2017 Record - 9-7-0
Head Coach - Sean McDermott
2017 Offensive Ranking - 29th (303 ypg, 18.9 points per game)
2017 Defensive Ranking - 26th (355 ypg, 22.4 points allowed per game)
OFFENSE - Quarterback A.J. McCarron was injured recently in the pre-season, so it looks like rookie Josh Allen (Wyoming) could be the starter when the season starts. Nathan Peterman (252 passing yards, two touchdowns, five interceptions) is another possibility.
Running back LeSean McCoy (1,138 rush yards, six TD and 59 receptions for 448 yards and two TD) is back for another season along with journeyman back Chris Ivory, who rushed for 382 yards with a touchdown and had 21 receptions with Jacksonville last year.
Wide receivers include Kelvin Benjamin (48, 692, three TD), Zay Jones (27, 316, one TD), Kaelin Clay, Jeremy Kerley (22, 217, one TD with NY Jets) and Andre Holmes (13, 210, three TD). The tight ends are Charles Clay (49, 558, two TD) and Nick O' Leary (22, 322, two TD). Rookies Ray-Ray McCloud (Clemson) and Austin Proehl (North Carolina) are looking for their chance to play as well.
DEFENSE - Up front for the Bills is Jerry Hughes (four QB sacks), Star Lotulelei, Kyle Williams, Trent Murphy, Shaq Lawson (four sacks) and rookie Harrison Phillips (Stanford). Linebackers include top rookie pick Tremaine Edmunds (Virginia Tech), Lorenzo Alexander (three sacks) and Matt Milano.
Defensive backs Tre'Davious White (four interceptions), Vontae Davis, Jordan Poyer (five INT) and Micah Hyde (five picks) lead a solid unit that intercepted 18 passes last season while allowing 231 yards passing per game. Rookies Siran Neal (Jacksonville State) and Taron Johnson (Weber State) will add depth.
OUTLOOK - The Buffalo Bills ended an 18-year playoff drought last year and lost a tough defensive game to Jacksonville in the Wild Card round of the AFC playoffs. Head Coach Sean McDermott would like to see the team make it two years in a row in the post-season.
Tyrod Taylor left the Bills following the 2017 season, leaving A.J. McCarron as the heir apparent to start at quarterback this season. But an injury may sideline McCarron for possibly the entire season, so now it's either first-round draft pick Josh Allen or Nathan Peterman looking at the starting QB spot.
The offense struggled last season, relying too much on the running game so even with Kelvin Benjamin at wide receiver, the Bills have to improve in that area in the 2018 season. Buffalo finished 31st in the league last year, averaging only 177 passing yards per game.
The defense is decent, but lacks real pass rushing pressure, evidenced by a meager 27 QB sacks last season. Opponents also ran all over the Bills (29th ranked in NFL) as they allowed 125 yards rushing per game.
The Bills got hot down the stretch last season (going 3-1) to get into the playoffs, but this year they will not take any teams by surprise. They have a tough schedule in 2018, so getting back to the playoffs will be a bigger challenge, especially with the question marks at the quarterback position.
Look for a 7-9 finish this year for the Bills as they look to the future with new talent at quarterback and improvement in the passing game.
2018 TEAM SCHEDULE
Week 1 - at Baltimore
Week 2 - vs. LA Chargers
Week 3 - at Minnesota
Week 4 - at Green Bay
Week 5 - vs. Tennessee
Week 6 - at Houston
Week 7 - at Indianapolis
Week 8 - vs. New England
Week 9 - vs. Chicago
Week 10 - at NY Jets
Week 11 - Bye
Week 12 - vs. Jacksonville
Week 13 - at Miami
Week 14 - vs. NY Jets
Week 15 - vs. Detroit
Week 16 - at New England
Week 17 - vs. Miami
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