NFL Schedule Makers Gave Bills a Big Advantage

[RoyBatty is alive]

9 minutes ago, Einstein said:

 

Relativity matters.

 

Who are the frontrunners to represent the AFC this year?

 

Bills (Week 7), Titans (Week 6), Raiders (Week 6), Chiefs (Week 8),  Chargers (Week 8), Bengals (Week 10).

 

With the exception of the Bengals, every expected-to-be-good team is within 1 week of the Bills bye week. 

How is that possible?  Unless you think there are only three "expected to be good" teams.

[Marv Levy]

Hey NFL, do you think KC can play IN Buffalo? Jesus, every year its at Arrowhead. Give me a break!

[Einstein]

29 minutes ago, RoyBatty is alive said:

How is that possible?  Unless you think there are only three "expected to be good" teams.

 

"Frontrunners to represent the AFC"...

 

Bills (Week 7), Titans (Week 6), Raiders (Week 6), Chiefs (Week 8),  Chargers (Week 8), Bengals (Week 10).

 

That's 6 teams.

[BuffaloMatt]

2 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

that is the sort of thing we used to get whacked with. I remember when Nix was here he actually complained to league one year because we played about 5 times right off a bye. This is what being relevant buys you. 

Agreed. Still not a fan of Nix!

[BreezeMafia]

I the BIlls knocking out the Rams game week one, then later in the season, Lions and Pats back to back on Thursday's............just huge for the Bills travel and rest.

 

[RoyBatty is alive]

1 minute ago, Einstein said:

 

"Frontrunners to represent the AFC"...

 

Bills (Week 7), Titans (Week 6), Raiders (Week 6), Chiefs (Week 8),  Chargers (Week 8), Bengals (Week 10).

 

That's 6 teams.

Fine, you cant have six teams all within one week of your bye even if you exclude the Bengals..

[GunnerBill]

49 minutes ago, Rico said:

Depends on Lamar. I did think he was making nice progress early last year before his season went to hell.

 

I think even if Lamar is just Lamar though that with their team back around him they win 10. Yes they traded away Hollywood but everywhere except receiver they are loaded

[Rico]

Just now, GunnerBill said:

 

I think even if Lamar is just Lamar though that with their team back around him they win 10. Yes they traded away Hollywood but everywhere except receiver they are loaded

Could be. Here in Baltimore, most Ravens fans think Bateman > Hollywood, no one was too upset to see him leave town.

[GunnerBill]

4 minutes ago, Rico said:

Could be. Here in Baltimore, most Ravens fans think Bateman > Hollywood, no one was too upset to see him leave town.

 

Yea. They lose something in Hollywood the speed element but his hands were questionable and he took plays off.

[Rico]

Just now, GunnerBill said:

 

Yea. They lose something in Hollywood the speed element but his hands were questionable and he took plays off.

Anti-clutch. Some of his drops last year were at the worst possible times. Maybe he’s better with the Cardinals… Greg Roman is still Public Enemy #1 here.

[Mr Info]

Mike North and Charlotte Carey were on GMF this morning (Kay Adams last day) and spoke about the schedule. North thought the Bills-Chiefs game will be the most watched of the season. Opener discussion starts at 2:35 and Bills-Chiefs at 4:00.

https://sports.yahoo.com/mike-north-charlotte-carey-shares-124907315.html

[The Wiz]

29 minutes ago, Marv Levy said:

Hey NFL, do you think KC can play IN Buffalo? Jesus, every year its at Arrowhead. Give me a break!

KC won't play in Buffalo in the regular season until 2026 I believe. 

 

They fact we have played there during the regular season 3 years straight was all based on the schedule.  

 

I know it was broken down on one of the wgr shows on how it happened this way but it was because of the way each team finished and which conference played who each year. 

[Marv Levy]

18 minutes ago, The Wiz said:

KC won't play in Buffalo in the regular season until 2026 I believe. 

 

They fact we have played there during the regular season 3 years straight was all based on the schedule.  

 

I know it was broken down on one of the wgr shows on how it happened this way but it was because of the way each team finished and which conference played who each year. 

