The Buffalo Bills exposed the Steelers and assured themselves of playoff contention.
Since 1995, the Buffalo Bills have not tasted the AFC East title and any visit to the postseason often resulted in disappointment. In fact, since the year they won the division, they have yet to smell victory beyond the regular season, going 0-5. And the last time they won a playoff game, they fell in the Divisional Round to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
As fate would have it, Buffalo not only defeated Pittsburgh, 26-15, on Sunday Night Football in Week 14 but they further revealed that the now 11-2 Steelers are a team that goes as their passing offense goes due to the running game struggling. Additionally, the Bills now hold a two-game lead in the AFC East with an opportunity to host a playoff game and break their postseason win drought.
The roster that currently resides in Orchard Park has enough talent for the long haul, specifically at the quarterback position in Josh Allen. The acquisition of Stefon Diggs via trade has opened up the passing game that Allen struggled in over his first two years.
Defensively, Sean McDermott‘s unit is playing with a violent edge that is necessary to combat the high powered offenses of the modern NFL.
The Buffalo Bills are strong can be a legitimate contender in the AFC.
To crown the Bills as the best in the AFC would be premature and unreasonable even with their fans having high expectations. However, to dismiss them would be lethargic and to overlook them would be palpably disappointing.
The job that McDermott has done along with the solid front office moves by general manager Brandon Beane has allowed the fans in Buffalo to root for a solid football while the two teams with New York in their name have largely underperformed in New Jersey.
Additionally, given how New England has been atop the division for a large portion of the last 20 years, Buffalo wearing the division title brings forth a new era.
The Buffalo Bills are now two games ahead in the division with playoff aspirations on the line. The fans will be breaking tables from home if that dream becomes a reality, but only time will tell if this Bills team can break the drought. For now, they have brought new life to the city and, in the season of giving, it’s a present well-received.