Wednesday, October 21, 2020

Buffalo Bills Week 7 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2020 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Here is where the Buffalo Bills rank in terms of average, best and worst:

  • Average ranking: 9.0 (8th)
  • Best ranking: 8th (Multiple)
  • Worst ranking: 10th (Multiple)

Below you will find a Week 7 roundup for the Bills in our consensus 2020 NFL Power Rankings.

The Athletic -- Rank: 10

I don't have a huge issue with Sean McDermott's defensive strategy against the Chiefs. The Bills played with two deep safeties and dared the Chiefs to stay committed to the run game. It didn't work out. Kansas City ran for 245 yards, but the Bills allowed 26 points and were in the game in the fourth quarter. It was a reasonable approach against Patrick Mahomes. The problem was the Bills' offense didn't do enough, producing just 206 yards on 50 plays. Buffalo scored just one touchdown on its first seven possessions. That's back-to-back losses, but luckily they get the Jets next.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 9

They have lost two straight games and the offense has sputtered. They have to get back on track, and the Jets are the perfect team to make that happen this week.

USA Today -- Rank: 10

Welp, apparently not ready for prime time. But that's OK. They remain atop AFC East -- although barely -- and aren't scheduled for their next showcase under the lights until December.

ESPN -- Rank: 8

Most impactful injury: LB Matt Milano

Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds and cornerback Tre'Davious White have each missed a game to injury, but Milano has already been lost for three games in the first six weeks. When Milano doesn't play, the middle of the Bills' defense is exposed, especially in the passing game. Now in a contract year, Milano presents a conundrum for Buffalo's front office: He is too valuable to let walk in free agency, but his injury history might put a cap on what type of salary he can command. -- Marcel Louis-Jacques

NFL.com -- Rank: 8

"There's no panic, but there is a sense of urgency." Josh Allen said the right things after Monday night's 26-17 loss to the Chiefs in Orchard Park, but there's cause for concern after a pair of losses to elite AFC teams in the past seven days. Playing in rainy conditions, Allen never looked comfortable in another outing that recalled memories of his bumpy rookie year. Meanwhile, the defense is now officially A Problem. Andy Reid surprised all by unleashing a relentless run-based attack that bowled over the Buffalo defense for 245 yards on a whopping 46 attempts. With one last shot at redemption in the final minutes, the Bills' defense was unable to get off the field, leading to a clinching Chiefs field goal. Just a disappointing night all the way around.

+ Previous update: Buffalo Bills Week 6 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

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