Is anybody talking about the 2021 schedule?

[machine gun kelly]

BTW, if any of you guys come to Tampa next year, I’ll meet up with any TBDers for an adult beverage (on you of course 🤪). TBH though I may be relocating back to Buffalo for another position in my field in the coming months.  Still tbd, but I must be the only guy living in Tampa that would be excited living back in Buffalo.

[Greg S]

8 hours ago, JGMcD2 said:

I’ve got a real sneaky feeling we will be playing KC week 1 and to open the season if they win the Super Bowl.

 

Chiefs home schedule for 2021 (non-division opponents) is the Bills, Browns, Steelers, Cowboys, Giants. They could go with the Browns. A playoff rematch from a competitive game. It doesn't matter if the Steelers, Cowboys, Giants are good or bad. Those teams always get on primetime. Big market and/or teams with national appeal that bring in strong ratings. The Bills are certainly in the mix. They will definitely get their share of primetime games.

[eball]

3 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

I would not be against getting that out of the way week 1. I would certainly rather play them early than late.

If we are going to get where we want to go, I’d like to play them early AND late. 

[GunnerBill]

17 minutes ago, eball said:

If we are going to get where we want to go, I’d like to play them early AND late. 

 

Ha. Playing them early then having them knocked out by Tennessee or someone to give us home field in the AFCCG would suit me fine....

[SoCal Deek]

Two observations: First, that’s way less travel than in 2020. The farthest west they go is KC. Second, so that’s what a playoff team’s opponents look like? Yikes...those are some pretty tough road opponents! Looks to me like the Bills are gonna be on national TV quite a lot in 2021. 

[dave mcbride]

10 hours ago, JGMcD2 said:

I’ve got a real sneaky feeling we will be playing KC week 1 and to open the season if they win the Super Bowl.

Ugh. The last team i want to play in week one is a fully healthy KC.

[Ned Flanders]

Said it before, expect the Bills to open either at KC or Tampa in the Thursday night season opener.

[Forward Progress]

You know what's awesome?!?

 

We are having this conversation in Late January instead of late November.

[YoloinOhio]

4 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Much easier than 2020 is my conclusion. 

 

Genuine chance of 8-0 at home. Trickier on the road but KC, Tenn and Tampa are the only three with a claim to be in that top tier of teams where the Bills belong (given the Saints don't have a QB and are in cap hell). 

 

Bills should comfortably win double digit games again and to be honest 12 or 13 wins looks very achievable.

 

Very good point. I would not be against getting that out of the way week 1. I would certainly rather play them early than late.

I think if the Bills play at KC week 1, that is a huge driver for them in the offseason to be able to immediately go back to the field where they felt devastated and “avenge” the loss if you will. No, a week 1 win isn’t the same as winning the AFC. But it would mean a lot to to them to start the season with getting that off their back. If they were to lose the game, however, it might be worse than if they played them some random point in the season. 

[Success]

3 hours ago, streetkings01 said:

We’re 0-2 against Mahomes......we have to win 1 before we call it a rivalry. We haven’t had much success against Reid’s Chiefs lately ......1 win in 6 games.....McDermott 1-2.

 

True - though I always saw the Pats as our biggest rival prior to this year, and they owned the Bills for 2 decades.  I guess I'm thinking more from a one-sided perspective, and who our biggest obstacle is.

 

I almost forgot the recent Chiefs games during the drought - the Tuel pick 6, and then the fumble at the endzone a year later, both of which likely turned wins into losses.

 

Gotta beat that team. I'll be very interested in the game next season. They're definitely a measuring stick for us at this point.

 

[Greg S]

1 minute ago, Success said:

 

True - though I always saw the Pats as our biggest rival prior to this year, and they owned the Bills for 2 decades.  I guess I'm thinking more from a one-sided perspective, and who our biggest obstacle is.

 

I almost forgot the recent Chiefs games during the drought - the Tuel pick 6, and then the fumble at the endzone a year later, both of which likely turned wins into losses.

 

Gotta beat that team. I'll be very interested in the game next season. They're definitely a measuring stick for us at this point.

