Breaking down the schedule

[BillsOverDolphins]

I think most people here would agree that the schedule gives us room for optimism this year. We play arguably the two weakest divisions in each conference (definitely in the NFC), and the AFC East has seen better days too.

Looking at the schedule, we have games we should win, games we will probably lose, and swing games. Sure, we could win and lose some we're not expected to, but if it evens out then the swing games will make or break our season.

Here's how I see it breaking down into those 3 aforementioned sections:

Likely losses:

Patriots
@49ers
@Texans
@Patriots

Likely wins:

Chiefs
@Browns
Dolphins
Jaguars
Rams
Seahawks

Swing games:

@Jets
@Cardinals
Titans
@Colts
@Dolphins
Jets


The key is going 4-2 in the swings. I put the Colts in there because it's a Week 12 road matchup and Luck could be well-adjusted by then. Cardinals are always tough at home, too.

I think 10-6 is doable, but still have my reservations. The opener against the Jets is going to be huge, imo.

[justasportsfan]

Re: Breaking down the schedule

not sure why the colts would be a swing game with a rookie qb and a rebuilding team.

[BillsOverDolphins]

Re: Breaking down the schedule

We're not exactly the best road team in the world, and if Luck is as good as advertised he could be coming into his own by Week 12.

[Skooby]

Re: Breaking down the schedule

We're not exactly the best road team in the world, and if Luck is as good as advertised he could be coming into his own by Week 12.

Luck is a season or two from getting it together at best, it took Peyton that long to get organized & he's one of the best QB's ever.

[DynaPaul]

Re: Breaking down the schedule

Call me crazy but I think we could sweep NE this year.

[ServoBillieves]

Re: Breaking down the schedule

15-1

[PTI]

Re: Breaking down the schedule

We're not exactly the best road team in the world, and if Luck is as good as advertised he could be coming into his own by Week 12.

A lot of people just brush this off. They assume a game like Arizona on the road is a sure win too. Indy is a different time zone too, somewhat off of a routine a little bit. The Bills have one ONE game each of the last seasons on the road. Two total road wins the last two seasons. Lowest in the NFL.

Bills will have improved a bunch if they can manage 3 wins on the road.

[BillsOverDolphins]

Re: Breaking down the schedule

Buffalo won 2 roadies in 2010 (Cincy, Miami), but your point remains--it's hard to mark any road games as sure-fire W's with this team. Cleveland may be the exception though.

[PTI]

Re: Breaking down the schedule

OOps, can't count.

[PTI]

Re: Breaking down the schedule

Oooops, my bad. Can't count.

[BillsOverDolphins]

Re: Breaking down the schedule

Call me crazy but I think we could sweep NE this year.

You're crazy.

[Skooby]

Re: Breaking down the schedule

You're crazy.

He's insane, you can fix crazy.

[PTI]

Re: Breaking down the schedule

You're crazy.

In the last 11 years Bills beat Patriots twice in the Brady era (lost twice to Cassel). 0 times on the road. Both games one thing is common, Tom Brady threw 4 INTs. Tom Brady has 5 career games throwing 4 INTs, Patriot lost all 5.

I will go out on a limb and say if Tom Brady throws 4 INTs in both games this year that the Bills will sweep the Patriots.

[casdhf]

Re: Breaking down the schedule

We play better football indoors

[mayotm]

Re: Breaking down the schedule

I think most people here would agree that the schedule gives us room for optimism this year. We play arguably the two weakest divisions in each conference (definitely in the NFC), and the AFC East has seen better days too.

Looking at the schedule, we have games we should win, games we will probably lose, and swing games. Sure, we could win and lose some we're not expected to, but if it evens out then the swing games will make or break our season.

Here's how I see it breaking down into those 3 aforementioned sections:

Likely losses:

Patriots
@49ers
@Texans
@Patriots

Likely wins:

Chiefs
@Browns
Dolphins
Jaguars
Rams
Seahawks

Swing games:

@Jets
@Cardinals
Titans
@Colts
@Dolphins
Jets


The key is going 4-2 in the swings. I put the Colts in there because it's a Week 12 road matchup and Luck could be well-adjusted by then. Cardinals are always tough at home, too.

I think 10-6 is doable, but still have my reservations. The opener against the Jets is going to be huge, imo.

I agree for the most part. Although I don't put as much weight on the opener as you do. A win would be great because they would have a real good shot at starting 3 - 0 followed by a home game against NE. However, a loss wouldn't be the end of the world.