#BLEUMAFIA Podcast Episode 1

Thanks to everyone who's ever read anything by me, here or on thetryintimes.com... Here's the first official podcast for BLEUMAFIA babyyyy

The Smell is In The Air Baby | Way Too Early Nerves | Cry in the Dojo

As summer bleeds into mid July, as the smells of a Western New York summer so sweet and so short fade, it's time to get ready for some football. Okay, maybe not for everyone, but anyone who's played the game knows it's time to start getting in shape for camp now, so you can swing into a great season. There are a few new gamblers in town, with Tua returning for Miami, and the Jets and Pats drafting hired guns as well. Everyone thinks they can find the next new gunslinger to don the belt buckle of The Baddest MF on the field. 

Good luck with that, with number 17 on the field of battle. 

Allen, AKA The General is truly a 1/1. It's tremendously inspiring to see the arc his career has begun to take, it being so early in his journey, and how unrelenting the path was for him to get this far. How did he get here? How did he reach these heights? "You can't fix accuracy." 

My brother is a coach, and a damn good one. I have him to thank for many things I have in my head and heart today, as a competitor, a leader, and as a person. He taught me many valuable things as a player and quarterback growing up here in WNY. He continues to teach and lead young men on the basketball court, but because of the things he and other great leaders taught me, it was easy for me to spot Allen's greatness based on the leadership elements he demonstrated on and off the field, almost as soon as he touched down in Buffalo. 

Allen's physical gifts are remarkable, but his willingness to improve, raw passion for football and leadership, and his fight are how he got here, and how we all got here.

I look forward to the next chapter of Allen's story, and as I sit and watch the team on Good Morning Football on NFL Network talk about whether or not the Pegula's should pay Allen now, or hold off, it's got me feeling a little nervous! Football is coming!  

So let's lean into our fears and train our minds after a hell of a party last year and take a look at some things Josh Allen and the Bills will need to overcome if they want to win the big one. 

Opposing Fans in Stands

Can Josh demonstrate the same cool hand on his delivery and follow through on his ball when the fans are jeering him? We saw incredible play by him last year, and one thing that didn't hurt was silence. He was cool, calm, and collected. I'm not saying we WON'T see him be great with people in opposing stadiums, but I am saying you will see mistakes. He is a gunslinger at heart, and a fighter. I hope to God he never changes that!

In all reality, in terms of football, quiet stadiums may have been the best thing for he and other young QBs, to have a chance to develop in live NFL gameplay with little to know crowd noise. Not every young QB did what 17 did though.

17's Never Say Die Attitude

Staying on the field will always be a challenge for a guy with no fear.

We are the hunted now, and Kim Jones noted that Allen has taken a different look at how he approaches each game, ridding himself of the "hero" ball mindset. Allowing his teammates to make plays. This is great, especially considering playmakers WANT to be with a guy like him. 

He will die on the battlefield with whoever he plays with, but he is attracting talent to come here to play with him, which is good because it will give a guy like him confidence to spread it instead of do it himself. 

Guys like Emanuelle Sanders, Jacob Hollister and Matt Breida should help make a few more plays. Isaiah Hodgins is also intriguing in the seams/1on1. A Healthy Zach Moss and rebound Devin Singletary should also help matters.

Personally I'm impressed with the way Allen has been able to control being hit, and staying safe, hope to see more of that in 2021. (Don't forget about when Joey Bosa fell on his knee) This to me is the biggest aspect of "Heroball" he must be careful with, his personal physical safety. 

We need the Golden Goose in order to have the Golden Eggs.

Overcoaching / Overthinking

I've seen so much talk of Jordan Palmer and the mechanics work he's done, and continues to do with Josh Allen. I'm satisfied and impressed by what he's managed to do in helping 17 slow his arm velocity when needed, get a better hand spin control, and flick the wrist, amongst the lower body balance and performance. Fixing / adjusting QB mechanics is like learning to dance and box at the same time.

;

Cry in the Dojo Rant - Though Palmer has done a great job, I think I'm done messing around "in the lab" now. Allen's ball is starting to look more like a Palmer ball, looping up and over with control....but I want him to keep the same punch, drive, and fight in his ball that the greats like Rogers, Favre, Ben, but understand the benefit of machine like consistency like Manning, Brady, Brees. But none of those guys ever had what Allen has, and neither did Jordan Palmer. I'm concerned with making a natural robotic, but....

But what I will say is having someone in your corner outside of the locker room, a mentor who never had what you had, is great to have, and Palmer is truly deserving of credit for the sharpening of Allen's toolbox. Palmer is sharp, and he and Ken Dorsey along with Davis Webb are all instrumental in the Heavyweight Contender's success. A good fighter, especially one as cerebral as Allen, needs a good fight corner to match the craft and intensity of his pursuit of greatness, and Allen's got that. 

Let's hope that he continues to let his natural gifts be great and admire him, and hope he never changes the way he plays the game at heart.

Home Fans

I hope to see growth and evolution from the fans of Western New York, as we have a responsibility now to our team to not give up on them, shit on them, or quit on them. Sure, many if not the majority of the "Bills Mafia" are loyal longtime fans, but many are loyal longtime haters who keep coming back and being negative and puking all over everything. 

At any point from now until the end of the 2021 season, if you hear any "same old Bills" jaunts... let them know... No... It's not the same old Bills anymore. 

Whether the gunslinger throws a pick, or the defense gives up 50 and we lose by 2, we should be the favorite in almost every game this year. 

It's going to be odd to be the hunted. Recognize that we will get every team's best effort. The old Bill's may surprise a sleeping hunter with a lucky drunk Sunday 1pm upset, but now every team who comes to WNY will be trying to cut our heads off, including the QB. 

He must be protected, from the opponent, himself, and fan's expectations of grandeur. My message to 17, and the fans...Just have fun and play ball, we're all going to enjoy it regardless if we Win or Lose, and that's something to be truly grateful for. Can you imagine this place with full capacity!?

 

We must protect this house!

The smell is in the air Buffalo. It's just getting to be that time for the guys on the field.(or the has-beens and never-was's!) I hope the team carries the same oneness and closeness as they did on the climb, as they do now with the target on their shoulderpads. It's still just a game. Have fun Men!

I hope they understand that they are not responsible for the happiness of this region, but this region is responsible for the support of them. We as fans have the players, coaches, and front office to thank for being here, not the other way around.

I hope that the past few years' nationwide struggle has not effected our locker room, and that they overcome struggle and use the game to demonstrate leadership and class for the world, as they did last year. 

The Bills and 17 showed the class, dignity, fortitude that our entire country can embody if we hold ourselves to their standards as a team.

Win or lose, I cant wait for Sunday's in Buffalo this Fall, and now... this winter... and now.. for as long as 17 is throwing fastballs. 

Summer is short in WNY. The days get shorter, the air gets colder. Hope of another summer lost in history. The smells of the fair and lawn fete's turn into the crisp Friday night dew of leather and lights.

Summer ends when football begins. Fall in Buffalo usually ends when the hopes of the Bills do, usually before Thanksgiving..

Thanks to The General Josh Allen for giving everyone in WNY something to look forward to through February. 

