Realistic Expectations for the Buffalo Bills in 2019
Setting an expectation for the playoffs in 2019 isn’t exactly realistic for the Bills, but improving on their mishap of a 2018 season is.
The Buffalo Bills struggled on both sides of the ball in 2018, allowing 23.375 points per game while only scoring 16.813. The negative disparity led to the Bills going 6-10, following a year in which they went 9-7. It goes without saying that the Buffalo Bills 2018 season was a bit of a letdown, but they can improve upon that mark in 2019, should all their pieces come together.
There is good news is, for the first time, in what feels like forever, there is no quarterback competition in Buffalo. The starter for the Bills in 2019 will be second-year quarterback, Josh Allen. As a rookie in 2018, the Bills signal-caller threw for 2,074 yards, 10 touchdowns, and a 52.8% completion percentage in his 12 games of 2018.
This was in addition to his 12 interceptions, which is an average of one per game. His interception rate is undoubtedly something Allen needs to work on going into the 2019 season. If he manages to do so, the Bills could be competing for a playoff spot late in the season.
In addition to this, Allen will have a new receiver, former Cowboys receiver, Cole Beasley, to throw to in 2019. This will likely help Allen and the offense now that he has a new, play-making wide receiver to throw to. Also, the Bills replaced running back LeSean McCoy with Gore. The pieces appear to be there for the Buffalo Bills on offense and it looks as if the defense improved during the offseason as well.
With the ninth overall pick in the draft, the Buffalo selected University of Houston defensive tackle, Ed Oliver. He is a 6-1, 287-pound BEAST on the line, who will make big waves in his rookie season. Oliver was a top-five talent but fell to nine due to teams going in other directions, including three offensive players being selected before Oliver.
The rookie DT will be added to a Bills defense that struggled in 2018, with hopes of improving upon the three-plus touchdowns per game they allowed. If Buffalo’s defense wants to be successful and improve on their 2018 season, they must improve on the defensive side first.