Buffalo Bills Week 18: Buffalo (13-3) at New England (3-13), 1/5/25, 1 PM, CBS

[Zman5778]

Also, are we expecting Allen to play an entire half? Isn't that the route McD went in 2020 against the Dolphins?

A half? Good lord no.

I'll be shocked if he plays a whole series. I'm expecting him to come in wrapped head to toe in bubble wrap, hand the ball off and then be escorted off the premises.

 

[OkimLom]

Also, are we expecting Allen to play an entire half? Isn't that the route McD went in 2020 against the Dolphins?

Expecting a series at most, just to get Allen with his consecutive streak. Win or Lose, the game doesn't change anything for us.

I doubt Buffalo is really concerned about NE getting their draft pick spot, so I doubt any decisions will be impacted from that mindset.

 

[Tsujimoto]

A half? Good lord no.

I'll be shocked if he plays a whole series. I'm expecting him to come in wrapped head to toe in bubble wrap, hand the ball off and then be escorted off the premises.

I just hope they dress Mike White so Josh doesn't have to back up Trubisky once he does come out of the game.

 

[Dubi Doo]

For those who like that boring ass comedy movie:

 

[Jim Bob]

I’m thinking a series at best. Maybe (big maybe) two. But in my opinion that is it based on his comments yesterday.

Bills HC Sean McDermott has precedent in handling Week 18 starters

We’ve seen this movie before

www.buffalorumblings.com

McDermott has a precedent for this type of thing. During the 2019 regular season, the Bills entered the final week against the New York Jets locked into the five seed in the AFC. Quarterback Josh Allen and the starters prepared for the game as normal, and played two series while throwing five passes, completing three of them for five yards before giving way to backup quarterback Matt Barkley.

 

[tsujimoto74]

A half? Good lord no.

I'll be shocked if he plays a whole series. I'm expecting him to come in wrapped head to toe in bubble wrap, hand the ball off and then be escorted off the premises.

I think there’s real value in keeping him “in rhythm” and letting him actually play some of the game, but we’ll see what they do.

 

[Mike McDermott]

Bills HC Sean McDermott has precedent in handling Week 18 starters

We’ve seen this movie before

www.buffalorumblings.com

This is what I’m basing my thought of very limited time on.



Also:

 

[SharkInABoloTie]

It's feeling very likely we see the Dolphins in the first round

 

[Djp]

Love the Lions trick plays on off. wonder if McD will ever let Brady call one again for the Bill's ?

Just let Josh be Jodh......that play in SF game was designed?

Trick plays have such a volatile potential. if you execute perfectly, it can be a huge momentum swing. If you botch it, it can really give the other team the momentum. They usually involve a complexity that isn't worth

I'm separating out go for it on 4th vs trick plays because they carry the same risk as you say

I think with younger upstart clubs I think these kind of things could jack them up. If you do it against experienced teams it doesnt have the same effect

Detroit didnt invent the play. I recall it being done in the 2OT dolphins-chargerd playoff game in the 1980s. That was done in a late in first half

Expecting a series at most, just to get Allen with his consecutive streak. Win or Lose, the game doesn't change anything for us.

I doubt Buffalo is really concerned about NE getting their draft pick spot, so I doubt any decisions will be impacted from that mindset.

Buffalo knows it would like NR to win.

Ehat would be funny. Late in gsmr tied 10-10 they are punting and intentionally give up a safety/TD for Pat's to win

It's feeling very likely we see the Dolphins in the first round

KC playing starters??? If they arent I see denver winning.

Dolphins might have the easiest path.

What does PIT do if ravens win? The W as #5 they at houston, as #6 at baltimore. Do they want to play Baltimore instead,?

 

[SharkInABoloTie]

What does PIT do if ravens win? The W as #5 they at houston, as #6 at baltimore. Do they want to play Baltimore instead,?

