Buffalo Bills 2021 season preview: Looking back at 2020

After 11 straight division titles, the New England Patriots took a backseat to a resurgent squad in the 2020 season. What’s in store for the Buffalo Bills 2021 season? This is part one of a series ahead of the upcoming season.

Buffalo piled up a 13-3 record in 2020 en route to the AFC Championship game while solidifying themselves as the new sheriff in town. The Buffalo Bills 2021 season win total is currently set at 11. They are the favourites in the AFC East but the division figures to be competitive in 2021.

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The Patriots fell to third in the division with a 7-9 record, mired by opt-outs among key players and of course, the loss of Tom Brady. The Miami Dolphins had a strong 2020 season, narrowly missing the playoffs with a 10-6 record. The New York Jets, well, they played 16 football games. The not-so-Mean Green finished up the year with a 2-14 mark.

Before embarking on the Buffalo Bills 2021 season preview, here are some quick notes on the 2020 season:

• The offense scored more points than any team in franchise history
• Buffalo scored 501 points for (2nd in NFL) and 375 points against (16th)
• The team had five Pro Bowlers (Josh Allen, Stefon Diggs, Tre’Davious White, Andre Roberts, and Tremaine Edmunds)
• Allen’s stats: 4,544 yards/37 TD/10 INT passing — 421 yards/8 TD/4.1 YPC rushing
• Diggs’ stats 127 receptions/166 targets/1,535 yards/8 TD/1st team All-Pro

The team had its best record since 1991 when they were in the midst of four straight Super Bowl runs. After a crushing loss by hail mary in Week 10, the Bills could have folded up the tent in their bye week. Instead, they ripped off six straight wins on their way to the playoffs where they won twice more. Here is a brief recap of the 2020 season:

Buffalo Bills 2020 season review: Week-by-week quick summary

Week 1: vs Jets – First 300-yard passing game of Allen’s career in a 27-17 win

Week 2: at Dolphins – Allen throws for first 400-yard game in 31-28 win

Week 3: vs Rams – Bills had 25-point lead erased but went on to win 35-32

Week 4: at Raiders – Improved to 4-0 with a 30-23 win

Week 5: at Titans – Pounded 42-16 for first loss of the season

Week 6: vs Chiefs – Second loss of the season 26-17 with only 22:14 time of possession

Week 7: at Jets – Defense has 6 sacks, 2 picks as Bass makes 6 FG in 18-10 win

Week 8: vs Patriots – Running backs step up with 167 yards and two TDs in 24-21 win

Week 9: vs Seahawks – Five sacks and four turnovers for defense in 44-34 victory

Week 10: at Cardinals – Third loss of season 32-30 on hail mary catch by DeAndre Hopkins

Week 12: vs Chargers – Snapped two-game losing streak with 27-17 victory

Week 13: at 49ers – Ninth win of the season on Monday Night Football 34-24

Week 14: vs Steelers – Improved to 10-3 on the seasons with a 26-15 win

Week 15: at Broncos – Clinched first AFC East title in 25 years with a 48-19 romp

Week 16: at Patriots – Swept regular-season series with Pats for the first time since 1999 (38-9)

Week 17: vs Dolphins – Sixth straight win by a score of 56-26 to finish the season 13-3

Wild Card: vs Colts – Fans in attendance as Bills won their first playoff game in 25 years 27-24

Divisional: vs Ravens – Defense stifles reigning MVP Lamar Jackson in 17-3 win

AFC Championship: at Chiefs: Season ends to defending champions 38-24 at Arrowhead

— Part 2 coming soon: Looking at the Bills offseason moves —

What do you think the Buffalo Bills 2021 season will look like? How far can this team go? Let us know in the comments below.