The Buffalo Bills are wrapping up OTAs and will be turning the page to mandatory offseason mini-camp this coming week. After an offseason that focused on reloading the defensive side of the ball, the Bills face a season as big as any. They were a mere four points away from appearing in the Super Bowl, and will be gunning yet again to capture that elusive Lombardi trophy.
While skill is a major factor in determining which two teams get to the big game every year, luck also plays a role. That is true all season long, in the form of weather that can influence game results, rival teams pulling out close games after close games, and, of course, unfortunate injuries. With that in mind, here are five dream scenarios that would help finally make this the Buffalo Bills' year.
5 dream scenarios for Bills in 2025
Dream Scenario #1: Bills earn the number one seed
Despite a recent feeling over the last few years that the number one seed isn’t that advantageous in the current NFL playoff bracketing, it is, and arguably more so than ever before. The Bills have not been able to earn the number one seed once yet in the Josh Allen era, and it has affected them.
As the top seed, you’re guaranteed home-field advantage in all your games, you get a bye week, and you only have to win two games before the Super Bowl. While one extra game doesn’t seem like a lot in hindsight, it is. It’s an extra game of wear and tear on the players, another game of injury risk to star players, and of course, another chance to be eliminated.
For example, last season, the Chiefs were the number one seed, and as we know, they represented the AFC in the Super Bowl. The Chiefs had a bye week in round one to rest and game plan. They drew what we could call an easier matchup in round two, against a reeling and injury-devastated Houston Texans team. After that win, all they had to do was squeak out one more game, which they did in the AFC Championship, which they also had home-field advantage in. So, just like that, they were back in the Super Bowl.
On the other end, the Bills, as the two seed, played a feisty young Broncos team in round one. In round two, they drew the Ravens and the best offense in the league last year. The Bills had to empty the tank to stop Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson. While no one is making excuses, playing against Henry will take a toll on anyone. The defense already played the best offense in the league, and a very good young offense.
Now, they had to play Patrick Mahomes, the general consensus's best quarterback in the NFL, and one of the greatest offensive minds in league history, Andy Reid. After another injury to Christian Benford, it was clear to see that wear and tear played at least a part in the Chiefs' offense, which had been nowhere near its usual level last season, enjoy one of its best games of the season against Buffalo.
Capturing the number one seed next season would be a dream come true for Buffalo. It could prove to be the missing link that has stopped them from achieving the ultimate goal over the last few years.
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.
Dream Scenario #4: No big injuries
Small injuries and big injuries are one of the unfortunate parts of the game we all love. Nobody knows when or how an injury will occur, or to what magnitude it might be. Of course, star player injuries hit teams in a big way.
The Bills have been hit by the injury bug quite a bit over the last few seasons, often losing key players on defense for big-time games. Two seasons ago, the Bills entered a divisional round playoff game with primarily a second-string and third-string defense. Heck, they called linebacker A.J. Klein to cancel his family road trip and cover Travis Kelce.
Last winter, the Bills entered the playoffs arguably the healthiest they have been in the Josh Allen era. It’s no coincidence they managed to make it back to the AFC Championship. So, of course, not only returning to the postseason, but healthy, is a massive dream scenario for the Bills.
Dream Scenario #5: Dalton Kincaid breaks out
When the Bills selected Dalton Kincaid in round one of the 2023 NFL Draft, they had big plans in store for him. While a tight end, Kincaid is a receiving threat, more so than a traditional, rounded-out tight end. The Bills envisioned him as a big-time threat, and potentially the future leader of their receiving corps. He had a promising rookie season, posting 73 catches for 673 yards, two touchdowns, and an 80.2% catch percentage.
After the sudden trade of disgruntled star Stefon Diggs, all eyes were on Kincaid to be the Bills' alpha receiving threat. However, under coordinator Joe Brady, the Bills leaned heavily into what they call the everybody eats offense and a spread-the-ball approach.
It led to a Josh Allen MVP season, but saw Kincaid take a step back in his sophomore season. He also battled a knee injury that kept him out multiple games, and what is believed to have affected him in the playoffs as well. He finished the season appearing in 13 games and notching 44 catches on 75 targets, for 448 yards, two touchdowns, and a 58.7% catch percentage.
At the end of the season, the Bills coaching staff noted they wanted Kincaid to get stronger this offseason. Joe Brady let everyone know he’s been putting in the work, saying he felt like “Kincaid has lived here this offseason.” If Kincaid breaks out this season, like he seems primed to do, that would be massive for the Bills.
An already extremely efficient Bills offense gets even more dangerous. It wouldn’t hurt to see some better schemes for the soon-to-be third-year tight end as well. Being used as more of a vertical threat than a horizontal one will only help Kincaid.