2010 NFL Predictions: Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo Bills finished the 2009 football season with a 6-10 record which put them in last place of the AFC East. Currently the Bills have the second worst odds to win the Super Bowl as posted by the Vegas oddsmakers. It would be ridiculous to think that Buffalo will exceed the NFL predictions made by the experts as they still have major question marks at several key positions including quarterback.

Trent Edwards was replaced by Ryan Fitzpatrick last season after getting off to a 1-4 start to begin the season. Fitzpatrick did go 5-4 over his 9 starts, but failed to reach 300 yards passing in any 1 game. He only crossed the 200 yard barrier twice during the season which is why the Bills ranked amongst the worst in football in all passing categories.

Terrell Owens had a horrible season by his standards. He caught just 55 yards for 829 yards, and will not be offered a contract by the Bills for next season. Of the top 4 receivers on the Bills 2009 squad, just Lee Evans will return this year. They will need some serious contributions from all the new players and rookies in order to increase their offensive production.

Buffalo finished with the 3rd worst passing offense in the league last year, but didn’t do nearly enough with the running game to compensate for it. Rookie running back C.J. Spiller will hope to be the answer for the Bills. Spiller is a big and fast power back that should inflict enough damage on the ground to open up the passing attack for Buffalo this year.

On defense, the Bills were unbalanced in 2009 as they ranked 3rd in passing yards allowed, but 29th in rushing yards allowed. They will need to sure up their line if they expect to give their offense a chance to win games. Buffalo re-signed DE Dwan Edwards and DT Marlon Favorite in hopes of building a solid defensive front around them. The addition of DT Torell Troup and DE Alex Carrington in the 2nd and 3rd rounds of the NFL draft will hopefully take care of some of the issues that the Bills have in stopping the run.

Overall, this is definitely a rebuilding year for the Bills as they aren’t expected to finish anywhere but dead last in the tough AFC East. If Buffalo can stabilize their defense and add a few sure handed receivers over the next couple of years they will have a chance of making a run at the playoffs. Until then, it will be a long uphill battle to get back to their winning ways. If C.J. Spiller can be the running back that they expect him to be as the 9th overall pick in the draft, then things may progress slightly faster.

Related posts:

1. Patriots take on 2-0 Bills in AFC East Battle
2. 2010 NFL Predictions: Miami Dolphins
3. Buffalo looks to extend Unbeaten Streak vs. Cincinnati
4. 2010 NFL Predictions: Kansas City Chiefs
5. 2010 NFL Predictions: Oakland Raiders

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