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NFL Predictions – 2007 Buffalo Bills Preview

The Bills went 7-9 last season, losing five games by three points or fewer. Buffalo has some young talent, like WR Lee Evans, QB JP Losman and SS Donte Whitner. But they lost much of their veteran core, including CB Nate Clements, MLB London Fletcher-Baker, SLB Takeo Spikes and RB Willis McGahee. So where does that put Buffalo in 2007?

INSULTED

QB JP Losman has a strong arm, capable of making all the throws. He is adept at avoiding rushing and can make plays on the fly. But he’s still young and needs to work to recognize coverage and not fixate on one receiver. Losman also needs to learn how to shoot the ball and not force shots.

As a running back, Willis McGahee is going to Baltimore. He enters the first-round draft pick of rookie Marshawn Lynch. Lynch has a great combination of size (5-11, 215), speed and power. He is solid in pass protection and can also play outside as a receiver. Lynch is slippery and rarely goes down on first contact.

Lee Evans is the go-to guy on the receiving corps. Evans is a big-play receiver who caught six passes of 40 yards or more in 2006. He has great speed and is deadly on a double-move route. From Peerless Price, Josh Reed and Roscoe Parrish, someone has to step up to keep Evans from facing constant double teams. TE Robert Royal set his career bests for receptions (23) and yards (233) in 2006.

The Bills hope to improve their offensive line with the additions of guard Derrick Dockery and right tackle Langston Walker. LT Jason Peters is a player on the rise, forming a solid left side with Dockery. Duke Preston began the second half of 2006 at right guard, but a lot of improvement is needed if he hopes to retain the starting job. Center Marvin Fowler is a bit small and is routinely outplayed by bigger tackles.

DEFENDING

At the line, Pro-Bowl right wing Aaron Schobel recorded a career-high 14 sacks last season. Chris Kelsay and Ryan Denney round out a tough and aggressive front line. Anthony Hargrove and Larry Tripplett will also see plenty of playing time up front.

This unit took a huge hit when it lost Fletcher-Baker and Spikes. Second-round pick Paul Posluszny will be in the middle. He is smart, fast and can make plays all over the field. Angelo Crowell will now switch to the strong side, which should suit his abilities. Keith Ellison will replace Crowell on the weak side.

The Bills will greatly miss CB Nate Clements. Terrence McGee is now the number one corner. 2006 third-round pick Ashton Youboty will have to step up. He played in just three games last season, but he’s a good athlete whose coverage skills should improve. Kiwaukee Thomas, last year’s nickel corner, will also need to improve.

The Bills started two rookie safety last season, Donte Whitner and Ko Simpson. Whitner is a physical run blocker and Simpson is the deep cover man with great ball skills.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Pro Bowl kicker Brian Moorman is phenomenal. He gets great hang time and is an excellent directional kicker. Kicker Rian Lindell, the most accurate kicker in Bills history, shot 23 of 25 FG attempts last season and has made all 224 of his career PAT attempts. McGee finished with a solid kickoff return average of 26.1 yards. Parrish was third in the league with a punt return average of 11.4 yards.

PREDICTION

The Bills haven’t made the playoffs since ’99. That streak won’t end this year. Losman is still a work in progress, as is the o line. And Lynch needs to prove that he is the real deal. The defense also took a step back. This team has good young talent, but it needs more time to mature. Expect a 5-11 record and a final berth in the AFC East.