Goodbye, The Ralph

Sometime in the late 90’s, I attended my first ever Bills game. It was with my family, and I can’t quite remember if it was preseason or regular season, but it was against the Detroit Lions. I had to be about 10 or 11 at the time, and I remember that we were driving home in the dark. It was the only game that I ever attended with my grandpa. He and my uncle were huge Lions fans, and I remember us all going up to the game in a camper. I don’t remember the score. Don’t remember who won, even. But I remember who I was with. And that seems to be a recurring theme from my experiences at that stadium. Not outcomes. But rather, memories.

Sometime after that game, I attended my second, third, fourth games, etc. Those I have a bit of a clearer picture, as I was a bit older.

A game against the Dolphins that I attended with a friends’ family. I distinctly remember being seated directly next to a Dolphins fan that I trash talked the entire game. A game with another friends’ family that resulted in us being in a Tim Horton’s hospitality tent, pregame. That one was against the Seahawks, a home opener that Roscoe Parrish took one back on an insane punt return. There may have even been a fake field goal that game if I remember correctly.

Then, in my college years, my friends and I made a point to try to go to every home opener. TO’s first game in the stadium was seen from a suite that I did not own and did not belong in. I was passing beers out the window to people in the seats in front of me. An act that surely would’ve been frowned upon, if anybody knew about it. I remember a game from the 300’s against the Chargers where there was a power outage. Lee Evans caught a ball against his head for a touchdown right below us, and nobody outside of that stadium saw it. A game against the Raiders, front row in the endzone. David Nelson caught a game winning touchdown pass.

Then, rogue ones. Early fall games, late December games, preseason scorchers. I saw former Bills great Matt Leinart take the field in person. I sat in the Rockpile section of the stadium and saw Rian Lindell miss a real conservative field goal attempt to take the lead in a Monday Night game vs the Browns. I saw two separate games from the 300’s that I can’t even remember who they were against, but they stand out because I was with a friend that’s no longer with us.

I even attended a concert or two there. Guns n Roses, but more importantly to me, The Rolling Stones. It was 2015. The Stones announced they were coming back to Buffalo. I grew up listening to the Stones constantly. They were my dad’s favorite band. So, I bought tickets for me and him to go. I think I pitched it as a Father’s Day present and made up some story about how I got them discounted so he wouldn’t feel guilty about how much money I spent. I just wanted to go see a band that I grew up with, my dad’s favorite band, with him, regardless of cost. So, we went. We tailgated with his brother and my cousin as if it were any Bills game. We got beer spilled on our seats from the people behind us. But damn it, we saw the Rolling Stones together.

Then, late winter 2021, I was at my sister’s house. My sister, my brother-in-law, and I were having ourselves a night. At some point, we started reflecting on how great of a Bills season the Covid year was. How we wish we could’ve gone to a game. And, as all great decisions are formed, a drunken decision was made. We were going to buy season tickets. They would buy two. I would buy two. At the time, my goal was to bring friends along and have my second ticket already built in to hopefully someday bring my own family. The memories I’ve had in the last five years have been a direct result of the beers we drank that night. A lot of games stand out to me since then. But I’ll touch on the big ones.

The wind game. This one was a loss. It was brutal. A painful game to sit and watch. But the tailgate was great given the circumstances. We met a Pats fan from Boston that was attending his first game at our stadium. We traded beers with him as an act of respect. Then, on the way into the stadium, met a young man that was asking for help. We offered our assistance as the help that he needed was finishing his bottle of blackberry brandy so that he could go in. Sure. Covid be damned. We’re here to help.

The Perfect Game is by far the best game I ever attended. The energy in the parking lot in zero-degree weather was unmatched. My beers were freezing before I could drink them. People were going from fire to fire introducing themselves and making new friends. It felt like a survival party before the real party happened inside the stadium.

I took my now wife to her first game at the stadium. The home opener. A night game against the Titans where the Bills blew them out. We had only been dating a few months at that point, and it’s a great memory from early in our relationship. I remember the tailgate that day more than the game itself. We were in the front end of the mud lot. A place we always parked. But being that it was a night game and the opener? It was packed already by the time we got there. She couldn’t stop laughing watching all the fans and their parking lot antics.

