Buffalo Bills: Reviewing the 2014 Schedule

Dec 22, 2013; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills running back Fred Jackson (22) celebrates a touchdown during the first half against the Miami Dolphins at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

As most of you know, the 2014 NFL schedule has been released.  The Buffalo Bills start on the road against the Chicago Bears.  They also finish on the road for the last two games of the season against the Raiders and then the final game against the Patriots.

NFL.com analyzed the schedule for the Bills.  This is what they said.

"The Bills have a manageable start to their season. They don’t face a 2013 playoff team until Week 6, when they welcome the defending AFC East champion Patriots to town. Things tighten up considerably in the back end, with December matchups against the Broncos, Packers and Patriots. A fast start is essential if Buffalo wants to snap its playoff dry spell."

The Buffalo Bills only have one Prime Time game this year.  They play on the road in Miami week 11 on Thursday night.  This is one of the three key match-ups for them the NFL.com has stated.  The other two are…

"Week 6, vs. Patriots: The division bullies come to town. The Bills have beaten the Pats twice at Orchard Park since the start of the Tom Brady era in 2001.Week 14, at Broncos: Mission impossible? The Bills travel to Mile High for a crack at Peyton and the defending AFC champions."

I have to agree with NFL.com that the first major game the Bills have comes in week 6 against the Patriots.  The Chargers may stand in their way as well.

The Bills also only have one home game during the month of December.  Could this be a request by the Bills or an effort by the league to help ticket sales and limit the amount of cold weather games for the Bills?  It can be looked at as an advantage to the Bills playing in the snow but if the 12th man isn’t showing up then how much of an advantage is it?

I see the Bills winning the first two games against the Bears and Dolphins.  They lose to the Chargers and beat the Texans and Lions.  They start off 4-1.  They lose to the Patriots in week 6. They beat the Vikings and Jets; 6-2 going into the Bye.  They come out of the Bye week and lose to the Chiefs, beat the Dolphins on Thursday night, lose to the Jets and beat the Browns.  They are 8-4 at this point.  They lose to Broncos and Packers. They end the season with a win and a loss; beat the Raiders and lose to the Patriots.  The Bills will finish with a 9-7 record this year.  Will this be enough to make the playoffs? The San Diego Chargers made the playoffs with a 9-7 record but they are the only ones.  Everyone else had at least 11 wins on the season.  It will be a stretch at 9-7 but they will again need help to make this happen and as always, they control their fate.