Buffalo Bills: 5 Observations from the 2017 Schedule
By Paul Taylor
The release of the NFL schedule is always an exciting time of year for fans, as we break down and provide our thoughts on the Buffalo Bills’ 2017 season.
The official announcement of the NFL schedule is a fun time for Buffalo Bills‘ fans. While not the same thrill as when you were younger, it still brings dreams and high hopes of what could happen. (At least until the real action begins.)
As such, the release of the 2017 schedule on Thursday night was eagerly awaited by Bills’ fans. We now take a look at some of the key games and provide some early observations of what lies ahead for new head coach Sean McDermott and his team:
1) Season Opener
The season opener will also double as the Bills’ first home game of the 2017 campaign, making it extra special. While not as fun with Rex Ryan now gone, facing the New York Jets will still be interesting, as team aims to open the season with a key win over a division rival.
Hopes should be high in Buffalo, with the team having beaten the Jets four of the last five times they’ve played them at home. However, that one defeat was last season’s first home game, a 37-31 shootout loss on prime time television in Week 2.
2) Prime Time
Talking of prime time, the Bills will only face the media glare of a national audience once in 2017. And wouldn’t you know, it will also be against the Jets, on Thursday night in Week 9.
On the flip side, at least the team won’t have to change their schedule too much from week to week. Only two of their games in 2017 will not start at 1:00 pm ET.
3) We Meet Again
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From initial observations, McDermott comes across as a calm, level-headed guy. However, this perception will receive an early test in the 2017 campaign.
That’s because the Bills will head to Charlotte in Week 2, to take on the Carolina Panthers. It will be interesting to see how the 43-year old deals with the pressure of facing the team, where he was defensive coordinator between 2011-2016.
4) AL East
If the Bills are still in contention for a playoff spot entering December, their aspirations will essentially be decided by those “closest” to them. That’s because four of their final five games will be against the AL East.
More specifically, those four games will be versus the New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins. The two fixtures in four weeks against the Patriots will likely have the biggest say in the Bills’ fate.
5) General Schedule Observations
Aside from the AL East-heavy December, there are some other interesting quirks to the Bills’ schedule. They face a tough start to the season, with three of four games on the road, after playing the Jets in their home opener.
Keeping with home, the Bills will play three consecutive games at New Era Field, between Week 13 and 15. Finally, their bye comes early in the campaign, during Week 6.
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What are your takeaways from the official release of the Bills’ schedule for the 2017 season? Which particular games are you looking forward to and why? Let us know in the comments section below.