The Buffalo Bills hold the distinction of missing the playoffs for more years than any other team in the NFL. This season, they have yet another new head coach in Sean McDermott and they look to be rebuilding once again. Whether the changes will help the Bills in the 2017 Nfl Season or keep them the same is still to be seen. With the NFL training camps starting this week, here is a look at the 2017 Buffalo Bills preview.
Bills offensive breakdown
When the 2016 NFL season ended, it looked like the quarterback situation was on rocky ground. The Buffalo Bills benched quarterback Tyrod Taylor to keep him from getting hurt and seemed ready to let him go after the season.
However, after a few months of turmoil, Taylor agreed to return to the team at a $10 million pay cut and will start the 2017 NFL season as their starting quarterback. Taylor has good feet and is better than critics believe him to be but he has to win close games of the Bills will struggle again in 2017.
LeSean McCoy came to Buffalo last year and the former Philadelphia Eagles star running back seems like he isn’t ready to slow down at the age of 29. McCoy ran for 1,267 yards with a 5.4 yard-per-carry average, and an impressive 13 touchdowns and he will be the key offensive weapon once again this year. Second-year player Jonathan Williams will likely be his main backup.
The wide receiver position seems to be shaky.
Sammy Watkins is the No. 1 starter but this is the final season of his rookie contract and he wants a lot of money to resign. He also has to prove that he can stay healthy. He has undergone two surgeries on his foot already in his short NFL career. Rookie Zay Jones will serve as the No. 2 weapon, replacing Robert Woods in that role.
Finally, Charles Clay is the Buffalo Bills starting tight end.
Bills defensive breakdown
There is a new defensive coordinator along with the new head coach and Leslie Frazier will take over the Buffalo Bills defensive unit and try to turn them around. He will revert the Bills back to a 4-3 defense and that looks to be a positive move for the Bills defensive stars.
Jerry Hughes, Shaq Lawson, Kyle Williams, and Marvell Dareus will anchor a defensive line that should play much better in the new defensive alignment.
The linebackers will be the downfall of the defense if they don’t improve. Star Zach Brown left and strongside starter Lorenzo Alexander is not someone who puts fear into opposing offenses. Likewise, the secondary is a huge question mark. Two safeties and two cornerbacks from 2016 are gone and the 2017 Buffalo Bills will be plugging in a number of new starters and hoping for the best. Micah Hyde from Green Bay and rookie Tre’Davious White from LSU are the top names here now.
Bills 2017 NFL prediction
The Buffalo Bills believe they will improve with new head coach Sean McDermott but this is not going to be easy.
Tyrod Taylor has to prove he can win the close games and he needs to bring his receivers along with him. The defense really has to improve and if Leslie Frazier’s new 4-3 does what it is supposed to, they can. They likely won’t make the playoffs in the 2017 NFL season but they could end up back at .500.
