The Buffalo Bills are off to a very strong start in the first three seasons under head coach Sean McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane.
The team has posted two playoff berths in those three years. For a franchise that endured a near two-decade playoff drought, that’s a heck of stretch.
Heading into 2020 and beyond, some suspect the Bills are going to be the favorite in the AFC East. The New England Patriots were a big reason for the Bills’ lack of success over the years. But without Tom Brady in town anymore, could that dynasty be over? If it is, who’s going to take over?
Could it actually be the Bills? NFL.com included Buffalo as one of nine candidates that could be the league’s next dynasty recently. On that ranking, the Bills landed in the No. 6 overall spot.
Here’s the breakdown for Buffalo’s candidacy via Adam Schein:
My respect for Sean McDermott is well-documented. He received my AP vote for Coach of the Year last season. The Bills’ current culture of winning and accountability is excellent. And McDermott’s stamp is all over this great defense. Of course, most questions with this organization revolve around the other side of the ball — and namely, the quarterback. But don’t count me among the doubters.
I think Josh Allen, who showed immense improvement last season, will continue to get better in Year 3. I’m confident that this fine athlete with an absolute cannon for an arm will become great and lead this proud franchise for a long period of time. General manager Brandon Beane has appropriately surrounded Allen with plenty of talent, adding a true No. 1 receiver via trade (Stefon Diggs) and another multi-talented running back in the third round (Zack Moss, who follows in Devin Singletary’s footsteps).
Buffalo has the roster to not only take over the Brady-less AFC East, but also to routinely compete for titles.
While focusing the recent spotlight on their playoff drought, the Bills are no stranger to success. Their early 1990s Super Bowl runs was a streak that remains unmatched, even by the Patriots.
While still perhaps a longshot from becoming the league’s next-best thing, the Bills are certainly putting their best foot forward in 2020. Allen has help, the defense is great, and now they’ll all just have to prove some doubters wrong.
In regard to the list, the Bills do have a couple of big dogs on the block to surpass to actually attain such success. Sitting at the top of the ranking is the defending champion Chiefs, followed by the Ravens and 49ers, respectively.
Now, the Bills are not slated to meet the Ravens just yet in 2020 (playoffs, maybe?) but they will face the Chiefs and 49ers, both on primetime. Buffalo has a chance to climb some rungs in this ladder just next season alone, if they win those contests.
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