Bills have NFL’s worst record in one-possession games

Bills have NFL’s worst record in one-possession games:

The Bills have often made headlines over the last few seasons by being league leaders in various categories.

Whether being among the top clubs in turnovers, defensive points, or in individual player stats, Buffalo has stood out under head coach Sean McDermott’s leadership.

While 2020 was a breakout season that culminated with an appearance in the AFC Championship game, 2021 has had some growing pains.

Some of which has involved alternating wins and losses week to week, and some that has involved another inauspicious distinction the team may wish they didn’t carry.

Entering into Week 15, they have the worst win-loss record in games that are decided by a single possession.

Tampa Bay, New England, Indianapolis, Tennessee, and Pittsburgh have all edged Buffalo in close contests in which the winner is decided by a single score.

The Texans, Colts, and Eagles follow them in short order on that list.

The Bills have put up lopsided scores against average clubs, but have been challenged when it comes to overtaking opponents who have one-score leads late in games.

While it’s worth noting that the team’s offensive execution has directly attributed to these specific losses, it’s also worth pointing out that they were simply the result of missed opportunities during various stages and drives in those contests.

One of which, Sunday’s Tampa Bay matchup in particular, even included some suspect officiating practices that cost them the win in regulation then the game in overtime. A glaring issue that once again brings how the league office views such calls differently between big and small market teams (or in Tampa’s case, Tom Brady’s team.)

Nonetheless, one additional successful red zone drive, pass completion, touchdown, or field goal in those games could have changed the Bills fortunes and their overall win-loss record.

So while this is certainly not a distinction the team wishes to carry, it’s a hurdle they are more than capable of overcoming, and will need to down the stretch.

However, they will need to find the rhythm on offense, consistency in winning week-to-week, and execute when it matters most if they wish to make another run into the postseason.

They’ll have a chance to do just that, with games against the Panthers, Patriots, and Falcons up next on the schedule before the regular season finale against the Jets.

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