Buffalo Bills: Saints game will determine playoff chances
By Paul Taylor
Whether the Buffalo Bills beat the New Orleans Saints or not, will effectively decide if the NFL’s longest current playoff drought ends this season.
Are the Buffalo Bills for real? Or will this be yet another season where early promises of success turns into shattered dreams?
Well, the answer could come as early as Sunday, sometime around 4:00 p.m. ET when the Bills’ game with the New Orleans Saints has concluded. As far as we’re concerned, if the Bills lose, they can forget about the playoffs this season.
No doubt this comment will split a lot of Buffalo Bills fans into two camps. Those who think we’re not giving them enough respect after their early season success and those who will agree, after years of being conditioned to expect the worst from their sports teams.
Now we could just stop there, but it’s only fair to offer an explanation for our rationale. The first part relates to the Bills’ play in recent weeks.
Sean McDermott’s team got off to a fantastic start this season, going 3-1 in their first four games. Of particular note was their defense, which gave up a league-low 54 points, averaging out to 13.5 per contest.
Now compare this to the Bills’ play in their last four games, with the defense once again being noticeable, albeit for a less positive reason. Over this stretch, they have allowed 95 points, for an average of 23.75 per contest. (For what it’s worth, they still have the fourth-best scoring defense in the NFL, as they prepare for the second half of their schedule.)
The question is, does this just represent a blip, or is it indicative of a team starting to slip? Again, we’ll have a much clearer idea, following the Saints game.
The reason we’re putting so much emphasis on Sunday’s game, relates to the fact it is being played at New Era Field. So far this season, the Buffalo Bills have been fantastic at home, going 4-0. (The only other team unbeaten at home this season are the Philadelphia Eagles, who are 5-0.)
If the Bills are to end the NFL’s longest current playoff drought, they are going to have to continue their excellent form at home. Beat the Saints, and the Bills will show they are still a genuine playoff contender.
Lose, and it will likely set the tone for the rest of the season. This is especially crucial, considering the second half of Buffalo’s 2017 schedule.
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Starting with the home slate, as well as the Saints, the Bills will face the New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts and Miami Dolphins. We predict the Saints game will be the difference between going 3-1 and 2-2 at home.
Now, turning to the away games, the Bills will play the Los Angeles Chargers (still doesn’t sound right), Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins. We just don’t see Buffalo beating the Chiefs or Patriots on the road, meaning they will either go 2-2 or 1-3.
So, minus the Saints game, we predict the Bills will either go 4-3 or 3-4 over the remainder of the season. This would give them an overall record of 9-6 or 8-7.
With this in mind, this is why we believe the Saints game is so crucial to the Buffalo Bills. Win, and they take another step towards the promised land, but if they lose, fans should mentally prepare themselves for the playoff drought to extend to 18 years.
What’s your take on the Bills’ position? Do you agree a loss against the Saints will ruin their postseason chances, or would you still be confident in their ability to qualify? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.