Way too early 2020 season expectations

[Jasovon]

I went into 2019 expected 8 wins, we did better than that which was awesome. It's obviously far too early but I'm interested what people on here expect in 2020 from this team.

 

For me, I expect 10 wins next year. I hope for more, but i expect us to win 10.

[billsfan1959]

Division champions and a legitimate contender for the conference championship.

[buffaloboyinATL]

19-0 baby!!!

[Z-Mann]

I'll say 8-8...the team benefited from an easy schedule this year, and next year it seems to be tougher.  Not a big fan of the schedule game, but prior to the 2019 season we mostly thought that our schedule looked pretty easy, and it was...big help for us.

 

I also feel like the Jets and Miami will be better, so those are not borderline guaranteed wins, while the Patriots take a step back.  8-8 / 9-7 might win this division in 2020.

 

Josh Allen will continue to be a maniac and win some games in the 4th quarter and show to be electric at times, but look lost in other games.  He won't improve much from his 2019 season, and we will start questioning whether he really is "the guy" that can bring us a Super Bowl, not just get us to the playoffs.

[Greg S]

Win the division, get a home playoff game and win it.

[JOE IN HAMPTON ROADS]

8 minutes ago, Z-Mann said:

I'll say 8-8...the team benefited from an easy schedule this year, and next year it seems to be tougher.  Not a big fan of the schedule game, but prior to the 2019 season we mostly thought that our schedule looked pretty easy, and it was...big help for us.

 

I also feel like the Jets and Miami will be better, so those are not borderline guaranteed wins, while the Patriots take a step back.  8-8 / 9-7 might win this division in 2020.

 

Josh Allen will continue to be a maniac and win some games in the 4th quarter and show to be electric at times, but look lost in other games.  He won't improve much from his 2019 season, and we will start questioning whether he really is "the guy" that can bring us a Super Bowl, not just get us to the playoffs.

I agree the sched made 10-6 possible this year but the team is just getting started.  We add a legit #1 receiver and some other pieces and we are rolling.  Also JA does continue to develop, and if his strides are half as long coming into 2020 as they were between 2018 and 2019, he will be the QB we have been waiting for.  I think we go 10-6 or better next year even with the schedule, conference champs and we should win a playoff game or two.  Not Superbowl caliber yet but look at where this team was in 2017 and think where we may be in 2021.

Edited January 8, 2020 by JOE IN HAMPTON ROADS
typo

[NewEra]

The schedule will be tougher but so will the Bills.  Lots of cap room to spend and draft picks to use.  11 wins should be the goal

[whatdrought]

12-4, first round bye, Josh MVP. Super Bowl Victory.

Edited January 8, 2020 by whatdrought

[Stank_Nasty]

i'd like to see 10-11 wins against what looks to be a harder schedule on paper. 

 

- an improved offense all around. I think 12-16th in yds and points is realistic. I think this happens if Allen can just become a bit more efficient with his throws. the youngsters like singletary and knox keep improving and they find Allen somebody that is at least serviceable at grabbing those "area code" balls. it seems every other good qb has that luxury. our guy needs it as well.

 

- defense might regress a smidge but hopefully finds a pass rush

 

-win no less than one playoff game. preferably one that we are hosting due to a division title or bye.

Edited January 8, 2020 by Stank_Nasty

[entropyrules]

I agree with a number of the comments here regarding Allen. If Allen develops and takes even a small step (fewer fumbles, better long downfield ball) forward  then I think the Bills will finish 10-6 and again make the playoffs (division winner or wild card I am not sure).

 

On the other hand if Allen is still erratic from quarter to quarter the Bills will slip to 7-9 maybe 8-8 and the Bills will be looking again for a QB in the 2021 draft.

