The Buffalo Bills so far look like they have put last January’s home AFC divisional playoff loss to bed and are coming out with a fresh new start.
They have been working out hard in OTA’s and signing some key players to fill key positions. While some of their injured players will finally be healthy enough to be ready to suit up and help take them to their first Super Bowl in 2023.
2023 Buffalo Bills State of the Franchise
Why did the Bills lose the AFC Divisional Playoff Game?
I would say there are many reasons for the Bills losing the home divisional playoff game, 27-10, to the Cincinnati Bengals. But the reality is that even a Bills team that is well-coached and well-disciplined can’t win them all.
It was once again the defense’s inability to get key stops when they needed to and the fact they were on the field for most of the second half.
I can’t figure out why now former Defensive Coordinator Leslie Frazier always had top-tier defenses in Buffalo during the regular season, but when it came to playing the Bengals in the AFC Championship and AFC Divisional games, they looked like, statistically, the worst defense in the league?
With Head Coach Sean McDermott now calling the plays, we can put that all behind us and look forward to a brand-new season.
Former Panthers QB Kyle Allen (7) – Naomi Baker/Getty Images
Immediate Outlook: Signing New Players
When free agency began in mid-March, the Bills went to work right away. They found some impactful players for key positions.
First, to back up their superstar quarterback, Josh Allen, the Bills signed former Carolina Panthers and Houston Texans backup, Kyle Allen.
At 6’3″, 210 lbs., the 27-year-old took over as the starting quarterback when Cam Newton went down with a season-ending left foot injury in 2019. He finished 7-12.
To immediately add a starter to the guard position, the Bills signed pro bowler Connor McGovern from “America’s Team.” McGovern is a big man at 6’5″, 318 lbs., but he is a mauler with quick feet and athleticism to move big defenders out of the way.
He did not fail at Dallas, it’s just they could not afford him. They released him to free up cap space, and now he’s a Buffalo Bill.
Former New England Patriots RB Damien Harris (37) – John Munson/AP Photo
To add the thunder to the lighting running back to the mix, meet former Patriot’s running back Damien Harris. A big, strong runner at 5’11”, 213 lbs., Harris can run defenders over like bowling pins and move the chains for first downs. He can also line up in a shot-gun formation to catch the ball and take it to the house for a touchdown.
He is a true bell cow back, and with offenses trending towards the spread-air-raid pass-it in the gun offenses, running backs are used in multiple ways now. Look for Harris to be a three-down back with the Bills, along with James Cook and whoever becomes their third back come week 1.
One more big signing the Bills made was a tall 6’4″, 216 lb. receiver who recently played for the St. Louis BattleHawks of the XFL. Marcell Ateman just signed in Buffalo for a one-year deal.
This to me could be a steal of a signing as Ateman is a big, physical receiver who can run slot routes when the quarterback passes short, intermediate completions.
He can also make the clutch 50-50 catches while going long on the deep fade. Ateman’s NFL comparison would be of a Chris Hogan or a bigger Julian Edelman type.
Who’s Back and Ready to Play
Well, even better news, Bills fans, three impact players on the defensive unit that were the missing pieces to a could have, would have, should have Super Bowl run last year are back.
They are ready to move on and be a factor in the new defense now being led by coach McDermott. Knock on wood if all three stay healthy and the offense is more multifaced this year, then a Lombardi Trophy should be coming home to Orchard Park in February.
Buffalo Bills DE/LB Von Miller (40) – Cooper Neill/Getty Images
Von Miller
When Von Miller was signed in 2022, this was supposed to be the year the Bills would finally advance through the playoffs, beat the Chiefs, and win their first-ever Super Bowl.
Hybrid DE/LB Miller had just come off winning a Super Bowl Title with the Rams in Super Bowl 56 and was ready to bring that winning pedigree to the 716.
Miller was playing well during the first half of the year, and his big moment was a late-game sack on Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. It helped the Bills earn their revenge for the previous year’s loss in the AFC Divisional Championship game.
Sadly, Miller’s season was cut short as he was carted off the field on the Bills’ Thanksgiving Day game against the Detroit Lions. It was bitter-sweet as the Bills won the game on a Tyler Bass field goal, but sadly, the Pro Bowl-bound superstar was to miss the rest of the season, including the playoffs.
Luckily, Miller is expected to return for Week 1 of the 2023 season, when the Bills travel to face Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets in the Meadowlands on MNF.
He was supposed to be out until week 10 when his former team, the Denver Broncos, came into town also on Monday night. This is even better news.
Micah Hyde
Talk about one of the biggest players being missed on the field. Back in September 2022, the Pro Bowl Safety suffered a season-ending injury to his neck area, which, just like Miller, also caused him to miss the rest of his 2022 season.
No one is happier to see his friend, player, and team mate come back on the field other than Jordan Poyer. Poyer and Hyde together are a force to be reckoned with. Together on the field, they are ball hawks, waiting to create the next interception.
In 2021, Hyde had 70 total tackles (49) solo while having 21 total assists. He also brought the team five interceptions. Look for him to finish strong this season while helping out his teammates on the field.
Buffalo Bills FS Damar Hamlin (3) – Timothy T. Ludwig/Getty Images
Damar Hamlin
Athletes and stories like Damar Hamlin’s are the reason why I love watching football. But please, I hope I never get to see something as scary and as quite horrific as what happened to that young man on MNF. The whole 32 NFL fanbases became a fan of the Bills that day because of what happened.
While trying to make a tackle on special teams, Hamlin was on the ground, and then he got back up like nothing happened. But then, we all knew something was up as number 3 for the Bills just suddenly collapsed onto the playing field at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
What we all thought was going to be a quick delay and then the game would continue on was not going to be the case at all. Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest that paralyzed him and possibly could have been fatal.
When we heard that the Bengals had five minutes to warm up to get the game restarted, we knew continuing to play this game was wrong.
Luckily, the Bills’ training staff immediately performed CPR on him that long term saved his life.
Now, we are into OTA’s and minicamps, and we already have the news that Hamlin can play football for the Bills again. I understand we all have different beliefs, and that’s ok, but for the people that do, miracles can happen if you believe in the power of spirit and positivity.
Now, Hamlin is ready to go out there and be the great safety and special teams player he is after the threat of never being here with us or never being able to play football again.
2023 Buffalo Bills State of the Franchise
Conclusion
The State of the Bills Franchise looks to be in contention for another season. With a new coach calling the plays, and if they can keep their players healthy and ready, they should be able to bring home the big prize.
