Bills Banter Podcast - Preseason Woes - 2024 Schedule Deep Dive

welcome back to the bills banter podcast my name is Derek and this week we're looking at week one of the preseason what went well what didn't go so well we're going to look ahead at this week's match up against the Pittsburgh Steelers and also make our picks for each game during the regular season to see where the bills or where we think the bills will end up when it's all said and done we're about to kick this thing off let's go 3 1 2 3 I love y'all boys man what a great opportunity right here man if it's meant to be it's meant to be let's get it boys be great baby be great it's it Deeper by Allen and he's going to sail into the end zone back to pass pressure coming Allen rolls out to the right jumps it down to Murray gets away from a tackle and he's got the first down yard line GI takes it there out to the 20 and he is W has to retreat to his right rolling out looking down the sideline and in and out of the hands of Tyler Boyd back to pass down to the left side picked off by rasul Douglas TI by Greg rone intercepted by Carell Bernard to the lead up takes the snap looking to his left fires quickly and it's picked off rul Douglas at the 40 on his feet to the 30 to the 25 down to the 15 10 5 and into the end zone for the touchdown [Music] [Music] let's go [Music] all right welcome back to the bills banter podcast I'm Derek and I'm here with Daniel and tonight we are talking all things Buffalo Bills if you are hanging out with us make sure you like comment share subscribe do all of those things and uh and make sure that you uh help us get the word out about this podcast this is episode two d Daniel how are you doing man you uh you hanging in there after uh after Saturday's big defeat I'm I'm doing okay definitely a little surprised by that final score um watched the first half live and had to pick up my daughter from cheerleading camp and uh yeah I was a little shocked by that score I did go back and watch the second half and thankfully it's the preseason it's only week one yeah yeah thankfully it is the preseason man it's uh it's one of those things I gosh I it was think about our picks and how we like you know picked it at the end of the last podcast man we're 0 for one so far so good thing it's pre-season for us too so uh well cool man well we are talking pre-season still we're talking uh what happened in uh this past week's game and and and what you know what we saw that we liked what maybe we saw that we didn't like so much so so maybe maybe like speak to that a little bit what did you see um this past week as as you watched the game what what really stood out what were some of your takeaways as you know that stuff began to kind of transpire on the field for the first time sure I'll start with the positives I think the negatives are probably more extensive after watching this first game but uh you know you talked a lot about Coleman last week and I know had one catch three targets but the moment did not seem too big for him um even though you know only had one catch um I liked what he what he brought to the table um even on that play in The End Zone where I think it was trabis he threw a really poor ball and I loved how Coleman fought and uh made sure the guy didn't pick it off so just little things like that I uh I really was encouraged by I thought Samuel looked good I liked Davis out of the back field catching balls he broke a lot of tackles he seemed like he was hard to bring down um on contact so was pleased with that um hamler had a couple good plays he had that one nice came for a punter kickoff return I still would like to see Hardy get a few more chances I know I talked about him last week he didn't really have many opportunities to return the ball I think that's coming and uh again I'm hoping when he gets his chance he can be electric so we'll see with that um those are my posits I'll stop there I don't if you want J yeah I mean I I'm with you man I mean I think like Coleman like even that play that you talked about in the end zone where he you know saves that interception I mean that that's a that's a three-point play really I mean it saves it saves three points on the scoreboard so you still get to kick that field goal even though it's not a touchdown you and I uh the thing that you know obviously is disappointed is that very next play it looked like he was past interfered with um in the end zone kept from making that play probably would have been six there I felt like trabis did actually make a good throw there got it up for him to try and go up and get it where only he could get it and and uh he was hindered from Catching the ball so I liked what I saw from him I really liked what I saw from Curtis Samuel I think you know just like what we talked about last week in in you know in the conversation about what are we going to expect or or what do we need to see I think we already started to see some of that and then obviously I mean khil Shakir who's Mr Dependable I I don't know what what his nickname is going to end up being but I feel like that's what it's got to be right now he he really came up and uh and showed that he is still uh probably the guy uh for us when it comes to when we need a play when we need a first down when we need uh somebody to go out and do something and produce on the offensive side of the ball other than Josh getting the ball in his hands is a is a big big thing so I loved what I saw from Shakir loved what I saw from Samuel on the offensive side of the ball um you know I I I I would say also the thing that stood out to me that was really positive was red zone defense um you know I think I think the bills have always kind of played this like we're going to let you drive the ball a little bit we're going to let you move the ball a little bit but we're going to try and keep you from really putting up a lot of points and and they did a good job of keeping the Bears out of the End Zone after they had sustained some drives and got into the Red Zone uh both those first two drives the the red zone defense looked really strong and so I really like seeing that uh knowing that you know what even even if we are going to give up some sustained driv from the other team uh we can we can generate some stops once the field gets a little bit smaller and uh and we're able to kind of keep things in front of us uh so so I like those things but yeah like you said I mean that there wasn't a whole lot good I think Sean mcder and Josh Allen probably agree with us on that for the most part um you know we we joke a lot about you know what what we expect and you know obviously we're not coaches but man it it didn't look very good you know like from from from the outside looking in I mean we got blown out um and it just it did not look good um from the jump really I mean it looked like the Bears came out ready to play looked like we kind of came out not not ready uh for for competition yeah I would totally agree and I think it starts with the line play I know you and I talked about it it just was not a very good performance you know from the opening kickoff really and the first set of downs I know our starters didn't play a lot but to me the Bears completely won the line of scrimmage even with our starters on both sides of the ball yeah which is always a huge part of the game for anyone who knows football and watches it um and then you know way too many pre-at penalties you can expect that in the pre-season but just a lot of mistakes I mean I did think the communication was good whether it was Bernard calling plays or Allen they seem to be organized I even think about spancer Brown I talked to talked about him last week wanting more from him and there was a play where he saw the guy jump and he moved and you know got the call I thought that was a really smart play so there were little things in there which I like but overall um I would start with their lines and just not really um playing the way we know they can for sure um right yeah yeah I I totally agree with that I mean offensively we come out and we hand the ball off to cook and there's no Running Room there's no push uh feels like our guys are getting pushed into the back field feels like uh our guards and our tackles that are pulling on some of those plays are getting blown up um it's just it's just not it was it didn't look like we were in sync even if even if it you know was just a preseason thing it it looked like we weren't in Rhythm we weren't in sync that we weren't on the same page um and then and then to to piggyback on that on the defensive side you see this with Caleb Williams like that dude comes out and he looks like he's been in the league for two or three