Not bad for a farmboy. Turns out you can turn a farmboy into a machine afterall. What do you get when you mix Rocky Balboa with Ivan Drago? 

We got ourselves a heavyweight contender.

Super Bowl 2021 - Pregame Dump | COVID Bowl of GOATly Proportion

The most unforgettable year of my personal lifetime featured the most unforgettable Buffalo Bills' season of all time. The way the Bills came together was certainly special, and it feels like we are already digging to get to the next rung of the ladder. The final matchup is set for tonight, as Tom Brady takes on Pat Mahomes for the Lombardi trophy. #bleumafia wasn't going to leave you hanging on the last game of the year.. even if the Bills didn't make it. Here's your #pregamedump for Superbowl LV..

Pewter & Burgundy

The Buccaneers come in with the hottest defense in the NFL. Aaron Rogers hot hand wasn't even enough to take down Brady & Bruce's Bucs, as they shot down Lefleur's beta move on 4th down to prove to be top gun in NFC. The defense got that stop, and the defense is why Tom Brady has a chance to win. 

Number 45 Devin White is your Psycho to Watch tonight, and keep your eyes peeled also on rookie 31 Antoine Winfield Jr. Both of them carry a defensive mantra deserving of a trophy. JPP and Ndomukong Suh will attempt to keep rock star QB Patrick Mahomes off his mark. 

Photo Credit- Getty Images - Ethan Miller

If Tom Brady get into "THE ZONE" it will be hard to stop him. The Defense has proven to be enough all year, but how will the Bucs offense respond to adversity? The old man has gas in the tank, but how long can the car go for against a brand new Ferrari?

Red & Gold

The Chiefs have a few foreign cars on the roster, and the bus is being driven by a happy Andy Reid. The dark side of this season's Super Bowl unfortunately includes his son being involved in a horrible accident this week. He accidentally crashed into a parked vehicle and there were injuries to people involved. Reid's son is a coach on the Chiefs. Patrick Mahomes, though seemingly a super hero, is plagued by a toe injury that will require surgery in the offseason according to Ian Rappaport. How will Reid's son's accident and Mahomes toe effect this game? Eric Fisher is the leader of the O-Line, and his leadership will be missed.

Number 32 the Honey Badger Tyrann Mathieu is your Psycho to watch for the Chiefs, along with rookie safety 38 L'Jarius Sneed who will be sure to impact the game. Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill will obviously be important to watch, but who else can step up for the Chiefs? I expect Laveon Bell and Sammy Watkins to have the opportunity to shine... but will they step up?

Who's Winning?

It's going to be an amazing game. I wanted to root against Tom Brady. I can't. After seeing the Chiefs go up against the Bills, they took the baton somehow from Brady and Bellichick as the new heel of the NFL. They won't go away, but I think tonight they get educated. I initially thought the Chiefs would slide away with this game, due to the offense and Andy Reid, but Mahomes is still hurt and Reid will be hurt on the inside. The Bucs are also playing in their home stadium. I won't be surprised to see the Chiefs win by 2 scores, that was my prediction on Friday. Defense will dictate outcome. Spagnolo, D-Coordinator for KC did pressure Brady enough to a W for Giants... but..

Today I think the football gods reward the Goat one last time. Brady wins and surprises us all by walking off for the last time. Mahomes battles till the end but not enough for the team commitment of Tampa's broken toys led by the original Super Bowl gunslinger Tompa Brady.

33-31 Bucs.

Postgame Wrapup | Bills Not Strong Enough to Outlast Champs

 Despite a strong effort from the Bills, the 2020 season has come to an end. The Bills weren't able to go blow for blow with the explosive Chiefs, and the Champions proved why they belong back in the Super Bowl. Unfortunately General Josh and the Bois of Summer couldn't match the Magic Mahomes. Here's a few highlights from the game in the final postgame wrapup. 

Best to Do It

Travis Kelce, is just that. You won't find a better TE in the history of the National Football League. I'm committed to saying that he is the best WR* in the NFL. Time and time again Mahomes and Kelce were able to play basketball against the zone, leaving LB Tremaine Edmunds looking like a deer on ice. Tyreek Hill also proved to be an incredible real life Cheetah, skipping across the grass barely touching the ground. Mahomes did everything he needed to do, hitting play after play with ice cold precision, like a kid at his college house party playing pong. "Stare into my eyes bro. Splash. Rollback."

We'll Be Back

Our team was not at our best today, but we were able to experience the best season of any of our lifetimes. Sure, we may not have reached the Superbowl, but it's clear we will be a force to be reckoned with. The Bills were just one step behind the Chiefs game plan, despite a lucky bounce on the muffed punt by Mecole Hardman. Josh Allen was able to move the ball down the field, but not able to capitalize in the scoring zones. We will be back again, and probably even better with a few more moves by Brandon Beane. Zach Moss was missing, as well as Gabriel Davis from the typical Process. Cole Beasley once again proved to be a true warrior. The defense, though outmatched will learn from this, but it was the Chiefs who remained the Teacher tonight. 

Brady Bowl 

I'm at peace with all of this, and you should be too. No one expected this type of year from the Buffalo Bills. Everyone expected this from the Kansas City Chiefs. They are the belt-holders and keepers of the Lombardi trophy. No one really expected the old man to move to Tampa and take the Buccaneers to the Super Bowl. It really is incredible that Brady has made it back, I'm okay with not playing him and letting him walk off one last time lol. 

It was clear that the end of the game proved the Bills weren't happy with how the game turned out. The fight was present in the end of the game, but not so much in the beginning. Win or Learn. The young Bills will learn from this and be back in the ring race next season, and with a General like 17, they will be able to bring the Army anywhere, anytime and it will be a battle. 

If you enjoyed my writing this year, please reach out or follow me on social media, I'd love to meet you. @jer7rej for NFL & NBA live tweeting during games, and also you can check out my lifestyle blog over at thetryintimes.com for more all year round! Keep your chin up Bills fans, it was much sweeter than you ever could have asked for.. 

As far as how I feel about Josh Allen, I've spent a lot of time in Allentown as a #allenrat.. I'd take another trip down the Allen Brick Road anytime..

The Official flag of #bleumafia..

Pregame Dump | AFC Championship 2020 | Chiefs Week

 

For the 3rd time, the Kansas City Chiefs will take on the Buffalo Bills in the AFC or AFL Championship. The 1966 season concluded with Len Dawson's 3TD performance at War Memorial Stadium in Buffalo, as the Chiefs landed 24 straight points to close the year as AFL champs. The Thurmanator led the way years later in the 93' season with 3TDs in a 30-13 Bills win over Joe Montana and Marty Shottenheimer's Chiefs to crown the Bills AFC Champions.

#3 Makes for a good one in this week's pregame dump..

Piss N Vinegar

The Buffalo Bills defense has been scary for opposing offenses as of late, having ripped off defensive TDs in 3 out of the last 6. The "bendbutdontbreak" defense dialed up by DC Leslie Frasier has broken the spirits of many QBs this year, but it's hard to make the sweet taste sour with Mahomes. Last time around, he managed to manage an uncomfortable game that had both QBs struggling to find a rhythm. The Chiefs defense is down 2 cornerbacks at least to bangups, while the Bills defense comes in hotter than suicide sauce. Tyronn Mathieu is extremely sinister on the defensive end, and a few bites from the Honey Badger can leave you dead in a field. 

