Almost one quarter into the 2022 season (17 games takes away that neat division of 4 quarters), time to check in on how the Bills are doing, especially as compared to the lofty pre-season expectations.
Joe B, as usual, provides a well thought out, credible and very accurate analysis....
How the Bills look after 4 games: Josh Allen is Josh Allen-ing, Buffalo holds steady
Joe B, as usual, provides a well thought out, credible and very accurate analysis....
How the Bills look after 4 games: Josh Allen is Josh Allen-ing, Buffalo holds steady
Four games in, the Bills have made quite an impression on the rest of the NFL. Coming in with high expectations, the Bills have been on full display in three of their first four weeks with prime-time games over the first two weeks, and the national game in Week 4 against the Ravens.
So, since they’re through almost a quarter of the season, it’s time to check where things stand. How have the Bills handled the lofty expectations, which players have stood out, and what are some games and things to keep an eye on?
Is team better, worse or about where expected after 4 games?
It’s early days, but despite some injury adversity, the Bills have already lived up to their reputation as one of the top NFL teams and a bona fide Super Bowl contender this year. The Bills are rolling hot with a 3-1 start featuring wins over some of the better teams in the league, and their lone loss only coming on the road by two points.
...snip....
Team MVP: QB Josh Allen
A truly shocking answer, I’m sure. Kidding aside, Allen has found success in multiple ways this season, making him one of the most frustrating quarterbacks to defend in the NFL.
...snip....
Breakout player: DT DaQuan Jones
His might not be the name you first think of when it comes to “breakout,” but the way DaQuan Jones has taken over the middle of the defensive linehas been remarkable. He’s one of their best players every week, stout against the run, and he gives them more pass rush from the one-technique position than teams usually get.
....snip....
Top rookie: CB Kaiir Elam
It was a slower start than what the Bills would have hoped for from their first-round pick, but Kaiir Elam has settled into the starting lineup excellently. Elam hasn’t made a game-changing play, though the team has to feel impressed by his steady weekly improvement.
....snip....
Key players who need to improve: LG Rodger Saffold and RG Ryan Bates
It’s been mostly smooth sailing for the Bills in 2022, but the most significant weakness so far has been how poorly the starting guards have played. Veteran left guard Rodger Saffold was signed to provide the Bills a good base of a starting guard, which the team has had difficulties finding over the years. Saffold has struggled in the first three games of the season both as a pass and run blocker. He performed better against the Ravens in Week 4, but he hasn’t had the impact some were expecting.
The same can be said for starting right guard Ryan Bates, another offseason investment.
....snip....
Is the head coach on the hot seat or looking good for 2023 season?
Even if coach Sean McDermott and the Bills had lost three of the first four games, he would not be close to the hot seat for the 2023 season. The organization is fully invested in him and vice versa, and there is a sense of calm about the regular season in 2022 that hasn’t existed in previous years.
...snip....
Toughest stretch of remaining games: Week 6 through Week 8
The Bills have already gone through the gantlet of their schedule, with big early-season tests against the defending champion Rams, the 2021 AFC top-seeded Titans, the up-and-coming Dolphins and a high-powered Ravens team. Three of those four games were on the road, and the Bills managed wins in two of those three road contests. The most challenging part of their remaining schedule is just around the bend.
....snip....
Playoff contender? Or pipe dream?
Everything we’ve seen early on from the Bills shows they are a serious Super Bowl contender this season. All the roster construction and strategy they’ve implemented in the first five years of the Brandon Beane and Sean McDermott era have been building to this point. Even through early injuries and a demanding schedule, they’ve remained one of the most dominant teams in the league. Nothing has deterred fans from thinking this could be one of the most memorable seasons in franchise history.
So, since they’re through almost a quarter of the season, it’s time to check where things stand. How have the Bills handled the lofty expectations, which players have stood out, and what are some games and things to keep an eye on?
Is team better, worse or about where expected after 4 games?
It’s early days, but despite some injury adversity, the Bills have already lived up to their reputation as one of the top NFL teams and a bona fide Super Bowl contender this year. The Bills are rolling hot with a 3-1 start featuring wins over some of the better teams in the league, and their lone loss only coming on the road by two points.
...snip....
Team MVP: QB Josh Allen
A truly shocking answer, I’m sure. Kidding aside, Allen has found success in multiple ways this season, making him one of the most frustrating quarterbacks to defend in the NFL.
...snip....
Breakout player: DT DaQuan Jones
His might not be the name you first think of when it comes to “breakout,” but the way DaQuan Jones has taken over the middle of the defensive linehas been remarkable. He’s one of their best players every week, stout against the run, and he gives them more pass rush from the one-technique position than teams usually get.
....snip....
Top rookie: CB Kaiir Elam
It was a slower start than what the Bills would have hoped for from their first-round pick, but Kaiir Elam has settled into the starting lineup excellently. Elam hasn’t made a game-changing play, though the team has to feel impressed by his steady weekly improvement.
....snip....
Key players who need to improve: LG Rodger Saffold and RG Ryan Bates
It’s been mostly smooth sailing for the Bills in 2022, but the most significant weakness so far has been how poorly the starting guards have played. Veteran left guard Rodger Saffold was signed to provide the Bills a good base of a starting guard, which the team has had difficulties finding over the years. Saffold has struggled in the first three games of the season both as a pass and run blocker. He performed better against the Ravens in Week 4, but he hasn’t had the impact some were expecting.
The same can be said for starting right guard Ryan Bates, another offseason investment.
....snip....
Is the head coach on the hot seat or looking good for 2023 season?
Even if coach Sean McDermott and the Bills had lost three of the first four games, he would not be close to the hot seat for the 2023 season. The organization is fully invested in him and vice versa, and there is a sense of calm about the regular season in 2022 that hasn’t existed in previous years.
...snip....
Toughest stretch of remaining games: Week 6 through Week 8
The Bills have already gone through the gantlet of their schedule, with big early-season tests against the defending champion Rams, the 2021 AFC top-seeded Titans, the up-and-coming Dolphins and a high-powered Ravens team. Three of those four games were on the road, and the Bills managed wins in two of those three road contests. The most challenging part of their remaining schedule is just around the bend.
....snip....
Playoff contender? Or pipe dream?
Everything we’ve seen early on from the Bills shows they are a serious Super Bowl contender this season. All the roster construction and strategy they’ve implemented in the first five years of the Brandon Beane and Sean McDermott era have been building to this point. Even through early injuries and a demanding schedule, they’ve remained one of the most dominant teams in the league. Nothing has deterred fans from thinking this could be one of the most memorable seasons in franchise history.
Comment