2017 Buffalo Bills Season Win Total Picks
2016 Record: 7-9
2017 Las Vegas Season Win Total: 6.5
2017 Season Win Total Prediction: 'Over'
Those poor, poor Bills fans.
Growing up in Upstate New York, I have and still do know dozens of long-suffering, delusion, masochistic Bills fans. And unlike fans of the Browns or Jets - all-time incompetent organizations that lose with gusto - the Bills and their fans have almost an ignorant innocence about their lost cause fandom.
Indeed, I knew plenty of fans that embraced the Rex Ryan era rather than rejecting it out of hand as the laughingstock that it was destined to be. Bills fans are that desperate for anything to cling to, for anything that might put a merciful end to the longest postseason drought in North American professional sports (17 years).
So now they've thrown their lot in with first-time head coach Sean McDermott. And you know what? I actually like the hiring. McDermott has studied at the feet of Andy Reid and blitz-happy Jim Johnson in Philadelphia. He also learned the patience of the Cover-2 under Ron Rivera in Carolina. McDermott has witnessed and been a part of NFL success. A lot of it. He's seen what it takes. And, given time, I think he can bring to Buffalo that discipline and success that have been so sorely lacking.
But it won't be easy. And likely won't be immediate. Rex Ryan squandered two playoff-caliber rosters in his two seasons. Now Buffalo has bled out just enough talent to likely find themselves on the wrong side of .500.
I am definitely a Tyrod Taylor fan. This guy can play. And he can win. And I think he is the best quarterback they've had on their roster in over a decade. He also contributes to the league's best running game as Buffalo averaged 165 rushing yards per game last season. LeSean McCoy is still one of the best in the business. And if he stays healthy the rushing attack, bolstered by the addition of versatile fullbacks Mike Tolbert and Patrick DiMarco, will remain top tier.
Buffalo's receiving corps is one of the worst in football - again. Sammy Watkins is a bust. Even if he is healthy, which he never is, he just isn't very good. The pass protection also leaves a lot to be desired.
The Bills are wisely returning to the 4-3 defensive system that was so successful for them in 2013 and 2014. They have the best pair of defensive tackles in football in Kyle Williams and Marcell Dareus. And if they can patch up a secondary weakened by offseason defections then this defense could return to the Top 10 or 12 in the league.
Buffalo underachieved by nearly two wins last season, outscoring their opponents despite being outgained on the season. I think they will overachieve under McDermott. If the Bills can go into their bye at 2-3, the schedule softens up in the center. I think that this team could definitely go 8-8 this year. And I think the value on this team is definitely on the 'over'.
Buffalo Bills Regular Season Schedule (All times Eastern)
Week |
Date |
Kickoff (ET) |
Opponent |
1 |
10-Sep |
1:00 p.m. |
New York Jets |
2 |
17-Sep |
1:00 p.m. |
at Carolina Panthers |
3 |
24-Sep |
1:00 p.m. |
Denver Broncos |
4 |
1-Oct |
1:00 p.m. |
at Atlanta Falcons |
5 |
8-Oct |
1:00 p.m. |
at Cincinnati Bengals |
6 |
15-Oct |
|
Bye |
7 |
22-Oct |
1:00 p.m. |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
8 |
29-Oct |
1:00 p.m. |
Oakland Raiders |
9 |
2-Nov |
8:25 p.m. |
at New York Jets |
10 |
12-Nov |
1:00 p.m. |
New Orleans Saints |
11 |
19-Nov |
4:05 p.m. |
at Los Angeles Chargers |
12 |
26-Nov |
1:00 p.m. |
at Kansas City Chiefs |
13 |
3-Dec |
1:00 p.m. |
New England Patriots |
14 |
10-Dec |
1:00 p.m. |
Indianapolis Colts |
15 |
17-Dec |
1:00 p.m. |
Miami Dolphins |
16 |
24-Dec |
1:00 p.m. |
at New England Patriots |
17 |
31-Dec |
1:00 p.m. |
at Miami Dolphins |
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