Thanks for that Wiz. Just seems unfair in my opinion. But whatever, just win and GO BILLS!!

[msw2112]

36 minutes ago, Rico said:

Could be. Here in Baltimore, most Ravens fans think Bateman > Hollywood, no one was too upset to see him leave town.

 

The Cardinals are fools.  Trading a first round pick for a middling speed receiver with questionable hands....I can't wait until they pay Kyler Murray $40+ million per year and cement a decade of mediocrity. 

[Einstein]

58 minutes ago, RoyBatty is alive said:

Fine, you cant have six teams all within one week of your bye even if you exclude the Bengals..

 

I’m not sure if you’re genuinely not understanding or if you’re just trying to start a fight. But if it’s the latter, I don’t engage in fights. I walk away.

 

One last time. There are about 6 teams that most people think are the front runners to win the AFC this year. All but 1 of those 6 (the Bengals) have a bye week that is within 1 week of the Bills bye week. Aka, it’s fair.

 

[Big Turk]

4 hours ago, SlimShady'sSpaceForce said:

Did they miss quote that?  

Did they mean the Pats?  
 

Oh, wait, what was that you say?

Humpty Dumpty fell and none of the king’s horses 🐎 are around?

 

 

Its nice to be on top!  

 

Pats are actually dead last at -10

[Scott7975]

This mostly has to do with what networks want what game when.

[GunnerBill]

45 minutes ago, The Wiz said:

KC won't play in Buffalo in the regular season until 2026 I believe. 

 

They fact we have played there during the regular season 3 years straight was all based on the schedule.  

 

I know it was broken down on one of the wgr shows on how it happened this way but it was because of the way each team finished and which conference played who each year. 

 

Not quite true. They are not GUARANTEED to play in Buffalo until 2026. But they could in 2024 and 2025. Indeed we could get three years straight of home games v KC as they will have now with us (2021, 2022, 2023) and as Tennessee just had with us (2019, 2020, 2021). 

 

The Bills are in KC in 2022 because of position in division and because this is year 2 of the AFCW having home advantage in those games (it goes in two year cycles).

 

They are in KC in 2023 because ACFE plays ACFW intra-conference and the last time that happened (2020) Bills had home field. 

 

Then in 2024 and 2025 whoever finished 2023 and 2024 in the same spot as the AFCW that the Bills finish in the AFCE (so likely 1st) will visit Buffalo. 

 

Then in 2026 KC are guaranteed to play in Buffalo in the intra-conference match ups again. 

[Scott7975]

2 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Not quite true. They are not GUARANTEED to play in Buffalo until 2026. But they could in 2024 and 2025. Indeed we could get three years straight of home games v KC as they will have now with us (2021, 2022, 2023) and as Tennessee just had with us (2019, 2020, 2021). 

 

The Bills are in KC in 2022 because of position in division and because this is year 2 of the AFCW having home advantage in those games (it goes in two year cycles).

 

They are in KC in 2023 because ACFE plays ACFW intra-conference and the last time that happened (2020) Bills had home field. 

 

Then in 2024 and 2025 whoever finished 2023 and 2024 in the same spot as the AFCW that the Bills finish in the AFCE (so likely 1st) will visit Buffalo. 

 

Then in 2026 KC are guaranteed to play in Buffalo in the intra-conference match ups again. 

 

Are you saying we play in KC next season too?  So at least 4 straight years?  Has that ever happened before?  There should be checks in place for this so that it doesnt happen.  

[GunnerBill]

Just now, Scott7975 said:

 

Are you saying we play in KC next season too?  So at least 4 straight years?  Has that ever happened before?  There should be checks in place for this so that it doesnt happen.  

 

Yes we play there next season but no, not four straight years - three straight years. We only played in KC in 2020 in the playoffs. The regular season game was at home.

[Utah John]

4 hours ago, MPL said:

First, the league amends the overtime rules and now they give the Bills a 13-day rest differential? It's almost like even the league wants the Bills to win the Super Bowl. What a time to be alive. 

Let's hope the referees get that memo.