years minimum like he looked good and and he was moving up in the pocket took off ran got a first down rolled out made that really nice throw down the field uh the one time he had pressure was able to dump it off to the back we let the back get loose and and he picks up over 40 yards on that little uh play there I mean it it to me uh it looked like we were kind of out of sorts and trying to keep contained I can think of one play when Caleb went to go kind of try and get outside the pocket and our Ed Ed rusher he held the edge so Caleb couldn't get outside and we had a pretty sustained push up the middle uh with our tackles and so it led to a good result on that play but but other than that there was like really um I mean we I think we were playing very loose we were giving him a lot of room and a lot of space to move around and and I don't know about you but like seeing that take place knowing some of the mobile quarterbacks we going to play throughout the season um if if we don't figure out a way to like clean that up and think and play smarter like play and have discipline Rush Lanes stay in those discipline Rush Lanes um you know it it could be really really difficult for us to stop some of these highlevel Elite mobile quarterbacks that we're going to face uh coming up so uh we we have you know a couple of them coming up this week too with the with the Steelers you got fields and you got Russell Wilson both who can kind of move around in the pocket make things happen so it'll be interesting to see what kind of adjustments get made this week um as we go but I I'll say the last the last thing is just like there's no there's no uh no one popped in in week one of the preseason which I think you want to see that right like we want to see somebody solidify and really Pop um and and I guess I'm not a coach so I don't I don't pay attention as closely to the whole film so maybe you know the the some of the coaching staff could could speak to that a little bit better than I could but from a from an outside perspective as a fan I'm looking for somebody to step up and make a big play and really Pop um and and make a name for themselves a little bit in the preseason I just didn't see that so yeah yeah I totally agree with that um you know I think about their quarterback play you already talked about Caleb Williams I keep forgetting the name of their backup but I thought their backup totally tyon be man Tyson be the arm wrestling guy you know um I was a little disappointed with trabis I thought he missed a bunch of big plays I think about that one that Morris was open down the seam would have been a touchdown just completely missed him um I like the guy but I just feel like there's times when there's plays be made and he just does not make them he he seems to leave the pocket a little too soon at times you know you got to take these games as we know the grain of salt we missing stars like Von Miller and Milan I know they're kind of dumbing down certain plays it's very vanilla but we should definitely see you know more of a push you know on both sides of the ball at the start of the game and you know the players talk about the coaches you know the standard there and I think we all could agree that they did not meet that so yeah yeah I think that was MC der's thing after the game is you know it is a preseason game so we're not going to get too crazy about it but but we have a standard and we didn't meet that standard and I think I think that that's one of those things that you have to you know I know there's a lot of young guys maybe there's a lot of nerves I don't you know I don't know why that standard wasn't met but the fact that the standard wasn't met the first chance that you have to go out and do it definitely I don't know if it's like concerning but it definitely begins to kind of um make you wonder um you know it are are the Bills um are are they going to be ready for for game one whenever they kick it off against the Cardinals in a couple weeks and so you know I I walked away a little less confident than I was before they took the field um you know last week so um but you know I again you can't make too much of the preseason they're not scheming for these teams they're not you know game planning for them they're not watching film on them to try and get ready for it or anything like that so you got to understand it's it's a little different but um but you still you want to see guys go out there and give their best and and I I just don't know if we got that uh this past Saturday it it also stinks Ed Oliver got a little bit banged up that first series yeah so um first yeah yeah so I mean I think you know he's probably our best most veteran pass rusher defensive line guy to get a push and and so it's understandable that we didn't have much of one once he had to come out of the game so um all right man well let's uh let's move on let let let's talk about um I guess uh this upcoming week right the the Bills play the Steelers on Saturday and what what are you thinking is going to take place I mean obviously we just had to sign a new quarterback in the last couple days um he he D due to to Shane buelle going out with a injury uh had to sign a quarterback to be able to even play in this game uh coming up this weekend so what are you expecting when we kick it off Saturday at 7 pm uh they're going to have a joint practice with the Steelers uh this week so probably no starters would be my guest probably starters are going to get their ones reps uh in that practice uh in that in that joint practice on Thursday so think you're gon to see a lot more backups because this is really crunch time where you start to try and decide who's going to be on the roster and those kinds of things so what do you what are you wanting to see or hoping to see as they take the field against the Steel Curtain uh on Saturday night yeah well you mentioned the joint practice I think on Thursday I found it interesting I haven't done that since 2019 yeah when they did that with Panther you know we're familiar with the Steelers we played them last year in the playoffs so it's been a number of years since we've done something like this I heard Allen talking about it just how beneficial it is to to have these joint practices to pick the brains of the opposing players and it's not a game and so I find that a little interesting I think that'll definitely help some to have that joint practice I mean you've touched on it I just like to see some guys step up and make plays and put some good stuff on tape I mean you got guys trying to to make the roster um so whether it's you know my guy Hardy or other people receivers just a little more a little more um playmaking really you know we've talked about the lines like hopefully we're a little more motivated going into this game to me it seemed as if even though it's first preseason game the Bears coming into our house just seemed more motivated maybe you know getting on the road being together might make a little bit of difference so I just would like to see more plays I'd like to see our lines step it up a little bit me poor consistent especially create some holes for our running backs to Showcase what they can do because there was nothing there to me for them to to do I mean we talked about Ray Davis catching the ball at the Back Field field making a few plays I would like to see just a little more variety in the play calling even though we're going to dumb it down we don't want to show too much but just to give the guys a chance to uh showcase what they can do whether it's our starters cook or the guys down the line you know I saw Gore in the second half and he had a couple nice runs so I just like to see those lines play better so we can see what our skilled guys can bring to the table yeah I I think uh for me it's it's more uh limiting the big plays I felt like on on Saturday we saw too many big plays uh we saw third down conversions we saw you know running uh quarterback getting loose uh for first down we saw running back getting loose and making a big run uh we saw just just too many plays over 10 or 15 yards um too too often and and and I and we didn't have very many of those plays and so it's just one of those things I think I think we have to limit the big plays and you're going up against the team who you know whether Russell Wilson plays or not you know Justin Fields is gonna play he is a stud athlete at the very least whether or not he's a great NFL quarterback or not I still think is yet to be determined although I think he is really accurate I think he doesn't turn the ball over very often he is very fast and can get out outside the pocket and really really cause um some some stress on the