2011 NFL Predictions: AFC East Buffalo Bills

Buffalo Bills 
Last Season: 4 – 12

 

2011 NFL Draft: DT Marcell Dareus (Alabama, Rd. 1/Pick 3), CB Aaron Williams (Texas, Rd. 2/Pick 2), LB Kelvin Sheppard (LSU, Rd. 3/Pick 4), S Da’Norris Searcy (North Carolina, Rd. 4/Pick 3), T Chris Hairston (Clemson, Rd. 4/Pick 25), RB Johnny White (North Carolina, Rd. 5/Pick 2), LB Chris White (Miss. St., Rd. 6/Pick 4), CB Justin Rogers (Richmond, Rd. 7/Pick 3), DT Michael Jasper (Bethel, Rd. 7/Pick 42) 

Key Additions: WR Brad Smith, QB Tyler Thigpen, LB Nick Barnett 

Key Losses: LB Paul Posluszny 

2010 Individual Stat Leaders:

• Passing yards — Ryan Fitzpatrick — 3,000 yards

• Passing touchdowns — Ryan Fitzpatrick — 23

• Rushing yards — Fred Jackson — 927 yards

• Rushing touchdowns ­— Fred Jackson — 5

• Receiving yards — Stevie Johnson — 1,073

• Receiving touchdowns — Stevie Johnson — 10

• Tackles — Paul Posluszny — 151

• Sacks — Kyle Williams — 6

• Interceptions — Drayton Florence — 3

2011 Regular Season Schedule: 
Week 1: @ Chiefs

Week 2: Raiders

Week 3: Patriots

Week 4: @ Bengals

Week 5: Eagles

Week 6: @ NY Giants

Week 7: Bye

Week 8: Redskins

Week 9: NY Jets

Week 10: @ Cowboys

Week 11: @ Dolphins

Week 12: @ NY Jets

Week 13: Titans

Week 14: @ Chargers

Week 15: Dolphins

Week 16: Broncos

Week 17: @ Patriots

Analysis: If any 2010 team deserved to win more games last season it was the Bills. Seven of the Bills 12 losses were by 10 points or less. QB Ryan Fitzpatrick did an OK job as quarterback, posting 23 touchdowns and received help form RB Fred Jackson, but expected more from 2010 rookie RB C.J. Spiller. Heading into this season, the Bills lost their leading tackler in LB Paul Posluszny, but brought in LB Nick Barnett through free agent and DT Marcell Dareus, CB Aaron Williams and LB Kelvin Sheppard through the draft. WR Brad Smith comes into a receiving core of Stevie Johnson and Lee Evans, who both had quality seasons. On paper, it looks like the Bills should be a middle-of-the-pack team, but being in the same division as two of the top AFC teams and the AFC East being matched up with the NFC East this season, the Bills will again lose more games than they should.

2011 Season Prediction: 4 – 12, Third in AFC East

 
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