Starting to get into midseason, the Bills have had the history of falling apart as a unit. They get the strong or stronger start than most expected, then they come back to planet Earth. Last season was a different case. Through Week 8, they started out 5-2 before falling into a three week slump. For this upcoming season, I have the Bills predicted to start out 2-2 through the first four weeks with wins over the Baltimore Ravens and the Green Bay Packers.
Through this four week stretch, the Bills will take on the Tennessee Titans, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts and the New England Patriots on Monday Night Football.
Week 5: Tennessee Titans
A battle of the two wild card teams from last postseason. The Titans built themselves up from last season including acquiring Malcolm Butler through free agency and Rashaan Evans through the draft. The Titans are setting themselves up to compete with the Jaguars for the AFC South title.
With that being said, the Bills are not quite necessarily on the Titans level just yet but they are close enough to where the Bills can pick up a victory here. The Bills defense will have a big responsibility to stop Derrick Henry, but if the run game gets stopped, the Bills should be able to capitalize. Even though the Bills defensive line still needs run stoppers, it looks to be a major improvement from last season and that’s how the Bills can win this game.
Record: 3-2
Week 6: @ Houston Texans
The Texans showed so much promise behind Deshaun Watson until he suffered a season-ending torn ACL injury. To add insult to injury, the Texans also lost J.J. Watt for the season due to injury. The Bills will now face them both, assuming they stay healthy. Even with these two coming back, there is still too many gaps for the Texans. Even though the Texans passing game can go off at anytime, the Bills secondary can contain that receiving core.
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In a close battle, the Bills can squeak by the Texans only if Watson is contained.
Record: 4-2
Week 7: @ Indianapolis Colts
The beautiful part of this game for both teams? It won’t be a blizzard where it’s running competition between running backs. The biggest difference in this game is that Andrew Luck is coming back and he’ll be calling the plays. Even with Luck, the Bills won’t have to face a major threat of a passing game and what running game is there that the Bills should be concerned about?
Put the pressure on Luck and allow the offense to capitalize to put points on the board. Bills take this one.
Record: 5-2
Week 8: New England Patriots (MNF)
The first time in a decade where the Bills host Monday Night Football, and who better than to face Tom Brady and the Patriots. There game seems to always be one of the biggest ones for Bills fans. The last time the Bills beat the Patriots when Brady was the starter was in 2011. While the Bills are building up with a potential new franchise quarterback in Josh Allen, one of the few ways to beat the Pats is to consistently pressure Brady and sometimes that’s not enough.
This is going to be a big game for the Bills defense and it will be up to the offense to stay calm under any sorts of pressure. Even though the Bills are looking to start something big, the Patriots will more than likely be the favored ones in this game and come out with a win.
Record: 5-3
Brandon Ray is a Managing Editor for Full Press Coverage and covers the NFL and the Buffalo Bills. Follow him on Twitter at @brandon_ray79 and @FPC_Bills for Bills coverage.