defense if we're not you know doing everything in our power and really paying attention to certain things so I think it'll be interesting to see can we limit those big plays from taking place this week as opposed to last week on the defensive side of the ball can we really hone in and keep uh and and maybe get a few more three and outs get the defense off the field get the offense more plays I think that's the other thing is that when you when your defense is giving up sustained drives from the opponent opponent's offense you're you're keeping your offense off the field and keeping them from really getting into a sustained Rhythm when it comes to you know those plays and being able to call more diverse plays and being able to run more things and and see more people in the game and see more people give more people opportunities so I think the better our defense can do to limit those big plays and get off the field the more opportunities we're going to have for the offense to be able to to to show us some things that maybe we weren't able to see in week one yeah and anyone who watches football knows that it's a game of momentum and you saw that in the second half against the Bears I think it's what you're hitting on they just seem to have all the momentum making plays and our offense really never had a lot of time to to find their Rhythm and and make those plays of course we turn the ball over the pick six never never helps right with momentum and uh yeah it's just really tough in in those types of games to to let players come out and show what they can do you know when you lose the momentum like that because of those big plays you're giving up on the defensive side so and i' also we didn't we didn't talk about him but one more piece that was a little concerning to me is our punter Sam Martin you know okay he it's special teams right Everyone likes to over look it um at times and I think he started off with a really good punt but he shanked one there and um I mean the guy's getting older um I know we're tight on the salary cap and all that stuff so I would like to see just hopefully he's not playing the ball much but I I'd like to see a little more consistency from him because I think field position really does matter to kind of create that momentum like we're talking about to give the guys a chance to go out there and make plays yeah I mean that first punt that he had was you know a pro bowl kind of Punt right like that's that's I mean pinning inside the five yard line uh backing him up to the three I mean that that's a really really solid uh effort I you know the wind was gusting and blowing and so I don't know if maybe he's trying to work on something uh as he prepares to play in the wind in Buffalo throughout the regular season that's my hope my hope is anything that like maybe is a little bit off um in that side of the game uh has to do with trying new things things trying things in the preseason to get a feel for well what does the wind do when you kick it in this direction or when you kick it in this direction or you know if I'm if I'm if I'm trying to you know let the ball get up in the wind and ride the wind downwind or something like that you know you may not try and kick it as hard um and so you might miss it or if you're kicking into the wind you might try and kick it harder and miss it so it's just one of those things I think I think you have to you know think maybe he's he's working on something or trying to figure something out hopefully that's not um a picture of things to come but I understand the concern being there and what that what that could produce on the other hand I would say you know Tyler bass um you know you and I talked about it offline we didn't talk about it last week on the Pod uh but we talked offline about maybe you know do we have concerns about Tyler bass coming off of kind of last season he really struggled toward the end of the year especially outside of 45 yards but to see him put one through 49 yards out this past Saturday uh in the wind and in those conditions I I was pretty happy to see that yeah that was definitely Pleasant to see as we talked about because he has been a little inconsistent over 45 going back to last season and just hoping he kind of regains that confidence and does what he does which is be a consistent kicker for us yeah awesome well um I'm looking forward to seeing him come back out this weekend I know you are too um so just hope that uh hope we can we can uh show ourselves a little bit better uh this week as opposed to last week I think this week's going to be a lot lower scoring uh game and um obviously with a new quarterback on the roster who doesn't really know the offense I don't expect a whole lot of production when he enters the game so uh I I expect this week to be a little bit even lower SC scoring than than last um not not necessarily from the bill standpoint hope we score more than six points I just mean as a whole hopefully we don't give up 30 U you know but uh but but I I wouldn't be surprised to see this game as like a 20 to 13 game or even like a 1513 game or you know something like that like like some where where there's not a lot of touchdowns but uh maybe more maybe more field goals and uh those kinds of things don't think we're going to see the starters at all probably at least not on the offensive side um and if we do see starters I I can almost guarantee you we won't see Josh Allen so yeah um but but that's okay uh I think I think they'll get plenty of good reps against that really good number one defense that's that's what I'm really excited about too is to read about how practice goes on Thursday uh against their ones right I mean thinking about the fact they're going against Cameron Hayward and TJ Watt and you know Ma Fitzpatrick and um Joey Porter Jr these guys who you know are really really talented defensive players and some of the best defensive players in the league they really have a solid defense over there to let our ones go against their ones will really give us a picture of where we're at and and um and how we how our offense is really performing um against a a really really good defense so I'm looking forward to seeing how that plays out on Thursday um as well so all right man well uh kind of the main event for tonight is for us to go through the schedule and make some picks so I don't know if you're ready for that but I'm going to throw the schedule up here on the screen with us and then uh we're going to kind of go through game by game and make our pick so you can kind of see them there uh September 8th we got the the Cardinals at home and uh so so who what what are your thoughts expectations uh like that going into that Cardinals game yeah it's an it's an odd team to start the season with right when I saw the schedule um know week one the Arizona Cardinals just took me by surprise um you know week one you never know right a lot of teams look so different from week one to week two like it's a huge huge jump in What you see because the teams are new you don't have a lot of film and so to me these games are really hard to predict and pick um for that reason alone that it's week one on top of that we're playing the Arizona Cardinals um I want to say the last time we played who we very rarely see right yeah I want to say last Hill Mary game Hopkins right is the Hopkins Hill yeah yeah yeah like ah just crazy um just crushing that was a Nutty play ah man unbelievable catch but that was really hard to take and um so for for many reasons um including that game I will take the bills in week one at home you know the Cardinals traveling across the country again you never know um I'm not super confident on this pick because it is week one but I like the fact that it's not a team from our division they don't know us as well so and we're at home a lot of new players trying to make their Mark and uh see yeah I like the bills at home in week one yeah I'm with you on that I think uh for me personally I I like the bills in this game as well um I do anticipate it being a good game I don't think that we're just gonna like like show up and blow this team out I think this offense can move the ball I think Kyler Murray is a is a really really talented quarterback even though a lot of people want to you know maybe uh H have some issues with him because of his size or because of his attitude that he's had in the past uh being being there in Arizona but I think he's a really talented guy and that and they did get you know Marvin Harrison Jr in the draft so I mean we we're gonna have our hands full I think a little bit with with some of um some of their their offensive skill um on the defensive side it'll definitely be a test for our