 

 

During that time (Pats dynasty) I bet nobody from the division made it to their top 5 rivals list for them. The Ravens, Colts, Steelers, Broncos, and even the Giants were their biggest rivals.  The Bills, Jets, Dolphins were three little speed bumps the Pats drove over six times a year on their way to winning the division. Thankfully times have changed.

[Big Turk]

12 hours ago, eball said:

I just looked at it today and I’m psyched.

 

Home: AFC East, Atlanta, Carolina, Pittsburgh, Houston, Indy

 

Road: AFC East, New Orleans, Tampa, KC, Jacksonville, Tennessee

 

The home schedule looks like 7-1 at worst. The road schedule is tougher for sure but there are several good travel games. 

 

Nobody knows how any of these teams will be next year yet, so the toughness/easiness of the schedule at this point is moot.

[Draconator]

My wife and I have never been to Nashville. We have heard nothing but very good things about Nashville. Plus, we have good friends who have a house there. But when we checked the opponents, and saw an away game against New Orleans, we looked at each other and said, "we're going". We love NOLA.

[RiotAct]

2 hours ago, Ned Flanders said:

Said it before, expect the Bills to open either at KC or Tampa in the Thursday night season opener.

I fee like if the Bucs win the Super Bowl it’ll be Saints @ Bucs to kick off week 1.

[eball]

15 minutes ago, Big Turk said:

 

Nobody knows how any of these teams will be next year yet, so the toughness/easiness of the schedule at this point is moot.

 

The thread is on its 3rd page so I'd beg to differ on your last point.  There are lots of things we already know about teams on the schedule:

 

1. Jets have a new HC and QB uncertainty
2. Pats*** have QB uncertainty
3. Fish will have a new OC and QB is still a ?
4. Atlanta will have a new HC
5. Carolina has QB uncertainty and is still rebuilding
6. Jacksonville will have a new HC and rookie QB
7. Houston is a tire fire
8. Pittsburgh has QB uncertainty
9. Indy has QB uncertainty
10. New Orleans has QB uncertainty and is in cap hell

There are only three games on the schedule against teams who look to be in "good shape" -- KC, Tampa, Tennessee

 

But thanks for responding!

 

 

 

Edited January 28, 2021 by eball

[Greg S]

The Bills will probably open up against the Jets AGAIN. I think these two have played three out of the last 4 openers against each other. For some reason the league likes to have the Bills and Jets play week one.

[RoyBatty is alive]

14 hours ago, billsfanmiamioh said:

NOLA is a definite, probably one Tampa or jax, maybe Nashville. Plus all the home games of course! Need to make up for this year! 

Nola I am not worried about.  'Depends who is the NOLA QB plus they are in salary cap hell.

[transplantbillsfan]

This offseason there's way too much change coming to know how good any team will really be.

 

Where does Watson land?

 

How good will Trevor Lawrence be as a rookie?

 

The Colts were good with Rivers as their QB.... what if they get Stafford?

 

And then we get into our division.  I don't expect the Patriots to be as bad as they were next year.  What if the hoodie does something like get Jimmy G back with him?  

 

 

We were 13-3 this year.  I expect us to make the playoffs next year and have a record of 11-5 or greater, but we need to see what offseason moves occur for us and the rest of the NFL making before we start circling wins and losses.

[Sammy Watkins' Rib]

Holy crap.

 

New England, Miami, New York Jets, Carolina, Houston, Indy, New Orleans, Jacksonville, Pittsburgh. Depending on where Watson and Stafford land 12 out of our 16 games could be against some very suspect QB's either 1st or 2nd year guys still developing or some bad vets. 

 

Defense might regain their 2019 form.

[LABILLBACKER]

7 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Ha. Playing them early then having them knocked out by Tennessee or someone to give us home field in the AFCCG would suit me fine....

That's what I'm hoping. Play them somewhere in the first 5-6 weeks. Then let someone lay out State Farm.

[Mr. K]

Things could change a lot before then depending on what happens with all the QBs in potential transition 

[Hapless Bills Fan]

17 hours ago, Success said:

It happened pretty quick, but I see KC as our biggest rival now.

