The Buffalo Bills are looking to build on a (6-10) 2018 season. A season where the Bills defense shined, ranking 2nd in the league in yards allowed, but suffered growing pains at quarterback under franchise incumbent Josh Allen. The Bills hope to improve at defensive tackle with their first round draft pick of Ed Oliver, whom is primed to possibly be Defensive Rookie of the year. On Offense, the Bills acquired free agent slot receiver Cole Beasley, hoping to improve quarterback Josh Allen’s 67.9 passer rating, the 14th worst of all time by a quarterback of 300 or more pass attempts. Week 1 is where the rubber meets the road as the Bills travel to play the new look New York Jets.
Week 1 at New York Jets
Although this will be an exciting kickoff to the season against young franchise quarterback Sam Darnold, I see the talent of newly acquired free agent Leveon Bell shine in this one. The Bills offense puts together a few scoring drives, but is unable to get after Sam Darnold and cover the versatile Leveon Bell.
Loss (0-1)
Week 2 at New York Giants
The Bills should bounce back in this matchup, as they face the New York Giants, whom did nothing in the offseason to improve their offense or defense. The Giants are in rebuild mode and the Bills defense will force enough turnovers to get the job done
Win (1-1)
Week 3 vs Cincinnati Bengals
Although Josh Allen has a bad performance against the Bengals last year, he should bounce bank and provide enough offensive power to beat a team full of uncertainty. With Andy Dalton’s future being uncertain and the drafting of underrated quarterback Ryan Finley, I see another bad performance lurking.
Win (2-1)
Week 4 vs New England Patriots
New England has owned the Bills since the Belichick/Brady era began. As long as those two are on the sidelines I am not picking against them.
Loss (2-2)
Week 5 at Tennessee Titans
Marcus Mariota has been a steady decline over the past two seasons throwing only 24 touchdowns and 25 interceptions over that stretch. I see a bad Marcus Mariota in this matchup, and a low scoring Bills win.
Win (3-2)
Week 6 Bye
Week 7 vs Miami Dolphins
Miami is in full rebuild mode, and even with the acquisition of Josh Rosen, the roster just isn’t there to compete on a consistent basis.
Win (4-2)
Week 8 vs Philadelphia Eagles
If Carson Wentz returns to the Carson Wentz of 2017, I see the addition of Desean Jackson as a deep target making a combination the Bills will not be able to contain.
Loss (4-3)
Week 9 vs Washington Redskins
Depending on how the first 8 weeks of the regular season go for the Redskins, the Bills could either be facing Dwayne Haskins or Case Keenum. Going with the assumption of Keenum being the starter, I see the bills fluster a turnover prone quarterback to a win.
Win (5-3)
Week 10 at Cleveland Browns
Baker Mayfield was wonderful as a rookie and with the addition of Odell Beckham Jr to pair with Jarvis Landry; the Browns offense will be hard to stop. With the Browns improving and having a 5-2-1 record at home in the 2018 season, I can’t go against the Browns.
Loss (5-4)
Week 11 at Miami Dolphins
I see this as a repeat of their week 7 matchup, Bills win.
Win (6-4)
Week 12 vs Denver Broncos
I am not buying the Joe Flacco hype, and although John Elway drafted Noah Fant out of Iowa to provide a target, the Broncos don’t have enough weapons to outmaneuver the Bills defense.
Win (7-4)
Week 13 at Dallas Cowboys
Dak Prescott outduels Josh Allen in this one holding a 72.2 percentage completion rate at AT&T stadium.
Loss (7-5)
Week 14 vs Baltimore Ravens
I do not believe in Lamar Jackson as a pocket passer in this league. The Bills will force Jackson to throw from the pocket and win a close one.
Win (8-5)
Week 15 at Pittsburgh Steelers
With this game occurring towards the end of the season, I expect Big Ben and Crew to be in the thick of the playoff picture and take advantage of the Steel Curtain at home for a win.
Loss (8-6)
Week 16 at New England Patriots
Tom and Bill outplay and coach Allen and McDermott for a series sweep.
Loss (8-7)
Week 17 vs New York Jets
In the regular season finale, the Bills will have more playoff implications on the line than the Jets. With the advantage of seeing Bell already and adapting a scheme to stymy bell, I see the Bills pulling off a win at home.
Win (9-7)
This line shocks me as the Dolphins digressed, and the Bills also play the below average Jets, Titans, Bengals, and Redskins on the year. This is a no brainer, take the Over.
