Buffalo Bills fans want to hear that Josh Allen is going to vault himself into top-10 QB territory, that the additions to the receiving and running game will pan out, and that rookie Ed Oliver and sophomore Tremaine Edmunds will help catapult the defence into a tier with the elites.
Unfortunately, best-case scenarios are usually hard to come by.
But fans should be positive about the team. Improvements in Allen’s game during his second-year should be expected, and Ed Oliver has shown in the pre-season that he can help the defensive line. So let’s be realistic, though, and see how this club will do through the first quarter of the 2019 season.
Week 1 score prediction: Bills 23, Jets 20
Rationale: The New York Jets have improved this off-season with the signings of Le’Veon Bell and Jamison Crowder, along with the draft selection of defensive tackle Quinnen Williams. However, picking up new head coach Adam Gase’s system could take the team some time. Buffalo’s coaching continuity with Sean McDermott (head coach), Brian Daboll (offensive coordinator) and Leslie Frazier (defensive coordinator) should work to the squad’s benefit early in the year.
Week 2 score prediction: Bills 20, Giants 14
Rationale: I have this bout being very low scoring, but I think the Bills’ offence should be able to outduel the New York Giants’. Despite Daniel Jones’ strong pre-season, it sounds like the G-Men are still going to roll with Eli Manning. And with Manning at QB, I like Buffalo’s chances to outpace New York. Golden Tate’s suspension should also hinder the Giants’ offence who will have to make up for the absence of Odell Beckham Jr. at wide receiver.
Week 3 score prediction: Bengals 23, Bills 24
Rationale: If Buffalo does start out 3-0, it definitely will have more to do with their opponents than their overall dominance. Nonetheless, the schedule-makers have gifted the Bills a rather easy first-three games. Cincinnati will be another team trying to figure things out with rookie head coach Zac Taylor. The fact that this will be Buffalo’s home-opener will also help as the crowd should be rocking in Orchard Park. The potential absence of A.J. Green could additionally hinder the Bengals in this matchup.
Week 4 score prediction: Patriots 31, Bills 23
Rationale: This is where the streak will end, unfortunately.
Although it does benefit Buffalo that it will not have to travel in between games, there is still a disparity between the Bills and the reigning Super Bowl champion New England Patriots. As it has been for a while in the AFC East, there is New England, and then there is everybody else. And although I feel Buffalo has a good chance at establishing themselves as No. 2 in the division, it would take a lot to go right for the Bills to better the Patriots – even at home.
Despite the projected Week 4 loss, a 3-1 start is certainly nothing to sneeze at. If Buffalo wants to be in playoff position, they have to defeat teams like the Giants, Jets and Bengals in 2019.
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