What Defense Will Be Able to Sting First and leave a bad taste in the opposing QB's mouth?

Ferrari's For Errybody

Despite the fact that the weather will again be damp and misty, this once again makes for a fast one, start to finish. Each team has a suped up roster. The classic american muscle of the teams uniforms are fitting, as each team has an assortment of sweet options on the outside. Foriegn Car Tyreek Hill is almost gauranteed to make an impact, with unconscious speed, and Classic Ford Pickup Travis Kelce can slip off 1,2, and 3 defenders and handle the load. The questionable status of lemon Sammy Watkins and reliable, but broken down EH-150 mean a lot to this game. 

The injury to Edwards-Helaire was odd, much like Mahomes, where EH hurt both his hip and knee on the same play. He ran well in the rain in Buffalo. The Bills aren't without their own problems under the hood, star WR Stefon Diggs along with Smoke Brown have each overcome recent injuries this season, and Gabe Davis and Cole Beasley are playing hurt currently. The longevity of each team's motor will be tested.

Who will be able to go the full 5 rounds for this PPV Fight of the Night?

Students & Teachers

What coach will have more to offer tomorrow night? Sean Mcdermott should know Andy Reid, having grown up under his tutelage. Andy should have some interesting new concepts to bring to the table, but don't be surprised to see a lot of timing and quick game from the Chiefs. 

They will want to get the ball out of 15's hand quick to avoid hits, and his hampered foot may or may not effect his ability to roll the pocket. They use a lot of misdirection and ballhandling, and Mahomes' toughness will be magnified in primetime. Allen has shown some times where he seems to have a Rogers' like handle on the game presnap, but also shown times where he makes plays seem to come out of his ass like Johnny Football. Can Daboll continue to show multiple personalities and stay as creative as Andy Reid? Steve Spagnolia will be just as creative on defense with aggression and attempts to confuse the still young Allen.

Will the Magic Man Patty Mahomes be able to make The Giant Josh Disappear? Or Will the General take out the Wounded Warrior? 

My Prediction..

The fearful foursome of Mahomes, Hill, Kelce and Reid are the 4 main parts of their machine. If you can manage to stop 1/4, you leave 3 successful, you will lose. If you stop 2/4, let's say you shut down Kelce and Hill, but Reid calls a great game and Mahomes plays at a high level..you'll probably still lose. Let's say you shut down 15, hold him to under 200 yards, and Reid calls just an "ok" game, but the 200 yards are all Hill and Kelce and they scored 4 TDs? This leaves 2/4 still sucessful, you probably lose. 

For most NFL teams, if you can mange to shut down 3/4... You have a chance. 

It will be tough for the Bills to overcome the Champs. They are the Champs for a reason. The Bills have had an amazing season..

and I think it leads to another win tonight. 

The Bills are far too heavy for this Chiefs outfit right now. KC is banged up, bruised and tattered from holding on to the belt for so long, and they almost lost it last week in a tough fight. I don't think the Chiefs are going anywhere anytime soon, but I expect to see cracks in the armor be exposed by raw power and emotion and bravery.

They are hurt right now. The Bills want to hurt people right now. I think that the game will be back and forth, we end up down again, 2 scores, but again I predict us to come back and win with a a late field goal. 

Chiefs body too weak to endure full 5 round title defense with Buffalo and the Bills. Head and Body shots all day long leave Chiefs belly up for 10 count. Tables break and tears stream as the Bills head back to the Super Bowl. Fate loves the fearless.

Bills 24

Chiefs 23

#bookit. 

Photo courtesy: AP / Charles Agel

I'll wrap up after the game win or lose, so stay tuned to #bleumafia through the good and bad! If you enjoyed the blog, head over to thetryintimes.com for some less sporty-more thinkable stuff. Follow me on twitter @jer7rej where I live tweet jokes and observations during NFL & NBA games, and let me know you're reading! Thanks Guys GOBILLS!

#HumpdayCheckdown | The General | Chiefs AFC Championship Week

Stop the presses. Stefon Diggs just finally gave the nickname The General to Josh Allen. Anyone who has read bits of #bleumafia has seen me repetitively refer to 17 as General Josh Allen. If you don't believe me I tweeted it just 3 days ago most recently..

Stefon Diggs calls Josh Allen the 'General' #BillsMafia

— Jenna Cottrell (@JennaCottrell) January 20, 2021

#billsmafia is a loyal army and @JoshAllenQB is their General

— Jer Mountain #bleumafia (@Jer7reJ) January 17, 2021

Buffalo is so hot right now.. 

The Bills overcame the Ravens and are walking into Arrowhead Stadium to face a Chiefs team with a few bruises from last week. It's a bright day in the USA, and a bright day in Buffalo if you're a Buffalo Bills fan.. Let's get right into it for this weeks #humpdaycheckdown.. 

Mushy Melon Mahomes

Sorta... If you follow me on twitter you saw my immediate reaction to the hit was that he was choked out in a way. He's in Concussion Protocol. The big question for fans is Will Mahomes play? I mean, everyone WANTS him to play. No one WANTS to see Patrick Mahomes on the sideline this Sunday for the AFC championship. 

Here's what I think.

He is going to play if he can, but it's not looking great if you really think about it. 

There are a few cold hard realities at bay here.

You have the independent neurologist, who if you have any faith will do the right thing to protect the kid if he medically should not go.

You have the Chiefs organization, and the NFL who have invested serious $ in a bright star of the NFL, and our country. Is this worth the risk?

You have the oddity of the injury itself. It was different. It was uncomfortable to see. IDK if I've ever seen it happen. It seemed nerve related or neck related possibly, but it seemed dangerous enough to warrant serious medical attention. Let's say he clears protocol, but he takes a hit and gets up that way again..

You also have his foot. The one he had trouble standing on, which was giving him fits already. 

How will this factor into his medical clearance alongside his concussion protocol? (which I know from D3 experience is more annoying than anything else, adds into, alters, ruins your typical preparation process, along with dealing with the actual potential headaches and pressure and sensitivity to light)

It's going to be VERY tough for this Chiefs team to overcome their leader being seriously wounded. 

Head Games

The Chiefs are not new to this. The Bills are. It would be easy for any team to be distracted by the fact that the MVP may or may not play. It would be easy to think Chad Henne is washed and can't survive 4 quarters. It would be easy to overlook this game and lose focus. 

I don't see that happening though. This team is too close to let each other down. You don't see this unity in pro sports anymore, not this year, not the last few. It's been an awful year outside of sports, but even before 2020, you just didn't see this style of ONENESS anymore. Maybe you heard about it in interviews or guys talked about being close years after, but you couldn't see it like this. 

The team has embarked on a journey that many believed they would never reach. No matter what happens, we are in good hands. 

Photo Credit -Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Andy's Old Toys

Andy Reid is one of the best leaders in sports today. He is revered by his former players, most recently I heard voiced by former FB Jon Ritchie on the Ryen Rusillo Podcast..

