Why the Buffalo Bills are the AFC team to beat in the 2022 NFL season
The Buffalo Bills are the favorite team not only to represent the AFC in Super Bowl LVIII in Phoenix but also to win it.
A few months after coming within 13 seconds of beating the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead, and thereby moving the AFC Finals to their stadium, the Buffalo Bills enter the 2022 season with a still partly-broken heart. But they also come with the greatest chance of getting their hands on the next Super Bowl trophy, according to bookmakers, at least.
Can the Bills really return Super Bowl glory?
Encouraging numbers are unfamiliar to this franchise, one that has a strong connection to tragedies. However, the Bills want to capture the ghosts of former years and return to a Super Bowl after a nearly 30-year absence.
The Buffalo team has four postseason appearances in the last five seasons. But featuring in the playoffs doesn’t mean as much these days, they’re not lovable losers anymore, with a winning culture trying to be created as the constant call of “next year” doesn’t fit into the standards anymore.
The Buffalo Bills are rich in talent and therefore seen as the team to beat. Along with the odds of favorites for the Vince Lombardi trophy, Buffalo has Josh Allen as the main candidate for the MVP of the season. However, the Bills’ offense might not even be their strongest point.
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Defense adds dimension to Bills’ quest
Coach Sean McDermott's team last season allowed just 4.8 yards per play on average over 17 games.
As if that wasn’t enough to brag about, the defensive department added talented veteran Von Miller, who last year helped the Rams win Super Bowl LVI. Buffalo also gets cornerback Tre’ Davious White back after overcoming a knee injury.
The Bills will have on offense the return of nine of their starters who helped bomb the league last season. Since 2018, Josh Allen has thrown for more than 14,000 yards and rushed for more than 2,000. With 135 touchdowns he is a points-making machine. Allen is an elite quarterback in the NFL, something the Bills haven’t had since Jim Kelly back in the ‘90s.
Four of the five starting linemen are back: center Mitch Morse, tackles Dion Dawkins and Spencer Brown and guard Ryan Bates. Allen appreciates that news.
The absence the Bills will miss most, however, will be their former offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, who was drafted by the New York Giants to become their new head coach. Daboll helped build the Bills by having the ball and now that responsibility falls to former quarterback Ken Dorsey.
Buffalo has all its stars aligned to finally let go of its tragic past and take the next step, to create history. The battle in the AFC will be difficult for any team, but none has more weapons and possibilities to get ahead than the Bills.
Buffalo Bills
Record in 2021: 11-6
Stadium: Highmark Stadium
Super Bowl Titles: 0 (lost all four appearances)
Head coach: Sean McDermott
Offensive Coordinator: Ken Dorsey
Defensive Coordinator: Leslie Frazier
2022 schedule for Bills
| Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 |
| at Rams | vs Titans | at Dolphins | at Ravens | vs Steelers |
| Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 9 | Week 10 |
| at Chiefs | BYE | vs Packers | at Jets | vs Vikings |
| Week 11 | Week 12 | Week 13 | Week 14 | Week 15 |
| vs Browns | at Lions | at Patriots | vs Jets | vs Dolphins |
| Week 16 | Week 17 | Week 18 | ||
| at Bears | at Bengals | vs Patriots |