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AFC East breakdown – Buffalo Bills
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AFC East – Buffalo Bills – 2007 Record 7-9: 2nd place AFC East
Here is my first out of the box pick for 2008. The Buffalo Bills will make the playoffs, obviously going the wild card route with perennial favorite New England owning the AFC East. Quarterback Trent Edwards suffered a deep right thigh bruise in a collision with running back Marshawn Lynch the day before training camp ended. Edwards expects to be ready for the season opener but the team is still monitoring his progress which means J.P. Losman might see some significant time if Edwards is unable to go.
With either signal caller behind center, the Bills look to build off a decent 2007 season and I believe this team will have just enough to squeak into the playoffs in a very competitive AFC conference. Losman is also a free agent at the end of the year so if he gets the nod he will be auditioning for a bunch of teams that are in need of a good quarterback.
Offensively, this unit was very predictable last year. Offensive coordinator Turk Schonert has promised a more wide-open attack but Edwards or Losman have to show they are capable quarterbacks. Each has shown promise in their time as starters but for Buffalo to move forward they have to be consistent week in and week out. Lee Evans should bounce back to have a productive season and the addition of wide receiver James Hardy should open up the downfield passing game. Lynch was outstanding as a rookie and should duplicate his success in his second year.
On defense, the Bills have been horrible against the run in recent memory and on top of it allowed the most passing yards in team history. The Bills acquired three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Marcus Stroud from the Jaguars in hopes of shoring up the D-line. Leodis McKelvin was drafted to help at cornerback but significant contributions will be needed from defensive ends Aaron Schobel and Chris Kelsay to take some pressure off the corners.
Head coach Dick Jauron has done a good job in Buffalo although it hasn’t shown up with wins and losses. Buffalo had a myriad of injuries last year but Jauron kept them competitive throughout the year. If they can stay healthy and get production on the defensive side of the ball the Bills can see themselves making the playoffs.
Prediction: 2nd AFC East
Playoffs: While the Bills won’t be making any plans for the Super Bowl, this team will squeak in through the back door and make the playoffs in 2008.
