Latest / Alex Brasky: Unfiltered / Are the Buffalo Bills Super Bowl Bound? Also, Injury Updates

Transcript

Are the Buffalo Bills Super Bowl Bound? Also, Injury Updates · Alex Brasky: Unfiltered

0:00
SPEAKER_00: From the heart of Bill Mafia, this is Alex Grassy Unfiltered, Buffalo's most polarizing football show.
0:07
SPEAKER_00: No hot takes for flicks, no sugar coating, just bold opinions, insider perspective, and unfiltered Bill's talk.
0:16
SPEAKER_00: Let's go.
0:20
SPEAKER_00: Hello, everybody, and welcome back by Popular Demand.
0:23
SPEAKER_00: This is Alex Brasky Unfiltered, your first stop for raw, honest takes on the Buffalo Bills and more.
0:30
SPEAKER_00: Please like, share, rate, and subscribe to the podcast, and also leave a comment on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
0:42
SPEAKER_00: All right, let's dig into today's show.
0:44
SPEAKER_00: The Bills return to the practice field after a few days off in preparation for week one against the Houston Texans.
0:52
SPEAKER_00: Big game coming up on Sunday at 1 p.m.
0:55
SPEAKER_00: as the NFL kicks off tonight with Patriots versus Seahawks, but Bills fans waiting with bated breath for the Bills season opener coming up this weekend.
1:07
SPEAKER_00: And hello to you too, Hayden.
1:09
SPEAKER_00: I'm doing well.
1:10
SPEAKER_00: How are you?
1:12
SPEAKER_00: But as we get started on today's show, the first order of business, injury updates from the Bills practice field, as Joe Brady really did his best Bill Belichick impression to kick off his first regular season press conference as Bill's head coach.
1:28
SPEAKER_00: Wouldn't relinquish any information as Sean McDermott previously did to the media, but the injury report has since been released.
1:36
SPEAKER_00: So we do have some concrete updates to feed you here on the show.
1:42
SPEAKER_00: But McDermott always really gave the media an idea, like I said, of kind of who was trending toward making the game, missing the game, who was going to practice that day, who was going to be out.
1:52
SPEAKER_00: But Brady says, no, no, no, you'll have to wait until the injury report is released each day.
1:58
SPEAKER_00: And I'm sure that's not very welcomed by the media.
2:02
SPEAKER_00: Uh you like to have an idea going into practice and feeding your followers with that information.
2:07
SPEAKER_00: But the Bills have decided to change course, and it doesn't seem like they'll be providing that information pre-practice, and we'll have to wait for the reports to come out of practice and then after practice for the injury report to truly see who has a good chance of playing in a given week.
2:24
SPEAKER_00: But as far as who has a chance to play this week against the Houston Texans, we saw a few key players return to the practice field last week, including center Connor McGovern, defensive lineman at Oliver, wide receiver Keon Coleman, linebacker Terrell Bernard, and safety CDJ Gardner Johnson.
2:40
SPEAKER_00: And they were joined on the practice field by several others who made their way back from injury on Wednesday.
2:45
SPEAKER_00: The most notable of the group, wide receiver Khalil Shakir.
2:49
SPEAKER_00: And you really can't downplay, or should I say, over exaggerate his importance to the Bills offense, especially against the Houston Texans, a team that the Bills offense struggled against by and large a season ago.
3:03
SPEAKER_00: Shakir was one of the lone bright spots for the Bills in that game.
3:07
SPEAKER_00: Eight receptions, 110 yards, that run after catchability continuing to show up.
3:11
SPEAKER_00: So great to see Shakir back out there with the Bills offense.
3:15
SPEAKER_00: And Josh Allen spoke about it today at the podium.
3:18
SPEAKER_00: I think it was more just precautionary with Shakir, as Allen mentioned, how he and his top wide receiver from the past two years really never miss a beat when Shakir is out of practice.
3:29
SPEAKER_00: So good to see him back out there.
3:31
SPEAKER_00: They pick up right where they left off and full speed ahead for this weekend's game against the Texans.
3:38
SPEAKER_00: Also returning to practice, safety Jalen Kilgore and tackle Jude Bowery, both members of the Bills 2026 rookie class.
3:46
SPEAKER_00: And Kilgore had a great start to training camp, but it doesn't seem as if he'll play that significant of a role to begin the season.
3:54
SPEAKER_00: But still, it was it was good to see him healthy out there on Wednesday.
3:58
SPEAKER_00: And you might need him this week with Jordan Hancock still remaining out of practice, but we'll discuss that a little bit more in a few minutes.
4:06
SPEAKER_00: Also, Bowery, who was believed to be the front runner for the Bills' swing tackle role to begin the offseason before he kind of played his way out of it.
4:15
SPEAKER_00: He also made his way back and is trending toward being healthy enough to play this Sunday against the Houston Texans.
4:23
SPEAKER_00: But I don't think you'll see him in that swing tackle role, at least to begin the season.
4:28
SPEAKER_00: I wouldn't say for the entirety of the season.
4:31
SPEAKER_00: Bills have Tyon Grable healthy enough to be out there.
4:34
SPEAKER_00: I think he'll get first crack at it.
4:36
SPEAKER_00: And Buffalo also brought in their former draft pick, Cody Ford, for a tryout on Tuesday.
4:43
SPEAKER_00: So we'll see if he ends up getting signed and thrown into the mix with the other depth pieces in the Bills' offensive line.
4:52
SPEAKER_00: But Bowery and Kilgore returning and also edge rusher Javon Solomon back as well.
4:58
SPEAKER_00: It was kind of surprising to see Solomon and Mike Dana both make the roster.
5:02
SPEAKER_00: But with Solomon's importance on special teams, I think that's what kind of led the Bills to making that decision.
5:09
SPEAKER_00: And knowing how close that game was against the Texans a year ago, and the Bills made so many mistakes, still had a chance to win the game.
5:17
SPEAKER_00: You want to make sure you cover all your bases, and having a key special teamer such as Solomon back for that game will be important indeed.
5:25
SPEAKER_00: But as I said before, there were still two players who did not return to practice on Wednesday.
5:31
SPEAKER_00: And I mentioned one of them already.
5:33
SPEAKER_00: Defensive back Jordan Hancock out with a hamstring injury, and he's low-key, a very important player for this Bills team in terms of depth.
5:43
SPEAKER_00: He may not have a starting role locked up, but being behind D.
5:47
SPEAKER_00: Alford in the pecking order, and the Bills only keeping three boundary cornerbacks on their initial 53-man roster, if Christian Benford, Maxwell Harrison, or Davison Igbonosen are to suffer an injury early in the year, or as a matter of fact, any point in the year at this time, D.
6:05
SPEAKER_00: Alford's going to be the first one in there at boundary cornerback as a backup behind Davison Igbonosen.
6:10
SPEAKER_00: And then that's going to lead to Jordan Hancock being plugged in at nickel cornerback.
6:14
SPEAKER_00: So if he's not healthy enough to go this weekend, that causes a little bit of musical chairs for the Bills secondary.
6:21
SPEAKER_00: And if you sustain a couple of injuries early at the cornerback position, the Bills could be pressed into an unfortunate situation with their depth at the defensive back position.
6:33
SPEAKER_00: Also, a player who was not listed amongst those who were dealing with injuries last week.
6:39
SPEAKER_00: Defensive tackle, TJ Sanders was limited with a knee ailment.
6:43
SPEAKER_00: Good to see him still getting some work in trending into this big game against the Texans, but also a little bit of concern.
6:49
SPEAKER_00: Sanders did miss some time earlier this offseason, and I believe last season due to injuries.
6:56
SPEAKER_00: So uh Sanders, a key part of this Bill's defensive line in his second season in the NFL and really looking for a breakout campaign in a key position group that really needs to see a boatload of improvement from last year to this year.