[Z-Mann]

22 minutes ago, JOE IN HAMPTON ROADS said:

I agree the sched made 10-6 possible this year but the team is just getting started.  We add a legit #1 receiver and some other pieces and we are rolling.  Also JA does continue to develop, and if his strides are half as long coming into 2020 as they were between 2018 and 2019, he will be the QB we have been waiting for.  I think we go 10-6 or better next year even with the schedule, conference champs and we should win a playoff game or two.  Not Superbowl caliber yet but look at where this team was in 2017 and think where we may be in 2021.

 

Yea man, you're not wrong and all reasonable things to say.  Hard for anyone to argue that he didn't improve in year 2.  Among some other things, I still worry about his completion %, and how he still could not crack 60%.  I would be more "ok" with that if he passed the ball like we thought he would at the beginning of the season...namely lots of long bombs and big throws.  Totally understandable how a QB may have a lower CP playing like that...but a huge majority of his throws were short and intermediate.  *If* that continues to be the case, he really needs to make another big jump into year 3 and get closer to that 70% mark.  Huge win for him and fans if he can pull that off.

[TroutDog]

If we can secure a larger WR it would allow for Josh’s advancement to continue, Singletary to push forward and Brown, Beasley and Knox/Kroft to win more battles. 
 

In addition, if we get a significantly improved EDGE, our D should take the next step. 
 

Of course there are other parts needed (improved OL, Zo replacement, CB, etc.) but the first two, if done, will help use get to 10-11 wins and win the AFCE. 

 

I trust Beane to complete, at least, a large part of this. 

[SinceThe70s]

The goal will always be to win the SB. My expectations/hopes in order of importance:

 

1) Josh improves to the point that I'm convinced he's the long term answer

2) Win the division

3) Win a playoff game

4) Hoist the Lombardi

 

If you gave me any of these I'd probably consider it a positive step forward, but I think 2, 3 and 4 are predicated on 1.

[eball]

There is no reason to expect a backslide -- not with Josh having another offseason under his belt and a majority of key starters returning.  Add in all of the draft picks and ability to do some things because of cap health, and the Bills should be a markedly better team next season.

 

I thought 10 wins was possible this year and that proved to be true.  We don't really know how our opponents will shape up as things change from year to year but I won't back down from 10 wins again.  I believe the division title is certainly in play, as is a first round playoff bye and the first home playoff game in Buffalo in a LONG time.

[teef]

they should be legitimately be contending for the division title and a playoff spot/win.  not to make the playoffs again would be a major disappointment. 

[Stank_Nasty]

3 minutes ago, teef said:

they should be legitimately be contending for the division title and a playoff spot/win.  not to make the playoffs again would be a major disappointment. 

i'll take that a step further and say that even just making it without at least a win would be pretty close to a major disappointment

[billsfan1959]

49 minutes ago, Z-Mann said:

I'll say 8-8...the team benefited from an easy schedule this year, and next year it seems to be tougher.  Not a big fan of the schedule game, but prior to the 2019 season we mostly thought that our schedule looked pretty easy, and it was...big help for us.

 

I also feel like the Jets and Miami will be better, so those are not borderline guaranteed wins, while the Patriots take a step back.  8-8 / 9-7 might win this division in 2020.

 

Josh Allen will continue to be a maniac and win some games in the 4th quarter and show to be electric at times, but look lost in other games.  He won't improve much from his 2019 season, and we will start questioning whether he really is "the guy" that can bring us a Super Bowl, not just get us to the playoffs.

 

So, you are confident that the Jets and Dolphins will improve; however, the Bills and Allen won't? 

[row_33]

baseball starts soon, White Sox have tried to stack the deck for a change.

[DabillsDaBillsDaBills]

It's tough to not be optimistic about next year. 

 

I'll go for 10 wins, even with the more difficult schedule. 

 

We're not losing any big pieces (unless Phillips walks), have a ton of cap space, and can add through the draft. If Josh can take another step forward we should be a legitimate playoff threat. Even if he settles in to just be a game manager we could still get to 10 wins next year. 

[teef]

17 minutes ago, Stank_Nasty said:

i'll take that a step further and say that even just making it without at least a win would be pretty close to a major disappointment

agree.  i expect/hope this team to be a more competitive version of who they were in 2019.

