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The Buffalo Bills will enter the 2019 NFL season with the hope of being taken seriously. The problem with that is, they haven't done enough in the offseason to make a claim for that themselves. Instead of getting younger at their main skill positions, the Bills added age. While top receivers were either free agents or on the trade block, the Bills elected to go with players who haven't proved much with other teams.
For a team that plays in a division with the New England Patriots, the Bills are basically playing for the second place prize. But the catch to that is, every other team in that division has made major strides during the summer. What will the Bills look like this year? And, what expectations do they and the fans have for the 2019 NFL season?
Here are five bold predictions for the Bills' 2019 season.
5. Bills Will Trade LeSean McCoy
For the past two years, LeSean McCoy has been mentioned in trade rumors and rightfully so. However, the Bills have held on too tight to the former All-Pro back. Since coming to Buffalo, McCoy has rushed for 3,814 yards with 25 touchdowns.
In 2019, he will be joined in the backfield by the ageless Frank Gore. What this means is that the Bills will try to run to protect second-year quarterback Josh Allen and their lack of receivers. But what's to be expected by two 30-plus-year-old backs?
If the Bills are struggling as expected, the time has come for them to move McCoy while he still has some value to him. In four seasons with Buffalo, McCoy has missed just seven games, but his production has taken a dip almost every season. There is a deal to be made somewhere and with running backs going down with injuries lately, there is at least a third or fourth-round pick to be had for McCoy.
4. Bills Will Get Swept By the AFC North
While dealing with the AFC North and NFC East, the Bills will have to face what is possibly considered the toughest division in the NFL. The AFC North is home to the Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals, and the Pittsburgh Steelers. In most eyes, only two may be a threat (Steelers, Browns) but a closer look will reveal that the Ravens are serious and despite their setbacks, the Bengals are not to be taken lightly.
Do the Bills have enough on both sides of the ball to keep pace with the Steelers and their explosive offense? For the Ravens, can the Bills contain the young quarterback Lamar Jackson and score on the Ravens' tight defense? The Browns are not the same old Browns' teams who were used to being pushed around. Their offense will be one of the best in the league and their young defense will be stingy in terms of points. Not a good look for the shaky Bills. Their best shot will be against the Bengals. Despite the struggles of Andy Dalton, the Bengals will not go down without a fight. They will pull out a close one over the Bills.
3. Bills Will Finish Last In the AFC East
The AFC East is not as strong as some other divisions, but games will still be played tight. The Patriots are the clear-cut favorites to win the division again, but the Bills, on the other hand, have no shot. The New York Jets are better with their offseason moves and the expected growth of Sam Darnold. The Miami Dolphins are not expected to challenge for a title, but they have a core of young skill players who can put points on the board.
With the Bills having to face each team twice, there is a strong possibility they could be swept. However, there will be a spit with the Dolphins and that's it. That will leave the Bills 1-5 in the division unless something tragic happens to one of the other teams top players. The Bills will have an uphill battle in a division in which they went 2-4 in last year. So, why is it so hard to believe they will win one game less?
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2. Josh Allen Will Struggle Throwing The Ball
What do you do with a quarterback who completes only 52.8 percent of his passes? Yes, he was a rookie last year and his weapons were not top-level, but still. What will Josh Allen have to do in year two to make the Buffalo Bills top brass believers?
He can run. Last season, Allen rushed for 631 yards and eight touchdowns, which shows he offers more, but the Bills need him to complete passes. To be fair, his receivers have not been the best, but there were too many times he either overthrew players or just missed his spot.
In order for the Bills to make a move up the standings, he has to transform himself the same way Michael Vick or Cam Newton did as they grew. Allen has a nice arm, but he tends to overthink while in the pocket. Since he's a mobile quarterback, his first reaction is to scramble if his primary target is not open.
With Shady and Gore in the backfield, the check-down should be a top priority heading into this season. With their schedule full of good pass defenses, Allen must improve or the season could be a wash by Week 6.
1. The Bills Will Finish The Season 3-13
The Bills' schedule is not to be taken lightly. After finishing the season 6-10 last year, things will only get tougher. For starters, they still have to deal with the teams in the AFC East. If dealing with the Patriots twice is not enough, they will have to face the AFC North and the NFC East. This will not be an easy season. Who on their schedule will fall victim to the Bills?
The Buffalo Bills will split with the Dolphins, take another victory against the New York Giants, and pull out a close one against the Tennessee Titans. But other than that, something has to bounce their way against stiff competition.
While the Jets are a bit shaky, the addition of Le'Veon Bell changes the dynamic on the offensive side of the ball. The Bills will struggle this season, not just because of a lack of skill players, but due to their schedule resembling one of a team coming off an undefeated season. This was cruel.
