As the New England Patriots began to slip following the exit of Tom Brady, the Buffalo Bills were there to take the throne of the AFC East.
Josh Allen took over the division roughly around the same time as Patrick Mahomes came to power, and as such, both have been in an annual race for home playoff games. However, 2024 is set to break the streak.
Here are three reasons why the Bills are primed to lose the division for the first time since 2019.
1. Lost Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis
The biggest reason for the team’s slide will be the most obvious. Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis no longer are on the squad.
When two of the top workhorses leave a team, they are usually set for a decline in the position group.
The Bills did make a move for Keon Coleman as a premier rookie selection. However, replacing Diggs won’t happen overnight and likely will take multiple premium attempts.
2. Josh Allen primed to continue decline
The Bills go as Allen goes. Unfortunately for Bills fans, the quarterback started to slow down on the stat sheet last season. Unless he somehow finds a way to turn water into wine with his new roster, he is primed to continue the downturn.
In 2022, Allen went 13-3, throwing for 35 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. In 2023, he went 11-6, throwing for 29 touchdowns and 18 picks.
It was his lowest win total since 2019 and tied for the most losses in a season in his career. It also was the fewest touchdowns he had thrown since 2019.
Downturns don’t often turn around overnight, so the Bills might be in for a lengthy slowdown that continues through 2024.
3. Aaron Rodgers stiffens competition
Of course, winning a division isn’t only about one team playing well. The competition surrounding the Bills set the bar for how well they need to play to win the division.
This year, the team’s AFC East opponents are set to be much more difficult. With Aaron Rodgers returning from injury, the Jets are likely to be a much more daunting opponent.
The Jets’ likely rise also comes with the Dolphins keeping most of their pieces. Between the two teams, the Bills have their hands full.
Plus, the Patriots serve as a wild card with Bill Belichick out the door and Drake Maye under center. It is gearing up to be a much more difficult year for Buffalo from the inside out.
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