1. One step the Bills can take to represent the AFC in Super Bowl LVI
The Bills this season tied a franchise-high 13 regular-season wins and added two more in the playoffs - which marked the first playoff victory for the team since 1995. They fell short in the AFC Championship Game to the Chiefs, but the team is set-up to be a contender for years to come. Around the NFL editor Gregg Rosenthal explained how each AFC team can take the Chiefs’ place in next year’s Super Bowl. Here is what he said about the Buffalo Bills:
The Bills must: find the next defensive cornerstones.
The four-year ascent accomplished by coach Sean McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane could be taught at Team Building University. My "one thing" the Bills needed to do last year to make the Super Bowl was make life easier for QB Josh Allen, and they succeeded beyond anyone's dreams, nearly making the big game. Now it's time to clean up the defensively oriented McDermott's side of the ball. There isn't a pass rusher to be excited about. The secondary is missing at least one cornerback, and linebacker Matt Milano is about to be a free agent. With an explosive offense in great shape long-term, the best way to make Allen's life easier now is to find more defensive difference-makers to slow down the Chiefs, especially up front.
Scroll through to take a look through each player's statistics from the 2020 Season, presented by ConnectLife.
Taron Johnson: Johnson had two interceptions this season and he returned both for them for touchdowns. The first was a 51-yard return against Pittsburgh in Week 14, and the second was a 101-yard return against Baltimore in the divisional round of the playoffs. The 101-yard pick-six was the first for the Bills in the playoffs since 1996 and tied George Teague (GB) for the longest interception returned for a touchdown in NFL postseason history.
Josh Allen: Allen earned his first Pro Bowl nod and was named a second-team All Pro this season. He set Bills single-season franchise records for passing touchdowns (37), completions (396), 300-yard games (8), passer rating (107.2), completion percentage (69.2), passing yards (4,544) and total touchdowns (46). He is also the only player in NFL history with 4,000+ passing yards, 30+ passing touchdowns and 8+ rushing touchdowns in a season.
T.J. Yeldon: Yeldon played in three games this season and had 10 carries for 70 yards along with a 22-yard receiving touchdown.
Micah Hyde: Hyde had a combined 70 tackles, one tackle for loss, five passes defensed and one interception this season.
Brian Winters: In his first season in Buffalo, Winters started nine games and played in all 16. He also played in the Bills three postseason games.
Reggie Gilliam: Gilliam was the only 2020 undrafted free agent to make the Bills roster and he played in 14 regular season games and all three postseason games. He had two receptions for 16 yards and one touchdown and is the sixth Bills tight end to score on their first pro reception and the first since Shawn Nelson in 2009.
Cole Beasley: Beasley was named a second-team All Pro and set a career-high in receptions (82), receiving yards (967). He also scored four receiving touchdowns and threw his first career touchdown pass to Gabriel Davis in week 12. This postseason while playing on a partially broken fibula in three games, Beasley had 14 receptions for 145 yards.
Dawson Knox: In his second season with the Bills, Knox played in 12 games this season and started in eight. He had 24 receptions for 288-yards and a career-high three touchdowns. In the postseason, Knox played in all three games, started in two and had 10 receptions for 65-yards and two touchdowns.
Tremaine Edmunds: Edmunds has logged 100+ tackles in each of his three seasons with the Bills. The back-to-back Pro Bowler has become the first Bill with a three-season streak of 100+ tackles since Preston Brown's four-season streak from 2014-2017.
Siran Neal: Neal had 15 combined tackles, and one pass defended this season. He also recorded his first NFL reception in week 16 when he caught a 13-yard fake punt pass from Jaquon Johnson.
Corey Bojorquez: In week four, Bojorquez set a new career-long punt at 72 yards. That tied with Bengals punter Kevin Huber for the longest punt of the season.
Jaquan Johnson: Johnson completed a 13-yard pass to Siran Neal on a fake punt in week 16. Johnson joined Isaiah McKenzie (Wk. 10) and Cole Beasley (Wk. 12) with completions on the season and that marked the first time ever that the Bills had three non-QBs complete passes in a season.
Josh Norman: In his first season with the Bills, Norman played in nine games, made 24 tackles, had one interception that he returned 16 yards for a touchdown, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
Stefon Diggs: For the first time in his career, Diggs was named a first-team All Pro and to the Pro Bowl after leading the NFL in receptions (127) and receiving yards (1,535). In the postseason, Diggs had 20 receptions for 311 yards and two touchdowns. He finished the 2020 season with six or more catches in 16 consecutive games (reg. + post.) marking the longest such streak in NFL history.
