1. Chiefs 2. Browns 3. Bills

[Inigo Montoya]

The Chiefs entered the off season after getting man handled in the Super Bowl because their O-line had fallen apart.  They blew up their O-line and decided to rebuild.  On paper at least, they look to have improved the line.  They signed Joe Thuney to a 5 year $80 million contract and he will slide into the left guard position.  They then signed Kyle Long to a one year deal to step into the right guard position.  They resigned Mike Remmers to play right tackle and then traded with the Ravens for Orlando Brown to step in as their left tackle.  They signed Austin Blythe from the Rams to play center, and then drafted the 2nd ranked center, Creed Humphrey, to push Blythe and develop into their future center.  The only free agent they lost of any consequence was Sammy Watkins which should not slow them down much.

 

I think on the whole the O-line is upgraded and they kept the rest of the band together.  I don't see any reasonable argument to say the Chiefs shouldn't remain the #1 seed in the AFC heading into the 2021 season.

 

The Browns will leap frog us this season and be the primary threat to the Chiefs.   If you look at the playoffs last year, the Browns came within a fumbled football out of the endzone from beating the Chiefs.  The Bills by comparison didn't even make a game of it against the Chiefs.  The Browns' roster seems to match up better against the Chiefs, and that was before the Browns very impressive off season.

 

The defense was the weak side of the ball last season and the Browns attacked this off season with that in mind.  They snagged John Johnson the best free agent safety on the market to address a huge weakness and also added CB Troy Hill who will be an instant upgrade.  They brought in Clowney to stack opposite Miles Garrett on the D-line.  They then drafted CB Greg Newsome and LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah who should both start this season.  The Browns bring back their offense intact and Mayfield will have the benefit of playing in the same offense for the first time in his career.  OBJ will also be back this season.

 

The Bills did a great job of resigning their key free agents this year and also upgraded the backup QB position.  They brought in Sanders to replace Brown which could be an up grade and added Hollister to the TE room.  We all hope that having Star back will have a ripple effect on the D-line and result in better play across the entire line and allow our LB play to improve as well.  The entire team will benefit from another year of coaching and scheme stability and hopefully some of our young players like Oliver and Edmunds will take a step forward this year.

 

 

Overview   A lot is made of the Bills retaining their own talent, and I agree that Beane did a great job of maintaining a roster that made it to the AFC Championship game, but the uncomfortable truth is that the Chiefs maintained their roster too AND improved their O-Line.   The Browns also avoided any key free agency loses AND improved their defensive secondary and brought in Clowney on the D-line.  The Browns and Chiefs will also benefit from another year of coaching and scheme stability just like the Bills.

 

The off season isn't over yet, but the free agency period is winding down and the Draft is over.  Baring injuries, any changes to the rosters of the Chiefs, Browns, and Bills before opening weekend will likely just be on the margins before opening weekend.  When Andy Reid looks out across the AFC, I think he is probably more worried about what is going on in Cleveland than what is going on in Buffalo.  I think the Browns have improved enough this off season to move past us and become the primary threat to the Chiefs this year. 

 

At this point I'd rank the AFC;    1. Chiefs  2. Browns  3. Bills

Edited May 2, 2021 by Inigo Montoya

[JaCrispy]

Great post, OP...Bills certainly seem like they will have more of an uphill battle this year...can’t wait to see how they respond...👍

[Gigs]

I think the Chiefs play to their competition, which is why the only 2 good games they played were against us; they know who they have to beat. The problem was pass rush and outside distractions, a la HC interviews. If Daboll was able to spend his time crafting solid game plans we would've looked much better. 

[HereComesTheReignAgain]

The Browns came in 3rd in their own division last year.  (I know they were only one game behind the Steelers)

 

I think you are underestimating the advantage of having Josh Allen at the helm vs Baker. 

[SCBills]

The Colts were better than us in the Wild Card Game, but we won because Josh Allen is that much better than Philip Rivers. 
 

Same goes for why we are better than Cleveland. 
 

