1 bold prediction for all 32 teams in 2023

Buffalo Bills’ Bold Prediction – The Bills Fail To Win The AFC East

Something was off with Buffalo at the end of last season as the team that got to the playoffs wasn’t nearly as dominant as the one who got off to a flying start at the beginning of the season. It’s true that a key late-season injury to Von Miller hurt the Bills’ defense but Buffalo’s offense also took a step back as Josh Allen made plenty of key mistakes down the stretch.

Free agency also wasn’t a boon for Buffalo, which didn’t find a second receiver to take pressure off Stefon Diggs or a game-breaking runner to bolster a rushing attack that opposing teams didn’t respect. When you factor in the improvements that Miami and New York made as well, the gap between those teams has shrunk considerably.

The other thing working against Buffalo is its schedule, which is more difficult this season as a result of playing both the NFC East and AFC West outside of their division games. The placement games also see the Bills take on Cincinnati, Jacksonville and Tampa Bay, a trio of games more difficult than anyone else in the AFC East will draw.

The talent on Buffalo’s roster is still sufficient to make the playoffs, but this year’s trip will come via the wild card route. Road playoff games should mean an earlier exit for Buffalo than they’ve become accustomed to, raising the pressure on the front office to find the missing pieces to take advantage of a championship window.