The Buffalo Bills may not have had the strongest national television presence in recent years. That’s what a near two-decade playoff drought does to you. Could the upcoming 2020 NFL season change that trend?
Buffalo has participated in postseason play in two of the last three seasons. After being a perpetual “in the hunt” candidate that ultimately fizzled out in early December, the team is now on the cusp of being on the right side of the playoff hunt every year. Additionally, the Bills are in a prime position to make a run at their first divisional title since 1995.
It helps that the Bills have had a leg up on divisional rivals, New York Jets and Miami Dolphins, in recent history. For the first time in decades, it seems the New England Patriots may be hitting the reset button after the departure of quarterback Tom Brady.
The Bills have a slew of young talent on their roster, with several players who could be highlighted on the national stage.
Buffalo was wildly successful when it found their way onto the national stage a year ago, routing the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving. That performance helped fuel two additional national games during the flex portion of the NFL season.
The NFL is set to announce its 2020 schedule on Thursday. The Bills should be in consideration for multiple primetime games entering the season.
Here are three opponents that are candidates for Buffalo to placed on the national stage:
Buffalo Bills vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Playing the Super Bowl champions always raises the profile for a regular-season game. The Chiefs are slated to travel to western New York this season. Kansas City has one of the most dynamic offenses in the NFL. Their additional of running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire via the recent draft adds another element appeal to their backfield.
This game has some immense storylines as well. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is arguably the top player at his position. However, his place in Kansas City was locked in with a draft-day trade with Buffalo. The Bills, at the time, were not in need of a quarterback.
They would land their hopeful franchise quarterback a year later in the draft, selecting Josh Allen with the seventh-overall pick.
The battle between Mahomes and Allen would be intriguing to watch. After all, the duo was up for a throwing challenge prior to the start of last year.
Buffalo’s defense, among the best in the league, would square off against the dynamic offense of the Chiefs. Add in the connection between Kansas City head coach Andy Reid and Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott from their time together with the Eagles, and this game has the makings of spotlight matchup.