The Bills have said all season there’s no such thing as moral victories.
But apparently there’s power rankings victories.
Following their touchdown loss to the Patriots in Week 16, many national media polls viewed that Bills’ loss as one that showed that Buffalo can play with the big boys.
Here’s how the Bills fared in national power rankings polls heading into Week 17:
USA Today
9. Bills (10)
Led by newly minted Pro Bowl CB Tre’Davious White, who has yet to allow TD pass, argument to be made Buffalo sports league’s best secondary.
Touchdown Wire
8. Buffalo Bills
(10-5. Last week: 7)
There’s no such thing as a good loss, but Saturday’s defeat at New England was as close as it gets. The Bills went on the road and took the Patriots down to a last-minute drive. The Patriots, once again, are the kings of the AFC East. But the Bills have emerged as princes and may eventually overthrow the division dynasty. For now, the Bills are in the playoffs and locked in as the No. 5 seed. Despite the loss, they grew up some Saturday. Second-year quarterback Josh Allen went head to head with Tom Brady. Allen can make plays with his feet and his arms, and he’s only going to get better. So are the Bills. They’re a dangerous team entering this year’s playoffs. Coach Sean McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane have assembled a roster that’s going to be good for a long time.
NFL.com
10. Buffalo Bills
Previous rank: No. 10
The Bills are Good. This is their gift … and this is their curse. Because they are Good, they can defeat Terrible Teams and Bad Teams and Average Teams — and, on occasion — other Good Teams. But when given the assignment of beating a team that resides at that next level? The Bills have fallen consistently short. The latest example came Saturday in Foxborough, where the Patriots used a fourth-quarter surge to secure a 24-17 win and another division title. As they always do, the Bills fought hard against a Super Bowl contender but were ultimately turned away come money time. Two close losses to the Patriots this season has to be frustrating, but the bright side is obvious: The gap between Buffalo and New England has narrowed considerably. The Bills are Good … soon, they could be Great.
Sports Illustrated
9. BUFFALO BILLS (10-5)
Previous rank: 9
Points in poll: 173
Highest-place vote: 8 (5 voters)
Lowest-place vote: 9 (2 voters)
Last week’s result: Lost to New England, 24-17 (Sat.)
This week: vs. N.Y. JetsThe upstarts will have to wait another year to dethrone their AFC East counterparts, but it was a valiant effort from the Bills as they clinched a wild-card spot. The defense surrendered their second-most yards and points this season while the offense struggling to run the ball (46 rush yards for Devin Singletary, 43 for Josh Allen). Cole Beasley led the team with seven receptions for 108 yards, but not many would put money on him reeling in a jump ball like this.
ESPN
Week 16 ranking: 9
Team MVP: Tre’Davious White, CB
On a Bills team that seems greater than the sum of its parts, White stands out as its clear-cut best player. Buffalo’s lone Pro Bowler has established himself as a top-three cornerback in the league with a strong case for being the best player at the position. His six interceptions are tied for the league lead and he has yet to give up a touchdown despite lining up against the opposition’s best receiver. White will likely reset the market when he signs his next contract, although he is eligible for a fifth-year option this offseason.
Yahoo! Sports
8. Buffalo Bills (10-5, LW: 9)
The Bills didn’t win on Saturday, but everyone (but Patriots fans, it seems) could see that Buffalo is getting a lot better. Who knows if they’ll win the AFC East in 2020, but for the first time in a really long time there will be a legitimate challenger for New England.
NBC Sports
8. Bills (10-5; No. 9):
If/when this team learns how to win big games, this team will win everything.
CBS Sports
9. Bills
They showed in the loss to the Patriots that they could be a tough out in the playoffs. The defense is legit.
Bleacher Report
10. Buffalo Bills (10-5)
High: 10
Low: 10
Last Week: 10
Week 16 Result: Lost at New England 24-17The Buffalo Bills had a golden opportunity Saturday afternoon. They had the chance to send a message that the New England Patriots are no longer the unquestioned kings of the AFC East. A chance to show that they are a legitimate contender in the AFC playoffs.
As has been the case in a staggering 32 of the 35 times the Bills have faced Tom Brady, they failed.
The loss doesn’t take away all that the Bills have accomplished in 2019. A Buffalo team that had one postseason appearance this century entering the season has now made the playoffs in two of the last three seasons. Buffalo’s defense is stout. Second-year quarterback Josh Allen has made substantial strides.
But while the Bills are good, they aren’t great. They might be able to win on Wild Card Weekend, but they aren’t going into Foxborough, Kansas City or Baltimore and coming away with a win.
Buffalo is headed in the right direction, but it still has a way to go.
“The Bills couldn’t get the job done when things mattered the most,” Sobleski said. “Buffalo had an opportunity to knock a King Kong-sized gorilla off its back by beating New England and taking control of the AFC East. However, it squandered a 17-13 fourth-quarter lead. The Bills are a playoff team, but they’ve yet to take the next crucial step to become actual contenders.”
Sporting News
8. Buffalo Bills, 10-5 (8)
The Bills fought hard and played well in New England, but for a second time this season, they couldn’t generate enough offense and made the greater mistakes. They’re a strong playoff team while still learning how to win, and all the credit goes to Sean McDermott and his staff.
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