7:10
SPEAKER_00: So uh it'll be interesting to see how Sanders progresses the last two days of practice this week and whether or not he's in any jeopardy of missing this weekend's game.
7:21
SPEAKER_00: But just to review, returning last week, center Connor McGovern, defensive lineman at Oliver, wide receiver Keon Coleman, linebacker Terrell Bernard, safety CJ Gardner Johnson, returning on Wednesday, wide receiver Khalil Shakir, defensive back Jalen Kilgore, offensive lineman, Jude Bowery, edge rusher, Javon Solomon, and still out of practice, Ty Johnson, the third down running back for the Bills.
7:43
SPEAKER_00: And he'll be a key piece for this Bill's offense, especially going up against the Texans, a team who sacked Josh Allen eight times last year.
7:51
SPEAKER_00: Johnson plays a key role as the Bills' third down back and one of the best uh pass blockers and probably the best pass blocker out of the backfield.
8:00
SPEAKER_00: So uh getting Johnson back from a quad injury, as it's been revealed for that game, will be of the utmost importance.
8:07
SPEAKER_00: And also Jordan Hancock with a hamstring injury, he is also out, and the defensive tackle, TJ Sanders Limited, with a knee injury.
8:17
SPEAKER_00: But as I said, this was the first day of practice for the Bills in week one, and it followed a few days off.
8:24
SPEAKER_00: And I don't want to say I was surprised that Joe Brady took the tack that he did with the injuries.
8:30
SPEAKER_00: I saw a video of John Harbaugh with the New York Giants Giants going through a similar conversation with the assembled media there in East Rutherford.
8:40
SPEAKER_00: So he's not the only coach to play at Coy with the injuries.
8:44
SPEAKER_00: And I mentioned Bill Belichick previously, he was famous for doing that.
8:48
SPEAKER_00: But it was a little jarring just based on the contrast and how Sean McDermott used to handle the injuries, and now how Joe Brady plans to moving forward.
8:58
SPEAKER_00: And it'll be somewhat of an adjustment.
9:00
SPEAKER_00: We'll have to wait for that injury report each day, and uh it'll it'll kind of I mentioned this phrase before, waiting with bated breath.
9:07
SPEAKER_00: But uh it was a short injury report today, positive news heading into that Texans game, and the Bills really focused on load management and keeping everyone healthy throughout training camp in the preseason, and it seems as if that effort has played off, paid off going into the regular season.
9:27
SPEAKER_00: Some more info from the practice day that the Bills went through today.
9:32
SPEAKER_00: A little bit more additional changes, I should say, to the scheduling done by the Bills.
9:38
SPEAKER_00: Sean McDermott always spoke before practices during his time as Bills head coach, and the practices were typically scheduled in the morning.
9:46
SPEAKER_00: Obviously, the Bills practice today took place in the afternoon, I believe a 2 10 p.m.
9:51
SPEAKER_00: start as opposed to kind of mid-morning.
9:54
SPEAKER_00: So a change there.
9:55
SPEAKER_00: And also, Joe Brady plans to speak after practice on at least this Friday, whereas he'll speak before practice on Wednesday and Thursday, similarly to how Sean McDermott previously did it.
10:09
SPEAKER_00: But it'll be a change on Friday as he'll wait until practice concludes.
10:14
SPEAKER_00: And I'm kind of uncertain on why he's deciding to do that.
10:17
SPEAKER_00: I would imagine, based upon uh Friday being a big injury day for media and really deciding on those injury designations for the game and an effort not to give anything away to his opponents.
10:29
SPEAKER_00: That's probably the decision-making process that went into Joe Brady deciding to speak after practice on Fridays.
10:37
SPEAKER_00: But 210 p.m.
10:39
SPEAKER_00: practice on Wednesday and Thursday, Friday at 12:30.
10:43
SPEAKER_00: Jim Leonard and Pete Carmichael will both speak on Thursday beginning at 1 p.m.
10:51
SPEAKER_00: Also, Joe Brady or excuse me, Sean McDermott also always appeared on the WGR extra point show last year to kind of reveal the Bill's injury designations for the upcoming game.
11:03
SPEAKER_00: I don't think that we'll see Brady do that this year.
11:06
SPEAKER_00: So another change in the way that Bill's fans and media alike will have to digest his press conferences and his media availability moving forward.
11:17
SPEAKER_00: So there's been a lot of adjusting that we've had to kind of go through this offseason with Brady taking over, Jim Leonard being inserted as defensive coordinator, all the personnel changes that have taken place, and also we'll have to adjust to the new practice schedule and the way that injuries will be delivered this year as well.
11:36
SPEAKER_00: So some interesting notes there from the Bills practice, and they'll get back at it tomorrow.
11:41
SPEAKER_00: And I'm sure that we'll learn a little bit more about each player's injury.
11:45
SPEAKER_00: We'll see if Johnson returns, we'll see if Hancock returns.
11:48
SPEAKER_00: We'll see how Sanders is trending at that time.
11:51
SPEAKER_00: But Bill's Texans still a few days away, and still some time for those guys to get healthy enough to return in time for that contest at 1 p.m.
12:00
SPEAKER_00: this weekend.
12:02
SPEAKER_00: All right, but let's pause for a moment.
12:04
SPEAKER_00: Please like, share, rate, and subscribe to the podcast.
12:07
SPEAKER_00: Also, leave a comment on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcast.
12:13
SPEAKER_00: It would really, really do me a big service.
12:16
SPEAKER_00: Trying to spread the word uh of these podcasts each week.
12:20
SPEAKER_00: We're gonna be getting into them a little bit more regularly as the regular season picks up.
12:24
SPEAKER_00: So, whatever you can do to spread the word, like, share, rate, subscribe to the podcast on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
12:35
SPEAKER_00: All right, moving on now, a little bit more housekeeping as the Bills released their first official depth chart of the regular season on Tuesday.
12:45
SPEAKER_00: And there were a few notable items to discuss, nothing earth-shattering or uh that that really stopped the presses the day before the Bills' first practice of the week.
12:57
SPEAKER_00: But still, as I said before, some worthy news items worth breaking down here.
13:01
SPEAKER_00: And the first one that I'll touch on is Keon Coleman being named, or at least being positioned as the wide receiver three ahead of Joshua Palmer on that what the Bills call an unofficial depth chart.
13:16
SPEAKER_00: And it's somewhat surprising to me.
13:18
SPEAKER_00: I thought Joshua Palmer had the better training camp this season.
13:21
SPEAKER_00: And frankly, I think he's the better overall wide receiver.
13:25
SPEAKER_00: I know that the Bills used that second round pick with Keon Coleman and they've been talking him up all offseason and still trying to get the most out of that draft pick that they spent a couple of years ago.
13:36
SPEAKER_00: But at what point, and I guess they haven't reached that point yet, but at what point are you just going to decide that it's time to move on from Coleman?
13:44
SPEAKER_00: Is this something that they're going to try to force in uh uh square peg into a round hole all season?
13:50
SPEAKER_00: Or is this something where they have a leash on Coleman and they're gonna kind of reset expectations after a few games?
13:57
SPEAKER_00: Because the way that Palmer performed this offseason and the contract they gave him last year and the expectations that were set for him before an injury plague campaign, I'm excited about what Palmer could potentially offer this passing game, especially considering he's not gonna be asked to do as much as he was a season ago.
14:17
SPEAKER_00: Inserting DJ Moore into that group as wide receiver one pushes everybody down a peg.
14:22
SPEAKER_00: And I think fitting Palmer in as that wide receiver three would be a great position for him to thrive in this offense.
14:29
SPEAKER_00: But nonetheless, the Bills have seemingly favored Keon Coleman at that position, at least as far as their first unofficial depth chart is concerned.
14:40
SPEAKER_00: Elsewhere at the punt returner position, this was widely discussed throughout this offseason in training camp, filtering into the preseason.