Roster-wise (outside of QB), I’d agree with your rankings.   We have a lot of potential, but they have more proven talent. 

 

[Bills of Boston]

Mahomes also went out pretty early that game. Obv Browns are a very good team and a real threat etc 

[Bobby Hooks]

So teams got better after the draft and free agency? Cool. 

 

Guess we’ll see what’s what on the field. 

 

 

Edited May 2, 2021 by Bobby Hooks

[ColoradoBills]

Lets see who wins the AFC Divisions first.

 

On an unrelated note:  What is the obsession of having to rank everything, everywhere, all the time?

I just don't get it.  I'm old I guess.

[Big Gun]

The Browns are better because the Bills drafted big uglies, whatever! 

 

We have Josh Allen they don't!

[TH3]

1 minute ago, ColoradoBills said:

Lets see who wins the AFC Divisions first.

 

On an unrelated note:  What is the obsession of having to rank everything, everywhere, all the time?

I just don't get it.  I'm old I guess.

I rank this thread 6th on the wall today 

[GETTOTHE50]

Allen >>>>>> baker it’s not even close and thus the bills are way ahead of the browns and tied with the chiefs 

[Brennan Huff]

You’re not allowed to have this opinion here 

[78thealltimegreat]

16 minutes ago, Inigo Montoya said:

The Chiefs entered the off season after getting man handled in the Super Bowl because their O-line had fallen apart.  They blew up their O-line and decided to rebuild.  On paper at least, they look to have improved the line.  They signed Joe Thuney to a 5 year $80 million contract and he will slide into the left guard position.  They then signed Kyle Long to a one year deal to step into the right guard position.  They resigned Mike Remmers to play right tackle and then traded with the Ravens for Orlando Brown to step in as their left tackle.  They signed Austin Blythe from the Rams to play center, and then drafted the 2nd ranked center, Creed Humphrey, to push Blythe and develop into their future center.  The only free agent they lost of any consequence was Sammy Watkins which should not slow them down much.

 

I think on the whole the O-line is upgraded and they kept the rest of the band together.  I don't see any reasonable argument to say the Chiefs shouldn't remain the #1 seed in the AFC heading into the 2021 season.

 

The Browns will leap frog us this season and be the primary threat to the Chiefs.   If you look at the playoffs last year, the Browns came within a fumbled football out of the endzone from beating the Chiefs.  The Bills by comparison didn't even make a game of it against the Chiefs.  The Browns' roster seems to match up better against the Chiefs, and that was before the Browns very impressive off season.

 

The defense was the weak side of the ball last season and the Browns attacked this off season with that in mind.  They snagged John Johnson the best free agent safety on the market to address a huge weakness and also added CB Troy Hill who will be an instant upgrade.  They brought in Clowney to stack opposite Miles Garrett on the D-line.  They then drafted CB Greg Newsome and LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah who should both start this season.  The Browns bring back their offense intact and Mayfield will have the benefit of playing in the same offense for the first time in his career.  OBJ will also be back this season.

 

The Bills did a great job of resigning their key free agents this year and also upgraded the backup QB position.  They brought in Sanders to replace Brown which could be an up grade and added Hollister to the TE room.  We all hope that having Star back will have a ripple effect on the D-line and result in better play across the entire line and allow our LB play to improve as well.  The entire team will benefit from another year of coaching and scheme stability and hopefully some of our young players like Oliver and Edmunds will take a step forward this year.

 

 

Overview   A lot is made of the Bills retaining their own talent, and I agree that Beane did a great job of maintaining a roster that made it to the AFC Championship game, but the uncomfortable truth is that the Chiefs maintained their roster too AND improved their O-Line.   The Browns also avoided any key free agency loses AND improved their defensive secondary and brought in Clowney on the D-line.  The Browns and Chiefs will also benefit from another year of coaching and scheme stability just like the Bills.

 

The off season isn't over yet, but the free agency period is winding down and the Draft is over.  Baring injuries, any changes to the rosters of the Chiefs, Browns, and Bills before opening weekend will likely just be on the margins before opening weekend.  When Andy Reid looks out across the AFC, I think he is probably more worried about what is going on in Cleveland than what is going on in Buffalo.  I think the Browns have improved enough this off season to move past us and become the primary threat to the Chiefs this year. 