corners and our safeties that that new kind of back in defense we talked about last week I think this would be a good week one test for that I think we'll come out on top uh but I I think it's a I think it's a good early test against a team that we don't know very well they don't know us very well so we can try some things they they probably will try some things but we also don't have to try a whole lot of like you know outside the box things that maybe we would try in week two when we go up against the Dolphins uh so moving to week two we have a short week it's a Thursday night game so we have the first uh you know kind of kind of short week of anybody in the NFL um right off of our first first game we we move in Thursday night game in Miami uh I'm super grateful it's a night game right I think like that's one of those things for me like you think about two years ago we went down to Miami in September early in the season just how gas we were how hot it was that day like hundred something heat index and you know Allen misses that pass at the buzzer basically uh just dirts It In The End Zone on fourth down uh to lose or we would have won that game but like we had nothing left in the tank I we were ABS everybody on that field was absolutely Gass we were cramping up like crazy we were definitely not prepared for that kind of heat so I'm glad this is a night game I'm glad that you know it's it's a it's an opportunity for us to go back to a place where we ended the season last year with some good feel and some good vibes but man is this Dolphins team electric I mean they are absolutely electric and um so I'm gonna go um I'm gonna go with the bills just because I think the bills over the last several years with the exception of that game in Miami in the heat I think that's really the only game Miami has pulled out against the bills um and and I think the bills have have pretty much had their number with that with with um with the exception of that game um even last year when you know they came into the bills you know uh stadium in week four I think and they were three and0 we were two and one and you know we beat them pretty handedly um in that game and so I I think I think we we can get the job done um we're both playing on a short week so you know all of all that kind of stuff but man they are they are electric and so I think if we if we keep them in front of us uh I expect a lot of cover two shell I expect us to to play a more Bend but don't break defense kind of like we saw on Saturday against the Bears where you know maybe they'll have some sustained drives but but we just can't give up the big plays to because they can just absolutely run it up if we let them have some big plays so we got to keep them from from uh making those big plays I think if we can do that we win the game yeah remind me who do they play in week one I know they're both on short weeks like you talked about do you know off hand it doesn't matter I'll keep talking I don't know who the Dolphins play yeah yeah you know you talked about that I don't know I don't know who the Dolphins play because I'm not a dolphins fan Daniel it doesn't matter they're both on a short week so uh interesting fact I do very well recall that game from a couple years ago in the heat as you said I'm thankful it's a night game some people don't know when they built that stadium for those one o'clock games the dolphin sideline is in the shade and the visiting sideline is in the Sun the whole time and I think that is right definitely overlooked a huge home field advantage right there um in addition you mentioned it we've had a couple close calls with them last last couple games going back to last year even the game before in the snow they always seem to be close of course they're very explosive with w and and Hill and I think on a short week with the close games we've had especially that game last year we won the division I think they're gonna be motivated and I'm gonna go with the dolphins in this game um for some of those reasons short week how we beat them last year um I think it be close but I think the Dolphins finally get us in one of these games yeah and I I mean I definitely I mean I think this is kind of one of those 50-50 games right it's kind of a coin flip um where I just I just think that for whatever reason we have game planned to be able to stop them over the last couple years um even when a lot of other teams in the league haven't been able to I feel like we always risen to the occasion and and um but but yeah I mean like I don't I don't think we can be upset if the bills go in there and they put up a fight on a short week and you know lose by a narrow margin um you know we we obviously hope that they come out with a win but but even if even if they don't if they if they put out a good performance um you know I think we can be okay with that given that it's early in the season short week and you know the the Dolphins are a really really strong um strong team so um all right so let's move on now week three who do you have facing off against the Jaguars we got a a little bit longer week uh week three we're playing the Jaguars at home on Monday night you and I actually have talked about going up for this game um you know maybe if you're watching this or you're listening to this maybe you should comment below if we should go to this game or not um I think I think we've decided we probably can't go to this game or maybe we shouldn't go to this game but you know if uh if we have enough fans who are listening to the podcast that want to meet us or want to you know uh see us at the game uh maybe maybe we'll make it happen but uh who who do you got uh week three against the Jags yeah I'm gonna take the bills in this one I do find it interesting this this front end of the schedule three three games in Prime Time right we got a Thursday night and then this game on Monday night and then we'll get to the next game on a Sunday night against the Ravens so very interesting to me they gave us three Prime Time games in a row um I do like the bills at home against the Jags on a Monday night we know the place is going to be rocking I think back to to last year that game against the Jags in London um and so I think that'll be in the back of their minds um you know that's the game when Milano went down and very easily could have won the game you know didn't really play the best I think we had a number of turnovers um but I I like the bills at home on a Monday night um to me that's all you need to say bills at home on a Monday night I would take them over most teams especially the Jaguars yeah I mean I I think man um you know my uh my wife is from Jacksonville her dad and brother have had season tickets many years in the past um a as Jaguars fans and so it's a it's a really interesting uh game for me every time the Bills play the Jags and we've played them the last two years um and th this year is because I I think they're in the South we play the AFC South last year's because we were both number ones coming out of our division um but you know this this is a team that you know I think we will see more frequently because I do think they they are a lot better than they were a few years ago um and and I think I think we're gonna see this team um you know making their way into to big games like against the bills against the Chiefs and you know some of these teams that that tend to win their division because I think the Jaguars are gonna be and have a chance to win their division every year for probably a pretty good while I mean the Texans obviously um with CJ Stroud have a have a pretty good chance as well um you know we kind of don't know what Anthony Richardson's gonna be for the Colts I think no one really is talking about that but I think the Jags have a chance right now every year uh to win this division that they're in they're going to be a tough opponent uh Doug Peterson always you know games he he he always has a good game plan um you know think about that that Patriot Super Bowl um when he was with the Eagles just he has a way of inspiring his players he's a he's a player first coach um and and those kinds of things but um you know he he he'll pull out he'll pull pull out the stops in prime time and pull out the stops um kind of in those special moments and special games and so I'm interested to see how it kind of plays out and how it turns out I don't I don't really know uh really uh but man I I I really do think I agree with you I think it's gonna be hard to beat the bills on a Monday night in Buffalo man I think you know wind blowing you know any of those kinds of things are happening that the like bills Mafia is gonna be in full force and uh so I think it's