There’s a lot of buzz surrounding the Buffalo Bills coming into the 2020 season. With the Patriots expected to take a step back after losing Tom Brady, the expectation is Buffalo will win the AFC East for the first time since 1995 according to Buffalo Bills 2020 season odds.
Buffalo nearly won its first playoff game in 25 years back in January before blowing a 13-0 halftime lead to Houston in the Wild Card round as a 3-point underdog per NFL betting odds. Before the loss, the Bills had improved to 10-6 in their third season under Sean McDermott, reaching double-figures in wins for the first time since 1999. Buffalo hasn’t won 10 or more in consecutive seasons since ’98-’99.
The Bills boast one of the best defenses in the NFL, which is likely to help keep most games close. For this team to take the next step, quarterback Josh Allen must improve his passing accuracy to give the offense more teeth. There’s a lot of juice involved with riding the high side on the projected win total in the Buffalo Bills 2020 season odds at BetMGM. Allen’s problems will undoubtedly give bettors pause.
Buffalo Bills Regular Season Win Total
Over 8.5 -182 Under 8.5 +150
Buffalo Bills to Make the Playoffs Odds
Yes -176 No +145
Allen hasn’t been the train wreck that some critics expected he’d be when he was drafted but he has yet to become the star the Bills coveted. The No. 7 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft hasn’t fixed the accuracy issues that plagued him at Wyoming, completing just 56.3 percent of his passes to date.
Allen has run it 198 times for 1,141 yards (5.8 YPC) and 17 touchdowns over his two seasons, utilizing his legs more effectively than any quarterback not named Lamar Jackson. Ideally, he’d run less and move the chains with his arm more consistently.
The Bills hope the acquisition of Stefon Diggs will help Allen grow as a quarterback. Buffalo dealt a first-round pick to Minnesota to get Diggs, who becomes the top target in its offense. Diggs and John Brown will stretch the field with their speed, while Cole Beasley and Dawson Knox can get open underneath. Given that the receiving corps has been upgraded, Allen must take advantage.
Ageless wonder Frank Gore left Buffalo for the Jets. Still, a solid one-two running back punch remains in play with Devin Singletary and third-round pick Zack Moss. Singletary missed four games last season yet averaged 5.1 yards per carry when he was on the field and led the Bills in rushing. Moss was the first rusher in University of Utah history to top 1,000 yards in three seasons and should immediately command carries.
Secondary Should Fuel Elite Defense
There is a superstar at every level of this defense, making Buffalo one of the toughest teams to scheme against. Ed Oliver has the potential to become one of the NFL’s best defensive tackles after a strong rookie season. A suspension may be in Oliver’s future after being arrested for DWI and weapons charges in May. Star Lotulelei is a rock solid accompaniment alongside Oliver. On the outside, Jerry Hughes has gotten it done as an undersized defensive end for a decade.
Tremaine Edmunds has already blossomed into one of the best middle linebackers in the NFL. Edmunds led the team with 115 tackles last season, and he was selected to his first Pro Bowl as a reward for his play. Matt Milano has thrived in the same group as Edmunds. Free-agent acquisition A.J. Klein will bring veteran experience to the mix after leaving the Saints.
Tre’Davious White was arguably the best cornerback in the NFL in 2019. White was a First Team All-Pro with six interceptions and 17 passes defended, and quarterbacks were wary to throw his way most of the season. Veteran Josh Norman was signed to compliment White, but he’ll have to rebound after an ugly run with the ‘Skins.
Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde complement each other’s strengths well at safety. The Buffalo Bills 2020 season odds at BetMGM offer a prop paying +1200 to win all six AFC East games, which could only come to fruition if the secondary dominates.
Schedule Features Rough Slate vs. NFC West
The schedule has its challenge, which could make fading 2020 Buffalo Bills season odds tempting. Although New England will almost certainly take a step back without Brady, the Jets and Dolphins should be improved. The Bills must play Tennessee and Pittsburgh after finishing last year in second place in the AFC East. Neither game will be pleasant.
Buffalo might be happy to face the AFC West in inter-conference play. Kansas City is the only team likely to finish over. 500 according to the NFL win total odds, but the Bills were less fortunate in their NFC draw. The NFC West is the toughest division in that conference since even Arizona could flirt with a .500 record in 2020.
2020 Futures: Buffalo Bills Prediction
So much of this play boils down to Allen’s improvement at the helm of the offense. Buffalo has a superb defense that will be the team’s strength, and the ground game should be good. Allen’s inaccuracy is an issue they may not be able to overcome.
Although defenses that can contain the run will have a big advantage going against Buffalo if its passing game can’t gain traction, Allen could deliver one of the NFL’s biggest surprises if he improves. Eight or nine wins seems likely, but given the odds, the ‘under’ is the play.
