Forget Misery! Alternate Buffalo Bills timeline ends the curse and brings glory

What could have been for the Buffalo Bills from 2003-2005

2003: After the free agency signings of DT Sam Adams, LB Takeo Spikes, and LB Jeff Posey, the 2003 NFL Draft brings them S Troy Polamalu in Round 1. The Bills trade WR Peerless Price to Atlanta for their first round pick and at 23rd overall draft CB Nnamdi Asomugha. In the 2nd round the Bills reach on TE Jason Witten and in the 3rd round take LB Lance Briggs to fill out the depth chart. CB Terrence McGee is the hidden gem in the 4th round. The Bills reach double-digit wins finishing 10-6 but miss the playoffs off tiebreakers.

2004: The 2004 NFL Draft brings WR Lee Evans in Round 1 and DT Darnell Dockett in round 2. The Bills are a pleasant surprise with Rudi Johnson running hard, Drew Brees is throwing over defenses with the help of Evans and Bryant, and the defense is playing almost historic. A secondary with Polamalu, Wilson, and Asomugha with linebackers Lance Briggs, London Fletcher and Takeo Spikes. A formidable defensive line of Aaron Schobel, Darnell Dockett, and Sam Adams the 2004 Bills go 12-4 and make the playoffs!

The Buffalo Bills really make an impression in these playoffs. They upset the 4 seed Chargers in San Diego. Then go on the road in Pittsburgh and upset the 15-1, 1 seeded Steelers! The Bills go all the way to the AFC Championship game as the 5 seed. The Patriots just edge out the Bills to go to the Super Bowl. The foundation of young players and veteran leadership Marvin Lewis has built has Buffalo on the right track.

2005: The Bills stumble out of the gate losing Drew Brees to a shoulder injury. It is a tough season offensively but the top ranked defense keeps the Bills competitive. The end of the season comes and the Bills end on a 3-game winning streak to salvage an 8-8 record but miss the playoffs. Good thing the Bills drafted QB Ryan Fitzpatrick in the 7th round of the 2005 NFL Draft. Did you know he went to Harvard?