Justin Zimmer: During his first year on the Bills, Zimmer recorded 21 tackles, a sack and three tackles for a loss. He also had one forced fumble that won the game for the Bills in week eight against the Patriots.
Reid Ferguson: Ferguson is the second-longest tenured Bill and has played in all 16 games for four straight seasons. The long snapper also played in all three of the Bills postseason games.
A.J. Epenesa: The former 2020 second-round pick played in 14 games this season and started in one of them. He tallied 14 tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, four QB hits and one pass defended. He played in all three postseason games and had three tackles, one QB hit and one pass defended.
Isaiah Hodgins: The 2020 sixth-round draft pick had an impressive training camp, but a shoulder injury cut the rookie's season short before it even began. He spent the whole season on Injured Reserve.
Jerry Hughes: As the longest-tenured Buffalo Bill, Hughes currently ranks fifth in franchise history with 51 sacks just behind Cornelius Bennett who has 52.5. Hughes also has three sacks in consecutive postseasons and those six sacks has him ranked fourth in sacks Bills postseason history.
A.J. Klein: In his first season with the Bills, Klein started 13 games and tied with Mario Addison with a team-high five sacks. He also had 73 total tackles with nine QB hits, four passes defensed, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
Matt Barkley: Barkley played in seven games this season, and he completed 11 out of 21 of his passes for 197 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
Devonta Freeman: Freeman was signed to the practice squad on Jan. 12, 2021 ahead of the divisional round playoff game against the Ravens.
Gabriel Davis: Davis finished the season with 35 receptions for 599 yards and seven touchdowns. Those seven receiving touchdowns are the third-most in a season by a Bills rookie. Davis also set a postseason franchise record for receiving yards by a rookie wide receiver with 85-yards against the Colts.
Mitch Morse: Morse started in 14 games for the Bills in the regular season and started in all three of the Bills postseason games.
Ed Oliver: Oliver finished the regular season with 34 tackles, 3.0 sacks and six tackles for a loss. He also started in all three of the Bills postseason games and had eight tackles with one tackle for loss.
Andre Smith: Smith played in 12 games for the Bills this season and had seven tackles, one tackle for loss, one forced fumble and two special teams tackles.
Trent Murphy: In his third season with the Bills, Murphy played in 10 regular season games and started in nine of them. He also played in one postseason game for Buffalo. Murphy recorded 19 tackles, three tackles for a loss, two sacks and six QB hits.
Tanner Gentry: Gentry was signed onto the Bills practice squad on Jan. 4, 2021 and was college teammates with Josh Allen at Wyoming.
Harrison Phillips: Phillips played in 12 regular season games for the Bills and started in four. He had 17 tackles, one QB hit and one fumble recovery. He played in all three of the Bills postseason games and has nine combined tackles and one QB hit.
Levi Wallace: Wallace in his third season with the Bills made 48 total tackles, two tackles for loss, two interceptions and eight passes defensed.
Tyler Bass: Bass set the Bills franchise record for most points scored by a rookie in a single season with 141 (28 FG, 49 PAT).
Dean Marlowe: Marlowe played in 15 games this season and had 15 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, two interceptions, three passes defensed and one fumble recovery.
Ike Boettger: Boettger started in a career-high seven games and played in twelve games this season. He also started in all three of the Bills postseason games.
Vernon Butler: Butler played in 14 games and started in 11 during his first year as a Buffalo Bill. He had 18 tackles, five tackles for loss, two QB hits, and one forced fumble. He started all three postseason games and had three tackles and one QB hit.
Kenny Stills: Stills was signed to the Bills practice squad on Jan. 4, 2021 and was elevated to the team's active roster for the AFC Championship Game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Dion Dawkins: Dawkins through four NFL seasons has never missed a game and the two-year captain for the Bills has two career receptions for two touchdowns. He along with Mitch Frerotte are the only Bills offensive lineman to catch two touchdowns in their career.
Tre'Davious White: White was named to the Pro Bowl for the second consecutive season and named a second-team All Pro. This season he had a combined 57 tackles, a career-high 1.5 sacks, three interceptions, 11 passes defensed, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.
