NFL playoffs: How your team can make it

The Buffalo Bills need to get back into the playoffs. The franchise is currently riding the biggest postseason drought in the NFL, not having made the dance since 1999. Buffalo took some steps last year, finishing 9-7 before head coach Doug Marrone decided to opt out of his contract and quarterback Kyle Orton retired. Things seem gloomy for a minute, but then fortunes changed.

Rex Ryan has come to replace Marrone, and general manager Doug Whaley proved to be a big mover-and-shaker this offseason. Whaley made the trade of the year when he shipped promising third-year middle linebacker Kiko Alonso to the Philadelphia Eagles for All-Pro running back LeSean McCoy. Buffalo then signed guard Richie Incognito, receiver Percy Harvin, tight end Charles Clay, fullback Jerome Felton and traded for quarterback Matt Cassel.

The Bills have plenty of buzz surrounding them and for good reason. The offense is revamped by the aforementioned moves and the defense remains terrifying with a defensive front that includes Mario Williams, Marcell Dareus, Kyle Williams and Jerry Hughes. With Ryan calling the shots, expect a ton of pressure in all kinds of schemes, forcing teams to declare their intentions early.

The main question with whether or not the Bills can contend is the quarterback spot. Cassel will battle in training camp with third-year man and former first-round pick, EJ Manuel. Manuel has been a bust to this point, failing to show a accurate arm. Whoever wins this job has to do little except for manage the game. It’s all about minimizing turnovers and allowing the talent around him to flourish. To Cassel’s credit, he won the AFC West with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2010 and won 11 games in 2008 with New England.

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