With training camp underway and the preseason fast approaching, Last Word on Pro Football is analyzing the schedules of all 32 NFL teams. Each team’s 16-game slate will be split into its most difficult (1-8) and easiest games (9-16). For this article, the Buffalo Bills most difficult games of 2019 are under the microscope.
The easiest games on the 2019 Buffalo Bills schedule.
Buffalo Bills Most Difficult Games of 2019
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Week 16: at New England Patriots
Every AFC East team should have their trip to Foxborough circled as their most difficult game of the season. After all, the Patriots have won every AFC East title since 2018. The Bills may catch somewhat of a break if the Patriots’ playoff seeding is more or less solidified and head coach Bill Belichick decides to rest people. Don’t count on that, however, as he played all his starters in the last regular-season game in 2007 to try and clinch a perfect regular season. Coach Belichick usually likes his team firing on all cylinders heading into the playoffs, and given that the Patriots usually receive a first-round bye, I can see him demanding the most out of his team to try and make a statement at the Bills’ expense.
2. Week Four: vs New England Patriots
The Patriots dominance of Buffalo in Buffalo is unbelievable. New England is 14-1 since 2004 in Orchard Park, and for gambling lovers, they are also 5-0 against the spread in their last five meetings there. Tom Brady should have a good grasp of how the offense looks without Rob Gronkowski after three games. Bills fans cannot even rely on Mother Nature to help in slowing down the Patriots offense, as it will still be plenty warm during the last week of September up north.
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Week 13: at Dallas Cowboys
The Bills appear on Thanksgiving for the first time since 1994 when they lost to the Detroit Lions 35-21. Josh Allen has played in primetime before, but none as big a stage as Thanksgiving in Dallas. The Bills can expect a heavy dose of All-Pro Ezekiel Elliott, assuming his contract dispute will be settled well in advance of this matchup. It is never easy to travel on a short week, and this will no doubt be Buffalo’s toughest trip of all.
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Week Eight: vs Philadelphia Eagles
The Bills are fortunate to get the Eagles at home in the middle part of a three-game homestand. However, if Carson Wentz is healthy this will be their toughest home game outside of the annual clash with the Patriots. The Eagles roster is loaded and well-balanced on both sides of the ball. They are one of the strongest teams in the trenches, as both their offensive and defensive lines are one of the top groups in the league. Eagles head coach Doug Pederson is a creative play-caller and will look to have Bills head man Sean McDermott guessing the entire game.
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Week 15: at Pittsburgh Steelers
The best time for the Bills to travel to Pittsburgh would have been early in the season, with the hopes that quarterback Ben Roethlisberger would need time to adjust to life without Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown. In week 15, expect the Steelers to be in sync and firing on all cylinders. Heinz Field is a tremendous atmosphere and an incredibly tough place to play. Buffalo will have to drown out the Terrible Towels and focus on winning a tough physical game in what is likely to be frigid conditions.
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Week 10: at Cleveland Browns
If the Cleveland Browns are as good on the field as they are on paper, this game should be higher on the list of most difficult games of 2019. However, the games are not played on paper and this Browns team will have to prove it. Let’s see what kind of improvements quarterback Baker Mayfield can show in year two. It will be especially interesting to see how well of a rapport he develops with Odell Beckham Jr. Bills fans would love to see a disgruntled OBJ in week 10, as that would make winning at Cleveland that much easier.
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Week 14: vs Baltimore Ravens
The Bills were absolutely destroyed by Baltimore 47-3 in Week One last year. Two things are different heading into 2019: the game is at home and will be started by Josh Allen instead of Nathan Peterman. The Ravens are always a tough team to prepare for, especially with the dynamic playmaking abilities of quarterback Lamar Jackson. Revenge will be on the minds of all the Bills players, in a game that may have big playoff implications for both teams.
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Week Five: at Tennessee Titans
Tennessee is always a tough team to play on the road, and the Bills certainly have not had their share of success there. Tennessee is 7-3 in their last ten home games against Buffalo. This game would be higher on the list, if not for the Titans’ philosophy playing right into Coach McDermott’s hands. Tennessee is going to want to establish a tough, physical running game with Derrick Henry along with some Marcus Mariota keepers mixed in. McDermott usually shines in these types of football games, as he likes to play the exact same way. If the Bills offensive line meshes well quickly, this could be a game where they have the advantage in the trenches.
