After making the playoffs for the first time since 1999, the Buffalo Bills will try to return to the playoffs in back-to-back years for the first time since the 1998 and 1999 seasons.
The task in front of them won’t be easy as the AFC East features the always favorite New England Patriots. Since beating the Patriots in the standings is close to impossible, if the Bills want to have a shot of going to the playoffs for the second straight year they need to finish in front of the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins.
To accomplish that for the first time since the days of Thurman Thomas, Eric Moulds and Andre Reed they need to tackle the following issues:
1.- Lean on Tre’Davious White to anchor their pass defense: White is a talented young player that had a tremendous season last year with six takeaways (four interceptions and two fumble recoveries) and was all over the field. He’s a durable guy that played all 16 games and broke up 18 passes (tied for 1st among all rookies) proving that he knows how to get the ball. Next step for White this season is to prove that he can become a shut-down corner in his second year in the league.
2.- Kelvin Benjamin needs to become the go-to guy: Benjamin, a former first-round pick, needs to step up. He must prove he can be the Bills number one receiver and lead a unit that last year ranked last in targets, last in receptions, last in receiving yards and 27th in receiving touchdowns. He needs to prove himself on the field and show the Bills that they made the right decision by acquiring him from the Carolina Panthers.
Other that LeSean McCoy being a solid and proven player it would be an understatement to say that the Bills will have a lot of questions this year at the skill positions. If Benjamin can become a true number one receiver he will make things a lot easier for whoever ends up being the starting quarterback and help the Bills improve their overall offensive numbers.
3.- Settle on QB for the long run: The Bills need to find their starter and stick with him for as long as possible even if he struggles early on. Regardless of whether they choose former Bengal A.J. McCarron, second-year passer Nathan Peterman or rookie Josh Allen the Bills will need to be patient and help them along the way as none of them have had a proven career in the NFL.
Although many fans and media members are rooting for Allen the truth is that this is a wide-open battle that will probably last the whole preseason and will result in a controversial decision no matter who ends being chosen.
