Remember back in April, when our NFL Nation reporters predicted that the Buffalo Bills would finish 5-11, including a seven-game losing streak to end the season?
Many Bills fans surely do, because it elicited strong reactions from the fan base. But those who were upset in the spring should get a little relief with the news I'm about to deliver.
In our revised game-by-game predictions posted Tuesday, the Bills' aggregate record from all reporters' predictions improved to 8-8, with three reporters -- Miami Dolphins reporter James Walker, Washington Redskins reporter John Keim and Dallas Cowboys reporter Todd Archer -- who originally picked the teams that they cover to beat the Bills switching their predictions.
I still believe the Bills could do better, as I bumped up my predicted record for the team to 10-6 this week.
Here's how our reporters' September predictions break down:
Week 1 vs. Indianapolis Colts
My prediction: Colts win (0-1)
Mike Wells' prediction: Colts win (0-1)
Wells' comment: Week 1's matchup kicks off a string of five straight games in which the Colts face a mediocre, poor or inexperienced quarterback. The Bills added running back LeSean McCoy. Buffalo has quarterback issues and it won’t have defensive tackle Marcell Dareus for Rex Ryan’s first regular-season game as head coach of the Bills because Dareus will be serving his one-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy.
Week 2 vs. New England Patriots
My prediction: Bills win (1-1)
Mike Reiss' prediction: Bills win (1-1)
Reiss' comment: Felt like this was a tough spot for the Patriots regardless of whether Brady or Jimmy Garoppolo was under center. Now we know it will be Brady. The Bills will be coming off a home opener against the Colts and their defense, coupled with athletic quarterback Tyrod Taylor, looks promising.
Week 3 at Miami Dolphins
My prediction: Dolphins win (1-2)
James Walker's prediction: Bills win (2-1)
Walker's comment: After a fast start, this game has the makings of a letdown for Miami. The Bills are 4-2 against the Dolphins the past three seasons and seem to have Miami's number, regardless of Buffalo's quarterback issues.
Week 4 vs. New York Giants
My prediction: Bills win (2-2)
Dan Graziano's prediction: Bills win (3-1)
Graziano's comment: Nice scheduling break, with the Buffalo game showing up before it gets too, too cold up there on Lake Erie. But I think this is the game where rookie left tackle Ereck Flowers starts to have problems. Rex Ryan's defense will run a lot of tricky stuff at the Giants' revamped offensive line, and I don't think it's in a position to handle it. After three weeks of scoring success, the Giants' offense falls back to earth.
Week 5 at Tennessee Titans
My prediction: Bills win (3-2)
Paul Kuharsky's prediction: Bills win (4-1)
Kuharsky's comment: A battle of two questionable offenses tips in favor of the team with a marquee running back and more talent on defense. Rex Ryan has a home in the Nashville area and collects a win not far from it.
Week 6 vs. Cincinnati Bengals
My prediction: Bills win (4-2)
Coley Harvey's prediction: Bengals win (4-2)
Harvey's comment: Buffalo's defense will be good, believe that. The group was already pretty solid in terms of its pass-rush, but with defensive wizard Rex Ryan now leading the entire team, opposing offenses could be in trouble at Ralph Wilson Stadium. The Bengals and Bills have made a habit of having games come down to the wire. Two years ago, Bengals kicker Mike Nugent buried an overtime winner. Two years before that, he made another at the end of regulation. We're predicting the same.
Week 7 at Jacksonville Jaguars (in London)
My prediction: Bills win (5-2)
Mike DiRocco's prediction: Jaguars win (4-3)
DiRocco's comment: The Bills should have one of the league's best defenses, especially up front. I don't like the quarterback situation. Neither EJ Manuel, Tyrod Taylor nor Matt Cassel does much to scare a defense. I also think the Jaguars' experience in making the trip overseas will help them, too. This will be Buffalo's first trip.
Week 9 vs. Miami Dolphins
My prediction: Bills win (6-2)
Walker's prediction: Bills win (5-3)
Walker's comment: The games in Buffalo usually are gritty and ugly, especially if inclement weather is involved. That rarely bodes well for Miami.
Week 10 at New York Jets
My prediction: Jets win (6-3)
Rich Cimini's prediction: Bills win (6-3)
Cimini's comment: There won't be too much hype for this game, will there? It'll be Rex-ageddon in prime time. No doubt, Rex Ryan badly wants to beat the team that fired him in January. The Bills' new coach has done a lot of chirping about his bitter divorce, and you can bet he'll continue all the way to kickoff. Maybe he'll promote IK Enemkpali from the practice squad and make him a game captain just for this week. That would be so Rex.
Week 11 at New England Patriots
My prediction: Patriots win (6-4)
Reiss' prediction: Patriots win (6-4)
Reiss' comment: The Bills haven't been in the playoffs since 1999, and this is the type of game that they need to win to prove things will be different in 2015. Still have some doubts.
Week 12 at Kansas City Chiefs
My prediction: Chiefs win (6-5)
Adam Teicher's prediction: Chiefs win (6-5)
Teicher's comment: These teams aren’t division rivals but have played one another in each season going back to 2008. While the last three games have been played in Buffalo, the scene now moves to Kansas City, where the Chiefs need a victory to keep their playoff hopes alive. I’m picking a slim Chiefs victory, but the margin would grow if the Bills are quarterbacked by Matt Cassel.
Week 13 vs. Houston Texans
My prediction: Bills win (7-5)
Tania Ganguli's prediction: Texans win (6-6)
Ganguli's comment: The Bills defense is outstanding, but their offensive problems will do them in against the Texans. It'll take a defensive touchdown, but Houston will come out ahead.
Week 14 at Philadelphia Eagles
My prediction: Eagles win (7-6)
Phil Sheridan's prediction: Eagles win (6-7)
Sheridan's comment: LeSean McCoy makes his return to Lincoln Financial Field. Thanks to his comments about Chip Kelly, the guess here is he won’t be greeted warmly.
Week 15 at Washington Redskins
My prediction: Bills win (8-6)
John Keim's prediction: Bills win (7-7)
Keim's comment: The Bills have intriguing talent with running back LeSean McCoy and receiver Sammy Watkins. By this point, we’ll know if Tyrod Taylor can play quarterback in the NFL. But their defense should be excellent, and that’ll make the difference in a game that will frustrate the faithful.
Week 16 vs. Dallas Cowboys
My prediction: Bills win (9-6)
Todd Archer's prediction: Bills win (8-7)
Archer's comment: This is a tricky game to call. Rex Ryan has many people viewing the Bills as a sleeper team in the AFC. Can Tyrod Taylor really be the guy? We know the defense will be solid. And we know it will be cold. Buffalo gains some revenge for its Super Bowl losses.
Week 17 vs. New York Jets
My prediction: Bills win (10-6)
Cimini's prediction: Jets win (8-8)
Cimini's comment: Playing the role of spoiler, the Jets will knock Rex & Co. out of the playoffs on a Geno Smith touchdown pass in the final seconds. After the game, Ryan will announce that he's joining Jim Kelly and Thurman Thomas for a "God damn" snack (i.e. Buffalo wings) at the Anchor Bar.