Buffalo Bills: Important Games on the 2017 Schedule

The Buffalo Bills’ 2017-18 schedule has been released and the NFL draft begins next week.

The end of April is nearing and the better part of the offseason is upon us. Now is the time to predict that winning record for the Buffalo Bills — and take your shot at who the Bills will select with the number 10 pick next week.

There’s was quite the buildup for the release of the schedules, but it’s finally here and Sean McDermott now has a better idea of what’s in store down the road.

Here’s a look at the schedule:

Taking a look at the schedule, I’ve pin-pointed some of the games to watch for this upcoming season. We start with Week 1.

Week 1 vs. New York Jets @ 1 pm

September 10, 2017 (Sunday)

The home opener for the Buffalo Bills gives them a great opportunity to get the season off to a great start with a win against the struggling New York Jets. The Bills lead the all-time series 60-53 and the two teams split the series last year.

It is always fun starting off the season against a division opponent, especially when that opponent isn’t sure who will be taking snaps from under center Week 1.

Coach Sean McDermott will put his coaching style on display for the first time as a head coach in the NFL. The drafted rookies will take their first snaps in an NFL game.

Optimism will be at a high point and it cannot come soon enough!

Week 4 at Atlanta Falcons @ 1 pm

October 1, 2017 (Sunday)

This game will be in the midst of a tough stretch in the schedule. It will be fun to see how this team matches up against one of the best teams in the NFL with the reigning MVP whom we do not play often.

It would be great to see the Bills’ young cornerbacks cover Julio Jones or Mohamed Sanu. Or even a wide receiver match up against the young, agile defense the Falcons posses.

Of course, I am not predicting this game as a win considering the astounding numbers the Falcons put up last year, but if the Buffalo Bills come out firing, they will always have a chance.

MUST READ: The History of the 10th Pick in the NFL Draft

Week 9 at New York Jets @ 8:25 pm

November 2, 2017 (Thursday)

This highlights the only prime time game the Buffalo Bills have this year and it won’t be played at home.

The second leg of the Jet’s 2017 series will be played following an absolutely brutal stretch of playoff and contending teams — the Broncos, Falcons, Bengals, Buccaneers and Raiders.

3 out of 5 of said games will be played at New Era Field, but it will take a miracle to come unscathed out of those.

Be wary of the horrendous color rush uniforms on schedule for this Thursday night game. The yearly color-blind bowl.

Week 13 vs. New England Patriots @ 1 pm

December 3, 2017 (Sunday)

The Patriots lead this series 70-43-1 all time. The Buffalo Bills split the games last year, shutting out Jacoby Brisset in Brady’s last game suspended. It was always entertaining watching Rex Ryan’s antics in Patriot’s week, but we will see what McDermott has in store.

This will be the first time we will likely be seeing Mike Gillislee run the ball against the Bills, and Chris Hogan catches deep balls against Buffalo for the second season.

We will have a pretty solid idea of if this is a successful or failed campaign for the Bills by this date. Although the Patriots games are historically not in the Bills favor, again, it is a division rival who will not let up at any point.

Wild Card Playoffs

January 6, 2018 (Saturday)

This would be quite phenomenal, would it not? This tough schedule might not bode well for the Bills, but it is a new season and anything can happen. Interesting games I did not mention, include a tough game against the Saints, a game vs. the Chargers in LA — and Week 15 and Week 17 games against, division rival, Miami.

With Buffalo’s recent performance they deserve no more than two prime time games, and they will need quite a draft to trudge through the first nine games. The Falcons went 8-8 two years ago and made it to the Super Bowl the following year.

If Bills Mafia wants to hope for an Atlanta-esque turnaround, then Doug Whaley will need to kick this operation into high gear.

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What are your thoughts on the Buffalo Bills‘ 2017 schedule? Leave your comments below!