With the Bills 2013 regular season schedule now released here's a closer look at just what Buffalo will be up against. Buffalobills.com has put together a thumbnail sketch of how their opponents fared in 2012 and the key additions and losses each of the Bills opponents have made to their roster this offseason.
New England2012 record: 12-4
Playoffs: Yes (lost in AFC Championship game 28-13 to Baltimore)
2013 outlook: The Patriots reloaded at receiver and at safety hoping to maintain their number one ranking in total offense from 2012. Still a top 10 defense when it comes to stopping the run (9th) and allowing points (9th) New England is still the benchmark in the AFC East.
Key additions: WR Danny Amendola, SS Adrian Wilson, DT Tommy Kelly, KR Leon Washington
Key losses: S Patrick Chung, WR Brandon Lloyd, WR Wes Welker, RB Danny Woodhead
Carolina
2012 record:7-9
Playoffs:No
2013 outlook:The Panthers will look to start 2013 the way they finished 2012 winning four of their last five in the hopes of reaching the NFC playoffs for the first time in the Cam Newton era.
Key additions:LB Chase Blackburn, S William Moore, WR Ted Ginn
Key losses:WR Louis Murphy, G Mike Pollak
**New York Jets
2012 record: *6-10 *Playoffs: *No *2013 outlook: *The Jets are trying to reinvent their offense for a second straight season after finishing 30th in the league last year. They also will have new leadership on defense following the departure of coordinator Mike Pettine to Buffalo. *Key additions: *OT Willie Colon, QB David Garrard, S Dawan Landry *Key losses: **DL Mike DeVito, RB Shonn Greene, TE Dustin Keller
Baltimore
2012 Record:10-6
Playoffs:Yes (Won Super Bowl XLVII)
2013 outlook:The Ravens hope they've effectively retooled their defense to maintain their high level of play on that side of the ball.
Key additions:DE Elvis Dumervil, LB Rolando McClain, DE Marcus Spears
Key losses:LB Ray Lewis, S Ed Reed, LB Dannell Ellerbe, CB Cary Williams
Cleveland
2012 Record: 5-11Playoffs:No2013 outlook:With new head coach Rod Chudzinksi at the helm, the Browns will look to make strides to move past the Ravens, Steelers, and Bengals in the AFC North behind second-year pros Brandon Weeden and Trent Richardson.Key additions:LB Paul KrugerKey losses: WR Mohamed Massaquoi, K Phil Dawson
Cincinnati
2012 Record: 10-6Playoffs:Yes (Lost to Texans 19-13 in AFC Wild Card)2013 outlook:Led by the youthful combo of QB Andy Dalton and WR A.J. Green, who lifted the 2012 Bengals to their second straight playoff berth, the 2013 Bengals could be on the move to the AFC's upper-echelon teams. Key additions:Franchised DE Michael Johnson, re-signed LB Rey MaualugaKey losses: LB Manny Lawson, RB Brian Leonard
Miami
2012 Record: 7-9Playoffs:No2013 outlook:Big spenders during the NFL free agency period, the 2013 Dolphins will lean heavily on their new signees while the talented but yet-unproven Ryan Tannehill develops under center.Key additions:WR Mike Wallace, LB Dannell Ellerbe, re-signed WR Brian HartlineKey losses: OT Jake Long, RB Reggie Bush
New Orleans2012 Record: 7-9Playoffs:No2013 outlook:The reunion of head coach Sean Payton and QB Drew Brees could vault the Saints back to contention in the NFC, especially if defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo can improve the league's 31st ranked defense. Key additions:CB Keenan LewisKey losses: OT Jermon Bushrod
Kansas City2012 Record: 2-14Playoffs:No2013 outlook:New coach Andy Reid has moved west from Philadelphia, and armed with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 Draft, could be resurrecting a storied franchise.Key additions:QB Alex Smith, TE Anthony Fasano, re-signed WR Dwayne BoweKey losses: QB Matt Cassell
Pittsburgh2012 Record: 8-8Playoffs:No2013 outlook:Pittsburgh eyes a return to its winning ways in 2013 with QB Ben Roethlisberger and offensive coordinator Todd Haley having the benefit of their first season in the books. The league's 22nd-ranked offense pairs with an aging but still-dangerous defense that was sixth in the NFL last season in total defense.Key additions:TE Matt SpaethKey losses: WR Mike Wallace, RB Rashard Mendenhall, OLB James Harrison
Atlanta
2012 Record: 13-3Playoffs:Yes (Lost 28-24 in NFC Championship to 49ers)2013 outlook:A handful of plays short from the Super Bowl in 2012, the 2013 Falcons, behind burgeoning superstar Matt Ryan, could rank among the NFL's elite next year with a return to form.Key additions:RB Steven Jackson, DE Osi UmenyioraKey losses:OT Tyson Clabo
Tampa Bay2012 Record: 7-9Playoffs:No2013 outlook:Second-year head coach Greg Schiano will help the Bucs build on their franchise-best run defense while leaning on QB Josh Freeman and breakout RB Doug Martin to guide the offense. Key additions:WR Kevin Ogletree, S Dashon GoldsonKey losses: OT Jeremy Trueblood
Jacksonville2012 Record: 2-14Playoffs:No2013 outlook:Armed with the No. 3 overall pick in the draft, a new coach (Gus Bradley) and a new general manager (David Caldwell), the 2013 Jaguars are in an all-out rebuild after a rough 2012 campaign.Key additions:WR Mohamed Massaquoi, re-signed OL Brad MeesterKey losses: RB Rashad Jennings, SS Dawan Landry
* *
* *