gonna be hard to go into Buffalo and win that game uh on bees so I'm gonna go yeah yeah I was just GNA say it be interesting to see Mitch Morris come back and Gabe Davis you know that game and you know think about those guys and what they did for the bills and they'll be back there and you know you're right they're going to be around you know with with that coach and and Lawrence love the guy what he stands for so it's really surprising to see them crumble towards the end of the season so you know it'll be a tough out for sure yeah yeah so I think I think um but I but I do think we can win that game and I think I think we should win that game at home on a Monday night so I'm going to go with the bills uh at home start the season 3 and 0 um to uh to kind of get off to a really really good start maybe the best start we've had in h the last several years so um all right well week four is truly a game that you and I might be at uh so because it's it's probably the closest one to us uh where we live and so um I if we choose to go to a game it might be this one uh this year against the Ravens they number one seed in the AFC last year obviously had the MVP and Lamar Jackson going into Baltimore on a Sunday night what happens what do you think ah Sunday night I think it's gonna be really hard I I think we can do it if if we don't turn the ball over um and you know they're gonna be motivated this schedule's tough right we're playing all four teams that made the conference championships last year so to me I think if we can get a split I'd be happy if we go two and two against the Ravens Chiefs Niners and lions I think that would be be solid so yeah um if we turn the ball over in that game a few times I I we have no chance um we know what the Ravens can do how good they are with Lamar um I know we had a close one I can't remember was last year the year before we came back we got down big in the first half can't last year the year before I think we're down 17 came back and won the game last year was it last year yeah so last year in the rain yeah yeah right okay um I'm gonna take the Ravens in this one on a Sunday night um you know for just how good the Ravens are how good they were last year here you know at home um you know coming off a Monday night game so we're going to have a short week again you know third prime time game in a row um I think we run out of a little gas even though I mean the lights are going to be bright you know everyone should be motivated to play um but I think the Ravens get us in this one in a close one yeah I I'm with you on that one I I I think it's it's really hard I don't you know I think about the bills over the last several years and over the last several years we usually not I mean I don't I don't think we've ever started 4 and0 a couple years ago we started you know against against the uh rams and everybody was picking us to win the Super Bowl after week one and uh because of just how well we played against the defending Super Bowl champs and um and then last last year we kind of come out and lay an egg on Monday night against the Jets the year before that we lay an egg against the Steelers on a Sunday afternoon uh in week one and so I think we've always kind of struggled to get out of the first few weeks without giving up a loss I I think this schedule being as hard and as brutal as it is especially at the beginning of the season um so many Prime Time games again I'm with you on this one I think that this is going to be a really really difficult game I I think this is a a difficult place to go in and play you got to imagine like some of those great old Ravens players are going to be in attendance to really hype up the crowd Ray Lewis is gonna be there Ed Reed's gonna be there some of these guys are going to be there uh for a big time game like this against the bills and so trying to get everybody hyped up and ready to go I think I think this could be a really really uh difficult game for the bills and um and I and I do anticipate us walking out of there unfortunately with a loss um after after uh that Sunday night so uh I'm hoping uh you know I'm wrong but but I but I feel like that's probably uh best I think we should go to the game I think that's probably you think we should yeah well the reason I said that is you guys let us know make your comments down below let us know what you think should we go to the game against the Ravens or not well I'll give you one more reason why we should go I've been to I think five bills games in my life and they've never lost so um I think our chances go up if we go all right all right well hey I've only been to one and we won that game 357 so um so and I've been to a couple preseason games but but I've never been I've only been to one regular season game um but all right man hey look we're six and0 combined the two of us so yeah if this is the one that we think we both think that they're lose then maybe this is the one we should go to all right man so let's move on week five we got the Texans oh my gosh we got the Texans week five all right what are you what are you thinking week five against this uh this very young upand cominging team that also now employs Stefon dicks yeah like I said earlier the front end of the schedule is loaded with tough matchups all these Prime Time games well the back end's loaded too man we go like yeah the Packers the ners the Chiefs we got yeah we'll we'll add it up later I do have the bills finishing with a good record um you know based on my my picks they be two in one going into this game you already mentioned Diggs how how quick they came on your Pi be two and two right two and two uh is that right I have them yeah this is week five oh you're right two and two yeah you're right I take that back two and two yeah um okay you know you mentioned Diggs and just what he brings to the table and how's that that's gonna just change the the vibe of that game everyone's gonna be talking about it I hate that it's on the road I I love that coach I you know what he's done in the short amount of time he's been there um so uh again I hope I hope the bills pulled out and surprised me but again I'm gonna take the team they're playing the Texans to beat them at home um I think the bills are GNA turn it around I think they kind of get off to a slow start this year kind of like last year but not to that degree hopefully and then they really turned on and the middle of the season and and finish draw against some some big time opponents so I'm going to take the Texans yeah okay um yeah I I I'm gonna take the bills in this game I think I I like the Texans but I really think that we um we can match up well against them and and I think we can we can score on them uh I think that we can hold them and keep them from scoring touchdowns and so even though we're playing them on the road and even though they have a really great coach a really great quarterback some really fantastic wide receivers things like that I just think I just think that you know we're gonna we're gonna show up for this game uh especially coming off of you know Sunday night against the Ravens I think we're gonna uh come out and and I think we're going to come out of there with a win um I anticipate us to start a Little Bit Stronger longer this year than we did last year I think I think last year we started three- two um through five I think I think this year we'll be four- one um even though we play a really hard schedule but I you know I think Diggs is gonna bring the juice um obviously I think he's going to be fired up to play in this game uh but I think we will be too and um and I think I think you're gonna see that um and so I think you know I I like I like our chances here okay I'm gonna go with bills start four start four in one so all right uh moving on week six we got the New York Jets our first time seeing Aaron Rogers again as long as he's still playing by week six uh but our first time seeing Aaron Rogers again after last season all the hype was about the Jets and could the Jets make the Super Bowl obviously they I think they finished seven and nine or something like that with really bad quarterback play defense is Elite they have a brand new offensive line every single player on the offensive line is new Aaron Rogers is likely back I would imagine during this game we are playing them in the metal lands who do you got yeah takes me back to that that opening game last season when Rogers went down and somehow we did not find a way to win that game I think this year's different even with Rogers I know it's a divisional game those are always different and tricky I think the bills are ready another Prime Time game Monday night like last year I think that helps them