NFL record predictions for the 2018 regular season
By Ian Cummings
Buffalo Bills
I like the Buffalo Bills. I really do. The way Bills Mafia reacted to the team’s punching of the playoff ticket last year was priceless. They came in waves to donate to Andy Dalton’s charity after Dalton and the Bengals eliminated the Ravens, effectively cementing the Bills’ standing in the playoff bracket.
This is an NFL fanbase that was starved of the playoffs, and for a fleeting seven days, they got what they wished for. It’s good that they went to the playoffs last year, because an immediate return to the big dance doesn’t seem to be in the cards.
The Bills have bright spots on their roster, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. The linebacking core, although previously weak, has up and coming players like Matt Milano and 2018 first-round pick Tremaine Edmunds. The latter, who is only 19 years old, has game-changing potential in that defense, and he should only get better as the year progresses.
In the secondary, the Bills are far from short-staffed; At cornerback returns the illustrious 2017 first-round pick Tre’Davious White, a player who locked down opponents week in and week out in his rookie season. He’s joined by Vontae Davis on the opposite end, the playmaking safety duo of Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer on the back end, and versatile fifth-round rookie Siran Neal.
In a concerted effort to further improve their defense, the Bills made a point to bolster the trenches this offseason. In addition to players like Kyle Williams, Jerry Hughes, Adolphus Washington, and Shaq Lawson, the team also signed veteran defensive tackle Star Lotulelei, disruptive edge rusher Trent Murphy, and third-round rookie Harrison Phillips, who provides valuable depth in a strong defensive line rotation.
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The Bills’ defense is nothing to scoff at, and while there are some moving pieces, those pieces should be able to mesh into an above-average unit this season. Still, the large number of aging veterans is concerning, and the sad state of the Bills’ offense does not remedy that concern.
On offense, the Bills have very few proven players to incite confidence. Running back LeSean McCoy immediately comes to mind as a potential saving grace, but he turns 30 years old later this year, and traditionally, running backs with his workload see their production decrease after that point. Furthermore, his blockers are far from solid. The offensive line lost two key veterans, including stout run blocker Richie Incognito, after an already inconsistent 2017 campaign, while failing to add any notable players in the offseason. Teams build up from the trenches, and on offense, the Bills’ trench situation is very much in disarray. I mean, they’re starting Russell Bodine at center. Come on.
McCoy doesn’t have much backup at skill positions, either. Those positions are mired with players limited in some way, shape, or form. Kelvin Benjamin is too slow, and it’s not known if he’s a good fit for Brian Daboll’s new offense. Zay Jones has some developing to do after an up-and-down rookie year. Charles Clay is aging, although he might be the best piece of security on the Bills’ offense, aside from McCoy.
It also doesn’t help that the Bills’ quarterback situation is one of the most uncertain in the entire NFL. Josh Allen should start at some point in his rookie season, but he’s far from pro ready. He has a cannon for an arm, but he’ll need time to learn. With A.J. McCarron serving as the only player standing between Allen and the field, time might not be an attainable luxury, especially for a top ten pick in the NFL Draft.
Allen could be thrown into the fire too early, and this will not only stunt his development, but also contribute to the Bills’ fall in 2018. If the Bills can’t score and sustain drives, then their defense will wear themselves out. And the Bills will end up on the losing end of too many wars of attrition. They’re a team with some promise in important areas, but far too many questions linger to suggest that this team will be anywhere near a second NFL playoff berth in 2018.