordan Shipley were available for this game there's absolutely zero evidence pointing to him having a breakout game or even being featured in any gameplan by the Bengals themselves.

I wasn't comparing him to Welker. I was making a statement about what the slot receiver COULD do against the Bills flimsy defense. What has Shipley done? Was one of the leaders in rookie receptions. Went for 130 yards and a TD against the Falcons last year.

Not quite sure what you are getting at but I would agree that the gameplanning is a bigger factor. I would not agree that Caldwell is a better receiver.

[redsbengalsbucks]

Welker shredded the Bills defense in the slot. The Bengals are going to miss Shipley. Can Caldwell have a good game?

Please forgive, but what has Shipley ever done to merit any comparison to Welker? Or for that matter, what has Shipley ever done period?

If by some miracle Jordan Shipley were available for this game there's absolutely zero evidence pointing to him having a breakout game or even being featured in any gameplan by the Bengals themselves.

I wasn't comparing him to Welker. I was making a statement about what the slot receiver COULD do against the Bills flimsy defense. What has Shipley done? Was one of the leaders in rookie receptions. Went for 130 yards and a TD against the Falcons last year.

Not quite sure what you are getting at but I would agree that the gameplanning is a bigger factor. I would not agree that Caldwell is a better receiver.

I actually think that Caldwell is a more complete WR, but Shipley is probably better as a strictly slot WR.

One of the young WR's/or Gresham has to step up and have a huge game or it will be a very lopsided loss for the Bengals.

[HairOnFire]

Not quite sure what you are getting at but I would agree that the gameplanning is a bigger factor. I would not agree that Caldwell is a better receiver.

I guess what I'm getting at is that prior to his injury Jordan Shipley seemed no more capable of being a truly productive player in the slot than a Jermaine Gresham currently is at the TE position. And there's the rub because Gresham might be one of the very worst starting TE's in the entire NFL right now.

As for Caldwell himself, I don't feel compelled to make any argument based upon him being a better receiver than Shipley, mostly because Jordan Shipley's skill level and value are almost entirely the stuff of speculation. In fact, due to his injury any argument you might make claiming Shipley is better than Caldwell is imaginary and based soley on potential that not only hasn't been realized, but is very rarely seen.

Potential aside, both this season and last year, Andre Caldwell has always struck me as a player who is far more capable of producing now. And I mean that in both an overall sense and in regards to producing the occasional big play.

Which brings me back to game planning, and my belief that players like Shipley, Gresham, Green, and even Andy Dalton are currently incapable of playing to their full potential, and were this not a rebuilding team could easily be replaced with a mediocre veteran player fully capable of outproducing the younger more talented players who start ahead of them.

And yeah, that includes Shipley, because if he were healthy his own playing history points to him being unable to fully exploit whatever weakness you think the Bills defense may have. Simply put, he's no Welker....and until he improves he's probably not as good as Caldwell.

[cincyhokie]

Not quite sure what you are getting at but I would agree that the gameplanning is a bigger factor. I would not agree that Caldwell is a better receiver.

I guess what I'm getting at is that prior to his injury Jordan Shipley seemed no more capable of being a truly productive player in the slot than a Jermaine Gresham currently is at the TE position. And there's the rub because Gresham might be one of the very worst starting TE's in the entire NFL right now.

As for Caldwell himself, I don't feel compelled to make any argument based upon him being a better receiver than Shipley, mostly because Jordan Shipley's skill level and value are almost entirely the stuff of speculation. In fact, due to his injury any argument you might make claiming Shipley is better than Caldwell is imaginary and based soley on potential that not only hasn't been realized, but is very rarely seen.

Potential aside, both this season and last year, Andre Caldwell has always struck me as a player who is far more capable of producing now. And I mean that in both an overall sense and in regards to producing the occasional big play.

Which brings me back to game planning, and my belief that players like Shipley, Gresham, Green, and even Andy Dalton are currently incapable of playing to their full potential, and were this not a rebuilding team could easily be replaced with a mediocre veteran player fully capable of outproducing the younger more talented players who start ahead of them.

And yeah, that includes Shipley, because if he were healthy his own playing history points to him being unable to fully exploit whatever weakness you think the Bills defense may have. Simply put, he's no Welker....and until he improves he's probably not as good as Caldwell.

I think the gameplanning will improve with Gruden's experience. I also think that Gresham will get better. I just don't think that a 3 game sample size is enough to get down on this team because they are so young with a rookie QB and OC. Overall, I'm just not as down on this team as others seem to be.

[bwillycuse]

Though I like what I see so far this year from Caldwell.

Shipley has proven more in his one year than Caldwell has in 4.