2008-2009 Buffalo Bills Prediction and Preview

2007 Recap: The 2007 Buffalo Bills started off slowly by losing their first three games by a combined score of 79-24. After J.P. Losman the starting Quarterback went down with an injury, rookie QB Trent Edwards took over and won his first start in Week 4 and then proceeded to win four of their next five games. In the thick of the AFC playoff race, the Bills dealt with inconsistency and started switching back and forth between QB’s Losman and Edwards. Finishing the season at 7-9 and missing the playoffs for the eighth consecutive season.

2008 Odds to win the AFC East: Bills +805
2008 Odds to win the SuperBowl: Bills +4500

A look at the 2007 Buffalo Bills Offensive and Defensive numbers:
2007 Offense (Ranking)
Points/Game 15.8 (30th)
Total Yards/Game 277.1 (30th)
Rush Yards/Game 112.5 (15th)
Pass Yards/Game 164.6 (30th)

2007 Defense (Ranking)
Points/Game 22.1 (18th)
Total Yards/Game 362.9 (31st)
Rush Yards/Game 124.6 (25th)
Pass Yards/Game 238.4 (29th)

Key Player Additions and Loses:
Veteran Additions: DT Marcus Stroud; DT Spencer Johnson; DB Will James; LB Kawika Mitchell

Veteran Losses: WR Peerless Price; DB Jerametrius Butler; DB Jason Webster; RB Anthony Thomas

Top 4 Draft Picks: 1 11 Leodis McKelvin CB 5-11 190 Troy; 2 41 James Hardy WR 6-6 220 Indiana; 3 72 Chris Ellis DE 6-4 260 Virginia Tech; 4 114 Reggie Corner CB 5-10 180 Akron

Key Questions for 2008 Season:
• With the addition of 4 veteran defensive players can they improve?
• Will Trent Edwards take steps forward?
• Sophomore slump? Can Marshawn Lynch improve upon a good rookie season and lead the Bills offense?

Rookie on the Spot: The Bills are hoping first round pick Leodis McKelvin , a 5-11, 190 pound corner out of Troy, can start right away opposite another young corner in Ashton Youboty.

Fantasy Sleeper Pick: Defense - The Bills 2007 defense wasn't ranked very high coming in at 31st overall however the defense has some playmakers, and the addition of 4 veteran defensive players will help shore up an improving unit. If the offense can give these guys a lead and keep them off the field alittle more than last year look for an above average D-Unit.

2008 Prediction: While the 2008 Buffalo Bills may still be a couple of years away from playoff contention, they should be an exciting team to watch. How far Buffalo can go will rest on their shoulders of Edwards and Lynch. Make no mistake about it; the Bills are playing for a wild card birth and in a weak AFC east expect a 9-7 record, 2nd place finish in the AFC East.

2008 Schedule: Week/Opponent
1 Seattle
2 @Jacksonville
3 Oakland
4 @St Louis
5 @Arizona
6 Bye
7 San Diego
8 @Miami
9 NY Jets
10 @New England
11 Clevelan
12 @Kansas City
13 San Francisco
14 Miami
15 @NY Jets
16 @Denver
17 New England

Read other AFC East team previews: 2008 NY Jets , 2008 New England Patriots , 2008 Miami Dolphins .