Buffalo has some decent pieces, and if quarterback Tyrod Taylor and running back LeSean McCoy can help run an efficient offense, it’s not out of the question that the Bills push to finish with a winning record of make the playoffs. However, the level of talent is not on the same level as teams like the New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers or Oakland Raiders.
The Bills have a new coaching staff and recently jettisoned star wideout Sammy Watkins in a trade, brightening the future but hurting this year’s squad. The defense will need to dominate and the ground game must be unparalleled for Buffalo to truly have a shot to win the AFC.
AFC Opening Odds at BookMaker.eu
New England Patriots +190
Pittsburgh Steelers +675
Oakland Raiders +700
Kansas City Chiefs +1000
Houston Texans +1200
Denver Broncos +1300
Indianapolis Colts +1500
Baltimore Ravens +1700
Tennessee Titans +2000
Cincinnati Bengals +2300
Miami Dolphins +2500
Los Angeles Chargers +3500
Jacksonville Jaguars +3500
Buffalo Bills +4500
Cleveland Browns +15000
New York Jets +15000
Key Players for Winning the AFC
Tyrod Taylor – The Bills looked like they might be moving on from the dual-threat signal-caller but he is back with the starting role. Taylor was decent last season, throwing for 3,023 yards with 17 touchdowns against six interceptions. He added 95 carries for 580 rushing yards and six more scores, and is one of the most elusive quarterbacks in the NFL. Taylor needs to improve through the air, but his mobility certainly puts stress on defenses.
LeSean McCoy - Shady has long been one of the best running backs in the NFL and his work in 2016 was no exception. McCoy finished the year with 234 carries for 1,267 yards and 13 touchdowns while adding 50 catches for 356 yards and another score. McCoy is entering his age-29 season, which is traditionally when running backs tend to fall off, but he is showing no signs of slowing down. If the Bills truly have any plans of competing with the Patriots for their division and the AFC, McCoy has to be fantastic.
Jordan Matthews -- The Bills acquired the wideout from the Eagles in exchange for cornerback Ronald Darby in order to help make up for the loss of Watkins. Matthews had 73 catches for 804 yards and three touchdowns a season ago, which was a down year for his standards. He is hoping a change of scenery will be a good thing, and the Bills are in bad need of a playmaker on the outside now that Watkins is gone.
Marcell Dareus -- The defensive tackle is a former star who had a down year in 2016. Dareus played in only eight games and finished with just 3.5 sacks when he is capable of much more. When Buffalo is at its best, the defensive line is terrorizing quarterbacks. Dareus is a big part of that and hopes to play well this year. He is still only 27 years old so there should be plenty of good football ahead of Dareus in his career.
Tre’Davious White -- The first-round pick has already ascended the depth chart and could be the team’s best cornerback in 2017 despite being a rookie. Stephon Gilmore left for the Patriots in free agency while Darby was traded, so there are big questions in the secondary. If White can step in and help fill that void, it would be a big step in the right direction. The Bills have some holes on both sides of the roster and need these five players to excel if the season is to go better than projected.
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