Buffalo Bills

All Buffalo Bills Fans Want For Christmas Is...

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Nov 27, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; A general view of New Era Field before a game between the Buffalo Bills and the Jacksonville Jaguars. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

With the holidays fast approaching, I decided to make a wishlist of sorts that details what Buffalo Bills fans want for Christmas.

Buffalo Bills fans!

The NFL’s “Mr & Mrs Claus” (aka Terry and Kim Pegula) have been watching all of you fans closely this year. They’ve noticed how nice you’ve been and have noticed how much you so dearly want many things to happen for Christmas this year.

Below I’ve created a list of these wishes that you would all like to happen in hopes that the Pegula’s see the list and deliver Buffalo Bills fans with a sleigh of goodies.

With the Buffalo Bills now 12 games into the season — and Week 13 fast-approaching — the Bills are down to their final chance stay in the playoff hunt. With a win vs. the Steelers on Sunday, those hopes are still alive and well.

Week 13 also signals the final quarter of the regular season. That means a lot of things other than the playoffs, including the Pro Bowl, the free agency period — which will be very important to the Bills — and the NFL Draft, which is even more important.

If the Buffalo Bills want to make the playoffs this season, they need to win out the rest of their games. If they want to continue to make the playoffs next season and so on, they will need to win out this upcoming offseason and make smart decisions.

Now, let’s take a look at that wishlist every Buffalo Bills’ fan has this Christmas.

Oct 23, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jarvis Landry (14) checks on the condition of Buffalo Bills strong safety Aaron Williams (23) during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

First Wish – A Reliable Safety

It seems as though the Buffalo Bills have been a revolving door for safeties the past decade. Drafting studs such as Jarius Byrd and Da’Norris Searcy was a great feat, but keeping these studs on the roster proved difficult to the organization.

Byrd and Searcy went on to sign large contracts in New Orleans and Tennessee, respectively, but the holes left by these two guys have made its presence felt the past two seasons.

The Bills have attempted to solve the issue with sliding Aaron Williams into the safety spot, but that task has proven to be difficult by the severity of the injuries mounted up by the 26 year-old, as his future as a football player is still undecided.

His most recent injury came vs. the Miami Dolphins this season when Jarvis Landry blindsided him with a block. It was a vicious hit that Williams didn’t even see coming, making it even worse.

Buffalo should look to the draft, as they have in the past, to pick up their next player who is going to prevent the Bills from getting the top taken off of their defense by opposing receivers. It’s been a problem all season long and it hasn’t really mattered who we were playing.

Teams have taken advantage of the Bills’ sloppy safety play and it hasn’t helped them meet expectations this year. A talented safety would help solve that problem and make it harder for teams to move the ball in a hurry.

Oct 16, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; San Francisco 49ers cornerback Tramaine Brock (26) breaks up a pass to Buffalo Bills wide receiver Robert Woods (10) during the second half at New Era Field. Buffalo beat San Francisco 45-16. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

Second Wish – A Reliable Receiving Corps

The Buffalo Bills need a solid one-two receiving combo. Robert Woods has progressed, but he would be listed as a number three receiver on most of the NFL rosters.

Height is something that the Bills could use to help Tyrod Taylor, which has been seen with the signing of Justin Hunter. The man has four touchdowns on eight catches. Not bad, but the Bills need a better threat — one that contributes all over the field.

Oh, what’s that you say? Terrelle Pryor Jr. is a free agent after the season?

That’s right. The Buffalo Bills should bring in quarterback-turned-receiver Terrelle Pryor Jr. The receiver has blown past expectations this year with 855 yards receiving and 4 touchdowns. He’s quick, athletic and would help take some of the coverage off of Sammy Watkins.

Not to mention, Pryor would immediately click with Tyrod because of his background as a quarterback himself. Knowing both positions definitely gives you an edge, especially when those two positions work hand-in-hand with each other.

Another potential option for the second receiver is Kenny Stills. Yes, he is a Miami Dolphin, which would take a while to not hate about him, but he is young, cheap and has seen the endzone five times this year.

Or, the Bills could always look into the draft as well. Looking like we will be in the middle of the pack on draft day, we could grab John Ross from Washington, Corey Davis from Western Michigan or JuJu Smith-Schuster from USC.

Nov 27, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback EJ Manuel (3) tries to get the Jacksonville Jaguars defense jump on a 4th down play during the second half at New Era Field. Bills beat the Jaguars 28-21. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Third Wish – A Reliable Quarterback

One thing that is synonymous with successful organizations is that they don’t stop searching for their franchise quarterback. The New England Patriots have taken a quarterback three out of the last six drafts — with Tom Brady at the helm.

Granted, the Patriots have been preparing for Tom Brady to retire for a while, but who knows if that will ever happen.

The Bills could potentially sign a free agent quarterback as well, but it’s more likely they’ll go the route of drafting that position. However, even if they choose to look for talent in the draft, it probably wouldn’t be someone that’s ready to start.

Point is, the Bills’ best option next year will most likely be Tyrod Taylor, but it’s important to find some players in the draft that have potential to grow into something. At that point, it’s just a matter of letting them — and helping them — grow.

A potential quarterback Buffalo could select is Davis Webb from California — a tall quarterback with a strong arm. They could also go with DeShone Kizer out of Notre Dame or Brad Kaaya out of Miami.

Yes, Cardale Jones is still on the roster and we have that potential to work with, but the Bills have the option of whether or not to keep EJ Manuel. I think they decide the latter and move on from the former first-round pick.

Cardale has shown a lot of promise and seemed to manage the game well when he was featured in the preseason. However, he’s a long way from being ready for a starting gig and is still viewed as a project.

Nov 27, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) celebrates his touchdown during the second half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at New Era Field. Buffalo beats Jacksonville 28 to 21. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

4th Wish – A Trip to the Playoffs

Yes, this is going to be very difficult and yes, I saw FiveThirtyEight’s chart that gives the Buffalo Bills a 10% chance at making the playoffs…

So, you’re saying there’s a chance? (see the film Dumb And Dumber for reference)

Please after sixteen long, painful, arduous seasons let the Buffalo Bills make the playoffs. #BillsMafia is so deserving and overdue for the playoffs that they need the help of the football gods to pull this one off.

At the same time, the Bills do have a chance. Obviously, they will need to win out the rest of the season and hope for some key losses around the league, but there’s a chance. For now, we need to be focused on the Pittsburgh Steelers because at this point, each game is win or miss the playoffs.

It’ll take prestige running, a highly elevated passing game, smart coaching and a stingy defense if the Buffalo Bills want to make the playoffs, but the biggest thing is consistency.

Rally up, it’s almost Sunday!

Feel free to comment in the section below with what makes your wishlist for the Bills!