Buffalo Bills Still Very Much in the Playoff Picture Despite Loss

By Elias Trejo | Oct 5, 2015

The Bills lost a tough game on Sunday at home to the Giants. They didn’t look very good and the game maybe shouldn’t have been as close as it was yet they lost by 14 points. The reality is the Bills were facing an uphill battle against the Giants. This is still a team that has Tyrod Taylor as their starting quarterback. Taylor, who has the same amount of starts but less career attempts than rookie quarterback Jameis Winston, can be good but not without his top two game changing offensive weapons.

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There are many reasons why the Bills can still make the playoffs. If the playoffs started today they would get the final wildcard spot. They’re currently sitting in sixth place in the AFC behind a Jets team that they still have to play twice. There won’t be many games in which the Bills will get 17 penalties or at least they better hope not. While losing this game at home does hurt there are plenty of reasons to be still believe the Bills make the playoffs in 2015.

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Only four teams in the AFC have a better record than the Bills and the rest of the AFC looks like a mess. The Bills next four opponents have a combined record of 7-9, however four of those wins are coming from the 4-0 Bengals. For the Bills to be a serious contender after the next quarter of the season they need to come away with a 3-1 record and they should. However a 2-2 record would not be the end of the world.

The AFC is looking like a much weaker division than most people expected. The AFC West and AFC North are both struggling this year while the AFC East looks like the most top heavy division. It’s not out of the question to have the AFC East send three teams to the playoffs. As a matter of fact history shows the divisions in the AFC that have sent three teams to the playoffs teams were matched up against the AFC South which the Bills are.

Taylor, Karlos Williams, and Charles Clay will all benefit from the return of Sammy Watkins and LeSean McCoy. When this entire offense is together they’ll have an easier time keeping up with opposing teams that have quarterbacks like Eli Manning. That offense will also help the Bills defense stay fresh and aggressive throughout the game. In a 16 game season your bound to have a game like the Bills did this weekend against the Giants.

Oct 4, 2015; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan during the first half against the New York Giants at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

Rex Ryan is an experienced ball coach that players like to rally around. His post-game remarks were an example of the type of coach Ryan is and while they may not “clean things up” they should bounce back and win games.

Ryan’s teams don’t always win pretty but they’re not the type to lay down after a loss and not come out swinging the next week.

The Bills travel to Tennessee to play the Titans next Sunday. Ryan likes playing against rookie quarterbacks as he has a 9-2 record against them.

As long as the Buffalo defense avoids any Rashad Jennings stiff arms next weekend they should be able to come back to Buffalo with a 3-2 record. That is what playoff teams do. They beat the teams they’re supposed too and Ryan and the Bills have an opportunity to show they’re for real.

For more NFL News and Notes follow me on Twitter: @Elias_Trejo

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