 

At this point I'd rank the AFC;    1. Chiefs  2. Browns  3. Bills

Dude Baker Mayfield ain’t Josh Allen and they aren’t even in the same conversation 

[LABILLBACKER]

Can't argue much with Inigo. Thought the Browns had an amazing draft. I too would rank us 3rd in the AFC. Still not convinced that Mayfield is a longterm qb? Once we restructure our defense we should be moving ahead of Cleveland with the Chargers close behind. The Colts success will depend on if Wentz can reboot?

[I'm Spartacus]

Watch out for those Jaguars!

 

[Pbomb]

Mahomes missed most of the playoff game and the browns still couldn’t beat them

[BullBuchanan]

19 minutes ago, Inigo Montoya said:

The Chiefs entered the off season after getting man handled in the Super Bowl because their O-line had fallen apart.  They blew up their O-line and decided to rebuild.  On paper at least, they look to have improved the line.  They signed Joe Thuney to a 5 year $80 million contract and he will slide into the left guard position.  They then signed Kyle Long to a one year deal to step into the right guard position.  They resigned Mike Remmers to play right tackle and then traded with the Ravens for Orlando Brown to step in as their left tackle.  They signed Austin Blythe from the Rams to play center, and then drafted the 2nd ranked center, Creed Humphrey, to push Blythe and develop into their future center.  The only free agent they lost of any consequence was Sammy Watkins which should not slow them down much.

 

I think on the whole the O-line is upgraded and they kept the rest of the band together.  I don't see any reasonable argument to say the Chiefs shouldn't remain the #1 seed in the AFC heading into the 2021 season.

 

The Browns will leap frog us this season and be the primary threat to the Chiefs.   If you look at the playoffs last year, the Browns came within a fumbled football out of the endzone from beating the Chiefs.  The Bills by comparison didn't even make a game of it against the Chiefs.  The Browns' roster seems to match up better against the Chiefs, and that was before the Browns very impressive off season.

 

The defense was the weak side of the ball last season and the Browns attacked this off season with that in mind.  They snagged John Johnson the best free agent safety on the market to address a huge weakness and also added CB Troy Hill who will be an instant upgrade.  They brought in Clowney to stack opposite Miles Garrett on the D-line.  They then drafted CB Greg Newsome and LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah who should both start this season.  The Browns bring back their offense intact and Mayfield will have the benefit of playing in the same offense for the first time in his career.  OBJ will also be back this season.

 

The Bills did a great job of resigning their key free agents this year and also upgraded the backup QB position.  They brought in Sanders to replace Brown which could be an up grade and added Hollister to the TE room.  We all hope that having Star back will have a ripple effect on the D-line and result in better play across the entire line and allow our LB play to improve as well.  The entire team will benefit from another year of coaching and scheme stability and hopefully some of our young players like Oliver and Edmunds will take a step forward this year.

 

 

Overview   A lot is made of the Bills retaining their own talent, and I agree that Beane did a great job of maintaining a roster that made it to the AFC Championship game, but the uncomfortable truth is that the Chiefs maintained their roster too AND improved their O-Line.   The Browns also avoided any key free agency loses AND improved their defensive secondary and brought in Clowney on the D-line.  The Browns and Chiefs will also benefit from another year of coaching and scheme stability just like the Bills.

 

The off season isn't over yet, but the free agency period is winding down and the Draft is over.  Baring injuries, any changes to the rosters of the Chiefs, Browns, and Bills before opening weekend will likely just be on the margins before opening weekend.  When Andy Reid looks out across the AFC, I think he is probably more worried about what is going on in Cleveland than what is going on in Buffalo.  I think the Browns have improved enough this off season to move past us and become the primary threat to the Chiefs this year. 

 

At this point I'd rank the AFC;    1. Chiefs  2. Browns  3. Bills

The Browns couldn't beat Chad Henne who did everything he could to hand them the game.

