We’ve known who the Buffalo Bills would play in 2020 for months now. But exactly when plays a part in it, too.
There’s primetime to consider, order of games, and where the bye week falls. All of these things could give the Bills an advantage or disadvantage. On Thursday, the NFL released all that information and we now know Buffalo’s upcoming schedule for next season.
Just based on opponents alone, the Bills enter the year with the fifth-hardest schedule in the NFL.
But now that the dust has settled on the Bills’ schedule, let’s rank all 16 games based on difficulty, from easiest to toughest:
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Week 1- Sunday, Sept. 13, 1 p.m.: Jets at Bills
For the past five-straight seasons, the Bills have started their season against either the Jets or Ravens, three of them being the Jets. Anyway, the Bills really have to handle their business in the division next season. Why this meeting ranks as the easiest on Buffalo’s schedule? The Jets have a lot of new pieces on offense, namely their offensive line, and they wont get any time to mesh before meeting the Bills on opening day.
Week 2- Sunday, Sept. 20, 1 p.m.: Bills at Dolphins
Tua Tagovailoa will make his home debut in Miami in front of Dolphins fans, against the Bills. His first game is going to be against the Patriots on the road. With New England in mind, Bill Belichick always crushes rookie quarterbacks. He’s going to put on tape, right away, how to top Tua, and Sean McDermott’s crew will do the same.
WEEK 8- SUNDAY, NOV. 1, 1 P.M.: PATRIOTS AT BILLS
Speaking of the Patriots, who even knows what will happen by Week 8 here, which is why they’re not listed easier meetings than the other AFC East foe. Quarterback Jarrett Stidham is certainly not as highly-touted as Sam Darnold or Tagovailoa, but maybe by Week 8 he’s gotten into a rhyme a bit? Or maybe he’s benched? Also putting this one in the No. 3 hole is Belichick, who still has a good defense and will play at home in this one.
Week 17- Sunday, Jan. 3, 1 p.m.: Dolphins at Bills
By Week 17, Tagovailoa will no longer be a rookie and could be slinging it pretty well. On top of that, the Dolphins also have a revamped defense and plenty of other younger prospects that will no longer be rookies by the season finale as well. The Bills will be a totally different team by then.
Week 7- Sunday, Oct. 25, 1 p.m.: Bills at Jets
Take that last line and apply it here. By Week 7, the Jets should be a better team that has meshed a bit more by the time these two meet again. But by no means should the Bills struggle in this one. Again, if the Bills want to take the AFC East in 2020, they have to take the bull by the horns and wipe out the division.
Week 12- Sunday, Nov. 29, 1 p.m.: Chargers at Bills
With a strong defense, the Bills should have a good game against Justin Herbert. Perhaps Tyrod Taylor will be starting for the Bolts early in the season, but by Week 12, it seems likely that the rookie will take over. But while the Chargers might have an inexperienced guy running the show on offense, their defense is still pretty damn good, the No. 6 overall unit in the NFL last year.
Week 16- Monday, Dec. 28, 8:15 p.m.: Bills at Patriots
So the Bills will probably have an easier slate against the Patriots next season, but it’s really hard to imagine their defense taking a step back. Added into that: This particular meeting will be at Gillette Stadium, and under the light of Monday Night Football. Buffalo should have a look at a win, but it won’t be easy.
Week 3- Sunday, Sept. 27, 1 p.m.: Rams at Bills
The Rams are a bit of a coin flip heading into the 2020 season, so it’s hard to rank them. We’re not far off from seeing them in the Super Bowl, but then last season, they took a decent step back in what is a good division in the NFC West. Having said that, the Bills’ secondary should be up to the test against quarterback Jared Goff, especially at home.