Then, the game after the Damar Hamlin incident, I could kick myself for how that went. We were inside the stadium. The Legend of the Game did their intro. Something I refuse to miss. After the announcement was made that the Bills would have the ball first, I turned to my brother-in-law and said I was going to run to the bathroom before the offense took the field. He asked why I didn’t want to watch the kickoff and being that this was before the dynamic kickoff rules, my response was “they never return these. I’ll be fine.”

There I was, an idiot in the bathroom during kickoff. The crowd swelled and I thought “oh, they actually returned it and it’s a good one.” The crowd then swelled even louder, a second time. The bathroom began to shake, and it was the loudest I have ever heard the place, even from behind those concrete walls. I hung my head in shame and made my way back to our seats. My brother-in-law and sister were there to greet me and promptly make fun of me for missing it. I deserved it. I saw the second one though.

And finally, my favorite memory from the stadium came from this season. My wife and I had the opportunity to bring my stepdaughter to her first game. I fulfilled what I set out to do at the start of this. I went to a game with my own family. It turned out to not be just any game, either. It was the home opener vs the Ravens. The Bills were down big, and I had seen this movie so many times in my past. I turned to my wife and said “we should get going. The kids have school tomorrow, and we have to work. This game is over.”

She thought about it for a minute and said “this is her first game, let’s just stay until the end. We made it this far.” So, we did. We stayed until the very end of that game, and I could not be happier that she talked me into doing so. What a memory. What a first game to go to.

Heading into this week, I wasn’t sure what I would feel. I’m excited for the new stadium and new memories I’ll make there. And I knew I wanted to go to the final game at this stadium whether that meant this game against the Jets, or sometime in the playoffs. But I certainly didn’t think that I would feel this emotional about it. It’s just a pit in the ground with a bunch of concrete in it, after all. It’s completely out in the elements, and as a result, completely unforgiving. It couldn’t care less about the fans that attend the games or their level of comfort. But it holds some of the best memories of my life. I attended events with parents, siblings, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, grandparents, friends, and my own family. I’ve been to games with four different generations of my family. I’m not unique in saying that. Everybody from this area has their own version of these stories.

So, after tomorrow where we make one more memory together. This is goodbye. Highmark Stadium. Bills Stadium. New Era Field. Ralph Wilson Stadium. Rich Stadium. However you know it. Thanks for the memories.

Unleashed

Bills offense explodes as Buffalo beats Tampa Bay 44-32.

Any doubt that the offense no longer had it in them to go punch for punch with another team is now gone. The Buffalo Bills came out and showed the league what they were capable of on Sunday – capped by a six-touchdown performance by the leagues reigning MVP. All in a day’s work in an afternoon that saw ten lead changes in the game vs the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

It wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows though, as most games aren’t. The Bills run defense still surrendered over two hundred yards on the ground. It didn’t matter, though. Josh Allen was still able to put on the cape and carry the team to what was possibly their most impressive performance of the season.

The Good

Offensively, this is what the team looks like when they’re playing loose. This was the most wide open they’ve looked and the downfield passing game looked like a threat for the first time all season. The return of wide receiver Joshua Palmer and addition of wide receiver Gabe Davis proved to be the lift that the team needed. As well as a surprisingly good performance by Tyrell Shavers who nabbed four catches for 90 yards – capped off by a 43-yard bomb from Allen.

Josh Allen looked a lot like the old Josh Allen in this one. The game started out looking like we were going to get the same type of game that we’ve been getting all season – where everything looked way harder than it needed to, a couple of stupid turnovers, and the fan base wondering what happened to the guy that would run over three defenders just to get an extra yard. Then that guy showed back up – seemingly out of nowhere. Throwing down field with reckless abandon, running around like his hair was on fire, and overall looking like the superman that we’ve all grown accustomed to. Six touchdowns, three passing and three rushing, and two interceptions that included an ill-conceived two-handed chest pass. We got the full experience yesterday. Josh Allen giveth, and Josh Allen taketh away.