That said, the Browns got a lot better on paper this offseason. It's going to come down to Mayfield I think. If he takes a leap forward, they'll be very tough to beat and should have us eclipsed in talent.

Edited May 2, 2021 by BullBuchanan

[appoo]

My thinking is that the Browns actually have the best roster in the NFL. That secondary could be something special as well, with grant delpit coming in. Has to em the ingredients to be the best defense since the Hawks SB team. You put Allen or Mahomes on that roster and it’s capable of going 16-0.

 

I think the Bills, if they get a nice leap from AJE and Cody Ford, have the 2nd best roster on the AFC

[mushypeaches]

I'll be worried about the Browns when they find a better QB than Faker Mayfield

[GoBills808]

The Browns couldn’t beat the Chiefs playing Chad Henne at QB

[klos63]

2 minutes ago, Pbomb said:

Mahomes missed most of the playoff game and the browns still couldn’t beat them

He was injured halfway through the 3rd qtr.

[BarleyNY]

The big places I thought the Bills could’ve improved to help them gain ground on the Chiefs were:

 

- CB: This is more about losing ground.  I hate how shallow we are there. We only have three I’d want to see on the field.  Tre is a stud, Wallace is solid and Johnson is adequate.  Notably of the three only Tre is signed beyond this season.  One injury and I think we have real issues. 

 

- Speed X WR: The real value of Brown was that he could take the top off the defense.  We didn’t have that kind of player last season when he got hurt and we did little to address it this offseason.  Sanders can be a good backup to Beasley, but he doesn’t have speed anymore.  And I’m not depending on a sixth round pick who was projected to the slot to be our outside speed receiver this year. 
 

- High end RB:  A RB who could stress defenses as a runner with home run ability and as a receiver would be huge for this team.  We really did almost nothing here.  Brieda will be okay but he’s not going to be an upgrade.

 

Beyond those major needs I’d also have liked to see a center and 1 tech selected.  I don’t like Morse’s concussion risk and don’t love having to shuffle the IOL if he goes down again.  It really feels like a “when” rather than an “if” with another concussion.  As for 1 tech, I thought Star was below average to poor two seasons ago and he’s had a year off.  I don’t trust him to rebound this year and I don’t want to see Oliver at 1 tech again.

 

The Bills were very lucky from an injury standpoint last season.  I hope that happens again, but we can’t count on that.  I’d have liked better depth in the places I mentioned.  That’s a worry.  The other theme above that’s concerning is that we did nothing to address our team speed.  It’s an arms race with teams like the Chiefs and Browns.  The Bills did nothing to gain ground on the Chiefs and they lost some serious ground to the Browns. 

[njbuff]

The Browns didn't have any pressure going into 2020 as they had a disappointing 2019.

 

They now face the pressure the Bills did going into 2020.

 

With absolutely no proven track record of winning and a lot of combustable personalities in that Cleveland locker room, who knows what to expect from them.

 

They have the Ravens and the Steelers (plus an improved Cincinnati team) to deal with, where the Bills division rivals are still light years behind the Bills.

 

The Bills backups beat their biggest threat in the division in the final game of last year, even when the Dolphins were desperate for a win.

 

Let that sink in and you tell me where the Bills and the Browns stand as a threat to the Chiefs.

[YoloinOhio]

The browns had the furthest to go on defense which is why they had to bring in all those guys in the secondary. No one knows if their defense will improve enough to beat the Ravens which is their biggest hurdle. Until they upgrade at QB, or he develops further (already 26 and never had elite traits pointing to a higher ceiling) they will be left behind in the big games.

[ganesh]

The one major road block for the Browns is the division they play.  The games in that division are a hell lot more competitive.

[YoloinOhio]

Chiefs completely revamped their OL but no idea if it will be better, the same, or worse. The left side seems locked down but C and the right side will be a TC battle between a # of dudes. OL play is a lot of “time played together” due to communication and finding the right combination. They will be behind in that aspect and I hope we play them week 1.

