Buffalo Bills 2022-23 Season Guidebook

While the summer season brings much enjoyment to the average person, for an NFL fan, it represents a desolate wasteland where Sundays just aren't quite as vibrant as in the autumn months.  However, with each passing day, we inch closer to the beginning of the 2023 NFL season, which officially kicks off on September 8 this year.

Whether you've had your favorite team's tweet notifications turned on all summer or if you've decided to tune out all football news entirely, you'll be able to learn everything you need to know about your team going into the 2022-23 season right here.
 
In today's article, I'll be discussing the Buffalo Bills.

I'm working on season guidebooks for all 32 NFL teams, which will all be released within the next few weeks.  To check out another team's guidebook, click here:
https://www.bucketsquadsportsreports.com/nfl

2021 Season Recap

Buffalo was typically a force to be reckoned with last season, especially on offense.  Statistically speaking, they were one of the best teams in the league on both sides of the ball throughout the year.  They won the AFC East for the second straight season and demolished the Patriots 47-17 in the Wild Card round.  However, they were on the wrong end of a 42-36 overtime shootout against the Chiefs to have their Super Bowl dreams end prematurely.

Josh Allen has quickly developed into one of the best young quarterbacks in the league, and his team will be among the top contenders for the Super Bowl title again in 2022.

Significant Roster Moves

While the Bills lost a few big names in the offseason, they found more than adequate replacements in free agency.  Running back Duke Johnson will add depth to Buffalo's running game while receivers Tavon Austin and Jamison Crowder take on the reps given up by Cole Beasley and Emmanuel Sanders.  The Bills were thin at the tight end position last year, and O.J. Howard will certainly help there.

Von Miller is the biggest name to be added to the already strong defense, though we shouldn't overlook Jordan Phillips and Shaq Lawson as significant difference makers to be plugged into the defensive line after losing several guys in those positions from a year ago.

2022 Draft Class

Buffalo fielded much needed depth at several positions with their 8 picks in the 2022 draft.  Cornerback Kaiir Elam will be an immediate starter in the secondary, and James Cook and Khalil Shakir will likely gain playing time as the season goes on.  Matt Araiza was just the third punter off the board in this year's draft, but his massive leg will be essential for getting the job done in Buffalo's brutal winter climate.

Season Schedule

The Bills will take on the AFC North and the NFC North to go along with their six divisional games.  Their other three opponents are the Los Angeles Rams, Tennessee Titans, and Kansas City Chiefs.  With an opponent prior season win percentage of .512, Buffalo has the 14th hardest schedule in the NFL.

Buffalo's primetime games include two Thursday night games at the Los Angeles Rams and at New England, a Sunday night game versus Green Bay, and two Monday night games versus Tennessee and at Cincinnati.  They will also play on Thanksgiving Day at Detroit.

Depth Charts

​Offense

Defense

Special Teams

The Bills return 15 of their 22 offensive and defensive starters, which is about average for teams across the league this season.  Their offense is loaded with weapons and they have a star-studded defense as well.  Despite some of the turnover experienced from last year, Buffalo will no doubt be strong on both sides of the ball again in 2022.

Coaching Staff

Sean McDermott enters his 6th season as head coach of the Bills.  The coordinator positions remain unchanged from a year ago.
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​Betting Odds

Oddsmakers have set the regular season win total for Buffalo at 11.5 games.  As of right now, the Bills are the most likely team to win their division, conference, and the 2023 Super Bowl.  Expectations are clearly high for this Buffalo squad.
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Bucket Squad Predictions

I'm picking Buffalo to go 13-4 in the regular season to take home a division and conference championship.  I simply believe they are loaded on both sides of the ball, and Josh Allen proved last season that he can handle big time moments.  This team was so close last year to a chance at a Super Bowl appearance, and I think they have an excellent chance of accomplishing that again this time around.  I haven't made my playoff predictions for the season yet, but I definitely haven't ruled out picking the Bills to win it all, as the sports books suggest.

What do you think?  Will Buffalo be better or worse than I'm projecting?  What offseason moves made by the Bills surprised you the most?  Leave a comment down below and be sure to check the "NFL" section of the website for more NFL team guidebooks as I finish them.

Written by Nick Swatson