Defensively, what a game by Cole Bishop. Since the return of Jordan Poyer, Bishop has looked borderline like an all-pro. He made a hell of a play that resulted in an interception in the third quarter, and looks like he can be at least one of the long-term answers at the safety position. Terrell Bernard also had his best game of the season, piling up 11 tackles throughout this one.

The Bad

The defense wasn’t all good, however. This team cannot stop the run to save their lives. It was another game where they allowed over two hundred on the ground, and was only saved by the offenses ability to move the ball. I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that this team could be in trouble if they are unable to move the ball and score points on offense.

Turnovers also continues to be a huge issue. As previously noted, Josh threw two picks, one with that two handed chest pass, the other came on a 4th and 2 in-route that was probably the one time they should’ve tried to go to the flat. On top of that, there was a fumbled punt return by newest Buffalo Bill Mecole Hardman, as well as a fumble by running back Ty Johnson that he was able to recover.

My Take

They need to clean up the turnovers, and field some semblance of a defense. But, outside of that, this is what this team should look like. When you have an all-world quarterback, you should unleash him. You should allow him to take control of a game if he wants to and needs to. You should do so without worrying about things like balance or efficiency.

This looked like the team that was :13 away from getting past the Chiefs and heading to the conference championship in 2021. It looked like the team that could go out there and beat anybody. It looked like the team that could take this all the way to Delaware Ave for their Super Bowl parade. And this is exactly how the team should look going into Houston this week for Thursday Night Football.

Week 11 Preview: Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Buffalo Bills

Bills need a win to restore confidence with the fan base.

It’s week 11 and the 6-3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers are coming to town to face the 6-3 Buffalo Bills. It’s safe to say that the Bills need a win more than the Bucs here. But the injuries have been stacking up for both teams lately.

The Bucs are missing running back Bucky Irving and receivers Chris Godwin and Mike Evans. The Bills, have a laundry list of questionable players at key positions. Shakir and Palmer are banged up at receiver, however both appear to be tracking to play. Tight End Dalton Kincaid is out with a hamstring, and nickel corners Taron Johnson and Cam Lewis are both questionable. There is still a path to victory for the Bills, though, who are overdue for a good game offensively.

Recycle the Panthers Gameplan

This is an area of the game that the Bills could exploit. Vita Vea is a game wrecker up the middle and could prevent the Bills from using that area of the field with their run game. That being said, they should be able to find room to the outside, much like they did in the game vs the Carolina Panthers. Look for them to use the toss game to try to get to the edge.

The passing game is a giant question mark for me in this game. Josh Allen hasn’t been right all season, and it seems it’s largely due to trust in his receivers to get open. Josh Palmer seems to be returning though, and the Bills could bring up practice squad receiver, and former Bills safety valve, Gabe Davis. These two additions, while I don’t think they move the needle enough, could instill some confidence back in the reigning MVP. And, if nothing else, it should finally put some fear into opposing defenses that the Bills could take a deep shot.

Overall, I think this is a game that the offense can get going. As much as we don’t enjoy hearing the phrase two-dimensional football, I think this is a game where that would benefit them tremendously.

Baiting Baker

Defensively, they’re facing one of the most aggressive quarterbacks in the league. Baker Mayfield is afraid of nothing and no one. He will try to push the ball down the field and beat you with his legs if you start drifting back. But he can be baited into mistakes. His aggressiveness can be used against him, and the Bills should try to force him into mistakes.

It won’t come easily, with the Bills secondary being extremely banged up - Christian Benford, Cam Lewis, and Taron Johnson are all questionable to play. But, rookie Defensive Tackle T.J. Sanders may be coming back from IR, and could provide added pressure up the middle.

Sanders could help with more than the pass game as well. The Bills have struggled to stop the run this year, and running back Rachaad White will be looking to make an impact early.

My Take

This game is tough for me. The Bills have struggled lately, and the Bucs are no joke. At one point, I thought they might be the best team in the NFC. But the Bills must be motivated to make a statement after a week of negative publicity following an embarrassing loss to the Miami Dolphins. If they can tighten up the run defense, get the passing game going, and get the running game to the outside, I think they can pull it off. However, I think we’ll know pretty early what kind of game we’re going to get.