Taiwan Jones: Jones played in 13 games this season, was on the field for 47% of all special teams snaps and had six tackles with one tackle for loss.
Jordan Poyer: Poyer had 119 total tackles this season which tied for most on the team. He also had two sacks, two interceptions, five passes defensed and two forced fumbles.
Jon Feliciano: In his second year with the Bills, Feliciano started in nine games after coming back from an upper body injury in Week 8. He also started in all three of the Bills playoff games.
Zack Moss: Moss played in 13 games this season, rushed for 481 yards and four touchdowns and also had 14 receptions for 95 yards with one receiving touchdown. Moss played in one postseason game and had seven rushes for 21-yards and four receptions for 26-yards before leaving with an ankle injury that would land him on Injured Reserve.
Mario Addison: In his first year with the Bills, Addison tied with AJ Klein for the team lead in sacks – both with five. Addison played in 15 regular season games and started in seven and had eight QB hits, seven tackles for loss, and four passes defensed. He started in all three of the Bills postseason games recording 10 tackles with three tackles for loss, one sack and one forced fumble.
Devin Singletary: Singletary started all 16 games this season and ran for 687 yards and two touchdowns. He also had 38 receptions for 269 yards. Throughout this postseason, Singletary ran 16 times for 63 yards and had eight catches for 44 yards.
Mike Love: Love appeared in one game this season, and he recorded two tackles and one tackle for loss against Miami in week 17.
Andre Roberts: Roberts has been selected to three consecutive Pro Bowls – two with Buffalo. This season for the Bills, he had 961 kick return yards which is the second most in his career and his longest return of the season was 60-yards. He also had 286 punt return yards and four receptions for 34-yards.
Tyler Matakevich: In his first season with the Bills, Matakevich played in every game and was on the field for 76% of all special teams snaps. He had 22 total tackles and two passes defensed.
Lee Smith: In his 10th season in the league, Smith played in 10 games and started in two for the Bills. He recorded four receptions for 35 yards and two touchdowns. He also played in all three of the Bills postseason games and started one of them.
Antonio Williams: The undrafted free agent spent most of his first year on the practice squad but did get playing time in week 17 against Miami. Williams made the most of it, rushing for 63 yards and two touchdowns along with one reception for 20-yards.
Darryl Johnson: Johnson played in 15 regular season games and two postseason games for the Bills. He racked up six tackles, three tackles for a loss, one sack, three QB hits. He also ranked second of the team with eight special teams tackles.
Tyrel Dodson: Dodson played in 10 games this season and started in two of them. He recorded 20 tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, two passes defensed and two special teams tackles.
Daryl Williams: In his first year with Buffalo, Williams played in 16 games and started in 15 of them. The right tackle also started in all three of the Bills postseason games.
Matt Milano: Milano in his fourth season with the Bills played in 11 regular season games and all three playoff games. He had 44 combined tackles, a career-high 3.5 sacks, nine QB hits, one interception and four passes defensed. In the postseason, he had 25 combined tackles, one QB hit and three passes defensed.
Quinton Jefferson: In his first season with the Bills, Jefferson made 23 tackles, three tackles for loss and three sacks. He also recorded his first career forced fumble and recovered the loose ball.
Bryan Cox Jr.: Cox Jr. played in one game for the Bills this season and had one tackle against the Chiefs in Week 6.
Isaiah McKenzie: McKenzie had the best season of his career with highs in receptions (30), receiving yards (282) and receiving touchdowns (5). He also scored his first career punt return touchdown in week 17 against Miami.
Darron Lee: Lee joined the Bills practice squad on Nov. 2 and played in two games for Buffalo. He recorded one special teams tackle.
Jordan Devey: Devey played in one game for the Bills this season, making his lone appearance in week seven against the Jets.
Nate Becker: This is the second season on the practice squad for Becker, and he played in one game this season. His appearance came in week 17 against the Miami Dolphins.
Ryan Bates: Bates played in all 16 regular season games for the Bills and played in all three of the Bills postseason games.
Tyler Kroft: Kroft played in 10 games and started in five of them for the Bills this season. He had 12 receptions for 119 yards and a career-high three receiving touchdowns. One of those touchdowns was a game-winner against the Los Angeles Rams in week three.
Jonotthan Harrison: Harrison joined the Bills practice squad after week two and stayed on the practice squad throughout the whole season.