 

You, Beane, McDermott, and the entirety of the Bills locker room.

 

But as Beane says and I'm sure McDermott will reinforce, everyone has to work very hard in order to earn the right to be as successful as we were this year.

[Just Jack]

Going back over the Week 1 games, these are the scenarios these past 10 or so years...

2020 - KC vs Houston, KC defeated Houston in the 2019 Divisional round on their way to a SB win
2019 - GB vs Chicago, believe this was because of the NFL 100th anniversary
2018 - Philly vs Atlanta, Philly beat Atlanta in the 2017 Divisional round on their way to a SB win
2017 - KC vs NE, KC lost to the Steelers in the 2016 Divisional Round, who then lost to NE in the Conference Championship
2016 - Carolina vs Denver, Denver beat Carolina in the previous season SB
2015 - Pittsburgh vs NE, Pitts lost to Baltimore in the WC round, who then lost to NE in the Divisional Round, on their way to a SB win
2014 - GB vs Seattle, GB lost to San Fran in the WC Round, who then lost to Seattle in the Conference Championship, on their way to a SB win
2013 - Baltimore vs Denver, Baltimore beat Denver in the Divisional Round, on their way to a SB win
2012 - Dallas vs NY Giants, Dallas did not make the 2011 playoffs, NY was the SB champion, having beat NE
2011 - GB vs NO, NO lost to Seattle in the WC Round, who lost to Chicago in the Divisional Round, who lost to GB in the Conference Championship, who then beat Pittsburgh to be SB Champs
2010 - NO vs Minnesota, NO beat Minnesota in the Conference Championship on their way to a SB win
2009 - Pittsburgh vs Tenn, Tenn lost to Baltimore in the Divisional Round, who then lost to Pittsburgh in the Conference Championship, on their way to a SB win
2008 - NY Giants vs Washington, Washington lost to Seattle in the WC Round, who then lost to GB in the Divisional Round, who then lost to the Giants in the Conference Championship, on their way to a SB win
 

So except for 2012, and 2019, every year has some sort of playoffs tie in. 

Edited January 28, 2021 by Just Jack

[Buftex]

11 hours ago, machine gun kelly said:

Blasphemy Doc, the Pats?  😄  I agree with you there will always be unexpected losses.  Remember this year, everyone was commenting before the Titans that we would win because we beat them in 19, even though it barely against Marriotta.  I guess this is why I don’t bet on football.  Too many variable makes it too risky.  A case in point the 4-11 Dolphins beat the Pats in week 17 of 2019.  Anyone predict that one.

 

It should be a fun year.  Sad this one’s over, but only 1 fan base is happy every year.

 

Go Bills!

You know, this 2020 season was the exception to that rule.  Not saying that I didn't think we could beat Tennessee, KC and Arizona in the regular season (or KC in the playoffs), but none of those losses were super surprising.  Going in, we really didn't know just how good the Bills would be this year, so assuming victories over Chiefs and Titans was something I don't think most did...and for some reason, the way the Arizona game fell on the schedule, I always had that game earmarked as a loss.  

 

What a great season this really was.  

15 minutes ago, Just Jack said:

Going back over the Week 1 games, these are the scenarios these past 10 or so years...

2020 - KC vs Houston, KC defeated Houston in the 2019 Divisional round on their way to a SB win
2019 - GB vs Chicago, believe this was because of the NFL 100th anniversary
2018 - Philly vs Atlanta, Philly beat Atlanta in the 2017 Divisional round on their way to a SB win
2017 - KC vs NE, KC lost to the Steelers in the 2016 Divisional Round, who then lost to NE in the Conference Championship
2016 - Carolina vs Denver, Denver beat Carolina in the previous season SB
2015 - Pittsburgh vs NE, Pitts lost to Baltimore in the WC round, who then lost to NE in the Divisional Round, on their way to a SB win
2014 - GB vs Seattle, GB lost to San Fran in the WC Round, who then lost to Seattle in the Conference Championship, on their way to a SB win
2013 - Baltimore vs Denver, Baltimore beat Denver in the Divisional Round, on their way to a SB win
2012 - Dallas vs NY Giants, Dallas did not make the 2011 playoffs, NY was the SB champion, having beat NE
2011 - GB vs NO, NO lost to Seattle in the WC Round, who lost to Chicago in the Divisional Round, who lost to GB in the Conference Championship, who then beat Pittsburgh to be SB Champs
2010 - NO vs Minnesota, NO beat Minnesota in the Conference Championship on their way to a SB win
2009 - Pittsburgh vs Tenn, Tenn lost to Baltimore in the Divisional Round, who then lost to Pittsburgh in the Conference Championship, on their way to a SB win
2008 - NY Giants vs Washington, Washington lost to Seattle in the WC Round, who then lost to GB in the Divisional Round, who then lost to the Giants in the Conference Championship, on their way to a SB win
 

