Great article, as always. Yes, McD was the gym coach/wrestler whose innate conservatism made his defense staid and beatable in the playoffs.
But it amazes me how much that picture still covers over the equally uncomfortable fact that the offense was on the field against Denver with a chance to win simply by getting a few first downs to get in FG range. I know everyone knows this but think about it per this article: last year in the playoffs, the D actually did its job in OT, got the ball back, and then watched as the O faltered. Worse, it faltered in a way that was absolutely predictable (how many commentators all season said the Bills' receiving corps scared NO ONE?). We should all play Bean's WGR blast over and over while watching Allen's last two passes to substandard receivers fall flat. Can't get those plays out of my head. So I will wait until this year is over before thinking a change has truly come to One Bills Drive. Indeed, the draft did nothing to tell me otherwise.
I hear ya -- good point. But remember: the offense was on the field each of the last three years with a chance to tie or go ahead in a playoff game and couldn't finish the job. Facts is facts.
Yes, the defense’s foibles have been beaten to death.
But, as Rich points out, the D did their job in OT, stopped Denver and all the Bills needed was a FG to win. They failed.
I’ll take it even further. The last three playoff loses, the Bills were in perfect situation to win the game. They failed every time.
Offense has the ball, plenty of time left on the clock, with chance to win.
Against Denver they had that chance TWICE and failed each time.
When an offence turns the ball all over FIVE TIMES, (even if you don’t count the weird and disputed final turnover in OT) they hardly ever win.
Beane has not done the kind of job drafting and signing free agents good enough to surround Josh with enough talent to win a Super Bowl much less get to one. Not enough difference makers on defense. Not good enough dynamic WR’s last year.
"They (Bills management) believe McDermott was the problem even more than anyone thinks” but that does not make it true.
McDermott AND Beane shared the same failures
Tim Graham wrote a stellar article on Beane’s failures in roster building.
"Bills GM Brandon Beane needed to draft help for Josh Allen, defense. He played it safe"
“It’s fair to believe the Bills have neglected their defense so far.”
“The most recent Super Bowl-winning teams made dynamic moves, while the Bills continued to hang back.”
“How do Eagles GM Howie Roseman and Seahawks GM John Schneider keep doing it? Rams boss Les Snead and Chiefs leadership tandem Andy Reid and Brett Veach don’t seem hindered by obstacles either, despite later draft slots and paying future Hall of Fame quarterbacks.
They win Super Bowls yet still find ways to reload with impact players.”
Oh, you mean like the playoff game vs Jacksonville when the Bills scored the go ahead TD to go up by 3 points with 1:04 left in the game???
OH....WAIT....the OPPOSITE of your "wonder(ing)" happened as the Bills defense SHUT DOWN Lawrence and intercepted the ball on Jax's first play.
You are seriously mixed up. In the Denver game it was the Bills OFFENSE that kept giving the Broncos points by coughing up the ball...over and over and over again that (conservatively) resulted in AT LEAST a TWELVE POINT SWING.
Cook fumbles at Denver 31 early in the game. Gave up (probably) at least a FG. That's 3 points.
Josh's inexcusable fumble with 2 sec. in the half, gifting Denver a FG. That's another 3 points.
Second play of the 2nd half, Josh fumbles AGAIN, handing the ball to Denver at the Bills 17. The defense HOLDS Denver to TWO YARDS on three plays. Their gifted FG makes it NINE points.
Shit, even when the Bills get a turnover, the Bills offense GAVE the BALL RIGHT BACK.
3rd quarter, Walker intercepts the ball at Denver’s 36. (within FG range) two plays later, Josh throws an INT at Denver’s 8 yard line, they returns it to their own 38. Bills defense forces a punt. That makes TWELVE point swing. None of because of the Bills defense.
The fact remains that the last THREE playoff losses, the Bills offense had the perfect opportunity to win the game. They failed each time.
This is not an excuse for the Bills leaky playoff defense, but, facts are facts.
The Bills offense, and superstar Josh Allen MUST take advantage of these golden opportunities at the most critical moments with excellent chance to win playoff games.
As Kurt Warner said after the Bills disappointing loss to KC, at home after 2023 season…
“It’s impossible to play perfect games, and Josh played an incredible game—until the end. In the end, he took some chances that wouldn’t have been what I would have done. But he chose to make those throws, and if you choose those throws, you’ve got to make ‘em. That’s part of being great. Brady, Montana, Mahomes—they have careers of making the plays in the absolute crucial times of the game. Now they’re on the Mount Rushmore of NFL quarterbacks.”
Great synopsis of the new thinking at OBD and where it still may fall short. I hope that Beane's focus has been on the end game of getting to the Super Bowl real soon. I can get excited about the shift in strategy to be much more proactive and aggressive on defence. But while I see potential in DJ Moore as a talent upgrade, I'm waiting to see a creative offense reimagined without Josh Allen as pack mule in the Red Zone.
Great article, as always. Yes, McD was the gym coach/wrestler whose innate conservatism made his defense staid and beatable in the playoffs.