"Andy Reid is a guy who everyone adores. You know he's gonna have your back as a player. He's always gonna take all the blame, You know he'll never sell you out"

Also mentioned in the pod, which is always worth a listen, was Ritchie's memory of Bills Head Coach Sean Mcdermott, who was also a part of the Eagles staff Reid wore many hats for during Ritchie's time with Philly.

"When I was here, That GUY MEANT BUSINESS. That guy, I mean, I never saw him smile, Guys would mess with him all the time, like, trying to make sure he was human. Sean McDermott was like a cyborg back in the day."

Check it out around the 25 minute mark for yourself

Side note- Ryen Rusillo also hasn't been to Buffalo. Let's show him a good time when he comes. 

Coach Mcdermott truly has proven to be a MASTER motivator. 

His CYBORG background, mixed with finding out he was also quit his job at Goldman Sachs to be a coach, mixed with the fact he played the game is about the best equation you can come up with for an NFL head coach. 

Relentless focus on improvement.

Hyper vigilant logistics.

No Fear Warriorship.

ONENESS.

That's what the Buffalo Bills of tomorrow will always look like. It's time to stop talking about the past Buffalo. 

LETS GO! 

The Unofficial Symbol of #bleumafia in honor of General Josh Allen
(Never been a 6 Star General, No disrespect to Real Military)

Stay tuned to #bleumafia for my pregame dump on Friday night, where I'll give you my pregame preview, dig a bit deeper into what you might see on the field, and give my full prediction. If you haven't followed me *you haven't* on twitter, do so so we can have a good time wisecrackin' and analyizin' live sports @jer7rej. 

Let me know your reading!

Bills Knockout Ravens | Postgame Wrapup

The Buffalo Bills are going to the AFC Championship. It wasn't the prettiest, it wasn't the most perfect, but damn did it look good. The bright lights of the Ralph were not too big for the bois of summer. In an incredibly hard fought game, the Bills were able to stop the lightning rod Lamar Jackson, and are going on to take on either Baker Mayfield or Patrick Mahomes.

"Just A Guy"

Al Michaels called CB #24 Taron Johnson, "just a guy" at the end of the game, one of the heroes of the night. Taron Johnson has been bringing heat since the moment he stepped on the field for the Bills. He hits so hard, he has taken out his own shoulder several times. Taron's electric return for a TD was the turning point of the game, and basically turned the game upside down for Lamar and the Ravens.

TARON JOHNSON 101-YARD PICK-SIX!#BILLSMAFIA #NFLPlayoffs

📺: #BALvsBUF on NBC
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/apCkRMWr6f pic.twitter.com/rgwIuVLNxE

— NFL (@NFL) January 17, 2021

The way that this team seems to have a hero show up every W is a quality that only the best teams have. Last week it was Daryl Williams game saving recovery, this weeks' gameball goes to Taron Johnson. And who was right there? Star CB Tre White out in front blocking.

Lamar Is Still Tyrod

Greg Roman is still Greg Roman too. The Ravens didn't have enough on offense, and Lamar Jackson once again showed a lack of ability to find open receivers. They will have their work cut out for them in the offseason, and will need a big WR, and another TE. It was unfortunate to see Lamar go down with a concussion, but he will be back. He takes a lot of hits, today he took his last one for the 2020 season. 

Special shoutout to Hundley who did everything he needed to do to put points on the board. 

Different Strokes for Different Folks

Although the offense wasn't too pretty today, it did what it needed to do. It was able to keep the Ravens defenders on their heels. It was albe to move the ball. It was able to establish physical dominance over the aggressive front of Judon and Campbell. After a scary hit on Allen, where he bent over backwards and was slow to get up, he didn't appear to take any more. A sure sign of an O Line that loves their QB. 

The Bills are able to play different styles of offense, and defense based on their opponent. This is a sign of a great team, and a great franchise. A great Program as Coach Mac calls it. 

Who's Next?

Nick Wright for one. Get Your little hot dog mouth ready because you're going to eat crow. Enough about him though.. pipsqueak. 

As much as everyone will desire taking on the Cleveland Browns and be able to play at home, I don't think that's going to happen. Today the Packers handled the Rams, and I think we see a similar dog walk for Baker's boys tomorrow. The run game of the Browns is enough to scare anyone, but Bakers bark won't be enough for the bite of the big play boys of Kansas City. 

I have the Chiefs over the Browns, and the Bucs over the Saints.

Stay tuned to the blog for the #humpdaycheckdown where I'll preview our next opponent and cover the midweek news around the final 4 of the NFL. Bills Lovers Everywhere United. Bleu Cheese Lovers Everywhere United. 

Pregame Dump | MOUNT UP | Ravens Game Day

It's been a wild ride for Bills fans. Since rumors of a guy who looked like Josh Allen in a 7/11 in Cheektowaga, to the cold open of Szn 3 the Diggs Life, to the soothing sounds of Cole Beasley, to the Michael Jackson Tip toe show that was Gabriel Davis versus the Colts, the Bills have yet to disappoint! It truly can't be stated enough how amazing of a year it's been, and no matter what the outcome of today's contest, this for the writer goes down as the best season of my lifetime. Born Nov 28, 1989. 

The first Bills game I ever remember attending in person was actually... versus the expansion Ravens. 

By this time I had come to understand, and have an obsession for the game. I was the younger brother of a high school player. I remember very little of the game, but remember being excited for a new team with new uniforms. I also remember seeking to understand why the Browns wouldn't want their team. This Ravens team featured Vinny Testaverde, and this means, if looking back at the schedules, this game would have had to have been a preseason game, perhaps even maybe a kids day type thing, IDK. 

It's been a wild ride ever since. 

Few quick notes on that Ravens operation, the logo was cooler as it was originally, and also Vinny threw for 4000 yards in 1996. Also though he only played 2 years with the Ravens, Vinny started 6 games for the Panthers at age 44. If Bills fans had Josh Allen until 44, it will be the year 2041. Also by comparison Vinny would endure 8 losing seasons with a losing Bucs franchise before a winning one with the Browns. He would only have 4 winning seasons in 20, a part of 6 different franchises trying to win.

So for any fan, or any player, it must be noted, this season has been truly historic for the Buffalo Bills, and a reminder that this is just the beginning of the Josh Allen story.

Let's get into the preview of Bills Ravens in this Weeks #pregamedump

Mad Hatter

Josh Allen has changed his tune this season, for the most part. He has perfected the ball spin of the DUKE pro ball, he has amassed a savant-level understanding of the game, and he has established a soothing confidence that could only come from the Frank Sinatra and other calming music he's listening to before the game. 

All jokes aside, Allen has pretty much ditched the "sugar high" act that GMFB and Kyle Brandt coined. But he did take a sack and fumble, near the end of the game. It was evident Allen wasn't happy with himself. It is difficult to play mad, and play well. 

It's also difficult to play well, without being mad. Allen has mastered that balance all year, but could something like that cause Dr. Jekyll rear his ugly head? OR will the kid keep his cool hand and continue firing from the hip with brash fearlessness?

 Stay tuned..

