ESPN Predicts a 4-12 Record for the Buffalo Bills, Mike Rodak Says 6-10
By Connor Price
With the schedules being released recently, it’s time for everyone to start taking jabs at what the Buffalo Bills’ record will be in 2017.
The NFL schedule was released recently and of course all of the ESPN analysts took their stab at predicting each game every week. Of course, no one has a crystal ball, but with the Buffalo Bills in a downward trend going 9-7, 8-8 and 7-9 the past three years it is almost a gimme to predict them going 6-10.
Which is exactly what Mike Rodak did. Unfortunately, when NFL Nation took their stab at it the results were even worse. The Bills parted was with Stephon Gilmore, Zach Brown and many others, leading NFL Nation to predict the Bills going 4-12 in the upcoming season.
One thing is for certain. Every year, the league is completely shaken up by free agency, the draft and retirements. No one actually knows what will happen, but with this slow period of current NFL news, this is what it must come to.
ESPN’s Predictions
The first win of Buffalo’s season, according to ESPN, will come against a Denver Broncos team that won the Super Bowl two years ago. The next win comes against the Oakland Raiders –interesting.
After sweeping the New York Jets, ESPN has the Buffalo Bills rattling off 6 straight losses before a win vs Miami in week 15.
It is fair to say that ESPN has just about counted out Buffalo before the draft has even started.
Sean McDermott’s Take
According to Buffalonews.com coach, Sean McDermott, was asked whether he would be highlighting the match-up against his former employer, the Carolina Panthers.
McDermott responded:
"“I’ll tell you what I am going to circle, is the next practice: Phase Two, which starts Monday. That’s the next thing on my calendar and then what happens after I get off this stage is going back to finish up with our players and then get on this draft again. That’s not a cop-out answer, that’s what I focus on and that’s what I want our players and our staff to focus on.”"
A great answer for the successor to outspoken Rex Ryan. I can’t help but be excited for a quieter coach who is only focused on winning and creating a winning culture.
Where is the Optimism?
Many other Buffalo Sports sites have predicted the Buffalo Bills from going anywhere from 4-12 to 8-8. With a year-one head coach and a new defensive system, you can’t blame them.
A couple things to remember is that the Buffalo Bills still possess Shady McCoy, who helped Buffalo boast the number one rushing attack. The same quarterback as last year (phew). And also a star receiver coming back from injury.
I am not one to predict the Bills going 16-0 before marching on to a Super Bowl victory, but the NFL draft is a time for optimism and positivity.
So I will take my 8-8 prediction and meander on home.
Next: Why Buffalo Bills Fans Love Draft Season
What’s your early prediction of the Buffalo Bills‘ record in 2017? Leave your thoughts below!