It's not unanimous, but after the Bills took down the two-time defending AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday Night Football, Buffalo has moved into the top spot in a handful of the NFL power rankings for Week 6.
1. Buffalo Bills (4-1)
Previous ranking: 1
Most improved player: WR Emmanuel Sanders
How they've improved: This isn't a particularly difficult decision. Sanders -- the oldest player on the Bills roster -- has exploded in his 12th NFL season and is a key piece of the offense as a downfield weapon. He has two games with two touchdowns already this season, including Sunday's win over Kansas City. Prior to this season, Sanders only had six career games with two or more touchdowns, and the last was in 2017. Outside of his scoring, Sanders is averaging a career-high 16.9 yards per reception, as opposed to his average target depth last year with the Saints -- a career-low 8.98 yards. He has transformed into one of quarterback Josh Allen's favorite targets.
1. Buffalo Bills (4-1)
Previous rank: No. 3
Defeating the Chiefs in October and defeating them in January are two very different beasts, but that doesn't mean Sunday night's 38-20 stomping of the defending conference champs wasn't important. For the Bills, it was affirmation of what they already believed: With superstar quarterback Josh Allen out front, they can beat anyone. They might even embarrass you. That's what happened at Arrowhead Stadium, where Patrick Mahomes struggled to find any rhythm against a Buffalo defense that played like it knew what was coming. Bills defenders might tell you they did, which is a credit to Sean McDermott and his entire coaching staff. Buffalo is a juggernaut.
1. Buffalo Bills (4-1)
Fresh off a dominant win over the Chiefs, the Bills hold on to their no. 1 spot for another week, but they've got the Cardinals, Buccaneers, Cowboys, and a handful of other squads nipping at their heels.
1. Buffalo Bills (4-1) | Last week's rank: 1
This is, quite simply, the league's best and most complete team right now. The victory Sunday night at Kansas City was thorough. The defense is excellent. The offense has big-play capabilities, with third-year TE Dawson Knox emerging as a major factor. QB Josh Allen brings it all together with his contributions as both a runner and a passer. And watch out: If Allen gets back to last season's accuracy level, the Bills might be next to unbeatable.
2. Buffalo Bills (4-1)
That victory at Kansas City sends a big message to the rest of the AFC. They showed that defense is legitimate and Josh Allen can light it up.
2. Buffalo Bills (4-1)
Week 5 Result: Defeated Kansas City 38-20
The Bills are firing on all cylinders and should be the clear favorite in the AFC. Buffalo's Week 1 loss to the Steelers is a thing of the past. Since that lackadaisical performance, the Bills have destroyed their competition. Buffalo's 18-point win Sunday night is its smallest margin of victory this season. The only thing that slowed Buffalo down against the Chiefs was the lightning delay. Josh Allen threw for 315 yards, rushed for 59, and accounted for four touchdowns. Defensively, the Bills created four turnovers — two picks, two fumbles — and continuously flustered Patrick Mahomes. There is a new top dog in the AFC.
2. Buffalo Bills (4—1)
Last week: Win vs. Kansas City, 38–20
Next week: at Tennessee (Monday)
The most impressive team through five weeks, no question. And it really goes back to last year. Their four-game winning streak has come with an aggregate score of 156–41, and they've won 10 of their last 11 regular-season games, with nine of those wins coming by double-digits and the tenth one by 9 points.
3. Buffalo Bills (4-1)
Last Week: 4
Week 5 Result: Won at Kansas City 38-20
The term "statement win" gets thrown around a lot in the NFL.
But Sunday night in Kansas City, the Buffalo Bills absolutely earned one. After falling to the Chiefs at Arrowhead in last year's AFC Championship Game, the Bills exacted some revenge, blasting the Chiefs on their own field in a game that wasn't as close as the final score.
This was a dominant performance. Josh Allen scorched the Chiefs defense for 315 yards and three scores through the air and led the team with 59 yards and a score on the ground. Defensively, the Bills harassed Patrick Mahomes all night long, picking him off twice and returning one for a score.
"The Bills are one step closer to claiming the title of the AFC's best squad and arguably the NFL's best overall," Sobleski said. "After a surprising Week 1 letdown, Buffalo won its next four contests by a combined score of 156-41. However, Sunday's performance against the Kansas City Chiefs finally showed what Sean McDermott's squad can really do after beating up on inferior competition during the previous three weeks. The Bills will further earn their place at the top with each outstanding performance."
3. Buffalo Bills 4-1 (4)
The Bills put up a much better fight against the Chiefs on the road on Sunday night and Josh Allen finally outdueled Patrick Mahomes. They will be better positioned in the eventual rematch at some point in the playoffs.
5. Bills (6)
After exacting retribution in Kansas City, surging Buffalo can get more of the same Sunday in Nashville, where they got blown out 42-16 by the Titans last year during a game played on a Tuesday night due to Tennessee's COVID-19 outbreak.