Get Up 8 Times

Lamar Jackson has a robotic nature about him. He unlike many larger or beefier football runners somehow manages to never show pain, or even get up slowly. Some players know how to slide, some players know how to truck stick, or squeak out of bounds. 

Lamar Jackson doesn't only run with speed, he is relentless. He never shows weakness. He slips and slides off of the beefier, larger defenders at a millisecond level. He manages to protect himself and slip off unlike any player ever seen in history. This not only helps him evade and break tackles, but also helps protect him when he IS tackled. 

The playoffs are a dirty game. It's cut throat. Fighters fight and last week when challenged with a fight the Ravens, and more specifically Lamar Jackson, were ready for it. He will not stop fighting, he will not show weakness. 

Hit Hit BOOM.

Prepare to see some physical assault tonight folks. These teams are both young, and both hungry. The Ravens are obviously known for their bloodthirsty defense, and this year they've cranked it up down the stretch. 99 Matthew Judon is an absolute monster on the edge, and he will wreak havoc every chance he gets. Right next to him is Calais Campbell, another dominant force nobody can stop. Wolfe usually can scrape up a few 1on1's because of the focus of these 2. 

The Bills will need to account in pass protection. 

Key Zach Moss loss. Can the Bills RBs including Antonio Williams and TJ Yeldon help out and understand pass protections in the heat of the moment? We will find out. 

On the back end of the defense are two true ball HAWKS. Marlon Humphrey and Jason Peters are swarming, blanketing corners who aren't afraid to hit. Between Judon, Campbell, Peters and Humphrey, Josh Allen will need to play a very good game to win. 

                                        Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Role Players

Everyone has a role, but no matter how big or small that role is, it becomes more and more important the deeper you go into the playoffs. Every small role helps the victory equation balance itself out at the final whistle. As much as the big names will carry the game, the role guys will be just as important. 

Special teams will be crucial in a game where both defenses will be aggressive and fly around to force 3 and outs and tipped balls. Kickers and punters could win or lose this game. Field position and FG accuracy will be the difference.

My prediction.

I like the Bills to get out to a hot start. Possibly even an early miscue by the Ravens dealing with jitters and cold balls. Exchange or tip. But I like the Bills jumping out to a 10-0 lead, with the Ravens following up with a good counter drive, bring it to 10-7. Possible 3/out.. 10-10 early in 2nd. 

Lamar & Ravens score heading into half, and then score coming out of half, making the game 24-10. Place is going nuts, but it's not over. The game has just begun. 

The Defense begins to step up, and in shutting down the Ravens run game, the pass game becomes anemic and we possibly get a defensive score. 24-17 heading into the 4th. 

The 4th quarter is an absolute slobberknocker. Throughout the 4th many plays are made, but Allen continues to put us in position to score. The Ravens D is good enough to hold to FGs, and we take them. 24-20. 24-23.

I have the Bills coming back from the dead and proving they are the tougher and more skilled team. Though Harbaugh's experience and preparation will have Ravens in position of comfort early in 2nd half, Bills fight back and show who's boss. Home cookin' helps in Buffalo night game. 

Bills 26-24. Book it.

Stay tuned win or lose for my postgame wrapup! As always I'll be live tweeting during just about any sports game worth watching that involves football or basketball, so follow me @jer7rej on twitter! Go Bills!

#humpdaycheckdown | YOFF SZN 2 | BaltyMORE Week

Photo Credit - USA Today Nick Wojton 

On to the next opponent this week, the Baltimore Ravens. The Bills were able to overcome a trifecta of an Allen collapsing fumble, an obvious bad call, and a Hail Mary last week, marking the first postseason win of the Allen-Beane-Mac era. 2020 was an unforgettable year, but for the people of Western New York, and those loyal to the Bills all over the globe, the Bills have provided a shining light. 

Last week, the Bills didn't falter. The Bills didn't flop. The team buried the hatchet and surpassed what any team has done in years. This week presents a new challenge, so let's get after it for this weeks #humpdaycheckdown..

Snow Problem At All...

The talk of the town is the potential of snow, or weather impact on the game. When questioned, Stefon Diggs was clear in saying though he doesn't want to play in the snow and never has, he'll do what he's gotta do..

The forecast in Orchard Park for Saturday night is 30 degrees with a 60% chance of snow.

Micah Hyde: "We're all humans. The cold is NOT fun to play in."

Stefon Diggs: "Nah I'm not looking forward to it... Should probably get some snow boots when I run my routes."#BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/g5mh3kfYaE

— Dan Fetes (@danfetes) January 13, 2021

 I understand not wanting to play in truly bad conditions but looking at the weather at 30-35 degrees and a 50% chance of precipitation, it should be a beautiful night at the Ralph for football. Neither Diggs nor Lamar Jackson have ever played in the snow, which is sort of surprising. 

Lamar Jackson has never played in snow, hopes for clear weather in Buffalo vs. Bills https://t.co/AcKXCfW2HU via @Yahoo

— TheGamblersReport.com (@gamblersreport) January 13, 2021

Ball Handling Birds

The Ravens didn't even dress RB Mark Ingram last week. They have primarily used rookie JK Dobbins and a dash of Gus Edwards to accompany Jackson in the run game. A key loss on the offensive side of the ball from last seasons matchup with Buffalo is the man who took one to the house, Hayden Hurst. The Ravens will count on Mark Andrews and Hollywood Brown to carry the load, with a slowly galloping version of Dez Bryant also. 

The Bills defense did a pretty good job on Indianapolis' run game, but was gashed over and over by the TEs in deep crossing routes. Jackson relies heavily on off script plays, and doesn't have much on the outside. They will be practicing HEAVY run game this week for sure, including spells of Patrick Ricard at TE and H-back. 

I'd expect a heavy dose of motions, unbalanced sets, FB pull/smash/lead/kickout blocking, and quick game in the pass. Most pass game off action one way or the other.

Roman Reigned

Greg Roman and Tyrod Taylor were doing very similar things during their tenure here in Buffalo as Roman is doing with Lamar. The passing game at times appears anemic because, it is. We saw what it did versus an elite Jacksonville defense in our first playoff appearance. The lack of WR production was downright gross. Kelvin Benjamin and Rob Ryan gross. Most of the time there are only 2 or even 1 option to throw to. 1, 2, go. Remind you of Rod?

Roman is a genius when it comes to up front blocking though. Something that our defense has had its bouts with. The linebacking corps was decent against the run last week, but underestimated the charisma of Rivers in the pass game. They will need to be sharp in pass game this week on play action. 

Don't forget how Roman gashed us all while we grabbed our beers at the start of the 2nd half last year. (Notice how the hit on QB occurs low so to protect QB but causes TD)

Weather or no weather, the front 7 for the Bills are in for a street fight this week. The game will be won or lost by the Linebackers, and the way they are able to shed, read, pursue, and finish.

Oh Josh...

You forget JA is just a kid. He has been SO GOOD this year, it's as if we've had him for 10 years. He carries himself as if he's lived here his whole life. He was NOT happy with himself following the fumble versus Indy. This was good to see. There really is nothing worse than seeing a kid not care. He cares, and for that reason, I can't fault him for his never-say-die attitude. That being said.. next time just fall down like Tom Brady JA.

