2018 NFL Power Rankings: Wild Card edition

10. Buffalo Bills

9-7 (Wild Card)

No. 6 Seed in AFC

There was that 5-2 start, an ugly midseason slump (accentuated with a bizarre benching) and then three wins in five weeks – both losses to the New England Patriots. There would be a 22-16 victory over the Miami Dolphins in South Florida and then the waiting.

And then it came. Cincinnati Bengals’ quarterback Andy Dalton found wide receiver Tyler Boyd on fourth-and-12 late in Baltimore, the results would be a 31-27 win for the road team. It would also put the Buffalo Bills in the playoffs for the first time since 1999 – ending the NFL’s longest current drought in terms of a postseason appearance.

For first-time NFL head coach Sean McDermott, it was salvation in terms of what had happened a few months earlier. Off two straight lopsided losses to the Jets and Saints, the team sat starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor in place of rookie Natahn Peterman. He would serve up five first-half interceptions in what proved to be a humiliating 54-24 loss to the Chargers. Experiment over.

Fortunately, the team was able to get back on track. And here it stands with the team ready to face the Jacksonville Jaguars this weekend. The big question is the status of running back LeSean McCoy, who rolled up 1,586 yards from scrimmage and led the team in rushing yards and receptions.

As for Taylor, it was another efficient season. He finished with a 62.6 completion percentage, totaling 14 scores through the air and another four on the ground. And he turned over the football only six times despite being sacked 46 times. On the down side, Buffalo’s defense slumped after a strong start and must get back on track if the team’s playoff run is to last more than one week.

Next: No. 9