[Inigo Montoya]

5 minutes ago, GETTOTHE50 said:

Allen >>>>>> baker it’s not even close and thus the bills are way ahead of the browns and tied with the chiefs 

 

2 minutes ago, 78thealltimegreat said:

Dude Baker Mayfield ain’t Josh Allen and they aren’t even in the same conversation 

 

12 minutes ago, Big Gun said:

The Browns are better because the Bills drafted big uglies, whatever! 

 

We have Josh Allen they don't!

 

I could have added some more responses from above as well, but if your only argument is that Josh Allen is better than Baker Mayfield as the reason the Bills are better than the Browns, I think that is flawed reasoning.  It's not just about the QB.

 

Is Mahomes better than Brady?  I guess the Chiefs must have won the Super Bowl last year then.  The QB is the most important piece of the puzzle, but not the whole puzzle.  Football is still a team sport.  How many Super Bowls does reigning MVP Aaron Rodgers have?  Five...Six?

 

 

8 minutes ago, Brennan Huff said:

You’re not allowed to have this opinion here 

 

I'm as big a homer as anyone on this board and I knew this wouldn't be a popular opinion here.   I stand by it though. 

 

People are sleeping on the Browns just like people were sleeping on the Bills based on how bad they were for years and years.  The Browns have difference makers at every position.  Baker Mayfied isn't as good a QB as Allen, not even close, but Baker doesn't have to be for the Browns to win.  If Mayfield continues to play ball control offense with that running game and an improved defense, they Browns are legit.

 

[Gambit]

Allen>>>>>>>>>>>>Some guy with a silly name.

[TPS]

I agree with you assessment, but would also second that the Colts are right there too.  Reich will maximize Wentz's potential.  

[Brennan Huff]

1 minute ago, Inigo Montoya said:

 

 

I'm as big a homer as anyone on this board and I knew this wouldn't be a popular opinion here.   I stand by it though. 

 

People are sleeping on the Browns just like people were sleeping on the Bills based on how bad they were for years and years.  The Browns have difference makers at every position.  Baker Mayfied isn't as good a QB as Allen, not even close, but Baker doesn't have to be for the Browns to win.  If Mayfield continues to play ball control offense with that running game and an improved defense, they Browns are legit.

 

I agree with you 100%

[GoBills808]

2 minutes ago, Inigo Montoya said:

 

 

 

I could have added some more responses from above as well, but if your only argument is that Josh Allen is better than Baker Mayfield as the reason the Bills are better than the Browns, I think that is flawed reasoning.  It's not just about the QB.

 

Is Mahomes better than Brady?  I guess the Chiefs must have won the Super Bowl last year then.  The QB is the most important piece of the puzzle, but not the whole puzzle.  Football is still a team sport.  How many Super Bowls does reigning MVP Aaron Rodgers have?  Five...Six?

 

 

 

I'm as big a homer as anyone on this board and I knew this wouldn't be a popular opinion here.   I stand by it though. 

 

People are sleeping on the Browns just like people were sleeping on the Bills based on how bad they were for years and years.  The Browns have difference makers at every position.  Baker Mayfied isn't as good a QB as Allen, not even close, but Baker doesn't have to be for the Browns to win.  If Mayfield continues to play ball control offense with that running game and an improved defense, they Browns are legit.

 

Outside of defensive line and RBs, how do you come to the conclusion that the Browns roster is superior to ours?

[McBean]

We have Josh Allen. They have Baker Mayfield.

 

Also, draft grades suck. Nobody knows who had a good draft or not until the games get played.

 

Pump the brakes.

[HereComesTheReignAgain]

The Browns have been “the best team on paper” for years now. Putting together a roster of names isn’t that difficult. Putting together a team of winners is. 

[SCBills]

5 minutes ago, BarleyNY said:

The big places I thought the Bills could’ve improved to help them gain ground on the Chiefs were:

 

- CB: This is more about losing ground.  I hate how shallow we are there. We only have three I’d want to see on the field.  Tre is a stud, Wallace is solid and Johnson is adequate.  Notably of the three only Tre is signed beyond this season.  One injury and I think we have real issues. 

