If the Buffalo Bills went into the 2022 season with the same team that took the field in 2021, the NFL predictions would be listing them as one of the top teams in the AFC and in all of football. With some of the additions to the roster, Buffalo has moved to the top in the championship odds.
Roster Update
The big moves came with the signing of pass-rushing linebacker Von Miller away from the Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams and bringing in offensive lineman Rodger Saffold from AFC rival Tennessee.
The Bills (+650) are the current favorites to win the Super Bowl according to the NFL odds Vegas. The Bills (-200) are the front-runners in the AFC East race as well.
- 2021 record: 11-6 (first in AFC East)
- Playoff results: Defeated New England 47-17; lost to Kansas City 42-36 in overtime
- Season opener: at Los Angeles Rams, Sept. 8, 8:20 p.m. EDT
- Playoff teams on 2022 schedule: HOME – Tennessee, Pittsburgh, Green Bay, New England; AWAY – Los Angeles Rams, Kansas City, New England, Cincinnati.
- Key newcomers: Miller, Safford, WR Jamison Crowder; TE O.J. Howard, CB Kaiir Elam (1st-round pick), RB James Cook (2nd-round pick), P Matt Araiza (6th-round pick).
- Key losses: WR Cole Beasley, WR Emmanuel Sanders, CB Levi Wallace, DT Harrison Phillips, OL Jon Feliciano, QB Mitch Trubisky.
- Award candidates: Josh Allen, +1600 in NFL Offensive Player of the Year odds; James Cook, +1600 in NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year odds; Kaiir Elam, +18000 in NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year odds; Stefon Diggs, +4000 in NFL Offensive Player of the Year odds; Von Miller, +5000 in NFL Defensive Player of the Year odds; Jamison Crowder, +10000 in NFL Offensive Player of the Year odds; Gabriel Davis, +10000 in NFL Offensive Player of the Year odds; Tre’Davious White, +10000 in NFL Defensive Player of the Year odds.
Offensive breakdown
Josh Allen is one of the top quarterbacks in football. He is coming off a season when he threw for 4,407 yards and 36 touchdowns. Allen was also the team’s second-leading rusher with 763 yards.
Stacking talent. 😏 #BillsMafia
7 Bills players cracked the top 10 in @PFF‘s 2022 position rankings: https://t.co/AjULJ483ZG pic.twitter.com/ohna4PprSn
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) June 10, 2022
Rookie James Cook joins a crowded backfield. Devin Singletary led the Bills with 870 rushing yards last season and Zack Moss added 345. They also brought in veteran running back Duke Johnson.
Leading receiver Stefon Diggs is back. However, Cole Beasley and Emmanuel Sanders are not. Jamison Crowder was brought in from the New York Jets and Tavon Austin from the Jacksonville Jaguars. Tight end O.J. Howard was severely underutilized during his time in Tampa Bay and he will team with Dawson Knox to make the position a strength.
Safford brings some experience to the offensive line. Spencer Brown should benefit from his experience as a rookie. Dion Dawkins was slowed by COVID issues early in the 2021 season so he could be even better in 2022.
Ken Dorsey takes over as the offensive coordinator after Brian Daboll became the head coach of the New York Giants. Daboll spent the previous four seasons running the offense for the Bills.
Defensive Breakdown
Buffalo didn’t need much help on this side of the ball after leading the NFL in total defense and passing efficiency during the 2021 season. However, adding future Hall of Famer and two-time Super Bowl champion Miller could take this defense to the next level.
Elam could step in right away as a starting cornerback. Fellow rookie Terrel Bernard could also play a key role.
Since 2018, the Bills have used first-round picks on linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, defensive tackle Ed Oliver, defensive end Gregory Rousseau and now Elam. They figure to help the Bills have one of the top defenses in the NFL once again.
2022 Outlook
There are plenty of reasons why Buffalo is currently listed by the NFL Betting Lines with the best odds to win the Super Bowl. There doesn’t seem to be a weakness on the roster.
As a division winner, Buffalo has to navigate through a first-place schedule with matchups against both Super Bowl teams as well as a Kansas City team not far removed from making back-to-back Super Bowl appearances,
The AFC East should be more challenging. Mac Jones led New England to the playoffs as a rookie and the best could be yet to come. Miami added receiver Tyreek Hill and offensive tackle Terron Armstead in the offseason while the Jets welcome three first-round picks.