Prediction

I think the Bills defense shows up and looks a little more polished than they have as of late. But I think we continue to see the offense struggle. Brady has been far too predictable, and I think the way to beat the Bills offense is well documented.

Buccaneers 24, Bills 21

Week 9 Preview: Kansas City Chiefs @ Buffalo Bills

Buffalo looks for redemption in Orchard Park as Mahomes and Kelce return to town.

Here it is, in Week 9. The game that everyone circles on the calendar every season. The game that is supposed to be an annual showdown of perennial NFL heavyweights. The second of three games that I was actually willing to go to this season.

Yet, it feels different this year. I’m significantly more nervous about this game than I have been in years past. To be clear, I always have nerves heading into this matchup. But most years, it’s a nervous excitement. This year feels almost like it did in 2020 – where the Chiefs had a dominant offense and the Bills have to prove that they belong.

I’d love to tell you to cue up Shout and Mr. Brightside. But I haven’t gotten there, yet.

Stopping the Chiefs

This has been the biggest concern for anybody that has faced the Chiefs this season. Their offense has been a machine. It has not been broken like it was the previous two years. And stopping them – let alone slowing them down – has been next to impossible.

They feature five wide receivers that the Bills would like to have just one of – and that doesn’t even include Travis Kelce or Noah Gray – and Patrick Mahomes seems more willing to scramble than ever.

Two weeks ago, I would have called this an impossible task. The Bills defense looked like it had nothing but holes on it. They couldn’t stop the run, couldn’t get to the quarterback, and receivers were finding gaps in the zone on a regular basis. Now, I have a little more hope.

The defense looked like it had a bit more pop in last weeks game against the Carolina Panthers. The returns of Maxwell Hairston, Michael Hoecht and Larry Ogunjobi gave the defense life. The deployment of rookie safety Jordan Hancock, when paired up with Cole Bishop, made the back end of the defense look considerably faster. And the emergence of rookie defensive tackle Deone Walker made running the ball against this team difficult for the first time all season.

Still, the sample size of the defense stepping up is small. One game, even. It results in fans of the Bills cautiously approaching this game with even the slightest bit of optimism. It may have to be the track meet that we’ve all grown accustomed to in this matchup over the years.

The Offense Needs to Show Up

This has been the first time this season that many of us have felt this way. The offense needs to show up and show up big. It’s very rare that a team can win a game the previous week 40-9 and have the running back rush for 200+ and the fan base somehow feels worse.

This is where the passing game needs to fire. It would be great if the running game did, too. But this is where Josh Allen needs to look like Josh Allen. Nothing would ignite that stadium like another 30 point performance where Allen picks apart a Chiefs defense. It would inspire more confidence than we’ve seen all season. And it might be completely necessary in order to walk out with a victory.

The path to success here doesn’t seem like a difficult one for the Bills, on paper. The Bills love to run short pass plays, which will play to their favor in this matchup. If there is a weak point on the Chiefs defense, it’s defending swing passes to the opponents running backs. And if the Bills can find success there, along with passing to Shakir and Kincaid, it will burst the running game wide open and allow James Cook to build on the already incredible season that he’s having.

It sounds great in theory. But, this is still a Steve Spagnuolo led defense, who tends to find answers for his teams weaknesses. Look for him to send multiple blitz packages at Allen, and dare the Bills receiving options to get open fast enough for Allen to beat them.

My Take

I have to be honest here, this game scares me. The Chiefs have the ability to suck the life out of that stadium early. And if they manage to do that, watch out. If the Bills can manage some early stops though – brace yourself, it’s going to be a wild one. A couple of key stops, as well as involving James Cook more in the passing game, could just result in seventy thousand Bills fans singing Mr. Brightside at the end of the game.

Prediction

I don’t know how to do this without sounding doom and gloom. This is a game that I can see going one of two ways – the game is a nail biter and coin flip, or the Chiefs win big. I don’t see an in between. And I hope I’m wrong. I’d much rather be partying during a Buffalo route of the Chiefs.

Kansas City 37, Buffalo 31