While the Buffalo Bills season ended on a low note in their blowout loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Divisional Round, there was still a lot of success for this team in the 2022 season. The Bills won 13 games, which ties a franchise record for most wins in a season, and won the AFC East for the third year in a row.
There is no question that this was a talented team and that was reflected recently in Pro Football Focus’ Top 101 players of 2022. The Bills would have four players make the list starting with their franchise quarterback Josh Allen, who entered the list at 14.
"14. JOSH ALLEN, BUFFALO BILLSThe Allen experience was something to behold this season. He ended up leading the league in both big-time throws (44) and turnover-worthy plays (29) in addition to the work he did on the ground rushing the football. Allen was more of a rollercoaster this season than he had been in the last couple of years, but the Bills’ offense dominated largely because of him."
As Sam Monson notes, Josh Allen had a rollercoaster of a season and the inconsistent play began after their bye week with 10 interceptions in the final 10 games. This might have been due in part to an elbow injury he suffered in Week 9 against the New York Jets but there were also some questionable decisions, particularly in the red zone.
After Allen, his top wide receiver makes the list with Stefon Diggs at number 25.
"25. STEFON DIGGS, BUFFALO BILLSFew players were as singularly responsible for their team’s receiving success as Diggs in Buffalo, as he accounted for 149 targets in the regular season while Gabriel Davis came in second place with 93. Diggs caught 108 passes while no other Buffalo receiver topped 50. He was every defense’s sole focus and yet still produced, earning a 90.1 PFF grade."
The write-up by Monson highlights a big issue for this offense and passing game last season, which also could have been a factor in Josh Allen’s performance. With Gabe Davis and Isaiah McKenzie struggling, defenses could focus their attention on Stefon Diggs which at times made the offense stagnant.
Buffalo Bills have two linebackers make PFF’s Top 101
The final two players to make the list were on the defensive side of the ball, and both played the same position. However, it could be surprising the order and where they were ranked.
Tremaine Edmunds was ranked higher than Matt Milano with Edmunds at 69th and Milano at 83rd. While Edmunds certainly improved, and is going to be a highly-sought after free agent this offseason, Milano in my opinion was the better linebacker.
He was the more versatile linebacker in this Buffalo Bills’ defense and seemed to make more impact plays with 1.5 sacks, 12 tackles for a loss, and 11 passes defended. Milano also was named to the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career as well as selected as a first-team All-Pro.