Five Bold Predictions for the Upcoming Buffalo Bills Season

The Buffalo Bills kickoff their season against the Chicago Bears at 1:00 PM (eastern).

What better way to get you thinking about the season than five bold predictions on what the Bills can accomplish this year?

1. CJ Spiller regains his old form and turns in a top 5 running back season this year 

Last year Bills running back CJ Spiller was slowed down by a bum ankle, which caused him to play the year at less than 100%. He suffered a high ankle sprain during a Week 4 contest and it lingered the entire season, zapping Spiller of some of his playmaking ability.

Fans were quick to forget that this is a player who averaged a staggering 6.0 yards per carry just the year before.

Spiller is gifted with tremendous speed and he has the ability to stop and cut on a dime.  Since Spiller is healthy again, he is going to be just as effective as he was before.

Sure the backfield is a little more crowded with Bryce Brown and Anothy Dixon being added to the mix, however, Spiller is by far the most talented back that the Bills can put on the field.

He is also entering the last year of his rookie deal, which will give him even more motivation to perform this year (he does have a player option for 2015 but it is for a little over $2 million, well below market value).

A healthy Spiller means an extremely productive Spiller and if he can stay on the field for all 16 games this season, he will have one of the best seasons out of NFL running backs this year.

2. EJ Manuel progresses into enough of a game manager to keep the Bills in it every week (along with Kyle Orton on the bench) 

The important thing to remember is that quarterback EJ Manuel doesn’t need to turn into Tom Brady in order for the Bills to have a successful season.

The Bills really just need a game manager out there this year.

It sounds slightly lame but it’s true.   The defense is a much-improved unit and the Bills still have one of the best running games in the entire league. They really just need a guy who will make throws down the field, but will also not turn the ball over as well.

The Bills went and got Kyle Orton out of retirement with a two year, $11 million deal (the last year is voidable). That type of money makes it seem that Manuel is going to be on a bit of a short leash this season.

The problem is on a talent standpoint, Manuel blows Orton out of the water. He shouldn’t lose his spot to him unless he greatly underperforms in the first couple months of the season.

Kyle Orton is not going to be throwing for 300 yards a game. He is a veteran who was brought in to manage the game. If EJ can limit the mistakes, I don’t see a chance of Orton stepping on the field. The veteran leadership is there but the upside isn’t.

The Bills are going to be a very competitive football team this season. Look for Manuel to improve his play and stick as the starter for the season.

3. The defense is an even better unit than last season

This one is the least bold prediction on the list; however, with the loss of linebacker Kiko Alonso for the year due to a torn ACL it certainly isn’t a lay up.

This is also a team that lost star safety Jairus Byrd to free agency, as he bolted to join the New Orleans Saints.

The Bills still have the best defensive line in football. The secondary is also the deepest it has been in years.

Add in Brandon Spikes, the best run defender at linebacker in the NFL, and the Bills have a very talented group of players composing their starting line up.

There is enough talent on this group to continue to build upon last year’s successful defensive system.

The sacks and turnovers will still be there. If this group can successfully stop the run, look out!

The sky is the limit with this group.

4. Mike Williams will be the Bills leading receiver this season

Here is a thought that will stop fans in their tracks; What if Sammy Watkins isn’t the leading receiver this year?

Don’t fret too much, as I believe that the stats of these two will be very similar by the end of the season.

Williams is a red zone threat that has shown throughout the preseason and training camp that if you throw the ball up in his area, he will go up and get it.

With teams looking to slow down Watkins, look for Williams to get a lot of one –on-one coverage looks. If this is the case, he is more than capable of making plays downfield.

It is more of a lock to predict that Williams will lead the Bills in receiving touchdowns (which he will).

Don’t sleep on Williams though. The talent is more than there and he could surprise a lot of people this season.

5. The Bills make the Playoffs

 Don’t take this one to the bank.

The Bills haven’t made the playoffs in 14 seasons! 14!

For that to end this year, the Bills need a lot of things to go right. The biggest of which is that EJ Manuel needs to progress and play more consistent this season.

The running game is there. The defense is there. There are talented playmakers spread all over the field. If Manuel steps it up, the Buffalo Bills will be fighting for a wild card spot.

For the point of these bold predictions, I am saying he will and the Buffalo Bills will be playing post season football for the first time in over a decade and a half.

Love the picks? Disagree completely? Get your voice heard and let us know how you are feeling about the upcoming season in the comment section below.