My Game Ball

The gameball truly does belong to #75 Daryl Williams, who was able to come up with the ball for the Bills.

I don't know much about Daryl. He became a member of the team in March of 2020. Think about that for a second. As much praise and honor as guys like Josh, Stefon, Michah, Jordan all deserve, take one second to recognize that Daryl Williams deserves the Gameball of 2020. 

This guy is a downright guardian angel. 

Credit whoever you want, but remember 75. The bottom line is he came to this franchise and city during the beginning of a worldwide pandemic, and recovered what could have been a season ending fumble. The guy has started every game for a Bills O-Line that probably hasn't received enough credit. 

I don't know much about Daryl, but he has quietly emerged into a forever etch into my memory. He wasn't around for the Orton times, the Losman times or Even the Peterman times. He just got here and he scrapped for that ball, and for that.. I thank you Daryl. We all thank you. So you and I can both get to know the former All pro a bit better.. here's a video.

Stay tuned to the end of the week for my Pregame Dump- where I will dig into the Ravens scouting report a bit deeper, and give my full pregame prediction for Saturday's contest. If you love the blog, please let me know you're reading, share, tell a friend. If you don't, tell me what you'd like to see done better! 

BLEUMAFIA - Bills Lovers Everywhere United - & Bleu Cheese Lovers Everywhere

Postgame Wrapup | Bleu Ballin' Bills Come Out On Top

 

(AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)AP

Stay tuned to the bleumafia blog for 3 articles a week.. the Postgame Wrapup, my immediate reactions to the game in the aftermath, the Humpday Checkdown, where I cover the recovery of the game and mid week news and preview the opponent, and of course the PreGame Dump, where I dive deeper into my prognosis for how the game will go, and my weekly BOOKING prediction. 

Well, it wasn't without drama, but the Bills are MOVING ON into the next round of the AFC playoff race. Come down from the game with this weeks #postgamewrapup..

Boy o Boy

Josh Allen wasn't happy with himself following the game, and that's understandable. After a pretty solid showing, he dropped the ball in the big time moment. He will recover, and it'll be forgotten by the majority of fans, but never by him. He still grew up today, and the offseason work with the WR corps was evident once again. Trust is clear between this group, but as Josh stated with fire in his eyes, there is work to do..

QB Sore

Allen was somehow able to hang on to the ball with a running load the likes of Jerome Bettis. I can't quite figure out why he was put in so many positions of pain today against a front 4 that was assaulting him each and every snap. Prior to the loss of Zach Moss to what looks like a pretty significant injury, Devin Singletary was mostly not to be found. He will be a key in the next matchup regardless of opponent. Also missing from the cast today was Isaiah Mckenzie, who performed at a high level last week. 

Where was the stretch outside run? Jet motion? Thought we could have got them moving laterally a bit more. It was enough though, and the Bills finished the Colts in true playoff action. 

Turnovers & Boo Boos

Philip Rivers didn't look bad at all. Strangely climate-friendly conditions with sunshine like San Diego had both teams looking sharp all day long on offense. A few slippery drops by backs were the main faults, with Allens fumble being the only really significant oopsy. 

The Bills crowd was felt, but it was clear it wasn't the same as it usually would be. I wouldn't be surprised to see fans rewarded maybe 2500-3000 more people, as it seemed everyone was well behaved and spaced accordingly. Maybe the advertisements were covering the seats to keep the fans far away from the players, but those are prime seats! It was amazing to hear the crowd noise in true WNY form all day long.

Beasie F Baby

Never to be forgotten was the Gutsy performance by the ole' Rodeo Clown Cole Beasley. Time and Time again he showed up as the biggest dog on field and his performance was striking enough to put him in my book as an all time warrior the likes of Fred Jackson. You don't always see professional athletes leave it all out there these days. It's been a pleasure Beasie. Thank you for your sacrifice!

Who's Next?

The Bills are certainly looking the likes of past world champions. We have moved the ball on just about every style of defense, and our defense seems to step up whenever it is needed most. Up next will be probably be the Steelers if they defeat the Browns.... but if Baker Mayfield can upset Big Ben, the Browns would then play the Chiefs and we would play the winner of Baltimore Vs. Tennesee.

Stay tuned to the blog for 3 articles a week.. the Postgame Wrapup, my immediate reactions to the game in the aftermath, the Humpday Checkdown, where I cover the recovery of the game and mid week news and preview the opponent, and of course the PreGame Dump, where I dive deeper into my prognosis for how the game will go, and my weekly BOOKING prediction. 

#bleumafia! See you HumpDay and remember to Follow me on Twitter @jer7rej where I chit chat sports and stuff daily and try to keep up with the wild world of sports...

Pregame Dump | Playoff Mode Activated | Colts Week

The time has come for a reckoning. As I so lengthily stated in my regular season wrapup, the real season has just begun to this Bills team. Josh and the Boys have racked up yards, woo'd the critics, danced on the grave of teammates Ls, but now is the time. Let's preview what we've all been waiting for in this week's #pregamedump.. HEYeyEHeY

Tasker's video is still cold as hell. I keep watching it. Also his latest version in shorts and keeping the Peaky Blinders hat on is just as good.

Sub Zero Fight!

The scoop is this, as per a New York Times article shared from a friend, Philip Rivers hasn't won a game in weather under 35 degrees in a few years, maybe 2015 or so.. So I did some research..

In a New York Post article I dug up, It shows his actual net difference between his QB rating in fair wearther, and in cold weather from 2015, you can check it out for yourself, but very interesting.  Warning- Brady heavy beginning-scroll to bottom for stats.

I also found it interesting that Rivers as of 2018 with his time with the Chargers was only 4-5 in the postseason.

It's only going to be around 32 and partly cloudy, but Phil will need to break down some statistical cold weather analytics to come out on top if you're looking purely at the (kinda) cold. 

Old & Cold

Older bodies, specifically quarterbacks bodies break down faster, move slower and less explosively in colder temperatures.

Another friend of mine once coined the term "Old and Cold." over wings at the Fireside Inn in Lancaster about Brett Favre during the 2007 upset by Eli Manning in the Playoffs, and I remember thinking no way man. He's Brett Favre. He then did the most Brett Favre thing and threw the game away. But he really did look OLD and COLD in that weather. It's a term that has stuck with me since about older QBS in polar temps..

It won't be as cold in Buffalo today, but I expect to see a similar outing from Rivers today.

Young Guns Blaze

The other 17 on the field today is NOT old, and IS about as RED HOT as he's been in his entire life. Josh and the boys of summer have reached winter, and back to their previous Apex Mountain of last year's Playoff loss to Desaun Watson (who could be coming to the AFC East next year), and the first round of the AFC Playoffs. 

Why Do I call them the Boys of Summer? 

Photo Credit - @croomphotos

Inside the Buffalo Bills’ Florida workouts: How Stefon Diggs broke ice with Josh Allen

This year marks the first year that 7 teams from each conference make the playoffs, coining it Super Wild Card Weekend. Allen and the boys worked all summer to get ready to get back here. There should be no jitters, no fears, no surprises.

