1. These former Bills made the AFC East all-decade team
Before the 2020 NFL season kicks off, ESPN released their all-decade team for the AFC East. Each ESPN NFL reporter chose the two best players of the decade from the team they cover to form the list. Defensive tackle Kyle Williams was named the Bills player of the decade and running back LeSean McCoy was named the honorable mention player of the decade.
Kyle Williams, DT
Years with team: 2006-18
A six-time Pro Bowler (all from 2010-18), Williams was a standout during a decade of overall mediocrity in Buffalo. He might not be a household name outside of Buffalo, but he ranked seventh among all defensive tackles in tackles for loss and sacks during that time frame. In Buffalo, calling him a fan favorite doesn't quite do him justice; he's so revered, he officiated a wedding for two Bills fans at halftime of their home game against the Patriots last season.
Honorable mention: LeSean McCoy, RB, 2015-18. "Shady" spent only four seasons with the Bills, but ranked third in the NFL in rushing yards during that span, behind Todd Gurley II and Ezekiel Elliott. The Bills' leading rusher for the decade, McCoy was the team's biggest offensive threat, its seventh-leading receiver and one of its three offensive skill players to make a Pro Bowl (he was named to three). His final season might have been disappointing, but McCoy was one of the better running backs in the league in three of his four seasons in Buffalo. -- Marcel Louis-Jacques
DE Mario Williams, G Richie Incgonito, CB Stephon Gilmore were also recognized.
2. Is Tre'Davious White the division's biggest star?
NFL Network’s Good Morning Football crew debated who will be the biggest star in the AFC East this year. Host Kay Adams has her eye on corner Tre'Davious White. Adams said a star has to have three things—on-field talent, be a part of a winning team and have a great personality.
"Tre'Davious White is coming off of an All-Pro season," Adams said. "He's a guy who's balling week-in-week-out. He had the most interceptions in the NFL last year. He didn't allow a single touchdown in coverage, that's according to my guys at PFF. Not to mention no corner has allowed a lower passer rating against in the past two seasons."
Adams believes he has the ability to showcase his talent again this year due to the WR1 matchups he will face in players like DeAndre Hopkins, Courtland Sutton, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Keenan Allen and the two Super Bowl contenders from 2019. Adams said the Bills are poised to have a successful season in 2020.
"The Bills are supposed to do it," Adams explained. "They're coming off a 10 and 6 season. They've done a lot and they have to get the job done. I think Tre's going to be a huge part of that."
For the personality aspect, Adams said White has one of the most vibrant personalities in the NFL. If you're a Buffalo fan, I think we realized that the moment he was drafted.
3. The biggest X-factor for Buffalo
Who will be Buffalo's biggest X-factor this season? A slew of names can fit into that conversation. Bleacher Report released an article where they named an X-factor for all 32 teams. B/R believes corner Josh Norman will be the biggest X-factor on the roster this season.
Norman fell out of favor with Washington last season and was eventually benched. However, he was a first-team All-Pro in 2015 and a strong starter during his first couple of seasons with the D.C. squad. If he can regain that form, he'll be a tremendous No. 2 opposite star cornerback Tre'Davious White.
White should be a Defensive Player of the Year candidate in 2020. He tied with Stephon Gilmore and Anthony Harris for the most picks (six) and had just three fewer pass breakups than Gilmore's league-leading 20. With Norman, Buffalo's fourth-ranked passing defense could jump to No. 1.