14:49
SPEAKER_00: As time went on, it seemed like Ray Davis was getting closer and closer to locking up the punt return job.
14:56
SPEAKER_00: But during the Bills' final preseason game, he muffs a punt.
15:00
SPEAKER_00: And that really brought into question whether the Bills could trust him in that spot.
15:04
SPEAKER_00: They cut Nicole Hardman Jr., the team's other primary option at punt returner.
15:10
SPEAKER_00: So entering the regular season, it's really a big question as far as where the Bills are going to go.
15:16
SPEAKER_00: And they've listed D.
15:17
SPEAKER_00: Alford as the top option on their first unofficial depth chart, but I'm not so sure if that's how it'll work out, whether it be week one or especially as the season progresses.
15:29
SPEAKER_00: It might take Dorch, not that punt returner is a position where a lot of thought goes into it, and you need to learn uh an offensive system or a defensive system, but maybe the Bills aren't comfortable in throwing Dart Dorch out there in week one.
15:42
SPEAKER_00: But I think it's only a matter of time before you see him tested as the team's punt returner.
15:47
SPEAKER_00: And they've they've spoken.
15:49
SPEAKER_00: You heard Brandon Bean talk about D.
15:51
SPEAKER_00: Alford as a potential option at punt returner, but I don't think that that's where they want to go.
15:55
SPEAKER_00: Alford has only returned 20 punts throughout his career.
15:59
SPEAKER_00: He averages eight yards per return.
16:01
SPEAKER_00: So it's not like he's a showstopper at the punt return position.
16:06
SPEAKER_00: So I think at the end of the day, you'll see Greg Dorch taking over as the Bills punt returner, at least somewhere at the start of the season.
16:14
SPEAKER_00: And then we'll kind of see how things progress as the year goes along.
16:19
SPEAKER_00: Defensively, at the linebacker position, Dorian Williams listed as the starter over Caleb Elarms Orr, the rookie.
16:28
SPEAKER_00: That was another competition that went on throughout this offseason into training camp.
16:33
SPEAKER_00: And the height surrounding Elarms Orr was really, really heating up at the start of training camp.
16:40
SPEAKER_00: But once the pads went on, it started to die down.
16:44
SPEAKER_00: And that is somewhat concerning for me.
16:47
SPEAKER_00: Elarms Orr enters the NFL a little bit undersized, not the most physically imposing player.
16:54
SPEAKER_00: And like I said, to have things store start to kind of slow down for him once the pads come on, that concerns me that maybe his physicality will have some catching up to do as he enters his professional career.
17:07
SPEAKER_00: But I still think you might see a rotation at the at this position trying to work Elarm Zor in during his rookie year and try to expediate that progression as or expedite that progression as much as the Bills can in his rookie year.
17:25
SPEAKER_00: And we've already heard Jim Leonard kind of touch on it.
17:28
SPEAKER_00: He's not sure what he'll do at a few positions, whether they'll use a platoon, whether they'll go with just a certain starter there.
17:35
SPEAKER_00: So I think a little bit remains to be seen at linebacker.
17:39
SPEAKER_00: And that's not even mentioning that Shaq Thompson was brought back by the team.
17:43
SPEAKER_00: And he's back for another go-round and waiting in the wings to take over if Dorian Williams andor Caleb Elarms or a struggle out of the gate.
17:51
SPEAKER_00: So I don't think we've heard the last of this linebacker uh position.
17:55
SPEAKER_00: And that's not also to mention that Terrell Bernard struggled mightily last season, and I don't have a whole lot of trust in him.
18:01
SPEAKER_00: A staying healthy and B being productive for the Bills this year.
18:06
SPEAKER_00: So Williams over Elarms Orr, but I still think that there's a chance that despite Elarms Orr hypes dying down, Elarms Orr's hype dying down, I think you could see him maybe work his way into the starting lineup by season's end.
18:20
SPEAKER_00: And also Shaq Thompson, a candidate to overcome one of those players in the starting lineup as well.
18:28
SPEAKER_00: At defensive tackle, Greg Gaines was listed as Deion Walker's backup over Dwayne Carter.
18:35
SPEAKER_00: And that's somewhat of a surprise as Carter, a former third-round pick of the Bills, and somebody that gained weight this offseason trying to force his way into the conversation as a depth piece at nose tackle, but Gaines signed by the team in free agency and really impressed in limited time on the field during camp and the preseason.
18:57
SPEAKER_00: And he makes the roster with Dwayne Carter and is listed as Deion Walker's backup at nose tackle to start the season.
19:06
SPEAKER_00: And I think that that's the correct move.
19:08
SPEAKER_00: I don't think the Bills should have kept Carter to begin with.
19:11
SPEAKER_00: I think it's time to cut bait on him.
19:12
SPEAKER_00: You're never going to get above replacement level play from Dwayne Carter.
19:17
SPEAKER_00: So plug gains in there, find somebody else to fill Carter's roster spot.
19:23
SPEAKER_00: And I think it's it's more uh it's pastime that the Bills should have moved on from Dwayne Carter.
19:30
SPEAKER_00: And lastly, the last note that I have from the Bills' depth chart, Maxwell Harrison, and the Bills tweeted about this today, officially posting a photo of it, officially switching Harrison is from number 31 to number one, the number that he wore at the University of Kentucky.
19:46
SPEAKER_00: And listen, I'm not saying that Harrison in his second year in the league needs this complete fresh start and to start over like that, but Davison Igbonoson impressed at times throughout the preseason in training camp, and he's gaining on Harrison in terms of that competition for the starting role that the team discussed to start the offseason.
20:08
SPEAKER_00: While Brandon Bean has named Harrison the official starter at cornerback two, I think if he struggles out of the gate, Davison Igbonoson could step in and fill that role sooner rather than later.
20:21
SPEAKER_00: So Harrison looking for some good juju here, switching from that number 31 to number one, a number previously worn by Micole Hardman Jr., who I previously mentioned was cut by the Bills upon cut down day days ago.
20:36
SPEAKER_00: Also, along with the depth chart, the Bills released their captains this week for the 2026 season.
20:43
SPEAKER_00: Six total captains this year on the offensive side of the ball, Josh Allen and Dawson Knox, the team's two captains.
20:51
SPEAKER_00: And I think that makes sense.
20:52
SPEAKER_00: Allen, obviously, the quarterback of the team and has been a captain the past many years.
20:57
SPEAKER_00: And then Knox, one of the team's longest tenured players, has been on the team since he was drafted in 2019.
21:03
SPEAKER_00: Took a pay cut this offseason to stay with the Bills.
21:06
SPEAKER_00: And I think he exemplifies everything you want in a leader and really had a strong season last year with Dalton Kincaid enduring some injury trouble.
21:16
SPEAKER_00: Knox was a key piece for the Bills.
21:18
SPEAKER_00: So vaulting him into that captaincy, I think, is an appropriate step for the Bills to take.
21:24
SPEAKER_00: On the defensive side of the ball, Bradley Chubb and Terrell Bernard name the captains.
21:29
SPEAKER_00: This is Chubb's first season in Buffalo, so a little bit of a surprise there, but he's received rave reviews from everybody, whether it be on the Bills coaching staff or roster since he joined this team.
21:43
SPEAKER_00: So uh I think that makes sense as well.
21:45
SPEAKER_00: And Chubb spoke to the media after practice.
21:48
SPEAKER_00: He was asked how much it meant to him to be named a captain.
21:51
SPEAKER_00: And he said it meant a lot.
21:53
SPEAKER_00: And it meant a lot that he didn't really have to change who he was to fit in with this group so suddenly, didn't have to do anything but.
22:00
SPEAKER_00: Be himself and the team voted on him to be a captain.
22:03
SPEAKER_00: So very meaningful for Chubb.
22:05
SPEAKER_00: And as far as Terrell Bernard is concerned, he's been a captain for the Bills, I believe, the last couple of years.
