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Buffalo Bills running back James Cook (4) celebrates after a touchdown against the New England Patriots during the second half of Sunday’s game in Foxborough, Massachusetts. AP Photo

ORCHARD PARK — It’s been nearly nine months since Brandon Beane addressed a skeptical fan group that questioned whether the Bills’ season was already doomed in the wake of receiver Stefon Diggs being dealt to Houston.

Not only did the general manager refuse to succumb to extreme skepticism, but Beane actually attempted to reassure everyone that trading his top receiver somehow represented a step forward.

“This is in no way an attempt to abandon the bill or retreat or anything like that. Whatever we do, we’re trying to win,” Bean said. “It’s April 3 or 4 or whatever, and we’re going to continue to work on this roster and make sure we’re ready to play in September.”

Who is doubting him today?

Although there are big odds ahead, starting with Buffalo hosting the Denver Broncos (10-7) in a wild-card playoff matchup on Sunday, BetMGM Sportsbook currently has the Bills with Baltimore at the third-best odds (plus-600). Lists equal to. ) trails only two-time defending champion Kansas City (plus-350) and Detroit (plus-280) in Super Bowl wins.

The five-time defending AFC East champion Bills (13-4) certainly have their flaws, especially a defense that made up for finishing 17th in the NFL in yards passing by forcing the third-most takeaways (32) Is.

But make no mistake on offense where Josh Allen has overseen an unselfishly balanced attack “Everyone eats” Approach in setting franchise single-season records for points (525) and touchdowns (65), while becoming the first NFL team to score at least 30 TDs passing and rushing in a season.

This is the type of multi-threat attack Buffalo lacked during his previous four seasons by relying heavily on the Allen-to-Diggs connection, which resulted in the Bills finishing in the divisional round three times and losing the AFC Championship Game in 2020. Ended up with. ,

Perhaps, Beane envisioned this better approach when deciding to part ways with Diggs, which he still considered a difficult decision. The receiver topped 1,100 yards and 100 catches in each of his four seasons in Buffalo, and his 37 touchdown receptions accounted for more than a quarter of Allen’s total during that span.

This season, the Bills became the ninth NFL team to catch a touchdown pass with 13 players, with Mac Hollins having a team-best five. Meanwhile, Khalil Shakir led Buffalo with 76 catches and 821 yards, while James Cook needed his 17th game to top 1,000 yards rushing.

It’s on defense where the major questions remain, and whether the unit can do enough to stop opponents to give Allen a chance to carry the day. Buffalo did so in a blowout 48-42 win over Detroit, and nearly did the same in a 44-42 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

A major setback was a 35–10 loss to Baltimore in Week 4, in which the Ravens scored on their first three possessions to take a 21–3 lead. Derrick Henry opened the scoring with an 87-yard touchdown run and finished with 199 yards rushing.

The Ravens were Buffalo’s only opponent this season to finish the season ranking in the top 10 in both offense and defense. While the Bills were the only team to defeat each of the conference’s top seeds, they went a combined 2–3 against teams in the playoff field.

As low as expectations were in April, they have risen sharply during Buffalo’s fifth 13-win season in team history, and third since 2020.

Ultimately, Beane and the Bills will be evaluated on whether they can overcome their past playoff shortcomings.

What’s working?

Pass security. The Bills allowed a league-low 14 sacks this season, the fewest since Indianapolis allowed 13 sacks in 2009.

what help do you need

Red Zone D. Buffalo ranked 16th in the league and 10th among playoff teams, allowing opponents to score touchdowns on 57.4% of their drives inside the 20 (35 of 61).

to accumulate

To cook. In addition to topping 1,000 yards rushing with 28 yards in Sunday’s narrow 23-16 loss to New England, the third-year player tied the team’s single-season mark set by OJ Simpson at 14-yard line. Scored his 16th TD run for the . Sports season in 1975.

stock decreased

PK Tyler Bass. He reminded everyone of his season-long inconsistencies by missing an extra-point attempt on Sunday – his fifth miss of the season.

Sports injuries

Returner Brandon Codrington suffered a hamstring injury against New England. LB Terrell Bernard (quadriceps) is trending toward playing after missing one game.

key number

11–0 – Buffalo’s regular season home record since a 24–22 loss to Denver on November 13, 2023.

next steps

The Bills are 4-0 in wild-card outings since a 22-19 OT loss at Houston in 2019. Buffalo had defeated Denver 10–7 in the 1991 AFC Championship Game in the teams’ only previous playoff meeting.