Buffalo Bills

Now well into the home stretch of the regular season, the Buffalo Bills are 7-5, and in 2nd place in the AFC East after the New England Patriots. This weekend, the Bills will take on Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos at Mile High Stadium.

While running back C.J. Spiller is still rehabbing his collarbone injury, rookie wide receiver Sammy Watkins has returned to play. Since the Bills’ bye week in week 9, Watkins has accumulated 105 receiving yards although he has not scored any touchdowns. The expectations for the rookie are high as he has been instrumental in some of the Bills’ earlier wins this season. It was reported that Watkins said he must get back into the groove and get back to fundamentals. Spiller returned to practice earlier this week but remains on the Injured Reserve list and is not expected to play until week 16.

In regard to their division rivals of the AFC East, the Bills have had mixed results. Buffalo beat the Miami Dolphins in week 2 but lost to them in week 11. The Bills destroyed the Jets in late October and repeated the same results against them just shy of a month later. The team lost to the Patriots in October and will close out regular season play in week 17 on the road against them once more.

Buffalo managed to edge out the Detroit Lions and the Minnesota Vikings in 2 close games earlier this season, but struggled against the San Diego Chargers and Houston Texans. They also lost a close game to the Kansas City Chiefs.

While many sports analysts and critics doubt their contention, the playoffs are not out of sight for the Bills yet. If they are able to win their remaining games and depending on what happens with the Patriots’ remaining games, as well as what results in other divisions, they may be eligible for a wildcard spot.

Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo Bills began the 2014 NFL season with an overtime victory on the road against the Chicago Bears last weekend, defeating the Bears 23-20 in a game that surprised many.

In the game at Soldier Field, the Bills and the Bears each scored a touchdown in the 1st quarter. The 1st Bills TD was scored by QB EJ Manuel. A 2nd quarter pass from Manuel to RB C.J. Spiller and a 50 yard field goal by kicker Dan Carpenter, led the Bills to be up 17-7 at halftime. Chicago went on to score 10 in the 3rd quarter and with each team making a field goal in the 4th quarter, overtime was required. RB Fred Jackson set up Carpenter, whose field goal in OT sealed the win for the Bills.

In addition to Manuel and Spiller, Buffalo signed rookie WR Sammy Watkins. Watkins was the 4th pick in the 2014 NFL draft and played football at Clemson University. He signed a 4 year guaranteed contract with the Bills for just under $20M.

Earlier this week, it was announced that Terry and Kim Pegulas reached an agreement to buy the Buffalo Bills. They also own the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres. Donald Trump and a Toronto based buying group which included Bon Jovi, were also said to be bidding on the team. Pegulas will be just the 2nd team owner after founder, Ralph Wilson, who passed away in March 2014. The sale is still pending league approval, although reactions on various social media outlets by fans are for the majority, quite positive.

The Bills have not made the playoffs since 1999 and currently have the longest active losing streak – the team has not finished a season with a winning record since 2004. Will 2014 be the year that ends this decade long drought? With Manuel, Spiller and Watkins, and a 1-0 record to start the season, anything is possible! The Bills are also known for having one of the most loyal and dedicated fan bases across the league.

Buffalo’s next opponent is the Miami Dolphins, who they will face at home in Ralph Wilson Stadium on Sunday, September 14.