Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan on Wednesday talked both extensively and passionately about how there’s no reason to panic simply because the team is 3-4 after losing three of its past four games. But he also acknowledged that getting into the playoffs is no easy task, especially in the ultra-competitive AFC East.
Ryan insists the Bills have what it takes to perform well enough in its last nine games to be a threat to reach the postseason, even though it will be a definite challenge.
“I think it’s still gonna be a huge climb,” he said, via ESPN. “It’s hard to get in the playoffs. It’s hard to get in the playoffs in this league. Yeah, we’re one game out of, I guess, from that [postseason] picture. The other teams have four wins or something like that. I’m sure that’s better. I’m sure that helps.
“But for us, everything we want is still in front of us. We have nine games left. The sky is not falling. And I know it, ‘You’re 3-4 and we expected this.’ I get it. I get it. I certainly understand where you’re coming from. Where fans will be coming from, the disappointments and all that stuff. But don’t make the mistake of stopping believing. Don’t make that mistake.”
The Bills obviously have had to deal with a litany of injuries, most notably to Tyrod Taylor, not to mention missing out on the productivity expected out of LeSean McCoy, Sammy Watkins and Percy Harvin for significant stretches during the season. With Taylor, McCoy and Watkins now returning to full health or nearing it -- Harvin, though, remains a question mark (in more ways than one) -- Ryan believes the team is in a position now to make a run.
“We’re healthy, now,” he said. “I think it’s hard in this league to win when you’re healthy. It’s really hard when you’re not. That’s not an excuse, it’s a fact.”
Ryan throughout his coaching career has been prone to brash proclamations, but it appears even he recognizes the hole the Bills have dug for themselves.
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