The Bills still are a work in progress, but made some positive steps in 2019.
Quarterback Josh Allen improved in his second season, while the overall offense found their way out of the bottom of the NFL. Their defense? Well, still amongst the best.
All things considered, the Bills, with some of the most salary cap space heading into the offseason and not exactly any huge pending free agents, are sitting pretty.
Touchdown Wire took the past, present and future into account when considering their way-too-early 2020 power rankings. A list which placed the Bills in the top-10 of the NFL at No. 9.
Here’s why Buffalo landed there:
9. Buffalo Bills
Current cap space: $80,186,963
Primary free agents: DL Jordan Phillips, RB Frank Gore, CB Kevin Johnson, DE Shaq LawsonGiven the Patriots’ possible offseason instability, the Bills are in a good position to potentially take over the AFC East. They have an outstanding defense, led by cornerback Tre’Davious White, who is the league’s best zone defender. They have a dynamic running game with the tag team of Devin Singletary and Frank Gore, though the veteran Gore may play elsewhere in 2020. The Bills also have John Brown, who might be the NFL’s most underrated receiver. And the coaching staff, led by Sean McDermott, clearly has what it takes to ascend. The primary question is whether quarterback Josh Allen can become enough of a pure passer to take that offense to the proverbial next level. A great runner and occasionally a real threat as a deep passer, Allen still struggles with accuracy and consistency, and this really came through in Buffalo’s 22-19 wild-card loss to the Texans. Allen had the ball as the primary instigator on 56 plays — 46 passing attempts, nine runs and one reception — and the only touchdown the Bills scored on the day was Allen’s 16-yard reception from Brown. If Allen isn’t able to take his game to a trusted place, the Bills will be stuck in second gear — and second place.
The Bills took positive steps in Year 2 with Allen, but it’s hard to argue the future outlook here. Allen still has a ways to go as a passer, but he did improve there from his first to second season.
His club must also do all they can to get help around him. Buffalo’s front office proved last offseason they’d do what it takes to upgrade offensively, adding veteran wideouts and a slew of offensive linemen. But Buffalo can’t sit on their hands now.
The playoffs are nice, but with the Patriots “possible offseason instability” in mind, the Bills should shoot for the moon this offseason themselves, and hope it lands them an AFC East crown.
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