Fansided

One reason every team can win Super Bowl 52

By John Buhler

Dec 18, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) looks on after losing 41-48 to the New Orleans Saints at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) looks on after losing 41-48 to the New Orleans Saints at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 18, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (25) runs the ball during the first half against the Cleveland Browns at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (25) runs the ball during the first half against the Cleveland Browns at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /

Buffalo Bills: running game and defense can translate to playoff success

The 2016 Buffalo Bills are your stereotypical middle-of-the-pack NFL team. Buffalo will finish around .500 and barely miss the playoffs. The Bills do some things well, but also get in their own way and lose the occasional game they shouldn’t.

The Rex Ryan era in Orchard Park may be coming to an end here soon, but it seems general manager Doug Whaley isn’t going anywhere. Whaley seems to have the trust of the Pegula family, and while he hasn’t been perfect as a general manager, he’s assembled a roster in Buffalo that could pop in 2017 under the right head coach.

To be fair, a lot of players on the 2016 Bills adore Ryan, viewing him as the ultimate players’ coach. The problem is that Ryan likes to win press conferences more than he does tight ball games. The margin for error in the NFL is razor-thin, and a lack of attention to detail could be the end of the road for Ryan in New York.

Whoever is coaching the 2017 Bills will inherit strong defensive personnel, decent offensive players and a navigable third-place schedule. Buffalo will be in that 8-8 range again in 2016, but if the right coach can get them to 10-6 and into the AFC Playoffs mix in 2017, who’s to say a strong defense and ground-and-pound offense can’t hoist the Lombardi Trophy in Minneapolis?

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