22:11
SPEAKER_00: But after his performance last year and the way that Christian Benford has not only performed but seemed to up his sense of leadership, I thought he deserved the nod over Bernard this year.
22:24
SPEAKER_00: Team thought otherwise, and the players obviously thought otherwise with that team vote for the captains.
22:30
SPEAKER_00: But if it were up to me, I would have gone Benford over Bernard for that captain role on the Bills defense.
22:38
SPEAKER_00: And then finally on special teams, Reed Ferguson and Sam Franklin Jr., the Bills, two special teams captains.
22:46
SPEAKER_00: Ferguson, the longest tenured Bill.
22:49
SPEAKER_00: He's been here for three head coaches.
22:51
SPEAKER_00: He was here for Rex Ryan, Sean McDermott, and now Joe Brady.
22:55
SPEAKER_00: It's, I believe, his 10th season with the Bills.
22:58
SPEAKER_00: Ferguson used to be that player they'd keep around in the parking lot during CutDown Day and re-sign him.
23:04
SPEAKER_00: NFL rules have since kind of removed the need to do that.
23:08
SPEAKER_00: But Ferguson has proved year in and year out over the years that he deserves the captaincy.
23:14
SPEAKER_00: So uh well deserved for him.
23:15
SPEAKER_00: And Sam Franklin Jr., a cut candidate for some this year.
23:20
SPEAKER_00: But him being named a captain makes it seem like that was really never in the cards for the Bills.
23:25
SPEAKER_00: He signed a three-year,$6.5 million contract this offseason after joining the team in free agency last year.
23:32
SPEAKER_00: So Chubb, his first year with the Bills being named a captain.
23:36
SPEAKER_00: Franklin entering his second year with the Bills being named a captain.
23:41
SPEAKER_00: Some fresh blood in this Bills leadership group this year, indeed, joining Josh Allen and Terrell Bernard.
23:49
SPEAKER_00: And if you remember, last year the Bills went with the whole leadership council along with Allen and Bernard.
23:55
SPEAKER_00: So uh it's interesting that they've kind of dissolved that and instead gone with six captains to start this season.
24:05
SPEAKER_00: All right, that's gonna do it for updates from whether it be the practice field or news coming out of One Bill's drive over the past several days.
24:14
SPEAKER_00: If anyone has anything that I've been missing, feel free to leave it in the comments.
24:18
SPEAKER_00: But we're gonna move to the final piece of today's show, and that is my regular season playoff Super Bowl prediction, whatever you want to call it, for the Buffalo Bills this year.
24:29
SPEAKER_00: And we'll go game by game with this, obviously beginning with week one against the Houston Texans.
24:35
SPEAKER_00: And if you'd like, you can visit my Substack page, Alex Brasky Unfiltered.
24:40
SPEAKER_00: I've published a piece that lists 10 things that must go right for the Bills to win the playoffs this year.
24:47
SPEAKER_00: And it all starts with Josh Allen returning to that, or remaining, some could say, at that MVP caliber that he's been at the past few seasons.
24:57
SPEAKER_00: So be sure to go to my sub stack, check that out.
25:00
SPEAKER_00: But let's dive into these predictions starting with week one at the Houston Texans.
25:06
SPEAKER_00: The Texans beat the Bills 23 to 19 last year.
25:10
SPEAKER_00: Just a great defense in Houston.
25:12
SPEAKER_00: And it it reared its head last year for the Bills, sacked Allen eight times, intercepted him twice.
25:19
SPEAKER_00: Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter off the edge are two of the best players in the NFL defensively.
25:25
SPEAKER_00: And then you have Derek Stingley in the back end, one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL.
25:29
SPEAKER_00: So you have concerns up front, you have concerns in the back end.
25:33
SPEAKER_00: It's going to be a tough one for the Bills this weekend in terms of the offense.
25:37
SPEAKER_00: And then if you look at the Texans offense, they bring in running back David Montgomery this offseason to kind of bolster that offense.
25:44
SPEAKER_00: They've dealt with a few injuries at the wide receiver position.
25:46
SPEAKER_00: I believe Jaden Higgins, their expected wide receiver, too, has gone down.
25:50
SPEAKER_00: Tank Dell is still working his way back from injury, but Nico Collins still sits atop that wide receiver core as one of the most talented players in the NFL.
25:59
SPEAKER_00: So this will not be an easy game for the Bills.
26:02
SPEAKER_00: And I'm picking them to lose to the Houston Texans for the second straight year and for what seems like the umpteenth time to the Houston Texans consecutively.
26:11
SPEAKER_00: It's a house of horrors for the Bills in Houston, and they lose to the Texans, by my prediction, 24 to 21 to start the season at 0 and 1.
26:22
SPEAKER_00: Week two versus the Detroit Lions, the Bills' home opener at the new high marks stadium.
26:28
SPEAKER_00: The Lions missed the playoffs last year.
26:31
SPEAKER_00: It was a huge disappointment for appointment for Dan Campbell and his group.
26:35
SPEAKER_00: They lost both of their coordinators in the year leading up.
26:39
SPEAKER_00: So a lot of change that the Lions had to endure last season.
26:43
SPEAKER_00: They've kind of settled things entering this year.
26:45
SPEAKER_00: Jameer Gibbs returning as their workhorse running back.
26:48
SPEAKER_00: Matthew Stafford, or excuse me, Matthew Stafford.
26:52
SPEAKER_00: Jameer Gibbs, their workhorse running back, and Jared Goff, uh, their quarterback.
26:57
SPEAKER_00: He's he's not a superstar quarterback by any stretch of the imagination, but uh a pretty solid game manager who could light things up if he finds himself in a rhythm and things start going his way.
27:09
SPEAKER_00: So uh once again, this will not be an easy matchup for the Bills.
27:12
SPEAKER_00: Their last matchup with the doll with the Lions, excuse me, was a high-scoring affair, 48-42, a Bills win in 2024.
27:21
SPEAKER_00: But I don't see it going the Bills' way this season.
27:25
SPEAKER_00: I do see it being high scoring once again, a 35 to 34 Lions win.
27:30
SPEAKER_00: The Bills start the season at 0-2.
27:33
SPEAKER_00: A big concern for Joe Brady and his bunch entering his first season as head coach.
27:40
SPEAKER_00: And it won't get any easier for the Bills in week three when they take on the Los Angeles Chargers.
27:46
SPEAKER_00: Can Justin Herbert take the next step?
27:49
SPEAKER_00: That's the question for the Chargers this season.
27:52
SPEAKER_00: Herbert's kind of been bordering on one of the best quarterbacks in the league the past several years, and now the Chargers looking for him to vault himself into that conversation with the Josh Allen's, the Patrick Mahomes, the Lamar Jackson, the Joe Burroughs of the world as one of the best quarterbacks in the league.
28:09
SPEAKER_00: And we'll see if new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel can help him do so.
28:14
SPEAKER_00: He comes over uh as former head coach of the Dolphins.
28:17
SPEAKER_00: Things didn't go very well toward the end of his tenure in Miami, but still considered one of the brightest offensive minds in the NFL.
28:25
SPEAKER_00: And the Chargers brought in center Tyler Beatis.
28:30
SPEAKER_00: I'm not really sure how to pronounce his last name this offseason, as one of the most highest paid free agent signings of this offseason.
28:37
SPEAKER_00: So a few key additions for the Chargers on the offensive side of the ball, and they're hoping that that can bolster their efforts there.
28:44
SPEAKER_00: But they'll also have to replace some changes on the defensive side of the ball.
28:48
SPEAKER_00: They lose defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, who's now the head coach of the Baltimore Ravens.
28:54
SPEAKER_00: So a new defensive coordinator for them, and we'll see what they have to offer on that side of the ball.
28:58
SPEAKER_00: But I'm gonna pick the Bills to win this game.
29:01
SPEAKER_00: Give me a 30 to 24 win for the Bills by almost a touchdown.