17 minutes ago, billsfan1959 said:

 

So, you are confident that the Jets and Dolphins will improve; however, the Bills and Allen won't? 

this seems to be the narrative for a few posters around here.  everyone gets better, but the bills stay the same or become worse.

[RiotAct]

9-7 or 10-6.  Hopefully they (pleasantly) surprise me.

[SCBills]

Wins: Chargers, Rams, Steelers, Cardinals, Broncos, Raiders, Titans, Jets, Pats, Dolphins, Dolphins

 

Losses: Chiefs, 49ers, Jets, Pats, Seahawks

 

11-5

[4_kidd_4]

6-10.

 

Sorry, it’s muscle memory

[jrober38]

The schedule looks very challenging.

 

Seattle, San Fran, KC, Rams, Chargers, Steelers, Titans plus our division games makes it look challenging.

 

Unlike this year when we faced a ton of terrible teams, we don't have very many cupcakes on the schedule.

 

With that said, another 10-6 season seems likely so long as the defense remains top 5 in scoring.

[Z-Mann]

30 minutes ago, billsfan1959 said:

 

So, you are confident that the Jets and Dolphins will improve; however, the Bills and Allen won't? 

 

Good question - for me, it's just a numbers thing.  The better you are, the harder it is to improve.  A team that won 3 games in 2019 and wins 7 in 2020...4 win and 57% improvement.  I'm not sure how realistic it is to expect that same kind of jump from a team that had say, 11 wins in 2019.

 

I also feel that, incrementally, Miami and the Jets just have more room to improve.  Bills were very healthy all year, while the Jets had all sorts of injuries.  If the Jets and Bills both get better by 20% but the Jets players stay healthy, they would make a bigger jump from 2019 to 2020.  Just as an example.

 

Realistically, there are just so many dang variables in football, a bounce here or there, a few untimely injuries, etc....can swing a team from 7 wins to 10 wins, and vice versa.

 

I do feel like the Bills should be a more talented team next year.

[PromoTheRobot]

I consider 2019 an 11-win season since we essentially forfeited the Jets finale. That said I think the 2020 Bills will take a small step back to 9 wins thanks to a brutal schedule.

[BmarvB]

With the right additions in the off season, 12-4 and the end of the Evil Empire's stranglehold on  the division

[DuckyBoys]

My 2020 wish list  :

Better personnel on offense

Defense playing more aggressive

New punter

Coach McDermott showing some growth in both in game decision making and personnel choices

Continued progress from Josh Allen

10+ wins and a playoff win

[Greg S]

4 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

I consider 2019 an 11-win season since we essentially forfeited the Jets finale. That said I think the 2020 Bills will take a small step back to 9 wins thanks to a brutal schedule.

 

They wont take a step back if Beane has a good offseason. We don't know how tough the schedule will be yet. Have to see what teams do in the draft and what they gain/lose in FA. Look at the AFC West KC will probably tough , but the Chargers weren't that good and look ready to move on from Rivers. The Raiders and Broncos are really nothing special to be honest. In the NFC West SF will also be tough. Seattle is good but beatable and they rely on RW to carry them now more so than in the past. The Rams could be tough. Will they look like the team from 2 years ago or will they struggle again like this past season. The Cards are OK but nothing the Bills should fear. If the Bills continue to build on what they have then they will be in good shape for 2020.

[Stank_Nasty]

37 minutes ago, teef said:

agree.  i expect/hope this team to be a more competitive version of who they were in 2019.

this seems to be the narrative for a few posters around here.  everyone gets better, but the bills stay the same or become worse.

right. hoping our 19 bills are closer to the 18 ravens as opposed to the 18 bears.

[Happy]

AFCE Champs...whatever that W-L record looks like

[SCBills]

23 minutes ago, Z-Mann said:

 

Good question - for me, it's just a numbers thing.  The better you are, the harder it is to improve.  A team that won 3 games in 2019 and wins 7 in 2020...4 win and 57% improvement.  I'm not sure how realistic it is to expect that same kind of jump from a team that had say, 11 wins in 2019.

