Buffalo Bills schedule 2020: Picks, predictions for every game
Week 9: Buffalo Bills vs Seattle Seahawks
This is the game I am most looking forward to on the Bills’ schedule, as these teams are built in a very similar manner. Both franchises started out by surrounding their young, mobile quarterback with a terrific defense and strong running game. As Russell Wilson became more accustomed to the NFL, he started becoming the driving force behind the offense and turned into an elite passer.
I see the Bills as an early version of the 2012 Seahawks, with Buffalo hoping Josh Allen can eventually become their Russell Wilson. Nonetheless, Wilson is arguably a top-three quarterback in the league right now and will be able to overcome a tough situation in Buffalo. I think this is a close game, but Allen hasn’t shown enough in his development to prove he can beat out an elite quarterback like Wilson.
Score: Seahawks 24, Bills 20
Week 10: Buffalo Bills at Arizona Cardinals
Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins may be one of the most dangerous quarterback-wide receiver duos in the NFL, but we’ve seen the Bills play against a similar team last season. This Cardinals team looks a lot like the 2019 Houston Texans, who got by with their tremendous quarterback, one great receiving weapon and subpar defense. Kliff Kingsbury may be a better coach, but the roster is similarly constructed.
If there is any game on the schedule that feels like the Bills will take revenge for last year’s playoff loss, it is this one. The Buffalo defense will try to swarm Murray and take advantage of his porous offensive line; Tre’Davious White will shadow Hopkins while the rest of the defense maintains their assignments against a creative offense.
Maybe it’s a stretch, but I think Buffalo comes into this game with a passion to avenge their playoff exit last season. They defeat the Cardinals and head into their bye week with a victory.
Score: Bills 28, Cardinals 20
Week 11: BYE Week
The Bills get a much-needed bye week as they enter the toughest portion of their schedule. At 7-3, Buffalo will need to reload as they’ll have three primetime games and two West Coast trips in December.
Week 12: Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers
Anthony Lynn and Tyrod Taylor return to their old stomping grounds in Buffalo for a classic “revenge game.” While the Chargers have had the Bills’ number in their most recent matchups, this is an easy Buffalo victory for me.
Taylor is quite limited and will struggle versus the talented Bills defense; the former Bill has struggled against top defenses in the past, despite having a great supporting cast. Don’t forget, Taylor had a career-high of 20 passing touchdowns with Buffalo, despite having had Sammy Watkins, Robert Woods, Marquise Goodwin, and LeSean McCoy at his disposal.
While the Chargers defense is certainly strong, Josh Allen should be able to create enough with his legs to help them outscore Taylor. Add in the fact that this will be an early, East Coast game for Los Angeles, I think the Bills have a sufficient edge in this one.
Score: Bills 26, Chargers 14
Week 13: Buffalo Bills at San Francisco 49ers – Monday Night Football
If there is one thing Josh Allen struggled with last season, it was pressure. Allen ranked 34th among all quarterbacks in completion rate while under pressure, completing only 17.1 percent of his passes. Not only will he be in a hostile environment, but he’ll be facing a 49ers front-seven that wreaked havoc last season. The 49ers may have lost DeForest Buckner, but they replaced him with first-round rookie Javon Kinlaw.
The Bills also struggled against dynamic run games last season, and the 49ers have arguably the best rushing unit in the NFC. This is one of the few blowouts I am predicting will go against Buffalo this season, as Allen will be under duress the entire game and fail to keep pace with the opposing offense. There are at least a few primetime massacres every year, and despite how solid this Bills squad may be, they are outmatched in this one.
Score: 49ers 41, Bills 21