Del'Shawn Phillips: Phillips played in two games this season but unfortunately spent most of his time on Injured Reserve.
Davis Webb: Webb is part of a close-knit quarterback room. In 2011, Webb was mentored at the Elite 11 QB camp by Matt Barkley. Then in 2016, Webb was a counselor at the same camp for rookie quarterback Jake Fromm.
Brandin Bryant: Bryant played in one game for the Bills this season and his appearance came in week eight against the Patriots. He recorded one tackle in that game.
Ty Nsekhe: Nsekhe was a core special teamer this season and played in 15 games in the regular season and in all three of the Bills postseason games.
Dane Jackson: The rookie played in five games this season making 15 tackles with one tackle for loss. Jackson also had one interception and one fumble recovery.
Cam Lewis: Lewis played in five games this season, and recorded seven combined tackles. On Oct. 31, he was placed on Injured Reserve with a wrist injury.
Cody Ford: Ford this season started in seven games, two games at right guard and five games at left guard. Just before Week 12, Ford tore his meniscus in practice and was placed on Injured Reserve on Nov. 28.
John Brown: Brown played in nine games for the Bills in the regular season and had 33 receptions for 458-yards and three touchdowns. He also started in all three of the Bills postseason games and had 10 catches for 86-yards.
Josh Thomas: The undrafted free agent out of Appalachian State played in two games this season and recorded one special teams tackle.
Duke Williams: During his second year with the Bills, Williams played in one game and that came in Week 7 against the New York Jets.
Jake Fromm: In a unique rookie year, Fromm served as the Bills emergency quarterback. Due to Covid-19 precautions, the rookie had to go through practice and meetings from a distance while he learned under Allen, Barkley and Webb.
Tommy Sweeney: Due to a foot injury, Sweeney started the season on the reserve/PUP list then was moved to the reserve/COVID-19 list on Oct. 24, 2020. He was out the rest of the season.
Trey Adams: The 2020 undrafted free agent spent the season on the Bills practice squad.
Christian Wade: Wade finished up his second season on the Bills roster as a part of the NFL's International Player Program. Before coming to the US, the native of England was a member of the Wasps Rugby Football Club.
2. Scott Pioli: "It's not just that they're winning, it's how they're winning and how they built it"
This NFL season was unprecedented for many reasons and the success the Bills had was a tribute to all the hardworking men and women in the organization. The winning culture that Sean McDermott and Brandon Beane have built for this franchise is starting to pay dividends and receive national attention. Former NFL front office executive Scott Pioli was on WGR 550 on Monday and he had very high praise for the Bills organization and their 2020 season.
"Well, I think there's so many things going right in Buffalo right now, it's pretty amazing," Pioli stated. "I have so much respect and I start at the top, for ownership, for Sean, for Brandon, for Daboll and for Leslie. There are so many people in that organization that are so good, and we haven't even gotten to the players yet. I was a huge, huge supporter all this season because it's not just that they're winning, it's how they're winning and how they built it. They put a process in place, they paid attention and they were thoughtful about how they put this roster together, how they put the team together and how they put the locker room together. I just can't say enough good things about their organization."
3. ESPN label Bills a clear-cut Super Bowl LVI contender
The Bills came one game shy of the Super Bowl LV, but the team proved this season that they belong in the conversation when it comes to teams ready to compete for the Super Bowl. ESPN's NFL Nation released their Super Bowl timelines for all 32 teams. All teams were tiered into four categories and voted on by six ESPN analysts. The Bills were in the top tier and are viewed as contenders right now for the Super Bowl.
Clear-cut contenders right now
Buffalo Bills
Last Super Bowl appearance: 1993
2020 FPI rank: No. 6
Strategy for becoming a Super Bowl contender: Draft, develop, re-sign. That's always been the plan at One Bills Drive, and general manager Brandon Beane said there will be an even greater emphasis on it this offseason as the Bills prepare for a drastic decrease in the salary cap. They agreed to multiple multiyear extensions with some franchise cornerstones last offseason, and that likely will be the case again.
Biggest X factor: Josh Allen's continued elite play. The third-year quarterback was an MVP candidate in 2020, and Buffalo will need him to keep ascending toward superstardom as it continues its transformation into an offensive powerhouse. If Allen is good, the Bills will be as well. If 2020 was his ceiling, perhaps so is the AFC Championship Game for Buffalo. -- Marcel Louis-Jacques
