2013 Buffalo Bills and NFL Preview
The New Bills starter, EJ Manuel, with head coach Doug Marrone (left) and former GM Buddy Nix (right)
The Buffalo Bills will start 2013 with no easy task; hosting the New England Patriots while debuting a rookie quarterback. Let's not forget a rookie coach. Doug Marrone, the head coach of Syracuse University takes over for Chan Gailey after the teams playoff drought hit 13 years. Marrone was able to turn Syracuse from a cellar-dweller into bowl winners during his short tenure. He brings with him Nathanial Hackett as his offensive coordinator, who is just 31 years old. Coming over from the rival Jets to lead the defense is Mike Pettine. Pettine will bring the same scheme he learned from Rex Ryan, and look for the Bills to bring pressure from everywhere.
On to Manuel, the rookie quarterback from Florida St. In his limited time with the team, he is already taking over the huddle and becoming a leader. "So excited," said Manuel of making his first start. "There will be 70,000 fans routing us on Sunday and I get a chance to play against one of the greatest quarterbacks ever."
Jairus Byrd, who held out training camp in a contract dispute, will play this Sunday. He will likely be limited until he gets back into game shape. There have been trade rumors surrounding the safety all preseason, but neither the Bills or Byrd are actively looking for a deal. Both may welcome one at this point, but aren't in a big hurry. Byrd is looking to become the highest paid safety in the NFL, and the gap between offers is reportedly about 2 million dollars.
Fred Jackson and CJ Spiller will look to each hit a thousand yards this year and will likely see near a 50-50 split in carries all year. Here is what Spiller had to say on a conference call to Boston media yesterday. "We compliment each other so well. We both want the ball, there's no question, but as a team we'll be better going this way. Fred took me under his wing when I was drafted, showed be how the business works. We've developed a great bond and I think for both of us the goal has to be over 1,000 yards. We have to help take the pressure off EJ, and if the run game gets going....we're going to win a lot of games."
Here we will take a look week by week at the Bills season to see if the playoffs are in order for the first time since 1999:
Week 1 - Patriots @ Bills - Emotions will be riding high, and the Bills can keep it close. In the end, however, Tom Brady is still king. Patriots 31, Bills 21
Week 2 - Panthers @ Bills - The new look, hardly run, Cam Newton comes to town week 2. With Stephon Gilmore on Steve Smith all day, Newton could struggle to move the ball. Bills with the minor upset. Bills 24, Panthers 20
Week 3 - Bills @ Jets - The battle of two rookies here, as Manuel takes on Geno Smith. Rex Ryan loves to play rookies, and his defense will be all over the field. Jets 21, Bills 10
Week 4 - Bills vs. Ravens - The Super Bowl Champs are here. Which Flacco will show up? My money (and the Ravens) is on elite Flacco. Ravens 31, Bills 17
Quarter-Season Record - 1-3
Week 5 - Bills @ Browns (Thurs) - The only primetime appearance for Buffalo this year comes in Cleveland. Who will be behind center for the Browns? Manuel gets his first road win here. Bills 27, Browns 17
Week 6 - Bengals @ Bills - The Bengals have only beaten the Bills once since 1987. Like with Flacco, the question is which Andy Dalton shows up. We think he struggles on the road. Bills 17, Bengals 14
Week 7 - Bills @ Dolphins - Miami, who has an AFC East title in it's sights, can't overlook the Bills. Tannehill has struggled against them in the past. Bills 21, Dolphins 20
Week 8 - Bills @ Saints - Hardest game on the schedule. Buffalo can't stay with the Saints indoors. Saints 38, Bills 21
Midseason Record - 4-4
Week 9 - Chiefs @ Bills - The Bills welcome Andy Reid to town this week, and the Chiefs play mistake free to get the win. Chiefs 20, Bills 17
Week 10 - Bills @ Steelers - The Terrible Towels aren't what they used to be, but it's still a tough place to play for a young team. Bills are the better team here, but make too many mistakes. Steelers 24, Bills 14
Week 11 - Jets @ Bills - A rematch of week 3, the Bills are ready for Rex Ryan this time. Bad Geno shows up for the Jets. Bills 31, Jets 10
Week 12 - Bye Week
Week 13 - Falcons @ Bills (Toronto) - The annual Canadian game in Toronto, the Bills lose their home field advantage and the Falcons offense is too much to handle. Falcons 28, Bills 17
3/4 Season Record - 5-7
Week 14 - Bills @ Buccaneers - Playoff hopes are fading, as the Bills enter the soft stretch of their schedule. Schiano on the hot seat here as the Bills run all over Tampa. Bills 26, Bucs 13
Week 15 - Bills @ Jaguars - The Jaguars, who will be fighting Tampa for the right to Teddy Bridgewater, also will be ready for their season to be over. Will MJD even be around? Bills 31, Jaguars 14
Week 16 - Dolphins @ Bills - Now at 7-7, excitement builds as the team fights for the #6 playoff spot. Buffalo stays alive for one more week with a close win in the cold. Bills 19, Dolphins 17
Week 17 - Bills @ Patriots - Will Tom Brady play if the Pats are 12-3 here? The division should be locked up, but they could be fighting for a bye. Brady plays, Bills season ends. Patriots 35, Bills 14
Final Record: 8-8
2013 Projected Standings
AFC East
Patriots -13-3
Bills - 8-8
Dolphins - 8-8
Jets - 5-11
AFC North
Bengals - 10-6
Ravens - 10-6*
Steelers - 8-8
Browns - 3-13
AFC South
Colts - 12-4
Titans - 8-8
Texans - 7-9
Jaguars - 2-14
AFC West
Broncos - 13-3
Chiefs - 11-5*
Chargers - 7-9
Raiders - 5-11
NFC East
Cowboys - 9-7
Redskins - 9-7
Giants - 8-8
Eagles - 7-9
NFC North
Packers - 12-4
Bears - 8-8
Lions - 8-8
Vikings - 5-11
NFC South
Saints - 13-3
Falcons - 9-7*
Panthers - 8-8
Buccaneers - 1-15
NFC West
Seahawks - 11-5
49ers - 10-6*
Rams - 6-10
Cardinals - 4-12
Playoff Predictions
Wild Card
#3 Indy 34, #6 Baltimore 24
#4 Cincinnati 24, #5 Kansas City 21
#3 Seattle 30, #6 Atlanta 17
#5 San Francisco 34, #4 Dallas 31
Divisional
#1 Denver 41, #4 Cincinnati 21#3 Indianapolis 27, #2 New England 24
#1 New Orleans 24, #5 San Francisco 20
#2 Green Bay 27, #3 Seattle 17
Conference Champ and Super Bowl
#3 Indianapolis 31, #1 Denver 24
#1 New Orleans 41, #2 Green Bay 35
Super Bowl - New Orleans 38, Indianapolis 30
Buffalo Bills Key Player Projections
EJ Manuel - 59% Completion percent, 3200 yards, 21 TD, 17 INT
CJ Spiller - 205 carries, 1139 yards, 6 TD, 29 catches, 415 yards, 2 TD
Fred Jackson - 189 carries, 859 yards, 9 TD, 36 catches, 389 yards, 3 TD
Stevie Johnson - 68 catches, 850 yards, 6 TD
Robert Woods - 45 catches, 673 yards, 4 TD
Scott Chandler - 42 catches, 465 yards, 3 TD
Marquise Goodwin - 24 catches, 410 yards, 2 TD
Mario Williams - 14 Sacks
Kiko Alonso - 124 tackles, 4 sacks, 3 INT