No games are easy in the NFL. Even teams with poor records will pull off an upset on occasion. If the Buffalo Bills want to make a big run towards the Super Bowl, they will need to take care of business and win the games they are supposed to win. Last Word on Pro Football is analyzing the schedules of all 32 NFL teams. Each team’s schedule will be split into the most difficult (1-9) and the easiest (10-17) games. Let’s continue the series by taking a look at the easiest games on the Bills schedule.
Check out the Buffalo Bills Most Difficult Games of 2022.
Easiest Games on 2022 Buffalo Bills Schedule
#9: Week 3 @ Miami Dolphins
Sandwiched in between games with the Titans and the Ravens, this game has the makings of a “trap” game. The Miami Dolphins added a bonafide star by trading for Tyreek Hill, which should help Tua Tagovailoa. September in Miami can be awfully warm, which has affected the Bills in the past. The recent signing of Sony Michel will bolster their running game. Ultimately, Miami may not be a true playoff contender on paper. However, they certainly are an improved team that will pose a challenge on the road.
#10: Week 14 vs Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a team with a lot of questions and distractions heading into the 2022 season. How many games new quarterback Deshaun Watson will be available to play, due to the possibility he could be suspended by the league for sexual misconduct? Do they keep Baker Mayfield around as an insurance policy? If he does stick around, what will his attitude be like? They have the potential to be a really good team, and if issues can be resolved, some say they could contend for the AFC North title.
#11: Week 16 @ Chicago Bears
The Bills will get to find out why Chicago has the nickname of the “Windy City” as they travel there to take on the Chicago Bears on Christmas Eve. Bear fans love the notion of “Bear Weather.” It’s the belief that the cold and wintry weather that hits Chicago in December gives the Bears a competitive advantage when playing at Soldier Field. The Bears also made some changes at the top by hiring new head coach Matt Eberflus along with General Manager Ryan Poles. Will any of this help the Bears in 2022? Not likely as eight wins seem to be the bar that most pundits believe the Bears would be lucky to reach. A win against the Bills should not be one of them.
#12: Week 9 @ New York Jets
The New York Jets made quite the haul during the 2022 NFL Draft. They certainly selected quality players on both sides of the ball to support last year’s second-round pick, quarterback Zach Wilson. It will take time for their young core to truly develop, although New York will be tougher this season. Thus, making the trip to north New Jersey an intriguing matchup for Buffalo.
#13: Week 12 @ Detroit Lions
The Bills will face a short week, being slotted as the annual Thanksgiving opponent for the Detroit Lions. Short weeks are always difficult for NFL teams both from a game-planning perspective as well as physically recovering from Sunday’s game. The big question for the Lions can improve on a 3-13-1 record from last season, on a team that lacks a true superstar? Not likely, but the Lions are experienced with this short week which makes this game slightly more difficult to secure a win.
#14: Week 10 vs Minnesota Vikings
This game could be ranked higher if the Minnesota Vikings can reverse some of the issues that plagued them in 2021, especially on the defensive side of the ball. That issue led to the firing of Mike Zimmer, who was replaced by former Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell. Dalvin Cook, Justin Jefferson, and Adam Thielen give the Vikings plenty of firepower on offense. The problem in 2021 was that the defense could not get off the field enough to let them succeed on a consistent basis. If they can alter this trend, the Vikings will be a tough opponent come Week 10.
#15: Week 15 vs Miami Dolphins
Warm weather teams do not generally like to come to Buffalo in December. Home division games are generally a must-win and this game comes at a key point in the season. While the Dolphins could show some nice improvement in 2022, the Bills should prevail in this contest.
#16: Week 14 vs New York Jets
As mentioned earlier, divisional wins are vital if the Bills want to get home-field advantage in the playoffs. That means that playing a team at home that is not as talented as yourself should lead to a win. The Bills should also benefit from having ten days to prepare, having last played Thursday night prior to Thanksgiving. The young Jets should gain the interesting experience of finding out why playing in Buffalo is not an easy task.
#17: Week 18 vs New England Patriots
Before New England Patriots fans overreact, the assumption is that as the last game of the year, this matchup may wind up being meaningless. It is likely that one or both teams will know where they stand relative to the playoffs. With the potential of nothing to play for, the team may rest their stars. So for now, the matchup remains diminished in status… unless both teams need to win. In that case, this becomes a must-watch contest.
Main Photo: Embed from Getty Images
