Teams in the AFC went all-out to improve during the 2022 NFL offseason.
The Las Vegas Raiders traded for Davante Adams, a deep threat that played with Derek Carr at Fresno State.
Denver even made a move, trading for quarterback Russell Wilson to improve their offense.
Cleveland improved their offense by trading for quarterback Deshaun Watson.
So where are the Buffalo Bills in the AFC with teams becoming stacked in the conference?
Bills Made Their Own Moves During The Offseason
While AFC teams were making headline news with their trades and signings, Buffalo made mostly quiet moves.
The only big move they made was signing free agent Von Miller.
Bills expected to sign LB Von Miller to six-year, $120M deal. (via @RapSheet) pic.twitter.com/80mB4EP3q7
— NFL (@NFL) March 16, 2022
However, they made other quiet moves that helped the team as well.
They signed tight end O.J. Howard to help give Josh Allen another receiving outlet.
They also kept offensive lineman Ryan Bates, who was a restricted free agent with the team.
While those moves weren’t the most talked about like every other AFC team’s moves, it helped the Bills.
The new, and returning, players with Buffalo in 2022 give them an edge to stay contenders.
Bills Might Have To Watch Out For Divisional Opponents
Buffalo made the right moves with the players they kept and added for 2022.
However, their rivals, the Miami Dolphins, made some of the biggest moves during the NFL offseason.
They used free agency and trades to bulk up their offense, which ranked 22nd in points scored.
Tyreek Hill, Terron Armstead, and Chase Edmonds, are the players helping with Miami’s offense in 2022.
most teams aren’t good enough to only have four picks in a draft. the only difference is most teams didn’t sign terron armstead, trade for tyreek hill, & STILL have 5 top-100 picks in 2023.
can’t imagine anyone could possibly fault the #dolphins for what they did this offseason. https://t.co/jQFcgT4T2C
— josh houtz (@houtz) April 23, 2022
While the Bills have enjoyed easy wins over the Dolphins the past three years, Miami is looking to end the streak.
However, they won’t be the only team the Bills need to worry about.
The New England Patriots also have a team put together to challenge the Bills once again.
While Buffalo enjoyed defeating a Patriots team without Tom Brady to help them, Mac Jones looks to take over his spot.
If the Bills have trouble with either of those teams in 2022, it could knock them out of playoff contention.
Is Missing The NFL Playoffs A Likely Reality For Buffalo?
With the improvements by the AFC teams, winning the AFC East is the only way the Bills guarantee themselves a playoff spot.
All AFC West teams are gunning for 10-7 records or better when the season ends.
The Titans and Colts will fight for the AFC South division.
With the moves by the Dolphins, and New England trying to get back to the glory days of Brady, there could be tough times ahead.
However, the Bills aren’t completely written off as a playoff candidate.
But if they can’t handle their division, other AFC teams might give them a run for a playoff spot.
With three wild card spots for AFC teams, it’s going to be difficult to snag one of the AFC West teams all have 10-7 records or better.
The good news for Buffalo is they have improved their defense and they have Josh Allen.
Those things will keep them in playoff contention but not Super Bowl favorites.
