By Jack McNicholas
May 5, 2020
The Buffalo Bills find themselves in unfamiliar territory. Coming off a wildcard playoff berth, the AFC East division has a window of opportunity without Tom Brady in the division for the first time since 2000. The Bills have not won their division since 1995, and have had only five playoff appearances since that division crown. The last two were led by current head coach Sean McDermott. The Bills have made the playoffs twice in his three years as a head coach, exceeding anyone’s expectations. Last season the team, led by their defense, proved themselves as a unit.
Next year the Bills will look for high production from players such as First Team All-Pro corner Tre’Davious White who helped the team to the fourth best passing defense in the league (195.2 YPG), linebacker Tremaine Edmunds and second year defensive tackle Ed Oliver in the front seven. All three phases of this defense are what allowed for the team to be second best in points allowed (16.2) and the third best in the league in yards allowed per game 298.2. This defense will be the lifeblood of this team. They have talent on the defensive line and added A.J Epenesa in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. In a division of young quarterbacks on the Jets, Patriots and Dolphins, the Bills can use this defense to put their offense in a great position in important divisional games.
The Bills used this offseason to help get Josh Allen some help. Josh Allen had six games last season where he threw for less than 200 yards. His ability to break for runs helps his overall yardage but he does need to improve if he is going to lead this franchise. The Bills did not possess a first round draft pick as they traded for former Vikings wide receiver Stephon Diggs. Stephon Diggs is a talented receiver and will help take this offense who ranked 26th (201.8 YPG) in the passing game overall. This trade could be what quarterback Josh Allen needs to make the leap in his third year. The Bills banked on Diggs here and there is no doubt their offense will improve. Starting day one, he will be Josh Allen’s favorite target. The aforementioned Bills defense will be the side of the ball for Buffalo to set the tone, however, the offense needs to improve from last season. An improved offense in tight game scenarios will help Buffalo in the AFC East race.
Buffalo did struggle in the pass game last season, but they did rank tenth in the league in the run game. Thanks to a committee of veteran Frank Gore and Rookie Devin Singltary, the Bills found the ground and pound system to be the priority last season. While has now signed with the Jets, the Bills took an insurance policy drafting Zack Moss out of Utah. Moss will be beneficial as the team adds another weapon to their backfield. The team can improve vastly in getting these running backs into the endzone for scores. Josh Allen led the team in rushing touchdowns with nine, but on the other hand, Frank Gore and Devin Singletary had four rushing touchdowns combined. Watch out with Zach Moss now in the backfield committee, because it would not be a shock to see Moss making a leap and getting more touches per game as the 2020 season progresses. This young backfield will be an interesting storyline to follow.
This Bills team is going to be one to watch as they try to take the AFC East Crown. With the Patriots no longer having Tom Brady, the Bills mission is simple. End the Patriots streak of winning the AFC East, which they have won every year since 2001 outside of the 2008 season. The division has never been this open in recent memory. This year could be the best chance for a new team to be crowned champion. The Bills have the most talent and depth on their roster in this division. The Patriots could still be a threat as they still have the coaching and defense to be winners once again. The Bills have to take this chance and grasp the opportunity to be a playoff team in 2020. They have the potential to create a winning culture in Buffalo; it’s no longer rebuilding time. This year will be the year the fans evaluate how good this team really is.
Just Saying with Jack and Sean 
Leave a comment