The Buffalo Bills have made significant strides since the arrival of Sean McDermott as head coach, becoming a contender in the AFC Conference after 17 years of struggle. The Bills endured a 17-year playoff drought between 2000 and 2017 before they returned to the post-season in McDermott’s first year with the franchise. It took time for the Bills to get acclimatized to playoff football, but after suffering two Wildcard Round defeats in 2017 and 2019, Buffalo finally secured their first post-season win in 24 seasons after overcoming the Indianapolis Colts on home soil.
McDermott and his team were then eased by the Baltimore Ravens in the Divisional Round, but were then undone by the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship game. It appeared a game too far for the franchise in 2020, but a path has now opened up in the 2021 season for the Bills to make their first Super Bowl appearance since the 1993 campaign. The Bills are +500 in the odds on NFL betting with Paddy Power to win the Super Bowl, although a lot can change over the course of the season. Following the latest NFL betting tips will provide the latest information regarding the Bills and the rest of the league ahead of the post-season.
EARNED that win. ?@Nextiva | #BUFvsKC pic.twitter.com/6bIF2ALwbF
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) October 11, 2021
The Chiefs were the presumptive favorites in the AFC to advance to the Super Bowl for the third season in a row, but their offense led by Patrick Mahomes sputtered in the first half of the campaign. The usual electric play between Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Tyreek Hill has been stymied, with the quarterback making a number of mistakes. Buffalo were one of a number of teams to reach the Chiefs a lesson, storming to a dominant road victory over Andy Reid’s men at Arrowhead Stadium. The result was a statement of intent from the Bills as Josh Allen outperformed Mahomes, while the defense suffocated the Chiefs’ offense.
Although regular season success is important in deciding playoff seeding, Buffalo have a long way to go before they are ready to take on the mantle as the leading side in the AFC. The Tennessee Titans displayed their propensity to raise their game against elite opponents, defeating Buffalo 34-31 at Nissan Stadium. There are plenty of challenges remaining for McDermott and his men to secure the top seed in the conference and with it a vital bye in the first round of the post-season. Even the AFC East could be a struggle, given the resurgence of the New England Patriots with Mac Jones at quarterback. The Patriots surrendered their AFC East crown following Tom Brady’s exit, but Bill Belichick and company will be determined to bounce back to deny the Bills.
Allen and the offense have been developing nicely since he was drafted in 2018, but the defense has been together for a long time. Jerry Hughes, Matt Milano, Micah Hyde, Jordan Poyer, Tre’Davious White, Star Lotulelei among others are at the respective peaks of their careers. Therefore, Buffalo must capitalize now before the unit declines. There will not be a better opportunity for the Bills to make a surge to the Super Bowl before Mahomes and the Chiefs rectify their issues and the Patriots find their way back to the top with Jones and Belichick in tandem. The pressure is on McDermott, Allen and the franchise to deliver this term.