- Head Coach: Sean McDermott (ninth season)
- PFF projected win total: 11.6
- 2024 Record: 13-4 (first in AFC East, lost in AFC Championship)
Biggest strength: Josh Allen
Buffalo’s MVP-winning quarterback remains the foundation of the team’s success. Despite a defense that ranked 28th in PFF grade last season and a receiving corps that finished 17th without a true elite option, Josh Allen continued to carry the Bills into Super Bowl contention. Until Buffalo proves it can win in other ways, Allen remains the heartbeat of the franchise.
Biggest weakness: Safeties
The Bills posted the second-worst coverage grade in the NFL last season, with many of their issues stemming from defending the middle of the field. Buffalo’s safeties ranked 31st in coverage and return largely the same group in 2025. Unless young players like Cole Bishop or Jordan Hancock make significant strides, this could continue to be a glaring weakness for the defense.
Quarterback spotlight: Josh Allen
- 2024 PFF Grade: 91.9
- Key Stat: First QB in PFF history to earn a 90.0-plus PFF grade in five straight seasons
Allen is the heartbeat of the Bills. His elite dual-threat ability was on full display last season, leading the NFL with a 7.0% big-time throw rate and a 93.6 rushing grade en route to his first MVP award. He also showed growth in ball security, posting a career-low 2.6% turnover-worthy play rate. Allen is unquestionably a top-four quarterback in the league and has the ability to singlehandedly win games each week.
Offensive player: HB James Cook
Cook took full advantage of Buffalo’s balanced offensive approach by leading the NFL in rushing touchdowns last season. His career-high 88.6 rushing grade ranked eighth among qualified running backs. Cook has become one of the league’s most consistent backfield performers, ranking inside the top 15 in missed tackles forced, yards after contact and explosive runs (postseason included).
Defensive player: ED Greg Rousseau
Rousseau has established himself as one of the NFL’s top edge defenders and put up an 80.0-plus PFF grade for the third consecutive season in 2024. He led the team with 70 pressures and 11 sacks. His impact is undeniable — when Rousseau was on the field, Buffalo’s defense posted a respectable 65.7 PFF grade. Without him, that number plummeted to just 50.6 across 413 snaps.
Rookie to watch: CB Maxwell Hairston
By season’s end, Buffalo was scrambling for answers at cornerback opposite Christian Benford. The Bills are counting on first-round pick Maxwell Hairston to help stabilize the position. A speedster with strong instincts in zone coverage, Hairston posted an 84.2 zone coverage grade over the past two seasons at Kentucky.
Fantasy spotlight: TE Dalton Kincaid
Dalton Kincaid flashed potential as a rookie, including a midseason stretch where he averaged 14 PPR points per game and posted a pair of 80-yard outings to close the regular season. His second year, however, was largely forgettable. He scored just two touchdowns and never surpassed 55 receiving yards in a game. Kincaid averaged only 21 routes per game and saw the third-most uncatchable targets among tight ends. Injuries hampered his 2024 campaign, likely affecting both his playing time and rapport with Josh Allen. While Dawson Knox remains in the picture, there’s still a reasonable case for significant improvement from Kincaid this season.
Best bet: WR Khalil Shakir — over 775.5 receiving yards (-110)
Shakir’s 2024 breakout was fueled not just by increased volume but also by elite efficiency. The 25-year-old ranked in the 85th percentile or better in several key receiving metrics, including separation rate (97th), yards after catch per reception (94th) and yards per route run (85th). With Josh Allen’s trust firmly in place, Shakir is poised to take another step forward as a dynamic slot weapon.
Bottom line
As long as Josh Allen is healthy, the Bills will remain favorites to win the AFC East. Their championship hopes, however, hinge on whether the defense — a unit that has consistently underwhelmed in the postseason — can take a meaningful step forward.
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