It’s about that time Bills fans. The smell is in the air. We’re really made it to the night of the NFL Hall of Fame Game which kicks off a preseason for another exciting year of football. We haven’t seen the Bills play yet, but each year as a tradition I try to predict the year blindly WITHOUT seeing any live full dress action yet. Without further ado, here’s my way too early blind schedule prediction leading into a high pressure season for the Bills.
9.8.22- @ LA Rams
The game is the big kickoff to the regular season, and it’s on national television. There will surely be some fireworks, and the whole Von Miller story will be cast in our faces. The rings will be passed out, and hopefully Josh Allen doesn’t pass out before kickoff. I have the Bills losing, due to the home field advantage, and just a new offensive coordinator and game plan. I would love nothing more than to kick Matt Stafford’s ass, but he’s wiley and quick, and I have the Rams. 0-1
9.19.22 Tennessee Titans
A Bills home opener on MNF is going to be absolute madness. Derrick Henry should still be himself, but I just think the battle will be on for Buffalo after an early loss. The Bills come back with a vengeance offensively, and young stars emerge. Bills 31-17 Tannehill questions loom big after this one. 1-1
9.25.22 @Miami Dolphins
At Miami at1pm in September. Hopefully the party wasn’t too big in Buffalo after the Titans MNF victory, because this isn’t last year’s Miami team. Tua struggles but does enough to make it downright scary, but Josh always balls in Miami and puts Buffalo back ahead late. 24-20 Buffalo. 2-1
10.2.22 @Baltimore Ravens
It’s about here where you realize how the Bills schedule is not a cake walk. Lamar Jackson demonstrates why he is an MVP candidate and the Baltimore run game proves worthy. Buffalo is once again relying on Josh Allen to win them games, but that is ok because he does. Because Lamar doesn’t have enough weapons, the Bills defense comes up huge in a tough one. 25-23 Bills. 3-1
10/09 Pittsburgh Steelers
Who will it be at this point under center for the Steel city? It could be a renaissance for Money Mitch, or it could be a big first step for cabbage patch hands Kenny Pickett. Either way it’s a good thing the game is in Buffalo. Crowd and boos are huge against both qbs after one gets his ribs broken, (or something of the likes) and a defensive battle ends with a drunken mess of a win. 30-16 4-1
10/16 @Kansas City Chiefs
The game is .. once again .. in Arrowhead, where the Bills lost the AFC championship and divisional round. Luckily the Chiefs aren’t as good without Hill, but Mahomes is no less good. Bills lose again despite a tough day for Mahomes. 33-31. 4-2
10/30 Green Bay Packers
The home team on Sunday night coming off a bye is helpful, but a rusty start for a juiced up Allen leads to a big lead for Packers early. Once again, it’s becoming clear that the QB play on the schedule isn’t weak. Bills make a comeback but Aaron has ball last and kick to win makes WNY turn their stomachs. Are we bad? 4-3
11/6 @NY Jets
The whole Jets thing is going really hot, with the young Zack Wilson playing at a high level. But this team is pissed now, and the defense, offense, and special teams show out and blow out a hopeful Jets outfit. Selah loses his mind on the sideline because this one hurts. 48-17 Bills. 5-3
11/13 Minnesota Vikings
A November home fall chilly beauty is hard on Kirk. Kirk tried his hardest and makes a few throws, and everyone is talking about James Cook by now, so the brother matchup is huge. The Bills offense begins to find a rhythm and the younger Cook has a career day. Gaining momentum now, and defense is too. 38-22 Bills. 6-3
11/20 Cleveland Browns
The Browns are wishing they’d had kept Baker, but they are tough and talented. It’s a cold old fashioned Bills/Browns game in Buffalo, and the fans are wasted. Whoever is playing QB for the Browns, cannot hear anything at all. Bills pull away early in 2nd half on big turnovers. 41-21 Bills. 7-3
11/24 @ Detroit Lions
A nice warm indoor gams is nice after a few WNY sloppies. Allen returns to the form he christened his HOF level career on a HOF level hurdle in a dome, running rampant like Michael Vick on astroturf, and we see what a magic player he is when in the living room of Detroit. Big question marks on the Hard Knocks Metallica head coach in Detroit as he continues to cry about losing. Goff is clean and plays well, but withers when it matters. Bills offense can’t be stopped now. 52 – 10 Bills. 8-3
12/01 @ New England Patriots
It’s odd that the Bills haven’t played the Pats yet and it’s December. Ideally this game is on Thursday night, and Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs enjoy playing at night. Primetime continues to bless the Bills versus the Pats, and despite a tough effort from Mac and run game, Bills offense too much. 33-21 Bills. 9-3
12/11 NY Jets
The Jets are back, but this time they aren’t as tough. The QB will either be hurt or peeing down his leg in Buffalo. It’s not the fact that he isn’t good enough, but the Jets WR corps is struggling. Jets Run game is decent, but a few fumbles and Special teams along with Bills O that is a freight train, mean another Bills W. 26-6 Buffalo. 10-3
12/17/18 Miami Dolphins
A testy and sparky Dolphins outfit is competing for a playoff spot, and their creativity has them ready for a fight. Hill and Waddle have been scoring a lot, but this isn’t Miami. The cold weather is a big factor on Tua, but not the speed for Miami. A seam here, a seam there, and a bad turnover leads to a bad loss. 29-24 Dolphins. 10-4.
12/24 @Chicago Bears
It seems like the coldest winter for the Bills who are facing another cold game. Doubt has crept in and with doubt comes mistakes. Luckily, the Bears have literally nothing to play for and lose steam after a decent start. The Bills start to limp back to themselves and eventually have some fun at the end. 26-9 Bills. 11-4
1/02 @ Cincinnati Bengals
Joey Bags Burrow is once again proving to be an upgraded Tony Romo, making plays and dropping dimes. The Bills are excited for a good clean game like this, crispy but fair weather under the hot lights of Monday Night. Bills are faster than fast Bengals and end up showing why they got Von Miller. Defense seals it and bangs up Burrow good. 21-16 Bills. 12-4
1/7/8 New England Patriots
It’s a home game and it matters when it comes down to seeding. The Patriots and the Dolphins are fighting for a better spot, or maybe even to get knocked out, so Patriots play hard. The Bills crowd is once again a factor and practically are ready to run on the field (maybe they do). A big happy victory pushes the Bills into the playoffs on a good note, and questions arise for Bellichick as it’s been a weird year for them. Bills 35-17. 13-4
There you have it. Haters gon’ hate, but that’s my season preview for 2022. We can return back to this all season, and I’ll admit if and when wrong. This obviously is impacted by injuries, but this is my outlook. Let me know what you think! Go Bills!