 

I also feel that, incrementally, Miami and the Jets just have more room to improve.  Bills were very healthy all year, while the Jets had all sorts of injuries.  If the Jets and Bills both get better by 20% but the Jets players stay healthy, they would make a bigger jump from 2019 to 2020.  Just as an example.

 

Realistically, there are just so many dang variables in football, a bounce here or there, a few untimely injuries, etc....can swing a team from 7 wins to 10 wins, and vice versa.

 

I do feel like the Bills should be a more talented team next year.

I put that we split with the Jets, but we’re basically a full year ahead of them in the build, where we started at almost identical spots.  
 

Their defense should be strong again with a healthy Moseley.   
 

On Offense, I expect them to build an OL, but they don’t exactly have the ammo to address all their needs, which are 4 OL, Pass Rusher, CB and WR.   They will still have some glaring weaknesses.  
 

 

Edited January 8, 2020 by SCBills

[SlimShady'sSpaceForce]

Anything less than a playoff appearance would be a failure 

[Augie]

33 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

I consider 2019 an 11-win season since we essentially forfeited the Jets finale. That said I think the 2020 Bills will take a small step back to 9 wins thanks to a brutal schedule.

 

I’m hoping our improvement offsets the difficulty of schedule. 

 

BUT, I think it’s great that other teams and fans are going to look at the Bills game on their schedule and think “Oh, %$@#! That’s gonna be a tough week!” It’s been a while since that was the case. 

[The Frankish Reich]

9 or 9.5 wins should be the over/under assuming no huge roster changes. It’s just a much tougher schedule. Folks are focused on the outside of the division opponents, but the Dolphins and Jets won’t be easy next year. 
My general Quick and Dirty rule (if your formula works better, please share it): take last season’s record and regress it 50% to the 8-8 mean. 

[Z-Mann]

Also want to add - there are some exit points between "success" and "failure".  For example, If they are on the cusp of the playoffs but don't make it, and Allen was hurt for 10 games, 4 of our starting OL went out, Singletary gets hurt, etc...I don't know if I would consider that a "failure".  

 

Assuming they stay relatively healthy next year and avoid injuries to multiple key players, I do feel like anything less than a playoff birth, even with a tougher schedule, would certainly be disappointing.  If that's the case, it could mean a variety of things, none of them necessary good...like Allen didn't play well, or our draft picks busted out, or we got out-coached in numerous games, or they weren't as good as we thought they were (due to strength of schedule), etc.  

[Z-Mann]

6 minutes ago, The Frankish Reich said:

9 or 9.5 wins should be the over/under assuming no huge roster changes. It’s just a much tougher schedule. Folks are focused on the outside of the division opponents, but the Dolphins and Jets won’t be easy next year. 
My general Quick and Dirty rule (if your formula works better, please share it): take last season’s record and regress it 50% to the 8-8 mean. 

 

So for teams under .500, you would improve them 50% to the mean of 8-8?  

[Don Otreply]

For me it’s 10 or more wins, and the AFCE crown,  will that actually happen...

 

Go Bills!!!

[Bangarang]

Win the division. 

[teef]

3 minutes ago, Z-Mann said:

Also want to add - there are some exit points between "success" and "failure".  For example, If they are on the cusp of the playoffs but don't make it, and Allen was hurt for 10 games, 4 of our starting OL went out, Singletary gets hurt, etc...I don't know if I would consider that a "failure".  

 

Assuming they stay relatively healthy next year and avoid injuries to multiple key players, I do feel like anything less than a playoff birth, even with a tougher schedule, would certainly be disappointing.  If that's the case, it could mean a variety of things, none of them necessary good...like Allen didn't play well, or our draft picks busted out, or we got out-coached in numerous games, or they weren't as good as we thought they were (due to strength of schedule), etc.  

injuries would definitely be the wild card for next year.  this team was very lucky in that regard this year.