The Buffalo Bills are amongst 12 NFL teams who have never won a Super Bowl and, although the Bills have appeared in the final on four occasions, this season is viewed by many as one of their best chances of getting their hands on the trophy since the 1990s.
Feeling the pressure
The pressure will be on the Bills, with the highest hopes of glory amongst fans for many years, however, the Bills will face a tough challenge in the AFC Championship where they will face the Kansas City Chiefs, the Denver Broncos, and the Los Angeles Chargers, who are all expected to give the New York team a run for their money. The Chiefs in particular have been a thorn in the side of the Bills over the past two seasons. Still, the Bills are the team to beat and are expected to emerge victorious in the AFC.
The four consecutive Super Bowl final defeats in the 1990s are still a millstone around the necks of the club, which will remain until the team is able to secure a Super Bowl title. But the Bills have finished top of the AFC East in both of the last two seasons, which will give the team extra confidence. Playoff defeats to the Kansas City Chiefs in the past two seasons could either add to the pressure or serve as a motivation to do better this time round. The Buffalo Bills are favorites to win the Super Bowl in a wide-open field. The latest odds from Bodog have the Bills priced at +550 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers second favorites at odds of +700. If the Bills are finally going to win the Super Bowl, this season could be their best chance in decades.
A unique quarterback talent
A lot will depend on how quarterback Josh Allen performs this season. He has achieved at least 4,000 pass yards in the last two seasons and he also finished in 8th position for pass yards last time out, with a total of 4,407 yards. He also holds the NFL record for the highest passer rating in a single postseason. If he can continue to improve, and many view him as a major contender to become MVP, it could have a game-changing effect on the Bills’ form. One change in strategy propounded by head coach Sean McDermott is that Allen will be running less and working to reduce the number of risks he takes in the NFL this season, though McDermott was keen to emphasize that running is a big part of the 26-year-old’s game and it is important not to try to suppress his natural instincts.
Last season, the Bills finished in first place in AFC East, but suffered heartache in the AFC Divisional against the Kansas City Chiefs, described by many as one of the greatest games in the history of the NFL. But quarterback Allen is anxious to put the result behind him: “You can’t live looking in the past. We gotta focus on what’s ahead.” Allen is convinced that the young team will learn from the experience and gain motivation from the defeat. There is certainly potential for growth in the team.
Strengthening the squad
The Bills’ defense was its strong point last season and this time they have also landed a coup by securing the services of defensive end Von Miller in a six-year deal worth $120 million. The much sought-after 33-year-old comes with a big game reputation as he has already won the Super Bowl, emerging victorious with the Denver Broncos in 2015 and the Los Angeles Rams in 2024.
The offense was highlighted as a weak point last season, and the Bills have taken steps by signing 22-year-old running back James Cook in the 2024 NFL Draft. The rookie performed well in preseason games and could spring a surprise this season, as could fellow rookie running back Raheem Blackshear. The signing of guard Rodger Saffold will also give the Bills’ offense a boost. However, it remains to be seen whether Cook and Saffold will provide enough of an improvement to the offense, which is likely to remain an area of worry for the Bills this season.
One loss to the Buffalo Bills has taken place off the field with the offensive coordinator Brian Daboll joining NFC East team New York Giants as head coach. Ken Dorsey, the quarterback coach for the Buffalos, steps in to replace Daboll.
Nine team captains
The Bills have chosen nine team captains, voted for by the players, for the new season including quarterback Josh Allen, linebacker Tremaine Edmunds and wide receiver Stefon Diggs. For Allen, it will be the fourth season in a row that he has served as captain. Head coach Sean McDermott has increased the number of captains from six in 2019, followed by seven in 2020 and eight in the 2024 season.
The Buffalo Bills are favorites to win Super Bowl LVII and if Josh Allen can maintain his form, along with the new additions to the squad, the Bills can expect to be amongst the challengers for the title this season. The lack of a Super Bowl title remains an albatross around the neck of the club, creating added pressure, but if the Bills can channel this energy in the right direction and use it as extra motivation, they could finally get their hands on the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