Having felt what they felt last year the team should respond with class and confidence today. I expect the team to play well together and fully know Josh Allen will go down swinging no matter what, so it will be a fun day Win or Lose. 

How Many Fans?

Stefon Diggs gets to play in front of the fans, who won't be as loud, but certainly will be felt. On a previous #humpdaycheckdown I joked that they should leave fans only to one side of the field, similar to the Section 6 HS Playoffs. Obviously the first game having fans is newsworthy, but what worries me is the distraction it may or may not have on the team. We love the team, the team loves us. But hopefully moments of focus aren't compromised by the presence of fans, or the responsibility to please them.

The Bills are professionals, but every man can become childish in the face of huge successes, or huge failures, in front of people who look up to them. Ask any Bills fan who's drank too much on a sunday. LOL

Who's winning?

I think the Bills start out a bit slower than usual due to the fans in the stands. Nerves are real and legs will feel like jelly. The Colts will probably think, this is it? before kickoff. The Bills will probably feel a bit the same, as to say 'Yikes..this isn't what I hoped for'.. 

But then the ball will kick off. 

And Daddy Josh will be in a dog fight versus Daddy Phil.

The Defenses will be crucial to the success of both teams, and oddly I don't expect a big shootout of epic proportions. I expect a hard fought grinding game where every bobble, hold, fumble, or INT will make WAVES. 

Phil will falter under pressure, giving up sacks, and losing his mind. He doesn't like getting hit, and our Defense Loves Hitting. 

Run game will be meaningless for the Colts if they are down 2 scores or more, but the Colts don't really change what they do throughout the game, up or down. They will pound rock and Phil will call it at the line if he sees something he likes. Don't forget Reich is calling the plays so NEVER count him out.

Josh will need to be safe, but also precise. He can't afford to try and win it on every play, but he also needs to go out and win it. He will play like himself and have a comfortable but statistically drab day, including running the ball for crucial drive extending firsts. Get down young bull. Protect yourself for the next game, but don't forget last seasons anger in how it ended. 

The Bills offense will show its teeth with the run game and we will prove we can win ugly or pretty and come out on top. We gain the upside early 3rd quarter and never look back, though the final whistle will fall within one score as every Phil Rivers game does, but we win, 23-16.

Stay tuned after the game for the postgame wrapup where I highlight and hopefully preview next weeks game! Go Bills!

Humpday Checkdown | The Ole' Horse | Colts Week Scout

Cole Beasley released a new song, and it's worth a listen. It truly reaches into the mind of an athlete, moreover a football player. Check it out for yourself..

You have to be a genius to play the game of football at the highest level, and before being banged up Beasley has been brilliant on the field as well, along with the rest of the band, Stefon on Guitar, Gabe on bass, and Killer Knox on Drums. 

Let's chill out and break down the week coming in a day late after all hell broke loose at the Capitol for this weeks Humpday Checkdown..

Beasles Is Back

Smoke Brown made a slide back into the scoring column last week, making quick work on a 1on1. Stefon did his best to stay healthy but still got banged up on a few ugly hits. The good news is Cole is back on the field and though he is questionable it's great to see him suited up. It was daunting to see Diggs also listed as questionable, but overall team looks loose...

Here’s 20 seconds of video of both Cole Beasley and Stefon Diggs at practice. pic.twitter.com/eiEcDyubLa

— Sal Capaccio 🏈 (@SalSports) January 7, 2021

Wrap It Up 

The Bills will need to hit and wrap the Colts running backs this week. Jonathan Taylor and Nyheim Hines each present unique challenges to a light fast defense. The bend but don't break has worked perfectly against teams without strong running backs. (Pats, Dolphins, Broncos (Gordon DUI), Chargers (Ekeler first game back)) 

Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images

Tremaine Edmunds, Matt Milano and A.J. Klien have been fairly consistent lately, and also bringing a different heat leading into January. Taron Johnson is no stranger to bringing the noise, he will absolutely leave his body on the line, even appearing up in the box at times last week. Josh Norman has matured into a nice veteran presence and has given public thanks to Buffalo, which is nice to see. Let's hope we don't rely on star safeties Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde to need to bring down the RB at the 2nd and 3rd (and 4th levels) all day, or we will be in trouble. 

Daddy Phil

photo by john l. white JOHN L. WHITE JOHN L. WHITE

I do love me some Phil fucking Rivers. I've been a fan since he too was a young college college gunslinger with a visor like JA. His faulty mechanics and mouthy gameplay has put him in some really unique situations over the years. Since the get go, he has always won, and always made sure everyone knew he was a winner. He has crept up quietly as one of the most decorated passers in all of NFL history.

I remember a heroic young Phil going toe to toe on a bum ACL and LT couldn't even go. That was his Apex mountain to me.

Legendary for sure, but..the truth is he's never really been able to finish down the stretch when it really matters. Blame system, blame teams, blame GMs, he really hasn't gotten up to the tippy top of the mountain. He's a SlingerGod, but if the Colts need to rely on him to provide their scoring fruits, they'll feel as old and cold as he will. 

Unfortunately for Bills fans, he brings along a great RB, Frank Reich's genius and leadership, and some athletic weapons on the outside. 

Turnovers

Football is extremely complicated. Every player has assignment and is graded on every play. When turnovers occur, it looks very simple. Both 17s in this game will be challenged with keeping their arms in their pants at times. Who will keep themselves in check and who will show their hand? The Colts are 2nd in the league in turnover differential at a Plus-10. The Bills no slouch at Plus-4 The Bills actually edge the Colts by 1 with 26 total to Indy's 25.

Who will turn it over first? Who will turn it over last? Phil has been known to end a game on an INT, will he end his career on one?

Stay Tuned

Tanner Gentry, Josh Allen's college WR at Wyoming, along with Kenny Stills former Oklahoma standout and NFL vagabond deep threat were both added to the Praccy this week, which is exciting news as the Mad Hatter Brandon Beane strikes again as proving to once again be the master of NO EXCUSES. He provides players, personnel and depth to an organization even in moments of insurance. 2 more pieces added to an already dazzling puzzle that Bills Fans will just have to wait to see..

2020 Bills Regular Season Wrap | Surprise Surprise

Last time we need to hear about the damn Dolphins. Bye Bye Tua. It was a beautiful sight to see once again the Buffalo culture take over the game early and never let up. Tua didn't have Daddy Fitz to save him, and the Flores plan fell on his face. Their season is over. 

The Buffalo Bills Season is officially starting. What do I mean? This was all just work. The real season is just beginning.

I don't mean to sound cocky, but nothing this season has surprised me yet. I knew last year we'd be here today. If you stick with me, I'll explain why.

Tyrod, I saw a savior. 

I loved Tyrod. I knew he wasn't good enough to win us a Super Bowl. I knew he was the type of LEADER the Bills needed. He was the type of SOUL to give this team an identity. So much of playing quarterback is done with X's and O's. You can ask any All 22er on Twitter how to beat a cover 2. But so much of it is done merely with love and passion for your team and the game.

