Ranking the Bills

Oct 20, 2013; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Detail shot of a Buffalo Bills helmet and gatorade towel in the second quarter of a game at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

As we all know, the season is halfway over.  Lets look at where the Buffalo Bills are right now, as to where they ended up last year and see if they are better, worse or still the same old Bills.

Last year in total offense, the Buffalo Bills were ranked 19th overall at the end of the season and finished with an average of 342.9 yards per game.  So far this year they are a little under that mark but are still ranked in 19th.  They are currently averaging 329.0 yards per game.  The most notable team that is right in front of the Bills is the 18th place New England Patriots that are averaging just a yard more a game, 330.0.  Is there a major difference from last year to right now in the Bills play and offense.  The most notable is that the games are close and most have only been won or lost by no more than 7 points.  The Browns and the Saints games were the only ones to finish with more than a 7 point difference.

On the other side of the ball, the defense is ranked 26th overall allowing an average of 381.1 yards per game.  Last year the Buffalo Bills were ranked in 11th place allowing only 362.9 yards per game.  If the Bills kept that number from last year, and were still averaging the same they would only be ranked in 22nd right now.  They are only allowing 20 more yards a game but are ranked 14 spots lower than last year.  This could be because only half of the games are over and a lot can be done in the last 8 games versus the entire season, but there may still be some concern.  Is Mike Pettine’s defense better than Dave Wannstedt’s from last year.  Number-wise it doesn’t look like it on paper, but on the field there are definite notable differences that point towards positive change.  The Bills are getting pressure and have been able to get sacks this year.  Right now the Bills are ranked in 2nd place with 27.0 sacks only behind the Chiefs who have 36.0.  The Bills finished the season last year with 36.0 sacks so there is definite improvement there.

So the question at hand is are the Bills improving from last year?  I think that there is a show of improvement in a lot of the categories, we will have to wait and see when the season finishes as to whether or not statistically they have improved, but even statistically, if they have not on paper, the true test is the one on the field.