2019 Record - 10-6-0
Head Coach - Sean McDermott
New Players in 2020 - Stephon Diggs (WR), Josh Norman (DB), Mario Addison (DL), Daryl Williams (OL), Vernon Butler (DL), A.J. Klein (LB), Evan Boehm (OL), Quinton Jefferson (DL), Tyler Matakevich (LB), Taiwan Jones (RB)
Players opting out for 2020 season (COVID-19) - E.J. Gaines (DB), Star Lotulelei (DL)
OFFENSE - Josh Allen is entering his third season as the quarterback in Buffalo and last season he threw for 3,089 yards with 20 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He also rushed for 510 yards (4.7 ypc average) and scored nine touchdowns. Matt Barkley is the backup quarterback. Rookie QB Jake Fromm (Georgia) is also in camp. The running backs are Devin Singletary (775 yards, 5.1 ypc, two TD), Taiwan Jones and rookie Zack Moss (Utah).
The Bills look to have three primary receivers this season as Stephon Diggs (63 receptions, 1,130 yards and six TD) comes over from Minnesota to join Cole Beasley (67, 778, six TD) and John Brown, who led the Bills in receiving with 72 receptions for 1,060 yards and six touchdowns. The tight ends are Dawson Knox (28, 388, two TD) and Tyler Kroft.
Buffalo ran the ball well in 2019, gaining 128 yards per game (eighth in NFL) but they ranked 26th in passing with 202 yards per game. The team only averaged 19.6 points per game while the offense ranked 24th with 330 yards per game.
DEFENSE - Mario Addison ( 9 1/2 QB sacks in Carolina) will play defensive end along with Jerry Hughes (4 1/2 sacks) while Ed Oliver (five sacks) and either Vernon Butler (six sacks with Carolina) or Quinton Jefferson will be the tackles.
Trent Murphy (five sacks) is another edge rusher along with rookie A.J. Epenesa (Iowa). A.J. Klein and Matt Milano will man the outside linebacker spots with Tremaine Edmunds in the middle.
Tre'Davious White tied for the league lead with six interceptions a year ago and will play the corner spot along with Levi Wallace (two INT) at the other spot. The safeties are Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer (two picks) while Josh Norman, Dean Marlowe and Jacquan Johnson provide depth.
OUTLOOK FOR 2020 - The Bills made it back to the playoffs last year but squandered a 13-point lead and lost to Houston in the wild card round. Head Coach Sean McDermott just received a multi-year contract extension so the team is banking on him to get the job done of seeing the Bills go further in the post-season.
The passing game should get a big boost with Diggs teaming with Brown and Beasley. They could be a three-headed monster that will likely enable the running game to open up. Devin Singletary will get more of the load at running back this season with Frank Gore having gone to the New York Jets via free agency. Better pass protection is also necessary as Allen was sacked 40 times last season, but he is adept at making things happen with his legs.
The defense is solid and finished third overall in total defense, allowing 298 yards per game. The run defense (103 yards per game) was tenth in the NFL and the pass defense gave up 195 yards a game while intercepting 14 passes and getting 44 sacks. The Bills defense allowed 16.2 points per game, which was second best in the league.
As long as Allen gets protection and doesn't get too reckless, the team should see improvement in the passing game and hit paydirt more often which would be a big boost. The defense is among the best in pro football and barring injury should stay that way. Look for the Bills to make the playoffs once again and maybe even unseat New England for the top spot in the AFC East this season.
TEAM SCHEDULE
Week One - vs. N.Y. Jets
Week Two - at Miami
Week Three - vs. L.A. Rams
Week Four - at Las Vegas
Week Five - at Tennessee
Week Six - vs. Kansas City
Week Seven - at N.Y. Jets
Week Eight - vs. New England
Week Nine - vs. Seattle
Week Ten - at Arizona
Week Eleven - BYE
Week Twelve - vs. L.A. Chargers
Week Thirteen - at San Francisco
Week Fourteen - vs. Pittsburgh
Week Fifteen - at Denver
Week Sixteen - at New England
Week Seventeen - vs. Miami
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