After another painful playoff exit, the Bills will be looking to go all the way in 2022-23.
Strength
The Bills had a very good all-around team last season, but their major strength is their defence.
They conceded the fewest number of points, yards, first downs, passing yards and passing touchdowns. Having such a strong defence last year and looking at their off-season moves including the signing of future Hall of Fame pass rusher Von Miller and rookie cornerback Kaiir Elam, expect the Bills’ defence to be one of the strongest units in the NFL.
Weakness
Their Achilles heel last season was their offensive line and the protection of quarterback Josh Allen, who was sacked 26 times, meaning multiple games were lost due to poor offensive line play – and they have no major upgrade.
Player to watch
At pick 63 in the 2022 NFL draft, the Buffalo Bills selected Georgia running back James Cook. Along with the poor offensive line play, Allen was the biggest running threat for the Bills without a threat out of the backfield.
Cook instantly becomes the best pass-catching running back on the roster but can he have an instant impact on the running game?
Who’s under pressure?
I don’t think a certain player is under pressure, but the cornerback room needs to perform early. With star Tre’Davious White likely to miss a portion of the season after tearing his ACL late last season, they are likely to start rookie Kaiir Elam and Taron Johnson.
They have a reputation as the best pass defence in the NFL, but a lot of that hinges on White.
Projection
It is hard to see the Bills going backwards after the off-season they have had. Their defence is one of the best in the league and they have a genuine MVP-calibre player in Josh Allen.
They have had playoff heartbreak for the past two seasons and will have a massive chip on their shoulder to go all the way.
Win-loss: 13-4
Jake Smith
Roar Rookie
Saffold wasnt very good last year with the Titans so I'm not convinced personally! He is a player to watch for sure, but if this offence is as good as I think it will be, we might not see him much :laughing:
Sheikh
Roar Rookie
I'd call getting Roger Saffold a reasonable upgrade to the Bills O-line, although at 34 he may be losing a step and certainly isn't the long-term answer. By my count the Bills are going into training camp with 17 offensive linemen! I thought you may have included the Punt God as a player to watch, too. ;)