Buffalo Bills Top five hardest games on schedule

The Buffalo Bills are poised to make a run at the Lombardi this year.

For the Buffalo Bills top five hardest games, there sure is a good amount of revenge involved. The Bills are looking to compete in the AFC playoff race once again this season and take the next step. Even though the Bills went 13-3 last season, that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement headed into their first ever 17-game season.

Re-matches against Tennessee and Kansas City highlight the revenge games. But there are three other opponents that will also throw everything they have to thwart the Bills on their journey and goals. Four out of the five teams on this list were playoff teams a year ago, and a win against each would show that the Bills are for real.

These will be ranked in terms of difficulty, from least difficult to most. There will also be a score prediction for the game. If they have a chance to play in the postseason, that will also be covered.

5th of the hardest Buffalo Bills games in 2021: Washington Football Team, Week 3

With the second home game within the first three weeks of the season, the Bills face a team that in the midst of drama over their former name have reinvented themselves under tougher-than-nails head coach Ron Rivera. Washington won the NFC East at 7-9 last year, the first team to do so since Seattle did it with a losing record back in the 2010 season.

Washington poses a threat because of their defense. Last year Washington went into Heinz field and upset the 11-0 Pittsburgh Steelers, their statement win of the year. They finished as the fourth-ranked defense overall in total yards allowed, according to PFR. If there ever was a team that established a “no fly zone”, then Washington did it last year with FAA authority. They allowed the second-least passing yards last year, only seventeen more yards than the LA Rams (who were first.

Their offense didn’t do so great last year, finishing 25th in the league. The offense should look to improve this year under Taylor Heinicke and weapons such as Logan Thomas and Terry McLaurin. Curtis Samuel is also a dynamic and flexible weapon for the team to use all over the field.

Score Prediction

The Buffalo Bills offense will struggle in this game, only putting up 24 points. With most of those coming late in the game. Washington goes for two after a late score but the conversion doesn’t work. The Bills win a slugfest here and get a nice reminder of what a playoff team is like.

4th of the hardest Buffalo Bills games in 2021: Miami Dolphins, Week 2

The first road game of the season should be the Buffalo Bills’ hottest one of the year. Early September in Miami for all us northerners know is still considered summer down there. On top of that, road games against Miami has given some teams headaches for quite some time. Just ask the New England Patriots.  Buffalo only escaped last year with a 31-28 win, one of their closest games of the year.

Brian Flores and GM Chris Grier moved around the NFL draft order as they pleased this year, getting Alabama WR Jaylen Waddle 6th overall. Adding Waddle to the offense should help take the pressure of TE Mike Gesicki and WR Devante Parker. Although some of their moves were confusing, including letting go of captains Kyle Van Noy and Bobby McCain.

As mentioned before, the heat and humidity will be a challenge for Buffalo, but Miami’s defense will be tough as well. Miami averaged 1.8 (basically 2) takeaways per game last season, including a 78 yard fumble return against the L.A. Rams. With an actual offseason this year and pre-season games to come, I feel confident in saying the Dolphins will at the very least be a wild-card team this year.

Score Prediction

This score will look a lot like last year’s first matchup. However the final score won’t exactly tell the story as the Bills improved offensive line makes a big difference here and scores all of their points before the halfway mark of the third quarter, withstanding a furious rally from their aquatic brethren from the south.

3rd of the hardest Buffalo Bills games in 2021: Kansas City Chiefs, Week 5

This comes as no surprise. The game that ended in heartbreak for the Buffalo Bills on their amazing run to the AFC Championship. However, will Kansas City be as strong as they were last year? An almost unrecognizable offensive line will take some time to gel and get used to Patrick Mahomes’ pocket presence and scrambling ability. As a former offensive lineman, not really knowing your quarterbacks intricacies can sometimes lead to sacks or lost yardage. Discipline is the key, and the Chiefs have their work cut out for them.

The Buffalo Bills pass rush needed to improve from last season, and drafting Gregory Rousseau and Carlos “Boogie” Basham are certainly going to be let loose against Mahomes and co. Other than that, there are little changes to either team. Neither did a big number in free agency.

Score prediction

In a Sunday night barn-burner,  the Bills win this one with a drive within the final two minutes. Both offenses will be humming, but the defensive lines will also eat up their opponent in this game. The key to the final drive is Rousseau getting past professional Super Bowl turnstile Mike Remmers for a strip-sack on Mahomes.

2nd of the hardest Buffalo Bills games in 2021: Tennessee Titans, Week 6

It was the arguably the one game that the Bills shouldn’t have even showed up for. Suffering a 42-16 beatdown after a 4-0 start was definitely an eye-opener. The Titans had their way on national television and it stung. Ryan Tannehil completed 75 percent of his passes and had 3 touchdowns.

The key to this game was the Titans’ offensive line not giving up a single sack, as well as committing 10 penalties. As mentioned before, the Bills did their best to revamp their defensive line this offseason- but will it be enough this year? I don’t feel the greatest about it, as we have seen Derrick Henry completely takeover games in the past before.

Score Prediction

I can see the Bills losing this one, as the Titans offensive line is still very strong and Tannehil has done a great job of limiting his mistakes the past few seasons. I’m predicting Henry to finish with 130 yards and 3 touchdowns. A.J. Brown scores as well. Buffalo will have to play perfect and then some to beat the Titans.

Now at this point, I’m guessing you’re wondering how I can put Tennessee ahead of Kansas City. Buffalo played KC close in the first matchup last year, but ultimately dropped both. Buffalo has an inkling on how to beat KC, but not Tennessee yet.

1st of the hardest Buffalo Bills games in 2021: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Week 14

How on earth is this not a primetime game? Tampa Bay is easily the hardest game for Buffalo this season, and it’s not even close. Tampa Bay is returning ALL 22 starters from their Super Bowl championship team. Jason Licht and Bruce Arians have built quite a fortress in Tampa, and with Tom Brady at the helm captaining it all makes this an insanely tough game.

Tampa ranked 8th in total defense according to PFR, but those numbers don’t really reflect their play last season, especially later in the year.

Score Prediction

I can’t see Buffalo competing in this game at all. Sadly, Josh Allen doesn’t get a win over Tom Brady here. This team is just too strong for Buffalo and they’ll look forward to bounce back against the Carolina Panthers the next week. Buffalo’s offense will have so many 3 and outs early on that they’ll be behind the 8 ball for the rest of the game.