Perhaps you are wondering where I arrived at such a title? Most football fanatics would include their team’s berth in the playoffs on their Christmas wish lists. For the Buffalo Bills it just might become a reality. Most pundits aren’t looking at them as Superbowl contenders, however, many are seeing them heading in the right direction, only a few steps away from making it to the playoffs.
The question is: what will it take for the Bills to get over the longest active playoff drought in the NFL? Consistency. There are several key aspects that is necessary to push this team to success.
Many analysts say that the success of a team starts with quarterback. In part they are correct, but in my personal opinion you need to have a dominant offensive line for your quarterback to be successful. With the additions of Chris Williams in free agency and drafting Cyrus Kouandjio and Cyril Richardson, the Bills pending dominance is already on the rise. I believe there is only one true, solid player that has solidified himself–Eric Wood.
Reminiscing with long-time Bills fan, my own father, John Brockenshire, we both arrived at the same conclusion: on paper the Bills skill position players look like one of the most promising and talented groups in many years. EJ Manuel needs to have a consistent year, and General Manager Doug Whaley has given Manuel all the tools to be successful. With talented returning players such as running backs Fred Jackson and CJ Spiller, wide receivers Mike Williams, first round pick Sammy Watkins, Robert Woods, and Marquise Goodwin, there are a lot of positive aspects that fans can get excited about.
As a result of many bad seasons consecutively, fans have developed a tendency to expect failure, but things have changed, and for once there is reason to be positive.
Having one of the best defenses last year felt pretty good. But the one aspect that we lacked that stood out like a sore thumb was our run defense. What will make our run defense better, you ask? Drafting a linebacker named Preston Brown who could be the steal of the draft. The Louisville Cardinals defense succeeded on having the nation’s best run defense. As Brown was the captain of the defense, I’m liking the Bills odds of being more productive, especially having Jim Schwartz as our leader and coach of the defense. Schwartz has brought a certain flair to the league and I am excited that he will be our next coordinator. A lot of people that I have spoken with think the Bills are going to lose something on defense because Mike Pettine is no longer the coordinator. I wholeheartedly disagree. The defense will be improved and will surprise many.
Bills Christmas in January
This is the year that the Buffalo Bills will finally go to the playoffs. With the right coaching and the right leadership it will happen. With the right talent in the right places, watch out AFC East, the Buffalo Bills are going to make some noise. Count on it!
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