2007 Rankings
Rushing: 15th (112.5)
Passing: 30th (164.6)
Total Offense: 30th (277.1)
Run Defense: 25th (124.6)
Pass Defense: 29th (238.4)
Total Defense: 31st (362.9)
What was the Bills’ best move during the offseason?
The Buffalo Bills were looked at as having an up-and-coming defense headed into the 2007 season, but they instead dropped from 16th to 31st in yards allowed, struggling against both the pass and the run. In response, they traded for defensive tackle Marcus Stroud, signed linebacker Kawika Mitchell, and used their top draft pick on the best cornerback in the draft in Leodis McKelvin. With last year’s top draft pick, linebacker Paul Poszlusny, returning from a broken arm, this unit should rebound perhaps beyond their 2006 level and into the league’s top ten.
What needs to go right for the Bills to succeed this season?
Both quarterback Trent Edwards and running back Marshawn Lynch must continue forward in their development after posting rookie seasons in which they established themselves as key players. Edwards looks like the real deal at this point, and the team is doing what they can to surround him with playmakers.
He already has the veteran Lee Evans at wideout and Roscoe Parrish in the slot. They added a lot of potential as well in the 6-6, 220 pound rookie James Hardy out of Indiana, and he should immediately pay dividends by taking some of the focus off Evans. The team also has an underrated tight end in Robert Royal, who can be very effective in the passing game.
The Bills also need to get projected starting left tackle Jason Peters into camp. One of the league’s better young offensive linemen, Peters is holding out for a restructured contract that would give him a hefty raise to match his play. Problem is, he has three years remaining on his current deal, and the Bills refuse to deal with him until he reports. Without him, though, Buffalo’s offensive line just isn’t as good, and the bills playoff hopes will take a big hit if he isn’t in the lineup.
Where will the Bills finish the 2008 NFL season?
After 13 games last year, the Bills were 7-6 and still alive in the playoff hunt before losing their last three games to end a disappointing 7-9. They also dropped several close games they very well could have won. But that gives them hope, along with the latest personnel additions, that they can compete for a playoff spot in a tough AFC. Unseating the New England Patriots as division champions is a longshot, but it’s not out of the question that they could slip into the postseason as a wild card.
Prediction: 8-8 and third in the AFC East.