[Utah John]

41 minutes ago, Scott7975 said:

 

Are you saying we play in KC next season too?  So at least 4 straight years?  Has that ever happened before?  There should be checks in place for this so that it doesnt happen.  

The Bills played the Chiefs in EIGHT straight years, from 2008-2015.

 

https://www.footballdb.com/teams/nfl/buffalo-bills/teamvsteam?opp=16

 

The system is the system, and it's designed to be as hands-off as possible to avoid complaints and to attempt to be fair.  Building in checks that changed the results of the system would just cause incredible arguments.

Edited May 13, 2022 by Utah John

[Scott7975]

6 minutes ago, Utah John said:

The Bills played the Chiefs in EIGHT straight years, from 2008-2015.

 

https://www.footballdb.com/teams/nfl/buffalo-bills/teamvsteam?opp=16

 

The system is the system, and it's designed to be as hands-off as possible to avoid complaints and to attempt to be fair.  Building in checks that changed the results of the system would just cause incredible arguments.

 

I meant IN KC, not just against KC.  It is not fair for one team to year after year play away vs the same team.

[Utah John]

5 hours ago, Einstein said:

The 2022 NFL schedule has some good news for the Bills.

 

Buffalo has a +13-day net rest differential on its 2022 schedule, according to Seth Walder of ESPN. That’s the most favorable rest differential in the NFL.

 

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2022/05/13/nfl-schedule-makers-gave-bills-a-key-advantage/

I recognize the importance of rest as much as the next guy, but this is a killer schedule.  We all remember the Bills from the last few weeks of last season as this incredible powerhouse, but they just put it all together at the right time.  There were stretches last year when the Bills were good to very good, not overpowering.  If they have key injuries or if losing Daboll hurts more than we think, this could be rough.  It's not inconceivable they're 1-6 after the first 7 games, with potential losses to the Rams, Titans, Dolphins, Ravens, Chiefs, and Packers.  And the one win I'm counting in is Pittsburgh, who beat us last year.  

[Scott7975]

47 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Yes we play there next season but no, not four straight years - three straight years. We only played in KC in 2020 in the playoffs. The regular season game was at home.

I get how this all happened but it doesnt seem very fair to me.

 

Edited May 13, 2022 by Scott7975

[RangerDave]

5 hours ago, Forward Progress said:

I read that the Jags play a team coming off of their bye 4 weeks straight. When that was our schedule, we were livid.

FIFY

[GunnerBill]

57 minutes ago, Scott7975 said:

I get how this all happened but it doesnt seem very fair to me.

 

 

It is one of the oddities of the scheduling system I agree. And it can be unfair. If two teams are similar level for 6 seasons like you would expect Buffalo and KC to be it can even out. But imagine you were the Pats playing away three years in a row to Manning's Broncos (not sure they did but for argument's sake) then Manning retires and you get your home games against a couple of bang average AFCW winners before the Chiefs appear on the scene.... it doesn't quite even out in that scenario. 

[ControllerOfPlanetX]

Whiners (most likely Cheater fans) making stuff up, so they have an excuse after the Bills hoist the trophy next February.

[Southern_Bills]

Just goes to show, bad teams cry about a bad schedule (we all did) and the NFL caters to good teams regardless of who they are.

 

Patriots fans are in for a rough ride, something tells me their "don't leave the game in the refs hands" attitude will be fleeting this year and years to come.

 

The Bills need to cash in this year though.

[SlimShady'sSpaceForce]

😝 😆 😂 

 

Quote

The New England Patriots' path back to the postseason ain't gonna be easy.

For starters, the Patriots will face some tough opponents in 2022:

 

Quote

They have the NFL's fourth-toughest schedule based on the projected win totals of their opponents and end their season with a brutal six-game stretch that includes matchups with the Buffalo Bills (twice), Arizona Cardinals, Las Vegas Raiders and Cincinnati Bengals.

 

 

 

 

https://sports.yahoo.com/patriots-2022-schedule-most-demanding-183500531.html
 

 

[Punching Bag]

7 hours ago, unbillievable said:

 

The league cares more about profits.

 

There is probably some analyst saying that bad teams should have early season home games while good teams can push those to the end.

