Dream Scenario #2: Bills get off to a hot start
The Bills have a very favorable travel schedule this upcoming season. If you’re one of those people who believe stuff like that can influence teams' play and winning, that bodes well for the Bills. While we don’t truly know how good a team is until the season gets into gear, we always jump to opinions based on last season when the schedule is released. Based on the Bills' schedule, it appears they have a favorable slate early on in the season.
They face the Ravens in Week 1, and notching a win would only help boost that. After that, they face the Jets, Dolphins, Saints, Patriots, and Falcons. If the trend of AFC East domination from Buffalo continues, the Bills could easily start the year 5-1 or 4-2 heading into their week eight bye. They then play the Panthers and Chiefs following that, and we could see them at 7-1 or 6-2, with huge wins against AFC teams.
Getting off to a hot start early would go a long way in helping Buffalo capture the one seed in the AFC. It also gives them breathing room for some tough matchups later in the year against the Eagles and Bengals.
Dream Scenario #3: Bills' young defensive players contribute early
Last season, the young players on Buffalo’s defense didn’t make an impact right away. Rookie second-round safety, Cole Bishop, who the Bills think highly of, was a backup. While it wasn’t expected of him to be a star right away, they could have used it.
Now entering year two, Bishop will make a push for a starting spot opposite Taylor Rapp. If his development has been on track, it will be a huge boost to the backend of a re-hauled Buffalo defensive unit. If OTAs are any indication, per Jonathan Acosta, Bishop is taking a step forward.
The Bills leaned heavily on defensive veterans again last season, but that is set to change. First round rookie Maxwell Hairston will look to be the team’s starting cornerback opposite of Christian Benford. He adds explosive playmaking ability and athleticism that they were lacking.
Defensive tackle T.J. Sanders, whom they traded up for in round two, is expected to be a key cog along the new-look Bills defensive line. The same could be said for third-round pick, defensive end, Landon Jackson. A freak athlete with loads of potential, Jackson will look to be a key rotation piece right out of the gates.
The Bills also have DeWayne Carter, who will be entering his second year, and showed promise when given the opportunity last year. They also drafted for depth on defense with the selections of Deone Walker, Jordan Hancock, and Dorian Strong. If the Bills can get sizable contributions from their young defensive players this season, it would make last year’s AFC runner-ups even scarier.