Quick Takes Edition 7
It was a slim weekend for me sports-wise. Notre Dame had a bye, none of the college football games held that much interest to me. Yes, there were some possible upsets, but eventually everyone that was supposed to win did. So let’s get to the rest of it.
Buffalo Bills (4-3)
No one, no die hard fan, should ever panic about football. Remember, it’s a game after all and in the context of the arena it is part of the entertainment business. That being said, as a fan there is legitimate cause for concern. I had indicated in a previous post that, “It is becoming increasingly apparent that opposing defenses have now identified the choke points to the Bills’ offense.” Sunday’s loss in New England proved that out again. There had been the benefit of the doubt given following the previous two losses – the player and coach speak. “We need to address some things” and the ever favorite, “We have confidence of everyone in the room to turn this around.” The loss to the Patriots never should have happened. I think everyone knows that. Yes, Belichick is Belichick, but at 1-5 the Patriots are a shell of what they once were having been outscored 72-3 in their previous two games against the Cowboys and Saints respectively. While no one should expect that type of onslaught to continue against Buffalo, there was also no reason to expect a Bills loss. A 34-17 Bills victory would have been the realistic scenario. It was anything but that. The Bills were down 13-3 at the half, and while the NFL schedule makers haven’t done the team any favors this season the offense should not struggle to this degree. Hard questions need to be asked of the offense. The defense, even in London, has been pretty solid considering the travel, and the injuries, but they nor any other defense can be on the field for as much as they are asked. So it flips back to the offense.
Ken Dorsey has been given his vote of confidence from McDermott, and we would all expect that support from the boss. However, it is understandable as to why light has been shed on the Bills’ offensive coordinator. Dorsey is a former quarterback, and when quarterbacks have their way they want to throw every down. I think it was telling when McDermott said, “”It starts with getting off the field on defense on third down. It starts with playing better complimentary football.” That statement is a window into the team meetings this week, and it’ll be interesting as to what, if anything, comes out of them. The Bills do not play complimentary football, and they certainly don’t establish any kind of running game. Many recall the K-Gun, and Jim Kelly’s passes, but remember also one of the mantras of that era – When Thurman Thomas rushes for 100 yards the Bills win. Thomas rushed for 100+ yards on 52 occasions which includes 6 in the playoffs. The solution is there for the Bills offensively, but the remaining question is can it be addressed given the constraints of the current roster? I posted on social media during the game, and I stand by the statement, if they don’t figure it out you can see them be below .500 before Thanksgiving, and quite possibly clawing for a playoff wild-card after that. This isn’t anything anyone, including myself, expected at the start of the season. Five games remain before the bye week at the end of November, and while that does include the Eagles and the Jets. By the start of December we’ll have a good handle on whether the Bills’ window is closing, or completely closed.
Buffalo Sabres (2-3)
The Sabres avenged their loss on Long Island with a 3-1 victory over the Islanders on Saturday night. A strong effort, but so far this season is hit or miss. While one doesn’t want to be constantly negative, the question on the Sabres is the same question that always encircles this team – can they put two good efforts together? Are consecutive games too much of an ask? Again, it’s October hockey, but over the last decade all the fans need to see the proof on the ice. If Saturday’s game doesn’t translate to another strong effort against the Canadiens tonight then things tend to sour quickly amongst fans. I wonder if the Sabres know they’re on this quasi probationary period with the fan base? I guess we’ll see tonight against Montréal.