Buffalo Rumblings
Okay Rumblers, we’re back. The holidays are over, and if your situation is anything like mine the same is (almost) true of the nasty flu roaming the globe. It’s game day one last time at the original Highmark Stadium, and to be honest the game cannot end soon enough so that proper playoff prep may begin.
Whether you’re willing to admit it or not, the Buffalo Bills are a bit of a nuisance to the rest of the NFL, similarly to the Kansas City Chiefs and even the Philadelphia Eagles. They just won’t go away. (Oh, right… sorry Chiefs Kingdom.) Perennial playoff favorites and participants, Buffalo simply refuses to settle for anything other than postseason play.
That fact is no longer enough with a large contingency of Bills Mafia, where settling for a few extra games late in January doesn’t outweigh coming up short with the game’s most dominant regular-season quarterback in Josh Allen. There’s one goal, and it’s been the same since Week 1 (pick a season): Super Bowl or bust, and by that it means winning the darn game.
There are plenty who would be content just to see Buffalo make it to the big game, because for them it would be the first time seeing their favorite team in the Super Bowl. Those who’ve consciously lived through even one of those four losses may carry different perspective. Look, they may play a Super Bowl once every 365 days or so, but losing that game is unlike anything else in sports — which may include the World Cup. Maybe it’s all those multi-million dollar commercial spots, or the reality TV lead-up that takes place for two weeks on media row. Whatever it is, one’s favorite team losing that game feels like the end of sports in ways.
Consider just what it is you hope to see happen with the Buffalo Bills this postseason, and plan accordingly for all scenarios. As for our confidence polls the last two weeks? We didn’t have results last week, which was a planned situation by the powers that be. We have those numbers to share now, as well the latest confidence rating — figures you’ve all been breathlessly waiting for me to zip it and share.
First, those of Week 17, when the Bills were fresh off a tight win over the Cleveland Browns and heading into last weekend’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Following the win in Cleveland, just 41% of Rumblers gave their vote of confidence in the direction of the team. What about the latest numbers? Where are Rumblers at following Buffalo’s failed last-second bid to win on a two-point conversion?
Right now, there are a few more Billievers, but don’t go counting the figure at the entrance gates. Though an improved figure, just 45% of voters here are confident in the Bills following their loss to Philly.
With those numbers, I have but one thing to ask:
Things are worse with Gang Green, where just 21% of Jets fans...
