Buffalo Bills

Buffalo Bills 2016: Game-By-Game Prediction

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

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After a roller coaster of an offseason, I attempt to predict the Bills final record with a game-by-game prediction of how the Buffalo Bills will fair with a difficult schedule. The pressure is starting to be felt as Rex Ryan enters his second season with the club.

As any Buffalo Bills fan not living under a rock for the past twenty years can tell you, the Bills have not made the playoffs since the 1999 season. Bill Clinton was the President of The United States, my beloved Syracuse Orange still had a dignified football program, and Playstation 2 was being created.

What stands out the most to Western New Yorkers that year was the Bills playoff loss. The season ended in dramatic and depressing fashion as the Bills lost in what was coined the “Music City Miracle”… More like a forward lateral, but we’ll call it a “miracle” and not get into it.

Coming off an 8-8 season that didn’t live up to the overwhelming hype Rex Ryan created, the Ryan brothers and company look to prove that they are in fact a contender and not a pretender. With a strong draft class and sensible re-signings, the Bills have prepared themselves to once again have the pieces in place. Can the Bills put it all together and clinch their first playoff berth in over 17 years? Keep reading to find out my projection!

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Week 1 – Bills at Ravens, 1 pm on CBS

For Buffalo, Baltimore has been a blessing in disguise. Buffalo has seemed to have snatched up quite a few important pieces to this season who started their careers there or flourished while in Baltimore. Rex Ryan reminded everyone of the distinguished Ryan name during his time in Baltimore as a defensive coach. Ed Reed became a household name with hard hits and strong defensive plays as a safety for them. Tyrod Taylor sat behind Joe Flacco to perfect his skills, waiting patiently for his chance to run the offense.

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The Buffalo Bills 2016 Season will start against a team that’s coming back from an injury ridden season last year and hopes to get back to their prior playoff form. Joe Flacco is returning and will try to compete in the very strong AFC North. It will be a close one but I don’t think Baltimore’s defense is what it used to be.

Bills Win 24-20 (1-0)

Week 2 – Jets at Bills, 8 pm on CBS, NFL, & Twitter

The last time the Bills saw Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Jets was in the season finale last year. The Bills dashed the Jets playoff hopes in Todd Bowles first year at the helm. With a reluctant Fitz joining Gang Green for another year, the Jets have playoff aspirations for two consecutive years. (Crazy, right?)

The Jets will be coming off a very tough Week One game versus Cincinnati and will be either riding high off a victory or angry to start the season with a loss. This motivated Jets team is also one year older, which could prove to be their achilles heel all season.

On the other side, Buffalo has their home-opener as their only home primetime game all year. I find it highly unlikely that this atmosphere at New Era Field will be anything but rowdy.

Bills Win 24-17 (2-0)

Week 3 – Cardinals at Bills, 1 pm on Fox

The Cardinals are contenders for Super Bowl LI in Houston this year and were one game away last season. Nearly all of their starters are returning including the young running back David Johnson and the hard-hitting safety Tyrann Mathieu, who signed a generous five year extension in early August.

The Bills haven’t faced the Cardinals since 2012 and in that game the Bills snuck by with a victory in OT on a Rian Lindell kick. The crowd in Orchard Park could be difficult for Carson Palmer and company but the Cardinals are too talented to lose this game. It will be a close one though.

Cardinals Win In OT 27-24 (2-1)

Week 4 – Bills at Patriots, 1 pm on CBS

The main story line of this game will obviously be whether or not the Patriots can perform without their franchise quarterback, Tom Brady, as well as their defensive captain, Rob Ninkovich, who both are suspended for the first four games of the season. The Patriots also acquired former Bills receiver Chris Hogan this offseason, adding fuel to the rivalry.

Aug 26, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) scrambles during the pre-season game at Bank of America Stadium. Patriots win 19-17 over the Panthers. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

For the Bills, they have not fared well in Foxboro for quite some time to say the least. Ironically, the last game they did win in Foxboro was against Jimmy Garoppolo in the final week of the 2014 season. One of the keys for the Bills in this game will be to produce touchdowns when in the redzone. If they’re able to do that, they can keep up with the Patriots. If not, it could be a long game for the Bills defense. I think the Bills pull off a stunner and capitalize on a Brady-less New England.

