{"id":197308,"date":"2024-10-30T10:00:38","date_gmt":"2024-10-30T14:00:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=197308"},"modified":"2024-10-29T23:34:46","modified_gmt":"2024-10-30T03:34:46","slug":"examining-the-bills-ranking-in-the-afc-halfway-through-the-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2024\/10\/30\/examining-the-bills-ranking-in-the-afc-halfway-through-the-season\/","title":{"rendered":"Examining the Bills Ranking in the AFC Halfway Through the Season"},"content":{"rendered":"

Three weeks ago, the Bills’ ranking in the AFC was on more tumultuous ground. Buffalo was amidst a two-game losing streak to the divisional-leading Baltimore Ravens<\/a> and Houston Texans. The Ravens clocked Buffalo, giving Sean McDermott’s squad a wake-up call.<\/p>\n

The Bills fell in Houston by a field goal, 23-20. A 3-2 record then slotted Buffalo as the fourth seed in the AFC by virtue of leading the AFC East. The Kansas City Chiefs<\/a> held the top spot in the AFC and NFL and won every game despite less-than-stellar play from perennial MVP Patrick Mahomes<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Buffalo’s first three games set things up for a fast start. The Arizona Cardinals<\/a>, Miami Dolphins<\/a>, and Jacksonville Jaguars<\/a> could have been good or bad this year. All three teams currently sit somewhere in the middle, with Arizona leading the NFC West halfway through the season.<\/p>\n

With eight games in the books for the 2024 season, Buffalo has righted the ship toward a path that many believed they would be on during the season.<\/p>\n

Examining the Bills Ranking in the AFC Halfway Through the Season<\/h2>\n

A Circuitous Path to the Present<\/h3>\n

A lot can change from week to week in the NFL. One team can look like the top squad in the league in one game and then completely lay an egg the following week. The Dallas Cowboys<\/a> beat the Pittsburgh Steelers<\/a> 20-17 in Pittsburgh but then got leveled by the Detroit Lions<\/a> 47-9 the following week in Dallas.<\/p>\n

While the Amari Cooper trade has helped Buffalo, the results were more varied than just getting a top-level receiver. Cooper is a proven veteran, but his addition opened up the rest of the passing attack. Khalil Shakir<\/a> can eat up targets from the slot and torment the second level of opposing defenses.<\/p>\n

Keon Coleman<\/a> has seen more targets, including 125 yards against the Tennesse Titans<\/a> and a highlight touchdown grab and 70 yards in Seattle in Week 8. Buffalo escaped New Jersey with a 23-20 win over the Jets, but the trade can be seen as a pivotal point in the first part of the 2024 season.<\/p>\n

The Bills Ranking vs. the Rest of the AFC<\/h3>\n

Buffalo sits atop the AFC East at 6-2 through eight games this year. The Bills have a 4-2 mark in the AFC with losses to the Ravens and Texans. While those tiebreakers work against Buffalo, other factors have shifted conference dynamics since Week 5. The current playoff picture is a bit different in Week 8.<\/p>\n

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How the playoffs would look if the season ended today. pic.twitter.com\/87FddVTU1v<\/a><\/p>\n

— NFL (@NFL) October 29, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n