Buffalo Bills: How Confident Are You?
By David Mamola
The Buffalo Bills are the only team in the NFL to have not made the playoffs in the 21st century. Does this drought finally end in 2016? Take our fan confidence test to find out!
It’s been a pretty bumpy ride for the Buffalo Bills in this 21st century. Not only have they not made the playoffs this century, but they also are the proud owners of the longest current playoff drought in any of the major professional sports (last playoff appearance was 1999).
However, after an 8-8 record in 2015, there’s finally some hope in Buffalo that the Bills could actually turn this recent slump around. In an AFC East division that could be up for grabs with the news that Patriots’ quarterback Tom Brady will serve a four-game suspension to open-up the season, the time might be now for the Bills to strike.
Related Story: NFL Draft: Late-Round Steals
Do you agree with this? Are the Bills ready to end their playoff drought, or are they closer to picking first in the 2017 NFL Draft? Our fan confidence test can help you decide!
Simply choose one answer per question, record the points associated with the answer, and at the end of the test, add up all of your points to see your confidence level in the team!
Good luck, and have fun!
- How many yards will quarterback Tyrod Taylor throw for in the 2016 season?
- More than 5,000 yards; he’ll be a sure-fire Pro Bowler (10 points)
- 4,000-5,000 yards (7 points)
- 3,000-4,000 yards (4 points)
- Less than 3,000 yards; let the Cardale Jones era begin! (1 point)
- Wide receiver Sammy Watkins will:
- Overcome injuries and make his first Pro Bowl (10 points)
- Lead the team in receiving yards and touchdowns (again) (7 points)
- Struggle to stay healthy and won’t eclipse 500 yards receiving (4 points)
- Start the season on the PUP list and will waste a year of his prime (1 point)
- Running back LeSean McCoy:
- Is the best back on the roster and will eclipse 1,000 rushing yards easily (10 points)
- Will be the “big-play” back and should score at least 8 touchdowns (7 points)
- Is getting older, but he should still be a serviceable player (4 points)
- Will eventually lose playing time to Karlos Williams and/or others (1 point)
- The Bills’ offensive line is:
- One of the best in football; 2 or more players will make the Pro Bowl (10 points)
- Above average; it should be a strength this year (7 points)
- Average; it’ll get the job done, but it won’t be dominant (4 points)
- A complete mess; they’ll get Taylor killed back there! (1 point)
- Rookie pass rusher Shaq Lawson:
- Is a star in the making; he’ll win Defensive Rookie of the Year (10 points)
- Will get double-digit sacks and be a force in all 16 games (7 points)
- Will have some ups and downs, but should be a solid starter (4 points)
- I miss Mario Williams already! (1 point)
- Rookie linebacker Reggie Ragland:
- Will be the face of the defense for the next decade (10 points)
- Was a nice value pick and should be a solid starter right away (7 points)
- Isn’t flashy, but he should be a nice two-down player (4 points)
- Doesn’t fit in the new pass-happy NFL (1 point)
- Defensive back Ronald Darby:
- Will develop into a Pro Bowl corner and a force to be reckon with (10 points)
- Isn’t great, but he should again be a solid starter (7 points)
- Will have a “sophomore slump” and a disappointing 2016 season (4 points)
- Is overrated; Leodis McKelvin should not have been released (1 point)
- Kicker Dan Carpenter will miss how many field goals in the upcoming season?
- 0-2; he’s one of the best kickers in the league (10 points)
- 3-5 (7 points)
- 6-8 (4 points)
- Who? (1 point)
- The Bills will win games at home next year:
- 7-8 (10 points)
- 5-6 (7 points)
- 3-4 (4 points)
- 2 or less; should they move to Toronto? (1 point)
- Head coach Rex Ryan:
- Is the right man for the job; he’s still an elite NFL coach (10 points)
- Isn’t the best coach in the league, but he’ll get the job done (7 points)
- Is on the “hot seat” and could be fired by year’s end (4 points)
- Rex and Rob Ryan on the same staff? Good grief! (1 point)
Key:
- 100 points: Greatest team of all-time!
- 90-99 points: Super Bowl, here we come!
- 70-89 points: Playoff-bound!
- 55-69 points: 8-8 record at best
- Less than 55 points: Is it 2017 yet?