Bills Win 31-28 (3-1)

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Week 5 – Bills at Rams, 4:25 pm on CBS

The last time the Bills played a Los Angeles football team in Los Angeles was October 11th, 1992. The Bills lost in the very same Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 20-3 to the then Los Angeles Raiders.

This past year, Stan Kroenke uprooted the Rams from St. Louis and moved them back to their original location. He also decided to invest in the future of the team by moving up to draft rookie quarterback and native Californian, Jared Goff. Don’t expect to see the rookie just yet but expect to see a strong Rams defense lead by Aaron Donald and Robert Quinn. Their defense may be good but I believe the Bills keep the good times rolling with a victory in Los Angeles.

Bills Win 19-17 (4-1)

Week 6 – 49ers at Bills, 1 pm on Fox

Between Colin Kaepernick and a slew of players retiring early, the 49ers have been in the news a lot the past two years. They lured Chip Kelly to their team in hopes to salvage what is left of the 2012 NFC Champion team. Their former Super Bowl starting quarterback has taken a backseat to a failed Jacksonville Jaguar quarterback and nobody really knows who their best player is anymore.

Aug 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) drops back to pass in the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

The Bills haven’t played the 49ers since they lost in blowout fashion, 45-3 in 2012. I think if the Bills can’t win this game, they are pretenders. I think they avenge their previous loss to the 49ers.

Bills Win 31-20 (5-1)

Week 7 – Bills at Dolphins, 1 pm on CBS

It may not be as large of a rivalry as it once was but Bills fans still circle this game on the calendar each year. A chance to “squish the fish”. Some fans might come down for the warm weather and entertain themselves on South Beach but the Bills come down for business.

The Dolphins have been chosen by many analysts the past couple seasons as a sleeper team who could potentially knock off the Patriots atop the AFC East or possibly even make it to the Super Bowl but neither of those two things have come close to happening.

The Bills have faired well against Miami recently and have won their last 4 out of 5 games versus the Dolphins. I think the luck runs out and the Bills lose a close one in Hard Rock Stadium or whatever name it won’t be in two years. Be sure to turn off your TV before you hear them play that silly victory jingle they have.

Dolphins Win 24-13 (5-2)

Week 8 – Patriots at Bills, 1 pm on CBS

Welp, Tom Brady is back. Fortunately enough for the Bills, he’ll face them on the road in his only unsuspended regular season matchup with Rex Ryan in 2016. Contrary to many other writers, I don’t believe the Patriots are going to make it to the Super Bowl this season. I don’t even think they have a great chance of winning the division this year.

One thing that has been certain the vast majority of my life is Tom Brady will always play well against Buffalo. I believe he does it again this year and reminds Bills fans how the organization whiffed badly on not drafting Rob Gronkowski.

Patriots Win 38-24 (5-3)

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Week 9 – Bills at Seahawks, 8:30 pm on ESPN

Unfortunately for Bills, the schedule makers and football gods did not want to give the Bills a well-balanced schedule. The Bills instead have a steady dose of playoff contenders and stout defenses. Seattle’s defense may not be as stout as they once were but Russell Wilson and the gang make up for it on the offensive side of the ball.

Whether it will be Thomas Rawls or Christine Michael in the backfield facing the Bills come Week 9, the Seahawks have plenty of talent. It will be especially tough for Tyrod and company to play with the 12th Man in their ears’ on primetime television. The Bills will drop this one going into a much needed bye week.

Seahawks Win 35-27 (5-4)

Week 11 – Bills at Bengals, 1 pm on Fox

After a week off, the Bills jump right back into their meat grinder of a schedule as they head to Cincinnati to face the “Red Rifle” who can’t seem to win a playoff game. I believe this year will be different for the Bengals as they’ll contend with the Steelers to try and win the AFC North and continue their five-year streak of making the playoffs. The sixth times a charm, right?