They do have a great record against the Ravens. But not sure they want to go into Baltimore again. Especially with how they've looked to finish the year

 

[Willgamesh]

They do have a great record against the Ravens. But not sure they want to go into Baltimore again. Especially with how they've looked to finish the year

All games will be in Buffalo except if the Chiefs host the AFCCG.

 

[SharkInABoloTie]

All games will be in Buffalo except if the Chiefs host the AFCCG.

Im talking about PIT going into Baltimore vs Houston

 

[NotABadPeriod]

They do have a great record against the Ravens. But not sure they want to go into Baltimore again. Especially with how they've looked to finish the year

Pittsburgh's disaster scenario is they play their starters and still lose. They can't go into the playoffs losing 4 straight and mentally be in a place to go toe-to-toe with Baltimore.

 

[VaporTrail]

Love the Lions trick plays on off. wonder if McD will ever let Brady call one again for the Bill's ?

Well I think it was Allen who was saying that they don't want to show too much of their playback to opponents before the playoffs start...My guess is they got some real nice ones dialed up waiting to be unleashed in the playoffs.

 

[Zman5778]

 

[NotABadPeriod]

At the risk of completely derailing this thread...



And...we're...off.

 

[Zman5778]

Barkley, on cusp of record, to sit out vs. Giants

The Eagles plan to rest key players, including Saquon Barkley, against the Giants, coach Nick Sirianni said Wednesday.

www.espn.com

 

[Zman5778]

Maye to start as Pats prioritize win over top pick

Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye is expected to start the season finale Sunday against the Bills.

www.espn.com

- Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye is expected to start the season finale Sunday against the Bills as New England plans to play all its healthy starters.

If the Patriots (3-13) lose to the visiting Bills, they would secure the first overall pick in this year's NFL draft.

"Drake is our starting quarterback. If he's healthy and ready to go, as we go through this week of practice, then he'll play," Patriots coach Jerod Mayo said Wednesday. "He's a competitor, he wants to play and he's still developing. He'll be ready to go."

I'm more than fine if the Pats win this game and cost themselves a chance at a haul of picks or Travis Hunter.

 

[SwordsgoneWild]

Rumblings that Vrabel wants the NE gig but Kraft wants to stick with Mayo....Good. please don't change your mind Robert.

Granted, NE has so many holes everywhere that it will be awhile before they compete again but hiring a guy like Vrabel would dramatically speed up the timetable. His Titans teams were always a pain the ass to play against outside of that 2022 blowout.

 

[DolanPlsGoSabres]

At the risk of completely derailing this thread...



And...we're...off.

strangely enough McDermott also brought up the palm tree thing in 2019

 

[Zman5778]

Chiefs to start Wentz, rest Mahomes vs. Broncos

The Chiefs will start backup Carson Wentz at quarterback on Sunday in Denver in a game that means nothing to Kansas City but could mean everything to the Broncos.

www.espn.com

Chiefs coach Andy Reid announced his decision to rest Patrick Mahomes on Wednesday, shortly before they returned to practice from an extended break following their Christmas Day win in Pittsburgh. But Reid declined to say who else might spend the day with Mahomes on the sideline, pointing out that only so many players can be rested given roster limitations.

"If someone wants to start messing with it," Reid said, "there's not a whole lot of messing going on. So guys play."

 

[SundherDome]

Rumblings that Vrabel wants the NE gig but Kraft wants to stick with Mayo....Good. please don't change your mind Robert.

Granted, NE has so many holes everywhere that it will be awhile before they compete again but hiring a guy like Vrabel would dramatically speed up the timetable. His Titans teams were always a pain the ass to play against outside of that 2022 blowout.

His defenses were always fast and aggressive. If Babich were to get a call this off-season (doubtful) Vrabel should be a top the list.

 

[ValJamesDuex]

 

[ValJamesDuex]

Note: The Sugar Bowl postponed due to terrorist incident in French Quarter. Note the Superdome is scheduled to host Super Bowl next month.

 

[Husko]

This is, in my opinion, the biggest flaw in Hamlin’s game, and the reason I’d stick with Bishop for the playoffs