LogFAQs > #926768251

I wasn't sure whether to put the Bills or Patriots next. Despite the preseason basically ending any realistic playoff hopes for the Bills, I put them ahead. The Bills went 9-7 last season, but they were definitely lucky as they performed closer to a 6-10 team. They had an above-average pass D, but the offense and run D were bad. They had the NFL's worst turnover differential even accounting for the disastrous 10-turnover game against the Dolphins (-7 for the game). In the offseason, they lost LT Jeff Backus to retirement. They let G Adam Goldberg walk. They replaced them with serviceable but ultimately inferior players. Their lone addition that could have made a difference, first round pick HB Todd Gurley, will not be playing his rookie season. Along with other injuries on offense, and there isn't much reason for hope on offense this season.

The defense theoretically could improve, but I don't have faith in management. It was curious when management admitted that they eschew depth for high-end starters. One look at this team, and you have to wonder how this became the product of that ideology. They have the division's worst (using my expertise and opinion) starting HB, FB, WRs, TE, OL, DE, DT (tough to cross-compare 3-4 and 4-3) OLB, and SS (if we are calling Baker a FS) and only depth at a select few spots. I think it is time for a more flexible approach.

If you want a dark, dark horse playoff contender this season, look no further than the league's worst team last season record-wise! Their post-bye schedule is fantastic. Six of nine games are at home, and nearly every game seems at least somewhat winnable. They are likely to drop at least one of two from the Dolphins, and the Rams/Ravens will likely be tough, but both of those games are at home, and their away schedule aside from the Dolphins are the Browns and Titans. The remaining games include the Bengals, Chiefs, and Wildcats. In a best-case scenario, they could go 7-2, and that puts them squarely in the playoff hunt. They have to survive their first half schedule, which includes both Jets games and road games against the Seahawks and Steelers, so it is probably too much to ask they finish with a record within a game or two of .500 entering the bye, but that's why they are a dark, dark horse!

That will be contingent on so many factors though and unfortunately on both sides of the ball. Right now, they are projected to have the lowest-rated starting QB since Ryan Fitzpatrick of the doomed S2 Eagles (they moved to Las Vegas for a reason!) in Logan Thomas of the 47.6 rookie passer rating. Their other choices are rookie QB Ryan Nassib and a former 1st round pick in Case Keenum coming off a terrible sophomore season. All are sub-80 rated, and WR Lance Leggett has to feel that his career has been wasted. Luckily, they have bright spots in HB Dexter McCluster and one of the league's best OL. Their DL is still fantastic, but beyond that, the defense is mostly full of replacement-level players and unknowns outside of OLB Bruce Irvin. Maybe #1 overall pick OLB Preston Smith comes to the rescue, and a great preseason might propel 10-year vet and 112 game starter SS Keon Jackson to finally have a breakout season. I don't see it happening, but there's a path for this team to be a surprise Wild Card contender. They just need plenty of good luck for them and bad luck for the rest of the league.
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KCF can't actually be a real person but he is - greengravy
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