2013 Buffalo Bills
The 2013 Buffalo Bills are a team in transition. They haven’t won anything in years, but no matter how much they rebuild, they were never quite good enough to compete with the Patriots this last decade. Usually, the problem was either quarterback play; one can only win so many games with the likes of JP Losman and Ryan Fitzpatrick running the offense. Last season, the defense was atrocious, allowing 3o or more points in nearly half their games. While this season should be another rebuilding campaign for the Bills, there is a real sense of hope for the first time in recent years. A new regime has taken over, led by former Syracuse coach Doug Marrone and their first round draft pick, former Florida State QB EJ Manuel. It looks like Kevin Kolb will get the Week 1 start, but Manuel is the signal caller of the future, someone whose ceiling could be a career like Donovan McNabb (although that, to me, is unlikely). There are a few stars on this team (Spiller, Mario Williams), but there isn’t enough talent to realistically compete in the AFC, yet. Let’s take a look at the schedule to see how many games the Bills could win in 2013. The offense looks promising, but the defense will hold this team back.
Schedule
Week 1: L vs NE
Week 2: L vs CAR
Week 3: W at NYJ
Week 4: L vs BAL
Week 5: L at CLE
Week 6: W vs CIN
Week 7: L at MIA
Week 8: L at NO
Week 9: W vs KC
Week 10: L at PIT
Week 11: W vs NYJ
Week 12: Bye
Week 13: L vs ATL
Week 14: L at TB
Week 15: W at JAC
Week 16: W vs MIA
Week 17: L at NE
Obviously, trying to predict every single game is a feat destined to fail. However, this exercise is more of a big picture thing: I think the 2013 Buffalo Bills will be 6-10 this season, after a 6-10 2012. This does not mean, however, that they will not improve in a way. With a new coach and quarterback (I think Manuel will become the starter sometime during the second half of the season) there will be growing pains, and I still think that the defense will struggle. This team will continue to get better in the coming years, but as for right now they are solidly locked in to the third place spot in the AFC East, behind the Dolphins but ahead of the Jets. The brightest spot on this roster is the running back, CJ Spiller, who is a candidate for the top overall RB in the NFL. He has incredible breakaway speed and top level elusiveness, which is a deadly combination for defenses. I think that he will be a top 10 fantasy back, in the bottom half, at about number 8. However, if Spiller does break out in a big way, that could steal Buffalo a couple of extra wins. The Bills have an uphill climb, and therefore I don’t think they will win more than 6 games. So now, I’ll leave you with a bold prediction, and the next team preview coming up will be for the Miami Dolphins. Until next time.
Bold Prediction: Rookie WR Robert Woods will lead the team in receptions and reception TDs (66 and 7, respectively).
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