2012 Buffalo Bills Preview

2012 Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo Bills look like a team that could potentially could break out this season. They have come a long way under Chan Gailey in the past couple of years and if they continue to improve, we could be looking at a playoff contender. After a fast start last season that finally included a victory over the terrorizing Patriots, the Bills looked like a team to be reckoned with. However, they fell off in the second half of the season, with RB Fred Jackson getting injured and QB Ryan Fitzpatrick turning the ball over far too many times. A 6-10 record is not going to cut it in a “win-now” league. Buffalo has passionate fans who have endured so much devastation, and the Bills now own the longest playoff drought in the entire NFL. Is this the year they turn things around and possibly be playing in January again?

Offense

For the first few games of last season, the Bills offense was surprisingly dynamic. Ryan Fitzpatrick looked like the genius a Harvard alum is supposed to be, and Fred Jackson was leading the league in yards from scrimmage. When the aforementioned collapse of the season hit, things took a turn for the worst, but Buffalo showed great signs of improvement. They have what could be a two-headed monster at running back with Jackson and the emerging CJ Spiller, so the running game should be in top shape. If anyone besides Stevie Johnson could step up outside, then they would have a nice complimentary set of wide receivers. The key, of course, is for Fitzpatrick to make good decisions. If he limits his turnovers, the Bills could dominate time of possession, take leads into the fourth quarter, and let his new pass rushers go to work. Which brings me to...

Defense

The Buffalo Bills defense improved overnight during the offseason, and that could pretty much be summed up with two words: Mario Williams. The former number one overall pick signed an enormous deal with the Bills and will now be the face of that defense. This unit was atrocious at pressuring the quarterback last year, but with this new force on the outside, they will absolutely have more success in that area this season. All of a sudden, Buffalo has a defensive line of Williams and fellow free agent signee Mark Anderson on the outside, with the tank that is Marcell Dareus plugging up the middle. Put that in front of a solid linebacking core and a secondary bolstered by first round pick Stephon Gilmore and George Wilson, and this crew should be in the top half of the league.

Schedule

The Bills do benefit this year from an easy schedule, playing the AFC South and NFC West, and the Browns and Chiefs along with their division games. They could potentially win out the last seven games, so if they can survive early, they could be in for a good season. Here’s how I see it playing out, more or less:

Week 1: L at Jets

Week 2: W vs Chiefs

Week 3: W at Browns

Week 4: W vs Patriots

Week 5: L at 49ers

Week 6: L at Cardinals

Week 7: W vs Titans

Week 8: Bye

Week 9: L at Texans

Week 10: L at Patriots

Week 11: W vs Dolphins

Week 12: W at Colts

Week 13: W vs Jaguars

Week 14: W vs Rams

Week 15: W vs Seahawks

Week 16: L at Dolphins

Week 17: W vs Jets

The odds of me being right on every one of these games is nearly impossible, but in theory, I have the Bills finishing their season at 10-6, putting them in prime placement for a wild card spot. However, with several talented teams in the AFC, it is unclear whether this will be good enough to lock up a playoff spot. We’ll see if I have the Bills making the playoffs in my final standings edition before the season starts.

The 2012 Buffalo Bills could be a team to watch during the coming season. However, they had a fast start last year as well and ended up completely falling off the track. This year, I feel that the end of their schedule is easy enough that they could make a run for a Wild Card, and be incredibly hot heading into the playoffs, if they make it. Only time will tell if this team will finally reach success, but the future sure is promising. I’ll end this preview with my bold prediction for the Bills, as if having them winning ten games isn’t bold enough. My next will team preview will be the Miami Dolphins, as I make my way through the AFC East. See you soon, fellow sports fans.

Bold Prediction: Fred Jackson and CJ Spiller will combine for over 2,500 yards from scrimmage. I’m looking at a 1,600/900 split, give or take.