 

Except for some bad Florida teams which are never pressured to get domes best weather IS in December.

[Forward Progress]

8 hours ago, Just Jack said:

 

I could only find these three times their opponent had a longer rest...

 

Week 3 - Chargers played on Thursday Week 2

Week 6 - Colts played on Thursday of Week 5

Week 13 - Lions played on Thursday (Thanksgiving) of Week 12

 

 

 

 

I read it on CBS Sports early this morning, but the article has been edited to remove this point that I was referencing.  It is clearly not true that they have four straight weeks against teams coming off byes, like I said earlier today. 
 

Thanks for fact-checking. 

[TheWeatherMan]

18 hours ago, Chandler#81 said:

14 straight weeks of games through the Conference Championship after our Bye week is NOT an advantage in any sense.

The way the Bills play coming off a bye week, I would say it is.  If we can get through the opening gauntlet we are sitting pretty the second half of the year. IMO the schedule looks favorable since we play all of the playoff teams in the first half of the season before they start to gel.  

Edited May 14, 2022 by TheWeatherMan

[machine gun kelly]

Cue the yearly gripes of the schedule.  It’s a predetermined and schedule, and just the way it fell.  As far as the late divisional games or when is the bye, it’s going to hit sometime.  The thanksgiving game is a mini bye post and as far as a short week, it is Detroit.

 

Its also advantageous to have that extra time between the Rams, and the Titans. The Titans have been a thorn for two years.

 

I see the positives states in the article and there are just so many variables going into putting together an NFL schedule for the league, there will always be positives and negatives.  Just about every fan base has a segment of them griping about their schedule.  It’s somewhat myopic as if the schedule makers are trying to figure out how to screw with the Bills.

 

You never hear McBeane complaining about it, and they don’t encourage their players to complain.

 

To the OP, thank you for sharing that article.  That was very thoughtful.

[SlimShady'sSpaceForce]

Rams will be tough 

How tough? Are 🐏 worried? I am.  

 

Tennessee — Mind games galore and mandatory practices have not started yet 

Tanny feeling the specter over his shoulder.   
 

MNF fever Home Opener in Buffalo 

W

 

At Miami — bwahahaha W

 

At Ravens — this won’t be a Peterman game repeat like the last game I attended there. W

 

Steelers at Buffalo.  Will the rookie be playing by then?  W
 

KC — 3rd conservative regular season trip to KC.  L, W and W

 

[eball]

20 hours ago, Scott7975 said:

I get how this all happened but it doesnt seem very fair to me.

 

 

If you truly “get” how this all happened, you should realize that your “fairness” comment makes no sense.  There is literally no human element to which home and away opponents a team has each season and all teams are treated equally.  Anomalies happen.  Get over it.

 

[Punching Bag]

10 hours ago, TheWeatherMan said:

The way the Bills play coming off a bye week, I would say it is.  If we can get through the opening gauntlet we are sitting pretty the second half of the year. IMO the schedule looks favorable since we play all of the playoff teams in the first half of the season before they start to gel.  

 

And the same can be said for Bills that they face playoff teams before they start to gel after all of the cuts to give certain players raises.

 

[Chandler#81]

On 5/13/2022 at 9:13 AM, SlimShady'sSpaceForce said:

Did they miss quote that?  

Did they mean the Pats?  
 

Oh, wait, what was that you say?

Humpty Dumpty fell and none of the king’s horses 🐎 are around?

 

 

Its nice to be on top!  

Best part of this schedule is a plus 13 rest days. 2 best teams in this metric last season? Rams & Bengles.

The Stars have aligned!

Edited May 14, 2022 by Chandler#81

[GunnerBill]

On 5/13/2022 at 7:41 PM, Scott7975 said:

 

I meant IN KC, not just against KC.  It is not fair for one team to year after year play away vs the same team.

 

The most it can happen against a non divisional rival is 3 years. And I agree... it is the least fair part of the schedule except the 17th game.

[CSBill]

On 5/13/2022 at 10:55 AM, nucci said:

A net rest differential? That's a thing?

My first thought as well. Analytics knows no end. 

 

Edited May 15, 2022 by CSBill