After suffering a heartbreaking loss in the AFC divisional round last year, the Buffalo Bills are looking to do more this season.
The Bills go as quarterback Josh Allen goes, and he has been going great for a few years now.
The Bills selected Allen seventh overall in the 2018 NFL draft.
During his first two NFL seasons, Allen struggled.
The Wyoming product completed less than 60% of his passes during those two years and many were uncertain if Allen was a franchise quarterback.
Then from 2019 to 2020, Allen became a completely different player.
The gunslinger finished second in NFL MVP voting in 2020 and established himself as one of the star quarterbacks in the league.
Allen increased his completion percentage from 58.8% to 69.9% and his touchdown pass total from 20 to 37.
Through his first 60 NFL starts he has led the Bills to 39 wins and three playoff appearances.
In the playoffs, he has even played great throwing for 14 touchdowns and one interception despite a 3-3 record.
Best postseason QB Rating in NFL history
(min. 200 attempts)Josh Allen 106.6
Patrick Mahomes 105.7
Bart Starr 104.8
Kurt Warner 102.8 pic.twitter.com/YQ3b87Kgzw— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) August 12, 2022
The 26-year-old is now expected to be in the MVP discussion for years to come.
It would not be a surprise to see him bring home the award in the not-too-distant future.
You can notice an increase in Allen’s numbers with the addition of Stefon Diggs to the Bills.
Buffalo’s front office went out and got Allen a true number one receiver and the pairing has been one of the best in the NFL.
In two seasons with the Bills, Diggs as 230 receptions, 2,760 yards, and 18 touchdowns.
Defense Wins Championships
One reason the Bills have yet to get to the Super Bowl is because of their inconsistent defense.
The Bills’ front office has not been scared to make big moves.
Other than acquiring Diggs, the Bills also signed Von Miller this past offseason who should give a big boost to their defense.
The Bills were 13 seconds away from defeating the Chiefs in the playoffs but their defense could not get a stop.
MAHOMES HAD 13 SECONDS! #NFLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/68g4cJ0sqW
— NFL (@NFL) January 24, 2022
Adding Miller is for games like that.
The former super bowl MVP has always shown up in the playoffs and his playoff experience should pay dividends in Buffalo.
The AFC has turned into a very difficult conference with the addition of Russell Wilson to the Broncos.
Plus the ascension of Justin Herbert and the new-look Chargers.
The road to the Super Bowl will be tough and that is why having home-field advantage will be vital.
Luckily for the Bills, they play in a bad division.
Getting two games a year against the Jets, Dolphins, and Patriots should allow the Bills to get an advantage over other AFC contenders.
According to Vegas Insider, the Bills have a projected win total of 11.5 wins which is tied with the Buccaneers for tops in the NFL.
Also, they are the betting favorite by every major sportsbook to win the Super Bowl.
Being favorites heading into the season is something new for Buffalo so it will be interesting to see how they respond to the lofty expectations.
All things considered, this Bills team is extremally talented and they should the favorite to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.
