After a 20-3 win over the Denver Broncos, the Bills are sitting pretty in most power rankings polls via national outlets.
Plenty already have the Bills in the top-10. Regardless, almost all are looking at Buffalo’s looming schedule. The Bills have the hardest-remaining schedule in the NFL and many of the polls indicate that the league will see the Bills’ true colors in the coming weeks.
Here’s how the Bills fared in
USA Today
12. Bills (15): Much has been made of Buffalo’s Division II schedule, but next four games against teams with winning records. What will we learn about Bills?
Touchdown Wire
6. Buffalo Bills
(8-3. Last week: 9)
The big news in Buffalo’s 20-3 win over the Broncos was Frank Gore’s 65 rushing yards, which moved him to 15,289 yards for his career, moving him to third in NFL history behind only Emmitt Smith and Walter Payton. Rookie Devin Singletary contributed 106 yards on 21 carries, quarterback Josh Allen threw two touchdown passes, and Buffalo’s defense overwhelmed Denver quarterback Brandon Allen. The Broncos had just three drives that went into Buffalo territory, and their five final drives were all three-and-outs for a total of two yards. Allen had just four yards passing in the first half. Are the Bills the most under-the-radar eight-win team through 12 weeks of an NFL season in recent memory? It’s starting to look that way.
NFL.com
10. Bills (8-3)
Previous rank: No. 14
“Eight and three? That feels good to me. I ain’t never been 8-3 in the NFL.” That was Shaq Lawson, after the defensive end finished with two sacks and three pressures in the Bills’ 20-3 win over the Broncos. Lawson is in his fourth season, but he could be wrapping up his 20th year in Buffalo and still be tasting 8-3 for the first time. (The 1996 Bills were the last team to start 8-3). Yes, these are optimistic days in Western New York, where the local team is in prime position for a second trip to the playoffs in three years. The D was dominant on Sunday, holding Denver to a piddly 134 yards. Brandon Allen did not lead the Broncos on a drive of more than 48 yards in a contest that never felt in doubt for the home team, even when it was 6-0 at the half. The Bills are good.
Yahoo! Sports
9. Buffalo Bills (8-3, LW: 10)
Rookie Devin Singletary had his first 100-yard rushing game on Sunday. He has three starts and has 276 rushing yards with a 4.9-yard average. The Bills’ third-round pick is looking very good.
Bleacher Report
11. Buffalo Bills (8-3)
High: 9
Low: 16
Last Week: 14
Week 12 Result: Won vs. Denver 20-3
In many respects, the fact that Frank Gore passed Barry Sanders for No. 3 on the NFL’s all-time rushing list while playing for the Buffalo Bills is apt.
Like Gore has been for most of a career that will probably land him in Canton one day, the Bills have been very good in 2019. Buffalo’s decisive win over the Broncos on Sunday gives the team a two-game lead over the sixth-seeded Pittsburgh Steelers with five to play. Barring a total collapse, the Bills are going to make the playoffs as the AFC’s top wild card.
“Buffalo continues to take advantage of a weak schedule,” Sobleski said. “As a result, the Bills own the AFC’s third-best record and inside track to the top wild-card playoff spot. Yes, Buffalo has concern areas and struggled against the better teams it faced, yet the team deserves credit for winning the games it should win. Sure, the Bills might be one-and-done in the playoffs, but that’s something to worry about for another time.”
That’s the thing. Like Gore has been for much of his career, the Bills are widely considered good—but not great. You’d be hard-pressed to find a pundit who thinks this team can hang with the Patriots, Ravens and Chiefs in the postseason.
We’re about to find out just how good the Bills are, though. Thursday’s Turkey Day trip to Dallas kicks off a nasty four-game stretch that features a home date with the Ravens and trips to face the Cowboys, Steelers and Patriots before wrapping up the regular season at home against the Jets.
If the Bills want respect, here comes an opportunity to earn it.
Sporting News
10. Buffalo Bills, 8-3 (14)
The Bills turned in another dominant performance against an overmatched opponent, trading the Dolphins for the Broncos. Now they’ll see if they can feast again to get a transcendent statement victory over the Cowboys — who have yet to beat a winning team — on the road on Thanksgiving.
ESPN
10. Buffalo Bills (8-3)
What they’re thankful for: WR John Brown.
The Bills signed Brown to a three-year contract this offseason to serve an integral role in their passing offense. Not only has he stabilized Buffalo’s offense, he is the AFC’s leading receiver through 11 games. Brown is on pace for 85 catches and 1,245 receiving yards — which would both be career highs in his sixth season. Without him, the Bills’ passing game would take a drastic hit.
CBS Sports
8. Bills
They look to be in good shape for a playoff berth, but now the schedule toughens up in a big way. Their game at Dallas Thursday will be fun.
NBC Sports
10. Bills (8-3; No. 9)
They’ll likely get to the playoffs; can they win once the playoffs start?
[lawrence-related id=49612,49556,49588,49575]