Quick Takes Edition 4

Buffalo Bills (3-1)

I expected a strong showing by Buffalo, but like many I didn’t expect this. My original guess was going to be somewhere in the 42-35 range as far as score, and the winning team a toss up. In the beginning it was shaping up that way, and you wondered if either defense was going to put up much of a fight. It had been 21-14 Buffalo before the first punt of the game for either side took place.

I feel this was a bit of a statement game for the Bills. For the teams and fans on both sides it was a week of listening to commentary on the Dolphins’ having dropped 70 on the Broncos last weekend. While I don’t think anyone expected Miami to hit 70 again there were innuendos that their offense was going to continue to steam roll opponents. That might have been the case had their next game been against a sub-par defense, but reality is the Bills are vastly improved on that side of the ball. The Bills aren’t the Broncos to put it bluntly, and it showed. While I’m still unsure about the sustainability of McDermott wearing two hats he silenced me yesterday, and sorry Miami fans, 48-20 is a beat down. As the second quarter continued on it became increasingly apparent with each play the Bills were pulling away, and that’s exactly what happened. The pressure of the defense then started forcing turnovers, and then the rest caved in from a Dolphins perspective. Both teams are 3-1 now, and at the top of what I consider a weak division – a two team division. The Patriots and Jets are both 1-3, and the Jets should consider themselves lucky they’re not win-less. I know, should’a, would’a, could’a, but based off the last few weeks performance it only cements that the reckless play by the Bills in the opener is what cost them – with or without Rodgers. It’s a two team division, and the Jets and Pats are neither of them.

Notre Dame (5-1)

I expected a bounce-back game on Saturday night. What happened was far from it. In the first half the Irish dominated statistically both sides of the ball, but only had a 10-0 lead at the half. (It probably should’ve been 20-0 at the least.) Obviously what happens when teams let other teams hang around – they come back. Duke did that and held the 14-13 lead late, but a luck of the Irish 95 final drive of the game stole the game back for the 21-14 victory, but these are the games that infuriates Irish fans. I know Duke has vastly improved, but they’re not at the level of Notre Dame just as the Irish are just within reaching distance, but that’s all, of the top 4 ranked teams. Always excellent, never elite. Which is why the Ohio State game was such a statement. I expect them to beat #25 Louisville this week, but the next big test will come against Southern Cal the following week. A victory against the Trojans and they would’ve split the two games of teams ahead of them. After that, unfortunately, it’ll be left up to humans on the committee.

New York Yankees (82-80).

The Bronx Bombers finish the season above .500 for the 31st consecutive season even after their 5-2 loss in Kansas City on Sunday afternoon. That, I assume, is part of the problem with the Yankees over the past decade. They’ve built a very high priced, very expensive, .500 team. While the mission statement has always been championship or bust, the reality is this team has continued to hover around the .500 mark for an extended period of time now. Sometimes fast starts and then regressions to the mean have resulted in wild-cards and playoff births. It did not this season, and this is where some serious discussions have to take place. Good enough record to make the playoffs isn’t the best way to go about things. Eventually it will, has, cost you. Also, overvaluing some players, and being reluctant to cut ties with some of them either because of a contract situation or because the analytics team just like the numbers has proven the organizational approach is broken. There’s no easy way to say that. This season will, unfortunately, cost some people their jobs. I’m not saying it’ll be Boone or Cashman (although they are the focal points by fans), but someone is going to be falling on the sword here. It will be very interesting how this develops over the winter before the first spring training game, February-24, against Detroit.

Chicago Bears (0-4)

At one point the Bears were up 28-7 on the Broncos, and Fields was [seemingly] rolling along with a bit of determination aimed at his criticism, or the criticism of the team in general. Difficult to say, but whatever the motivation it was there. However, when the score got to 28-21, as a fan, I knew the loss was inevitable. The only question was how soon? That answer came with 1:46 remaining in the fourth quarter, and the Bears collapse was complete.

Now what? The team needs a structural overhaul, and it needs to take place at high levels because it is at these levels that the failures in general manager and coaching hires are taking place. How do you fire the president and ownership group? Good question. I don’t know enough about the higher workings of the Bears organization, but my advice is two fold. First you’re going to have to take a real hard look in the mirror before moving forward. What you’ve been doing isn’t working, and as much as I hate to say this the Packers own you. Find a way to beat the Packers and by default you’ll become competitive in the NFL again. Even Detroit is improved, and right now you’re on a trajectory (and have been for some time) of becoming the new Lions.The second part is forget a new stadium. Assuming the Wikipedia article is correct the taxpayers invested $432 million, or 68% in 2002/3 for renovations of Soldier Field, and they haven’t received even a competitive team as far as return on investment over the last several years. If Soldier Field had never been renovated then yes, I get it, but that isn’t the situation here. It was just done in 2003 where it became much like the Ship of Theseus and entirely new structure. So you have a new stadium – and it can last longer than 20 years.