a little bit being there last year of course we play them there every year but in a Prime Time game with some of our younger players I think that helps a little bit and I definitely like the bills in this game to pull it out yeah I'm with you man I think I think the bills uh again Monday night in New York um I really like the bills in this game I think um I don't even though it's a brand new offensive line I don't think their offensive Line's going to be all that great um and I think this is when our defensive line and our linebackers start to kind of come into their own throughout the season um and I think they're going to get after uh the quarterback in this game I think I I I think we could um I don't think this is going to be one of those games where you know I I think the Jets are going to be frustrated offensively I think our defense is gonna hold them down and and I don't know that we're going to put up a ton of points because their defense is just so good like even a couple years ago right we went in there and I think we lost um an afternoon game late in the season uh you know before Rogers even got there um I think I think as long as as as we are healthy on offense um I think we come out of there with a win I think I think we win you know somewhere somewhere around like 24 to 13 or something like that I think we I think we handle this game and I think we um I think we we show that you know we're still the team to beat in the AFC East yeah all right week number seven we go uh back home finally after three gam on the road uh against some pretty difficult opponents we're finally back at home against the Tennessee Titans um I think I know where you're going to go with this pick but you know go ahead and throw it out there anyway yeah a little home cooking after that that long uh Road game stretch I will definitely and confidently take the bills against the Titans at home on a Sunday afternoon I think the Titans are very young team a lot of change in their roster whether it's Henry or the quarterback and uh yeah just being on the road coming home sleeping in their own beds all that good stuff we're just top top to bottom we're a better team than the titans this year and there's no reason why we shouldn't beat them at home on a Sunday afternoon we take care of the football yeah I same I think I think we we beat the Titans I I honestly I think the Titans could be one of the worst team in the league this year um I think you know Carolina Tennessee might be the two worst in the league um I I can't I can't think of a whole lot of other teams that I think have a have a worse Outlook uh toward toward the season um and so I I expect us to take care of business against the Titans at home uh coming back I think uh Bills fans will be uh glad to see the bills back at home and I think they're going to enjoy uh celebrating to win uh on that on that Sunday afternoon all right moving on we got the Seahawks in Seattle got to travel across the country to play the Seahawks on Sunday afternoon I think this is a late window like a four uh 25 uh East time kick uh who do you got in this game against the Seahawks yeah this one's a tough one for me I went back and forth I think we're a better team the Seahawks for sure we know about their HomeField Advantage how loud that crowd can get I'm thankful it's not a night game um but it is always tough traveling across the country to play these teams from coast to coast um I think originally I was I was gonna say Seahawks but I think that the bills being at home putting up a good number on the Titans has them feeling good um going across the country I think they get it done on the road against the Seahawks again I know it's a tough place to play I think there's they're a team that's up and coming but still trying to figure some things out and um I like the bills in this one on the road yeah I I uh this is one that I actually I don't like the bills um I think that the there's potential well I just think there's too much potential for bad weather against in a in a really tough environment to play you know rain um could be a factor in this one ball control could be a factor turnovers could be a factor and not necessarily from Josh I think I think you know this is one of those games where you could see you know muffed punts where you could see you know fumbles from receivers and running backs things like that um and uh and so I just you know I think I think Seattle is just such a tough team at home I think that they've shown that you know they can play against the best of the best traveling across country I think it's G to be it's G to be tough and um and I think because I truly believe we're going to start the season so strong I mean obviously I've only picked us to lose one game up to this point uh so I really think we're GNA start really strong I think at some point your luck just runs out there's just a week that you're not able to show up at the same capacities you've have over the first you know course of the season um and and so I think this is one of those games for us but just because of some of the some of the other factors that play but um I really I really don't I don't see this going well for the bills um you know I don't I don't know that we're going to get blown out but but I I don't I just just don't think that we're gonna walk out of there with a win um I think it's going to be it's going to be really uh one of those kind of almost surprising losses uh you know you always have one of those or or two of those a year where it's kind of like man we should not have lost this game um I I think that that's going to be one of these like we might it might be one of those things of where like man we we played really well couldn't score in the Red Zone played really well turn the ball over you know those kinds of things and so um yeah that's I I picked the Seahawks for this one okay I hope you're wrong all right back at home November 3D division opponent we're playing the Dolphins again what do you think man what do you got who do you got yeah well I already picked them to lose second week against them on the road so I'm definitely not going to take them to lose both times to the Dolphins this year I think they playing at home they're going to know you know what they're facing they're going to have a lot of film to study from not only the uh the game from week two but the whole first half of the schedule I think they'll be prepared if you're right and they they lose the Seahawks I think they'll be motivated to get back on track of course I have them winning I think that they're going to be feeling good with a couple straight wins kind of hitting their groove like I was saying earlier midseason unlike last year again slow start but I really think they put it together in the middle of the year with some of these younger players and the new coordinators and really find their groove and um yeah I like the bills in this game by anywhere between a touchdown and 10 points yeah I think similarly I I have the bills in this game as well I like I I actually I like them against the Dolphins better than anybody else in our division I just don't think the Dolphins have the defense to stop our offense if our offense is clicking and and think in Buffalo coming back from uh Seattle we're going to be ready to go and I think we pull out another win against the Dolphins I think we're going to start the year three and 0 in our division and um and so I think this is this is one of those uh one of those games where uh we we really I I think this is when people start going oh I think the bills are the favorite to win the AFC or you know one of the favorites to win the AFC I don't know where the Ravens are going to be or where the Chiefs are going to be where the Bengals are going to be at this point in the season but I have a pretty good feeling that the bills are going to start people are going to start picking them to go to the Super Bowl once they beat the Dolphins at home uh in this game so that's that's where I'm at and uh and what I think is about to take place then we head to Indianapolis the home of the Ina combine uh so that's that's where we're going uh next uh and uh what what do you think takes place when we head into Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis yeah the Colts are interesting team right here how how last year they made the the playoffs without Richardson kind of came out of nowhere it'll be interesting to see how Richardson plays coming back from injury inside inside uh Dome Ty environment of course and uh I like the bills in this game I like for them if I my math is correct I know I was wrong earlier with my my numbers here um I like the bills to win five in