The Buffalo Bills had a disappointing end to last season, exiting the playoffs via the Divisional Rounds after their loss against the Cincinnati Bengals. Despite having the home field advantage, the Bills put in a slovenly effort in a 27-10 loss. This came as a relatively big surprise to many after they were pegged as favorites to win the Super Bowl throughout much of the season. These predictions became even stronger after the Bills’ form in the latter stages of the regular season, winning their remaining seven fixtures in convincing fashion. In amongst these were victories over rivals the New York Jets and the New England Patriots, recording a duo of W’s over the latter.
Despite exiting earlier than many expected, their .813 win percentage in the regular season was bested only by the two eventual Super Bowl competitors in the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles. They even managed to record a win over Super Bowl Winners the Kansas City Chiefs during the regular season when they travelled to Arrowhead, beating them 24-20.
Though the regular season was a success, there was no doubt frustration at the way the Bills ended on a low. They will be looking to build on this in 2023 as they look to go a step or two further and there will be some key players they will look to rely on.
Josh Allen
Starting with the most obvious name, all eyes will be on Josh Allen next season at Highmark Stadium. When playing at the top of his game, there are few better quarterbacks in the league and he had another great solo season last year. He completed his third straight season with over 4,000 passing yards and 35+ passing touchdowns, despite reaggravating the elbow injury that has followed him since his rookie season. Allen has established himself as an excellent dual threat quarterback in recent years, rushing for 762 yards and scoring seven touchdowns in 2022. It seems as though he is ready to take his game to new levels according to coach Sean McDermott to. “I just think Josh taking his game to another level really means being a great decision-maker,” McDermott said.
“I just think the overall approach to the game, I’ve seen a different Josh this offseason. Not that it was bad before, but he’s got a new sense of focus, I would say, and determination — which is good.”
NFL odds currently have Allen at around +750 to win the NFL MVP award in 2024.
Stefon Diggs
After their rift was seemingly put to bed, Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs will be looking to become the best QB/WR duo in the league next season. Diggs had a great year last year, scoring 11 touchdowns and receiving for 1,429 yards. Davante Adams was the only wide receiver in the league to score more TDs and he paced fifth in the league for receiving yards. He was Allen’s number one target all year and there is no indication that, that will change anytime soon. With his issues with the Bills resolved, it should be all business for Diggs next season, and he is sure to be integral to any success in Buffalo.
Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer
Although they are of course great individual players, Hyde and Poyer go together here as together they form arguably the best safety duo in the league. Poyer has been one of the most consistent positional players in the league since he joined the Bills in 2017 and last season he posted his fourth straight season with a PFF grade of 74.0 or above. He allowed a first down or touchdown on just 22.7% of his targets faced last season. While Hyde’s neck injury forced him out of much of last season, finished in the top 15 in overall grading among qualified safeties in four of his previous five seasons in Buffalo. His experience in the deep end of the field is integral to Buffalo and he will be welcomed back with open arms after recovering from his neck injury during the offseason.
Dalton Kincaid
The Bills traded up in the 2023 draft to select tight end Dalton Kincaid out of Utah and given the capital spent, they may be looking to him to make an immediate impact. He had a huge final season in college with career highs for receptions and receiving yards at 70 and 890 respectively. He also tied his previous best touchdown scoring record with eight. CBS Sports took a look at Kincaid and noted that he may have a touch of Travis Kelce in him, saying “While listed as a tight end, Kincaid is billed to be more of the Travis Kelce type rather than a traditional blocker and could prove to be more of a receiver within Buffalo’s offense while Dawson Knox serves as the traditional Y tight end.”
