"Trust The Process"

[hawaiiansteel]

By and large, though, if you consistently prepare properly, remain disciplined, and are able to make adjustments, you're going to have a lot more success in the face of "bad luck" than the teams that are inconsistent in their preparation, discipline, and ability to adjust.

I agree, well said.

[flippy]

Luck matters a fair amount.

When Cam tips a ball at the LoS, that's skill.

But there's a lot of chance for how it bounces up off his hand (and eventually other-Cam can grab it).

Or how the ball bounces after the punt block. Does it bounce through the endzone for a safety? Or does it bounce out of play near the goal line? Or does it bounce right up into a guy's hands as he's running toward it so he can carry on into the end zone.

There's some level of chance involved when Ben fumbles the ball but it bounces back to him instead of an opponent.

None of this means that preparation doesn't matter. Or that the most prepared / skillful guys are the ones that are more likely to be able to capitalize on the opportunities that chance presents.

But chance matters. It's a big part of the reason that single elimination playoff tournaments are exciting. It's not fun if the favorite wins all the time (which is why I like single elimination tournaments better than 7 game series).

And that's just playing of the game (vs. the injuries). How many times had Dupree done a similar thing that he did last season before tearing up his knee? Every time you do a move like that, you throw the dice. Usually it comes up "doesn't need surgery". How many times had Shazier made a tackle like the one that temporarily paralyzed him and ended his career?

good examples and I’m with you on there being lots of luck.

but I’m also down with people make their own luck.

[Northern_Blitz]

good examples and I’m with you on there being lots of luck.

but I’m also down with people make their own luck.

I agree with you that being prepared (and talented) is the best way to make the best of the opportunities chance brings us.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

good examples and I’m with you on there being lots of luck.

but I’m also down with people make their own luck.

I used to say this about Ed Reed. It seemed like so many of his ints were balls that were just tipped and landed softly in his hands. Any one would look like the easiest, luckiest play a safety could make. However, when it is consistent that every time you saw a ball downfield, you also saw #20, you realize that nobody can actually be that lucky, he had an insane nose for the ball.

[feltdizz]

A dinosaur who is back in first place in his division. Unfortunately

Mac Jones is the prefect QB for the Cheats. Shows how a rookie QB contract can work wonders for building a solid team.

Also, it looks like the Bills aren’t used to driving out front. Maybe they aren’t as good as everyone thought this offseason?

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

Also, it looks like the Bills aren’t used to driving out front. Maybe they aren’t as good as everyone thought this offseason?

Could be, or it could be as simple as your high priced QB has to play like a high priced QB. In 10 games, Josh Allen has the following great performances:

QBR 129.8 - W 43-21 WFT
QBR 139.1 - W 38-20 KC
QBR 125.6 - W 45-17 NYJ

and the following poor performances:

QBR 79.7 L 23-16 Steelers
QBR 75.2 W 35-0 MIA
QBR 62.7 L 9-6 JAX
QBR 72.2 L 41-15 IND

With only one exception, when the QB plays well, the Bills win. When he plays bad, they lose. They better hope that they did not make a $258M mistake.

[NorthCoast]

Tomlin preaches 'sudden change' preparedness on offense and defense. He understands that being lucky (or unlucky) is a significant part of the game. How a team responds to sudden change can be coached.

[Northern_Blitz]

I used to say this about Ed Reed. It seemed like so many of his ints were balls that were just tipped and landed softly in his hands. Any one would look like the easiest, luckiest play a safety could make. However, when it is consistent that every time you saw a ball downfield, you also saw #20, you realize that nobody can actually be that lucky, he had an insane nose for the ball.

I know that some think we're not allowed to praise people on other teams (especially the Rats), but Reed was amazing.

Second best safety I've seen play in real time.

[hawaiiansteel]

I know that some think we're not allowed to praise people on other teams (especially the Rats), but Reed was amazing.

Second best safety I've seen play in real time.

you're obviously a Ratbirds fan.

[Oviedo]

I know that some think we're not allowed to praise people on other teams (especially the Rats), but Reed was amazing.

Second best safety I've seen play in real time.

Traitor scum

Stick a turkey leg in your mouth

[Steel Maniac]

Could be, or it could be as simple as your high priced QB has to play like a high priced QB. In 10 games, Josh Allen has the following great performances:

QBR 129.8 - W 43-21 WFT
QBR 139.1 - W 38-20 KC
QBR 125.6 - W 45-17 NYJ

and the following poor performances:

QBR 79.7 L 23-16 Steelers
QBR 75.2 W 35-0 MIA
QBR 62.7 L 9-6 JAX
QBR 72.2 L 41-15 IND

With only one exception, when the QB plays well, the Bills win. When he plays bad, they lose. They better hope that they did not make a $258M mistake.

Teams are going two high safeties and doubling on Diggs & Sanders . Why not? No need to be concerned about a running game.

[hawaiiansteel]

Traitor scum

Stick a turkey leg in your mouth

exactly, pure blasphemy.

how dare anyone compliment a player or coach of another team?

[Northern_Blitz]

Traitor scum

Stick a turkey leg in your mouth

Mmmmmmm turkey...

[hawaiiansteel]

Teams are going two high safeties and doubling on Diggs & Sanders . Why not? No need to be concerned about a running game.

guess the Saints didn't get the memo.

they have hung on to Sean Payton for too long, just like the Dolphins did with Don Shula.

and look at all those Super Bowls Miami has won ever since they got rid of their sucky head coach.

oh wait...

[Captain Lemming]

Could be, or it could be as simple as your high priced QB has to play like a high priced QB. In 10 games, Josh Allen has the following great performances:

QBR 129.8 - W 43-21 WFT
QBR 139.1 - W 38-20 KC
QBR 125.6 - W 45-17 NYJ

and the following poor performances:

QBR 79.7 L 23-16 Steelers
QBR 75.2 W 35-0 MIA
QBR 62.7 L 9-6 JAX
QBR 72.2 L 41-15 IND

With only one exception, when the QB plays well, the Bills win. When he plays bad, they lose. They better hope that they did not make a $258M mistake.

He is Ben jr.