Buffalo Bills get slight bump in power rankings while on bye

The Buffalo Bills got a slight bump in the latest round of power rankings.

The Buffalo Bills were off this past week but based on some of the results of Week 11, they actually moved up in half of the power rankings we have looked at. This is a recap of where the Buffalo Bills rank in the power rankings on ESPN, NFL.com, Bleacher Report, and CBS Sports.

ESPN: Buffalo Bills move into the Top 5

Last Week: 7

After their win against the Seattle Seahawks, the Buffalo Bills moved into, or close to, the Top 5 in most power rankings. However, a last-second loss to the Cardinals dropped them slightly but they moved into Top 5 in ESPN’s rankings at number five.

Marcel Louis-Jacques wrote about what the Bills should be thankful for this year:

"Ten games in, he has the Bills at 7-3, in position to win their first AFC East title since 1995, and ranks seventh in the NFL in passing yards. He is a legitimate MVP candidate at his best and a good starter at his worst. After nearly two decades of below-average play at the position, Buffalo fans can sit comfortably knowing Allen will captain this offense for years to come."

Louis-Jacques sums up Josh Allen the best way possible by calling him an “MVP candidate at his best and good starter at his worst.” While there were flashes at times the first two years in the league, Allen has significantly increased his ceiling but more importantly raised what the floor is for him on a weekly basis.

NFL.com: Bills remain at seven

Last Week: 7

The power rankings by Dan Hanzus is one of two not to move the Bills from their previous week ranking, this time keeping them at seven.

"Sean McDermott told reporters at the beginning of the Week 11 bye that he wants to find ways to improve the ground attack, and you have to expect that might mean more opportunities for third-round rookie Zack Moss. Devin Singletary’s high-end abilities as a pass protector will keep him in the mix, but Moss deserves a shot to show what he can do in early-down situations."

There is no question that this is one of the biggest storylines coming out of the bye. The run game has been a major disappointment this year and the coaching staff needs to do something different. This could mean making the rookie running back the featured back to see if that can jumpstart this part of the offense.

Bleacher Report: Bills jump up to five

Last Week: 8

Bleacher Report has typically ranked the Bills the lowest among the four power rankings we have looked at but this week make a huge jump up to five.

"Despite that heartbreaker, the Bills are 7-3 for the second year in a row and come out of the bye in first place in the AFC East."

While the Bills would have likely remained in first due to tiebreakers, there was a chance the Miami Dolphins would have had the same record after Week 11 at 7-3. However, the Dolphins, along with the Patriots and Jets, all lost in Week 11. The Bills now hold a one-game lead over the Dolphins, along with the tiebreaker, which sets them up in a great position for their first division title since 1995.

CBS Sports: Bills stay at eight

Last Week: 8

Similar to NFL.com, Pete Prisco with CBS Sports kept the Buffalo Bills at the same spot they were the previous week, this time being number eight.

"They come off the bye with a little breathing room in the division with Miami losing. They have to be better on defense down the stretch."

There is no question that one of the areas the Buffalo Bills need to improve is on the defensive side of the ball. The good news is that they could be getting some help in the coming weeks in the form of Levi Wallace, Josh Norman, and potentially Matt Milano.

The Buffalo Bills will be back on the field Sunday when they face the Los Angeles Chargers at Bills Stadium.