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Photo: @BuffaloBills via twitter
Humble and Hungry.
Over the past 4 seasons, these Buffalo Bills have had their fair share of ups and downs. For the first time since the early 90’s, more ups, than downs. This team is built in a similar fashion to the people of Buffalo — head down, hard nosed, blue collar — and the people of Buffalo are ready.
This 2022-2023 Buffalo Bills team is different.
Like the construction of the city itself, these Bills are no longer on the rise. This team is ready to explode and show the world that they are the gold standard.
Offense, Defense, Special teams. Three phases. This team has aces in each one.
Offensively, it all revolves around one man…
Josh Allen.
The perfect person to lead this team, Allen is ready to be THE guy. Not just THE guy, but THAT guy. THAT guy that every other team has to sit and watch, wishing he was wearing their colors. There aren’t many flaws. When he isn’t running through you, throwing it past you, or throwing it over everyone, he is outsmarting you. This is where Josh Allen has improved the most from years 1-3 to year 4. Before the snap even happens, he is understanding everything the defense is and isn’t showing him. Understanding the defense before the play is critical for young QB’s, and Allen has mastered this and turned it into a weapon in a similar way Tom Brady and the Patriots did against the Bills for the past 15 years. This is where Allen and the Bills offense will shine most brightly in the 22-23 season.
Sure the additions of Jamison Crowder, OJ Howard, Rodger Saffold, and James Cook are exciting, but the biggest improvement to this offense may come from someone already in the building.
The emergence of Gabe Davis as the number 2 guy behind Stefon Diggs will be huge for this team. Davis has all of the abilities to be a stalwart in this Buffalo offense. His route running is superb, his skill and ability to go up and get the ball is elite, and his work in the off season is unmatched. Look for Davis to have a monster year as his first as a clear cut starter.
On the defensive side of the football, health is the most important thing. Keeping Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde fresh are a priority. As one of the best safety combos in the league, the addition of Von Miller and the pressure he brings off the edge, should give Hyde and Poyer plenty of ball hawking opportunities. But it’s not just Miller. Ed Oliver, Greg Rousseau, AJ Epenesa, Boogie Basham are just a FEW of the young core at D-line that will be watching, listening, and learning from Von Miller. If this defense wants to continue to be a top 3 defense, they will need a strong effort from that group to get through the gauntlet of incredible quarterbacks the AFC boasts this season.
Rookie corner Kaiir Elam, drafted 23rd overall in this years draft is expected to be the starter opposite Tre’davious White if the latter is healthy enough for week 1. Elam, out of Florida is a speedy and long cornerback who is excellent in man coverage. Two lockdown corners on the outside turns Buffalo’s secondary into an elite group. If Tre White isnt healthy enough to play out of the gates, look for 3rd year man, Dane Jackson to start the season in tandem with Elam.
If you want to talk about expectations for a team look no further than this teams only real position battle. Logging into #billsmafia twitter and seeing everyone up in arms over a punter battle is such a sweet feeling for a fanbase that has been through so much.
Incumbent Matt Haack is back for this season after a disappointing first year with the Bills. Haack struggled with consistency during the 21-22 season which is something to worry about for a cold weather team. At the 2022 draft, the Bills used a 6th round pick on “Punt God” Matt Araiza out of San Diego State. Early signs show Araiza as the favorite out of camp as long as his snap holding isn’t an issue.
Expectations for this years Bills team are higher than ever. Starting the season on Thursday night primetime against the Super Bowl 56 winning Los Angeles Rams, shows what the NFL schedule makers feel about these Buffalo Bills.
Super Bowl or Bust.