Football is back baby!
Well, sort of. It is the preseason after all, but it is better than the barren wasteland of the offseason.
With the eve of the new season upon us, it is now time to predict the Bills season, where that will place them and what it will mean for their postseason.
As we go through the season, I will then decide week-to-week whether I am pivoting from my original prediction.
I welcome any and all feedback. Let me know if you agree or disagree with any outcomes.
Week 1 vs Baltimore Ravens (Sunday Night Football) – Loss
The Ravens steamrolled the Bills in Week 4 last season – but Buffalo got their revenge in the Divisional Round at home with a 27-25 win.
That second game was tight and could have gone either way so I am expecting the Ravens to bounce back here in a tight victory.
Week 2 @ New York Jets – Win
Aaron Glenn’s project has only just begun. I think they win their first game against the Aaron Rodgers-led Pittsburgh Steelers.
When the Bills go to Metlife, it is all business to get back to 1-1.
Week 3 vs Miami Dolphins – Win
Facing Miami in Week 3 is vastly different if it is in Florida – but this one is not. I expect a routine win and a big game for the Bills pass rush.
Week 4 vs New Orleans Saints –Win
When the Saints come marching into Orchard Park, I expect it to be more of a procession than anything more intimidating.
I see the Bills improving to 3-1 while the Saints likely drop to 1-3.
Week 5 vs New England Patriots – Win
Mike Vrabel is still getting his feet under the table in Boston when the Patriots come to Buffalo. It will be too soon for his brand of football to punch the Bills in the mouth.
Bills win, but it is closer than any of us would like.
Week 6 @ Atlanta Falcons – Win
Josh Allen playing in a dome is something to behold. I think he enjoys this trip down south and the Bills get the win to go into their bye week 5-1.
Week 7 – Bye
Not the greatest of time for a bye week. It is a tad early for my liking, but gives the Bills a chance to freshen up ahead of some crucial matchups.
Week 8 @ Carolina Panthers – Win
I expect the Panthers to be a much-improved outfit in Head Coach Dave Canales’ second season in charge.
The issue is that there is still not much to be scared of. Coming off the bye week, I expect the Bills to be ready.
Week 9 vs Kansas City Chiefs – Win
We have seen this story before. Following a heartbreaking loss in the postseason, the Bills beat the Chiefs in the regular season.
The Chiefs will have faced the Commanders just six days prior to this game, which I think will help the Bills get the win.
Week 10 @ Miami Dolphins – Win
Behind that ropey offensive line, I expect the wheels to be coming off the Dolphins season at this point (Sorry ‘phins fans).
Week 10 sees the Bills improve to a staggering 8-1. Will the hype get too much?
Week 11 vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Win
Hosting a Floridian team outdoors in mid-November seems too big of an advantage.
At this point, with the Bills at 9-1, they are everyone’s Super Bowl favourite.
Week 12 @ Houston Texans (Thursday Night Football) – Loss
Hang on a second. Do not get ahead of yourselves, Bills Mafia.
This horrible short week involves a trip down to Houston to face that vaunted defence.
They toppled the Bills last season and I think they pump the brakes on the runaway Bills train once again.
Week 13 @ Pittsburgh Steelers – Win
Which type of Steelers do we get at this point in the season? Has the Aaron Rodgers gamble paid off?
I think the Bills go to Pittsburgh needing a bounce-back win after the disappointment of Houston 10 days earlier, and get one.
Week 14 vs Cincinnati Bengals – Loss
This is possibly the toughest game to predict. What I am sure of, however, is that there will be points.
The Bengals historically start slow and improve over the course of the season – just look at last season.
I foresee that Chase and Higgins will be too much for Benford and Hairston to cope with in what might be a ‘last score wins’ type of game.
Week 15 @ New England Patriots – Loss
By now, Mike Vrabel has the Patriots playing tough and their season is starting to look up rather than down.
It may be too late for a playoff push but this could be a banana skin for the Bills.
I expect a tight, frustrating and sloppy loss at a potentially snowy Gillette Stadium.
Week 16 @ Cleveland Browns – Win
At this point, the Bills and Browns will be staring at very different postseason priorities.
The Browns will be jostling for draft position and may well be on QB3 by now.
The Bills get the win they need to maintain a push for the top seed.
Week 17 vs Philadelphia Eagles – Loss
It is tempting to think that Philly might come to town having clinched the NFC’s top seed by this point – but I am not so sure.
What I am sure of is their commitment to running the ball down your throat. The Bills have struggled to contain these sorts of teams (cue Derrick Henry montage), which is why I am going for the L here.
Week 18 vs New York Jets – Win
This game will hinge on the potential seeding changes.
With the Bills coming in at 11-5, that will probably be good enough to have clinched the division but not tied up the #1 seed.
I expect the Bills to play their starters until they know there is no advantage to be had, so I will predict the win if they need the win.
Regular season record – 12-5
And with that, Buffalo clinch the division title for the sixth straight season.
They follow that up with a trip to the AFC Championship game to face – no, not the Chiefs – but the Baltimore Ravens.
In Baltimore, I am predicting more heartbreak for the Bills and their season comes to a halt.
The Bills hierarchy will have learnt a lot about the young core of this team – no doubt they will be back for another attempt in 2026.
Let us see how this plays out over the course of the year!
