Buffalo Bills 2008 NFL Projection:
It was one heck of a coaching job that Dick Jauron turned in last season for the Buffalo Bills.
Not only did they have to overcome parting ways with Spikes, Fletcher, Clements, and McGahee, but the Bills also suffered
a vicious number of injuries. Yet coming into week 15, the Bills had playoff hopes and a record of (7-6), but dropped their final
three games.
Looking at Buffalo’s losses last season one finds 5 blowout losses. But those losses came against the following playoff teams;
In other words, they didn’t fare well versus the crème of the crop in the NFL last year which is certainly excusable.
However, on the flip side 5 out of 7 of Buffalo’s wins came against AFC bottom feeders from last season with a combined record
of (15-65)… Those teams being;
But that should not leave the impression that the Bills were not competitive or at least capable of beating better teams, because they were, as exemplified
by very close, nightmarish 1 point losses to
Perhaps the biggest obstacle to the Bills success in 2008 may be the ability of the passing game to stretch the field.
While Trent Edwards makes good decisions, and was effective in the short game last season, Lee Evans’ deep numbers took a hit.
In an effort to rectify the situations Buffalo drafted 6 foot 7 inch WR Hardy. While rookie receivers rarely make a substantial impact
in the NFL in their first year, one likes to think that Hardy has such a height advantage, that he should be able to make an immediate contribution in opening up the passing attack.
On the downside, the Jason Peters holdout could prove devastating.
If the Bills are
unable to regain their deep attack,
Buffalo’s otherwise solid running game with Marshawn Lynch will almost certainly be hampered.
On the defensive side of the ball look for Buffalo’s run defense to improve thanks to the addition of NT Stroud, provided he can stay healthy, and the addition
of linebacker Kawika Mitchel should pay nice dividends.
An improvement on run defense should help to bolster the pass defense which ranked near the bottom in the NFL last season thanks in part to several
injuries. Also look for
top draft pick McKelvin to improve the team’s performance defending the pass.
Schedule Analysis:
The perceived difference in schedule between this year and last year is like night and day for the Buffalo Bills.
Last season half of the games the Bills played were versus teams that had qualified for the
playoffs in the previous year… And that didn’t even include the games;
This season the Bills only play five games versus teams that made the playoffs last season, with two of the games of course
coming against
New England
while the other three are;
But don’t discount a duel with
Cleveland…
A team on the verge of the postseason last year.
Furthermore, with the Jets’ acquisition of Favre, you can add in 2 more tough games.
Record Projection:
The Bills have a much greater statistical chance of being leaps & bounds healthier this season than last year.
And
free agent additions of Stroud and Mitchell should improve the defense.
Will it be enough to finally return Buffalo to the
playoffs in 2009 in the face of a tougher AFC East thanks to the addition of Favre?
A lot will hinge on the play of the Bills smart, young QB Trent Edwards. Above all else, we think his play
in the deep passing game will hold the key. Yet there is no denying Bills are a much improved team.
Overall we’re predicting a record of (8-8) for the Bills.
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Free 2008 NFL Predictions Note:
Remember
these now archived 2008 NFL forecasts were made
during the 2008 preseason.
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football campaign which may have affected
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