29:04
SPEAKER_00: The Chargers won't be an easy foe, but I think the Bills will slide out of this game with their first win of the year to move to one and three on the season.
29:14
SPEAKER_00: Or excuse me, one and two on the season.
29:17
SPEAKER_00: And then week four, first of two matchups against the New England Patriots.
29:23
SPEAKER_00: Drake May coming off an MVP runner-up, just missed out on that award, finishing behind Matthew Stafford, the Los Angeles Rams quarterback, of course, formerly of the Detroit Lions.
29:35
SPEAKER_00: And the Patriots brought in a couple of key wide receivers to boost that pass catching core this offseason.
29:42
SPEAKER_00: AJ Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles, Romeo Dobbs from the Green Bay Packers, and also on the defensive side of the ball, you bring in safety Kevin Bayard, pass rusher Draymond Jones.
29:54
SPEAKER_00: So not as seismic of moves on the defensive side of the ball as AJ Brown was on offense, but still the Patriots have done what they can to bolster both sides of the ball.
30:05
SPEAKER_00: And although Mike Vrabel endured that cheating scandal throughout this offseason with Diana Roussini of the Athletic, it seems as if the Patriots have kind of made their way through that and are entering tonight's game against the Seattle Seahawks with that in their past.
30:21
SPEAKER_00: So this is going to be a tough matchup for the Bills.
30:24
SPEAKER_00: Not easy by any means, but give me the Bills to win in week four over the New England Patriots, 28-27, and even their record at 2-2, and really quell a lot of concerns from Bills fans after starting the season.
30:37
SPEAKER_00: Oh and two.
30:38
SPEAKER_00: But the Bills nearly impossible early season stretch continues in week five against the Los Angeles Rams.
30:47
SPEAKER_00: The Rams, one of the best teams in the NFL, and for my money, the best team in the NFL.
30:53
SPEAKER_00: After, of course, trading for Miles Garrett and bringing back Aaron Donald, the future Hall of Fame defensive tackle out of retirement this offseason.
31:01
SPEAKER_00: The Rams' defensive line is going to be perhaps one of the best we've ever seen in NFL history.
31:06
SPEAKER_00: And there are no slouches at other positions other positions either.
31:11
SPEAKER_00: They bring in Trent McDuffie from the Kansas City Chiefs this offseason to boost their secondary.
31:16
SPEAKER_00: And I mentioned the offensive side of the ball.
31:18
SPEAKER_00: Stafford coming off that MVP season last year.
31:20
SPEAKER_00: Puka Nakua, one of the best wide receivers in the NFL.
31:23
SPEAKER_00: And then you have Sean McVay pulling the strings, just one of the best head coaches in the league.
31:29
SPEAKER_00: I do kind of question his decision to touch down in Australia 27 hours before their matchup at the San Francisco 49ers.
31:37
SPEAKER_00: But hey, then again, McVeigh has won a Super Bowl.
31:40
SPEAKER_00: He's one of the most impressive leaders in this league.
31:43
SPEAKER_00: So I guess you got to trust him.
31:44
SPEAKER_00: And I'm going to pick the Bills to lose this game to the Rams 45-35, a 10-point loss for the Bills.
31:52
SPEAKER_00: I think some of the Bills' concerns that they're entering the season with, particularly on the offensive side of the ball, I think they're going to come to the forefront in this game.
32:02
SPEAKER_00: The Rams' offense is explosive.
32:04
SPEAKER_00: Kyron Williams at the running back position.
32:07
SPEAKER_00: I think the Rams are going to go off on offense.
32:09
SPEAKER_00: And although 35 points against this defense will be encouraging, I think Bills fans are going to come away from this game really, really worried with the defense and fall and the Bills fall to two and three entering week six against the Las Vegas Raiders.
32:25
SPEAKER_00: And in this week six matchup, the Bills will be facing a Raiders team with new head coach Clint Kubiak, who is in uh my who was my pick for the Bills to hire as head coach.
32:38
SPEAKER_00: Hated the Joe Brady hire.
32:40
SPEAKER_00: I was pushing for the Bills to hire an offensive mind, and I thought Kubiak was the most impressive this offseason.
32:45
SPEAKER_00: But instead the Raiders land him and they draft Fernando Mendoza, the former Indiana quarterback national champion with the number one overall pick.
32:55
SPEAKER_00: But they decide to start Kirk Cousins to start the season over Mendoza.
33:00
SPEAKER_00: So an interesting decision there.
33:02
SPEAKER_00: And although the Bills won't take on the Raiders until week six, it'll be interesting to see if Cousins is still starting for the Raiders at that time or if they'll indeed go with Mendoza.
33:14
SPEAKER_00: And then the running back position, you have Ashton Genty drafted out of Boise State a year ago.
33:19
SPEAKER_00: Hasn't yet exploded onto the scene, but in year two, this could be his year with the Raiders resetting and hiring a new offensive-minded head coach.
33:28
SPEAKER_00: So something to watch there.
33:30
SPEAKER_00: And Brock Bowers has dealt with some injury concerns this offseason, a meniscus trim that he underwent as reported today.
33:37
SPEAKER_00: But he's one of the best tight ends in the league.
33:39
SPEAKER_00: So if he's healthy in week six, that's two players on offense in Genty and Bowers that you have to worry about if you're the Bills.
33:46
SPEAKER_00: And then on the defensive side of the ball, the Raiders retained Max Crosby after a wild offseason saga that saw him traded to the Baltimore Ravens, only to see the Ravens back out of the trade and have him headed back to Las Vegas.
33:59
SPEAKER_00: And then the Raiders also traded for former Bills Nickel cornerback Taryn Johnson, who not nearly the impactful player that Max Crosby will be, but still Taryn Johnson, a former all-pro, someone who brings veteran savvy to that secondary, probably better than what the Raiders had previously at the nickel cornerback position.
34:20
SPEAKER_00: So there's some things to like about the Raiders and where they're going in terms of the future, but as far as this season is concerned, it's not their time.
34:30
SPEAKER_00: Give me the Bills to win 30 to 14 and head in to the week seven bye week with a record of three and three.
34:38
SPEAKER_00: And sound off in the comments.
34:40
SPEAKER_00: Would three and three at the bye be acceptable for the Bills?
34:42
SPEAKER_00: It's really a Super Bowl or bus type season.
34:45
SPEAKER_00: But at the same time, that incredibly difficult stretch, the first five games of the year, I think reaching that week seven bye at 500, I wouldn't say it's ideal for the Bills, but I think you have to take it.
34:58
SPEAKER_00: I think what you have coming up after the bye week, after week eight, that is, against the Baltimore Ravens, a little bit of a respite that you could get fat on.
35:08
SPEAKER_00: So kind of withstanding that early season difficult stretch and entering the bye week at 3-3, I think would be just fine for the Bills.
35:18
SPEAKER_00: And Border Mayer commenting here on YouTube, really enjoyed all the content you gave us in the offseason.
35:25
SPEAKER_00: Much more than just talk.
35:26
SPEAKER_00: Your energy shows more confidence in where the Bills are now.
35:31
SPEAKER_00: And yeah, I I would say that's that's true.
35:34
SPEAKER_00: I have them at three and three at the bye, but I think if you asked me to pick their early season schedule before the offseason began, I probably would have had them one and five, maybe two and four at the bye.
35:47
SPEAKER_00: I was so worried about this team entering preseason and training camp.
35:51
SPEAKER_00: And while it's it's tough to take that much away from the summer, I really like the DJ Moore edition.
35:57
SPEAKER_00: I really like what I've seen from Jim Leonard's defense.
36:00
SPEAKER_00: I think Bradley Chubb can make an impact.
36:02
SPEAKER_00: So I think that's spot on, Border Mair.
36:04
SPEAKER_00: I am much more positive about this team than where I was to start the off season.
