Bye weeks shift around every year, but the Buffalo Bills bye week came at perhaps the most opportune time of the season. The move to a 17-game regular season schedule pushed a few bye weeks even further down the schedule. Six teams will get a break in Week 14 of this season, leaving only four games on each team’s schedule.
The New England Patriots, Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts and Washington Commanders all get a break in Week 14 of this season.
In contrast, the Detroit Lions, Los Angeles Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles and Tennesse Titans had byes as early as Week 5. NFL schedule makers gave the Bills an early Christmas present with a bye week in Week 12 of this season.
Why the Bills Bye Week Came at the Perfect Time in the 2024 Season
An Emotional Win Over a Perennial Rival
One perfect marriage for this year’s Bills bye week has to involve the team’s most recent victory. While Buffalo has mixed it up with the Kansas City Chiefs in the regular season each year since 2020, this year’s showdown was different. The Chiefs entered the game undefeated and off of two straight Super Bowl wins.
As much as coaches and players may deny it, the thought of going undefeated was certainly a potential goal for such a successful team. Buffalo stood on the tracks of the potential undefeated Chiefs train and may have been one of the last teams with the ability to defeat Andy Reid’s squad.
The Bills derailed that train with an emotional 30-21 victory in Orchard Park. Josh Allen‘s fourth-quarter rushing touchdown was an emphatic statement that things may be different this year. The rivals will likely meet again in the playoffs as they’ve faced each other in three of the last four postseasons.
With an extra week off after an important victory, both coordinators can examine what worked and what to change in another showdown. Having time to enjoy the win instead of immediately pivoting to game planning for another game may actually benefit the Bills psychologically.
Had they lost, the bye week would have been a time to pick apart what went wrong and how to fix it. Instead, Sean McDermott and his players can come down from the emotional high of beating one of the best teams in NFL history.
The Timing of Big Injuries
Buffalo added wide receiver Amari Cooper at this year’s trade deadline. The move has indirectly helped the rest of the receiving corps. What hasn’t happened, however, is having the entire complement of pass catchers on the field at the same time.
Amari is enjoying his Buffalo experience. 😁@SnapDragonApple | #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/bELBanprPe
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) November 18, 2024
Rookie receiver Keon Coleman and second-year tight end Dalton Kincaid both missed the pivotal game with the Chiefs. Luckily, Allen spread the ball around, getting Dawson Knox and Curtis Samuel involved in the attack.
Right tackle Spencer Brown suffered an ankle injury late in Buffalo’s win over the Colts and missed the pivotal game with the Chiefs. Ryan Van Denmark stepped into the starting lineup and didn’t allow a sack.
A Leader Returns After the Bills Bye Week?
Linebacker Matt Milano injured his biceps in the pre-season, effectively costing him the first half of the season. His 21-day window to practice was activated before the game with the Chiefs. The Bills bye week allows each of those stars to heal and potentially return for the final push to the playoffs.
Defense is havin' a year. 😈#GoBills | #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/SKAi0yDTdw
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) November 20, 2024
Milano hasn’t played this year and will instantly upgrade the linebacking corps. The offense hasn’t had Cooper and Coleman on the field for more than two games at a time. When Buffalo operates at full strength with all of its top weapons on the field at the same time, fans will get to see the potential Bills officials envisioned when they traded for Cooper.
Having a bye week later in the season is always more beneficial than an early one. The Bills bye week should set them up to potentially challenge Kansas City for the top seed in the AFC. Had the break occurred earlier in 2024, the Bills might be on a different path.
Main Photo Courtesy of Gregory Fisher – Imagn Images