But it amazes me how much that picture still covers over the equally uncomfortable fact that the offense was on the field against Denver with a chance to win simply by getting a few first downs to get in FG range. I know everyone knows this but think about it per this article: last year in the playoffs, the D actually did its job in OT, got the ball back, and then watched as the O faltered. Worse, it faltered in a way that was absolutely predictable (how many commentators all season said the Bills' receiving corps scared NO ONE?). We should all play Bean's WGR blast over and over while watching Allen's last two passes to substandard receivers fall flat. Can't get those plays out of my head. So I will wait until this year is over before thinking a change has truly come to One Bills Drive. Indeed, the draft did nothing to tell me otherwise.
It NEVER should have been in OT. The offense won the game in regulation. Again!
I hear ya -- good point. But remember: the offense was on the field each of the last three years with a chance to tie or go ahead in a playoff game and couldn't finish the job. Facts is facts.
Blatherskite. Has a more appropriate word ever been written?
Yes, the defense’s foibles have been beaten to death.
But, as Rich points out, the D did their job in OT, stopped Denver and all the Bills needed was a FG to win. They failed.
I’ll take it even further. The last three playoff loses, the Bills were in perfect situation to win the game. They failed every time.
Offense has the ball, plenty of time left on the clock, with chance to win.
Against Denver they had that chance TWICE and failed each time.
When an offence turns the ball all over FIVE TIMES, (even if you don’t count the weird and disputed final turnover in OT) they hardly ever win.
Beane has not done the kind of job drafting and signing free agents good enough to surround Josh with enough talent to win a Super Bowl much less get to one. Not enough difference makers on defense. Not good enough dynamic WR’s last year.
"They (Bills management) believe McDermott was the problem even more than anyone thinks” but that does not make it true.
McDermott AND Beane shared the same failures
Tim Graham wrote a stellar article on Beane’s failures in roster building.
"Bills GM Brandon Beane needed to draft help for Josh Allen, defense. He played it safe"
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7232812/2026/04/27/bills-gm-brandon-beane-2026-draft-review/
Some eye-opening quotes…
“It’s fair to believe the Bills have neglected their defense so far.”
“The most recent Super Bowl-winning teams made dynamic moves, while the Bills continued to hang back.”
“How do Eagles GM Howie Roseman and Seahawks GM John Schneider keep doing it? Rams boss Les Snead and Chiefs leadership tandem Andy Reid and Brett Veach don’t seem hindered by obstacles either, despite later draft slots and paying future Hall of Fame quarterbacks.
They win Super Bowls yet still find ways to reload with impact players.”
I wonder if the offense scored late to give the Bills the lead in any of the games you mention, only to have the defense give it right back.
Oh, you mean like the playoff game vs Jacksonville when the Bills scored the go ahead TD to go up by 3 points with 1:04 left in the game???
OH....WAIT....the OPPOSITE of your "wonder(ing)" happened as the Bills defense SHUT DOWN Lawrence and intercepted the ball on Jax's first play.
You are seriously mixed up. In the Denver game it was the Bills OFFENSE that kept giving the Broncos points by coughing up the ball...over and over and over again that (conservatively) resulted in AT LEAST a TWELVE POINT SWING.
Cook fumbles at Denver 31 early in the game. Gave up (probably) at least a FG. That's 3 points.
Josh's inexcusable fumble with 2 sec. in the half, gifting Denver a FG. That's another 3 points.
Second play of the 2nd half, Josh fumbles AGAIN, handing the ball to Denver at the Bills 17. The defense HOLDS Denver to TWO YARDS on three plays. Their gifted FG makes it NINE points.
Shit, even when the Bills get a turnover, the Bills offense GAVE the BALL RIGHT BACK.
3rd quarter, Walker intercepts the ball at Denver’s 36. (within FG range) two plays later, Josh throws an INT at Denver’s 8 yard line, they returns it to their own 38. Bills defense forces a punt. That makes TWELVE point swing. None of because of the Bills defense.
The fact remains that the last THREE playoff losses, the Bills offense had the perfect opportunity to win the game. They failed each time.
This is not an excuse for the Bills leaky playoff defense, but, facts are facts.
The Bills offense, and superstar Josh Allen MUST take advantage of these golden opportunities at the most critical moments with excellent chance to win playoff games.
As Kurt Warner said after the Bills disappointing loss to KC, at home after 2023 season…
https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/fmia/news/fmia-conference-championships-brock-purdy-delivers-again-to-meet-mahomes-in-super-bowl
“It’s impossible to play perfect games, and Josh played an incredible game—until the end. In the end, he took some chances that wouldn’t have been what I would have done. But he chose to make those throws, and if you choose those throws, you’ve got to make ‘em. That’s part of being great. Brady, Montana, Mahomes—they have careers of making the plays in the absolute crucial times of the game. Now they’re on the Mount Rushmore of NFL quarterbacks.”
In your own comment, you mentioned “in their last 3 playoff losses.” I was responding to this. I didn’t insult you. Have a great day.
I did not say "you insulted" me. Facts are facts about the last three playoff losses the Bills have suffered.
Great synopsis of the new thinking at OBD and where it still may fall short. I hope that Beane's focus has been on the end game of getting to the Super Bowl real soon. I can get excited about the shift in strategy to be much more proactive and aggressive on defence. But while I see potential in DJ Moore as a talent upgrade, I'm waiting to see a creative offense reimagined without Josh Allen as pack mule in the Red Zone.