a row by beating the Colts I really do I I think that even though the Colts went to the playoffs last year with Richardson I think that changes a little bit working him in as long as he continues to play but I I like the bills going on the road um again finding their groove mid season kind of keeping the train rolling and pulling out a w yeah yeah I think um you know if I'm if I'm picking this game I'm picking the bills I don't think I have any problem picking the bills in this game um but I think there is like I think there's so many unknowns with the Colts because we don't really know what they're going to be and and I think they could be one of these scary teams that like oh they're actually you know the best team in the South you know I think I think that could happen um and so it's one of those things of where you just don't know where they're going to be come this time of the season but as of right now sitting right here I feel fairly confident picking the bills going into Lucas Oil to win this game so uh and then we head back home to play the arch nemesis of the Buffalo Bills uh at least in the playoffs I mean we've got their number in or season last few years uh but but that really doesn't matter uh when you can't beat him in the playoffs who do you got at uh at High Mark Stadium November 17 facing off against Patrick Mahomes and the two-time defending world champion Kansas City Chiefs it's hard to hear that as much as I hate to say that I know it's hard to hear that but it is what it is um so we know what the Chiefs are about it is nice to see the Chiefs finally come to our place in the regular season it's uh of course we had them at home last year in the playoffs we've played them on the road so many years in the regular season and beat them and then when it seems as if it counts in the playoffs we can't find a way to to beat them so originally I had I had the bills in this game but I'm going to change it and I'm going to go Chiefs because I want to see them turn it around maybe lose to them in the regular season and then we finally get over the hump and if we Face them in the playoffs we beat them this year so I would like to see a reverse of Fortune a little bit because I think we've been beating them so much in the regular season and then it comes crunch time when you know everything is on the line and we can't get it done so for that reason I'm just going to take the Chiefs in the game so that when we play them hopefully in the postseason to go to the Super Bowl or something like that we win that game so again I I had I had the bills in this game I I think they can get it done at home but um obviously we know it's going to be close go either way I'm gonna take the Chiefs in this one yeah I have the chiefs in this one as well I think um I think it it similar maybe similar reason is because I want them uh to to prove it in the playoffs and and I think if if we make it to the playoffs we're likely going to see the Chiefs again and we'll get a chance there um to to prove it in the playoffs which is what I really want more than anything but um I think more so I think some of the games that we've played even though we've won them they've been really close I mean last year obviously the the lined up off sides penalty from the Chiefs we won that game uh two years ago we won by three I think getting a a stop on on fourth down late in the fourth quarter um and you know so I personally I think that like I think the Chiefs are going to win this game I think the bills are going to have the better record I think we're going to get another chance to see them at home in the playoffs I really do um but but I think the the Chiefs win this one and uh we head into the by we I think at this point I mean how many games are we in I haven't even been paying attention to the weeks I'm such a loser 11 but I think it's uh 11 okay so week 11 so you know I think we're we're eight and three um headed into the bye so um yeah that's that's where I'm at I think you got us at seven and four that's right yeah yeah got it yeah so eight and three for me seven and four for you uh headed into the bye and so um we get that week off that well needed week off and then we head back um into High Mark Stadium big big game against the NFC champion San Francisco 49ers with a lot of talent and a really cool uh Team I mean they're just they're just so stacked and they are so fun to watch uh who you got in in the gaming against the ners yeah it is interesting even though we have a by- we in between that we're playing the Chiefs and the Niners back to back um the the schedu makers did us no favors for sure um so they tried by giving us by we they tried right um of course I nice to have a by we and then the Panthers that's what would could we have we could we have the chiefs of by week the Panthers and then maybe play the 49 that would have yes yes that would be nice um I uh I think the bills have a lot going for them in this game Big Time opponent off a bye potentially off a loss um a Prime Time game I think they get it done and this is a game that I'm hoping to be at because I will be with my parents over Thanksgiving in Pennsylvania so I'm hoping to take a little side trip up there to Western New York like I said earlier the bills were undefeated in my lifetime so for that reason in addition to all the others I like the bills to uh to pull out a huge win against the San Francisco 49ers at home prime time Sunday night yeah I like the bills in this game too I'm I'm all for you I think the bills are undefeated um coming out of the my week when sha mcder is their head coach and Josh Allen is their quarterback so I that this that's probably why I'm picking them more than anything they're at home Prime Time all of those things but I but I also I think they get the win because they're they this is a this is a game that that we we can win this is a game I think we will win and I think this is a game that we're all gonna really be excited um about especially after losing to the Chiefs I think we get more excited about what's to come in the rest of the season uh as we as we beat the ners um in in this game right here so uh I would love to be there with you in Western New York that weekend um I don't know that I will be but I would love to be if uh if all the cards aligned so uh maybe by that point we have one million subscribers to this podcast and we can have like a fan meet up at the at the Bills ners game H Thanksgiving weekend so Happy Thanksgiving to everyone uh at home be thankful uh for a Bill's win all right um we got the Rams coming up December 8th so who do you have uh in this game we faced the Rams a couple years ago um out in La similar but there was the first week of season we absolutely blew their doors off what do you think happens here yeah that was a fun game I actually watched some of that game from Kenya uh I was over there oh wow and uh yes that was fun to watch it from there um you know just like the the Seahawks game we talked about earlier I was w Ling on that one I think I took the bills to win that game and you took them to lose I mean I know the Rams I wouldn't put them in the category of the Seahawks um but these these games across the coast we talked about earlier are tricky um coming off that ners game could be banged up a little bit we know that the Niners are physical team like to run the ball a lot um I've gone back and forth on this a little bit um I think they lose one of these games either the Seahawks or the Rams for whatever reason and so since I took the Seahawks earlier I'm I'm sorry the bills to beat the Seahawks earlier I I don't I don't wish this on the bills of course but I think for some reason they just in one of these games they they just don't show up and uh um so I'm going to take the Rams even though we should not lose to the Rams um on I mean it's on the road that we talked about traveling cross country we have a better roster than them more experience um but uh for whatever reason I think they lose one of these games and I took the bills to beat the Seahawks so unfortunately um I I'll take the Rams and this one but if the Bills beat if they lose to the Seahawks I think they definitely get this other West Coast game yeah well I I think that the bills are going to win this game I think the bills will beat the beat the Rams I don't think the Rams are going to be uh all that good this year I think last year uh I think they they got lucky to be honest they played at a lot easier schedule uh than they had played in years previous um especially two years ago when you know they came off of a Super Bowl win and then just kind of Tanked um and I know that they've had some injuries but I mean this team is