The Bills have lost the last three meetings versus Cincinnati and all of those game had both teams scoring twenty points or more. Unfortunately for the Bills, the Bengals are too hot to handle in this matchup.

Bengals Win 40-24 (5-5)

Week 12 – Jaguars at Bills, 1 pm on CBS

It seems like every year the Bills play the Jaguars, right? That’s because the Bills have played the Jaguars twelve out of the last sixteen seasons. Typically this game doesn’t mean much for any fan outside of the two fanbases but this year the Jaguars look primed to be contenders for the AFC South title.

With Blake Bortles at the helm throwing to receivers such as Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns, Bortles has churned out strong performances since the Jaguars decided to take the former UCF quarterback as the #3 pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. I believe this game will be a huge momentum swing for Buffalo and they beat the all-the-sudden contending Jacksonville Jaguars at home and avenge the nightmare that was the International Series at Wembley Stadium.

Bills Win 20-17 (6-5)

Week 13 – Bills at Raiders, 4:05 pm on CBS

Buffalo continues the tour of recently contending teams as the Bills slide into Oakland to face the Raiders. The Raiders are another young team with a rising star at helm of their offense and he has boded well for them. A slew of other young talent such as Amari Cooper and Latavius Murray has given fans in the Bay Area something to cheer about.

Last time the Bills faced the Raiders, their slim playoff chances were dashed as the Bills and Kyle Orton lost a tight one. I think the Bills come in and sneak by Oakland in a great, exciting matchup on the California coast. I’m hoping the Raiders don’t leave that coast for Las Vegas after the year.

Bills Win 24-23 (7-5)

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Week 14 – Steelers at Bills, 1 pm on CBS

As the Bills head back to Orchard Park for three consecutive home games, they are greeted by a Super Bowl contending roster in the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers will have Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell awaiting them as they will be looking to clinch a playoff berth.

We all remember the last time the Steelers traveled to Orchard Park. The Bills lost a heartbreaker in overtime as Stevie Johnson dropped a game winning touchdown pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick. I think the Bills squeak by Pittsburgh in this game and surprise many with a victory. Orchard Park on a Sunday in December and the Bills are back “in the hunt”? Sign me up.

Bills Win 35-30 (8-5)

Week 15 – Browns at Bills, 1 pm on CBS

The Browns are a very different team than they were the last time the Bills faced them in Orchard Park. Johnny Manziel was making headlines on-the-field for a change and the list of starting quarterback since 1999 was a few names shorter. The Browns added Robert Griffin III in the offseason and I believe Cleveland of all places could help revitalize his career.

As most Bills fans can remember, Cleveland and Buffalo are not known for their high-scoring affairs versus each other. Back in 2009, the Bills won with a whopping final score of 6-3. I think this one plays out differently.

Bills Win 27-14 (9-5)

Week 16 – Dolphins at Bills, 1 pm on CBS

Miami in Orchard Park in December? There is a football god. Miami at this point may be playing for nothing but the Bills, on the other hand, are listed under the coveted “in the hunt” graphic that’s shown during late season games.

Miami has lost their last four games in Orchard Park as the Bills defense in those instances made Ryan Tannehill feel very comfortable and familiar with the turf. Miami should have an improved record compared to their rough 6-10 of 2015 but I don’t think they’re tough enough to handle the cold of Buffalo on Christmas Eve.

Bills Win 31-13 (10-5)

Week 17 – Bills at Jets, 1 pm on CBS

Well well well. Rex Ryan and the Jets meet again in the final week of the season. This time, is going to be different than last year though. Both teams will be fighting for a playoff spot in a “win-and-your-in” scenario.

This will make for great television to watch but unfortunately for Bills fans, it will make a different type of New Yorker happy. The Jets will win this one and dash the Bills playoff chances in a game that the Jets were waiting to avenge since Week 17 of 2015.

Jets Win 31-27 (10-6)

Feel free to leave your thoughts on my predictions or any predictions of your own in the comments section below!

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