I agree with you that the Bills will be fine but...
1. The division is a lot harder. The Jets and Dolphins could challenge the Bills for the division now.
2. Playoff failures. Fans are getting frustrated with them highlighted of course by 13 seconds. Losing confidence in McDermott to get us over the top.
I personally think the Bills will go 11-6. That should get them into the playoffs. Will it be enough for the division is anybody's guess.
The Sabres will be on national tv 15 times this season.
The Sabres' national TV schedule for 2023-24 is as follows:
Oct. 17 vs. Tampa Bay - 7:30 p.m. on ESPN
Nov. 1 at Philadelphia - 7 p.m. on TNT (exclusively on MSG in the Buffalo broadcast market)
Nov. 24 vs. Pittsburgh - 6 p.m. on TNT
Dec. 5 vs. Detroit - 7:30 p.m. on ESPN+/Hulu
Dec. 13 at Colorado - 9:30 p.m. on TNT
Dec. 27 vs. Boston - 7:30 p.m. on TNT
Jan. 17 vs. Chicago - 7:30 p.m. on TNT (exclusively on MSG in the Buffalo broadcast market)
Feb. 10 vs. St. Louis - 1 p.m. on ABC
Feb. 27 at Florida - 7 p.m. on ESPN+/Hulu
March 2 vs. Vegas - 7 p.m. on ESPN+/Hulu
March 6 at Toronto - 7 p.m. on TNT
March 9 vs. Edmonton - 12:30 p.m. on ESPN+/Hulu
March 14 vs. New York Islanders - 7:30 p.m. on ESPN+/Hulu
March 30 vs. Toronto - 7 p.m. on ESPN+/Hulu
April 7 at Detroit - 1 p.m. on TNT
The 70's were bad, 84 and 85 were a nightmare. The drought also sucked. I am excited for this season. The Bills probably won't win 13 games as the division and schedule is tougher. My guess is 11-6. Will that be enough to win the division is anyone's guess. They are still a good bet for the playoffs. All of the AFCE games are going to be fun and nerve wracking to watch.
Cashman signed a contract extension for 4 more years, so he isn't going anywhere. I wonder if Boone will be the fall guy for this season. But maybe they bring him back as well. Who knows.
The Pats kept the window open for about 20 years with Tom and Bill. The rosters changed over the years obviously but as long as they had Tom and Bill, they were a contender. I do think there will be a decent amount of turnover with the Bills roster for next year especially the defense. Too many players are on the wrong side of 30. I would call it a re-tool or reload instead of a rebuild.
Rodgers had 5 games last year where he didn't throw for 200 yards. He also didn't have one 300 passing game. He is still an upgrade over what they had but his best days are behind him.
Their OL also blows, and 39-year Rodgers can't run to escape the rush. I think it will be like last year's games. Physical, intense, hard-hitting game that will end up being a one score game. I don't see a blowout either way.