36:10
SPEAKER_00: But coming up in my prediction later, I'm not sure I'm as positive about their prospects once the postseason rolls around.
36:21
SPEAKER_00: All right, getting back to my regular season predictions, out of the bye week, the Bills have a tough matchup with the Baltimore Ravens, but a team that the Bills haven't had a whole lot of trouble beating over the past several years.
36:34
SPEAKER_00: Obviously, that game last year, a thriller in week one, 41-40, the rematch coming this year in week eight.
36:42
SPEAKER_00: The Bills' offense exploded in that game.
36:44
SPEAKER_00: Joshua Palmer had a really good game.
36:46
SPEAKER_00: Keon Coleman had a really good game against the Ravens secondary.
36:50
SPEAKER_00: Really, those two players, only positive performances of the year.
36:55
SPEAKER_00: And although the Bills struggled to slow the Ravens defense, Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry had a good day.
37:04
SPEAKER_00: They did enough in the end to pull it out.
37:06
SPEAKER_00: And I think they'll do the same this year.
37:08
SPEAKER_00: The Ravens added Trey Hendrickson and Calais Campbell to their defensive line this offseason.
37:13
SPEAKER_00: They're hoping Jesse Minter, their new head coach, can bring a defensive scheme that helps bolster that unit.
37:19
SPEAKER_00: But give me the Bills to win this game 27-24.
37:22
SPEAKER_00: A key win for the Bills out of the bye.
37:25
SPEAKER_00: They're second in a row to move above 500 for the first time in the 2026 season.
37:30
SPEAKER_00: They advanced to 4-3 entering a week nine matchup with the Minnesota Vikings.
37:37
SPEAKER_00: Who brought in Kyler Murray this offseason and named him their starting quarterback over former draft pick JJ McCarthy?
37:46
SPEAKER_00: There was a lot of discussion who the team would go with.
37:49
SPEAKER_00: And not only is McCarthy not named the starter, he's been named the number three quarterback by the Vikings.
37:55
SPEAKER_00: They have Carson Wentz as their backup.
37:56
SPEAKER_00: They think that that will give them the best chance to win.
37:59
SPEAKER_00: I'm not so sure about that after having watched Carson Wentz over the years.
38:03
SPEAKER_00: But then again, the Vikings have a great wide receiver core, one of the best in the league.
38:07
SPEAKER_00: Justin Jefferson, one of the best wide receivers in the league, individually.
38:11
SPEAKER_00: And then Jordan Addison, a talented wide receiver, despite some early career off-the-field stuff.
38:17
SPEAKER_00: And then Juwan Jennings coming over after a solid season with the San Francisco 49ers.
38:23
SPEAKER_00: So I don't love Kyler Murray as a quarterback.
38:26
SPEAKER_00: I think he's going to implode by the time the season ends, and that's why I'm picking the Bills to win 40 to 10 in this game.
38:34
SPEAKER_00: But if Brian Flores, one of the top defensive coordinators in the league, can drum something up to slow Josh Allen and the Bills offense down, that would be the only way that I could see the Vikings hanging with the Bills and perhaps springing the upset in this game.
38:49
SPEAKER_00: But I think there's some that I've heard that believe the Vikings can be a quality team this year.
38:54
SPEAKER_00: And if Murray gives them quality quarterback play, they can make the playoffs.
38:58
SPEAKER_00: I don't see that.
38:59
SPEAKER_00: I am not high on Kyler Murray at all.
39:02
SPEAKER_00: I don't like this team's talent on the whole.
39:04
SPEAKER_00: They let go of Jonathan Grunard this offseason.
39:08
SPEAKER_00: So give me the Bills to win this one by 30.
39:10
SPEAKER_00: Blow the Vikings out.
39:12
SPEAKER_00: Perhaps the Bills' most convincing win of the season, given where the expectations are for the Vikings and the final score.
39:20
SPEAKER_00: And they enter week 10 with their third straight win.
39:24
SPEAKER_00: And they are now five and three.
39:27
SPEAKER_00: Right?
39:27
SPEAKER_00: Five and three?
39:29
SPEAKER_00: Yes, five and three entering week 10 at the New York Jets.
39:34
SPEAKER_00: The Bills' second divisional game of the season.
39:38
SPEAKER_00: And listen, the Jets suck, okay?
39:41
SPEAKER_00: They're one of the worst teams as far as management is concerned that I've ever seen across professional sports.
39:49
SPEAKER_00: For years, we saw the Bills endure a playoff drought of their own, but I'm not so sure they did it as dismally as the Jets have done during their own playoff drought, which is the longest in the NFL entering this season.
40:04
SPEAKER_00: And I think it is undoubtedly going to extend into this season.
40:08
SPEAKER_00: And I think the Jets are in for another disastrous campaign.
40:11
SPEAKER_00: They bring back Aaron Glenn after what is can only be described as a horrendous season in his first year as the team's head coach.
40:19
SPEAKER_00: He's a defensive guru.
40:21
SPEAKER_00: The Jets defense finished without an interception the entirety of last season.
40:25
SPEAKER_00: And that was Glenn's expertise as a professional player, a defensive back during his heydays.
40:31
SPEAKER_00: So for them not to finish with a single turnover or interception, that is, uh was certainly a red flag last year.
40:38
SPEAKER_00: And bringing back Glenn in the head coaching role, I think, was just misguided from the Jets and will prove to be a complete disaster by the time the season ends.
40:47
SPEAKER_00: And they also signed Geno Smith for his second stint as the team's quarterback.
40:52
SPEAKER_00: And I think this could go down as one of the worst decisions the Jets have made throughout their drought years.
40:59
SPEAKER_00: You have a team that's in rebuild mode.
41:02
SPEAKER_00: You draft a bunch of high-level players early in the draft, including David Bailey at the edge rusher position, Omar Cooper Jr.
41:10
SPEAKER_00: at wide receiver, and then you have Geno Smith at quarterback.
41:14
SPEAKER_00: I'm just not sure that that fits with what the Jets are trying to do as they're trying to rebuild this franchise and really set it into a more positive future.
41:24
SPEAKER_00: I just don't think Smith is the answer at quarterback, and I know that Glenn is not the answer at head coach.
41:30
SPEAKER_00: So I love Garrett Wilson at wide receiver.
41:33
SPEAKER_00: I think Brees Hall is a good player at running back.
41:35
SPEAKER_00: But listen, Glenn is a terrible head coach.
41:38
SPEAKER_00: Geno Smith is a bad quarterback at this stage of his career, and the Bills are going to win this game by at least two touchdowns.
41:43
SPEAKER_00: I have it at 28-14, the Bills beating the Jets in this week 10 matchup.
41:51
SPEAKER_00: All right, moving ahead into week 11, second straight divisional game for the Bills, this one against the Miami Dolphins.
41:58
SPEAKER_00: They fall to the Dolphins unexpectedly last year, 30-13.
42:03
SPEAKER_00: One of the worst performances put forth by the Bills offense, and Josh Allen included three turnovers committed by the Bills.
42:11
SPEAKER_00: Josh Allen sacked three times.
42:14
SPEAKER_00: And listen, Miami under underwent a fire sale this offseason.
42:19
SPEAKER_00: They get rid of their head coach, Mike McDaniel.
42:21
SPEAKER_00: They hired Jeff Hafley.
42:23
SPEAKER_00: They get rid of Tua Tegavaloa.
42:25
SPEAKER_00: They bring in Malik Willis at quarterback.
42:26
SPEAKER_00: They get rid of Tyree Kill and Jalen Waddell at the wide receiver position.
42:30
SPEAKER_00: So this is a totally different team than we saw last year.
42:34
SPEAKER_00: But somehow it's going to be even worse than we saw last year.
42:38
SPEAKER_00: So I don't think there's any chance of the Bills losing as they did a season ago to a team as lackluster as the Dolphins.
42:45
SPEAKER_00: Give me the Bills to win this one.