not young and this team is not um I think something a team that we really should have to worry about I think I think we go out to LA I think we take care of business I think we beat the Rams uh we go you know back toback against two NFC West teams um at kind of the back half of the season in those last kind of games this is usually when I think the bills are at their best or or have been at their best in recent years is toward late in the season and so I'm going to I'm going to pick the bills in this one uh to go into Los Angeles and pick up a win however we do end up in Detroit the next week and I think that's one that we're GNA have a hard time winning I think I think that's the one that we um you know will will struggle to pull out I think this is going to be one of the best games of the NFL season I I kid you not I really believe it's going to be one of those games kind of like the the Chiefs in the Rams from a couple years ago um I think this is this is going to be one of those games where everybody is talking about just the back and forth nature of of touchdowns and scores and it's gonna be a high-scoring affair it's going to be a fun game to watch and but unfortunately I think um the bills are gonna are going to struggle to go in there and pull out a win um I think the Lions uh get the win in that one yeah I'd agree with you I think being on the road we know what the Lions can do just looking at them last year the season they had I think it will be a fairly high-scoring game lots of points two great quarterbacks great atmosphere I think they have just a little too much at home for us on that that Sunday so yeah I agree yeah well um headed out of Detroit we head uh back home home to face the Pats at home and um I have the bills winning this game against the Patriots um I don't think the Patriots are going to be very good and I think you know this is going to be prime right in the middle of winter uh Christmas week I think I think the bills pull it out and uh and beat the Pats at home I agree I definitely like the bills and this one at home we know the Pats aren't probably going to be as good as you said this year new coach and um yeah I just I think we are a much better team than Patriots we're at home and uh I like them to beat the Patriots both times it's crazy that we play them in I think a three-week span here at the end of season yeah so I I I agree with you I think we do beat them twice um and well actually I take that back I don't think we beat them twice I I don't know why I said that that was the dumbest thing I've ever said um I don't think we beat him twice but here's why I think I think we actually are G to be playing the Jets at home the next week for the division title I think the division is gonna come down to that last game against the Jets because I actually think the Jets are going to be better than the Dolphins and and I think um the the winner of that bills Jets game is going to be the difference between getting a wild card spot and getting and winning the the the division and so yeah I I I think the bills uh will pull it out against the Jets at home uh to win their fifth straight division title um I think we're going to end up as probably a two seed again in the AFC I think there there probably will be one team that's better than us uh because I do think our schedule is just so hard um but but I think that's already gonna be decided by the time we head into the final week against the Pats and I think we're gonna rest our starters that final week against the Pats and I think we're going to uh lose to the Patriots uh in Foxboro um resting our starters for the final week of the season so um I think you know um that that's why I I think I think all in all we go four and two in the division but I think that the divisions really decided when we play the Jets uh the week before uh week 17 um so um so that's so I'm going to go I'm going to go Bills beat the Pats Bills beat the Jets win the division lose to the Pats uh resting their starters getting ready for uh week one of the playoffs yeah where we will have at least one home playoff game at least one yeah I agree with that I figured that's way you were going while you're gonna take the Patriots and in the last game he's be resting starters um I definitely like the bills at home against the Jets I think there'll be a lot to play for you could be right for the division so I definitely like the the bills in that one I think they're going to have something to play for in that last game against the Patriots I think they're going to be sitting there between like two and four kind like what you were saying as far seeding um even if they had the division locked up like you were saying I think there'll be something to play for to maybe get two home games or something like that potentially okay so that for that reason I think there'll be something still on the line so they're going to come out with their starters and pull out another W in Foxboro to finish out the season with three straight wins awesome well I like that I like that a lot so well done well done well hey so uh so we uh we we've picked all the games what is the final record that you have for the bills this season yeah if my math is correct my final record is 11- six but I definitely think that they could finish 12 and five um I think the ceiling to me would be 13- four with that schedule um I don't think they could do better than that I think they'd be overachieving to go 13 and four but I could definitely see them going 12 and five I have them at 11- six and worst case I think they go 10 and seven and still get into the playoffs yeah yeah I I'm with you there I think I think worst case they're they're a they're a wild card team 10 and seven um but I I have them obviously based on my picks I have them going 12 and five going really strong at the beginning of the season and then you know they're you know they're kind of in that you know win two lose one win two lose one toward the end of the year but I do think the only reason why they lose to the Pats is because they have their seed locked up for the playoffs I do think that they could go 13 and four um if if that wasn't the case and but I but I think they're going to give away that game and you know I think I think this schedule is really really tough but man this team is tough and that's the thing that I think about like whenever their back is up against the wall they show up and um and I've just seen it again and again again no matter who they play the only team that I've seen them really lay eggs against is Cincinnati the only team I've never really seen them play a good game against is a Joe burrow Leed Cincinnati team and so I think that's that's the team I actually fear more than anybody the bills going up against uh when it comes playoff time is is Cincinnati but um but I but I but I you know I think they're as tough and as gritty and as good of a team from a cultural standpoint from a uh from a team standpoint as anybody in the league in that sense so um I really I really like I really like them to to play well so uh this year walk away with with some big wins um well that's what we got for the schedule I think uh next week the plan for us is to come back and we're going to look at some of the other things in the AFC we're going to pick division winners playoff seeds uh before the regular season starts and then we're going to kind of pick through the playoffs and see uh where we think the bills might end up do they make it to the Super Bowl do they make it into February uh you know we'll just see but my guess is in our picks they probably do uh Soh but you know not trying to like spoil next week's episode but we'll we'll go through it and we'll pick it um but but thank you so much for tuning in I know uh this was a little bit longer but we love going through the schedule thinking about who the bills are playing and uh and what might happen as a season transpires hopefully you have enjoyed it as well thank you so much for tuning in please make sure that you like comment share subscribe uh if you're watching this on YouTube make sure you click that Bell to be notified whenever a new episode is uploaded we are so uh grateful to be doing this it's a lot of fun for us just as Bills fans to be able to talk about Buffalo Bills football so make sure you tune in each week uh throughout the season and come back and check us out we're grateful uh for the chance to just uh share our passion our love for for the bills with you so uh make sure uh you you please share this with somebody uh close to you especially if they're a part of the bills Mafia until next time thank you so much for tuning in and we'll talk to you next week [Music]