Buffalo Bills 2017 schedule release: Games, dates and times

Jan 3, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Sammy Watkins (14) runs the ball after a catch during the first half against the New York Jets at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Sammy Watkins (14) runs the ball after a catch during the first half against the New York Jets at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Buffalo Bills went 7-9 last season and finished in third place in the AFC East. Here is there 2017 schedule…

The Buffalo Bills hung around in the playoff race for a long time. At the end of their day it was their defense that let them down and shot them all the way to third place in the AFC East. Fortunately for them, it means that in 2017, they play the rest of the third place teams in the conference.

Their schedule will play out as follows…

Week 1: vs. New York Jets
Week 2: at Carolina
Week 3: vs. Denver
Week 4: at Atlanta
Week 5: at Cincinnati
Week 6: BYE
Week 7: vs. Tampa Bay
Week 8: vs. Oakland
Week 9: at New York Jets (TNF)
Week 10: vs. New Orleans
Week 11: at Los Angeles Chargers
Week 12: at Kansas City
Week 13: vs. New England
Week 14 vs. Indianapolis
Week 15: vs. Miami
Week 16: at New England
Week 17: at Miami

The obvious big change the Bills saw this offseason was the firing of Rex Ryan, and the hiring of Sean McDermott as head coach. Whether Ryan was a fit or not, this will now be third completely new defensive scheme in the past four seasons. A player such as Marcell Dareus has been around for every change, and you start to wonder when that starts to catch up to a player.

On defense the Bills lost Zach Brown and Stephon Gilmore. On offense, they swapped out Robert Woods for Corey Brown and Marquise Goodwin for Andre Holmes. Fortunately for them, they held onto Tyrod Taylor, or else this would have been a team picking in the top 10 in 2017, but destined to get a lower pick in 2018.

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Still, the Bills come into the NFL draft with needs at almost every position. Skill players, and defensive players who fit their new scheme should be the theme of their draft.