42:47
SPEAKER_00: 38 to 30, or excuse me, 31 to 3.
42:52
SPEAKER_00: And I have the Bills improving their record to 8-3.
43:02
SPEAKER_00: Excuse me, 7-3.
43:06
SPEAKER_00: Entering week 12.
43:10
SPEAKER_00: And this is another difficult matchup.
43:11
SPEAKER_00: Three straight, easy matchups in my mind for the Bills, the Vikings, the Jets, and the Dolphins.
43:16
SPEAKER_00: And then in week 12, they take on the Kansas City Chiefs.
43:19
SPEAKER_00: The Bills have beaten the Chiefs the last five times the two teams have met during the regular season.
43:24
SPEAKER_00: Last year was a 28-21 win for the Bills.
43:29
SPEAKER_00: And the Chiefs have had the Bills' number in the postseason, but as I said before, the Bills have had no trouble against the Chiefs during the regular season.
43:36
SPEAKER_00: And with Patrick Mahomes coming back off an ACL injury, I think that they're going to have a point to prove this year.
43:43
SPEAKER_00: And he he is expected to start in week one.
43:46
SPEAKER_00: So I think by the time this week 12 matchup rolls around, Mahomes is going to be close to midseason form, if not in midseason form.
43:54
SPEAKER_00: So I think that's going to be something to watch out for.
43:57
SPEAKER_00: And then also the Chiefs added Kenneth Walker, the Third in free agency to bolster bolster their backfield.
44:03
SPEAKER_00: And he won a championship with the Seahawks last year, leading their running game.
44:06
SPEAKER_00: And he's a threat as a ball carrier, something that the Bills will have to watch out for entering that week 12 matchup.
44:13
SPEAKER_00: The defensive side of the ball, I'm not really all that impressed about what the Chiefs have to offer.
44:18
SPEAKER_00: Steve Spagnolo is going to have to work some magic if the Chiefs are going to come away with this win.
44:25
SPEAKER_00: They traded away Trent McDuffie, as I mentioned before, this offseason.
44:29
SPEAKER_00: And I just think that there's so much for the Chiefs to replace here that I'm going to switch up my initial prediction.
44:38
SPEAKER_00: I'm going to pick the Bills to beat the Chiefs again.
44:41
SPEAKER_00: And I initially picked the Chiefs to beat the Bills 24 to 20 in Shout Magazine, but I'm going to change my mind on this one.
44:48
SPEAKER_00: I'm going to go Bills win 24 to 20.
44:51
SPEAKER_00: So just flip the two teams, same score, and the Bills improve their record to eight and three.
44:59
SPEAKER_00: Another victory for the Bills there.
45:01
SPEAKER_00: One, two, three, four, five, sixth in a row entering a week 13 matchup against the New England Patriots.
45:13
SPEAKER_00: And this is a team the Bills split two games with a year ago.
45:16
SPEAKER_00: I think it'll be tough for the Bills to beat them twice this year.
45:20
SPEAKER_00: It's a lot of people aren't as high on the Patriots based on the difficulty of their schedule.
45:27
SPEAKER_00: Thought that they kind of overperformed expectations last year, but this is a team that worked their way to the Super Bowl, you can't forget.
45:35
SPEAKER_00: And I'm going to pick the Bills to lose this matchup 24 to 23, their first loss in quite some time, entering a week 14 matchup with the Green Bay Packers.
45:46
SPEAKER_00: All right, Jordan Love for the Packers.
45:48
SPEAKER_00: He's been a top 10 QB when on the field for Green Bay during his career.
45:53
SPEAKER_00: So certainly no slouch at that position.
45:55
SPEAKER_00: You have Tucker Kraft, a solid tight end.
45:58
SPEAKER_00: Wide receiver is a bit of a question mark for the Packers.
46:01
SPEAKER_00: They drafted Matthew Golden last year.
46:04
SPEAKER_00: They have a few other players that they're trying to elevate into increased roles this year after letting go of Romeo Dobbs this offseason.
46:11
SPEAKER_00: But at the running back position, they're going to have some musical chairs there.
46:15
SPEAKER_00: Josh Jacobs likely to be suspended, and not much to speak of elsewhere at the position.
46:22
SPEAKER_00: You're going to go with Marshawn Lloyd, I believe, as the starter for the Packers moving forward to start the season.
46:29
SPEAKER_00: But defensively, the Packers do get Micah Parsons back from a knee injury.
46:33
SPEAKER_00: I would expect him, obviously, to be back by week 14.
46:37
SPEAKER_00: At the same time, the Bills are just a more talented team than the Packers.
46:40
SPEAKER_00: I like Jordan Love.
46:41
SPEAKER_00: I like Matt LaFleur as a head coach.
46:44
SPEAKER_00: He hasn't really stunned me with where he's guided the Packers throughout his career, but I like this team.
46:50
SPEAKER_00: I don't love this team, and I'm going to pick the Bills to win this game 27 to 20 going into a week 15 game against the Chicago Bears.
47:00
SPEAKER_00: And the Bears, this is a team I'm extremely high on this year.
47:03
SPEAKER_00: I think a lot of people across league circles are kind of deciding between the Lions, the Bears, and the Packers.
47:12
SPEAKER_00: Who's the top team in the NFC North?
47:14
SPEAKER_00: I think it's the Bears.
47:15
SPEAKER_00: I love Ben Johnson.
47:16
SPEAKER_00: I think Caleb Williams will be more efficient this year.
47:19
SPEAKER_00: DeAndre Swift, a very talented running back, tight end, tight end Colston Loveland, a butting superstar in that pass catching core.
47:29
SPEAKER_00: And the Bears traded DJ Moore this offseason to the Bills.
47:33
SPEAKER_00: So they have to like what they have at the wide receiver position.
47:35
SPEAKER_00: That includes Luther Burden and Roma Dunze.
47:40
SPEAKER_00: So I really like what this team has on offense.
47:44
SPEAKER_00: There's a lot of questions on the defensive side of the ball.
47:46
SPEAKER_00: Not a lot of talent for the Bears on defense.
47:49
SPEAKER_00: They draft Dylan Thyneman at safety.
47:51
SPEAKER_00: That's a player I was really high on coming out of the draft.
47:54
SPEAKER_00: But other than him, not many players who really spark my interest on this team.
47:59
SPEAKER_00: They brought in Cam Lewis, a former Buffalo Bill.
48:02
SPEAKER_00: Looks like he'll start at nickel cornerback for this team.
48:05
SPEAKER_00: So if they can figure things out defensively, I think the Bears could be a potential Super Bowl level team.
48:12
SPEAKER_00: And I'm going to pick them to beat the Bills.
48:14
SPEAKER_00: 31 to 30 entering a week 16 matchup at the Denver Broncos.
48:19
SPEAKER_00: And this is a rematch from last year's divisional round loss by the Bills.
48:24
SPEAKER_00: A 33-30 overtime defeat at the hands of the Broncos.
48:28
SPEAKER_00: Josh Allen obviously turned the ball over four times.
48:31
SPEAKER_00: Bo Knicks had a pretty good game in that one.
48:34
SPEAKER_00: And he was hurt for the AFC Championship game against the New England Patriots.
48:39
SPEAKER_00: A big reason why the Patriots advanced past that matchup and into the Super Bowl.
48:43
SPEAKER_00: But he's healthy.
48:45
SPEAKER_00: The Broncos have traded for Jalen Waddell, wide receiver formerly of the Miami Dolphins.
48:50
SPEAKER_00: They've retained several key defensive players.
48:53
SPEAKER_00: They lost Jim Leonard.
48:54
SPEAKER_00: He's someone who thought played a key role in their defensive success a year ago.
48:58
SPEAKER_00: They led the league in sacks, but I still like what this team has.
49:03
SPEAKER_00: I still like Sean Payton at head coach.
49:06
SPEAKER_00: But I'm going to pick the Bills to win this game, get vengeance on the Broncos.
