How many Bills seasons need to end with Josh Allen’s head buried in his hands after heartbreak?
The former NFL MVP will take his ninth kick at the can after yet another stunning defeat in a postseason classic. Whether it’s been unreliable defense when needed most, critical late-game turnovers or a failure to build a convincing supporting cast around Allen, his heroics haven’t been enough to clear the hump in January.
Although Allen has never been to the Super Bowl, he has propelled Buffalo to at least 11 wins in six consecutive campaigns.
Joe Brady, promoted from offensive coordinator, will start the season on a short leash.
The 36-year-old has a noted rapport with Allen and the front office believes culture continuity is the answer rather than an overhaul.
Other than the Chiefs, no team won more games from 2017-25 than Sean McDermott’s Bills, who are also the NFL’s only team to have qualified for playoffs in seven seasons running.
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Don’t expect anything less from the offense with the 6-foot-5 gunslinger with bruising rushing abilities under center: the Bills have finished between first and fourth in EPA per drive for six straight seasons with Allen.
He is the consensus +550 MVP favorite and is projected to sniff 4,000 passing yards and a fourth straight season of double-digit rushing scores.
James Cook was a breath of fresh air for Allen out of the backfield last season, earning a rushing title that boosted Buffalo to league rushing leaders.
His second-overall 56.6 percent success rate amongst backs with at least 1,000 yards came behind an elite run-blocking offensive line that’s back for more.
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Allen’s completion percentage still improved despite an underwhelming receiving corps that gets a spark in DJ Moore.
The jury is still out on the defense, but defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard steps in to implement a 3-4 after nine years of McDermott’s 4-2-5 base nickel.
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This shift is designed to implement a more aggressive, varied system after the Bills struggled badly against the run last season.
The Bills may no longer be the landlords of the AFC East with the Patriots back on scene, but with the 14th best strength of schedule, there’s no reason they won’t sail through the regular season with Super Bowl-or-bust hopes.
THE PLAY: Over 10.5 wins (-125 FanDuel)
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Sean Treppedi handicaps the NFL, NHL, MLB and college football for the New York Post. He primarily focuses on picks that reflect market value while tracking trends to mitigate risk.