 

- Speed X WR: The real value of Brown was that he could take the top off the defense.  We didn’t have that kind of player last season when he got hurt and we did little to address it this offseason.  Sanders can be a good backup to Beasley, but he doesn’t have speed anymore.  And I’m not depending on a sixth round pick who was projected to the slot to be our outside speed receiver this year. 
 

- High end RB:  A RB who could stress defenses as a runner with home run ability and as a receiver would be huge for this team.  We really did almost nothing here.  Brieda will be okay but he’s not going to be an upgrade.

 

Beyond those major needs I’d also have liked to see a center and 1 tech selected.  I don’t like Morse’s concussion risk and don’t love having to shuffle the IOL if he goes down again.  It really feels like a “when” rather than an “if” with another concussion.  As for 1 tech, I thought Star was below average to poor two seasons ago and he’s had a year off.  I don’t trust him to rebound this year and I don’t want to see Oliver at 1 tech again.

 

The Bills were very lucky from an injury standpoint last season.  I hope that happens again, but we can’t count on that.  I’d have liked better depth in the places I mentioned.  That’s a worry.  The other theme above that’s concerning is that we did nothing to address our team speed.  It’s an arms race with teams like the Chiefs and Browns.  The Bills did nothing to gain ground on the Chiefs and they lost some serious ground to the Browns. 

Bills are really all about “potential”.  
 

Continuity and scheme change are places we probably underestimate.  Clearly they believe they can run the ball better, and scheme has been mentioned quite a few times.  Re-signing your own isn’t sexy, but there is a reason teams do it... continuity is huge.  
 

Josh Allen has made huge leaps season to season... does he continue?  
 

He is the Offense.  We know we have a good Pass Pro OL and WR group.   Knox and the running game are potential.  
 

On Defense.. the switch could flip.  We have so much talent on that side of the ball now that may or may not be realized.   

[Bferra13]

Don't underestimate the cancerous powers of Beckham too. Faker Hayseed sucked until he got hurt. Seemed to turn his game around after ODB went out for the season. 

[djp14150]

You lost me ehrn you said the browns will be better than buffalo...think ago.

 

thryfirst need to learn how to beat ravens snd Steelers when it matters in the regular season.

 

second...They go from one of the weakest opponent schedule to a much harder one.

 

the face afc west,  Nfc north,patricheats, Arizona and Houston 

 

they are lucky if they get to 10 wins...

 

 

 

 

[BigdaddyinOrlando]

34 minutes ago, chknwing334 said:

The Browns came in 3rd in their own division last year.  (I know they were only one game behind the Steelers)

 

I think you are underestimating the advantage of having Josh Allen at the helm vs Baker. 

True, josh is much better but the Browns this year play a third place schedule, though the Bills are still better overall. 

[BringBackFergy]

By virtue of the fact you didn’t list the Patriots as #1 or #2, your analysis is suspect. 

[SCBills]

Of note.... 17 game season....

 

We are, by far - on the lines - the deepest team of the contenders. 
 

 

[BarleyNY]

20 minutes ago, chknwing334 said:

The Browns came in 3rd in their own division last year.  (I know they were only one game behind the Steelers)

 

I think you are underestimating the advantage of having Josh Allen at the helm vs Baker. 

The Browns were in year 1 of their makeover last season.  Their injury situation was ridiculous.  In the Steelers playoff game an offensive lineman that had joined the team THAT DAY played meaningful snaps.  

 

In addition to getting healthy the Browns have improved their team tremendously this offseason in both free agency and the draft.  Every level of the defense was addressed with the back seven getting a near full makeover.  Do not expect to see anything close to the same defense as last season. 

 

A lot of Bills fans are not giving Mayfield the credit he is due.  For the first time in the NFL he gets to stay in the same offense for a second straight season.  He learned the current system on the fly last season because of the elimination of most of the offseason.  He looked terrible for half a season, then after the bye he rated as the second best QB the rest of the way.