49:10
SPEAKER_00: 34-30, a high-scoring game once again.
49:12
SPEAKER_00: And the Bills move into their final two games of the season with a win.
49:17
SPEAKER_00: And they're going to win their last two games of the year, I think, going away.
49:20
SPEAKER_00: Week 17 against the Dolphins.
49:22
SPEAKER_00: They're going to sweep that season series.
49:23
SPEAKER_00: And then week 18 versus the Jets.
49:25
SPEAKER_00: I got it 28-6 over the Dolphins, 35-7 over the Jets.
49:30
SPEAKER_00: And a little bit different from my prediction in Shout Magazine.
49:34
SPEAKER_00: I have the Bills finishing at 12-5, winning the division over the New England Patriots, who I picked at 11-6.
49:42
SPEAKER_00: You can check out my AFC East whip around on my Substack page, Alex Brasky Unfiltered.
49:47
SPEAKER_00: I predicted preseason rec or uh regular season records for each team in the AFC East.
49:53
SPEAKER_00: And I have the Bills winning the division over the New England Patriots.
49:57
SPEAKER_00: And I have them also reaching the divisional round, but I have them losing to the Denver Broncos in the divisional round.
50:06
SPEAKER_00: So I have the Bills beating the Broncos during the regular season, but during the playoffs, I have the Broncos coming back and earning revenge against the Bills and advancing to the AFC Championship game for the second straight season.
50:19
SPEAKER_00: And this year, I'm picking Denver to go to the Super Bowl, well, the where they'll meet the Los Angeles Rams and lose to the Rams in a high-scoring affair in the Super Bowl this year.
50:33
SPEAKER_00: So Bills fans might like to hear my regular season prediction.
50:37
SPEAKER_00: 12 and 5.
50:37
SPEAKER_00: I think they'll take it with the difficulty of the schedule.
50:40
SPEAKER_00: Bills winning the division, getting back on top of the AFC East after that five-year streak was snapped by the Patriots last year.
50:46
SPEAKER_00: But I don't think they'll like what I have to hear about the playoffs falling in that divisional round again.
50:53
SPEAKER_00: It's just been a stumbling block for the Bills over these years.
50:56
SPEAKER_00: They've advanced to the AFC Championship twice, but that divisional round has really been a bugaboo for them, and I see it being the case once again in 2026.
51:05
SPEAKER_00: I just think the schedule is so difficult that it's going to wear the Bills out by the time the playoffs come around.
51:11
SPEAKER_00: And also, I think Joe Brady during some difficult times this year, although I liked what I saw from him during the preseason, thought he looked very comfortable.
51:18
SPEAKER_00: The regular season's a different animal.
51:20
SPEAKER_00: There's a lot of adversity you have to push through.
51:22
SPEAKER_00: And I think once Brady's faced with some of that adversity, I think he'll be exposed in some key moments this year.
51:28
SPEAKER_00: And I love what Jim Leonard seems to have to offer as a defensive coordinator, but there's a lot of unknown there.
51:35
SPEAKER_00: He's never been an NFL defensive coordinator.
51:37
SPEAKER_00: So many new pieces for him to fit in the right spots for the Bills.
51:41
SPEAKER_00: I just think there's too many questions on that side of the ball for this defense to rise to the level of a championship level group.
51:48
SPEAKER_00: And I think Josh Allen's going to have an MVP caliber year.
51:51
SPEAKER_00: James Cook will perform well once again.
51:53
SPEAKER_00: I really, really like DJ Moore.
51:55
SPEAKER_00: I think he'll go for over a thousand yards, but I just think that there's too many question marks on defense for this team to win a championship.
52:02
SPEAKER_00: You look at the defensive line.
52:04
SPEAKER_00: Ed Oliver couldn't stay healthy last year.
52:06
SPEAKER_00: Deion Walker looks like he's ready to break out, but at the same time, he's entering just his second year in the NFL.
52:13
SPEAKER_00: What they have at defensive tackle behind those two is really lackluster at best.
52:18
SPEAKER_00: And then in the edge rusher position, I'm encouraged with the addition of Bradley Chubb.
52:22
SPEAKER_00: Greg Rousseau maybe being bolstered by having a talented player on the opposite side of him.
52:28
SPEAKER_00: But then again, I don't think that that's a one of the best units in the league by any stretch of the imagination.
52:34
SPEAKER_00: I think the Bills will improve their pressure unit from a year ago.
52:38
SPEAKER_00: But at the same time, I don't think they'll rise to the level of, like I said, one of the best groups in the league.
52:43
SPEAKER_00: Linebacker, I mentioned my issues with that group previously.
52:48
SPEAKER_00: Don't love Terrell Bernard's prospects.
52:51
SPEAKER_00: Dorian Williams, I don't think he's a sure fire fire starter in this league.
52:54
SPEAKER_00: And then Caleb Alarms or that physicality concern uh starting to kind of come up as the pads went on at training camp.
53:02
SPEAKER_00: Elsewhere at cornerback, you have Christian Benford, who I'm comfortable with, but Maxwell Harrison, I'm not sure he'll last the season as a starter.
53:11
SPEAKER_00: Davison Igbenoson, I've been encouraged by him, but I'm not sure he's ready to take over in an elite full-time role.
53:18
SPEAKER_00: And then at safety, you have CJ Gardner Johnson stepping in, a highly volatile player after Cole Bishop just enjoyed a breakout season in his second year in the league.
53:29
SPEAKER_00: So it'll be interesting to see how that unit works out as the season progresses.
53:34
SPEAKER_00: So I really like what the Bill's offense has this offseason.
53:37
SPEAKER_00: A couple of questions about the offensive line, but the defense is what's holding me back from predicting this team to be a championship level team this season.
53:48
SPEAKER_00: All right, a brief look ahead to the Texans matchup before we get on out of here.
53:53
SPEAKER_00: The uniform matchup has been decided.
53:55
SPEAKER_00: The Texans will go with a white out.
53:57
SPEAKER_00: They'll go white pants, white jerseys.
53:59
SPEAKER_00: The Bills will go blue on blue in response to that.
54:02
SPEAKER_00: And I don't love the smurf look from the Bills, but at the same time, you don't really have much of a choice when the Texans are going all white.
54:10
SPEAKER_00: So any complaints with that, I think, are really misguided and pointless at this stage.
54:16
SPEAKER_00: The complaint should really be directed at the Nickel City jerseys that the Bills plan to wear twice this year.
54:23
SPEAKER_00: But hey, I digress.
54:25
SPEAKER_00: And uh I'll also digress on hate mail this week.
54:28
SPEAKER_00: We're gonna take a week off from that.
54:31
SPEAKER_00: And with that, we will get on out of here for tonight's show.
54:34
SPEAKER_00: I kind of had to speed through things.
54:36
SPEAKER_00: I have a commitment tonight before the national game, the Patriots and the Seahawks.
54:41
SPEAKER_00: So it's a little bit of a disjointed podcast.
54:45
SPEAKER_00: I appreciate everyone for sticking with me through it.
54:48
SPEAKER_00: And uh, we hope to get bigger and better as we move along throughout the course of the regular season and beyond.
54:55
SPEAKER_00: But that's gonna do it for tonight's show.
54:57
SPEAKER_00: Please take the time to like, share, and subscribe to the podcast on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, and other podcast platforms.
55:03
SPEAKER_00: Also, rate the podcast and leave a comment or question as well.
55:07
SPEAKER_00: And be sure to follow along for breaking news weekly and sometimes daily podcasts as the NFL season heats up with week one underway tonight.
55:15
SPEAKER_00: Patriots versus Seahawks.
55:18
SPEAKER_00: And that will do it.
55:20
SPEAKER_00: I appreciate everyone for tuning in.
55:23
SPEAKER_00: Have a great night.
55:24
SPEAKER_00: Stay true.