So except for 2012, and 2019, every year has some sort of playoffs tie in. 

Could definitely see Buffalo/KC opening the season on Thursday night...or Sunday Night opening weekend. Especially if the Chiefs win the Super Bowl.

Edited January 28, 2021 by Buftex

[JMF2006]

18 hours ago, Sharky7337 said:

Talk to Houston about how they felt about this season before it happened.

 

The Bills aren`t trading away their  stud WR and team icon plus a friend of the QB like Steers did

 

That was the final move that sent them spiraling in a nose dive.

 

[Steptide]

Could definitely see another 13-3 season, maybe 14-2. Don't really care as long as we win the division again 

[Buffalo Bills Fan]

Too many questions. Let's wait till after draft and free agents to sign with the teams.

[SlimShady'sSpaceForce]

The Jets and Darnold were the hot draw for week 1 because of the draft.   That isn't as appealing as it was. 

 

NE @ Buffalo week 1. 

[Greg S]

29 minutes ago, SlimShady'sSpaceForce said:

The Jets and Darnold were the hot draw for week 1 because of the draft.   That isn't as appealing as it was. 

 

NE @ Buffalo week 1. 

 

The Bills and Jets have opened against each other 14 times in their history. From a Jets POV they have started a season against the Bills more than any other opponent. I know this because despite being a Bills fan I am a Jets season ticket holder. Last year before their week one matchup the Jets sent out a tweet to all season ticket holders saying this.

[oldmanfan]

I never get worried about schedule.  Every year there are teams you think will be good that aren't and vice versa.  

[JohnNord]

On 1/27/2021 at 10:15 PM, eball said:

I just looked at it today and I’m psyched.

 

Home: AFC East, Atlanta, Carolina, Pittsburgh, Houston, Indy

 

Road: AFC East, New Orleans, Tampa, KC, Jacksonville, Tennessee

 

The home schedule looks like 7-1 at worst. The road schedule is tougher for sure but there are several good travel games. 

 

So In January, the upcoming year’s schedule means nothing.

I remember last year fans were saying “Ugh look at Bills schedule - it’s so tough”

 

Also games against SF, Denver, and NE on the road looked a lot harder than they did this fall.

[Greg S]

Just now, JohnNord said:

 

So In January, the upcoming year’s schedule means nothing.

I remember last year fans were saying “Ugh look at Bills schedule - it’s so tough”

 

Also games against SF, Denver, and NE on the road looked a lot harder than they did this fall.

 

Agree. Have to wait until the draft and FA are over to get an idea of how tough the schedule can. Even then injuries take place in training camp, preseason that could change everything.

[Jay_Fixit]

On 1/27/2021 at 7:15 PM, eball said:

I just looked at it today and I’m psyched.

 

Home: AFC East, Atlanta, Carolina, Pittsburgh, Houston, Indy

 

Road: AFC East, New Orleans, Tampa, KC, Jacksonville, Tennessee

 

The home schedule looks like 7-1 at worst. The road schedule is tougher for sure but there are several good travel games. 

Lol

[eball]

11 minutes ago, JohnNord said:

I remember last year fans were saying “Ugh look at Bills schedule - it’s so tough”

 

And it was!  What’s your point?

