Dec 18, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (25) runs the ball in the end zone for a touchdown during the second half against the Cleveland Browns at New Era Field. Buffalo beats Cleveland 33 to 13. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
The Buffalo Bills have one of the toughest schedules for the 2017 NFL season. Breaking down the slate and how the Bills can navigate it.
The Buffalo Bills will enter Week 1 of the 2017 NFL season looking to end a 20-year playoff drought. The Bills made drastic changes to their front office, as they look to move their organization in the right direction. On the field, however, the Bills didn't make too many changes, as the core of the team is stable.
Quarterback Tyrod Taylor and running back LeSean McCoy will be tasked with carrying a heavy workload, looking to drive the Bills to the playoffs on offense. One obstacle that stands in their way is the schedule. According to ESPN, the Bills have the fifth toughest schedule in the NFL this season.
Breaking down the schedule into three parts (Weeks 1-8, 9-12 and 13-17), let's take a look at what the Bills need to do in 2017.
Weeks 1-8
The first eight weeks of the Bills schedule is absolutely deadly. No other way to put it. The Bills definitely have the toughest start in the NFL. Week 1 is against the division rival New York Jets at home, which should be a win for the Bills. The Jets are coming into the 2017 season without a secure starting quarterback, and a roster that severely lacks any playmakers. After the season-opener, the Bills next seven games are the hardest stretch of their schedule.
The Bills play three home games against the Denver Broncos, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Oakland Raiders. Those are matched with three road games against the Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals and Atlanta Falcons, with their bye week coming in Week 6.
Every single one of those opponents could be playoff bound. The Panthers will be better than last year, as Christian McCaffrey will provide additional firepower to that offense. Similarly, the Bengals and Broncos ought to bounce back from last year after missing the playoffs. The Buccaneers improved their stock with the additions of DeSean Jackson and O.J. Howard and look to be a serious contender in the NFC. Lastly in this stretch, the Raiders and Falcons have the potential to be Super Bowl contenders this season.
In the end, the Bills will need to sneak out of this seven game stretch at least a 3-4 record if they have any hope of making the playoffs.
Nov 6, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) throws his arm band in protest after receiving a flag for unsportsmanlike conduct after the Jacksonville Jaguars did not receive a pass interference call during the second half at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 19-14. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Weeks 9-12
The Bills schedule doesn't get any easier after Week 8. They head to New York to play the Jets in Week 9, where they must take care of business. Going 2-0 against the Jets is a requirement this year if Buffalo is to have any hope of making the playoffs.
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With the New Orleans Saints coming to town in Week 10, the schedule keeps getting tougher. The Saints are going to be a formidable opponent for any team this season with their strong offense led by Drew Brees, who hasn't lost a step at the age 38. Coupled with the addition of Adrian Peterson, their offense is as good as any in this league.
Weeks 11 and 12 won't get any easier for the Bills, as they head on the road to play a couple AFC West opponents in the Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs. The Chargers could be a dark horse team in the AFC this season. Meanwhile, playing the Chiefs on the road is never easy, as beating them at Arrowhead Stadium is a daunting task.
This stretch for the Bills is very important for their playoff hopes, I am predicting they need to win at least three games. Those two road games against the AFC West will truly show what the Bills are made of this season.
Dec 4, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) reacts after a touchdown during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Weeks 13-17
The last five games of the season for the Bills will be against four divisional teams, which will ultimately determine the fate of their season. The New England Patriots will come to town in Week 13, and it goes without saying this is a difficult opponent. Bill Belichick and company own the Bills at home and on the road, and one could argue an automatic loss for the Bills.
After that tough matchup, the Bills will then go home for Weeks 14 and 15 against the Indianapolis Colts and Miami Dolphins before playing at Foxborough for Week 16. They'll then finishing the season with Miami at home in Week 17.
Having to play the Patriots twice in a four-week span is tough. The Bills will have to try and find a way to win one of those games and keep the playoffs within reach. Also, sweeping the Dolphins and beating the Colts at home will be imperative for their playoff chances.
It's in this stage of the season, that they are going to have to make up for the tough start. Bottom line, the schedulers didn't give this re-tooling Bills team any room for error. A playoff push later in the season isn't out of the question if they can handle the tough start of their schedule.