Anyone can say HOW it SHOULD be done. Anyone can pick out someone WHO ISN"T getting it all done. Tyrod was enough to get us to the playoffs, and no one was grateful enough if you ask me. He had an IT factor. He had a swagger. He had faith, but we knew it wouldn't be enough. 

Fitz, I saw a Warrior. 

Ryan Fitzpatrick is smarter than probably anyone reading this article, and also an all time great QB and respected by all of his teammates. When Ryan Fitzpatrick was handed the keys to Buffalo, we didn't have these uniforms. We didn't have the facilities that Beane and Pegula installed for player treatment. 

We were playing games in Toronto at that point. He would get injured in Toronto ironically. When Fitzpatrick won the game against the Patriots, that was the best moment in my Bills life at that point. I also saw the Foo Fighters live that night. 

All we had was who we were then, and Fitz gave it his all. The fearlessness, passion, and IQ was real, but knew it wouldn't be enough.

Other former QB's all put in the work. 

They did not have the support, staff, or franchise that Josh Allen has today. Josh Allen has become the savior of this city, and he will be for a long time. His huge arm has lifted the team to new heights. You can even buy a rosary with Josh Allen's face here in Buffalo on Facebook Marketplace. He isn't the first to try. Brandon Beane has put Josh in positions that no QB has ever had. He has given him every opportunity to succeed. No QB can succeed without a supporting cast behind him. Still many did.

Never Say Die

I saw JP Losman throw for 300 yards in a half vs Palmer, TO and Ochocinco and win. I saw EJ beat Cam's Panthers on a last second throw to Stevie. I saw Kyle Orton win a Vikings game at the last second to Sammy. They couldn't get to the playoffs though. They all tried, and couldn't get to the postseason. We knew who we were as a franchise.

Doug Flutie and Rob Johnson are both out there somewhere, and they too still sting from not being able to bring it home for Buffalo. They brought it home together. Rob Johnson's final drive vs the Titans prior to the Music City Miracle is MIRACULOUS. Despite the QB drama, those 2 brought us close. That was probably the last time we thought we knew who we were.

Drew Bledsoe battled to keep the light burning, but couldn't make the playoffs. Tyrod (and Andy Dalton) helped us break the curse and reach the playoffs, but we were outmatched. This article is for all of them. They all gave us hope. Winning removes those memories that were hopeful. 

Over time, as Buffalonians and Bills fans, we started to think of ourselves as losers. We were.

Though so many memories remained tarnished and empty, lessons of loyalty, faith, honor, fearlessness, and a will to never give up hope remained in the hearts of anyone who's ever put on a Bills jersey, fan or player.

Winning makes you forget.

Buffalo fans' memories will now get very short. New fans will flock to the BillsMafia from all over the world. The real ones will never forget what it was like. The suffering, the hope, the failures.

Josh Allen, as many have stated, was barely a toddler when Rob Johnson led that ankle-tape last drive. He was at Wyoming when Tyrod took it on the chin vs a VERY GOOD Jaguars team and was shipped out. He was there to see Peterman. 

Then it was his turn. He immediately jumped over someone in Minnesota. His second year would prove his will to win and improve fit the mold of Buffalo. The hope, the fearlessness, the faith, the honor started creeping back into the hearts of Bills fans. 

He was there for the Cowboys coming out party on Thanksgiving.

He was there to ALMOST beat Tom Brady. 

He was also here last year, for the Texans loss.

For the first time, he got to feel how it REALLY feels to be a Bill. (or Bills fan)

Still though, pundits doubted him. His accuracy. His decision making. The Grinch fans were too hurt by years of trauma.

I never did. I continued to point to the heart. 

As amazing as this season has been, it's pretty incredible to see not only WHAT has happened, but the incredible shift in HOW it's happened. This isn't just about sports. There are thousands of cursed souls who spent their lives drinking in the stands and listening to WGR550. I get it it's great for Buffalo fans. It's also good for the Kelly's and Reed's to get some of their street cred back. There has been a shift in 2020 in Buffalo, from the top down.

There are so many who battled their asses off for this franchise and never got a taste. And they are getting it now. They are FOREVER BILLS. The memory of being a BILL can change now. 

This is for every one of those players who fought for the Bills. So many warriors and saviors who had hope and faith and didn't get there. Josh Allen became one of those last year versus the Texans. He didn't get there. He couldn't bring it home. 

As we enter this playoff season, as fans, don't forget what it was like to want. Remain grateful for this. Enjoy every second. You never know when you're going to get this again. Many players lived to see this and feel this and never did. This goes out to every Bills player, QB or other, who worked for this franchise.

We have our QB, we have our team, and we have a future. 2 Seed home matchup against the Colts, Frank Reich. Someone who knows a bit about Buffalo QBing. What a world we are living in today. The Bills are the HOTTEST TEAM in the NFL and have the HOTTEST QB. The QB that NO ONE wants to play. Everyone is a little afraid of playing against the Bills, and everyone is afraid to play against Josh Allen.

So wait, how did I know we were going to be here? 

If you think back, you may have a hazy memory of Desaun Watson winning the game in the Playoffs. How do you remember the Texans game going? Do you even remember? 

I vividly remember and constantly remind others of how Josh Allen had the Bills in position to kick to win the game. A phantom crackback block call prevented us from kicking to win and advance. I truly believed we had a QB who could upset ANYONE. We got screwed. AGAIN. Music City, No Goal, Crackback.

Many "fans" spent the offseason doubting him. I knew after the Texans loss we would be here today. I knew. How? The truth is in the eyes. 

If you want to judge a QB or a football player, you can judge their stats, you can judge their release, you can judge the way they look, walk,  or talk. I look in the eyes.

There is a look. There is a fire. There is a truth. I knew Josh Allen would never end up a loser. Some people just don't. When Josh Allen started his first game as a Bill he was one person. 

When he lost that game versus the Texans, he became another person. 

He became one of us. 

He got to feel what it was like to be a loser. 

A failure. 

A Bill.

The difference is, he wasn't okay with it. He will never be okay with it. That's not who HE IS. In 3 short years, he changed what it has meant to be a Buffalo Bill forever, what it means to be from Buffalo forever, and has reminded every Buffalonian of who they REALLY are on the inside. 

I remember seeing the look on Josh's face and remember him being meme'd for it. Any real warrior knew what that look meant. The boy turned into a Giant that day. That day created a monster for all 31 other teams in the NFL.

He may look like a giant on the outside, but it is his heart on the inside that is truly gigantic. The eyes tell the truth.

He was always one of us, someone with hope, faith, work ethic, fearlessness and loyalty. That's what got him all the way from California, to Wyoming, to here, against all odds stacked against him. That's what gave him the opportunity to lead an NFL franchise, and to change an entire city. 

Everyone wants to be the first one to believe in Josh Allen now, but I'll be the first to admit..

We thought we were going to teach him what Buffalo was all about.. maybe we were wrong. Maybe it was us that needed him to REMIND us who we really were all along. BILLS.

So yeah, I knew the day we lost to Houston we'd ALL be here today. Josh Allen's eyes told me we will never be the same franchise or city again.

If you want to really judge a QB, a football player, or a person for that matter.... look into the eyes. That is how you can tell the future.

LETS GO BILLS.