[machine gun kelly]

John and Greg, I’ve said this as well several times.  Look how many people projected a Cam Patriots team as a winner and then what happens.  SF, a SB attendee but was decimated with injuries.  Who knew the Rams would be this good on defense?  Who knew Seattle’s defense would fall off a cliff after attaining Jamal?

 

This year, who knows a post Brees NO and so many players in their 30’s?  What if Tampa, god I almost threw up a little beats the Chiefs.  Will Brady retire and go out on top?  What is Indy going to do about QB?  After the draft, we’ll know who we gained and lost in both FA and the draft.  What no one can predict is injuries.  I almost felt bad for SF with all of those catastrophic injuries.  They still finished with a top 5 defense.

 

I would just enjoy the off season and we can probably talk more about how we really might do in May.  It’s just depressing there is only so much we can talk about until May.  Let’s hope and pray we have a good off season with acquisitions and come into next year stronger.

 

I want to believe we can repeat a 13-3 2021 season and win the East again.  Maybe Beane does so well we actually really make the SB next year.  We’ll have to beat the Chiefs though.  With some additional pieces, we might be able to do it.  Howard and Jeremy made a good point this morning.  They discussed how TE’s seem to be a developing position, so you don’t really see a guy progress often until year 3.  Kelce has been a stud, but he developed slow.  With that they discussed, TE being one of the few positions we could get an ascending TE in FA, and not being as expensive as say an edge rusher.  This way we get a more finished product and draft the CB, Edge Rusher, RB, etc.  If we hit on all four of these four slots, we would be markedly better and Star is back.

[dogbyte]

People have to be a little cautious, each year it different. The are retirements, injuries and some players not having good season plays. If you remember the St Louis Rams, greatest team on turf. They won a Super Bowl , went to another and got upset. They had their super QB and signed all their core players to good contracts. They were predicting they would win the next 3 to 4 SBs and had no competition. What happened, their super QB gets hurt, the players do not play up to their contracts and they never get back.

[YoloinOhio]

3 minutes ago, dogbyte said:

People have to be a little cautious, each year it different. The are retirements, injuries and some players not having good season plays. If you remember the St Louis Rams, greatest team on turf. They won a Super Bowl , went to another and got upset. They had their super QB and signed all their core players to good contracts. They were predicting they would win the next 3 to 4 SBs and had no competition. What happened, their super QB gets hurt, the players do not play up to their contracts and they never get back.

Is this a cautionary tale for the chiefs because if so I’m in

[JohnNord]

34 minutes ago, eball said:

 

And it was!  What’s your point?

Not that it wasn’t tough, but some matchups looks a lot harder in January than they did in October - Pittsburgh, Denver, SF, NE etc.  A lot of fans predicted  they would win the division at 10-6 or 9-7.  
 

That’s my point, making a judgement or prediction now is pointless because will look completely different when the season starts.   So why get excited about what appears be to a good schedule before we know what the teams will look like?

Edited January 29, 2021 by JohnNord

[eball]

18 hours ago, ScottLaw said:

Well of course there’s uncertainty with these teams next season.... the 2020 season hasn't even ended, things will be MORE certain within the next 6 months as teams are allowed to address those uncertainties.

 

On paper it looks like a weaker schedule but we have no idea at this point. The Jets/Miami/NE could trade for Watson which would really change the outlook of the division(especially if Miami trades for him). The Colts could trade for Stafford. Pittsburgh could trade for Darnold. 

 

When more than half the teams on our schedule don't know who will be playing QB next season I take that as a positive for an early assessment of schedule strength.  Of course things will evolve over the next several months; that doesn't really need to be said.

 

[SlimShady'sSpaceForce]

2 hours ago, JohnNord said:

Not that it wasn’t tough, but some matchups looks a lot harder in January than they did in October - Pittsburgh, Denver, SF, NE etc.  A lot of fans predicted  they would win the division at 10-6 or 9-7.  
 

That’s my point, making a judgement or prediction now is pointless because will look completely different when the season starts.   So why get excited about what appears be to a good schedule before we know what the teams will look like?

 

I had those 3 as W, W and W in my book

 

12-4 overall 

I was a hail mary away from being off by 2 games. 

 

 13-3  almost 14-2